CHAPTER XXI. Be a Christian

BE A CHRISTIAN

Having fairly embarked on the voyage which ceases not till the port of eternity is reached, it is an exhibition of good seamanship to take one’s bearings. By the log is estimated the progress of the vessel; by the compass, the direction the ship is pursuing, and by the altitude of the stars the latitude in which it is. In like manner the Moral chapters indicate the progress boys should make; the Social, the course they should take, and the Religious, the latitude in which they should live. Of these the religious are the most essential, for a boy cannot be truly religious without being moral and social.

When the Rebellion began a young man went to his mother and said: “Mother, may I volunteer? I argue the matter in four plain ways. First, my country needs me. Second, she calls me. Third, I am able to go. Fourth, I am willing. This makes the duty very clear to me, unless you interpose a veto, and I think you are too good a patriot to do that.” She gave her consent, and before he departed, she said: “You know, my son, how much I have wished to see you a Christian. Now I want you to look at the claims of Jesus exactly as you have looked at those of your country, simply and honestly, and see if those same four plain propositions will not lead you into the service of heaven.” “I’ll think of it, mother,” was his answer, and they parted. He did not forget his promise. On his first Sabbath in camp he resolutely set himself to the fulfilment of his mother’s request. Remembering how he had argued duty to his country, he brought before his mind in the same manner the subject of the divine claims upon his heart and life. “Does Jesus want me? Does He call me? Am I able to serve Him? Am I willing?” With an open Bible, the first three questions were quickly answered. At the last one he hesitated, but duty seemed so clear that he dared not falter, and falling on his knees he gave himself to Christ. The next letter home announced him to be a Christian soldier.

A CHRISTIAN.

Many names and titles are significant, but none means so much or has so much honor attached to it as the word “Christian.” Young said, “A Christian is the highest style of man.” A Christian is a Christ-lover and a Christ-worshipper, because he sees God in Christ, and in the God-man he sees the world’s Redeemer and his own personal Saviour. He lives in the world, but is not of the world. While in the world he blesses it by living a godly, upright life. His life work and influence are a benediction to those among whom he moves. His purpose is “not to make a living,” as Governor Russell, of Massachusetts, used to say, “but to make a life.” He is far more concerned about this than about dying. Death is the least of his concerns. To live is Christ, and because of this, his life is proof of his profession.

HOW TO BE A CHRISTIAN.

To become a Christian is not a hard matter, though to live the life of one is a battle with the world, the flesh and Satan. It is because of the simple rules laid down whereby one can become a Christian that many of mature life neglect it. Were it culture, polish, or liberality, many more would be enrolled as Christians, but because a change of heart, affections or living is demanded, many cling to their ordinary life, but at the last deplore it, earnestly pleading for forgiveness and acceptance by Christ.

Three propositions are given in the New Testament, which, accepted, will lead any boy to know what it is to be a Christian. First, repentance: “Jesus came into Galilee, preaching ... repent ye.” (Mark 1:14, 15). Repentance means such sorrow for past conduct as leads to amendment of life. Second, confession of sin. “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:8, 9). Third, faith in Christ to save. Paul said to the jailer, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” (Acts 16:31).

A father and son were once following a perilous path among the Alps. In passing along they gathered some beautiful flowers, but the boy, seeing a lovely one waving in the breeze, thoughtlessly hurried to secure it. His foot slipped and he rolled down an incline until he was stopped by some tall bushes. With all his strength he seized hold of the shrubbery and commenced to call for help. The brush grew on the brink of a yawning abyss. It was impossible for the father to reach his son with his hands, but he carried a staff on one end of which was an iron hook. The boy had around him a leathern belt, so the father reached down and fastened the hook in his girdle. The lad, however, could not be drawn up without releasing his hold on the bushes. He could not see his father, nor did he in his fright even feel that his father held him up; he only heard his voice: “Let go of the bushes, my son, and I will save you.” To the boy it seemed as though he would thus hurry himself to destruction, but, relying on his father’s word, he forsook his hold and was drawn in safety to his father’s side.

That boy was saved through faith. His firm belief in his father’s word saved him. Had he persisted in holding on to the bushes through doubt or hesitation it would have meant his death. To be saved, every boy must forsake his hold on sin, yield himself to Christ’s power and mercy, and then will he find to his joy, that Christ saves to the uttermost. (Heb. 7:25).

THE TIME TO BE A CHRISTIAN.

Solomon said there is “a time to every purpose under the heaven,” (Eccl. 3:1) and no purpose is greater and no time more important than when a boy becomes a Christian. Youth is the most important period of one’s life. It is the time when the faculties are most susceptible, heart tender and will pliable; the time when tastes and biases are created, habits acquired and character formed for future weal or woe. No other period affords greater possibilities of long usefulness as well as opportunities for peculiar usefulness.

A staff-officer, riding over the field of battle during the Civil War, was attracted by a body lying under a tree, handsomely dressed, with a fancy sword. He removed the covering and looked into the sweetest and handsomest face he had ever seen. It was that of a boy, a temporary aide to some officer. In his pocket was found a Testament in which was written “James Simmons, N. Y. My son, ‘Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth.’” (Eccl. 12:1).

