The Nevada picayune., 1885-10-01
How To Attain Christian Purity

man to perceive his sins, and y ct be unwilling to give them up. Many do this. How is it with you? Are you now willing to give up all your idols, to 'cut off rights arms,' to pluck out right eyes, to put to sacrifice dearest and most cherish ed indulgences? Look well to this! How vain to expect, or ore. tend even 10 desire, salvation from all sin at the same time that you are harboring some in the heart! Would you be holy, you must make up your mind to the crucifiction of every sin; the very last must be surrendered and given to the cross and spear.
 Holiness Are you willing to receive it, with all it's consequen. ces, of watchfulness, and sacrifice and self-denial, and entire devo- ton of the soul and life to God :? Not only are you willing thus to be freed from sin, and to take the responsibility of holiness, but are you desirOus to do SO? Is it the supreme wish of your heart9 Are you willing, in proof of your sim cerity and preference, to accept it in lieu of everything besides? Still further; it is not only need- full that you become willing and dssirous upon the subject, but you must likewise come to the firm purpose and resolution that through grace you will be holy; that you will never rest short of this state; that all hazards you will preserve, and never cease the effort until you attain. If you find it difficult to form the pur- pose-if there is discernible re. |
 maining feeling that, fyon should not immediately succeed, perhaps you may give over the struggle pray and agonizc for the victory here; never rest until your mind is determined. Nothing great can be accomplished without resolu- ton. An unstable or double mind' cannot prosper. Be firmly resolved. therefore, that you will contend for and claim your privi- legc-tliat you will attain.
 1 Some commence seeking God, or engage in the pursuit of holi' ness. without a decided purpose to succeed. They have a will to commence working, but not will to do all that may be necessary, to make all requcisite sacrifices, to preserve through every opposi- tion. This may be your case; if so, stop short and resolve firmly, irrevocably, that you will be for God wholly. YOu will never go beyond your will, when you en- deavor without it's concurrence 1t will amount to nothing. Will, then work when you have the will! Your desires are set upon holiness; now resolve that, it being your privilege you will have it by Gods grace, and set forward and endeav- or after it according to your light. It is not presumed, in this advice that you purpose in your own strength to make this great attain ment; it is not supposed that your willing secures it, but only that it leads sou forward to God, who will bestOw it upon you when you come to Him. It is not, will to be holy, snd be holy but will not to cease until God shall confer the grace of his own free goodness The important invincible resolu- tion or willing must appear in one moment.
 The work of resisting every sin -crucifying every improper de- sire, being entirely for Goodwill meet with opposition, strong op- position; a feeble purpose will soon yield; the soul will relapse into it's former state. The work will not be accomplished; not be- cause it was impossible; but be. cause there was not the requisite resolution. 4 man IS dying of a tumour; he wishes it removed, and goes to a surgeon, but the knives inffmidate him--his resolutions fails, he returns with the fatal tu- mour still upon him. WO'd you be holyg Learn by this illustra- ton the value of resolution; feso- lutioh then will not cover when the knife is laid to the heart to amptNate it's idols !-Christian Drvity