The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-07-14
Rev. Mr.. Price Discusses the Sub.
iect Of Eternal Religion in an
Interesting Way.
President Colby Gives 800 to the
z. N. q. A, and Will Deliver
an Address.
The Organization Prospecting in this City
New Papers In the Reading
Room.

blind had his eyesight restored and he
knew it. II was the Sabbath day. 1t is not
difficult to realize the scene or under
stand the remarks of all who had part in it.
This blind beggar was won't to sit Just out
aide the temple gate, doubtless to solicit
aims. But on the Sabbath he would neither
ask nor receive aims, though his presence
in the wonted place would secure wider
notice, and perhaps lead to many private
gifts. The blind were regarded as specially
entitled to charity, indeed they are to-day,
touching instances of the delicacy displayed
toward them. When Jesus and his disciples
passed by they all looked at the blind man,
but Jesus with look full of meaning and
mercy. His was not q look of pity and
helplessness, but look of mercy and
blidness is typical of the sinners spiritual
blindness. and when Jesus restored his
sight to him he was no more certain of it
than the christian is of pardon. have not
the time to refer to the question of the
Pharisees. 'Who did sin this man or his
suffering in the world is not the effect of
sin, in fact there may many modes OF suf-
fering that cannot be traced to any
particular transgression, therefore we
should pity and not blame and dispise
those who are afflicted with any natural de-
AOAW1ty VI VdAdMlVys a6 OAAL A6VAuAo WO
should pity the spiritually blind, deaf, lame
and ignorant. This incident illustrates
conversion very forcibly and we now invite
your consideration of this thoughts;
Conversion illustrated BY the restoration
of the blind man to sight. ~ 1t was
rance to knowledge, death to life and sin to
righteousness. Stu in it's practical effects
conduces to blindness, Ignorance and death.
1t destroys our moral sensibilities, blasts
our p0rest and sublimest hopes, and hurls
our souls into the vortex of ruin and death.
The effect of spiritual blindness is aug
mented when we realize that it carries us
beyond our power or that of our friends to
rescue. If it were true that there was no
power or agency greater than that of man,
our state would be miserably hopeless one.
rs there no balm in Gilead :" Yes.
Second-The work is divine. God only
could restore sight to the blind and He
alone can save q soul from death. Many
and futile have been the attempts of man
to reform his fellow creatures. Education,
legislation and moral suasion have all been
tried, but nothing will restore sight to the
generating power-of God. "Marvel not
that l |, say unto yon; .ye must be born
again" A change that produces such an
effect must be thorough and radical.
Third-The unlikeliness of the means
used: No one expected the accomplish
ment of the end in the use of such means.
Christ spat upon the ground, made clay Of
the spittle, Amounted the mans eyes, tell
ing him to go wash. He did and came
back from the pool of Sloan seeing.
choice of the weak things to confound the
mighty. The thought that such would be
the result tried the faith of the enemies of
Christ. The conditions are not changed
to-day. The declaration of the story of
the cross to-day accompanied by the Holy
Spirit produces results as marvellous. If
00A nvvm HNn a. L. Il
means God has given, the same glorious re-
suits will follow.
Consciousness of the effect.
whether he be a sinner or no, know not;
one thing know, that whereas I was blind,
1 now see" One thing ! know, once 2,%: was
the priest,'' and Job said. II know that my
redeemer liveth." The witness of the spirit
of God and of man makes Christian expert
ence q certainty. The simplicity of this
young man really does "give God the glory
The Pharisees professed to know much, but
thing" which he knew. Experience con-
firms men in the right. A man may say
honey is not sweet, but you had some fol-
breakfast and found it very sweet, and your
reply is conclusive. The hows and why's
this young man did not know, but he was
that was more definite than all the specula-
tions of science. One good brother said.
II know just when the great peace of God
filled my soup'; another said, II do not, but
one spring ] became concerned for my soul
began to pray. At first got no light. but
and knew myself to be child OF
Goo. But when the change came
can not tell. They both had the exper-
fence, therefore could not be moved. Said
poor pious widow to suffering sceptic
when he asked: ''How do you know your
10 io ku~> hat hn,, - ~.
ass sea tSa
perience of my heart" "Oh," said he, con-
temptuously, ''your experience is nothing
to me. That may be, sir, but it everything
to me-" The power of love is unknown
and unappreciated. We may not be able to
ity, but we may know whether or not our
sins are forgiven. 81 Eg
The world will always take exceptions to
your positive statements concerning your
peace with God and your knowledge of what
ne has done for you. Whenever you be-
the philosophers in the world cannot shake
your faith in God. Intidelity says there is
no Christ, but you say I have found him OF
whom Moses and the prophets spake.
have put my soul and my heart into his
gracious hand as He commanded me and
has done for me. We need definite Chris
tian experience more than anything else.
We will no longer be towards. See the
courage of this young man! He knew, and
was not afraid.
In conclusion allow me to call your atten-
ton to the harmony there is in Christian
testimony. All classes and conditions give
the same testimony in substance. Witnesses
host are round about us, and they all
testify to one great truth, the reality of the
religion of the Lord Jesus Christ. This ex-
perience is sure repose. Hold fast to e1.
perimental religion, it is 4 certain support.
The sublimest thought and expression flows
from mind and soul rich in Christian ex-
perience. The narration of no events are
SO thrilling as those of true Christ ian's
experience. From the palace. the college,
the howell and the prison cell, the sick cham.
Der and the martyrs stake comes the same