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'•'mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm 
 
 
^P*!fr 
 
 m^mmm 
 
 "■^'■' ' ' i^ip^w^ppmi 
 
 PERSONAL EFFORT 
 
 EXPLAINED 4- ENFORCED 
 
 BY REV. DANIEL WISE. 
 
 ^ 
 
 '* Why stand ye here all the. day idle V'^—Msus Christ. 
 
 i 
 
 n 
 'i 
 
 FinsT ca^t/dian edition. 
 
 dobottrg : 
 
 PUBLIBHED BY JOSEPH H. LEONARD. 
 
 AT THE CANADIAN GEM OTVICE. 
 
 18 4 8. 
 
 #'•' 
 

 
 '^:t 
 
 .1 
 
 f 
 
^^ 
 
 P9 
 
 f- 
 
 PREFACE 
 
 TO THE FIRST EDITION. 
 
 The following pages were written agreeably 
 to a vote passed at Eastham Camp-Meeting, Au- 
 gust 14th, 1840. In consenting to their publica- 
 tion, the author has not followed the dictates of 
 his own judgment; he has submitted to the wish 
 jof others. 
 
 No literary merit is claimed for this simple 
 discourse. Prepared, origin ally ^ for the people 
 of my pastoral charge, amid numerous duties, 
 nothing was attempted beyond a plain, succinct 
 explanation and enforcement of the duty of per- 
 sonally laboring to save souls. Nothing more 
 need be looked for in the following pages ; for the 
 brief notes of the discourse have been followed, 
 and the language of its delivery adhered to, as 
 closely as the nature of the case permitted. 
 
 With this statement the work is sent forth; 
 with many earnest prayers that the Holy Spirit 
 will make it the instrument of awakening many 
 unfaithful professors to the great work of saving 
 souls from death. Should this be accomplished, 
 the author will be more than compensated for the 
 unkind criticism of the cold-hearted, the Avorldly, 
 and the fastidious, which its simplicity and want 
 of literary ornament may elicit, 
 
 Jpswlch^ Scptcmhcr^ 1810. 
 
 ft I 
 
 ml 
 
PREFACE 
 
 TO THE THIRD EDITION. 
 
 fo^e¥4in:rf£ ^^ f ^ -™= 
 
 r?nH-o^ '^^ "^^I'^h, to relinquish his ministeriflT 
 
 io K„i^ J ^^°^ ^'^thentic sources u-hiVh i-» 
 
 aff S^'aW L''^/° ">« ^^'- ohLtt4 
 humble anlfaKf? ^"'^ouragement to eyerr 
 Jesus Chrift"'^"' '-'''"'''■'" '" 'he vineyard of 
 
 -^<?^?<?eZ, 1812. '" 
 
 if 
 
 ji 
 
 t 
 
j:i 
 
 4 
 
 PREFACE 
 
 TO THE FIRST CANADIAN EDITION. 
 
 In presenting this little volume to the friends 
 of Jesus in Canada, our object is to arouse the 
 Church to personal Christian effort for the salva- 
 tion of men. It treats with peculiar force and 
 pertinency upon personal effort, and cannot be 
 read by Christians without prompting and en- 
 couraging them to enter into the work of the 
 Lord, as his willing and active Agents. Every 
 agency that can be employed for the good of men, 
 especially for the good of their souls, should be 
 eagerly sought by the friends of Zion. Many 
 thousands of the lovers of Christ and his cause, 
 in the United States, have already read this work 
 with interest and profit to themselves and others. 
 We promise for it a favourable reception by the 
 friends of Jesus in this Province ; and we trust 
 that the Ministers of the Gospel, and the mem- 
 bers of the Church of Christ generally, will as- 
 sist in giving it an extensive circulation. 
 
 PUBLISHERS. 
 
 Cobmirg^ Jwie, 181b. 
 
i 
 
 ^. 
 
 -M 
 
I 
 
 - 
 
 . 
 
 PERSONAL EFrORT. 
 
 tte ivhich cohverteth the sinner from the crrof 
 of his way^ shall save a soul from death^ 
 and shall hide a multitude of sins. — 
 James v. 20. 
 
 A FEW words of explication are neces- 
 sary to remove the seeming obscurities of 
 the lext. The phrase " He which co7iverteth 
 the sinner^^ obviously means, he who is the 
 agent in this work ; for no man, save the 
 Son of man, has power on earth to conr 
 vert a soul, or to pardon its transgressions. 
 " Hide a multitude of sins^^ is an Old Tes- 
 tament expression, and implies all that is 
 contained in gospel justification, or the for- 
 giveness of sin. 
 
 ^ But whose soul is savc;d, anS" whose 
 sins are covered % Those of the agent in 
 the work of conversion, or those of the 
 sinner who is converted ? On this ques- 
 tion there exists two opinions. One affirms 
 that these blessings are secured to the 
 agent ; the other, that they are simply the 
 consequents of conversion, and refer to the 
 
8 
 
 I'liusoxAL i;i'i'oin-, 
 
 I 
 
 glorious effects secured to the sinner, con- 
 Erer ""^'^ 'he agency of the Christian 
 
 The latter opinion is the only scriptural 
 and tenable ground : here, all is clear, con- 
 sisteiit, and intelligible ; while the opposite 
 position as burdened with difficulties, and 
 ieads to the most anti-scriptural conclu- 
 sions; for, 1. If the agent in another's con- 
 version save his own soul, and hide his 
 own transgressions, by that agency, then 
 IS human nature capable of performino- 
 works of merit and supererogation; fo°r 
 such must those acts be, that can be set 
 against former offences as an equivalent 
 or price of liquidation. 2. This opinion 
 destroys the fundamental truth ofevanffeli- 
 cal Christianity. It annihilates the blelsed 
 doctrine, of the atonement, by providino- 
 another way, save faith in Jesis, whereby 
 we may be saved ; for we have only to 
 convert a sinner, and our salvation is se- 
 cured. 1 hus it lays " another foundation" 
 for htiman hope to build upon, agreeable, 
 we admit to its native pride, but contrary 
 to the wisdom of the Eternal God. These 
 
 
 Mi 
 

 Mi 
 
 PERSONAL KFFORT. 9 
 
 abhorrent conclusions we cannot admit, 
 unci therefore deny the premises, and adopt 
 the other view of this interesting text. 
 
 This text, then, is a simple statement of 
 the great results of a sinner's conversion: 
 his soul is saved from death, his multitude 
 of sins forgiven, through the precious blood 
 of Jesus; and these mighty results are 
 stated thus strongly to encourage Chris- 
 tians to labor for the conversion of sinners. 
 
 This text contains the doctrine of per- 
 sonal efTort. Though not presented in 
 these terms, yet it is there. It assumes 
 that special effort will be made by Chris- 
 tians as a matter of course^ and goes on to 
 faithful exertion. He that converteth the 
 sinner; not the?/ who convert sinners^ but 
 he who converts the simier. What is this 
 but special, personal action? the labor of 
 individual with individual? It is this 
 which is here so strikingly encouraged.—- 
 He who succeeds, does what ? O soul- 
 inspiring thought! he saves a soul from 
 DEATH ! Let us, then, consider, 
 
 I. The duty of making personal ef- 
 forts TO PROMOTE HUMAN SALVATION. 
 

 
 10 
 
 TERSONAL EFFOIIT. 
 
 II. Some of the modes in whicii this 
 
 DUTY MAY BE PERFOHMED. 
 
 III. The ENCOURAGEMENTS AND MOTIVES 
 THAT EXIST TO FAVOR THE USE OF THESE 
 EFFORTS. 
 
 1. The primary question to be settled is 
 that of DUTY. Are we, or are we not, un- 
 der ohligations to make particular efforts 
 with individuals for their salvation ? The 
 answer to this question is so clearly in the 
 affirmative, that its decision by argument 
 or proof seems at first sight a needless work. 
 But do Christians /^e/ it to be a duty ? Do 
 they not rather consider it a matter they 
 may attend to or not, as suits their feelings 
 or conven ience '? Have they the same sense 
 of 6?z^^7/ . upon it as upon the subject of 
 prayer, keeping the Sabbath, or paying 
 then* dv:;bts ? Alas! their practice demon- 
 strates their indifference to its claims ; for 
 where are the Christians who labor fiiith- 
 fully for souls? Look around you, fellov/- 
 professor, and inquire who are engaged in 
 this work. Where are the faithful, per- 
 Bonal-cffort men and women? And what 
 
 i 
 
 <K 
 
i.-*4S3»St. 
 
 I 
 
 I'ERfsONAJ. L'rroUT. 
 
 11 
 
 says your own heart upon the matter? 
 Has it not hitherto excused you, and left 
 you to a state of indifference upon the 
 whole question? Fatal indifference to 
 you and to the church ! and never will 
 either aw^ake until both, feel as much 
 bound to practise personal effort, as to 
 fray I 
 
 The g^reat principle involved in this 
 Christian duty runs like a vein of ore 
 throughout the Old Testament — the book 
 of lesser glory. There, nothing is more 
 frequently taught, than that God expected 
 his people to be his agents^ individually as 
 well as collectively, in the accomplishment 
 of his purposer. And this is the pri?icij)Ie 
 of the doctrine of personal effort. It is 
 God's purpose to offer Christ to the world, 
 and it is everv Christian's duty to be God's 
 age7it m the execution of this benevolent 
 purpose. And surely it may be safely in- 
 ferred, that, if the lesser dispensation re. 
 quired this agency, the greater does not 
 dispense with it ; for who pretends that 
 Jehovah works less withhurpan aid under 
 ihis dispensation than under the forn^cr ? 
 
1:<J 
 
 rEllSO>.Al. EFIOliT. 
 
 The principle, and the severity of the 
 Ueity in exacting it, are clearly discovera- 
 ble in the following fearful passage. 
 
 Judges V. 23. '' Curse ye Meroz, saith 
 the angel of the Lord, curse ye bitterly the 
 inhabitants thereof, because thev came 
 not up to the help of the Lord, to the help 
 of the Lord against the mighty." 
 
 Curse ye Meroz ! Cur si-: BrrTERLY ! 
 Why this horrible malediction? What 
 had Meroz done ? Meroz had refused to 
 be God's agent in executing his purpose ! 
 Her inhabitants had iviihheld their aid — 
 had refused to lend positive assistance. 
 They had not hindered ; they did not join 
 God's enemies ; thev threw no obstacles 
 in the way of those who did help ; and yet 
 says Jehovah, Curse them ! Curse BrrTER- 
 LY ! Why? we ask again. '* They came 
 not up to the help of the Lord,''^ is the alarm- 
 ing reply of the Holy Ghost. Is not this 
 horrific anathema enough to stir up your 
 soul, faithless reader? Here you recog- 
 nize your own offence; for when did you 
 go up to the help of the I^ord ? What 
 have you done for sinners? O, beware, 
 
 i 
 
 ? 
 
VElii<OSAL lJi-i'*C>KT, 
 
 13 
 
 I 
 
 ^ 
 
 k 
 
 
 for God is immutable, and will punish the 
 like offence with a corresponding curse ; 
 only more fearful in proportion to your 
 advantages over guilty accursed Meroz. 
 
 But we turn to the instructions of the 
 New Testament ; and inquire of our dear 
 Redeemer whether it be his will that we 
 make personal efforts to save souls. 
 
 Matt. xxii. 39. " Thou shalt love thy 
 neighbor as 'thyself." 
 
 Here note, 1. The extent of this love — 
 thy neighbor ; that is, every human being 
 within the reach of your influence. Christ 
 has given this latitude to the word neigh- 
 hor in his parable of the good Sanriaritan, 
 2. The degree of this love is placed very 
 high — as thyself. 3. It speaks of individ- 
 ual affection — Thou shalt love thy nei<ih- 
 hor; not 3/^, generally, but thoii^ particularly, 
 shalt love, not thy neighbors^ as an undis- 
 tinguished whole, but thy neighbor — thy 
 imli^udual neighbor. 
 
 Can it be possible that this broad, expres- 
 sive command does not require special ac- 
 tion in behalf of the soul of your neighbor ? 
 All admit that it most uncquivocvitly do- 
 
14 
 
 FERs^ONAL KITOIIT. 
 
 mands efTort for the relief of physica! 
 sufFering. Should a family in your vicin- 
 age be destitute of bread ; should iron-soul- 
 ed want seize and bear them to the borders 
 of a miserable death ; and should you, 
 Icnowing their necessity, pass them unno^ 
 ticed and unrelieved, and they perish with 
 hunger and cold, — the moral sense of tho 
 whole community would pronounce you 
 a murderer, and universal condemnation 
 and scorn would fall, withering, as an 
 early frost, upon your head. The reason 
 is plain. Every b^xly perceives that 
 Christian morality, as taught in this great 
 percept, required you to make efforts I'ov 
 the relief of the sufferers. 
 
 But if, in such a case, personal effort is 
 obviously demanded, ho,v can we escape 
 the conclusion that it is equally, yea, more 
 strongly, called for in behalf of the undy- 
 ing soul ? It exists, close to o\ir very doors, 
 in a state the most ruinous and deplorable 
 that human thouoht can imao-ine. It ia 
 mortally and grievously diseased — an aw- 
 ful cloud, fully charged with divine anger, 
 hangs impendingly above it— time, swift- 
 
 I 
 
PERSONAL EFFOltT. 
 
