Prophesying Smooth Things.
THERE is a temptation which besets both pulpit and pen and tongue to "prophesy smooth things" and shirk unpopular truths. Paul did not make himself popular on that corn ship by predicting storm and opposing a venture before a treacherous south wind. Yet before the gale was over he was the most trusted and respected man on board. There is a theology of south wind and smooth sea that is becoming very current, and it "takes" prodigiously in these days. It suits human nature exceedingly. It sets a low estimate on the exceeding sinfulness of sin and its desert of retribution. It treats very gingerly the primitive justice of God. It hoists no storm signal in the direction whither so many souls are leading; it practically ignores hell! Even if the voyage here be with some "loss of lading" it holds out the hope of a possible second probation in the unseen world. However seductive or popular this un-Pauline theology may be, I do not discover it on God's charts, or in his weather-tables. If I deceive a soul with any such delusions, may not God hold me to a fearful account? Love demands fidelity. However smooth the sea, and however fair the wind before any and every soul yet out of Christ, let such be lovingly warned that the voyage will be with terrible loss, both to lading and to life. In the penitent acceptance of Jesus Christ is the only absolute, complete, perfect, and everlasting salvation. Run no risks when your soul is at stake.—Sel.