Christian Growth and Consecration
By I. S. Chaffee
BRO. SMITH: I have been attending meetings near Portage City, Wis., with Bro. Welcome and some others. There was good attendance and very good attention from the people, also a great interest for the salvation of souls. Much of the Spirit and power of God was manifest there, and many were made happy in a Saviour's love. Our labor was to get souls converted to God, so that they would love him with all the heart, and then let them take the Bible and live according to the rules therein laid down, and not on doctrines, without the grace of God in the heart. I like to see christians that have enough religion in the heart to lead them to obey a truth when they see it. Paul says, I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. Now when we have once consecrated all to God, let us keep all upon the altar, and then we shall grow in grace; but remember, as soon as we take anything off the altar, we shall begin to grow cold in the service of God. Then pride will creep in and begin to manifest itself in our dress or appearance, and instead of reading the Bible, it will be the magazine, perhaps, or some novel, or painted story in the newspapers, and next will be mingling with the world, &c. Brethren and sisters, let us examine ourselves every day, and see if we are in the faith, and that we continue in the love of God, keeping ourselves unspotted from the world. It is a very sure sign when a brother or sister's vacant seat is seen in the prayer-meeting, without a good cause, that there must be something wrong. Let us search our hearts and see if we have not let in something which has crowded out the love of God. There is therefore now no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit. Let us see that we have no condemnation resting upon us. O, the blood of Christ can cleanse from all sin, and the least stains that sin has made. O that no brother or sister would rest short of this free and present salvation. O that I for one might be an Israelite indeed in whom is no guile. I feel to praise God for his goodness towards unworthy me. I have encouragement to press my way on, for grace is sufficient for us. My trust is in God. Although I walk through the valley and shadow of death I will fear no evil, for his rod and his staff they comfort me. Yours in hope of eternal life.
I. S. CHAFFEE.
Ordino, Wis., March, 1859.