Tobacco vs. Sanctification.
A MINISTER was preaching the gospel one day among some Christian brethren, and urging upon them the importance of entire consecration to God. He told them that habitual wrong-doing of any kind was in direct conflict with all acceptable prayer for holiness of heart. "Brethren," he inquired, "how are you daily employed? Are you manufacturing, selling or using tobacco? Chewing, puffing or snuffing? Are you patronizing deadly drugs and drinks, and swelling the curse of intemperance? if so, I beg you to change your course. You live in known sin, and your prayers for sanctification are worse than vain, for they are an abomination at God’s throne. Refrain from every wrong practice, yes, every suspicious practice: and then you may pray for sanctification consistenty and with a better grace." He had unusual freedom, and it was an hour of marked solemnity and tenderness. As he withdrew to the vestibule, a well-looking brother approached him under some strong excitement. "You have struck the nail on the head once," he said, in trembling, tearful tones. "You have struck the nail on the head," he said again, in a louder voice, and sobbed like a broken-hearted child. "Tell us, brother," said the minister, "what you mean?" After a while he replied:— "I have been praying for sanctification five or six years. There has always been an Achan in my soul—always something in my way; and you are the first that ever told me what it is. It is my pipe. When I have been praying in my closet for the blessing, something has raised me suddenly from my knees, and I have run to the mantle-piece for my pipe! My pipe has been stronger than God! And when reading the Bible in my devotions, I have often cut short the exercises, and before I was aware, have run for my pipe. My pipe has been stronger than God!" Then straightening up with the dignity of a man, wiping the tears from his eyes, raising his head, and looking upward, he exclaimed: "The dearest idol I have known,
What’er that idol be,
Help me to tear it from thy throne,
And worship only Thee." And suiting the action to the word, he drew his meerschaum from his pocket, dashed it down indignantly upon the steps of the Church, and, like the baptized eunuch, went on his way rejoicing.—Ex.