The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1906-07-04
THE GIFT OF PERSONAL CHARACTER
By Rev. R. L. Benn

Among the many impressive and searching
privileges and duties interpreted to the Christian
intelligence and conscience at the recent conven-
ton OF the Student Volunteer Mission Movement
was the privilege and duty of giving ones self
The gilt of ones personal character to Christ
that he may exercise absolute dominion over it.
and work in it, and through it, his own glorious
will is the need of the hour.
The magnanimity of Pauls Christian character
was beautifully deneated when he said. 'T am
crucihed with Christ, nevertheless live; vet not
!, but Christ liveth in me-" The efficiency of
Luthers Christian life was striking1y explained
when he said: IF any should knock on the
door OF my heart, and say, Who lives hereP I
would not reply Martin Luther but would say
The Lord Jesus Christ" Paul and Luther Nor
rison, who buried in China, and Livingstone.
who gave himself for Africa, and countless Others
recognized the sublime, fundamental truth that
Chrst must be Master and Lord of their lives
winch he has purchased with his own blood They
recognized his sovereign, rightful ownership of
their personal character along with their gifts and
offerings
Irled by this conception of Christ's ownership
OF personal character, it is not difficult for any
Christian to ascertain his personal relation to
Chrlst, and to Christs great service. Too manv
indeed, with ALLEVIATE personal character from
their gifts and outward acts of service But can
1t be done? 1t matters little what it is whether
nation, or church, individual anything
capable of being and acting, it must realize its
DcIng Deh1nd its acting; it must make its acting
the expression of its being its spirit and SYM
pathy, else its position will be very uninterestne
and unsatisfactory
what is mans courageous act without cour-
dgeous nature lying back of it, and making the
Sctf What is mans smile unless his heart is
Kndled with kindness and goes out in his smile?
what IS mans profession of faith without his
faithful soul going out in his words? What is a
man prayers without praying heart throbbing
WIN deep sincerity and fervent importantly? What
mans gifts to the Lord unless the man goes
Wth his offering? What is all the man says and
does without the man?
by a mistaken idea of the Christian life very
many no doubt, try to serve Christ after the
''snion of separating themselves from their gifts
ana prayers and professions. But it cannot be
u'ne God has Joined the two together, both in
a'lure and in grace, and the two must go together
III me life that would truly please and glorify God.
IJ'us did not ask of Matthew gift apart from
matthew; but said to him Follow me-" which
showed to Matthew that the Lord wanted him
r. an instrument in spreading the knowledge Of
~ nop' and Matthew "left all rose up, and followed
i,iIh touched into noblest transformation by "tho
I'uuriel-spear of a forPivng and redeemng love"
tua IN giving himself, Matthew gave Jesus a
A. last devoted his knowledge Of writing TO pro
Il; ing the earliest biography Of his Saviour and
g. lte to following his ord What Tesus wants
' OF all is the man, and when the man surren-