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with them. “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for
another, that ye may be healed.” Many a sin is left unconfessed, to be
confronted in the day of final accounts; better far to see your sins now,
to confess them, and put them away, while the atoning Sacrifice pleads
in your behalf. Do not dislike to learn the will of God on this subject.
The health of your soul, the unity of your brethren, may depend upon
the course you pursue in these things. Humble yourselves, therefore,
under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time,
“casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you.”
It is a lamentable fact that the erring heart is unwilling to be criti-
cised, or to subject itself to humiliation by the confession of sin. Some
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see their faults, but thinking confession will detract from their dignity,
they excuse their wrong, and shield themselves from the discipline
that confession would give to the soul. The thought of their manifest
error will remain to embitter their enjoyments and embarrass their
movements; for in passing out of the path of confession, they fail to be
faithful examples to the people. They see the errors of others; but how
can they have courage to give the advice, “Confess your faults one to
another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed,” when they
have failed to follow this instruction in their own lives? How much
will ministers or people learn of a truth which they thrust aside, and
forget if possible, because it is not agreeable; because it does not flatter
their pride, but reproves and pains? Ministers and people, if saved
at all, must be saved day by day, hour by hour. They must hunger
and thirst for the righteousness of Christ, the illumination of the Holy
Spirit. Church members,—those placed in positions of trust,—must
be baptized with the Spirit of God, or they will not be qualified for the
positions they accept.
A man may have a knowledge of the Scriptures which will not
make him wise unto salvation, although he may be able to master his
opponents in public controversy. If he does not have a yearning of
soul after God; if he does not search his own heart as with a lighted
candle, fearing that any wrong should lurk there; if he is not possessed
with a desire to answer the prayer of Christ, that His disciples may
be one as He is one with the Father, that the world may believe that
Jesus is the Christ,—he flatters himself in vain that he is a Christian.
His knowledge, begun in ambition, is carried forward in pride; but
his soul is destitute of the divine love, the gentleness and meekness