WHOLE-SOULED CHRISTIANS.
By Theo. Cuyler
THE demand of the hour is for whole-souled Christians. This demands a whole-hearted conversion from the start. Half-way converts, hastily and carelessly admitted into the church, make only half-Christians; and it takes a good deal more than two half-Christians to make one whole Christian. Some men's boughs hang over the church side of the wall, but their roots are on the world's side. Such bear nothing but leaves. Even the leaves of profession look brown and dusty. Never count on such members for attendance upon church on wet Sundays, or upon prayer-meetings; they are always more ready to invest five hundred dollars in horse-flesh and fine harness than in sending a missionary to the famishing. One of the most benevolent men in my flock told me some years ago, “I cannot keep a fine turn-out without curtailing my contributions for the Lord’s work.” So the equipage was sold, and the Lord was the gainer. My friend goes on foot now, like his Master, but he helps a great many fellow-pilgrims along by a timely lift. To him, doing good is a luxury. Would to God that more of his people would strive thus to live luxuriously! Such a man as old Father Pinney is happier when he gets one hundred dollars to educate a smart colored boy in Florida than Vanderbilt is when he annexes a new railroad to his combination. Steam-engines are estimated by their “horse-power.” Christians ought to be estimated, not by brain-power or by income, but by heart-power. A man of very moderate talents and endowments becomes a leading man as soon as Christ gains a complete control of his affections. He attains to a great propelling power simply by the momentum of his godliness. He follows Christ so heartily that he moves others by that momentum. Consecration to Christ can easily outstrip genius in the pulpit. Thorough-going piety is the chief requisite for the ministry, for the eldership, for the Sabbath-school teacher, or for any post of usefulness. The celebrated Dr. Charles Hodge delivered his first public address in advocacy of this idea; and he held to it until his dying day. Genuine fervent piety links a man to God, and God is omnipotent. The best work is often achieved by people of moderate intellectual gifts. This is a happy fact, because men of genius are scarce; but grace accumulates at compound interest. Whole-souled religion is equal to all weather and all kinds of work. It never “commutes” with the Master for half-fare or easy terms. Rather does it relish the stern severities of duty. If the discharge of duty requires a pinch, he bears it without flinching. When doubtful questions come up, he gives Christ the casting vote. He is as fervid and as faithful during the ordinary times in the church as he is amid the glow of a revival. When others cool off he keeps on a steady anthracite fire in his heart. For him to live is Christ; the cross he carries becomes to him a crown. We pastors grow sick and weary of the half-hearted professors who require coaxing and bribing—who are willing to go heavenward provided that they are allowed a choice seat in a cushioned car. But commend me to the conscientious, self-consecrated Calebs, who discerning the goodly land afar off are ready for a long march on God’s “rations,” and with some hard fighting by the way. Reader, would you win this joy and glory and crown? Then seek a fresh baptism of the Spirit, and surrender your whole heart to the keeping of your Redeemer. —Rev. Theo. Cuyler, D. D., in Christian at Work.