The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1886-03-17
RELIGIOUS READING.
Ask the Price.

tea or ball of pack-string. If it ap-
pears to be worth the money I buy-that
is, if I can afford it; but if not, I
let it alone; for he is no wise man who
pays for thing more than it is worth.
But not only in the comforts of food
and clothing, but in all other things, l
ask the same question; for there is q
price to days enjoyment as we'll as to a
joint of butchers meat.
The spcndthrift sets his heart on ex-
pensive baubles, but he does not ask
their price; he is, therefore,, obliged to
give them his houses, his land, his
friends, and his comfort; and these are
fifty times more than they are worth.
The drunkard is determined to have
his brandy and gin and his strong ale;
and he never makes the price an object,
SO he pays for them with his wealth, his
character, and his peace-and sad bar
gain he makes Of it! 1t is the same with
others.
The gamester will be rich at once, but
riches may be bought too dear; for he
who in getting money also gets the
habit of risking it on the turn of a
card or throw of the dice will soon bring
pounds to pence. The gamester pays for
his riches with his rest, his reputation
and bis happiness. Do you think, if the
highwayman asked the price of ungodly
gain, that he could ever commit robbcry2
No, neverl But he does not ask the price,
and foolishly gives for it his liberty, If
not his life.
Ask the price of what you would pos
sess, and make good bargain. A little
prudence will secure you great deal OF
peace. But if, after all, you will have
pleasure of sin, I pray you consider the
price you must pay for it. it.-Euangel'eat
Glurc1man.
The Power OF Living Bible.
3 Nowhere is it more true than in the
Christian life that actions speak louder
than words. A young man had become
an infdel, and would no longer read the
printed Bible, but he could not help see-
ing the fruits of faith in the life OF
another. We quote from the Young
Mems Christian Magazine:
'sIn his fathers house young lady re-
sided, who was relative of the family.
Her fretful temper made all around her
uncomfortable. She was sent to board
ing school, and was absent some time.
While there she became true and earn
est Christian. On her return she was 80
changed that all who knew her won
dered and rejoiced. She was patient
and cheerful, kind, unsel6sh and chari-
table. The lips that used to be always
uttering cross and bitter words, now
spoke nothing but sweet, gentle, loving
words. Her infdel cousin George was
greatly surprised at this. He watched
her closely for some time, till he was
thoroughly satisfied that it was a real
change that had taken place in his young
cousin. Then he asked her what had
caused this great change. She told him
it was the grace of God which had made
her Christian and had changed her
heart.
He said to himself, 81 don't believe
that God has anything to do with it,
though she thinks He had. But it is a
wonderful change that has taken place in
her, and I should like to be as good as
she is. will be so." Then he formed
a set Of good resolutions. He tried to
control his tongue and his temper, and
kept a strict watch over himself. He was
all the time doing and saying what he did
not wish to do and say. And as he
failed time after time, he would turn and
study his good cousins example. He
would read this living Bible, and said to
himself, Chow does it happen that she,
who has not as much knowledge or as
much strength of character as have, can
do what can't do. She must have some
help that I don't know Of 1t must be as
she says, the help of God. Twill seek
that help. He went into his chamber
and prayed to that God whose very ex-
istcnce he had denied. He prayed earn
estly. God heard him, helped him, and
he became a Christian.
Here is the great truth: Christ gives
Himself to US. All that he is and has is
ours. God has blessed us all with spirit
ual blessings in Christ. ".All things are
yours" cries the great Apostle, ''Christ
Jesus is made unto us wisdom and RIG ght-
eousness and sanctifcation and rcdemp-
ton" Who will believe this? The mo-
ment faith takes hold of this great truth,
that moment all is ours. ''We which
believe do enter into rest" The secret
is faith. "The believer is called to live
by faith, to stand by faith, to walk by
faith. and to overcome by faith" How
simple the way Of the Lord
The Baptist Total Abstinence. associa-
tion of England numbers in its ranks
1 17t ministers 26S9 church officers.