The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1885-04-30
Our Faults Near Our Virtues.

The sins of good men are not unfre.
qnently found in the neighborhood o.
their most distinguishing virtues. The
weak places are carefully watched, but
the strong places are left unguafded
because they are strong, and just there
the tempter makes his fercest assault and
enters the Getty fortified" It is we'll to
know our elements of strength and to
put confidence in them; but this conf
dence should not tend to relaxation oi
watchfulness. Satan is vigilant adver.
sary whenever he sees a sentinel called
away, or sleeping at his post, he improves
the opportunity.
The greatest saints have failed just
where they seemed strongest.
Peter, the Apostle, was characterized
above all the other disciples for sincerity
and courage. He could not disguise his
feelings. His character was transparent.
You could read him at glance. Gun.
ming and duplicity were foreign to bis
nature. He always uttered the senti'
ments of his heart, even though his words
seemed rash and irreverent at times and
exposed him to the sharp rebukes of his
Master.
Nor vas Peter acoward. The declara-
ton Though I should die with thee, yet
will I not deny thee; l am ready to GO
with thee both to prison and death ]
will lay down my life for thy sake )" was
no sudden burst of enthusiastic devotion
to his master. 1t came from the inner
sanctuary of his heart. 1t revealed the
true inwardness of his character.
Upon the day of Pentecost and before
the Jewish Council, Peter stepped boldly
to the front and continued fesolute and
unbending until the last. And yet Pc
ter's twofold sin was deceit and couardice.
The man, whose characteristic was hon.
esty, attempts to practice deception. The
man, who was ready to lay down his life
for his master, denies with the emphasis
of an oath that he never knew the Man.
T So of many other holy men of old.
Abraham was called the "father of the
faithful" and yet he failed most signally
in faith. Job was remarkable for his
patiencei and yet that very grace gave
way under repeated trials.
Moses was "meek above all the men
that dwelt upon the earth" and yet at
Meribah his meekness gave place to
irritability. He lost self control and by
shifting the rock, contrary to Gods COM
mand, displayed, a vindictive spirit
strangely out of harmony with his usual
department. The man of gentle, humble
and quiet temper became peevish and
angrily scolded the people for their MUIR
murings.
So also of Jacob. The great and pc.
culiar excellence of his character was the
religious faith and intensity of feeling
with which he cherished the Divine
promise made to his fathers. "In thee
and in thy seed shall all the families of
the earth be blessed" But in this was
exhibited the frality Of Jacob and from
itproceeded his folly and sins.
How important and solemn the lesson
conveyed by these examples!
The holiest motives and soundest prin-
ciples of christian life and character
require constant watching.
Let the child of God beware-lest
when he thinks himself distinguished
for some great principle or grace, he fail
in that very thing.
Mt only guard the weak places, but
also post wary sentinel at the point Of
greatest strength and security. "Let him
that thinketh he standeth, take heed lest
he fall."-Associate Reformed Presbyteri-