The Love of the Spirit Traced in His Work

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text, images, or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1836. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... No. XIII. THE LOVE OF THE SPIRIT, A PLEA FOR ZEAL. Whenever the claims of the Heathen, or of the dark places of the earth at Home, are to be publicly and specially pleaded in the pulpit, or on the platform, we expect to hear powerful appeals to the love of Christ, as the all-constraining motive to zeal and liberality. A Missionary sermon, of which the love of Christ was not both the foundation and the topstone, would surprise us, as well as grieve us. Yes; next to our indignation, would be our astonishment, if that mighty motive were not mightily employed, whenever the friends of Christ are called on to spread or sustain the Gospel. We should say, and justly too, that the man who could advocate missions without shielding and enshrining their claims with the glories of redeeming love, had read his Bible to little purpose, and knew nothing of the high-way to the hearts of Christians. Were he a very Apollos in eloquence, we should not hesitate to tell him, that the poorest Aquila or Priscilla of the Churches could teach him " the way of the Lord more perfectly." This recognition of the love of Christ, as the grand motive for loving the souls of those who are perishing for lack of knowledge, is one of the happiest signs of our times, and one of the healthiest symptoms of the Christian Church. Whilst this is the spirit of the Church, the world will not be neglected by her. Its dark places will be noticed, and numbered, and prayed for, and helped, just in proportion as this fine spirit prevails. For, happily, the love of Christ, like the blood of Christ, " Will never lose its power, Till all the ransomed church of God Are saved, to sin no more!" Did it ever occur to you, however, that we do not ply nor employ this argument exactly as Paul did, when he besough...