 15 
 
 4 
 
 winged and sure, is hurrying it to its fixed 
 and final state — a terrible and unending 
 hell yawns, a fearful deep, before it, and 
 it is on the point of dropping into the 
 quenchless fires of perdition, while we pos- 
 sess a power that may effect its rescue. 
 Can this command, while it urges us to 
 relieve the physical sufferer, allow us to 
 pass such a wretch without an effort for 
 his relief? Does he love his neighbor-.. as 
 himself, who stands tamely and listlessly 
 by while he drops into hell? Perisih, tho 
 mere thought; he does not, cannot love 
 him at all, much less as himself No 
 man can prete/ii to keep this command 
 without making, at least, an occasional 
 effort to save such a perishing neighbor. 
 Yet, fellow-professor, multitudes drop into 
 hell around you daily ; you see them, you 
 know their danger, and you make no effort 
 to save them. Do you, then, keep this 
 command? You do not. What then? 
 Why, you are a sinner, and, as such, need 
 repentance and pardon, as much as the 
 worldly man who lives beside you. 
 
 The parable oi ,'ic buried talent (Matt. 
 
K) 
 
 rj:RSOXAL EFFORT. 
 
 XXV. 14 — 30) furnishes another proof of 
 the obligatory nature of this work. 
 
 If the reader will turn to this parable, 
 he will find it to contain this solemn truth ; 
 that it is a sin not ^o W5(3 our individual gifts 
 for God. No other offence is charged upon 
 the owner of the talent. He did not waste, 
 give away, or destroy it. He kept it ; but 
 it was in a napkin, and buried in the earth. 
 For this offence, — yes, for 7iot using his tal- 
 ent, — he is doomed to lose it ; to be cast 
 into outer darkness, to weeping and gnash- 
 ing of teeth. < 
 
 In relating this parable, the Saviour 
 said the kingdom is like it ; that is, our du- 
 ties and 6r(?^Z'5: requirements, under the gos- 
 pel economy, are similar to those of the 
 king and his servants in that parable. 
 How plainly, then, does it require a person- 
 al use of our talents! How fearfully it 
 teaches the consequence of neglecting their 
 use ! We need not waste, destroy, or give 
 away our talents to insure our destruction 
 
 TO NEGLECT THEM IS SUFFICIENT. And 
 
 what can talents mean, unless they repre- 
 sent the power wo all possess, in various 
 
 ♦ 
 
 4 
 
ri:RSONAL EFroilT, 
 
 17 
 
 degrees, of doing- good to men's souls? 
 Fellow-professor, read that parable, and 
 tremble, and beware ! 
 
 Many other declarations and precepts of 
 the Saviour might be adduced in proof of 
 our point, would our limits permit: but 
 one more must suffice. 
 
 Matt. V. 13. "Ye are the salt of tho 
 earth." 
 
 These words are full and to the point. 
 Christ, speaking in a strong figure, calls 
 his disciples salt — the salt of the earth. 
 He means, that they are to the earth what 
 salt is to meat— the agent of its preserva- 
 tion from destruction. 
 
 This every Christian is bound to be. He 
 may not choose to be salt or otherwise, as 
 he may please. He is bound to be as salt 
 to the world. But how is salt effectual to 
 the preservation of meat? Not by keep- 
 ing it in large masses at a distance from 
 the meat, but by bringing the particles of 
 the salt into contact with it. So each par- 
 ticle of the world's moral salt— each indi- 
 vidual Christian — must come into personal 
 contact with tho beings to be preserved. 
 
18 
 
 rEllSON.M. ErFOlLt. 
 
 He must exert a (Urcct^ saving influence 
 over his perishing neighbor, or he cannot 
 be as salt to the earth, and, consequently, 
 not a genuine disciple ; for Christ says to 
 all his real followers, '' Ye are the salt of 
 the earth." 
 
 We have thus shown you, fellow-Chris- 
 tian, your duty, from the testimony of God. 
 You cannot avoid the truth, that y-ou are 
 bound to labor with your own tongue and 
 person for human salvation. And all-^ 
 whether old or young, rich or poor, learn- 
 ed or illiterate — are bound to do this. No 
 one can be excused here. He who excu- 
 ses himself is an offender ; and God will 
 deal with him as with the faithless servant 
 who buried his talent. No excuse can be 
 sufficient No ; not even the plausible one 
 of paucity of talent. " But," says a weak 
 disciple, " I have no talent." Friend, you 
 do not speak the truth. You have talent ! 
 You buy, you sell, you get gain, you per- 
 suade your friends to change their purposes. 
 Thus you demonstrate that you possess tal- 
 ent enough to move 7nind. If you can do 
 this for yourself, you can for God ; espc- 
 
 k. 
 
TEnsoXAL EFFORT. 
 
 19 
 
 It 
 
 'M' ..^ " 
 
 <^ially as you will have his help in the 
 work. Be faithful, and say if the fault is 
 not more in the will than in the talents 
 God has given you. 
 
 But tell me, child of one talent, why did 
 Christ represent the servant with the one 
 talent as the unprofitable one ? Why not 
 him with the ten talents? Was there no 
 design think you, in this ? There was. 
 He meant to show that the plea of small 
 talent is unavailable ; that the neglect of 
 one talent, or a hundred, is alike an offence 
 to be punished with severity. The reason 
 is plain ; for he wiio will not be faith- 
 ful WITH ONE TALENT WOULD NOT BE WITH 
 
 A HUNDRED TALENTS. He lacks the faith- 
 ful HEART. 
 
 Away, then, with your groundless plea. 
 Up ! up ! for Christ's sake, up I and begin 
 to do your duty. Waste not a moment 
 more. Souls drop into hell while you 
 frame excuses ! O, peril not their souls 
 and your own too ; but resolve, even now, 
 to perform your duty. 
 
 II. Some of the modejs in which this 
 
 DUTY MAY BE rERFORMED. 
 
 J 
 
20 
 
 FEU SON A L EFrOIlT. 
 
 I . Our conversation in private and social 
 life should invariably be of a sober and in- 
 structive character. 
 
 Perhaps it is hardly proper to call this 
 a mode of personal effort ; yet, as it is in- 
 dispensable to success in any degree or 
 kind of personal effort, its introduction in 
 this form may be permitted. 
 
 This proposition is guardedly expressed. 
 It requires only sober and instructive con- 
 versation uniformly: it does not say reli- 
 gious conversation is always to be main- 
 tained. This, perhaps, is impossible, sit- 
 uated as we are in society, and encumbered 
 as we are by the cares of business, &c. 
 Still it must be our theme of discourse 
 whenever practicable; but never should 
 we dare to sink beneath the level of so- 
 briety and instructiveness. Nor is it ne- 
 cessary that^ in being sober, we sink into 
 a gloomy, sour habit of expression. Chris- 
 tian cheerfulness should ever smile upon 
 our countenances ; for there is nothing to 
 prevent the combination of sobriety and 
 cheerfulness. They are friends, and will 
 
 ■^ 
 
 i 
 
 dwell together. 
 
PKRSONAJ. ErrOIlT. 
 
 21 
 
 He who would win souls must avoid 
 all light, trifling-, flirty, loose, or carnal 
 conversation. He must shun it as he 
 would a deadly and contagious disease. 
 His motto must be, 
 
 ''No room for mirth or triflini,' here '" 
 and this motto must be sacredly observed 
 on all occasions. Let.no one think of 
 success in personal effort who is not consis- 
 tent m his daily conversation. This must 
 be pure and blameless, or the most jrigan- 
 tic efforts will be worse than vanity A 
 professor may exhort like an apostle at a 
 praver-meetino, or at a private interview 
 with a sinner; he may speak of the love 
 ot C;rod until the heart of the hearer melts 
 into water; he may talk to sinners like a 
 Wesley or a Carvosso, and then be seen 
 gay as the gayest at a social party • or 
 laughing with the trifler about the airy 
 bubbles of the day ; or talking, with the 
 interest of the worldling, about his gains 
 and losses; and what will be the wonh of 
 us labor for sotils ? His failing here, like 
 those chemical substances that" neutralize 
 the properties of other bodies, will mndor 
 
 M 
 
 w> 
 
.>•> PERSONAL EFFORT. 
 
 all the rest abortive. He will harden the 
 heart of sinners, be a curse to the church, 
 and become the agent of the sinner's dam- 
 
 "t°et-us exhort you, therefore, Jeayeadcr, 
 to nurifv your conversation. Begin here 
 Resoff on consistency, and hereafter be 
 rorfsislent Whoever you have erred be- 
 "Z Sess i^^telf your purpose for 
 h/ future Then ^u m ay enter upon the 
 work oTsaving sou.l3 with a fair prospect 
 If success; pr^ovidefl', however, (which is 
 assumed 10 be the case,) your acUons are as 
 Tiure as your conversation. 
 "^ 2 Open sin must never be tolerated m 
 
 our presence. . i!u:a: 
 
 B-r open sin is meant proianity I bid - 
 nousor other foul conversation, wicked jest- 
 
 *"i'tfs''difncult to furnish a specific rule bv 
 which to determine the mode, time, and 
 place of reproving open and tar^^f ?,«[ V;' 
 fenders Nor is it necessary ; the Ohris- 
 "„ must use Us own best judgmem^^^ 
 
 the^e noin;5. Sometimes he will feel it 
 :l:o"er^tcrc;.ro,copenlyandatcnco;at 
 
) 
 
 VKII^ONAL EFFORT. 
 
 'r» 
 
 
 otlioTS, to socle privacy, nnd wail until thf^ 
 excited feelings of the ofFtrider are calmed 
 by a few hours of reflection. 13ut wh<^n 
 open reproof is imperative, i^reat skill and 
 kindness should be used, lest, like an in- 
 experienced suro-oon, wc injure what w<? 
 wish to heal. The followincr fact is an 
 exannple of pious skill in adminislering re- 
 proof openly and before others. 
 
 A minister, travelling in a stage, heard 
 n gentlemanly-looking passenfrer swe.ar 
 profanely to his companions, ^i'hey were 
 entire strangers, and had Jiot spoken. The 
 minister did not, therefore, break in abruptly 
 to reprove the swearer, but he gradually 
 approached his point by entering into gen- 
 eral conversation. The swearer soon an- 
 nounced himself a Universalist, and spoke 
 much of the goodness of God, and even 
 declared that he loved him. The clerirv- 
 man inquired if it were a proof of love to 
 treat the name of the beloved with disre- 
 spect. He replied, " No." " How, then," 
 asked the minister, ^*can a man love God. 
 who speaks his name profanely, who uses 
 
 I 
 
21 
 
 rKESOXAL i^FrorvT. 
 
 it diirespectiully, on the most trivial oc- 
 casions?" , , , 
 
 It need hardly bo added that the swearer 
 
 was silenced. . 
 
 But while specific rules of universal 
 apolicalion cannot be found, the more gen- 
 eral one assumed should be conscientious- 
 ly observed. Open sin should never be 
 toleratrd. However and wherever we may 
 choose to reprove it, we should not imitate 
 those coward souls, who, wearing the name 
 of Jesus, cringingly smile while their im- 
 pious neio-hbor pours out his filthy strain 
 of po]lut(^ talk in their ears. O, shame 
 on that nrofessor who smiles then, and 
 thus virtually approves the crime! Nor 
 should we ever suffer a profane or filthy 
 xvord spoken io us to pass unrebuked. 
 Thai is an insult to our holy profession, 
 and demands an instant reproof. Let us 
 never tolerate o\ien sin. 
 
 3 We should converse with our acquaint- 
 ances and friends upon the subject of personal 
 and experimr.rdal pietj/. 
 
 This is ihe sod of personal etlort— the 
 Ihuuj: itr^elf IVolhing can be submitted lor 
 
 I- 
 
 -yrST 
 
PEKSONAL EFFORT. 
 
 a5 
 
 it. Exliortation in public will not do^ 
 hat is, general efForl, not particular. We 
 mast t'alk to the mm about his soul and hu 
 prospects for eternity. . , , ^ „„j 
 
 ^ This direct labor for soils includes not 
 merely conversation with sinners, but with 
 backsliders and fellow-professors, u re- 
 qui.es solemn warnings and entroatie with 
 the sinner, faithful and constant labor with 
 the backslider, and much spiritual conve 
 sation with the believer. ^Being faithful 
 with one class will not suffice; th^ Ctas- 
 tian owes a duty to all classes, and he per- 
 ils his soul if he neglect either. 
 
 The time, the place, the frequency, and 
 the persons with whom we should thu. 
 strive, must be decided by the circums an- 
 ces and opportunities of every '^^^di^adual 
 The thing itself he oughi to do-^yea he 
 MUST do ; and having resolved on this no 
 must do it so as to have a conscience void 
 of offence towards God and man. 
 