That is it, youth. The best and most profitable time for piety. Jeremiah and John the Baptist loved and worshipped God in their youth. Josiah knew the Lord at eight years of age. Timothy knew the Scriptures and loved Christ from a child. Polycarp accepted Christ at nine, Jonathan Edwards at seven, Isaac Watts at nine, Adam Clarke at four, William Penn at nine, Matthew Henry at eleven, Robert Hall at twelve, Augustus Toplady at sixteen, while Joseph Griggs not only became a Christian very young but wrote the hymn—

“Jesus! and shall it ever be A mortal man ashamed of Thee!”

when but ten years of age.

Some years ago the “Golden Rule” sent letters of inquiry to prominent men of the land asking several questions, one of which was: “At what age did you become a Christian?” It was found on receiving the answers that out of one hundred and forty-nine less than one in ten became Christians later than twenty years of age; twenty-nine were so young that they did not remember; at least sixty-three professed Christ before they were eighteen. Nine-tenths of all saved persons are saved before twenty. “Why this?” you ask. Physiologists say “the cells of the brain change as we grow old until finally there are ruts in them.” Carlyle explains it thus: “In younger years the whole mind is, as it were, fluid, and capable of forming itself into any shape that the owner of the mind pleases. The mind is in fluid state, but it hardens up gradually to the consistency of rock or iron, and you cannot alter the habits of the old man, for as he began he will go on to the last.” To procrastinate in youth is to jeopardize one’s soul in age.

“REMEMBER.”

“Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth,” (Eccl. 12:1) is the most important exhortation of the Old Testament. Remember is just the opposite of forget, and the one to remember is the most exalted and important in the universe, “thy Creator.” Remember His Word and believe it, for the promise is: “He that heareth My Word and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life.” (John 5:24). Remember His work and accept it, for He was made to “sin for us, Who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.” (2 Cor. 5:21). Remember His love and return it, for “herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us,” (1 John 4:10) and “gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16). Remember this Creator now. Only one time is mentioned in the Scriptures at which eternal life is promised. Cowley sang of an “everlasting now,” but there is no such time, and no wise boy desires that there shall be. There is an eternity of the past, an eternity of the future, but “now” is limited to now. “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” (2 Cor. 6:2). And this—

“Opportunity lost, however deplored Is eternity gone and is never restored.”

After the overthrow of the French empire by the Germans, Prince Napoleon joined the English army, and went among the savage tribes of South Africa. One day while with a squad of soldiers outside the camp, he was warned by one of the company, who said: “We had better return. If we don’t hasten we may fall into the hands of the enemy.” “Oh,” said the Prince, “let us stay here ten minutes and drink our coffee.” Before the ten minutes had passed a company of Zulus came upon them and in the skirmish the Prince lost his life. His mother, when informed of the facts, said, “That was his great mistake from boyhood. He never wanted to go to bed at night in time, nor to arise in the morning. He was ever pleading for ten minutes more. On this account I sometimes called him ‘Mr. Ten Minutes.’”

The habit of delay was to him what it is to thousands who pass the tenth, fifteenth and twentieth milestone without accepting Christ, his ruination. Such delay weakens the force of the will, unfits for action when opportunity presents, robs the present and blasts the future.

REASONS FOR BEING A CHRISTIAN IN YOUTH.

“If youth,” as Ruskin said, “is essentially one of formation, edification, instruction,” then is it the proper time to be a Christian, for “There’s never an hour of it but is trembling with destinies, not a moment of which, once past, the appointed work can ever be done again, or the neglected blow struck on cold iron.”

A boy should be a Christian for the sake of safety. As one grows away from boyhood, he grows away from the opportunities for salvation. He is liable to drift. There is a point on Niagara River called “Past Redemption Point,” where the current is too strong for human power to battle against. Manhood and age have no special promise like “they that seek Me early shall find Me.” (Prov. 8:17).

A boy should be a Christian that he may be happy. To properly remember God, to lose oneself in adoration of Him, is to be like Him, to be “holy as He is holy,” (1 Pet. 1:15, 16) consequently it is to be happy as He is happy. Holiness and happiness are inseparable. True love and true joy come together.

A boy should be a Christian to be useful. God’s promise to Abraham was: “I will bless thee, and thou shalt be a blessing.” (Gen. 12:2). When Joseph dwelt in Potiphar’s house, we read: “The Lord blessed the Egyptian’s house, for Joseph’s sake.” (Gen. 39:5). And the boy who loves Christ will be a rich blessing in many ways to others.

A boy should be a Christian because it is right. Right is better than might, and worth more than gold. “In the matter of right,” said Martin Luther, “I will take my stand, I yield to none.” “I’d rather be right than President,” said Henry Clay. The only proper life to live is the Christian life. It is sweet on earth, which makes heaven the sweeter.

My boy, be a Christian. “All men at the head of great movements,” said Mr. Gladstone, “are Christian men. During the many years I was cabinet officer, I was brought into association with sixty master minds, and all but five were Christians.” To be a Christian is the most satisfactory, honorable, influential course to pursue. It gives unspeakable joy in life, peace in death, and glory hereafter. Remember then—

God wants the boys—all kinds of boys— To love Him, serve Him, do His will; He wants those boys that make much noise, And those who keep so very still.

God sent His Son to die for all, And on the cross His blood was shed. No boy need spurn His gracious call Or of the “Bread of Life” be fed.

Then why not to this Christ now flee And on His mercy cast thyself? O hear His words: “Come unto Me,” And answering back, “I yield myself.”