Christian effort...

Front matter

I LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. I f f ha ? i/wm |« i

J UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

OR,

Preface

For some years past, the subject of the following pages has rested with much weight on the mind of the writer, and now the work is submitted to the Christian public with a simple purpose to glorify God and save souls. It has been prepared in circumstances of great embarrassment, and in much bodily weakness and suffering, at distant and protracted intervals. Still, among all these difficulties, the writer has felt a strong sense of duty to endeavour to contribute something to the cause of Christian enterprise; and it is hoped that the duties here attempted to be enforced, will be rather regarded by the reader, than the imperfect manner in which the work is done.

PREFACE.

" Principle instructs us, — precepts guide us ; but examples move us. Example is principle and precept embodied, living and in action. We see not only what is done, and what ought to be done ; but what can be done, and how it is done." It has, accordingly, been thought best to exhibit the principle and duty of Christian effort by examples and incidents, gathered from responsible sources.

The writer is fully aware that the remarks on many of the subjects introduced are exceedingly meager, compared with their importance. On some of those subjects, a volume, rather than a brief chapter, might have been written. It is hoped, however, that the reader's own mind will make up these necessary omissions, and present, with all appropriate fulness, the several subjects that are here only suggested.

It is remarked by Seneca, that " the

PREFACE.

husbandmen in Egypt never look up to heaven for rain in time of drought, but to the overflowing of the Nile." So with many when they read a book : they look more to the wit, the style, the learning of the author, than to the blessing of God on what they read. u He that makes not conscience of praying over what he reads," says an admired author, " will find little sweetness or profit in his reading. Luther professeth that he profited more in knowledge of the Scriptures in a short space of time, than by study in a longer. John, when weeping, had the sealed book opened. Men w T ould gain much more by reading good men's works, if they would but pray more over what they read. Ah, Christians ! pray before you read, and pray after you read, that all may be blessed and sanctified to you."

The writer would, therefore, earnestly solicit the reader's prayers for the Di-

PREFACE.

vine blessing upon the perusal of this little volume ; and especially that grace may be afforded to enable each to reduce to practice the duties that it may suggest, that all may be enabled to live not for themselves alone, "but unto Him who hath died for us, and rose again." So prays

The Author.

Dorchester, Mass., 1850.

Contents

Chapter Page

I. — The Duty of Personal Christian

Effort Considered 9

Chapter I. The Duty Of Personal Christian Effort Considered

God, in the Holy Scriptures, has most clearlytaught his people their duty and privilege of being " workers together with him," in giving to a lost and perishing world a knowledge of salvation, through the gospel of his S on.

Not only are their duty and privilege thus taught, but God has also endowed his people with various talents for the performance of this work. And, in addition to these, the Holy Ghost has been given as a teacher and helper, without whom the prayers and labours of the most devoted Christian would avail nothing. The apostle says, "A manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal." Jesus also says, " The Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance whatsoever I have said unto you."

On the day of Pentecost, when the disciples "were all with one accord in one place," the promised gift of the Holy Ghost was imparted : " Suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost." Of the Spirit's influence we shall speak more fully in another chapter. We would here offer a few thoughts in regard to the form which the Holy Ghost assumed on the day of Pentecost. It was that of " tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them." This image or figure is very striking and instructive. The tongue of the unrenewed man "is a fire, a world of iniquity — full of deadly poison — no man can tame it." So says the Word of God. The tongue, however, of a renewed and sanctified person becomes as powerful for good as it was before for evil. It is probably true, that wherever and whenever the Holy Ghost descends upon an individual, the first perceptible manifestation of it will be through the tongue ; it will be attuned to the praise of Him who formed it for a noble purpose. God has given to all men tongues, and all are responsible for their use. The Holy Ghost also, in its descent, "sat upon each of them," — all received its power. jSTotwithstanding this fact, some professed Christians entertain the unscriptural notion, that none but ministers and the most prominent members of the Church are called, or required to make direct and constant effort for the welfare of souls. The Saviour, however, has made no such distinction; but says, without exceptions, "He that gathereth not with me, scattereth abroad." Let it, then, be remembered, that no man, in any condition or circumstance, "liveth unto himself alone;" he is living either to the injury or to the benefit of others. It is an encouraging fact, that persons under all conceivable circumstances, who have been faithful witnesses for Jesus, and his "power on earth to forgive sins," have received the approving seal of Heaven, in that, through their efforts, the spiritually blind have been made to see, the deaf to hear, the dumb to speak, the lame to walk. It may be inferred from this, that God is well pleased that his people should make faithful efforts to gather souls to Christ, since he thus sanctions and blesses their labours. O what a privilege as well as duty is this, to be u workers together with God !" Heaven could bestow no greater honor. And yet how few appreciate it !

