DECISION OF CHARACTER.

25

and injurious in its character, that a fearful guilt is contracted by the person who sows it, while if it be analagous to what the Scriptures designate as incorruptible in its nature, lasting good must follow, however remote it may be in relation to time. Or, again, if when our characters are fully developed, the magnified faults should seem to distort and belie our profession, and our religion so wavering as to yield to every outward impulse, then the defects and laxness will be like tares, which may choke up the good seed of the kingdom, and be the means of producing lasting misery to many, if not to ourselves also. Yet be it remembered, such evils do not result from religion, but entirely from a lack of its proper influence on our hearts.

While on earth, none can shelter themselves under the shadowy pretext of doing no harm by their indecision. Men cannot be neutral in this day of excitement. The time is come when acknowledged first principles must be tested. Truth and error, right and might, are struggling for the ascendancy. "He that is not with me is against me," said the Redeeiner, when upon the earth; and decision of character is more important now than in any preceding age. Those are the worst of friends whose vacillation will not allow them to avow their faith, nor labour to spread it abroad.

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THE DUTY OF CHRISTIANS

Perhaps the neglect implies a strong doubt of its validity; or the indecision may seem to afford an easy mode of escape if ever called upon to confess whether "it is better to obey God than man." But can such persons stifle the convictions of conscience? or dare they rush with such hypocritical pretences into the presence of Him "who knows the heart?" Let each one carefully examine "whether he be in the faith," for this only will survive the test of His scrutiny.

Never, probably, was sin more rampant in the world; never did it insinuate itself more speciously within the sanctuary; and never had it so little discountenance in some of the "high places" of society. Then, besides this monstrous evil, there are the various errors which have crept into the church and the world, all of which, amidst many convulsive throes, men are endeavouring to overturn and correct. This would be more effectually done by the general spread of religious truth, and by the inculcation of those heaven-born principles which are our inalienable rights as citizens and Christians. These should be maintained in violate, and advocated, even if that advocacy bring with it a martyr's doom. Shall Christians be silent when great and fundamental doctrines are frittered down into nonentities, and the sacred Charter of immortality is trampled upon by men of wealth and

IN THE PRESENT CRISIS.

27

power, as well as by the infidel and sceptic? Can they look on with indifference when the honour of Christ and religion are at stake? This cannot be; for if their own rights are indefeasible, yet the poor, oppressed, and defenceless on every hand, demand the warmest sympathy and assistance. To contend against the evils may be painful, but the duty is not less binding on that account. Probably they are become the more gigantic and intolerable, that God may thus incite us to "attempt great things" on behalf of his church, until it shall stand out distinctly in its primitive simplicity, "fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners."

On the young the claims of humanity and religion now prominently rest; for notwithstanding the evils rife on every hand, there never was a time when so much was attempted to promote and secure the temporal and spiritual interests of the youthful population. Never was the Church of Christ more alive to their importance; and in return, she calls upon them in the name of the Saviour, and by all that is dear and solemn in relation to time and eternity, to consecrate themselves afresh to pure religion, and to engage in the various efforts and enterprises of mercy which are the glory of the day in which we live. But not on them alone rests the responsibility, for all

28

THE SCOTCH WIDOW.

have a duty to discharge, whether young or old, male or female; and there is no ground for exemption from its due performance, until it can be said of each as the Saviour said of the poor widow, "she hath done what she could."

Even

Active personal efforts are necessary. pecuniary contributions do not exonerate the Christian from labour when it is within reach. Then, if so, how much of the frown of Heaven do those incur, who never assist, either by prayer or by labour, in the work of bringing sinners to Christ; nor yet are "living epistles seen and known and read of all men ?"

Take an example of another kind as illustrative of the manner in which we may commend and honour Christ. An aged woman in Scotland, having presented herself to the minister, according to their custom when seeking to partake of the Lord's Supper, was asked many questions respecting the hope within her," to none of which was she able to give a satisfactory answer. informing her that he could not permit any person to partake of the ordinance who gave no evidence of attachment to the Saviour, she replied with peculiar energy, "I cannot speak about these things, and I do little in behalf of Christ, yet I could die for him." Enthusiasm like this would, in the estimation of the world, be

On

HER CONFESSION OF PIETY.

29

regarded as fanaticism. But to the catechist it indicated the decision of a heart awakened to feel the amazing debt of love which was due to Christ Jesus; and such was the impression made by the avowal that he could not refuse the required ticket of admission. This, ardent as it seems, is but a specimen of the fervid piety of thousands in our country, many of whom can do little in commending the Saviour with their tongues, yet their firmness, consistency, and devotedness to religious duties, carry a weight of irrestible influence, which provokes other hearts to beat warmly with attachment to his name. On each of his professed disciples the obligation is equally binding to "let their light shine before others, that they seeing their good works may glorify their Father who is in heaven."

If men were to live in a state of preparedness of heart to meet God, they would ever be found with their lamps brightly burning, diligent and watchful in the sphere allotted to them, and armed for conflict, lest the enemy should surprise them in a state of indolence and neglect of duty. Perhaps the time of trial is the safest for Christians. In such seasons they lean on an Almighty arm. But the test of piety is simple; for in the same degree that we feel attached to the Saviour, shall we willingly make sacrifices of self, time, talents,