The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1888-03-29

All my brethren we sec enough in O
single day, sometimes, to greatly dis,
courage us. At such times we almost
lose all heart and hope in our work.
But we must remember that Christ, in q
certain place, did not do many mighty
works, because of the prevailing un-
belief. In other places He encountered
the most violent opposition, and the
most perVerse contradiction of sinners.
But all were equally and alike efrectual
In impeding the progress of tho gospel
as preached by the Son of God. So we
see that there were multiplied phases of
the 0pposlton our Saviour met in his
public ministry. The same may be as
truly said of the opposition that the
apostles met, and that ministers of
Christ have everywhere and ever since
met. We speak of this opposition in n
general way, as affecting the progress of
the gospel IN all times and in all places
not as existing primarily between men
and men, simply considered, but as ex-
lstlng primarily between the Spirit of
Christ and the Spirit of the Dovil.
What Is the history of mankind but a
running commentary upon the HOLY
Scriptures, bearing on the desperate
wickedness of the human heart, the
dreadful nature of sin and the fearful
effects of sin?
Notwithstanding oil the excellencies of
the character of Christ, and the diffusiye
goodness that shone forth in all his life
and labors, proclaiming Him divine, and
the greatest benefactor of suffering
humanity, there were yet found those so
lost to gratltude-so implacably wicked
as to array themselves against Him.
Instead of the reception and honors he
Justly deserved the text records the fact
| that He ''endured the contradiction of
sinners against himself" Let us with
atfectionate sympathy look on the in
dignltles that were heaped upon Him
when He ''gave His back to the smiters,
His cheeks to them that plucked off the
hair; and hid not his face from sha me
and spitting." lisa. 500. Behold the Son
of Gods delight, thus vilely degraded,
thus infamously abused. But not only
so-the wonders Of His power and good
ness were maliciously ascribed to Satan.
This was the highest pitch of iniquity.
At last as q malefactor Of the worst sort,
He was nailed to the cross, and il
torture hung and bled and died-thus
giving his precious "Mfe q ransom for
many"
1t is well therefore that his faithful
followers consider Him that endured so
@hoSh AOA OllSu, lSSU GIlcY gro" weary
and faint in their minds when real trials
and prosecutions come. The early fol-
lowers of Christ, though far inferior to
their divine Lord, expressed so much of
His temper and conduct in their lives
and teachings that they were accounted
worthy to suffer shame and reproach in
the next degree to Him. Paul, who
labored moro zealously and more
abundantly than his brethren, expert
enced larger share of dishonor and i'll
treatment. Though educated ut the feet
OF Gamaliel, and no stranger to Grecian
literature, when he showed himself de-
termined to live for Christ and die for
the truth, if necessary, and to glory only
| In the Gross Of Christ, he was "made as
the filth of the world and tho oifacouring
of all things" 1st Cor, Alb. And what
was true in the lifetime and experience
of Paul will hold universally true-in
proportion as the truths Of divine revela-
ton are faithfully proclaimed to tl1ls
SHINING, sinful world. 1t is not possible
to believe that the carnal mind is better
reconclled to the truths of tho gospel
to-day than in former times. And if
there Is less persecution, and fewer
trials to ministers of Christ, now than
then, it may be because they live under
q better government and arc protected
by purer and better laws now than then,
but would sooner guess that it is be
cause their zeal, faith and activity arc
not such as characterized the apostles,
and that their conduct is more conform
able to tho prevailing tastes of sinners
around them, If they havo'not in many
cases actually toned down tho gospel TO
suit the refined sensibilities Of innuen-
tlal sinners in their midst. Only let
there be return to tho apostolic SIM
plicity, plainness and dircctness Of
preaching the gospel, and there will be a
greater upheaval in tho world, and n
greater turning of sinners in one direc-
ton or the other. The faithful preach
ing of the gospel has never yet failed to
stir carnally-minded men. 1t either has
salutarY or q deleterious effect 1t
either wins to Christ and thus secures
the love and fidelity of those that hear
it, or it hardens and thus secures the
contempt of those that hear it. If the
faith and practice of the saints on earth,
agreeable to the New Testament, werC
not always and everywhere attended with
O measure of opposition and persecution
we should want at least one ScripturaI
evidence that the gospel is of divine
origin. Intidels would be in possession
= of one solid objection against it. But
! Christ was not mistaken when he pre-
. dicted the reception His gospel would
! meet with in the world. The divine
Q prophecy is fulfilling every day. Chris
I assured His disciples that their attach
I ment to Him and their fidelity to the
:, truth would expose them to tho violeu
q hatred and tumultuous rage of mankind
e.? Ecclesiastical history often repeats itself
y and as oftan yerities the words Of Christ
0 DIR. BronduR, Of the Southern Baptis
v Theological Seminary, in commenting
9 on the 10th chapter of Matthew, says
!. 'I1et no ono bo surprised at learning
' that Sc much persecution is to be en-
q conntered by the Twelve and by Christ
t followers in general; for it was the oh
n ject Of Christ's mission to introduc
t principles which would be sure to caus
: divisions and conflicts among men, evel
j. within the bosom Of families. His &c
ia ligion was so wholly opposed to tn
spirit of tho world, that such resul
y was inevitable"
10 Again, the Same commentator says
Is "Ihe gospel does tend to bring men int