"MY RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE."
It is not true that the gospel offers to any man immunity from the consequences of past transgression on condition of repentance and faith. Such a promise would be a very dangerous one, and the granted boon one of more than doubtful value. Indeed, it would be difficult to conceive of anything more disastrous to the moral well-being of the race, than a provision by which a man might violate the moral laws of life and avoid the penalty of the violated laws by regret however sincere, or a new moral purpose however earnest. What the gospel promises is the help of God to any soul which finds itself enmeshed in evil habits, whether of outward conduct or of inward thought, which are the consequences of transgression, and who desires deliverance and an emancipated life. It is the revelation of a law of life setting free from the law of sin and death. No man can neglect the education of his intellectual powers in his youth, and acquire the fruits of culture in his manhood by experiencing knowledge. Neither can a man neglect the education of his morals and spiritual powers and acquire the fruits of moral and spiritual culture by experiencing religion. He may be born again, but if he is late born he must bear in the immaturity of his manhood experiences the consequences of his early fault.