Evening, 244
Questions for every Evening,--(several sets,) 245 (1.) When Time is limited, 245 (2.) For
Ordinary Occasions, 246 (3.) Dr. Doddridge's Questions, 247 (4.) When you have more
Time than usual, 248 2. To ascertain why Prayer is not answered, 251 3. As to the Cause
of Afflictions, 253 4. Whether we are Christians, 253
Am I a Christian?--Questions, 255
(1.) As to Views of Sin, 255 (2.) Of the Government of God, 256 (3.) Faith in Christ, 257
(4.) Love to God, 258 (5.) Christian Character in General, 260 5. Preparation for the
Lord's Table, 262 Questions, 262
Conclusion, 264
APPENDIX.
A Course of Reading, 267 I. Sacred History, 267 Profane History, 267 II. Christian
Doctrine, 268 III. Biography, 268 IV. Miscellaneous, 268
LETTERS, &c.
LETTER I.
The Christian's Mark.
"Forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are
before, I press towards the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ
Jesus."--PHIL. 3:13, 14.
MY DEAR SISTER,
Ever since the death of our dear mother, I have felt a deep interest in your welfare. And
your being left, while young, in a measure dependent upon me, has increased my
affection for you. You have now left my roof, to sojourn among strangers. You have little
knowledge of the world, and your religious experience has been short. I trust, therefore,
you will cordially receive a few hints from one whose fraternal affection has been
strengthened by many peculiar circumstances, and who, for many years, has not ceased to
remember you in his prayers.
Young Christians, when they first obtain peace and comfort in Christ, are prone to think
the struggle over, the victory won. But nothing can be farther from the truth. They have
but just enlisted under the banner of the great Captain of their salvation, in a warfare
which will never cease till they shall have obtained the final victory over sin and death,
and entered into the joy of their Lord. This mistake often leads them to be satisfied with
what they have already experienced, and to cease that constant inward strife and
earnestness, which they exercised while under conviction, before they found "joy and
peace in believing." They see such a heavenly sweetness in divine things, that they think
it impossible they should "lose the relish all their days." This begets self-confidence, and
they trust in their own strength to keep where they are, instead of eagerly pressing
forward, in the strength of Christ, after higher attainments. The consequence is, they soon
lose their lively sense of divine things, backslide from God, and become cold and barren
in their religious affections. A little child, when it first begins to walk, is safe while it
keeps hold of the hand of its mother, or faithful nurse. But, when it begins to feel
confident of its own strength, and lets go its hold, it soon totters and falls. So with the
Christian. He is safe while he keeps a firm hold of Christ's hand. But the moment he
attempts to walk alone, he stumbles and falls.
The Scriptures represent the grace of God in the heart, as a growing principle. It is
compared to a mustard-seed, which is the least of all seeds. But, when it springs up, it
rises and spreads its branches, till it becomes the greatest of all herbs. The beauty and
appropriateness of this figure will not be appreciated, unless we take into consideration
the luxuriant growth of plants in Eastern countries. The Jews have a fable of a
mustard-tree whose branches were so extensive as to cover a tent. There are two things
that no one would expect to see, in the growth of such a plant: (1.) To spring at once into
full maturity. (2.) To become stationary in its growth, before it arrives at maturity. If it
ceases to grow, it must wither away and die.
The spiritual reign of Christ in the heart is also compared to a _little leaven_, which a
woman took and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened. It was so
little at first that it was said to be hid. It could not be seen. So grace, when first implanted
in the heart, is often so little in degree, and so much buried up in remaining corruption,
that it can scarcely be discovered at all. But the moment the leaven begins to work, it
increases without ceasing, till the whole is leavened.
Again; Christ says, "the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water,
springing up into everlasting life." When these words were uttered, our Lord was sitting
upon a deep well, in conversation with the woman of Samaria. As his custom was, he
drew
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