 Nor must this great work be done m a 
 slicrht or careless manner. Merely talkm^ 
 abml rcli,non, and going round Jie smner « 
 V.cait.wiU not do. He may be datnne.! 
 
 li 
 
26 
 
 ruiisoNAL i::rF0UT. 
 
 rdi 
 
 under that very effort. We must/a//»; 
 gioii. It must glisten in our eyes, shine" 
 in our faceSj and burn upon our tongues. 
 We must appeal to his hearty and assault it 
 with the truths of Hcav^^n and Hell, Death 
 and Judgment, Wrath and Love. He 
 must be plied with every class of truths, 
 through every avenue of feeling, like some 
 beleaguered fort, until he yields himself, 
 the conquered of the Lord. 
 
 No means for human salvation is more 
 eftectual than this. It brings God's- word 
 home to the offender's hsart. In public, he 
 is one of many auditors ; here, he is the 
 only one. Every word you say falls on his 
 understanding, and it will make him think 
 as nothing else will. 
 
 It also confirms him in the truth of those 
 public expressions of regard for his soul 
 he hears from the church. When he be^ 
 holds a gathering of professors, weeping 
 and praying for sinners, and then sees 
 them, day after day, totally unconcerned, 
 talking, laughing, and jesting with him, 
 and manifesting none of the deep feeling 
 they exhibited in the meeting-house or ves- 
 
 
 4- 
 
 \ 
 
 .0H^ 
 
VERSONAL EFFOtlT. 
 
 27 
 
 
 trv he naturally infers, that they are hy po- 
 Ses or that this excitement in pubhc 'S ^.. 
 esult of habit. He doubts Ae.r smcerUy 
 and, reasoning away b^s/ears ^e stumbles 
 into desperate unbelief, and ultimately 
 
 ^' ttileVhlm t' Christians ^carry out 
 their meeting-house and vestry •'eebngs in 
 private entreaties,-let him see that con- 
 cern and feeling for sinners existing m 
 them and following him at every step,-- 
 and he "s convinced of their sincerity ; the 
 Uuth they speak has its full force upon his 
 Joi^l and\e must be more than man if he 
 on ; relt his convictions. By this mode 
 we also bring the influence of 'hesocia 
 affections into the work of Orod. 1 his is 
 Uetno^t powerful of all merely hnmamn. 
 fllTenTes 'He who has another s ,o^e has 
 command of the helm of his soul. He can 
 dom^chin forming his character or chang- 
 In.hTs purposes. And all have acquired 
 thfsVower in a greater or less degree. 
 The pa ent has it over the child ; brother 
 and s ster over brother and sister ; husband 
 and wife over each other: and fnend over 
 
2'^ 
 
 1*^ -v. 
 
 PERSONAL EFFORT. 
 
 friend ; in short, it is possessed in all the 
 social relations of life. When, therefore, 
 we engage in personal labour for souls, 
 we bring this almost resistless influence to 
 our aid. The mother brings all a mother's 
 influence to bear for God. How immensely- 
 powerful is that influence! What child 
 could long resist a weeping mother's en- 
 treaties ? Scarcely a child of pious parents 
 need grow up out of Christ, if Christian 
 mothers would only use this influence for 
 God. The same remark may be made, 
 and the same question asked, of all the other 
 social relations, with some small qualifica- 
 lions. Let this work, then, be engaged in, 
 and the wonder-working influence of the 
 affections, will be engaged in the cause of 
 God. Let it be neglected, and those affec- 
 tions, with all their power, are utterly lost 
 to Christ and his church. 
 
 This personal application of religious 
 truth (as indeed should all other modes ot 
 action) should ever be made in the spirit 
 of unmingled kindness. No harshness in 
 language, no severity in the looks^ no dic- 
 tation in manner, should be indulged in. 
 
 i 
 
 fl ( 
 
PERSONAL EFFORT, 
 
 29 
 
 i 
 
 ^ 
 
 These will surely close up the avenues to 
 the heart, as the winter frost seals the bab- 
 blin^r brooks. Not that the most awtul 
 truths are not to be told. This may be 
 done, yea, should be done ; but done m the 
 aiFecting manner of Jesus, when he foretold 
 the ruin of the beauteous temple and city 
 of Zion. He did it with throbbing heart 
 and gushing eve. Thus should we plead 
 with sinners. ' Love and kindness must 
 beam from our countenances, and warni 
 the expressions of our tongue. Personal 
 effort, made in such a spirit and persevered 
 in, can hardly fail of success. 
 
 4. We should, arixiously seek out the serious, 
 and lead them to Christ. 
 
 God's word often does wonderful execu- 
 tion when Christians are unconscious of its 
 effect. Sinners feel it and tremble. Feeble 
 purposes are formed, that might be nour- 
 , ished into an unbending purpose, and ren- 
 dered productive of decided piety but 
 thev leave the meeting unnoticed by the 
 Christian ; they mingle with the thought- 
 less, and their convictions fade hke the 
 misty breath on the mountain's brow. 
 
30 
 
 TERSUNAL EFFORT. 
 
 / 
 
 n 
 
 This is a common case ; and perhaps there 
 is scarcely a congregation, favoured with a 
 spiritual and faithful preacher, but has such 
 cases every Sabbath. If so, — and who 
 can doubt it? — how many souls are con- 
 stantly perishing by neglect ! 
 
 It should be our object to prevent this ; 
 and a word or an exhortation may do it. 
 Here is an example. A youth, known to 
 the writer, was convinced and brought low 
 by the silent agency of the Spiht of God. 
 No human being knew his feelings. He 
 feared to tell them. For many days he 
 stifled them. They began to die, when an 
 old acquaintance, observing his unusually 
 serious appearance at a meeting, sought 
 him out, questioned him, and learned the 
 state of his feelings. He encouraged him, 
 introduced him to Christian society as a 
 seeker, and he soon found the grace of 
 God. That youth is now a minister of 
 Jesus Christ; while, but for that Chris- 
 tian's effort, he had doubtless lost his con- 
 victions, and perhaps his soul. How im- 
 portant, then, that we watch for serious 
 souk: I Never should a convicted person 
 
 i 
 
 f I 
 
TERSOiXAL EFFORT. 
 
 31 
 
 V 
 
 A. 
 
 escape the observant gaze of the faithful 
 Christian. 
 
 5. The gift or loan of books and tracts^ and 
 the writing of letters^ are also valuable modes 
 of personal effort. 
 
 The amount of good accomplished by 
 these means is incalculable. Thousands 
 have been brought to Jesus by their use. 
 The expence of purchasing books and 
 tracts or the time required to write letters, 
 should be no objection ; for v^rhat are a few 
 paltry dollars, or a few hours of time, com- 
 pared with the salvation of an immortal 
 soul? Can money or time be spent to no- 
 bler purpose than to aid in the lofty work 
 of the world's redemption? O no ! 
 
 But these modes are so obviously adapted 
 to be useful, and facts demonstrating their 
 success are so abundant, that we suppose 
 their bare mention is sufficient. 
 
 6. Individuals who neglect 'public worship^ 
 prayer-meetings^ (^c, should be invited to at- 
 
 tend. 
 
 How seldom is this simple means of use- 
 fulness employed! Christians pass the 
 loitering Sabbath-breaker as indifferently 
 
 'V 
 
 1 
 
 
32 
 
 PERSONAL EITOllT. 
 
 It 
 
 i' 
 
 / 
 
 .f f 
 
 as though he possessed no undying- spirit; 
 when an invitation, kindly given^ might 
 lead him to visit God's house, and end in 
 his conversion. A professor once asked a 
 thoughtless young man to attend a Metho- 
 dist meeting. He did ; the truth fastened 
 on his guilty soul ; he became a Christian, 
 and is now an honored member of an an- 
 nual conference. Without that invitation, 
 he might have perished in his sins. It 
 is so with others. However apparently 
 hopeless, Christians should not neglect 
 them, and thus leave them to say, " No 
 man hath cared for my soul /" 
 
 Other modes of personal effort might be 
 suggested ; but, having mentioned the more 
 striking and important, we leave the active 
 Christian to devise others, as circumstances 
 may call for their adoption. But, whether 
 these or other modes be engaged in, it 
 must be done with the broad banner of 
 Perseverance floating in the breeze. 
 One ray of solar heat does not melt the 
 massive iceberg; neither will one effort, 
 usually, save a soul ; but as ray suceeds 
 ray in its attack on the frozen mass^ so 
 
 -r 
 
 - 
 
PERSONAL EFFORT. 
 
 33 
 
 
 - 
 
 must effort succeed effort, conversation 
 succeed conversation, tract succeed tract, 
 UNTIL THE WORK IS DONE ! When you 
 begin to labor with a sinner, my brother, 
 you must calculate on being success- 
 ful ! With this intent commence your 
 holy operation?. The heart may hold out 
 for days, or weeks, yea, even for months 
 and years ; but persevere, and cease your 
 labor only with the death or conversion of 
 the sinner ; unless, indeed, he be a gospel 
 swine, and " turn and rend you." In that 
 case you may desist ; but beware how you 
 pronounce him one of those of whom the 
 Saviour says, '• Cast not your pearls before 
 
 swineP 
 
 Deep, constant, fervent prayer for the 
 individual must also accompany your ef- 
 forts. Let none tlmik^ nay, nor even dream^ 
 of much success without this. You are 
 God's agent^ doing his work ; and his aid 
 is indispensable. To obtain it, you must 
 be much in prayer. 
 
 W^ould to God the church was engaged 
 in this blessed work ! Would to God that 
 you were engaged in it. my brother ! Were 
 
34 
 
 PERSOxXAL EFFORT. 
 
 I 
 
 the church generally employed thus, how 
 would religion prosper and triumph I Mil- 
 lions now slipping into hell would be 
 saved ; Zion would flourish like the ma- 
 jestic cedars of ancient Lebanon ; revival 
 would be perpetual, the kingdom of the 
 glorious Mediator established, and Heaven 
 dwell among the children of men. Great 
 Head of the Church, breathe, O breathe 
 this spirit of holy labor into thy disciples ! 
 Blessed Master, lead thy willing servants 
 
 on? 
 
 III. The encouragements and mo- 
 tives THAT EXIST TO FAVOR THE ADOPTION 
 OF PERSONAL EFFORT. 
 
 1 . Its happy effects upon our oum personal 
 piety. 
 
 It is a divine axiom that "He who 
 watereth others shall be watered also him- 
 self" This is the promise of our heavenly 
 Father, and is of itself a sufficient en- 
 couragement. Whether we succeed or 
 not, the reward is sure. The promise is 
 not to him that produceih., but to him that 
 watereth ; and, though our labors become 
 the ^ savor of death" to the obstinate sin- 
 
 !/; 
 
 
 : 1/ 
 
rEllSO.N A L KIT OUT. 
 
 
 y 
 
 0^m 
 
 nor, we shall not be unrewarded ; for we 
 shall be ivalercd in the very act of pleading 
 with others. Such is the promise of God, 
 Indeed, the nature of the work itself 
 secures us its beneficial results. It is a 
 law of mind J that attemps to awaken an 
 interest in another, excite a more vivid in- 
 terest on the same theme in his bosom 
 who makes the attempt. Every-day lifu 
 affords ample illustration of this truth. 
 See the politician ; how fiery ! how ardent! 
 how untiring his labours ! His whole 
 soul is absorbed in the promotion of his 
 political views. From what altar does he 
 derive that glowing fire? What mystic 
 agency keeps him so zealous in the work? 
 It ig personal effort! Every fresh attempt 
 to nri-ake a convert pours oil on the flames 
 of his 2jeal It is so with religious effort. 
 The law of mind is the same on this, as on 
 other themes; and it is impossible to en^ 
 deavour to awaken others, without becom- 
 ing more engaged ourselves. The reader's 
 experience confirms this remark. How 
 often have you, even when partially back- 
 slidden, been forced, by a call to a sick bed^ 
 
 ! ;l 
 
 t 
 
86 
 
 PKUSONAL Ell'UllT. 
 
 i 
 
 i 
 
 or to see an awakened sinner, to make [jcis 
 sonai effort with some poor, guilty soul ] 
 Pragged thither, by stern necessity you 
 languidly entered upon the work. A few 
 cold questions, at first, have drawn out 
 either the indifference or agony of the vic- 
 tim of sin. Suddenly, burning thoughts 
 of his danger have entered like iron in-o 
 your soul, and, effectually aroused, you 
 have plead your Master's cause with an 
 energy surprising to yourself. When you 
 returned, it was with a chastened spirit, 
 and with high purposes of greater devotion 
 
 to God. 
 
 But how great would be the effects of 
 personal labor, did we constantly perforn> 
 it with prayer and feeling! Constant 
 views of our insufficiency would humble 
 us; the guilt and danger of the sinner 
 would remind us of the hole of the pit 
 whence we were dug, and excite our un- 
 ceasing gratitude for our deliverance; our 
 remarks on his danger and his remedy 
 would keep alive our ov/n hopes and fears ; 
 preaching Christ to the '7o5^" would swell 
 m\x bosoms with the procioqs love wo ii!'- 
 
 
i i g S B" ' iim» I I I 
 
 i 
 
 I 
 
 rEUSONAL Kl'i'ORT. 
 
 37 
 
 > * 
 
 t 
 
 4i; 
 
 ibi'dllimn; conversation with believers of 
 high attainments would instigate us to 
 know more of the heights and depths of 
 redeeming love; while an ever-living dc* 
 Siire to win the souls we labored for, would 
 lead us to faithfully watch our lips and 
 lives, lest, in any way, our influence over 
 sinners should be nuliiiied by our misco^, 
 duct. 
 
