The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1884-11-05

edge Of religion, but he Is not man OF
earnest, self sacrificing work. VIII his
Heaven be the same as the Heaven Of such
a man as the Apostle Pauli Or as that OF
ten thousand in this life who, In the same
spirit, rejoice to work for Christ, and can
say truly: "For me to live is ChristS"
God is not unrighteous to forget the works
of labor and love, and II we are saved only
by grace our work isnot faithful work. Tho
man who says continually in the prayer
meeting: "My works are all as filthy
rags" ought to be turned utof the church.
There were wicked men, OF old, who plum
dered orphans, and then went to church
with their sacrifices, and they were an
abomination to God. But when we give
cup of cold water, or perform any other
Christian act through love, these acts are
not filthy ragsl
ave must all appear before the Judg-
ment-seat to answer things done In the
body" Oh, what wonderful reward this
will be II my Lord Jesus Christ shall then
come to any one Of us and say: swell
done, good and faithful servantW oh, II
He says that, who will regret any sacri-
fee, work or suffering done for Him in this
worldY Now 1 believe there are men
some men here-who do this labor for love
to Christ, and we desire that every one OF
you do show the same diligence ITO the full
assurance of hope unto the end" So Inow
come to speak Of Christian hope. "That
We be not slothful, but followers Of them
who through faith and patience inherit the
promises. Heb. VILE.
Now there are men who hold to the doc
trine of assurance in theory without being
practical in the use ofsit Some Christians
are always afraid. Oh, IL is indeed n ter
rible thing TO think how suddenly one may
die! And it may be mark Of great timid-
ity to be in such constant doubt, or II may
be an act of piety. Others there may be
who think themselves unworthy Of enter
tanning this hope. But has not Christ
promised that he will give unto you
eternal lifeg ~ co." he says, "to prepare
a place for you" "Well, but may l ap-
propriate this promise?" "Blessed," says
the apostle, "be the God and Father OF our
Lord Jesus Christ, who, according TO His
abundant mercy, hath begotten us again
unto a lively hope by the resurrection OF
Jesus Christ from the dead" at does not
appear" says another apostle, "whnt we
shall be, but we know that when He APP
pears, we shall be like Him." And so We
are exhorted to rejoice in hope, and the
text urges us to be diligent, that we may
possess this hope.
This is not a mere theory. Why should
we have this assurance! Some people are
ready TO make out that, unless you art
quite sure of your salvation, you are NO
saved. 1t is blessed thing TO have thii
hope and assurance. This assurance o
hope should prompt us TO cultivate it. i
is sad thing to think there should be any
Christian with gloomy face or sad voice
They are anything but inviting.
Now, what is the connection betweeI
work ne and hopingy There is a natura
connection. Here is the principle on which
we found our hope-"That ye be not sloth
ful, but followers OF them who, through
faith and patience, inherit the promises.
How did they possess, II there was no
faith and patience, which Is trust in God
which implies also patience and persever
.
OF them, and perseverers in obedience u
God, trusting 70 be saved through Jesu
Christ, and in that way we may expect Il
be like TO those who now inherit the prom
ises.
am climbing II mountain, and see peo
Pile looking up, wondering what is at tn
top. swell, there is that precipice, an
that glacier, a steep and dizzy path. d
|, not know whether | shall be able 70 reac
the top" Certainly you will not reach
If you stand there. The way 10 have goo
assurance that you will reach the top
not by wasting single moment, but b
ng on. So, brethren "using all dill
gence, add 10 your faith virtus, and TO vii
!. tue knowledge, and to knowledge temper
ance, and TO temperance patience, and
;. patience godliness, and TO godliness brotl
! erly kindness, and to brotherly kindne
}, charity"
y y "But you are not quite sure you will s
y to Heaven when you dieW What is salvt
tiony deliverance from the devil, full SUI
. render 10 the Lord Jesus Christ. Are yC
y fully surrendered 10 the Lord Jesus Chris
Q then you are saved. There is no questiC
= !, about being saved by-and-by; you Al
' saved now. Christ saves by delivering
from the power OF sin, and by enabling
20 walk free from sin. There 10 no way
finding out whether or not we are among
o the "elect;" but II we arc mortifying IL
9 flesh, and II we are doing our best 10 mal
u our calling and election sure, we are ha'
. ing the best possible evidence Of what W
be the result hereafter. Brethren, tree
known by its fruits; works are the the
n mometer Of faith. We do not work for so
o walton. We do not work In order TO liv
q we live first, and then we work. WorI
o are the Thermometer OF faith.
Q Some seek assurance in another wa
" comparing themselves with others. Tn
Is ask themselves: "Are my feelings exact
o such as ought TO havep Here is pers
IS suddenly converted who knows just Z
: time, place and text There are others w
(, can not tell when they became Christian
y This one says: ~ hear So-and-So wept
y whole week at his conversion, but ha
Is done nothing Of the kind" There is
W method like being absorbed In doing
In will Of Christ; happy or not happy, II y
N will engage In His work in the labor OIL
10 you will soon lose your doubts. There a
10 some people who give way 10 envy, dou
40 aud fear. Ono would think they had (
I'd hoart disease. Their favorite hymn mig
IN run like this;
he "TIs point long 70 know,
ID OFT Il causes anxious thought;
MA 4 lova tho Inrd Or no.