That all are required to use their individual gifts for God, may be seen in the parable of the talents. " To one is given five talents, to another two, to another one, to every man according to his several ability." When the day of reckoning came, each one was called to a strict and impartial account. He who had received the one talent, did not waste or abuse it. No ! he carefully preserved and returned it to his lord. But, for his neglect to use it, he was " cast into outer darkness." Thus we see that a neglect to use our talents for usefulness is a sin of such magnitude, as to ensure the eternal destruction of our souls. Fellow- Christian ! start not at the assertion ; it is a momentous truth, and one that will flash with electric power across our souls when the light of eternity shall beam upon us. How important, then, that all our personal duties and responsibilities should be considered in that light, and that we should discharge them in reference to the great day of retribution.

In neglecting to live and labour for God, we not only hazard our own eternal welfare, but we become instrumental in plunging others into perdition, whom we should have been the means of saving. ? then, if you would not be the murderer of souls, and have them cry out against you in eternal burnings, see that you labour to save them ! "I charge every one of you," says Baxter, "upon your allegiance to God, as you will very shortly answer the contrary at your peril, that you will neither refuse nor neglect this most necessary duty. If you are not willing to do it now you know it to be so great a duty, you are rebels, and no true subjects of Jesus Christ. "

God has placed before us all the motives which can be drawn from heaven, earth, and hell, to induce us to engage in the work of saving souls. He has also revealed to us in his word, and by his Spirit and his providences, the time and manner of performing it; and it should be the study of every Christian to know and to do this work in God's time, in God's Spirit, and in God's way. As the sinner who refuses to repent and be converted, is in danger of eternal damnation ; so that professed Christian who knows his Master's will, and does it not, is in danger of being cast out with the unprofitable servant. The apostle James says, "To him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin." Such a one is as really a sinner as he who violates any of the precepts of the decalogue. It is a matter of but little importance to the soul that lies under the curse of an offended God, what particular sin procured that curse. The sin of omission, — of refusing to do good, — is as damning in its nature as the sin of commission. This is taught us in the solemn words of the Bible : — " Curse ye Meroz, saith the angel of the Lord ; curse ye bitterly the inhabitants thereof, because they came not up to the help of the Lord, to the help of the Lord against the mighty." O, Christian reader, be warned, be entreated to come up to the help of the Lord with all thy might, lest the fearful anathema pronounced against guilty Meroz be thy portion. Time is short and fleeting ; what is done, must be done quickly. If our dwelling were on fire, we should not be indifferent or slothful ; and as our souls and those of our neighbours are of more value than any earthly possession, so should a corresponding zeal be exercised to secure their salvation.

God has inseparably connected our personal happiness with the discharge of our individual duties to our fellow-creatures. "Do good, thereby good shall come unto thee." " The Lord turned the captivity of Job when he prayed for his friends." "They that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament ; and they that turn many to righteousness, as the stars forever and ever." "He that watereth shall be watered also himself." "Thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things ; enter thou into the joy of thy Lord." In view of such encouragement, how strange it is that Christians should need urging to live and labour for the welfare of others ! The selfish heart can never experience the luxury which flows from obedience to the injunction, " Let no man seek his own, but every man another's wealth." The following anecdote happily illustrates this passage : — " Mr. Howe, when chaplain to Cromwell, was applied to for protection by men of all parties, in those eventful times ; and it is said that he never refused his assistance to any person of worth, whatever might be his religious tenets. ' Mr. Howe,' said the Protector to his chaplain, ' you have asked favours for everybody besides yourself; pray when does your turn come?' 'My turn, my Lord Protector/ said Mr. Howe, 'is always come, when I can serve another/ "

Thus it is with the Christian ; it is always his turn and time to receive benefit when he can benefit others.