 Would you, dear reader, gain eminence 
 in piety ? Would you maintain a constancy/ 
 of joy? Would you secure the piety you 
 already possess? Then use personal ef- 
 fort. Fail not of this ; for by its neglect 
 many are weak and sickly; their piety is 
 a drooping flower, wasting its little sweat- 
 uess, and sinking to decay ; their influence 
 in the church is small, their usefulness in 
 the world nqtiiinq! Therefore awake! 
 Up ! for thy soul's sake, up ! drooping be. 
 liever, and engage in this hallowed work, 
 or your piety will dwindle into cold, hol- 
 low-hearted formality. But enter upon 
 this, thy long-neglected duty, and a rapid 
 growth of soul, glowing affectioqs, a prao. 
 
rii RhfONAL i:rrouT. 
 
 tical zealj and a sanctified heart, will soon 
 be thine. - , 
 
 2. The hogh gratification and honor ivhlch 
 result both here and hereafter. 
 
 The human heart has iG^\y feelings more 
 delightful than those excited by the flow 
 of the " milk of human kindness." How 
 exquisite are its emotions while contempla- 
 ting an object it has relieved ! He who, 
 with peril or toil, has rescued a wretch from 
 death, feels an unutterable sw^ell of soul 
 whenever he holds or thinks of the poor 
 unfortunate. But how ineffably delightful 
 - — .how infinitely higher are the emotions 
 of him who looks upon a soul he was the 
 agent in saving from eternal death ! They 
 are indescribably sweet. 
 
 But in eternity ! O, in eternity, what 
 will be the gratification of the useful soul, 
 to see himself surrounded by redeemed 
 spirits, who attribute their awakening and 
 conversion to his agency! To attempt its 
 description would be worse than folly; it 
 is above the power of mortal conception. 
 But we can experience it. Reader, will yon ? 
 
 The honor resulting from thi^■ work 
 
 A 
 
PERSONAL EFFOllT, 
 
 39 
 
 should not be overlooked, since God has 
 thought it worthy of notice. 
 
 " And they" (says the prophet Daniel, 
 xii. 3.) -'that be vvise shall shine as the 
 brightness of the firmament, and they that 
 turn many' to righteousness as the stars for- 
 ever and ever." 
 
 Here" is God's pledge fox our ample re- 
 ward. " Shall shine as the stars^ Sweet 
 promise ! to be one of the brightly-sh'ining 
 ones in the heavenly constellation — to be 
 so filled with the glory of Jehovah as to 
 attract admiration and honor from the mil- 
 lions forming the celestial hosts! Lord, it 
 is enough. I will labor to turn many to 
 righteousness. 
 
 By winning souls to Christ, we promote 
 the glory of God and of the church. We 
 thus add to the beauty and adornments of 
 the bride of our Master; and, having been 
 agents in fitting her for her final and trium- 
 phant alliance with her glorififd Bride- 
 groom, we shall likewise participate in the 
 honor of her union. liabor on, then, O 
 Christian ; and though despised by the 
 proud, the thoughtless, and the gny, yot 
 
40 
 
 PKIiSONAL EFFORT. 
 
 Jehovah will honor thee in the day of his 
 glory. 
 
 3. The almost bifallihle certainty of success. 
 
 There are two agencies to be relied upon 
 in this work — the power of moral suasion, 
 and the influence of the Spirit of God. 
 
 In the human mind, there is a disposi- 
 tion to yield to suasion. While force or 
 threats will excite its opposition, even to the 
 inflexibility of iron, suasion will render it 
 pliant as the ^villow bough that hangs 
 droopingly above the stream. There is 
 scarcely a page of history but exhibits its 
 power. What was it that cost the great 
 antagonist of Caesar — the unhappy Pom- 
 pey — the supremacy of the Roman empire? 
 It was the power of suasion ! His own 
 judgment told him the fatal consequences 
 of a battle ; but the constant entreaties of 
 his oflicevs and advisers overcame or si- 
 lenced his convictions. He hazarded a 
 battle, and his visions of conquest faded 
 forever. This is only a specimen of thnt 
 power. Facts, in number and weight suf- 
 ficienttodemonstrate the almost omnipotent 
 
 4 
 
 . 
 
 I 
 
 "-ST 
 
TEKSOMAL EFFORT. 
 
 41 
 
 .4 
 
 power of moral suasion, might be adduced, 
 would our limits and object permit. 
 
 It is on this power you are to rely, dear 
 reader, in your attempts to convert a soul. 
 You must assume that the sinner's mind, 
 from its constitution, will yield, if perse- 
 veringly plied with argument and entreaty ; 
 and in this work, above all others, you 
 will have the efficient auxiliaryship of con- 
 science. She will be encouraged, by your 
 appeals, to creep from her hiding-place, 
 and resume her wonted work. She will 
 approve your testimony while you speak ; 
 and will subsequently use your remarks as 
 stings and goads to urge him to compli- 
 ance. 
 
 But your main reliance must be on the 
 Spirit of God. He must give clearness, 
 force, and life, to the truth, or you can do 
 nothing. This he stands pledged to do, by 
 the promise of Jesus Christ — " I will send 
 the Comforter, and when he is come he 
 will co7ivince the world of sin." 
 
 With such mighty aids, who can fail of 
 success? It is scar cell/ possible to fail! 
 We do not say you cajinot fail ; but while 
 
42 
 
 11 
 
 ri:u SON AL ErroiiT. 
 
 it is possibk, it is hardly probable, that you 
 will fail, with such agencies to combine 
 with your own. 
 
 Do you reply, "But I have failed"? 
 Why did you fail ? Of what naiure were 
 those efforts that produced no effect? 
 Were they persevering, prayerful, earnest 
 entreaties? Or were they occasional, 
 brief, unfeeling-, prayerless remarks about 
 the coul ? How could you think of success 
 from such labors ? 
 
 Who ever knew of a case of genuine, 
 prayerful, earnest personal effort made by 
 a person of consistent life, that failed of 
 success ? That such cases have been, and 
 may be, is admitted ; but it is also conten- 
 ded that they rarely occur. 
 
 Would our limits suffer it, many in- 
 stances of success might be inserted for 
 the encouragement of others; but the 
 reader must be satisfied with one, and for 
 more, let him consult the lives of Wesley 
 Carvosso, Rogers, Bradburn, Bramwell, or 
 any of the early Methodist preachers, who 
 were all personal effort men. and whose 
 
 - , iififSliifiiiimt3M&^ ' 
 
""tf*? ^t.^MBtfii i/|'^Wy?r 
 
 i^VSfS. 
 
 PERSONAL EFFOilT. 
 
 43 
 
 memoirs furnish many striking instances 
 of remarkable success. 
 
 When the devoted Carvosso was at 
 Ponsanooth, (Eng.,) he heard of a young 
 and beautiful consumptive, unconverted, 
 and on the point of death. He called, and 
 she refused to see him. Nothing discour- 
 aged, he called again, and found her up, 
 and looking exceedingly pale and deathly. 
 He asked her if she believed there was a 
 God. 
 
 She answered, " Yes." 
 
 " And do you believe, continued the holy 
 man, - that he knows the secret thoughts 
 of your heart ?" 
 
 " Yes." 
 
 " But do you think you have ever sinned 
 against this God ?" 
 
 " O yes," was her cold, indifferent reply. 
 
 " And now are you willing to die in your 
 present state of mind?" 
 
 She confessed she was not; and then 
 Mr. Carvosso preached Christ to her until 
 she wept. He prayed with her, and de- 
 parted. The next day, he saw her again, 
 and her heart was very tender; he talked 
 
u 
 
 rtKSOxXAL EFFORT. 
 
 
 f. 
 
 and prayed with her, and her distress in- 
 creased. Four days afterwards, she found 
 peace in believing ; and shortly after died 
 happy in the Lord. 
 
 Here is a striking case of success — a 
 soul saved entirely by personal effort. 
 Without it, she might have been in hell. 
 And O, how many of your neighbours are 
 perishing, and will surely be damned, with- 
 out such effort from you ! Christian, you 
 may prevent their ru'in ! As you value the 
 undying soul — as you hope for salvation 
 yourself— go to labouring with sinners. 
 Tarry not until you feel better. Begin at 
 once. Select a case or two, and, having 
 prayed for God's accompanying blessing, 
 visit them, and by God's grace cease not 
 your labors until they are converted. 
 
 4. The love of Christ should co7istrain us. 
 
 " The love of Christ constraineth us,'^ 
 said the self-devoted Paul And how 
 powerfully it constrained him ! It led him 
 over mountain and vale, through storm 
 and tempest, over land and sea, to city and 
 village, among friends and foes, before beg- 
 gars, and emperors, and even to a martyr's 
 
TERSONAL EFFOUT. 
 
 iii 
 
 i) 
 
 tatel What was the mighty talisman 
 that bore the heroic apostle through his 
 fiery troubles? It was the constrainino- 
 love of Christ! What pillowed his head 
 in the desert and in the prison 1 The love 
 of Christ? What comforted him amono- 
 mlse brethren? The love of Christ 1 Wha't 
 filled his noble soul with peace and joy 
 when the axe waited to drink his blood ? 
 The love of Christ 1 That was the strenpth 
 of his soul. His song in weariness and 
 woe was, " The Lve of Christ constrain- 
 eth me.'' 
 
 And should not this love constrain us to 
 perform the will of Christ? What are 
 our pretensions to piety without the pos- 
 session of this constraining affection? 
 Who, with this love, could forbear to labor 
 for souls? It is the will of Christ, that 
 we win souls to him. Enough ; if we 
 love him, we shall do it. 
 
 Let this love then constrain i/ou, fellow 
 Christian, to enter freely upon the work 
 of personal effort. Be a co-worker with 
 your Lord. He reio-ns to conquer the 
 H^orld to himself For this his soul tra- 
 
46 
 
 PERSONAL KFFORT. 
 
 W'S./. 
 
 !• a' 
 
 vails. Fov this he pleads at the mediato- 
 rial throne. He expects your agency in 
 this work. If you love him, he will have 
 it; for small indeed must be the degree 
 of that love that will not constrain obe- 
 dience to the warmest wish of the Saviour^s 
 heart. 
 
 Should you be fearful, weary, and dis- 
 couraged in this work, an application to 
 Christ will inspire you anew. A sight of 
 his personal humiliation, sufferings, jour- 
 neys, toils, pains, agonies, and groans, for 
 you^ will constrain you to bear contumely, 
 neglect, and weariness, for him. Plunge 
 deep, therefore, O disciple of Jesus, into 
 your Master'?! love, and the work of per- 
 sonal effort will be easy and delightful 
 
 5. It is our duty. 
 
 The Christian professes to make God's 
 will his law. We have shown that his 
 will requires personal efforts for human 
 salvation. The question, then, is settled in 
 the mind of every genuine Christian. He 
 must make such effort. Ho can neither 
 dare nor wish to neglect it. To do so is 
 to peril his soul. Here, then, is motive 
 
 m 
 
 ' mtmim I 
 
 l ii H i Wi lli' . 
 
ri:uso.\.vL Eiruitr. 
 
 47 
 
 -^ 
 
 enough. God tcilb it. Bufort'. ihio oiolivo 
 every follower of God \V\\\ bow, and, if 
 heretofore nei^lectful. lie will repent of his 
 former omissions, and commence a faith- 
 ful observance of his duty. 
 
 We may learn from this subject — 
 
 1 . Why so many backsliders linger a rounxl 
 our altars. 
 
 These, who are found in every coni^-re- 
 gallon, once ran well. They promised 
 much to the church, but, alas ! soon be- 
 came " wells without water. " Why ? 
 We res])ond that, in numerous instances, 
 it may be traced to want of religious efibrt 
 — a neglect of active labor for souls. Had 
 this been faithfully done, would their hearts 
 have grown cold, worldly, and unbeliev- 
 ing? No! They would still have been 
 in the church, happy and useful. Would 
 you, then, weak believer, avoid backsli- 
 ding ? Do your duty in personal labor for 
 souls. 
 
 2. We learn tvhy so many are barren and 
 Hckly in ike church. 
 
 How frequently do we hear the pitiful 
 cry ofj '' my leanness! rhy ieanrjesal" 
 
48 
 
 i'tftS^ONAL El'i'OllT. 
 
 If 
 it 
 
 b rom whom comes that cry ? From tbt^ 
 working disciple? O no! He has jovs 
 to express, and wonderful displays of o-raco 
 to make known. It comes fix»m the idle 
 disciple, v/ho does next to nothiwo- in la^, 
 Coring with sinners. He is always com. 
 plaining of his want of lore and zeal Na 
 wonder. God cannoi bless him He i& 
 guilty ofsm. He neglects a plain, evident 
 important duty. Would he perform thi^' 
 Ills soul would soon feast on the fat thincr& 
 of the covenant; he would be happ'V 
 healthy, and fruitful. Q complaining dis! 
 ciple, beware! See to it that this lono--for. 
 gotten work is done. ^ 
 
 3. We learn kaio a ;pe9'peiual revival 'mau 
 k secured to the church. 
 
 The prosperity of the church is now 
 occasional and spasmodic. She lies sickly 
 and drooping for months, and then, as if 
 moused by some wonderful stimulant, starts 
 up, puts on her energies and accomplishes 
 wonders for a few weeks, and then-^sleeps 
 
 again. 
 
