Nevada County picayune., 1890-01-08
RELIGIOUS COLUMN.
Edited by -. GEO. A. GARDNER.
CONDITION OF DIsCIPLEsHIP

ne Stll-uelcll llliilhp po"Si oA UnN human will is distinctly recognized in this as well as many other passa- ges of Scripture. In fact, the power of vOlitiOn or choice is broadly traced throughout the whole of the Bible, and influences are brought to bear to affect it's decision in favor of the true and right. Before any step, there fore. can be made in the great ques- ton of personal salvation, the full and unreserved consent of the will must be obtained, as it is utterly inn possible to comply with the terms until this preliminary step has been taken. Probably the reason why so many seek to enter in, and yet are not able, is because they have failed at this very point-they have under taken the task without the full con- currence of their will. The condI- tions and hopes and prospects of sal vation are only offered to those who have thoroughly made up their minds to secure the nnspeakablc gift at all hazards.
 The word disciple was favorlte term employed to designate the true followers of Christ in the early days of Christianity. It involves the idea of a school, teacher, textbooks and pupils. Our SavIor is the teacher, the Bible is the textbook, and all true Christians are pupils. If any man will enter this school of Christi anity, heI must comply with the terms set forth by the great teacher him. self. These terms are plainly and unequivocally announced-let him deny himself, take up his cross and follow me. It will be observed that three steps are mentioned, each, too, in the order in which it occurs in the progress of q soul from a life of sin to a life of holiness. Self-denial Is the first step, and this step must be taken before the other steps can be made.
 Self-denial includes the idea of self-renunciation surrender of all we have and are to God, and em. braces all those exercises of mind winch are usually set forth under the term repentance. It is essentially g preparatory work. John the Baptist preached repentance to the people in order to prepare them for the re ception of the Savior, and no one can receive the Savior in his heart until he has given up sin by an evangcll' cal repentance. The soul must first be emptied of sin in order to be filled with holiness-the devil must be de throned before God can be enthroned in the heart. This is done in the process of self-denial. The neXt step introduces the positive side o relioion-hitherto the work has beer mainly of negative character. The active, positive, and even aggres sive duties of Christianity must bt performed.
 The consecrated cross must b' borne in the conflict with the powers of darkness, in order to insure ful and complete victory. There must be a separation from the world, ant the daily performance of Christian duty. Only in this way can th' Christian let his light shine before others in such a manner as to induce them to glorify onr Father in Heaven The third and highest step necessarily follows the other two-it is the sym metrical rounding up of the Christian character. To follow Christ is tt walk in his footseps, to imbibe hi' spirit, and to initiate his example The Lord Jesus Christ is our grea leader, and when we follow him il the discharge of our duties, we i'm bibe his spirit, have his image stamped upon our hearts, and grow up into him in all things who is oul living head.
 Reader, have you accepted tho Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior by denying yourself, taking up your cross and following Him, or are you endeavoring to save yourself by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He hath saved Us by the washing of regeneration and the renewing of the Holy Ghost. While We are gracious ly invited to drink of the water oI life, yet the conditions must be per formed, or we shall perish like the sluggard who refused to cultivate his