Page images
PDF
EPUB

we must never allow a smile to escape us; the speaker should feel rebuked, Ephesians v. 3, 4. The more you see of the world the more may you be convinced of the vanity and unsatisfactoriness of all its enjoyments, and be quickened to make sure of that which alone can yield solid and durable happiness, and the more may you see and admire the various footsteps of the great Creator shining in his works, as well of nature as of providence. Whereever you may be, may you still be minding the "one thing needful," and evidencing your choice of the good part which will procure happiness to yourself, and very much contribute to the joys of, My dear

Your very affectionate Parent,

Correspondence Department.

AN APPEAL TO CHRISTIAN LADIES.

CHRISTIAN FRIEND,

J. W.

Do you know of any unhappy young person who has wandered into the ways of evil by listening to the voice of the evil seducer? Perhaps you do know of such a one, who, forgetting the law of God, has tried to find her happiness in the ways of the seducer. Oh! if you do, let a friend beseech you to regard her with the deepest pity and tenderest sympathy, and hasten to her rescue, for "One sinner destroyeth much good." She will not remain alone in her iniquity; no! she will prove the seducer of others, and increase the tide of public immorality and misery. Do not say I am but one, and can do but little to stem the torrent of vices like these which are among the great sins of our land." True,

[ocr errors]

yet

one

Christian friend, you may be able to do but little, that little it may please the Lord to bless, and greatly to "increase the fruits of your righteousness," and thereby bless the town, or the city where you dwell; for while it is written as an appalling fact, that sinner destroyeth much good; that "no one liveth to himself;" and that "a sinner cannot perish alone in his iniquity;" it is alike true that no Christian can live to himself; but that the converted, restored, and reclaimed sinner will do good in the world, and the world will be the better for the influence of every poor sinner converted from the error of his ways.' May this thought greatly encourage you, my Christian friend, to make some effort for the salvation of those poor women who though they are now the curse of society, would, if converted, become blessings in the land. Yes, through the riches of abounding grace and mercy there are many living monuments of this truth. There are many who, like the poor woman restored by the Saviour, having "had much forgiven, loves also much." And in these cases it is seen "that where sin abounded, grace much more abounds." May you be encouraged to attempt this great work, and to do it promptly.—Yes, “go work to-day" in this vineyard, and attempt something in the strength of the Lord to promote an object so blessed, and results so desirable. I now not only refer to the great and glorious object of the salvation of the soul from hell; for that is enough of itself without any argument to ensure all our energies; but I refer to the effects in this life, and to the influence which either a chaste or unchaste character must exert upon society at large. And is it not surprising that with the vastness of the Saviour's sacrifice before us, and the price he paid for its redemption, that we

can need any stimulus for such an object?

Think of it, Christian friend, both as a mother, a wife, a sister, and these guilty characters have a claim upon you in such relation, to reclaim and instruct them. Let the appeal be heard and felt. Go from your closet to those abodes of sin and pollution, whose defiling streams meet the eye, whose inmates sicken the heart, and loudly demand your Christian-like energies to be exerted for their deliverance.

But perhaps you are ready to say, "What can I, what shall I do, to benefit my guilty neighbours, and to point out to them 'a more excellent way?"" I reply first of all, dear friend, the gospel, the glorious gospel, which they never hear, is the grand means of conversion for sinners of every kind, enormity, and character. Therefore, go to their abodes with your heart fully charged with the riches of a Saviour's dying love, with his invitations of mercy to the chief of sinners. Tell the polluted wanderer of that blood which cleanseth the foulest stains.-Tell them of her who found the Messiah when she sought not for him; -and of another who washed the Redeemer's feet with her tears, and wiped them with that very hair in which she had perhaps gloried as a temptation for others to do evil! Tell them, there yet is room, hope and mercy, and pardon, and sanctifying grace for the vilest of the vile, and that whosoever among them shall come unto Christ, "He will in no wise cast out." Thus exalt the atoning Saviour, and direct them to the life-giving influence of that Holy Spirit which can produce the mighty change, and is promised to " those who ask it;"-say, it is written, "Ask and ye shall receive; for every one that asketh receiveth," and heaven and earth shall pass away, sooner than any humbled seeking sinner,

though loaded with guilt and burdened with iniquities numberless as the sands upon the sea shore, shall fail to obtain the offered, the promised, and through Christ, the deserved blessing.

"Our sins as numerous as the sands,
Or like the mountains for their size,
The seas of sovereign grace expand,
The streams of mighty grace arise."

One method adopted by a Christian friend I will relate; it is simple, but as it is also affectionate, it is likely, with the Divine blessing, deeply to affect those whose welfare is designed. It is to convey in a letter,* faithfully and affectionately written, a tract on the subject, containing also a faithful exhibition of the gospel method of salvation: an earnest appeal to the conscience, with a request that the tract may be read, and prompt attention given to the great concern. Now, dear Christian friend, if you will adopt this same plan, and fix upon only six unhappy women in the town where you dwell, to address in a similar manner, it might prove beneficial. Cannot your faith rise in the exercise, and anticipate that such an effort made with affection, preceded and followed with earnest prayer, shall be attended with the effective blessing of the Holy Spirit? Ah! could Christian women in general feel the importance of the object, and would they but act upon this simple plan, how many a gathered outcast would have occasion to bless its benevolence, while even their happiness in heaven would be increased by meeting those who, but for such an instrumentality, might have plunged themselves, and become the means

* Specimens of these have been sent to us, and will be given in our next.

of plunging others into that lake of torment, those billows of despair and divine wrath, which roll with quenchless fury for ever and ever!

It were easy to multiply arguments and obligations as a call to faithful and affectionate efforts in such a work of mercy as this; but I shall only add, that I enclose two among other tracts that have been adopted by my friend for this purpose; together with the address which Christian pity and affection have dictated and accompanied. Perhaps if the plan were made known it might be acted upon by many. Meanwhile, dear Christian friend, act upon it yourself, and try to persuade one other friend at least to do the same. Yet be not discouraged from the attempt by any consideration. Your single effort, though unapproved or unaided by mortals, will be known to the Searcher of Hearts, and he will not suffer your labour to be unrewarded. Jesus will approve and own it in that day, even if unsuccessful, with His plaudit, “She hath done what she could," and it will then set at nought the frowns or opinions of assembled worlds. FIDELIA.

THE FAMILY REVIVAL.

THE family, whose condition I am to describe, is a representative of thousands in our churches, who are living in the full enjoyment of the highest Christian privileges. The father is actively engaged in the business of life. The pursuits of the world engross his chief care, from day to day. Yet, he is a Christian. He maintains, in his general intercourse with his fellow-men, a character consistent with his religious profession. In his household arrangements, all the forms and appearances of Christian worship

« PreviousContinue »