In a recently published volume, relating to this duty, we find this eloquent passage among the concluding remarks: — " How benign would be the influence of a faithful discharge of this duty on the personal piety of Christians ! It would keep in habitual exercise the most pure and elevated class of benevolent emotions. It would keep the truth, in its most affecting relations and bearings, constantly before the mind, and create a powerful sense of obligation to lead daily a holy life. It would exceedingly increase the happiness of Christians. They have, for the most part, but little religious enjoyment, because they do so little to save others, and of course have so little scope for prayer and for the exercise of holy feeling. Let them but abound in this work of love, and their hearts will be enlarged in prayer and praise, and they will thus find new evidence of their own conformity to God." Not only is it for the interest of the Christian to labour for the sinner's welfare, but he is expected to do so. The eyes of the wicked are upon him, and if he make no effort to save them, they will have but little confidence in his professions of piety. Bear this in mind, Christian professor. The sinner expects you to labour for his salvation. The following fact corroborative of this statement, came under the observation of the writer a few years since. An unconverted youth of serious disposition, attended a camp -meeting at Eastham, near Boston. He expected, in going to that meeting, to meet with many who would, unasked by him, converse with him on the subject of his soul's salvation. He stayed through the whole time of the meeting, and no one personally and faithfully interested himself in his spiritual welfare. When the meeting broke up, he returned to his pious mother, and told her the sad tale. Said he, " I expected, among so many Christians, I should be talked with about religion, and the salvation of my soul, but I was not." The mother's heart was pained with this intelligence, and desired it might be published, as a warning to professed Christians not to neglect personal effort for the salvation of every soul within the reach of their influence.

General effort, though good in its place, is not enough ; there must be direct and particular effort. This is powerful. Few sinners can withstand it, when made by a consistent and devoted Christian. In the Memoirs of the devoted Harlan Page, we find a testimony to the utility and power of this kind of dealing with souls, given by a young mechanic. " On New- Year's day," said he, " I reflected that I had never attended a monthly concert of prayer in this city, and determined that for once I would go. I went early, found only the sexton in the room, and sat down. Soon there came in a plain man, who spoke very pleasantly to the sexton, and then, coming and sitting by my side, after a kind salutation, said, ' I trust you love the Saviour T The question instantly filled my eyes with tears. I had been preached to at armslength all my days in New- Hampshire ; but this was the first time in my life that ever a Christian thus kindly and directly put such a question to my heart. We conversed considerably together, in the course of which, at his request, I gave him my name and residence. The next day he came to my shop, and brought the tract, 'Way to be Saved/ which he thought I would like to read. He called again and again. I became interested in him, and the next Sabbath joined his Sabbath- School, was brought, as I hope, to Christ, and soon united with the church." How true it is, that " the lips of the righteous feed many !" Young converts, especially, exhibit a powerful commentary on the truths of God in this respect. Their looks, their spirit, their words and actions, all tell upon the hearts and consciences of those about them. What a pity that any should lose their " first love," and cease to labour for the direct benefit of the sinner! God does not speak through the cold and heartless professor as he did to that young mechanic through the warm-hearted Harlan Page. So whoever would reach an impenitent heart, and divert it from its evil course, must labour in the name and strength of the Almighty. In this way the young stripling with his sling and stone may lay the boasting giant at the feet of Jesus. Thus, in every age of the world, the saints have been mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds. Thus they may continue to be, having the promise of God " Lo I am with you always, even unto the end of the world."

And now, dear reader, we shall endeavour in the succeeding chapters to spread out more fully the subject of Christian effort, hoping, in some way, to reach every heart. In doing so, we shall aim more particularly to instruct and encourage you by the presentation of various facts and incidents, rather than by theory and argument. Few, except master-spirits, can hope to do good by much theorizing ; so we have chosen this course, believing it the best which we could take for the attainment of the desired object. It cannot be denied that in the multitude of counsellors and witnesses, which we shall cause to speak in this volume, there is wisdom. Many of them possess the wisdom which has been taught by age and experience ; others possess the wisdom and knowledge of many worldly sciences ; and all or most of them have shared in that wisdom which is from God — "pure, peaceable, without partiality, and without hypocrisy." And we hope, through their united testimony, the reader will be enabled to derive some lasting benefit, and especially encouraged to gather fruit unto eternal life.

