Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-09-16


these efforts to thwart justice that 1t
kas come to pass Tin Philadelphia) that
it Is more dangerous for man to pick
a pocket than to take life. The thief
is much more certain of being punished
than the murderer. This will continue
until public opinion undeTgoes a
change.
The history of great crimes shows
the necessity OF Gods restraining and
converting grace. None of US can tell
how much we owe to Gods restraining
grace, but for which we might have
been sinners of the yilest description,
living abhorred and dying unlamented.
II the question were asked, Who
makes you to difer?" the only true
answer is, Gods restraining grace
Could you say that it was your descent
from pious parents and the influence
Of their names? This, indeed, is often
a great protection, but it is only re-
straiting grace that makes it so; for
have not the childrens of the piou
sometimes ended their career in the
deepest and darkest abyss Of transgres-
sion? Could you say that it was edu-
cation and outward respectability?
This too, is often y great safeguard;
but it is only Gods restraining grace
that makes it 50, for how many crimes
have been committed by the educated,
yea, were only such as the educated
could commit and such as the cover of
responsibility alone made possible.
Could you say that it was the fear of
human law. This too, blessed be God
for it, is often a defense. But yet
again, this is only an instrument of
Gods restraining grace; and how many
have broken through all the terrors Of
law and fallen into the grasp of its
severest infections. You are shut up
to a confession of entire dependence
on. Gods restraining grace for the past,
or, what is better still, on his convert
ing and renewing grace; and therefore
let none of you trust to anything else
for the future. Submit to Gods con-
verting grace, which will make you
new creature in Christ, and then you
will be permitted to walk in wisdoms
ways, whose ways are pleasantness and
whose paths are peace.
How do you think the course of
wicked, unforgiven men will appear as
they hereafter look back upon it from
some mournful eminence of their flu
ture history? How will the retrospect
appear when the deeds of the past, like
so many spectres from the grave,
march by in gloomy procession? How
will it appear when hope, no longer
trembling in the balance, is turned into
despair; and when, amid the awful
havoc of lost opportunity, they mourn
at the last" and exclaim: How have
hated instruction and desplsed re-
proof" How many voices will then
utter the thought, "The way of trans
grossors is hard" How many lips
quivering with agony, will respond:
THE way of the transgressor is hard
How many tongues, parched with
thirst, in shrieks of horror. will ex-
claim: '"The way of the transgressor
is hard"
o, sinner do not press on in the path
of the Destroyer and rush to the gates
of death. Messengers and voices of
heavenly mercy now invite you to
turn and live. There is another and
bette rway, "a new and living way"
which leads to Gods right hand. There
is a point in your path where you may
turn and live; and there is a point, a
crisis in your history, beyond which
there is no return. | know not where
it lies, nor do l wish to know. l know
not but you may have already taken
the irrevocable step. | may not say
close the door of hope. Yet are they
but few circling years at most and
your sun is set There is painful
struggle. immortal men, in some Of
your bosoms between the claims of
God and the world the way of life and
the way of death. o, that | could per-
suade you before the fatal step is
taken to stop in this downward career
OF impuenitence, wickedness and death.