BELIEF WITHOUT REPENTANCE.
A MISSIONARY in Ceylon reports a case in a village in that country. A plain sermon had been delivered giving the faith of the gospel, after which a conference was held. The missionary asked, "Do you believe these things?" "Yes, sir," was the unanimous response. "Do you believe that the Bible is God's word and that other vedas are wrong?" "Do you believe that God sent his Son into the world to save sinners?" "Do you believe that Jesus is able to save you?" "Will you then accept him as your Saviour?" "Yes, sir, yes." And the case seemed quite complete. But the wondering missionary wisely went on: "If you become Christians, you must give up sin." Silence reigned. "You must give up lying." A smile ran around the audience, and a voice said, "We cannot agree to that." "You cannot serve the true God and lie, steal, be impure, and worship idols, or sin in any way; are you willing to give up these that Jesus may save you?" Ah, no, they would give up nothing, and yet they professed to believe and want to join the church! How well this illustrates the human heart in our own land as well as in Ceylon. Yes, indeed, men want to be saved; they even believe in Jesus; but they will not give up their sins. If God would save people in their sins, the whole world would turn to him; but that is not his way of salvation; the repentance of the heart that changes the life from sin to purity at whatever the cost may be, this is God's way, and the only way of salvation. The faith in Christ as our daysman and only merit completes the work of grace. Who of us are clinging to our sins while claiming to be Christians?—Selected.