The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1890-02-26
PROVE YOUR OWN SELVES.

There can be no other question Of per-
sonal religion of such vital moment to any
person, as whether he be himself child Of
God, having q sure and certain hope Of life
eternal. Have been born of the Spirit,
and is Christ formed within me? Can
know, and how can know, that / am a
Christian? And do know that l am an
heir of heaven?" These and such like
questions outrank in their importance all
seldom ask them with serious intent?. 1t is
reasonable to believe that these questions
can be settled. and that each one may know
whether or not he be true Christian.
The evidence by which We judge of our
own conversion, is quite different from that
on which we settle the question of the con-
version of others. In their case the evidence
is external, since We know not their hearts.
Wejudge by their spirit, their conduct,
their conversation. "By their fruits We
shall know them," is the divinely given
ternal. The great change must be i'll the
heart before it can show itself in the life
So we must look mainly within ourselves
for settlement of this great question. "He
that believeth on the Son Of God hath the
witness in himself" Here, believing on
the Son Of God is equivalent to being born
of God, because it is written, 'Whoso be-
lieveth that Jesus is the Christ is born of
God" This belief however, is not mere
intellectual faith which accepts Jesus as
historical Christ, but faith ofthe heart
which accepts him as personal Saviour.
This supreme question, therefore, may be
decided; not. however, by evidenc ce which
appeals to the senses, nor yet to the reason
and Judgment save incidentally, but to the
spiritual consciousness of the soul. 1t be-
comes matter OF inward personal expert
ence. This matter of Christian experience,
therefore, becomes all essential factor in all
genuine Christian cha, acter. Overlooking
and omitting this, as there is danger of do
ing, Christian profession becomes sham
and a delusion. lfit be objected that this
internal evidence is illusory and unsub-
stantial, the reply must be that it is more
substantial and satisfactory than any other
kind Of evidence can be-to him who expe-
riences it, though not to others. Not to
others, since We can never transfer our in.
ward emotions and convictions with all
their force to others. In the realm of con.
sciousness, hope, fear 10y sc sorr9T, 3Ts
soul where they exist, as the
rocks to the touch, or the hills to the
sight Whether they can be proven to 9TH
apostolic Epistles. No doubt seems to have
perplexed the minds of those writers as to
their personal salvation. Read the lives of
the conspicuollsly godly in all ages; that
one question was settled as to themselves.
They have had assurance and not doubt.
Can it be possible for any one to pursue
such a course of investigation and personal
examination and not to be satisfied, one
way or the other, as to his hope in God and
his personal salvation? And yet, how many
take all for granted, or, with amazing in
difference, do not attempt to decide the
doubtful case or prove their own selves,
whether they be in the faith.-Hsligtous
Herald
All the strength and force Of man comes
from his faith in things unseen. He who
believes is strong; he who doubts is weak.
Strong convictions precede great actions
James Freemdn Ciarks.
At the best no one can know much. Com.
pared with the infinite realms above and
beyond us to be yet discovered, the knowl-
edge of the most learned man covers but a
tiny spot, and what traction of such q spot
ours may cover is but small matter. But
it does matter to ourselves and to all around
us the use we make Of what We do possess
whether we carry it around for eXh bition
or whether we convert it into living force
to elevate o,;r own natures and TO bless and