The Globe-republican., 1894-06-15

of grace. The choicest, purest and best
Christians that live have occasion to say
often, "Oh, for more grace!" The i'm
perative demand and cry of their nature
is for more grace. They often sing,
LET others stretch their arms like seas,
And grasp in all the shore;
Grant me the visits of thy grace.
And desire no more.
One of the greatest and deepest needs
among us, as a people, and at the same
time one of the most difficult for our
people to discern. is what in Scripture
language may be termed receiving
'grace for grace" John l :16). In most
of our churches and congregations it may
be truly said that great grace is upon
them all; but alas! in how few cases can
it be truthfully declared that they have
received grace for grace. The ''grace
of God that bringeth salvation" and that
''hath appeared to all men," always
under all circumstances, and everywhere
requires more grace. For
instance, the grace of enlightenment and
at once demands the grace of
honest confession, contrition for sin cry
ing to God, and believing in Jesus for
mercy. Whenever this is done salvation
will invariably be the glorious result.
But now, pardoned by the grace of God
and given the spirit of adoption which
cries, "Abba, Father" grace for the
grace just received is Immediately de-
and enjoined by the word of God.
AS newborn babes we must: desire the
sincere milk of the word, that we may
grow thereby. Many seem to fail right
here and, installing the means for the
end, rest satisfied to be numbered among
the converted instead of obtaining ''grace
for grace" and becoming earnest seekers
after holiness. Conversion, and even
holiness, are but the blessed means of
our becoming righteous and godly in
this present evil world" Oh, if all who
have obtained the grace Of pardon among
US had at once sought grace for maintain
ing and experimenting that grace, what
a different state of things we would wit
ness! Itwould remove at least one great
and serious hinderance to our work. II
refer to the state and spirit of vacillation
that many among US fall into. Like the
foolish Galatians they ''begin in the spirit
and end in the flesh" They fall away
from the liberty of the Gospel and the
of their faith and run into
carnal devices. They turn aside to vain
janglings and become wise in their own
Oh, how difficult it is to move
the work of God surrounded by such a
class! ~
In a state of true holiness our love is
pure and perfect, without the least of Its
opposite Our faith is without
doubt bringing blessed assurance. Our
hope is lively, or living. without the
element of despair. But oh, how much
grace for grace 1t now requires to occupy
or use this greater grace only for the
glory Of God end the salvation of men!
What q burden of responsibility the
work or experience Of holiness brings
with it!
Our people everywhere mnst be taught
more fully than they yet have been their
strict accountability for all the grace
they have received. sGod requireth
that which is past" God never gives
Us grace to consume upon our lusts. 1t
is true that he delights in our happiness
andlwills6our enjoyment. Occasionally
he grants us great transports of jov and
and rapture; but how quickly his Spirit
chides and rebukes any attempt to con-
sumo that grace uselessly upon our
selves.
Orr great and benificent Father bids
us continue to come to his ssfulness that
we may receive grace for grace" There
is more of God than the most earnest
and persistent seeker has vet found.
The love and grace of God are Is bound
less as immensely. The reception of
blessings and 1ew supplies of grace will
deepen and widen our capacity to receive
and enjoy more and more Of God.
One great reason why many fail to
obtain more grace is because they have
not made a right and proper use of the
grace already received. God help rs Is
Free Methodist to whom the Lord has
given 90 literally to be good stewards Of
the manifold grace of God. Amen.