 This is wrong. It is wicked. It is won - 
 clerfiU that God does not disown u«d de. 
 
 >■ 
 
 I 
 
 ' ""(ti;!BBI 
 
PER^iONAL EFFUUT. 
 
 40 
 
 stroy the church lor such incorisirftoiicy. 
 Sho ought — sh^ might always accomplisii 
 what she does now, during her periodical 
 excitements. The means of doing so lies 
 within her grasp. It is personal efFort. 
 This would always keep members awake ; 
 and then sinners would always feel, and bo 
 constantly yielding. Not a week vvoukl 
 pass without fresh trophies of the Saviour's 
 victories. The cry of, '• Revive thy work," 
 would become obsolete ; for the work 
 would not die, and consequently not need 
 reviving It would stay revived. God 
 would be glorified, and the reign of Christ 
 soon become universal. 
 
 Fellow-Christian, God holds you indi^ 
 vidually responsible for your part in bring- 
 ing about this desirable state of things. 
 He will judge you ^ox your unfaithfulness, 
 irrespective of the obedience or disobedience 
 of others, tie expects you to do what you 
 can — now — to stay revived— to constantly 
 labor in the work of redemption. Will 
 you do it? Dy the mercies of God— by 
 the value of immortal souls— by thejudg. 
 monts of thn n-rcLit day—by tho love o{ 
 
I 
 
 .50 
 
 i'KliSONAL KPFOIIT. 
 
 
 ^ 
 
 :^|te&l£3U£... 
 
 "ia>^ 
 
 •.JA::AJL-3aftS~J'~t4ai,,:.;Mf9Ri i: 
 
■^ 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 THE INFIDEL CONVERT. 
 
 In 1836, while stationed in a flourishing 
 
 village in O a county, N. Y., one af- 
 
 ternoon, I accidentally, in my pastoral vis- 
 itincr. stepped into the house of an intelligent 
 Scotch gentleman, who had not been to 
 any church (except on funeral occasions) 
 for twelve years, and who was knovvn in 
 the village to be the best read infidel ot 
 the Voltaire school in the place or country. 
 He was very hostile to religion and min- 
 isters, p.r-d no minister had ever been in 
 his house to converse with his family. 1 
 conversed and prayed with ihem, (he not 
 beino- in.) The next day, he wrote me a 
 letter, stating his objections to Christianity, 
 and asking me to answer them. I re- 
 plied, attempting to answer his objections. 
 After exchandng two or three letters very 
 calmly and kindly, I saw he was softening 
 
' « 
 
 ,.. I 
 
 J :-S 
 
 PERSONAL KIFOUT. 
 
 hZ\ \*'" tI"-o.v*lhe laboring oar upon 
 
 After writing: and visitino- him for r^.r 
 
 trasied, and the claims of God were urSd 
 He was pncked to the heart. He coS' 
 
 o piaiei meeting-. I talked with him 
 
 a^Sr iJ' ,r"' ''°"'°' ''"''" his familv. 
 altar. ,,ame the next „,g.h. -got up-facej 
 
ANECDOTES. 
 
 53 
 
 the assembly — gave a history of his life, of 
 his infidelitVj the booi^ he had lent, minds 
 he had poisoned, and the young men he 
 had ruined. The effect was overwhelm- 
 ing. He then avowed his purpose to be a 
 Christian, bowed down with the penitents, 
 and in a few evenings was soundly convert- 
 ed, gathered his books of infidel character, 
 and made a bonfire. 
 
 He soon united with the church, and was 
 instrumental in the conversion of many in- 
 fidels. He has been, ever since, an active 
 and consistent Christian. 
 
 -00000- 
 
 A DILIGENT LABORER. 
 
 In one of our large cities, there was a 
 lady who for some time was afflicted with 
 a drunken husband. Their property was 
 attached and sold to pay his grog-bills. 
 Distressed beyond measure, she retired to 
 her chamber, '' laid her babe upon the bare 
 floor, kneeled down over it," and prayed, — 
 
■PMW 
 
 54 
 
 PERSONAL EFFORT. 
 
 » J 
 
 i 
 
 V'f 
 
 Ai 
 
 " O Lord, if thou wilt in any way remove 
 from me this affliction. I will serve thee 
 upon bread and water all the days of my 
 
 life." 
 
 God heard her prayer; her husband dis- 
 appeared, and was not heard of again until 
 after her death. Although she was in 
 wretched health, she rejected an offer of 
 support from the church, and opened a 
 school, from which she gained so scanty a 
 living, that she lived literally upon bread 
 and water. 
 
 She now devoted her leisure moments to 
 works of mercy and usefulness. She re- 
 sided in the most wicked and abandoned 
 part of the city. Among other things, her 
 heart was troubled at seeing the grog shops 
 kept open on the holy Sabbath. She re- 
 solved upon the almost hopeless purpose of 
 closing them, at least on the day of GoJ. 
 She succeeded ! Her only instrument of 
 success was the mild persuasion of her 
 eloquent lips, aided, no doubt, by the Spirit 
 of God. 
 
 She likewise directed her attention to the 
 moral destitution of the poor. She visited 
 
ANECDOTES. 
 
 55 
 
 the low streets of the city, and persuaded 
 nianv to attend meeting, and fill the vacant 
 seats" at church. She established several 
 Sabbath schools ; at first managing them 
 herself, and then, when they acquired 
 strength, giving them to other hands. 
 
 She also collected a large number of ap- 
 prentices into a Bible class, and with good 
 eflfect upon their souls. If she saw a mem- 
 ber of her church sin, she kindly but faith- 
 fully rebuked him. If the church began 
 to decline, she sounded the voice of alarm. 
 She brought several pious young men out 
 of obscurity, obtained teachers and books 
 for their education, formed societies to pro- 
 cure them clothing, and thus aided them 
 into the high work of the holy ministry ; and 
 when the time of her joyful death arrived, 
 her pastor bore this high testimony to her 
 usefulness :—" I should not," said he, 
 
 " HAVE FELT AS SEVERELY THE LOSS OF SIX 
 OF THE MOST DEVOTED MEN IN MY CHURCH." 
 
 ^. 
 

 ;6 
 
 PERSONAL EFFORT. 
 
 THE GROOM AND THE CLERGYMAN. 
 
 A TRAINING groom was one day return- 
 ing from the races, near the city of London. 
 The stage happening to pass him on its 
 way to the city, he mounted it, and took his 
 seat outside, next to a gentleman, whom he 
 afterward learned to be a clergyman. This 
 servant of Christ at once introduced reli- 
 gious conversation, and presented him with 
 a Testament, which he made him promise 
 to read. When they arrived in London, 
 the minister took the groom to dine with 
 him, and when they parted, it was with 
 prayer. 
 
 The man was faithful to his promise. 
 He read the Testament faithfully, until one 
 day he came to the passage, " There remairi^ 
 eth no more sacrifice for sin?^ God nailed 
 it to his heart. It attended him day and 
 night, and followed him in all his wander- 
 ings. For some cause he crossed the 
 channel, and went to Belgium; but it 
 haunted him even there, and he sought the 
 prayers of the people of God. In deep 
 distress, he related these facts in a prayer 
 
 # 
 
 .;t;»»«^^ 
 
ii.„;iiai**-'K 
 
 ANECDOTES. 
 
 5; 
 
 meeting, and seemed determined to serve 
 the Lord even to the sacrifice of his profes- 
 sion, which he said interfered with his soul's 
 health. This man was the son of a min- 
 ister. 
 
 ■00000- 
 
 TIIE SKEPTICAL STUDENT. 
 
 In 1829, while a student in the O a 
 
 Con. Seminary, a case occurred, in which 
 the importance and success of personal ef- 
 fort for the salvation of the soul were for- 
 cibly illustrated. An active, highminded 
 young gentleman, from Western New 
 York, entered the institution, evidently bent 
 upon the acquisition of knowledge, and 
 an elevated position in the world of mind. 
 He was gay, thoughtless, and somewhat 
 skeptical on the subject of religion. Room- 
 ing next door to him, I soon formed an 
 acquaintance with him. Finding him to 
 be a social companion, possessing a bril- 
 liant intellect, not religiously disposed, but 
 
58 
 
 rEIlSONAL EFFOilT, 
 
 much inclined to loose thinking-, I felt an 
 unusual desire to win him to Christ. 
 
 I frequently broached the subject of reli- 
 gion tenderly and kindly, presenting it in 
 as amiable a light^as possible. At first he 
 manifested a disposition not to be annoyed 
 with that subject, and especially as he re- 
 garded the whole matter as mere animal 
 excitement. He said he did not wish to 
 be interrupted in his studies by his consid- 
 eration. After the lapse of a few months, 
 a gracious season of revival commenced 
 in the school. Soon the voice of prayer, 
 lamentation, and praise, was heard in al- 
 most every part of the Seminary building. 
 The case of my friend still lay with 
 weight upon my mind, and I prayed for 
 him, and conversed with him faithfully. 
 Apparently he grew harder and more ob- 
 stinate. He would lock himself in his 
 room to prevent conversation, and to keep 
 pious students from having access to him. 
 He even threatened to leave the institution, 
 if he was not let alone, and went so far as 
 to pack his clothes and books to leave. 
 The worK grew deeper and more extended, 
 
 I 
 
ANECDOTES. 
 
 59 
 
 until almost every student in the Seminary 
 was under serious impressions. 
 
 One evening, during- a prayer meeting 
 in the dinmg hall, I feJt impressed to g-o up 
 
 to Mr. W 's room, and try to prevail on 
 
 him to go down and seek religion. I went 
 found his door locked, but stood in the hall, 
 and conversed with him. He was appa- 
 rently angry, and exclaimed, " , I wish 
 
 you would mind your own business, and 
 let me alone." I begged him to let me iTi, 
 as I wished to talk and pray with him. 
 4.fter a while, he opened the door, and in- 
 vited me in. I at once saw the Spirit was 
 at work upon his mind. Said he, " I can't 
 study. I have not been able to get a les- 
 son for two days. What do you mean ?" I 
 mildly replied, " 1 mean to prevail on you, 
 if I can, to take care of your soul." He 
 yielded ; went down, it being about nine, 
 and went directly forward to the altar, and 
 about twelve was happily converted. He 
 came out decidedly on the side of the 
 Lord, prosecuted his studies, went to col- 
 lege, graduated, and is now principal in one 
 of our flourishing institutions of Icarninir, 
 
 M 
 
60 
 
 PERSONAL EFFOllT. 
 
 THE GIFT OF IJOOKH SANCTIFIED. 
 
 Twenty vears ago, a man resided in St. 
 Louis, who was skeptical, and often mel- 
 ancholy, and who said that he once medi- 
 tated takings his own life, but the love of 
 his wife and children prevented. His little 
 boy attended the school of Rev. Salmon 
 Giddings, a meek and godly man, who 
 gave him '• Lcdie's Method:' The father 
 read it— the Spirit of God blessed it — he 
 became a man of prayer — died with calm 
 and even triumphant trust in Christ — o-iv, 
 ing in his will $0000 or $7000 to Ihe 
 Tract Society, and large legacies to other 
 institutions, 
 
 ^OOO'JO- 
 
 A>:OTIIER INSTANCE. 
 
 An aged man, who had not entered a 
 church for years, received from a pious 
 man the ^- Sainfs Rest^'' which gave him 
 such new views of himself and of God, 
 that ho sent lor a librarv of forty of tho 
 
 
AN i:u DOTES. 
 
 61 
 
 Tract Society 'rf volumes, commenced a 
 course of religious reading, made his peace 
 with Godj and connected himself with thu 
 church. 
 
 -00000- 
 
 AND YET ANOTHER. 
 
 A GENTLEMAN in Kentucky received a 
 copy of Pike's ^' Persuasives tucarly^ Piciif 
 eight years since, the readinor of which 
 God blessed to his conversion. He loaned it 
 to a young man, who was also converted ; 
 and to a third, to whom it was blessed in 
 like manner ; and to a fourth, who is a 
 teacher, and is now connected with tho 
 people of God. 
 
 OOUOO- 
 
 PERSONAL EFFORT IN A COLLEGE- 
 
 While tho dovoted Brainerd was at col- 
 lege, ho made the follovv^ing entry on his 
 iournal. It bcaulif^iHv exhibits tho strug- 
 
02 
 
 I'EIISOXAL liFFljUT, 
 
 gling of u faithful soul through many dilK- 
 culties, to the post of duty 
 
 " June 21, 182G. The consideration that 
 1 have been three years, almost, in colle<re, 
 withoutconyersing with my fellow-students 
 upon the subject of their religious responsi- 
 bilities was heart-breaking. To go forward 
 seemed to be too heavy a cross. The struo-- 
 gle was great, but it came to this —nl- 
 BOLVEo tnthe presence of God and by his 
 help, to begin awl do my duly in college, in 
 conversing with my companions in stvxlii ' I 
 repeated the resolution, and afterwards felt 
 much relief. While at prayers, m v burden 
 Jett me in consideration of this truth — ' If 
 any man will be my disciple, let him deny 
 himself and take up his cross and follow 
 mo. While there, I determined to invite a 
 Class male into my room, and talk with 
 
 «,'!n • w ^"f '" *° '^^>'' ^"' '"y heart 
 well nigh failed me. But I addressed him 
 
 —he fohowed me— and I prayed God to 
 raise in power to his own glory what was 
 sown in weakness. 
 
