The Roanoke times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1897-1977, 1897-09-12
ENTIRE CONSIDERATION.
continued from first pare
And first let me invite you to an analysis

verse. and urging the obligation of n de-
cisive sacrifice of self. The second COW
ering the first half of ..the second verse
and Illustrating this self cruciflxion from
the worldward, not az non-conforma.
ton with the world, but n complete
formation effected by an internal work
entitled the renewing OF the mind"
Thirdly, the last half of the second
verse, which. sets forth the relation of
this..act of Conservation to the demon.
STATION of Gods perfect will; it being
necessary in that good and accountable
and perfect will of God.
Here, then, is the brief OF the subjects
rs compared by their texts:
l. The Christian believer is most
unjustly entreated to the precipitation
of an act of sacrifice (which we, for con-
veuience, call Consecra tion.
=. The nature of this sacrifice is
shown TO invite complete outward
transformation or crucifiXior accom-
panyiDg an inward renewal of the mind.
B. The necessity of this sacrifice in
order to the perfect revelation of Gods
Will in soul is plainly indicated.
Hence, we submit that Conservation
is noc an end, but rather n means in or
der to an end. In this respect it is anal.
agous to, though never identical with,
repentance. AS every evangelical
preacher will teach that repentance is alb
solutely necessary in order TO II free jus.
LITIGATION unto life, so we declare into
you that Conservation is equally neces-
sary to n full salvation. or the experi.
mental knowledge of Gods perfect will.
The so-called conservation of many do
not result in the incoming of II higher
revelation, nor are they rendered with
that expectancy; but only with the
nf "a my orfo
desire OF devotment to some .speciai
service. To many Conservation means
nothing more than a ratification rare
newal of repentance. To many others IL
means simply dedication to some ser.
vice in Go"'s WORK But it means some
thing more; yes, someth' ng''di fferent.from
this in the texts and all Scriptural
teachings "pon this subject. The sub
lance of repentance is quite different
from the substance Of Conservation.
That is deal trespasses and sins. This
is IL living body-a body quickened or
made alive by the regenerating grace of
God. Dedication to Gods work is, as
com pured with Conservation to God. like
housekeeper's contract to serve a man
in that capacity with wife's covenant
of love and devotion to himself. of
which housekeeping or any other service
is but the merest incident, and which
covenant anu union remain still in low
| Ing force, even when circum stances and
disabilities render housekeeping out of
the question. No, my brother; what we
wart of you, what Paul wants of YOU
in the text, what God is melting YOU to-
is not mere dedication to this or that
particular service, even to service in gen
eral as to the ministry or to missions.
| etc. Not dedication which, like the
housekeeper's contract, expires and the
relations cease when service is ut An
end; but cruciiH lon of the world and
of self. and covenant with God him.
self that will last AS long as eternity
Not something you see that is to he re-
peated and, indeed, never fully consum
mated, but something rather which
like Jesus cruciixion, is once for all
| For Conservation is not process. but ar
act.
| Look ut the tense of this verb
present" Think of the analogy sup-
gested by the word -"sacrifice'' and see
whether you can even imagine the old
worshipper render ceremonies, types
and symbols, presenting and presenting
his sacrifice and never wholly getting it
on the altar and being dOne with it!
! Nor can rou conceive of his having to
present it AMI represent it every day
or every month as some persons talk of
| consecrating and recommending, etc
As it would have been sacrilnge punisha-
| bic, perhaps, with death for the old lew
TO have taken back his Offering -s.from off
Gods altar. and appropriatiug it to
himself again, so he that lorfeits this in.
junction concerning the Christian s
supreme act Of worship has nothing left
any more 10 consecrate. And Brightly
understood it is no more absurd to talk
of getting married every day than it is
| IN al 'uh
ones self, rs if there was 80 much of him
that it took Il life long process to make
the transfer, or rs If the act of Conse-
Grafton was mpre playing of worship
and sacrifice, in which the worshipper
puts and takes his Offering at will.
True, there is process OF preparation
leading up to the act of presenta tion, and
many of the things which we have
heard Christians talk about consecrating
are like the hide and horns and hoofs of
the animnl-to be left outside the camp
while the clean meat Offering unly, well
washed in the laver, is to he brought to
the altar of God. Hence, the language of
the text descriptive of the condition of
this sacrifice. 'iHoly and acceptable.n
Bnt this preparation (Which will be ex-
pected in proportion to the SOULS inten-
sity to prove what Gods perfect wilD is
to be distinguished from the presenta-
ton which is final act of the will
whereby the soul voluntarily, sincerely
and actually makes an irrevocable sacri.
flee of being and belonging unto
Conservation is elimination and n
crisis and properly NAMED crucifixion.
one IN whom it is actTaiized is never apt
to forget it, though the glory that fol.
lows paes the suiferings and the sacri.
flee into insigniicnnce. No transfer of
property by deed is IA more actual consum
nation than this act, which counts
things that even gain love for Christ No