"There is a. way which seemeth right unto a man." Hence the reaeonableness of religion, the beauty of holiness. And so conversion presupposes the working of" conviction.': Yes, a. man must see and feel his mistake, and recognize the truth to which be bas shut bis eyes, before he can rightly come to God. 2. From wrong to right. For it is not C'nough to be convinced of error; mere knowledge of the truth can never save. Thie the mistake of Socrates, identifying virtue with knowledge, and vice with ignorance. No; not merely must the conscience be convinced, but the heart must be influenced, the will must be persuaded. "From the error," truly; but "the error of his way." He has been walking in a wrong way ; the way of transgression, of ungodliness. But One says, " I am the Way." We must come to him, we must "walk in him" (Col. ii. 6). For this is the way of holiness, the way to the Father. Conversion is never true ,rnd complete conversion till the converted one can say," To me to live is Christ" (Phil. i. 21). II. ITS AGENCY. 1. The power must be of God. Conversion in all its parts ii ascribed ultimately to God in Scripture. Do we receive knowledge of the truth? It ie because "God is light." Do we receive the truth into our hearts, and live thereby? It is because" God is love." 2. The instrumentality may be of men. May be, not must be. For God can illumine the mind which is untaught of man, and influence the will which is)mmoved by man. But the rule is, employment of human means. " Go ye, and make disciples . . . teaching them" (Matt. xxviii. 19). So here: "he which con- vertetb . . . shall save." Our hi11:h honour; but our solemn responsibility. Yet a responsibility which we cannot shake off. How are we using it? III. lTs RESULTS. 1. The individual result. "Save a soul from death." Death? Death of the Soul I Understanding darkened; a.ffections corrupted and debased; will depraved; whole order of nature out of course; God gone! Think of it: such capabilities, and such a doom ! Ah, this is death indeed ; and from this a soul may be saved by ;is! Yes, recovered to light, purity, strength, goodness, God I Oh, what a joy to put our hands to such a blessed work! 2. The general result. " Cover a multitude of sills." Think of the dark blot on God's universe, the defilement of his ways, which is caused by sin. Think of the atonement of Christ, and the gift of the Spirit, God's own provision for the removal of the blot, the cleansing of the defilement. And then think of the special application of that rich provision of God's grace which we are privileged to make. The glorious result at which he aims shall be, in part at least, produced through us; that "multitude of sins" shall be done away I Yes, for our efforts, the universe shall be fairer, God's ways clearer, and the dawning of that day hastened, when " the Lord shall be to us an everlasting Light, and the days of our 111ourning shall be ended" (Isa. lx. 19, 20). But the result upon ourselves? The work is a sympathetic work, and its influence n:ust therefore react upon us. Yes, we must be, or become, like what we strive to do. A..ud so our saving love, with its included faith in God through Christ, shall wash us white (1 Pet. iv. 8).-T. F. L. HOMILETICAL INDEX TO
THE GENERAL EPISTLE OF
JAMES.
CHAPTER L THEME P.AG'S TBDB ?AGE Stumbling in One Point 35 Temptation as Cause for Joy 6 Law and Judgment 36 The Need of Wisdom 6 Works the Test of Faith 37 The only True Ground for Boasting . . . 7 Justi.fice.tion by Faith and Works 38 The Genesis of Sin... 7 Deeds, not Words . .. 7 A Joyful Salutation for a Ti.me of CHAPTER ill. Adversity 8 The Great Responsibility of Teachers 45 Wisdom for those who nsk it 9 Wisdom shown by its Fruits in Heart The Poor and the Rich Brother 10 e.nd Life... 46 The Ne.tural History of Evil 12 A Dissuasive from Ambition to Teach 46 All Good is from God 13 The Power of the Tongue .. . 47 " The Father of the Lights : " A Sermon The Tongue Ungovernable e.nd Incon- to Children H: sistent ... 49 The Chief Good is from God 15 Fe.lee Wisdom 50 The Reception of the Word .. , 16 True Wisdom 51 Hearers e.nd Doers . .. 17 The Ethics of Speech 5:! The True Ritualism 18 Wisdom, True and False 53 The Writer and his Work 19 The Strange Paradox 20 The Prayer of Faith 22 CHAPTER IV. The Glory of Manhood in Christ 23 The Origin of Strife e.nd Conflict to be Tempte.tion and its History... 2-1 sought in Selfish Lust 57 The Law of the New Life 26 " Ye ask amiss, that ye may spend it on your Pleasure" ... 57 CHAPTER II. "The Friendship of the World is enmity with God" 57 Respect of Persons is Inconsistent with "Draw nigh to God, and he will draw the First Principles of Christianity . . . 32 nigh to you" 57 Faith e.nd Works ... 33, 40 "Humble yourselves in the Sight of God, .Respect of Persons . .. S-1:, 39 and he shall lift you up" . . . 58 u INDEX.
~ PAOlt TITEHlt p•Q■ The Bin or Detraction 58 The Power and Value or Interoessory The Uncertainty of Human Plans and Prayer... ... ... ... '1'8 Schemes 58 The DlessednOSB of winning baok a The GreatneSB of Sins of Omission 58 Single Sinner from the Error of his We.n and Fightings 58 Ways ... 74 Worldliness Enmity with God 60 The Judgments coming upon the Wioked SnbmiBBion to God ... 61 Rich 74 Evil-Spee.king and Evil-Judging 62 Long-Suffering in View of Christ's " Ma.n proposes, but God disposes" ti3 Coming 76 We.r or Peace? 64 Bear nnd Forbear .. . 77 Judgment, Human a.nd Divine 65 Against Swearing .. . 79 "What is your Life ? " 66 Prayer and Praise as a Medioint• 80 Mutual Confession and Prayer 81 CHAPTER V. The Conversion of a Sinner ... 83 The Doom of Misused Wealth 85 The Judgment on Selfishness 73 The Coming of the Lord 86 Four Considerations moving the Chris- Simplicity of Speech 87 tian to Patience ... 73 The Life in God 88 Waming against the Sin of Swearing 73 ·The Salvation of a Soul 89