The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1885-01-28
Religious Courage.


Real enthusiasm in Christ's service i'm
plies the possession of courage-the cour-
age of ones convictions. Holy boldness
was never more necessary than now.
Many are saying in this age am do
ing as well as [ can, and surely God will
not cast me off if do that" We are to
meet all these persons without fear, and,
however excellent their outward life, de-
clare to them that it is " not by works of
which we have done, but
according to his mercy he saved us, by
the washing of regeneration and renew
ing of the Holy Ghost" Many are STUN
bling over the shortcomings of protesting
Christians. We are not to close our lips
in their presence, and timjdly yield our
ground; but to say to every such one,
" What Is that to thee. - Many are seek
ing to define the boundaries that sepa-
rate the Church from the world. We
are to lay down the Christian rule, and
summon every one to lest their lives by
it, Whatsoever ye do, n word or deed.
do all In the name of the Lord Jesus"
Many are fond of debate in religious
matters; to them it seems proper to know
OF the doctrine before doing Gods will.
We usually reach such skeu 5ics in a bold
positive recital of Holy Writ, something
that requires immediate surrender to
God. To do all this for Christ in the
right spirit, without unnecessary self-as-
sertion, and yet with frmness of heart is
not, indeed, always easy. For true cour-
age requires us to address individuals,
rather than masses. The minister must
seek his opportunity while alone with
the one whom he would save the parent
must do likewise with his children the
Sunday School teacher with his class.
Face to face-heart beating close to
heart-this is the divine method. But
this costs us something Whoever does
this with effectiveness must have bold
ness of spirit united with holy love and
tenderness.
The author of Duty, iOith Illustrations
of Courage, etc, has wisely said How
much is lost to the world for want of q
little courage We have the Willingness
to do, but we fail to do it. The state of
the world is such, and so much depends
on action, that every thing seems to say
loudly to every man, Do something; do
it, do it. The poor country parson, fight
ing against evil in his parish, against
wrong-doing, injustice, and iniquity, has
nobler ideas of duty than Alexand the
Great ever had. Some men are mere
apologies for workers, even when thew
pretend to be up and at it. They stand
shivering upon the brink, and have not
the courage to. plunge in. Every day
sends to the grave obscure men who, if
they had had the courage to begin, would
In all probability, have gone great lengths
In the career of well-doing. Prof Will
son, of Edinburgh, in teaching his stu
dents, always put foremost the sense of
duty-of duty IN action. His lectures
deeply influenced the characters of those
who listened to him. He sent them forth
to fight the battles of life valiantly like
the old Danish hero to dare nobly. to
will strongly, and never to falter in the
path of duty When Professor Wilson
was canvassing the Town Council of Ed
inburgh for their votes one of the coun-
cilmen said: l wad like to gle We ma
vote, Mr.. Wilson; but I'm feared. They
say ye dunna expect to be saved by
grace. : don't know much about that,
Baille but if am not saved by grace, |
am sure that my works won't save me.
'That'll do, thatll do Ise gle you my
vote Both these men showed in this
the courage of conviction. When Luther
said to Erasmus, You desire to walk
upon eggs without crushing them, and
among glasses without breaking them :;
the timorous, hesitating Erasmus replied,
will not be unfaithiul to the cause of
Christ, at least so far as the age aoiU per-
mt me- Luther was a very different
character. So was St. Paul, who said :
am ready, not only to be bound, but
to die at Jerusalem