Christian worker says: "We were asked one day to call and see a poor woman who was very ill. We found her worn and faint, in a state of extreme discomfort and poverty. In the room were screaming children, whose mother was loudly bidding them 'Be still, or she'd beat them,' so that at first it seemed doubtful whether the invalid would be able to listen to anything. 'It's all there,' said the poor woman, laying her hand on her chest, 'and don't leave me night nor day. I can't get rid of the burden!' Our efforts to arrange the pillow and straighten the rags meant for bed clothes did not afford any relief.' No, my dear, it's not that, it's not that. Its all my sins as I've done ever since I was a child: they come up before me, and lie there so heavy. They tell me I must die; but I can't.' 'Now, listen, and I will tell you of a man who felt just as you did, only perhaps worse. He was so bad that he could not keep from roaring day and night. He could not lie still as you can; and he said, "Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. When I kept silence my bones waxed old, through my roaring all the day long. For day and night Thy hand was heavy upon me." 'Oh,' broke in the woman, 'that's like me; and what did he do?' 'I acknowledged my sin unto Thee. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord'; and on explaining what this was, the poor woman started up in bed, took hold of my arm, and, with an eagerness beyond description, asked, 'What did the Lord say? What did God say to him?' 'And Thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin; for this shall everyone pray unto Thee.' No more need be told. The woman acknowledged her sins, and David's God spake forgiveness to her heart through Jesus Christ. From that day the burden was gone, and the praise that rose from that sick bed continuous."
Hosea 4:6. My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge
In a short time there will (we have reason to fear) remain but two kinds of persons among us, either those who think not at all, or those whose imaginations are active indeed, but continually evil. Of these latter it may be said, "Their foolish heart was darkened." Of the principles, I do not say of the detail, of political science, a sound theology is the only sure and steady basis. Now we trace the operations by which a destruction so extended in its consequences has been effected. The master-spring of every principle which can permanently secure the stability of a people is the fear and knowledge of Almighty God. The first operation of a principle of atheism, and perhaps one of the most formidable in its consequences, is that which leads political men to conceive of Christianity as a mere auxiliary to the State. Religion was not instituted (in the Divine council I mean) for the purpose of society and government, but society and government for the purposes of religion. As a...
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