" The vineyard of the Lord Before his labr'rers lies : And lo ! we see the vast reward Which waits us in the skies —

44 Where all our toils are o'er, Our suffering and our pain ; Who meet on that eternal shore, Shall never part ag'ain. ,,

Chapter II. Parents' Department— Conversion Of Children

In this chapter we wish particularly to interest and encourage Christian parents to labour for and expect the conversion of their children. The work of parental instruction should commence with the first dawning of intelligence. The science of religion — of loving God — is more easily learned by the child than any other science, if it is rightly taught : this question, however, we will leave to be considered in a succeeding chapter. We shall present at this point a few facts relative to the manner and success of pious parents who have arduously laboured for the salvation of their children. There are so many pleasing incidents of this description, that volumes might be given instead of a single chapter. We shall, therefore, endeavour to select a few which will exhibit in some degree the operations of the Holy Spirit upon the parent's heart, and how, under that influence, parents have become labourers with God in the salvation of their children.

In Pike's " Guide for Young Disciples'' we find the following: — "I have known," said a pious father, " the grace of God for nearly thirty years; but, in spite of all my advice, my five sons and two daughters, all grown up, ran on in the broad way to destruction. This cost me many a prayer and tear, yet I saw no fruit of all my labours. In January last I dreamed that the day of judgment was come ; I saw the Judge on his great white throne, the holy angels sitting around him, and all nations gathered before him. I and my wife were on the right hand, but I could not see my children. I then thought I must go and seek them; so I went to the left hand, and found them all standing together, tearing their hair, beating their breasts, and cursing the day that they were born. As soon as they saw me, they all caught hold of me, and said, ' 0, father, we will part no more !' I said, ' My dear children, I am come to try, if possible, to get you out of this dismal situation !' So I took them all with me; but when we were come within a bow-shot of the Judge, I thought He cast an angry look, and said, ' What do thy children with thee now? they would not take thy warning when upon earth : they shall not share the crown with thee. Depart, ye cursed !' At these words I awoke, bathed in tears.

" A few days after this, as we were sitting all together on a Sabbath evening, I related my dream to them. No sooner did I begin, but first one, then another, yea, all of them, burst into tears, and God fastened conviction on their hearts. Five of them are now rejoicing in God their Saviour. I believe God is at work with the other two; so that I doubt not he will give them also to my prayers !"

This good old saint, before he exchanged time for eternity, had the happiness of seeing the remainder of his children converted to the truth as it is in Jesus, and adorning the doctrine of God our Saviour by useful lives.

We have given the preceding sketch for two important reasons ; first, as an encouragement to pious parents to persevere in their efforts for the salvation of their children ; second, because the dream brings up to the mind a powerful Bible motive, to labour in view of the awful retributions of a judgment-day. How heart-rending is the thought, that

"Parents and children there may part, May part to meet no more !"

In order to avert such a fearful doom, we would especially beseech parents to give themselves no rest, day or night, until, with themselves, their children are also found in the covenant of God's grace. The sainted Carvosso did not fully see and apply the promises of God in reference to his children's welfare until some years after his conversion, when his attention was called to it through the remarks of a pious friend ; and as it stands in connexion with the conversion of their children, we present it to our readers. "Returning one night," says Carvosso, "from Redruth, in company with a pious friend, he told me he had the unspeakable happiness, the night before, to witness the conversion of his young daughter, while he held her in his arms. I informed him I had two children who were getting up to mature age, but I was grieved to say I had not yet seen any marks of a work of God upon their minds. His reply I shall never forget : — ' Brother, has not God promised to pour his Spirit upon thy seed, and his blessing upon thy offspring ?• The words went through me in an unaccountable manner ; they seemed to take hold of my heart. I felt as if I had not done my duty, and resolved to make a new effort in prayer. I had always prayed for my children ; but now I grasped the promise with the hand of faith, and retired daily at special seasons to put the Lord to his word. I said nothing of what I felt, or did, to any one but the Searcher of hearts.

