* J #604 Faith in God. Conf Pam 12mo #604 Ko. lOO. FAITH IN GOD. "Whoever thou art that readest this page, allow the writer to address this question to thee. Art thou young — Dost thou believe on the Son of God? that thou did! How the Scripture extols and recominmcuds early Godliness! They that seek me early, says the Saviour, shall find me — find me — for there is an emphasis in the promise; find me, as others never will, -newer can, find me — find me in a thousand peculiar preserva- tions, honors, advantages, and delights. And what a favorable season do you now enjoy! — the body in health and .strength — the mind in vig- or — the memory retentive — the affections warm —the heart tender — the cares and troubles of life scarcely begun — the days distant in which you Will say, ''I have no pleasure in them!" Oh! re- deem the time. Remember thy Creator in the days of Thy youth. Enter immediately a course that is profitable unto all things ; having promise of the life*that now is. and of that which is to come. Art thou old — Dost then believe on the Son of God ? Thy age requires respect ; and I readily pay it — But thy state demands all thy fidelity.— And art thou, at the end of sixty, seventy, eighty years, ignorant of the Redeemer, whom to know is life eternal ? Have all these departed seasons been passed only in vanity a^d vice ? Is thy day rapidly closing; and thy work, thy journey, riot even begun ? Does thine eye, in looking back, meet with nothing but guilt ; and in looking for- ward, .nothing b nt gloom I How I pity thy con- dition! It is time — it is high time to awake out of sleep. And blessed be God, it is not too late. I announce a Saviour who is able to save unto the uttermost ; and who converted and pardoned the thief at the eleventh hour— Oh ! seek him wh^le he may be found; and call upon him while he is near. But if thou art old in grace; as well as in age, thy hoary head being found in the way of righteousness, is a crow n of glory. And thy sal- vation is nearer than when thou-beliey^edst. The night, with thee, -is far spent, and the day is at hand. Yet a little while, and what a blessed de- liverannce I What a glorious elevation ! Till then, let faith and patience have their perfect work.- — Recommend his service *o others, from your own knowledge of.its excellency. Art thou indulged by Providence ? Dost thou believe on the Son of God ? Perhaps sickness led you down to the Very gates of death ; and you looked into eternity ; and without hope in that world, you trembled, and cried, " Take me not off in the midst of my days; sp;ir/e me, that I may recover strength, before I go hence and be no more." And he heard your cry } and said " Re- urn again, ye children of men." And have you eturned r.gain to folly ? And have you forgot- en that the vows of God are upon you? Awd * am con what is a recovered body while the soul is full of moral disease? A reprieve, too is not a, pardon. 11 Dust thou art, and unto dust shalt t!\ou; return." Is the sentence still suspended;, and. the delayed . ., execution will be attended ,w,ith added terror and remorse. Perhaps thy business. flourishes ; thy grounds biing forth plenty fuUy.} thy cup runneth over. We do not W/isfe-you to- de-pise the liuui!- tics of Nature and : ;Fr^,vjdeuce,; -yea., you ought to -; be thankful. $ff tk$gi. _ k . ; As to fefeeij use, they. ar ■ valuaj>)e;} bu-fc \v^; ar-e thiey . as. a portt'ojt.'-- How im$famho\$sA?i\}m faqyght . jhat you must leave them! And you know not how soon you may be torn from all your treasure. And. even IB the mid st of youi &PRWB9EQ areyou not in straits ? . Do you not sigh over your very enjoyments ,?,$; Does :iK>t succe?$i?fts-j|^f)jb as ^$ap,|poiaiment,. tell you tjiafi this is:rio£you£je&tZ All! these, failure* of hopev these ; inward, un easinesses; are the in spi- ratioijfeQ^th^Aimiglit^to give.y.ou understandings \ ..,-., They* .^3.3 de$.ignp:d fcortm'n -you from your crea- tures,(witJchvave^Vyai>if,y and vexation. of spirit, to a Savjitwrt-v/h^-jsiuH-.ojf-gface^iid truth. Ac- quaint.noT,VAjbh^8(elf|.wl-h -liiiu -and be at peace; thereby-gooflTslxail corne unto thee. ArAjthdii th ^subject i]f ojfiivfion .? Dost thou belicv^ion'it^e ^f.R>gf god?, To be poor in the world^auu^cb'c de^iitutCtof .the ( true riches ; . to have no frifi}i^helo:^|ajid.n^ god.aboy ; 9| r tapa^;from the sorrows of time into a more miserable eterni- ty — is a state so dreadful, that every feeling of be- nevolence must be concerned to fl&fl a resource for its victims; And such we are happy enough to be able to open. There is the hope of Israel ; the Saviour thereof in the time of trouble. His Gos- pel is sent to bind up the broken-hearted. Per- haps you are at your wits' end — Perhaps you are ready to ciirse the day of your birth — Perhaps you are tempted 1o destroy yoursejf. Beware of a cure that will be far worse than the disease. And you need it not. There is One near you whom you know not. He is new stretching forth his soft hand; he is now saying, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest." This man shall be the peace when the Assyrian comet h into the land. PASTOR'S COUNSEL. Dear Friend : Not having an opportunity to speak : to you personally, and believing advice needed, and .on } r our part desired, I avail myself of this method to address you. I assume that your '•heart is fixed to serve God," and that the great purpose* of your life is to save your own soul, and to do good. To aid you in this effort, so right in itself, praiseworthy, and approve 1 of God, is the design of this letter. In order that you may feel the ' importance of this work in which you are engaged, let the conviction take full possession of your heart, that Religion — in ill it enjoins or prohibits; in all it promises or threatens ; to aH the hopes or fears tt Inspires ; in all the" love, peace or joy it infuses — is of all important subjects, the most important ever addressed to an intelligent being. '"Such a con- viction will secure for religion the attention it demands, and render cheerful the sacrifices of which it is so worthy. In accordance with this conviction; you will perceive that no plan is to be conceived, entertained or executed that cart possibly compromise the claims of piety. A life of piety is to be the end at which you aim in all your plans, purposes, labors, joys or sor- rows, successes" or • failures, amusements or re- creations — in all, in everything, at all time's, pi- ety is to be the beginning, the continuance and the ending; absorbing and moulding and con- trolling the whole man. Do you ask is. reli- gion worthy of such entire devotion to its ser- vice ? If you consider its Author; the wisdom and mercy it displays ; the good it bestows and the glory it promises, you can but conclude it worthy of every sacrifice. Do not imagine that such a consecration to God and devotion to Re- ligion will enslave you and render life unhap- py. Such a life is truly free and truly happy. Freed from the dominion of sin, you have more liberty: freed from the condemnation of a guih ty conscience, you have peace with God and can but be happy. Sin begete misery ; Religion de- stroys sin. The more religion, the less sin : the less sin, the less misery and the moro hap- piness. Assuming that you have the conviction of the ail-importance of Religion, and are purposing to offer your soul and body as a living and ac- ceptable Sacrifice upon its altars, I will attempt to give you some assistance in making this of- fering. 1 do not suppose you will attempt the impossibility of living an entire Christian life out of the Church of God, but, I suppose, acting in accordance with the conviction and purpose al- ready expiessed, you have either joined or intend to join some branch of the Christian Church, and thus assume all the responsibilities of a professed Christian: To meet the obligations thus imposed, you must be a daily student of the Bible. Notli* ing will compensate for ignorance of this Holy Book. You should read it entire ev^ry year 3 : '/i versy, but to learn the will of God eoricerhingyouy kkUI and the way to heaven. Commence, rCGrntiuuQ,:- -;J and close every day with "prayer. At night re- count the acts and tempers of the day, and try, them at the bar of your conscience, in the light of revealed truth, and as in the heart-searching ■presence of God. Do all things, and speak all _% the great spiritual family of God. Let a petition for the pros- perity of the entire Ci urch of Christ form a part of your daily devotions Be zealous ; not as a sectarian,. hut as a CI ristian ; not to promote the interest of a party, but ^>r the glory of God, and for the good of souls. Never at- tempt to unsettle any one"* religious faith, nor permit any to attempt to change yours: regard every such attempt hh an insult, to he treated with silent contempt. Avoid controversy and bigotry; they will destroy your piety, convert you into # a religions rnountebauh ; render you offensive to the good, [and a pest 1o society. When possible, attend .-ill the meetings of the Church. Let the world know you are trying in sober earnest to save your soul Never he intimate with one whorn you know to be op-, posed to experimental Religion j but he courte- ous and kind to a!l men. Never sutler your- self to jest about sacred things, or use vrords or phrases that even, approximate to profanity.- — " Never let the b"s ; ne,ss of the,, week intrude upon" the meditation of the Sabbath, Shun unchaste* and impure conversation as you would a poison. If you ever become the head of a family at once erect the domestic altar. Avoid hearing \ reach- ing critically, but listen prayerfullylhat you may- bo ed'itlcd. Never permit the Lord's Supper to be spread before you without partaking of it. While you may not be able to believe that everybody does right, yet never return evil for evil, or permit the sun to go down on your wrath : forgive others as you hope to be forgiven. Never entertain the thought^' leaving the Church under any circum- stances. Should you backslide and become con- scious of -unfitness* for the Church, do not leave the Church, but repent and pray till you obtain par- don and peace and are fit. Should members of the Church mistreat you, Jem and your righis— ydo right yourself — do all you canto settle the difficul- ty; but never, by friend or foe, by sin or the devil, be induced to leave the Church, unless you do not intend to do right, and are willing to give up all iope of "heaven. Watch and pray , take up every cross; deny yourself ; possess and practice every (Christian virtue ; try to be a model, that is, a Bible Christian, never forgetting that the creditabilily •of Religion among your friends, your own charac- ter and reputation in a measure, your respecta- hility, your interest and happiness, your useful- ness, and above all, the t salvation of your soul de- pend upon your Christian integrity. God has •promised you grace to do this; ask and you shall have it. Please keep this letter as an evidence of my heartfelt interest in your welfare, and a pledge of my sympathy and prayers , read it occasional lv jand may it do the good I design. — Rev. Jas. H tirmt- Hollinger Corp, P H 8.5