 « July 2. The cross which I laid hold 
 on with so much difficulty, I have since 
 
 
I 
 
 ANECDOTES. 
 
 63 
 
 only dragged. With twenty impenitent 
 companions, I have attempted to speak in 
 reference to their eternal things. The 
 mouths of most were stopped. They lis- 
 tened and assented to the truth." 
 
 For such devoted labors, this holy youth 
 was not unrewarded by the Lord of the 
 vineyard; for at a prayer meeting held 
 about that time, he writes, " I was melted, 
 and stopped, and repeated the cry, ' Lord 
 Jesus, come quickly!'" 
 
 '00000- 
 
 THE PROFIT OF WORKING FOR CHRIST. 
 
 A MINISTER went to a camp meeting, 
 pleading with God for a convincing evi- 
 dence of full redemption in Jesus. After 
 listening to several discourses, he made up 
 his mind to work/or God. While laboring 
 in prayer for the salvation of some friends 
 in the prayer circle, he says, '' I felt my 
 soul filled unutterablv full of gloTyand of 
 God Such a view of God's goodness and 
 
 
11 
 
 d 
 
 r>i 
 
 iKiisoxAL Eri'oirr. 
 
 mercy I never had before. With the poet 
 I could say,-r-- 
 
 ' 'Twns Gflory in my sou]. 
 'Twas j,'lory'all around.' " 
 
 -00000- 
 
 •■jm 
 I* 
 
 
 f 
 
 A FATITEil CONVERTPJ) THROUGH THE LABORS 
 
 OF m^ CHHJ). 
 
 At a Wesleyan class meetino-j a man 
 
 rose and addressed the leader thus: *' 1 
 
 am very thankful to God, and to you, for 
 your Sunday school. My son, who now 
 sits beside me, is my spiritual father. He 
 heard me cursino-, while in a state of drunk- 
 enness, and said to me, ' O father, my 
 teacher said to-day, at the Sundav School, 
 that neither drunkards nor swearers could 
 enter into heaven.' This so affected my 
 mmd, that from that time I was enabled, by 
 the grace of God, to leave oif those wicked 
 practices; and both myself and my son 
 are now members of your society."" He 
 then laid \m hand on his son's head, and 
 repeated. ■' My son is my spiritual flither." 
 
 
^ 
 
 ANECOuTtlS. 
 
 iv, 
 
 A (JllILD'S REliUKE SAVING Illrf FATIIEU. 
 
 1 
 
 Two years ago, last fall, I sat down one 
 day at my table to dinner, and commen- 
 ced eating, as usual, without any reference 
 to my heavenly Father, who had all my 
 lifetime fed me upon his Eounties, when 
 my eldest son, then four years of age, 
 looked up earnestly into my face, and said, 
 *' Pa, why don't you thank God before you 
 eat?" I made no reply at the time, but a 
 train of thought was set in motion, which 
 showed me very plainly the sin of living 
 in unthankfuliMps. Suffice it to say, that 
 since then I ha^ been enabled to give my- 
 self to the Savour, and have been for the 
 last two years engaged in the Sunday 
 school cause, and hope to be the remaind- 
 er of my days. 
 
 •00000- 
 
 A FATHER'S TESTIMONY. 
 
 In a village near Newcastle-upon-Tyne, 
 a man advanced in years related the fol- 
 lowing fact about himself: — 
 
66 
 
 PERSONAL EFFORT. 
 
 
 \ 
 
 " I was a very wicked man — a drunkard 
 — a swearer — a Sabbath-breaker. My boy 
 was long- and severely sick. I seldom saw 
 hinij and never conversed with him in his 
 sickness until the day of his death. 
 
 " On that day, I entered his room, and 
 seated myself by his bedside. After a 
 brief silence, he turned his pale face to- 
 ward me, and said, ^ Father, take me up !' 
 
 "I did so. The exertion fatigued him. 
 On recovering sufficie'^t strength, he raised 
 his head from my bo< m, seized one of my 
 hands, and looking with affectionate earn- 
 estness in my face, he said, ^Ifather, I have 
 one thing to ask of you before I die. It is 
 that you will leave off your bad habits, at- 
 tend chapel, and give your heart to God. 
 Will you, father?' 
 
 *' I attempted to turn the conversation ; 
 but, rousing himself, he exclaimed with 
 wonderful energy, ^Father, this will not 
 do. It is noio or never. Do break off your 
 sins, and give your heart to God. Will 
 you, father ? Will you i" 
 
 " I replied, ' I will ;' and my heart for 
 the first time felt broken. 
 
ANECDOTES. 
 
 6? 
 
 *^ My reply gave my dying boy so much 
 satisfaction, that he said, ' Now put me to 
 bed. and let me die!' 
 
 "'l placed him in bed, and in five mm- 
 utes, without a groan or a sigh, he fell 
 asleep in Jesus. 
 
 «^ By the help of God, I have fulfilled 
 my promise, and am happy in my Saviour's 
 love. My wife, too, whose heart has been 
 frequently touched by the entreaties of the 
 child, is inquiring the way to Zion. Glory 
 be to God !" 
 
 -00000 — — 
 
 THE FRurr of the labors of a mere babe. 
 
 Little Lea Glaizette was a scholar in 
 the mission school of Mr. and Mrs. Mas- 
 son, at St. Jean d'Herans, a village in the 
 south-east of France. A gentleman who 
 visited them gives the following account of 
 this interesting young Christian . — 
 
 " A few weeks ago. Lea Glaizette, only 
 four years old, gave the missionaries the 
 most cheering evidence of the value of 
 their labors. 
 
63 
 
 TEllbONAL El'.'QRT. 
 
 " This dear child used to take her littfe 
 bench every day, and sit at the feet of Mrs 
 Masson, to hear her read the Scriptures, or 
 relate to her some of the stories from the 
 ^ YmitiVs Friend.'' She used to retire, fre- 
 quently, to a corner of the old kitchen of 
 the chateau, where she prayed with great 
 lervor and simplicity. At the beginnino- 
 ot last August, an inhabitant of the vif- 
 lage, Mr, X., was attacked by a nervous 
 lever. The child heard them speak of this 
 man with much anxiety, concernino- the 
 state of his soul; for he appeared to b'^e ap- 
 proaching his end, but was bitterly op- 
 posed to the word of God. She immedi- 
 ately left the house, and penetrated, no one 
 knows how, to the very chamber of the 
 sick man, and said to him, ' Mr. X you 
 are going to die immediately, and you are 
 going to meet God, and yet you are not 
 converted ! Shall I pray for you, that the 
 good God may forgive your sins, and irive 
 you a new heart?' ^ Yes, if you please, 
 my little friend.' ' J i ^> 
 
 "Immediately this amiable little crca- 
 WQ kneeled down, and prayed for him 
 
 ■3 
 
ANECDOTES. 
 
 69 
 
 with so much earnestness and fervor, that 
 he could not restrain his tears, ft is from 
 him alone that \ve have learned the inci- 
 dents of this touching" scene ; for, three 
 days afterwards. Lea was herself attacked 
 by the same fever, with such violence that, 
 for forty-nine days, her sufferings were 
 dreadful; and she then died without re- 
 covering her reason. From that time, this 
 enemy of God was changed, and he is now 
 found a constant hearer of the word of God, 
 He cannot speak of liltle Lea without 
 weeping." 
 
 -00000- 
 
 REV. .TOTTN SITMMERFIELD. 
 
 WiiKN this eloquent young divine wns 
 under deep couviction for sin, in the year 
 1817, he wandered about, in a state of 
 deep mentnl agony, through the streets of 
 the city of Dublin. He was noticed and 
 accosted by a pious man, — by trade nn 
 edcfc-tool maker, — who. with the tnct of a 
 Methodist, and the simplicity of a saint, as- 
 certained hisstato, and endeavored to com- 
 
70 
 
 PERSONAL EFI'OKT. 
 
 i'T 
 
 "ri i 
 
 fort him, at the same time inviting him to 
 his house, or rather to his cellar, where he 
 was about to hold a prayer meeting. The 
 party assembled consisted chiefly of sol- 
 diers. Prayer was offered by the different 
 persons in turn, aud the ease of the provi- 
 dential interloper was specially presented 
 before Him with whom the effectual, fer- 
 vent prayer of a righteous man availeth 
 much ; and such was the fervor of the 
 good leader and the soldiers, and so sincere 
 the contrition and supplication of the pen- 
 itent, that he that very night found peace 
 to his soul. Thus, through the personal 
 efforts of that poor edge-tool maker, was 
 the elegant, the accomplished Summerfield 
 led into the liberty of the people of God. 
 
 fOOOOO- 
 
 A WHOLE VILLAGE CONVERTED BY TIIE GIFl* 
 
 OF A TRACT. 
 
 A MISSIONARY gave away a number of 
 tracts at a fair held in a Javanese town. 
 Three years afterwards, one of these tracts 
 fell into the hands of a priest. He read it^ 
 
A.^iGCDOTEF. 
 
 71 
 
 and was convinced that ho was a sinner, 
 and that the only Saviour to whom he coul'j 
 iook for help was Jesus Christ, the Son of 
 Goi 
 
 These views ho communicated toothers; 
 their attention was arrested ; together, 
 many of them repaired to the house of a 
 Christian Dutchman for further instruc- 
 tion. Forty of them renounced Moham^ 
 medanism, and embraced Christianity; 
 and many others were led to inquire into 
 the true method of salvation. All this re- 
 sulted from the gift of a single tract. 
 
 -00000- 
 
 SUCCESS OF A CHILD'S EFFORT. 
 
 A CHILD brought a little volume frorr! 
 the Sabbath school, and laid it on the table, 
 where her father would be likely to find it. 
 The perusal of that volume was the means 
 of converting that once petulant and irrita- 
 ble father into a meek, mild, and prayerful 
 disciplo of the Lord Jesus Christ. His 
 rf^ompaiiion and three children were also 
 eou verted. 
 
I 
 
 •m 
 
 72 
 
 I'iaiiOiXAL i:rroitr 
 
 KFl'EtT {){' rEil;-'ONAL C()iNVF.U;^ATk)i\ WITH 
 
 TIIL: SCllOLAllir?. 
 
 At the cornrnencemcrit of a new ycar^ 
 thu tecichers of a Sabbath school \Yem 
 much ailected by the consideruion that 
 there had beon no conversion in their school 
 during the year that had gone. Alter much 
 deliberation on tiie subject, they formed 
 the solemn resolution to coivversc jjerscnaUi/ 
 with each sclioiar in the schoo], and to be- 
 ^;in this work on the next Sabbath. They 
 FiiAVED over the subject during the week. 
 
 The next Sabbath these teachers met 
 rheir respective chisses. and began their 
 personal conversation with their scholars. 
 They had no need of question-book^-. They 
 found open ears and tender hearts. Soon 
 one whole class of youth were melted, and 
 much interest was manifested throuorh tho 
 school. 'I'his was the commencement of a 
 delightful work of grace in that town, in 
 which seventy were hopefull\r converted. 
 Sidy our were members of the SabbatI* 
 .-:choo!, nn(\ forl/j wx^re under twenty ycar?^ 
 v( nnr, and onQ urr,h:r nine. 
 
 I 
 
 •^sal^ 
 
 *\*«W»H»WW***»**^*^-"' 
 
I 
 
 AlSr.Cl)0TK5, 
 
 
 VVJTll 
 
 year, 
 
 1 that 
 school 
 much 
 ormed 
 cnaUi/ 
 to bc- 
 They 
 week. 
 s met 
 
 their 
 lulars. 
 'i'hey 
 
 h)00li 
 .1, and 
 "h tho 
 
 it of li 
 
 /n, in 
 erted. 
 ubaili 
 vear?^ 
 
 « .xMvr^ I \MB RECOVERED 
 THE STRA^l^*^ LAiHo ivA^ 
 
 was riding along the h^hway he av^^ ^ 
 young woman standing a the Q ^^_ 
 
 farm-house, ^^'hom he knew to oe ^.^ 
 ^^''^ed'^'sTe'di^n "a /eano^'ecognizo 
 S Fixing a look of s/mpathy «pon her, 
 
 '"rHa^Tyou seen a stray lamb pass this 
 
 ""^No sir," was the inconsiderate reply. 
 uAreyousuretherehas-ibeennopoor 
 
 lost lamb here?" 
 
 « I am quite sure, sir." 
 
 « And yet," eountinued he, " there has 
 
 bpcn one here." 
 
 The true meaning of the mm^;er sud- 
 denly broke upcnrher^-^^^^ 
 into tears, confessed hei^ell to d 
 
 a devoted ('hvislian 
 
 X 
 

 7i 
 
 it 
 
 ri:rtSOi\AL EiroiiT. 
 
