Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1904-01-13
CHRIsTIANITY's ESSENTIAL.
BY Rev. 4. ". CIaGon.


BY Rev. 4. ". CIaIOn.
Let us draw near It'll true heart
In full assurance Of .ith."-Hebrews
10: %.
The words of our text form a part
of masterful sermon, in which the
preacher earnestly and re5erently ex-
poses the futility of the sacrifices OF
the old Leyical law, as compared with
love, its unspeakable gift, long suffer
ing and final sacrifice.
The law is shadow Of good
things, but these are yet to come, and
the shadow is not even the very i'm
age of the things. The sacrifices of
the law can never make the people
perfect. Paul affirms this and calls
the conscience to witness. If the sac
rifices of the law had had cleansing
value and purifying virtue, they would
have ceased to be offered, and there
would be no more conscience OF sin.
But this was not so. Every year there
is remembrance made of sin.
Rivers of the blood of bulls and goats
can never cleanse one lurid spot or
make the heart the least better.
Jesus is the way, and the invitation
Is TO come now. Arnold preached the
gospel of culture, but Jesus said follow
me. The plan of the Savior is, first
life, after that character and culture.
He is the express image Of the faith
er's love, and the only way into the
divine presence and favor. He longs
for every sinners return to God
through himself and for every souls
nearness by constantly abiding in
him.
Risen with him to walk in newness
of life, our affections set on things
above, we shall be very neaT him
whose presence is a heavenly benedic-
ton, full Of inspiration and hope, and
we shall know the riches of his grace
that bringeth salvation.
But, again. a true heart is essential
to progress in this blessed approach.
Heart is word the Bible makes much
of. The ancient seer said, "Out of the
heart are the issues of life" Later
inspiration added that with the heart
man belieyetL unto righteousness"
Brilliancy may elevate n man to the
dizzy heights here below, but heart
goodness is essential to a place in the
heavenly heights where Jesus now is.
Erasmus had a brilliant mind. His
thoughts We're dazzling, but, having
no heart in them, We're powerless,
while Jesus spoke as never man did,
yet his greatest triumphs were in the
realm of the affections. "Son, give me
thine heart" This is the cry Of mer-
cy.
Charles Dickens, who excelled all as
q pathetic writer, said the story OF the
Prodigal Son is the tenderest passage
in literature. But Jesus wrote this
parable. and truly 1t is the thought of
his great and loving heart
Jesus is a true expression of God.
because his heart is pure. If we would
draw near our hearts must be regen-
Grated ard cleansed from every stain;
truly yearuing after God and thirst
ing after righteousness. and they shall
be filed with all the fullness of God"
Again, it is through faith we draw
near, and it is faith that gives us as
surance of our acceptance with God.
We are instructed to come in full as
surance Of faith, in nothing doubling
or wagering. HE that cometh unto
God must believe that he Is" Through
faith we have peace with God and
access into these graces and Gods ia
vors. Without faith it is impossible
to please MIN.
Saving faith is more than a mere
consent of the mind that God is, and
that his word is true. 1t is the assent
of the heart also, which implies not
only the acceptance, but also the ap-
preparation of the finished work of
Christ for our salvation: and the re-
ception into the heart of the Holy
Spirit as witness, comforter and guide.
This kind of faith is the victory that
overcomes the world. With all rever-
ence and humility let us draw near
with true heart in full assurance Of
faith.