The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1885-08-12
How To Win.

The success of the Church of Christ in
accomplishing the deliverance of men
everywhere from falsehood and sin, and
in leading them to saving and purify
ing trust in Christ, will be attained chief
ly through the power of simple, flial
faith in the Bible as the infsllible word
of our heavenly Father. No one is as
likely to put forth earnest efforts for the
rescue of souls as he or she. who has this
simple and unquestioning faith. No one,
whatever else he may have of power or
money or knowledge or social influence, is
qualified for this work of redemption if
he have not this simple faith.
Souls are not and never will be saved
by the endeavors of the higher criticism.
We maintain that in this great buoiness
higher criticism is of no Importance one
way or another. The research of the
critics has not affected in the slightest de-
gree single one of the truths, the doc
trines which distintinguish the Bible.
Those doctrines are to no extent depend
ent upon the work of Bible critics. The
word Of God is the sword of the Spirit,
and is such often in spite of all the op-
position, ridicule, and contempt human
learning can bring against it. These
words are not used from an undervalua-
ton of education, research, and learning,
but only to state fact proved over and
over again In the history of the Church.
Souls are won by the word of God, pre-
sented by those who in simple faith ac-
cept it as the one, all-lmportant, supreme,
and infallible word OF God.
Souls are not won by theological
speculations, by d eclaring the conclusions
OF human consciousness, but by the word
of God declared with faith. The words
OF mans wisdom are powerless to win the
depraved soul of man away from its sins,
Its false condolences, its pride and self
righteousness, to the acceptance of the
pardon and life offered in Jesus Christ.
Simple faith is honored by God, is at
tended with the enlightening and renew
ing influence of the Holy Spirit, and is
successful in winning souls to ike faith
in Jesus Christ and the Scriptures, which
testify of him, and which more and more
conform the soul to the life of Christ.
Nothing but simple faith will do this.
Simple faith in the Bible always has
and always will achieve the rescue and
conversion and salvation of souls 1t is
irresistible and almighty, and is the only
principle in this world that is so. The
power OF God is in it. 1t partakes of the
divine nature, is indestructible, invinci-
bic, and irresistible The results it wins
afford proof of the authenticity, the
genulneness, the inspiration, of the Scrip
lures, before which nearly all other proof
becomes insignificant. Men and women
without learning, without station, with
out money, despised, villifed, ridiculed,
prosecuted, have overcome the opposition
of antagonists, built up and extended the
Church OF God out of living stones by
their simple faith in the Word of God.
Such men and women are doing this now,
and receiving miracles of grace as ther re-
ward of their faith. One of the best
Tracts for the Times" is Jerry M
Auley'S Newspaper, because it a record
OF souls rescued daily from drunkenness
and the vilest practices and the most
desperate wickedness by the power of
simple faith. The Cremorne Mission, and
similar missions in this and other cities,
are day after day winning the most de-
graded children of vice to newness of
life In Christ Jesus by the power of sim
pie faith In the Bible.
Simple faith IS the victory. God the
Father is in it, endowing it with blessed
power. Jesus Christ, the Prince and
Saviour, the Lord Saviour, is in it. The
Holy Spirit is in it. Nothing can stand
before it. 1t wins where everything else
fails. Our cry should be "Lord, I be-
lieve help thou mine unbelief. Chris
tion L1telHgencer.