 TlMEiy KEl'ltoOF. 
 
 'si, „ "'^"''' ^ou remember Mr 
 
 " Yes, very well.' 
 
 J 
 
 "No." 
 
 '^It was a sad hahi* • Imf u 
 
 his loveK,f story te tin V- and .f.r'^. °"- '^ 
 bad habit, a very bad Inh^ f •'' '° '' ^ 
 
 the o-o<!n I F u '" "" ^ minister of 
 
 spiriK;go.d^^5\r.7 '"',''^ ^"'■"-' 
 
 bnn^,- o„i ^' "° 'lierefore took to 
 Huzaijty, (or he, yon knou-, pjr. ^va? mti-h 
 
 I 
 
ANECDOTES. 
 
 
 for 
 
 
 older than I was; yet, being per ualcl 
 that the ruin of his character, if not of his 
 peac ;waLevitable,unlcsssomctb.ing was 
 
 Ee,'l resolved upon one strong effort for 
 
 his rescue. So, the next »i?^;^YHal 1 
 led, and, as usual, said, Fr'end "aU^ i 
 will thank you for a glass of brandy ana 
 water ' I replied, ' Call things by ^eir pro 
 waiei, i. '"^F ) . ,, j^ g jjs much as 
 per names, and you snau u'lvv 
 
 vou please.' „ 
 
 cc ' Why, don't I employ the right name 1 
 I ask for a glass of brandy and water. 
 
 " c That is the current, but not the appro- 
 priate name. Ask for a glass of liquid 
 FreaAd distilled damnation, and you shall 
 have a gallon !' 
 
 tt Poor man ! he turned pale, and tor a 
 moment seemed struggling with ange 
 Srknowing that 1 did not mean to msult 
 S he stret1:hed out his ha-^d, and sa.d, 
 
 ' I^rother Hall, I thank you from the hot- 
 torof i-y l-rt.' From that time he 
 
 ceased to take brandy and water. 
 
 
M • li 
 
 If) 
 
 li 
 
 ( 
 
 70 
 
 PERSONAL ErFORT. 
 
 INCONSISTENCY AND PERSONAL EFFOR' 
 
 A SLAVE, who belonged to a youno- gen- 
 tleman recently from Africa, was laken 
 sick. His master's brother visited him in 
 his chamber, and, among other instruction, 
 read the ten commandments. The poor 
 lad listened very attentively, and seemed 
 very anxious to profit by his visitor's labors. 
 
 After his recovery, observing the younn- 
 gentleman, who had taught him freely en- 
 joying himself in gayety on the Sabbath, he 
 looked at him, held up his hands, and,sha. 
 king his head, exclaimed, — 
 
 " O massa, massa ! him read me about 
 keeping Sabbath; him break Sabbath 
 himself O massa, mas^a !" 
 
 00000 • 
 
 THE CHRISTIAN MISSIONARY. 
 
 The immediate influence of the labors 
 of a missionary will, in all probability, be 
 much less than he anticipates; he will 
 perhaps go down to the grave as one disap- 
 pointed of his hope. But^ like Abraham, 
 
 
 V- 
 
 •vJ 
 
 m 
 
 'J* 
 
 .'SlifeSr 
 
 •^mmtt*^ 
 
 '•'■''^-i 
 
ANEtiDOTE! 
 
 rr 
 
 <% 
 
 V- 
 
 fonh'ln all sides. He has excitea a spark 
 whrch will raise a flame through a king- 
 dom He thinks he has done ^tle but 
 S!^is in fact, effected that which calcu- 
 lation 'cannot 'follow. We can scarcely 
 
 In ertain "oo contracted an expectation of 
 entertain loo c ^^ ^^^ 
 
 the immediate etteci "' "'" , , ■' ,,: 
 .carcelv too exalted an idea ot their urn 
 l!<fpfficacv The flame, once excited, 
 mate eincacy i"° ' Kreast from 
 
 .v,nli unread from breast to breasi, uu'" 
 amu/rf^mily, from village to^viUage, 
 from region to region ; \« />'"„^i *'°f^i^'em- 
 
 £t bllighted from the fire that burns on 
 
 *^How ^nUhe faithful missionary rejoice 
 before the Judge of quick and dead, when 
 he shall meet, at the right hand of Christ, 
 ^nt r^tracralinc^ individual or two, whom 
 r ^af td'means of pe-uadjg, m the 
 A re «f hU ^psh to turn to God, oui per 
 S a nation o'f converts, to whom, his 
 scScnial "nd at the time, unpromismg 
 
 .■■*^„-ii^i-.,'.^,- ,,......., 
 
f 
 
 i f 
 
 4 
 
 78 
 
 rEUSONAL BnoilT. 
 
 labor, had been the on^inal means of bnn- 
 mg salvation I— Professor Farisk. * 
 
 00000- 
 
 A SEASONABLE RFPKOOF. 
 
 EuENEZEii Adams, an eminent member 
 of the society of Friends, on visitino^a kd! 
 
 v^hM 7 ^ her husband, on a sofa covered 
 with black cloth, and in all the diVnitvof 
 
 and gently taking her by the hand, said,- 
 
 for^i v^n r "i ' aV'?' i^'"' '*^°" li^st not yet 
 lorgiven God Almighty i" ^ 
 
 vnibo fo?' 3'^>««^diately laid as.^e the 
 symbols of grief, and again entered unon 
 the important duties of life. ^ 
 
 -00000- 
 
 PERSONAL EFFORT IN A DAY SCHOOL. 
 
 ned on his principles and sense of duty in 
 Jabonng for the conveision of hisschoirs 
 
 msm 
 
Ai^BCUOTES. 
 
 70 
 
 
 v*1 
 
 , u „ rhristian fcienil remarked 
 in a letter that a numbe ^^^^^,_ ^ 
 
 when in youth, a^^^'^'^i^i^ and to God for 
 feel under o^^'f'^^^l^Ms for their sal- 
 
 ^00000 
 
 ^'- ^Tin^aSSufer^^^^^^^^^ . 
 worth, went mto a cone ^^^^^^ geveral 
 for some refreshment^ i ^^^ ^{ the 
 
 gentlemen in a box f^^^ ^f the guards, 
 ?oom, one o whom, an oihce ^^^^ 
 
 swore dreadfully^ hiJwithout much diffi- 
 could not speak to h.m ^^^^^^ ^^ 
 
 culty ; he therefore dcsue ^^^ .^ ^^^ 
 cive him a glass o^ J^Carry it to yon 
 brought, he. «-;^^f;i"J' at, and^desire him 
 
 gentleman in ^^0,^^ V°\is oaths." The 
 To wash his mouth afu^rm ^^^ ^^^j.^^n 
 officer rose up m a lur>> ^^ ^^^^n^ 
 
 ^" n'o°i "If c^-^^^ 
 
 crying out, i^^y? 
 
 -— .r-.^4S»~-' ; 
 
 y.^^!3^S®^ 
 
^f 
 
 
 so 
 
 ri^ilSONAL EFFOJIT. 
 
 thus restrained, and Mr i^ f °^'"' '^'^' 
 
 Some years aftPr k! ' ^'^^^ departed. 
 
 don, andClli^f l„''^-»-j^^^^^^^^^ j? Lo„. 
 
 gentleman joined him who .ft ^^'■''' ^ 
 versation, iiiquired f he rec'ofer ''""' 
 seen him before Mr iP°Y^'^^^^ having 
 the negative ThflL^^'^^y '^P^^ed in 
 
 to h.s remembrancer :Se" 'Ifl^'^'i 
 fee-house. and added " s? V^^ ''°^- 
 
 sir,IthankGod,Ihavefea?^r '^^t *™^' 
 as I have a perfect rp.niff-^" °^^^' ^"d, 
 rejoiced at seSg ' „ " d ^ ,f y°"' ^ 
 frain from exDTeUr.,^L *^?"''* "«» re- 
 and you!" ^'^J''''''"^ my gratitude to God 
 
 .^; A word spoken in season, how good is 
 
 — 00000 
 
 DEATII.BED OFAUNIVERSALIST. 
 
 Sabbath evening, I wenfaE:oth?hoS 
 
 I '.,1 
 
 WR-'i:'- ^-"^ 
 
 wm^ 
 
ANECDOTES. 
 
 81 
 
 ...e 1 had ^fl^\l^!^:i.Ttyo 
 
 week P^-^^i^fi^'^^lX the same roof, a 
 nieeling, and ^^at, under me_^ ^^^^ .^ ^^ 
 
 man was very ^^^^ J'l^ „/ call, gave 
 ous, appeared grated J^^^^ees, and 
 
 ,ne an ^f °^;." . ^ ^eThusband had been a 
 informed me '.hat &e nu ^^^^ 
 
 professed Umversal.st bu^ o ^^^^^ ^^^^ 
 Ihought his confidence m ^^^^j a,. 
 
 shaken; though ^f^^ ';^°''^„a others, even 
 gae the.subject wuh her - d^.^ ^^.^^ ,,, 
 
 on his sick, and, sne i i ^t, and 
 
 . She informed him I w-s P^^ ^^^ he 
 
 asked if he wished P;^f^^'„pW_Temark- 
 did. ItoldhimlwouUlcompy ^^ ^^ 
 
 ing that, as he ^«««^^^^J^^^^^ eternal God, 
 must probably soon meet m^^^ He inl- 
 and asking if he leu p j- 
 mated that he ditl. experienced 
 
 "'^.°n\thtrrvhthiss%keno{ 
 
 SSfwofd 5 S as essential to salva- 
 
 '''''«T<^7Ste1o7thS^^^^^ 
 tohimsclf, 'andbeUeveuu 
 
 Christ?' 
 
 \ 
 
 fl 
 
82 
 
 TEftSONAL EFFOR' 
 
 ,u "'rP° y°^ '°ve Christ V caiVi r < r u 
 the One altogether loviy 2 ''"^^- ^' ^' 
 
 savedbyw'°''^^'°'"^;IJ^°Petobe 
 ChrS° ^°" ^'^^''' ^» ^vill be saved by 
 
 ;;; jf , i think so.' 
 
 "TheS„tCa;tt'oet;ttP^^^^^^^ 
 ishment"?' > ""o everlasting pun. 
 
 <uw"""°,"?" ''*'»"■' means' 
 
 'urnod into he I Jnd afl .r'^'^'-'^'^" ^^ 
 forget God." ' "**^ "=»"ons that 
 
 changed?' ^""^ ^^^« '"ay bo 
 
 ,ified.-^''''' '"''^ '^^' ^ ""d 'hat 1 may be pu- 
 
 -^Z^rtar.ittSE,r"^t,^" 
 
 sobs and tears His vifn 1 . ' '"""^^' 
 
f^;. 
 
 ANECDOTCS. 
 
 CD 
 
 ■ whioli I did Willi Mr. D., a 
 call again, whioU ^^ ^^iacntly de- 
 
 respecting his state ^^^^ ^^^^^j, 
 
 4' Alter we leit nimj u^ "^^ , , • 
 
 . tv. Pov Mr J., and expressed liib 
 
 sation with Y"J-;\^^;' gi,, . Us renuncia- 
 conviction ot his rum uy an , ^ . 
 
 d!lv 'Alin'^^S evidence as ho. could in 
 fet hours, that he lell asleep m Je.u.. 
 ^Ufe of Harlem Page- 
 
 ■,■00000 
 
 - ^riiMONS THE INSTRUMENT OP A- 
 
 I 1R14 Mrs C, of Saltash, sister^ to 
 
 came a very z^^^^^J^ Uvnthor dwellmg m 
 
 Jamaica, lay near her ^^J „^ J,^/ ^^afors 
 for his sf at^on an^ ^.^ nu.ny^^p^.y^ ^ 
 
 for the divmc bUo^m^, 
 
I 
 
 ri4 
 
 I 
 
 M 
 
 ;* ' 
 
 l! 
 
 TKIISONAL EFFOirr, 
 
 copy of Mr. Wesley's Sermons. Over 
 his gift she stUl prayed, in the hope th"t 
 t would prove to be a seed of salvatln o 
 her brother. Nor did she hope in vaii 
 After some t,me, she received the folio "^ 
 "^SSmifying information ; « Now I ale 
 read Mr Wesley's Sermons," v°to e M. 
 Drew " I seem to see with new eves '^ 
 He afterwards wrote a detailed account of 
 his conversion; still ascribing the Irea 
 change, under God, to that gift ^ 
 
 ^hTSpS^ftl^ 
 
 ■:>oooi>- 
 
 liEV. WILLIAM BUAMWEI.L, 
 
 The wonderful success of Mr Bram 
 well as a preacher is well known TZ 
 not, however, by preaching alone that it 
 
 Preachm. 1 ^""''^^VcnouuhffoH with his 
 preaching, as may be seen by tho follov 
 jng extracts :— ' " '0'w\,. 
 
 i 
 
 ^■.urw^\rt:'tm 
 
ANECDOTKi^ 
 
 85 
 
 '^ It was customary with Mr. Bramwell, 
 when in the country, to visit the different 
 families of his hearers, and pray with each 
 of them. In company, he constantly en- 
 deavored to redeem the time by the most 
 profitable exercises. He would not con- 
 verse on trifling subjects ; but the most 
 com mon theme of his discourse was, W hat 
 shall we do to praise the Lord more, to pro- 
 mote his glory, and obtain greater bless- 
 
 mgs 
 
 Q?'" 
 