" About a fortnight after I had been thus engaged with God, being at work in the field, I received a message from my wife, informing me that I was wanted within.. When I entered the house, my wife told me, ' Grace is above stairs, apparently distressed for something ; but nothing can be got from her, but that she must see father.' Judge of my feelings when I found my daughter a weeping penitent at the feet of Jesus. On seeing me she exclaimed, ' 0, father, I am afraid I shall go to hell !' The answer of my full heart was, ' No, glory be to God, I am not afraid of that now P She said she had felt the load of sin about a fortnight, and that now she longed to find Christ. I pointed her to the true Physician, and she soon found rest, through faith in the atoning blood.

" My eldest son had hitherto been utterly careless about the things of God, and associated with youths of a similar disposition of mind ; but now he became the subject of a manifest change. He cast off his old companions ; and one Sunday afternoon, just before I was going to meet my class, he came to me with a sorrowful mind, and expressed his desire to go with me to the class-meeting ; he did go, and that day cast in his lot with the people of God ; and blessed be his holy name, they both continue to this day."

Soon after the above, Mr. Carvosso speaks again of the conversion of another child, as follows : — " I now began to feel a particular concern for the salvation of my younger son. I laid hold by faith on the same promise which I had before done, when pleading for my other children, and went to the same place to call upon my God in his behalf. One day while I was wrestling with God in mighty prayer for him, these words were applied with power to my mind, 'There shall not a hoof be left behind/ I could pray no more ; my prayer was lost in praises ; in shouts of joy, and ' Glory, glory, glory ! the Lord will save all my family !' While I am writing this, the silent tears flow down from my eyes. His life was quite moral ; I could not reprove him for any outward sin. In his leisure hours his delight was in studying different branches of useful knowledge. But this, though good in its place, was not religion ; I knew his heart was yet estranged from God. After the answer I had in prayer, I waited some time, hoping to see the change effected in him as it was in his sister and brother ; but as it was not taking place according to my expectations, I felt my mind deeply impressed with the duty of taking the first opportunity of opening my mind to him, and talking closely to him about eternal things. I accordingly came to him on one occasion when he was, as usual, engaged with his books; and with my heart deeply affected, I asked him if it was not time for him to enter upon a life of religion. I told him with tears, that I then felt my body was fast failing, and that if anything would distress my mind in a dying hour, it would be the thought of closing my eyes in death before I saw him converted to God. This effort the Lord was pleased to bless ; the truth took hold of his heart ; he went with me to the class -meeting, and soon obtained the knowledge of salvation by the remission of his sins. This was a matter of great joy and rejoicing to me and my dear wife ; we had now the unspeakable happiness of seeing all our dear children converted to God, and travelling in the way to heaven with us."

Thus parents should always be intent on the conversion of their children, the younger the better. It is a dangerous and most fatal error for parents to suppose that children cannot at a very early age understand the way of salvation. At how early an age children pass the line of accountability, is quite uncertain. God alone can know this ; but it is probably true, that some pass it much earlier than others. It is feared many dear children, even of professedly Christian parents, die in a state of sinful impenitency. Dear reader, are you a parent ? think — feel — labour for the eternal welfare of your child before it is too late ! Consider what it will be to look on your poor children in eternal flames, and that through your neglect ! Some parents are much prejudiced against the idea of little children being converted ; this is no new thing. The early disciples of the Saviour were somewhat influenced with the same feeling. They manifested this spirit by rebuking those who brought their young children to Christ. But when the blessed Jesus saw it, "he was much displeased/' and said, " Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of God." He also manifested his peculiar regard for such by taking them up in his arms, and putting his hands upon them and blessing them. This example of the Saviour should banish forever all the prejudice and skepticism which may have been hitherto lurking in the minds of Christian parents respecting early piety. Besides this, we have the most abundant proofs from many still living, that the grace of God which bringeth salvation has been experienced in very early childhood, and retained and enjoyed through each succeeding period of life, and now lights up the soul in time of old age with bright hopes of blooming anew in the paradise of God. And in the past history of the Church, a large portion of her most learned and pious ministers were converted to God in their childhood, many of whom, like Samuel, were before their birth consecrated to the service of the Great Head of the Church.