66 what you now tell me, I begin to think there is more in religion than I thought." More, Stephen, yes, there is very much more, and the best of it is, you may know and enjoy it for yourself. God is as willing to pardon you, and bless you, and make you happy, as he was me. There was nothing in me to cause him to do so, any more than there is in you. Let me beseech you, therefore, to seek the Lord for yourself, seek him at once, seek him with all your heart. Do not doubt, for he will have mercy; do not fear, for Jesus has made peace by the blood of his cross. God's mercy is for sinners. Jesus made peace for sinners, and for you, Stephen, if you are willing to receive it, and will heartily seek it." The tears stood in Stephen Davis's eye when his friend took him by the hand to say good bye, and once more repeated the words, "He will have mercy," and for you and me, Stephen, Jesus" made peace by the blood of his cross. They parted, and John Price went down the green lane, singing, "The men of grace have found Celestial fruits on earthly ground "The hill of Zion yields A thousand sacred sweets, Or walk the golden streets." WHAT DO WE NEED? "WE have," said one, "the gospel regularly preached, the prayer meetings are continued, the church is in peace, but very few souls are converted to God, or believers added to the Lord; what does our church need ?" It needs the presence and power of the Holy Spirit; for unless the Holy Spirit work, your minister may preach, your church may meet, but little good will be done. God's work is carried on, not by might nor by power, but by the Spirit of the Lord of Hosts. It is the Spirit that must open the heart, quicken the soul, and sanctify the person; and if he work, the feeblest ministry is efficient, and the smallest church prospers. All the success that followed the preaching of a Peter, or the labours of a Paul, was from the Holy Spirit; therefore the latter says, "God gave the increase." But then the church felt her need of the Spirit; she realized her dependence on that divine Agent; she prayed with faith, fervour, and importuninity for the blessing; and God answered her prayers, and filled his servants with the Holy Ghost and with power. But now we talk of the Spirit, rather than feel our need; we boast of our_instruments, rather than realize our dependence on the Almighty Agent; our prayers are rather characterized by dulness, unbelief, and indifference, than fervour, faith, and perseverance. Few are filled with the Spirit, and therefore it is that there is so little sympathy with God, such a want of concern for the conversion of souls, and that our prayer meetings are so lifeless. Our brethren do not pray, as if they came up intensely interested in the work of God, as if their business was to agonize with God for sinners, as if their thoughts were exercised about the immediate prosperity of the church. They do not seem to understand what the prophet means by, "Give him no rest" (Isa. Ixii. 7.); they do not appear to believe the promise, Open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it;" they do not expect God to be as good as his word, when he says, Ask, and ye shall receive." There is a want of point, pathos, directness, and earnestness in our prayers; especially there is a want of faith. 66 What is to be done? Determine in God's strength to begin at once to pray for a revival: begin yourself, and try to get others to join you. Follow it up daily, the Spirit of the Lord is not straitened; the promises as much belong to us as to the church in apostolic times; God is still on the throne of grace, he loves prayer, he demands prayer, he honours prayer, he rewards prayer. (Matt. vi. 6.) Read Luke xi. 1-13, and Luke xviii. 1-8; as often as you can, before you go upon you knees, and never, never give over, "until the Spirit be poured upon you from on high." God is willing. God is waiting. He says, "Prove me." It is deep feeling, ardent desire, earnest longing, holy importunity, on our part, that is wanting. Jesus says, "Whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, I will do it. Ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you." "Ask what ye will," 'tis Jesus' word Hard is the grant, but not for thee 'Tis easy for my Lord to give: Teach me, my Saviour, who thou art, WHEN WILL YOU DECIDE? In almost every congregation, a number of persons, are to be found, who appear to hear the word very attentively, who take a certain degree of interest in the things of God, and and yet remain in an undecided state. They think of sin, but they do not forsake it; of salvation, but do not earnestly seek it; of Jesus, but do not receive him as God's unspeakable gift; of Satan, but do not resist him; of the world but do not renounce it and of God, but do not seek to be at peace with him. They are found in the same state week after week, month after month, and some of them, year after year. ; It Reader is this your state? If so, when will you decide? Decision is a DUTY, it is a duty which you owe to yourself, for religion is happiness, safety, and honour. It is a duty you owe to others, for religion leads us to love, pity, and strive to be useful to them. It is a duty you owe to God, for religion embraces worship, holiness, and obedience. is a duty you owe to the Lord Jesus, for religion is faith in Christ, fellowship with Christ, and an imitation of Christ. It is your duty to decide IMMEDIATELY; for the best, the most important thing, should be attended to first; but nothing is so important as this. Time is short, and swiftly flies; opportunities |