Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1886-03-18

Lord. 1t seems that the death OF Jesus
Christ had a powerful effect upon both
Joseph and Nicodemus. Judging from
all the circumstances Of the case it surely
was hazardous undertaking to pay any
respect to the body of Jesus. The Jews
were desperately fanatical and ready to do
anything, and the Roman governor was
not disposed to interfere.
a practical lesson to he learned from the
conduct of Nicodemus is that polished man
ners and gentlemanly department are good
in their place, but with nothing except these
we cannot see the kingdom of God. We
must be born again. Another pratical
truth which we may learn from this ruler
ofthe Jews is that we may be dead in tress-
passes and sins and at the same time think
we have nothing to do but make a night
visit to the saviour.
aEag" "Do YOU Think" said an an intelligent
Christian lady when speaking Of the appar-
ent failure of certain revival services, that
hereafter the main dependence must be
placed in the circulation of newspapers,
tracts and other printed messengers of the
gospel ?" We do not think so. These are
very important, they may even be called
necessary, but they must be only subordi-
nate helps, and their effect, if it be right
one will be to lead men to attend church
and engage in concerted religious Worhip
rather than keep them away from it. There
| is temptation just here that may fall un-
der. They have excellent religious news
papers containing, choice articles, lectures
and sermons, and they have pamphlets,
tracts, etc., in large variety. Why shall
they not sit quietly at home and read them
without undergoing the distraction ofgoing
off to church and hearing, perhaps, sermons
that will not interest them? We might
answer by referring to the command of
God which requires men to assemble and
worship in company, but that is under
stood There is another reason-that the
religious life will likely perish if it do not
be helped by associated service, at least
that the Church and religious institutions
will not continue to exist if there is not de-
votion to the forms of public worship; or,
as some have forcibly stated it, "The con-
tinued existence of religion implies the
maintenance of a religious community !;
united by acts Of worship and handing
down the knowledge Of God from father
to son by incubation, not only of religious
doctrine but of religious practice" a mans
duty is not done when he has sought lit
tie edification for himself; he is charged
with the obligation of helping MAINTAIN the
visible kingdom, and this he is best doing
when he gives it visible encouragement and
SuppOrt.-i nHei Pre&OYfert0ll.
paE The subjoined extract from an address
presented at Baptist ministers meeting
in New York, by Prof. Patterson, contains
several good suggestions. 1t pays tribute
to DR.. Guthrie describes his work among
the lowly, and shows how far superior 1t
was to that of men who spent their time in
logomachies and polemics. 1t reads:
"Many an ancient knocker and many a
Jasper bell-pull lay in Guthrie's pastoral
rounds. But just give him an old rlckety
pine door, away up on the fourteenth story,
to match his great set Of knuckles, and the
rap was sweeter to Guthrie's ears than the
castle band. While DR.. Begg was making
vinegar faces at rich Edinburgh sinners,
and DR.. Brown was shouting to the ventl-
lator, 'Sublapsarian, infralapsarlan and su-
pralapsarian,' dogmas by the soporltic faith
Stuart Mill and wearing him out on his
own anvil, mo soul in the macrocosm, no
soul in the macrocosm,' and the people
were being 'detinitioned,' 'expounded,' and
pounded blue or gently chloroformed into
responseful nodding waX-Guthrie was
down among the Cowgate roughs, with his
big hickory cane, old plug hat and dog
cared Bible. He compelled them to come
in.' Wonder of wonders, they came! The
high blue blood of centuries began to blush
into healthier crimson in Old Greytriars
Church through the new breathing holes
now made daily by incomparing prodigals
and sinners, with Cavalry's atoning red
bounding in their veins.'"
Dayn Our various eXcuses-Want OF time,
unhappy circumstances, poor education,
temptation and hindrances, all go for moth
ing when we urge them as reasons for not
believing. Gods call is to faith, and that,
first and above all things, is to claim our at
tentOn. 1t is reckless disobedience to neg
lectit.
BSgD We complain Of the scientists, and
sometimes properly, but it should not be
forgotten that one who cannot believe IN a
revelation and yet acknowledges God and
seeks to find him through his philosophy,
| is less blamable than one who, accepting the
revelation, refuses to live by it. TO believe
and then despise is one of the greatest sins.
aag Ina Christian community there is no
man without call to faith and the service
of the Lord. Christians may not do as they
ought in warning men, but no man is with
out warning who lives under the shadow OF
the churches and within the sound OF the
gospel.
RsP If we can only see our sinfulness and
know how guilty we are in the sight OF God,
| ,,o I'LL boJ,o No dificulty i'm taainp the