Page images
PDF
EPUB

our doings are intolerable. They have an edifice set apart for their Sabbath day and evening gatherings, where holy time is outrageously desecrated. An old woman passing by the structure, the other day, paused to read the inscription high on front, and, her sight not being good, she read, "The Hell of Science." "There did you ever! — what are they going to do with science?—the Hell of Science!" -and passed on. "The Hall of Science" is the motto; but the old woman was not far out of the way, after all. They have had it from the pulpit rather hot, for thei patience, of late. Their assemblies have been thinned, almost broken up; and, besides, numbers of their adherents have been lately converted. The wasp's nest has been greatly disturbed; they have tried to sting and do other mischievous things, which have rather recoiled upon themselves. Public opinion has given them some significant frowns. A few expressive symptoms of dissatisfaction with the revival among certain would-be "higher class" ones have given them courage; but they counted too fast. It is hard coping with the power of God; -not the first time a revival of religion has turned into foolishness the wisdom of the crafty. They are vexed that numan nature will so patronize "this hell and damnation." We have something better than that, gentlemen; although even that is worthy of an escape from, not from hearing about it, but from suffering its realities in eternity. Well, they have concluded to send in a flag of truce, asking for a cessation of hostilities, or at least a decrease of the cannonade, and time for explanations. A deputation has waited upon me. One, in the name of the rest, entered his protest against my "misrepresentations and unbearable inferences," that I had even injured his character! Poor man! I neither recognized his name nor face,- although not unlikely I may have drawn his por

[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]

trait pretty correctly in the pulpit; and, not liking his owr. likeness, and his neighbors recognizing it, he of course felt himself scandalized. I remarked, my habit was to attack infidelity in all its shapes, forms and complexions; and if it sheltered itself under the wing of Socialism, they must not be surprised if a few of my arrows should lodge in its feathers. It might be somewhat annoying, but their best way was to thrust out the traitor to good morals and religion, and let the arrows of the Gospel pierce him on his own unfenced commons; that, if I had injured their society, to prove it, and they should have ample satisfaction. The plaster shall be as large as the wound. Perhaps you have no objections to tell me, honestly, what are your real principles in a religious point of view. Do you believe the Bible to be a revelation from God? "We do not." That there is an hereafter after death, and that you have each a soul to enjoy or to suffer its awards? "No, that is not our creed." But you surely believe in the existence of a God? No, I do not," and he became somewhat excited. Indeed! that is worse and worse. By denying you have a soul that will live forever, you place yourselves on a level with brute beasts. This is hard upon you, but is it anything more than fact? But, alas! by denying the existence of a God, you exhibit a capability brutes possess not. You are Atheists. "I have thought, I have reasoned thus." Hold! what is that which thinks and reasons within you? Your very soul, perhaps, whose existence you have just denied,that which thinks and reasons within your body may do so without the body, by and by! Take care that it thinks and reasons correctly in this world, or it may be worse for it the next! "I think for myself. No man shall dictate to me what I shall believe." O, that is all well enough; but see to it that you think not erroneously; we are but

66

[ocr errors]

conversing now, not dictating. "I have more independence than others. I think for myself. I moved step by step, till I reached my present vantage-ground in belief." Your present unbelief, you should say. You have some talent, sir. It is a pity you should employ it in proving yourself nothing but a brute. "A brute?" Yes, a brute! what are you else, if soulless? "I want superstition hooted out of the world, and our Socialist principles better understood; then we should have a very different state of things." Doubtless! Men without a soul, a world without a God, the Bible a fable, Christianity a dream, accountability after death a figment of the imagination, hell a superstition, eternity a blank! A changed world, indeed, should Socialism prevail; - black as the globe which I noticed on the tomb of Voltaire, in Paris, a few months since; -ay, and one of hell's appendages. What advantage would it be to me, pray, to believe as you do? My soul is happy in believing what you discard. Would I be more truly happy in your unbelief? What benefit ?—what good by disbelieving as you? Would it improve my morality, purity, happiness, or safety? You believe I am safe enough, even now, as regards eternity, do you not? "O, certainly." Now hear me! I believe you are in danger of eternal damnation. Whether truth or error, that is my belief. Why, then, should you wonder that I try to disturb you, overthrow your errors, and convert you to Christ? But, I do wonder why you should try to convert me, or any Christian, to your way of thinking, unless your heart is as dark as your principles; - the devil for such business!

[ocr errors]

After urging the possibility of resisting, grieving and quenching the Holy Spirit, and sinning away the day of grace, and the consequences, hardness of heart, and repro

bacy of mind, and an untroubled depravity to believe or disbelieve anything, I turned to one of the deputation, and said: Does this man represent correctly the principles of your society? "No; I don't go quite so far," the chief interposed, saying, "it is no use conversing any more about it, let us go;" and drew towards the door, feeling somewhat different than when he came in; reminding one of that odd picture in Holland,- a Dutchman with a full-blown bladder upon his shoulder, while another behind is pricking it with a pin, and uttering a Latin motto, signifying "How soon is all blown down!" Now, then, what are to be their next tactics? We shall see.

[ocr errors]

Feb. 4th.- My hoarseness rather increases. The work advances with unabated power. There are adversaries, but they cannot effect much; and the power of God is sweeping them away before it. Error seems like chaff before a whirlwind. Not less than nine hundred sinners have been converted since the revival began, last December; and about four hundred believers have been entirely sanctified throughout spirit, soul and body.-1 Thess. 5: 23, 24. All glory be to God on high, for ever and ever! Amen. My own soul is in a flourishing state; but the body makes some complaint. The Lord has ever been better to me than my boding fears; I must go on unfalteringly. If the battle is the Lord's, as I believe it is, and I am necessary to lead on his spiritual troops, he will strengthen the outer as well as the inner man. With this confidence, let me

onward, vigorously and courageously. Amen.

CHAPTER XX.

PLAIN DEALING WITH OBSTINATE SINNERS. A SERMON.

THE following discourse is in Mr. Caughey's severest style of address-a style and method which he employs with a class of sinners who resist all milder methods. In its present form and place it may, perchance, reach the conscience of some unconverted sinner.

"He that hath an ear to hear, let him hear."- Matt. 13: 43.

The words are Christ's; the application of them is mine; the effect to be produced must be left with the Holy Ghost. Therefore, He that hath an ear to hear, let him hear.

1. The Psalmist speaks about an approaching calamity upon certain "hairy scalps" which go on in wickedness against the Lord. They are very busy, just now, among us. Depravity has descended to our days, as well as hairy scalps. The latter are very convenient, useful and ornamental; but we could dispense with depravity. Had they a little more hair, some might claim kindred with another species in all but accountability; that they have, the worse for them. This is severe; but St. Jude was quite as much so. Hearken to him: "But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as BRUTE BEASTS, in those things they corrupt themselves. Woe unto them!" I shall venture still fur

[ocr errors]
« PreviousContinue »