 "When Mr. Bramwell preached at 
 Gomersal, he generally remained all nighi 
 at our house. As soon as dinner was over, 
 it was his constant practice to pray m the 
 family, and then to visit the neighbors from 
 house to house. In this way he generally 
 called on seventeen or eighteen different 
 families before tea, and prayed in each of 
 them with the utmost fervor. I was ac- 
 customed to invite a few of our friends, 
 whose chief desire was to have their souls 
 blessed, to take tea with Mr. Bramwell in 
 the afternoon. Affectionate inquiry was 
 then made into the state of each persori's 
 mind, Thcv wIjo had not received the 
 
A' 
 
 80 
 
 ILilSONAl- EFiOrvT 
 
 blessing of justification were urgoJ not to 
 rest until they were sanctilied, and matlc 
 new creatures in Christ Jesus." 
 
 '00000- 
 
 BANCTIPICATION OF REV. GEORGE SMITH 
 
 tkm' 
 
 I 
 
 Mr. George Smith was stationed at 
 Ashby de la Zouch, and had heard won 
 derfuIthiniT^s about the revival at Sheffield. 
 Having been long in search of the blessing 
 of sanctification, he resolved to go to the 
 place where it was reported many others 
 had received it. lie accordingly set out for 
 Sheffield, in connpany with Messrs. Craw- 
 son, Shakespeare, and Keecher. They 
 arrived early on Saturday, and repaired in 
 the evening to the band meeting, in Nor- 
 folk Street chapel. Messrs. Bramwell^ 
 Pipe, Longden, und Miller, were present, 
 and while they and other able witnesses 
 gave a clear and scriptural account of the 
 maaner in which they received the gift of 
 sanctification, the strangers (Mr, George 
 f^mith and hi? fricn^l^) ^v^'>rc rnyh alT'.clc'l 
 
A iN EC DOTES. 
 
 87 
 
 Mr. Miller perceived it, and, going up to 
 Mr. Smiih inquired who he was. When 
 he had been told, he said, "Here is a 
 travelling preacher, who is come to Shef- 
 field, and has brought three of his friends 
 with him, above seventy miles, for the 
 purpose of receiving ' a clean heart.' " He 
 exhorted all the faithful to lift up their 
 hearts in behalf of these earnest and sm- 
 cere seekers. They began to pray for them ; 
 when Mr. Smith was so overwhelmed 
 with the power of the Highest, as instant- 
 ly to " enter into the sanctifying rest which 
 remains for the people of God." He then 
 adopted the advice which our Lord gave 
 on a different occasion to Peter — -'And 
 thou, when thou art converted, strengthen 
 thy brethren." He united in prayer for 
 those whom he had brought with him; 
 and while in the act of entreating 'Hhe 
 very God of peace to sanctify them whol- 
 ly," and their whole spirit, and soul, and 
 body might be preserved blameless unto 
 the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, the 
 Lord spake the word, and tlicy were madci 
 partakers of ihc blessino-, '' Being cleansed 
 
88 
 
 PEllSONAL EFFORT. 
 
 Irom all iilihiness of the flesh and spirit, 
 they were enabled to perfect holiness in 
 the fear of God." On retiirningf home- 
 ward, " their hearts burned within them 
 while they talked" of this great salvation. 
 
 -00000- 
 
 ENCOURAGEMENT TO PRAY 
 
 About sixteen years since, three pious 
 brothers covenanted tocfether to observe a 
 particular day of every week to offer spe- 
 cial prayer for the conversion of their ag-ed 
 father. The old gentleman was a strict 
 moralist^ and one who deemed conversion 
 unnecessary, and consequently would re- 
 sist every appeal to repent and yield to be 
 saved by grace alone. Thus he lived till 
 eighty years of age. But his faithful sons 
 would not give him up for lost; they con- 
 tinued for fifteen years to offer their prayers 
 before perceiving any visible token of good. 
 At length, however, to their unspeakable 
 joy, their aged father, during the past year, 
 became the subject of G ni's convertin<r 
 
 (ts^5^ 
 
 
ANECDOTES. 
 
 SO 
 
 grace. He publicly professed his faith in 
 Christ by uniting^ with a Christian church. 
 A few weeks after this, the old gentleman 
 sickened and died ; but he left behindliim. 
 an evidence of God's power and willing- 
 ness to save to the uttermost all who come 
 unto him through our Lord Jesus Christ. 
 
 In view of facts like the above, let pray- 
 ing souls take courage, and hold on in well 
 doing ; for '^ in due season ye shall reap, if 
 ye faint not." 
 
 •00000- 
 
 IIARLAN PAGE. 
 
 We insert the following extracts from 
 the Life of Harlan Page,- because they 
 teach the true principles which alone lead 
 to successful personal effort : — 
 
 " It was the hurdeii of his hearty ayid the 
 purpose of his life. When engaged in his 
 usual business, the religious welfare of per- 
 sons with whose stat3 he had become ac- 
 quainted, was generally pressing on his 
 mind ; and it is now known, that, for sev- 
 
r'j 
 
 OU 
 
 I'EUSONAL EFl'Olir. 
 
 cral years before he died, he almost always 
 had by him a memorandum of the names 
 and residence of a few iudividuals with 
 whcun he was to converse. On these he 
 would call, as he went to and from his 
 office, or religious meetings; and if no 
 names icere on this lisf, he felt that he was 
 doing little good. He also uniformly had 
 in his hat more or less awakening tracts, 
 that he might present as he should judge 
 them adapted to the state of those he met. 
 Not unfrequently he would seize a few 
 moments from his usual occupation, to go 
 out and address some individual ; and when 
 the business of the day was closed, he has- 
 tened to some meeting or other religious 
 engagement for the evening. It is believ- 
 ed that an entire month has frequently 
 elapsed, during which he did no sit down 
 for an hour even in the bosom of his own 
 family, to relax his mind, or rest. 
 
 " When urged, at the close of a day of 
 fatigue, to spare himself and spend the 
 evening at home, he would say, ' Don't at- 
 tempt to persuade me away from duty. I 
 have m.otivc enough within myself to tempt 
 
 f- 
 
ANi:cn>OTE^ 
 
 •n 
 
 mo 10 oiijoy repose with my family ; but that 
 will not save souls.' A little previous lo 
 his last sickness,as he returned from church 
 couching, ho was asked if he had not 
 spo'ken too much in the Sabbath school. 
 ' Perhaps I hav ,' he replied ; * but how 
 could I help it, when all eyes were fixed, 
 and the children seemed to to devour every 
 
 word I said V 
 
 ^' He had the most clear view of the 
 necessity to every man of being born again, 
 As soon as an individual came into his 
 presence, it seemed to be the first question 
 of his mind, ^ Is this a friend or an enemy 
 of God?' The next thing was if impeni- 
 tent, to do something for his conversion ; or 
 if a Christian, to encourage him in duty. 
 Whatever else he saw in an individual, ho 
 felt that it availed him nothing unless ho 
 had received Christ to his heart by a living 
 faith. Tiiis he felt and urged to be the 
 sinner's first, great, and only duty in which 
 he could be acceptable to God. This was 
 exemplified at a meeting of his Sabbath 
 school teachers, when he called on each 
 to know whether he thought he had a well 
 
IMAGE EVALUATION 
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 ^ Hpnic 
 Sci^ces 
 Corporation 
 
 23 WEST MAIN STREET 
 
 WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 
 
 (716) 872-4503 
 
 '^^'■' 
 
%> M') ^ ///// 
 
^^ 
 
 r£U&Ox\AL EfTORt. 
 
 f} '* <- 
 
 grounded hope in Christ, or not , and re^ 
 corded their several replies. Among them 
 was an amiable young merchant, whom he 
 highly respected, and who seemed not far 
 from the kingdom of God. 
 
 ^'^Have you a hope?' he tenderly in- 
 quired. 
 
 " * No, sir,' was the reply. 
 
 " ^ Then I'm to put down your name as 
 having no hope V 
 
 "'Yes, sir.' 
 
 '' • Well, f write down your name as hav- 
 ing no hope.' 
 
 "The young man pondered on this 
 decision and record of his spiritual state, 
 was troubled, and soon came to our broth- 
 er, saying, ' I told you to put me down as 
 having no hope; but I can't say that.' 
 Fie is now a member of the church, and 
 a decided supporter of all her institutions. 
 
 " He brought his efforts to bear upoii indi- 
 viduals , and^ folloivcd up impressions made. 
 All the triumphs of the gospel, he knew, 
 consists in the conversion and sanctification 
 of individual ; and he was not satisfied 
 with merely praying and contributing for 
 
 i 
 
ANECDOTES. 
 
 m 
 
 the salvation of the world as a whole, or 
 having a general impression made on 'the 
 mmds of a congregation. His intense de- 
 sire was, that individuals should be turned 
 from sin to God. 
 
 ^ " He had a clear sense ofobligaiions, both 
 in the sinner to repent, and in the Christian 
 to devote all his powers to God. His heart 
 was mtent that it should he felt and i7)ime- 
 diately carried out in an entire consecration 
 to God. 
 
 " ^ Brother,' said he to a lovely Christian 
 who \yatehed with him, < when you meet 
 impenitent sinners, don't merely say calm- 
 ly, "Friend, you are in danger;" but ap- 
 proach them with a holy violence, and la- 
 bor to " pull them out of the fire." They 
 are going to perdition. There is a heaven 
 and a hell.' 
 
 "As a brother from Boston, to whom 
 several of his letters were addressed, had 
 called for a h\Y moments, and was about 
 takmg leave, he asked the dying man if 
 he had any particular thought on his 
 mind to express as he bade him farewell. 
 Ah, I can say nothing/ he replied, 'hm 
 
I 
 
 94 rERSONAl, EFFORT. 
 
 what has been repeated over and over ; but 
 rould I raise my voice to re-h a congre- 
 nation of sinners, I wou d tell hem their 
 
 let shall slide in due t"'"^' " 7.1i/v n" 
 ,lide"-}hero is no escape hut by behevmg 
 
 '"<?H?nat only endeavored to alarm im- 
 penitent men, but to bring them to a deasicm 
 that thev will he the Lord s. 
 '^^'fwhL in his native pl«c\l^° XtS; 
 sent one evening till so late «» hour that hu, 
 wife remonstrated wuh him for ^nje^s^" 
 -^hlv taskin<^ his own health, and separat- 
 S;Celftromhome. '1^ have spent rtns 
 
 me ^ said he, ' in trying to persuade jour 
 ijme, saiu , -. • jjjg heart to 
 
 poor impenitent brotncr u b"^ 
 Christ' That impenitent brother was 
 soon bvoucht to accept of morcy ; pursued 
 Tcourse o"? theological study, and is now 
 
 serving God in the ministry. 
 
 00000 
 
 lMrOTlT\NT CONSIDERATION. 
 
 It is not enough that a Christian does not 
 hinder the gon>ol- he is to be a "helper to 
 
 pi' 
 
 I 
 
 L 
 
 
• ; but 
 >ngre- 
 
 '-^ shall 
 ieving 
 
 m irn- 
 
 lecisio7i 
 
 ms ab- 
 that his 
 reason- 
 separat- 
 cnt this 
 ie your 
 heart to 
 er was 
 pursued 
 is now 
 
 AN LC DOTES. 
 
 ^1 
 
 1)5 
 
 , does not 
 helper to 
 
 m 
 
 4' 
 
 
 ihp iniili," auJ to consider him.-icK lo a ec-- 
 tain extent responsible for the convcrc^^on 
 of the vvorld. That the church, in hs c„ 
 poratc character is so responsib e, i.s . 4 , 
 wily ad.nmed: but it is lo bo fcarcf Aat 
 many who make that admission do, ever 
 theless, ose sight of their own in,liSn ) 
 respo„s,b,lity. Men have certai d «t Ls to 
 perform, and not only with respect to he" 
 
 h™Sd 'h-'J '"'""'' '° the^^h.rch and 
 nrovrt.f '"'.'-' ^' l-e performed by 
 '•oxy. It IS their duty, undoubtedly as 
 
 sri'n^™ TL;zr:i:: rr"' ^••^" 
 
 ney to support instyfutfonT /rhl';r 
 phshment of that object: b.t that does not 
 absolve them from prayin,. for all me„, o 
 horn everyone "savin? to his nei<rhbor 
 and to h.s brother, k„S.v ye the Lord '^ 
 Employing one talent is no lec,i"mate ar 
 gument for hiding others i„ the emh a. 
 
' ■"W.-.Wii' » " 
 
 i'j:rvftONAL EFytniT. 
 
 OG 
 
 m the conversion of the world ; and that 
 whatever may be his station in lite, Uoa 
 calls him as the light of the world to en- 
 lighten others, and as the salt of the earih 
 to impart a savor to those with whom Uo 
 is surrounded. 
 
 -EN I? »'^"' 
 
 •#* 
 
06 
 
 d ; and that 
 n life, God 
 kvorld to en- 
 of the earih 
 Lh whom U 
 
 
 
 #