Year: 1870

Tests of character are needed. We art
very liable to be deceived in regard to ou
own character, and hence we need some
thing to show us what is in our own hearts
We arc so situated, and things are so ar
ranged around US, and events so occur
that our professions and our piety shall
be tested. We live in world which j,
emphatically world of trial. No one
can pass through the world without OBJ.
tanning some knowledge of himielf, mol
without being pretty well known by 9TH
ers. We may make what professions and
pretensons we please, we can not very
well so conceal our own characters from
ourselves but that we shall meet with
something which shall tear away the veil
and give us an undisguised view of our
own hearts. And whatever may be our
professions or pretensions, something is
sure to occur, at one time or another,
which shall enable the world to read US
through. The matter of benevolent con-
tributions is test of character it is an
experiment by which our professed sub
lection unto the Gospel of Christ is proved
or tested.


1t is true that this is not an infallible
test People may give from selfish and
improper motives they may even sell
their possessions, as did Ananias and
Sapphira, and yet be hypocrites at heart.
They may bestow all their goods to feed
the poor, and yet be destitute of genuine
charity or love and SO men who have
not been trained to benevolent effort, may
give with comparative reluctance, or give
but little, and yet be real Christians. Yet,
althoug gh this may not be an infallible test,
and very important test of Christian
character, it tests our attachment to
Christ and His cause. How much has
He done for us When we were perish
ing, He interposed, assumed our place,
and laid down His life for our redemp-
ton. He came unto His own, and His
own received him not. What life of
poverty and toll He lived What death
Of shame and ignominy he died What
an example of devotion and patient toll
did he set How irresistible the appeal
from His condescension For ye know
the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that
though he was rich, yet for your sakes he
became poor, that ye through His poverty
might be rich !" Look at what your
Savior has done remember the blessings
He has bought you with His blood, and
then ask what return you should make,
and what are dollars and cents in COM
parison with what your Savior has done
for you What are earthly treasures in
comparison with His sutferings =? Go t.
Gethsemane, and witness His agony 60
to Calvary, and view the expiring Re.
deemer on the cross and thus learn the
debt of, gratitude you owe And if Jesus
Christ has done so much, should you not
love him in return, aud show your love in
acts which can be seen, in deeds which
can be felt by your fellow-n ? And how
can you show your love ? See his poos
followers +; a cup of cold water given IL
them shall not be unnoticed acts of kind
ness to their Lord and He will say, "In.
asmuch as We have done it unto one of the
least of these my brethren, ye have done
it unto me-" See the poor heather, per
ishing without the knowledge of tn,
Savior and can you love Him. and We
Withhold the Gospel from them, when H.
hassaid, Go, teach all nations, go, preaci
the Gospel to every creature" See tn,
multitudes destitute of the Word of God
aud the preached Gospel and where i
your attachment to Jesus Christ and Hi
cause in the world, if you make no etfor
to place in their hands the Inspired Vol
ume which is able to guide them into tn,
way of life, and to send them the livin!
preacher ? If, then, an opportunity j
given YOU to contribute for the Lord
poor, or to send the Gospel to the desti
tute, or to diffuse the Word of God anon.
men, your love to Christ is brought to
test and it is a very serious question
whether, supposing it to be in your powe
to give, you can possess love to Christ
and yet withhold your contributions. II
hath said. whatsoever will come after m
let him deny himself, and take up hi
cross, and follow me-"


The man who marks from day to day,


In generous acts, his radiant way;


Treads the same path his Savior trod,


The path 20 glory and to God"