To Rev. Mr. ——

The cluldren of God are one in interest — Obligations vary according to relationships — Abraham’s unheard-of path of duty — Remarkable requisition — Satan’s subtilties — Just where light meets us — Wilhng is not doing — The appearance of evil — A questionable practice cripples faith — Crucifixion of the flesh required — David’s sacrifice — God will help you — An old habit broken.

My dear brother in Christ will be pleased to hear that his letter was rightly directed. So far from requiring an apology for writing to one of the children of your heavenly Father, it surely should rather require one for not doing so, if you were impressed that it might be serviceable to you. My mind is so fully possessed with the assurance, that all the children of God are members of 07ie body, that I am not prone to conceive of separate interests.

I was not at home when your letter reached the city of New- York, but it was brought to me at this place. I hasten to reply, though not favored with facilities for writing, nor opportunity for maturing my thoughts as I might otherwise do.

Your case, dear brother, does not appear to me inexphcable. I have met with a number of cases somewhat similar. Not, indeed, in regard to the precise object to be given up, but where the power to exercise faith on proper principles has been withheld, until the object required had been surrendered. We cannot, m all cases, make duties

Obligations vary. Abraham’s Faith manifested by his Obedience.

one for the other, because our obligations vary from a variety of causes, being as diversified as are the positions in which we are providentially placed.

Abraham was called to sacrifice Isaac. He did not know at the time, why such an unheard-of duty was enjoined. It was enough that God had made the demand. But it was the design of God, that Abraham should stand out before all succeeding generations, as the father of the faithful — the friend of God. “Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.” Over four thousand years, Abraham has been reaping the fruit of his obedience. He knows now why the sacrifice was required, and we should be willing to wait till the day of eternity reveals the wherefore, for this or the other requirement, assured that the Judge of all the earth will do right. Infinite wisdom can require nothing but what will be for the promotion of the divine glory, and for our ultimate good.

It was thus that I was required to sacrifice an object, which, at the time, I was not aware stood in any degree between God and my soul. As far as the state of my affections was concerned, I could see no reason why I should make the surrender. I had never even heard of any one under like circumstances, being called to a similar trial. Satan, on this ground, urged that this must be temptation. How he loves to carry out his deceptions, by transforming himself into an angel of

Satan may tempt us that we are tempted.

light. If he can only succeed in causing us to pronounce upon the workings of the Spirit, as the workings of his own fiendish power, he is as well satisfied with the transformation, as though it were accomplished by any other process. But relative to the sacrifice to which I was called, the Holy Spirit suggested. Though Abraham did not know, when called to sacrifice his son Isaac, why such a requirement was made, yet he knows now; and are you willing to wait till you are an inhabitant of that world where knowledge is made perfect, in order to know why this sacrifice is required at your hands?

Praised be the Lord my strength, through whose power I had now come, not only to a willingness to be holy, but to the decision, I will now he holy, and lay all upon the altar, though the sacrifice be dear as life itself. The surrender was made. Then, and not till then, did clear light beam upon my mind. All was not upon the altar till I came to this point. When I came to this, I was met, as usual, by the words, “If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine.” “God is the Lord which hath showed us light: bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar.” Psalm cxviii, 27.

We have no authority from the word of the Lord, to expect clear light, until the sacrifice is bound to the altar. The clear beamings of the

Coining up to the Light. Touch the Altar. Questionable Practices.

Sun of righteousness ever shine the same upon the King’s highway; but it is not till the traveler arrives at the last point, and actually comes to Christ, and gives up the last vestige of sin and self, that he enters, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, into the hohest. Here the bright rays from the throne of the Eternal beam at once upon his soul, and the simplicity of the way of faith is discovered. The word, as you will remember, does not say, “If any man is willing to do his will, he shall know of the doctrine;” but, “If any man will do his will,” &c. What a vast difference it would have made in ancient times, if those who were commanded to present the required sacrifices had contented themselves with a loilUng’iuss to lay their offerings upon the altar, without ever actually coming to the point of making the surrender! It was not until their sacrifices touched the altar, that they were made holy. As well might they have kept them at the distance of a mile, as to have kept them within arm’s-reach.

It is said of the way of holiness, ‘’ The unclean shall not pass over it.” If we are in the practice of that which is questionable, we must either become “fully persuaded,” or come under condemnation. “He that doubteth, is damned.” “Whether ye eat or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” The command, “Abstain from all appearance of evil,” is equally binding with that

A worse than Useless Habit. “The Time of this Ignorance.”

which requires abstinence from evil itself. You speak of a habit in which you have indulged for many years which gives you uneasiness. Whatever may be thought of the necessity of using tobacco by some well-meaning people, Ave know the general voice of the deeply pious is against it. A profession of holiness, and a continuance in this practice, would subject many minds to questionings which would make your testimony less useful. “Gould I enjoy a state of holiness, and yet indulge in this vmseemly, and worse than useless, habit?” would be the inquiry with many a precious one for whom Christ died. Should your persistence in this habit make you less successful, as a minister, in presenting the claims of holiness, with but one individual, may you not conjecture that your Redeemer would look chidingly upon you in that da)% when you will be called to present every man perfect in Christ Jesus?

I was about to say, I am glad you were not broupht into a state of holiness while continuins: in this practice. But I am reminded by referring to your letter, that you thought you were once in the enjoyment of this blessing, though this habit was not at the time relinquished. I hardly know what to say to this, only that “the time of this ignorance God winked at,” (fee. Your mind was not then as fully enlightened in relation to the harmfulness of this practice as it now is. And may not

Misgivings cripple Faith. Questions.

your misgivings, even at the time, ultimately have crippled your faith in such a way as to prevent a firm hold on the blessing? To me it looks probable, that till this time you might have held fast your confidence, had it not been for this difficulty. * * * O, I am sure you will thank God that he has thus, in answer to your oft-repeated petitions for light, enabled you to perceive the object; and though the surrender may be crucifying to the flesh, yet with David you will say, “Neither will I offer burnt-offerings unto the Lord my God of that which doth cost me nothing.”

Yours, in Christian love.