CONVERTING INFLUENCE.

Query.—CANNOT the sinner, by applying his reason and inclination to the scripture, understand it; and having understood it, does he need to receive aid to appropriate it? In other words, Is any extraneous aid necessary to prepare the mind of a sinner for fully comprehending and appreciating the great truths contained in the word of God, so that they may produce their appropriate fruits? Or, again, Is not the word itself, heard, understood, and obeyed, all that is requisite both to make a man a member of the kingdom of Christ, and to fit him for an abode in heaven? J. R. G.

ANSWER. It is certainly important that the position which the gospel occupies in the work of conversion should be clearly understood. The prevailing error, indeed, of the sectarian community, is to be found here, upon the very threshhold of the divine temple of Christianity, and it has been one of the aims of the present reformation to restore the gospel to its original character, as the power of God to the believer for his salvation. In doing this, however, it is necessary to guard against the error of supposing that either the gospel or the scriptures in general possess an absolute power—an influence wholly independent of extraneous circumstances, or of the inward condition of the mind to which they may be addressed. If this were so, every one to whom the gospel is preached would be converted, as a matter of course-an unavoidable necessity; just as if a die had the absolute power of making an impression upon metal irrespective of its condition as soft or hard, heated or cold, we would find its perfect stamp upon all the pieces subjected to its action. This, however, we know is not the case with a die. The metal must be in a condition suited to its action, else it will receive no impression. Hence the power of the die is relative, since it depends upon the state of the metal on which it acts. Just so it is with seed sown. Its power to grow and bear fruit is relative, and not absolute. The seed has in itself, indeed, a vegetative power; but it is a force in a state of rest, which can be called into activity only when the seed is subjected to the necessary conditions of soil, air, heat, and moisture. This comparison is a scriptural one; and, as employed in the parable of the Sower, precisely illustrates my view of the matter. We have here four different results from the sowing of the good seed of the gospel-yet the seed is the same; the sower is the same; the mode of sowing the same in all. To what, then, is the difference of result owing? Evidently to the differences in the conditions and circumstances of the soil on which the seed fell. It was because the way-side was BEATEN HARD that the seed could not enter; because the soil was STONY that it could not gain sufficient root; because the soil was INFESTED WITH THORNS that its growth was choked; and because the soil was GOOD that it flourished and brought forth fruit. Now the seed did not create the differences in the soil, and had no power to make the soil good or to prepare it for its own reception. The object of this very parable is to show

that the power of the gospel is relative, and that the results of its preaching depend on the state and character of the minds and hearts of those addressed.

It is a matter of familiar observation, that men's minds are really in these different conditions exhibited in the parable. The gospel preached to a congregation will convert a part, and will be rejected by a part. Some of those converted do afterwards fall away, from their own shallowness or the love of the world. We have thus indubitable facts to convince us of the correctness of the view presented in the parable of the Sower, and to show us that it depends upon the state of the mind, when the gospel is presented, what shall be the effect of such presentation. Hence it would be an error to suppose that, in preaching the gospel, we should take no account of the state of men's minds, or that men's minds are all precisely in the same condition, and equally ready and well prepared for the reception of the truthAnd it would be equally an error to imagine that the gospel has the power of putting the mind into a favorable condition, and preparing the heart for its own reception. Yet these would seem to be the confused notions which many entertain upon this subject.

The question is not, Has the word alone, "heard, understood, and obeyed," power to convert men and fit them for heaven? but, Has the word alone power to make itself "heard, understood, and obeyed?" In answer, I need only remark that if we decide this in the affirmative, it will be the fault of the word that all men have not heard, understood, and obeyed. I fully concur with you, however, in the sentiment that when the word is heard, understood, and obeyed, it has power to make a man a member of the kingdom of Christ and to fit him for an abode in heaven; and this because, in faith and obedience, the divine promises are enjoyed; among which we find the remission of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit. I also concur with you, that the sinner can, by applying his reason and inclination to the scriptures, understand the word and appropriate it. In such propositions there is an almost universal affirmative agreement among all parties. The controversy has respect to the means by which the sinner is INDUCED thus to apply his reason and inclination to the word. Why is it that the proclaimed word finds some hearts insensible; some partially sensitive: some surcharged with worldly cares, and some "good and honest"? Luke viii. 15. What has made the latter "good and honest"? Not the word, assuredly; for it is their condition prior to the presentation of the word—a prerequisite or preparation absolutely necessary to the proper reception of the word, and its subsequent successful progress. As respects conversion, now, this is the real question to be considered, and for the discussion of this point, and, as I think, a full and fair examination of the whole subject, I must refer you to my articles on "Converting Influence,” in the fifth and sixth volumes of the second series of the Harbinger, for the years 1841 and 1842. The pieces are signed by some one of the letters composing the name LUKE.

R. R.

NEWS FROM THE CHURCHES.

BETHANY, Va., September 16, 1848. The annual meetings on the Western Reserve, Ohio, for this year, have just closed; and I having been requested to make a report of the results, the following is respectfully presented:

According to the above report, during the past year there were 298 added to the churches; and at the annual meetings, from which I have just returned, there were immersed at Hanover, 7; at Canfield, 40; Bedford, 24 immersed, and 5 reclaimed; Mogadore, 23 immersed, and 4 reclaimed; and at other places, 9, making during the past month an addition to the churches of 112 persons; and during the past year an addition of 410.

I have noticed that where Sunday Schools and Bible Classes are connected with churches, that the cause in that neighborhood prospers, and sinners are converted to the Lord. This is apparent from the above report. On this subject I desire to say much; but time and space will not permit. In the bonds of love, yours in Christ,

W. F. M. ARNY.

OBITUARY.

Dorrel, King William, Va., September 16, 1848. Dear brother Coleman-This is truly a house of mourning: our beloved brother and sister, Thomas Dabney and Mary E. Dabney, have been suddenly bereft of their promising son-JAMES A. DABNEY, aged 14

years.

On Saturday evening, the 26th of August, he got permission of his father to go a-gunning; and while in the woods the gun accidentally discharged, and the load entering his left eye, killed him instantly. It seems that he was standing on a log, and in the act of getting down he put the breech of the gun on the ground, and the jar caused the cap to explode. There was an individual with him, who was standing at some distance, and saw him fall. His father and brother were near, but before they could reach the spot life was extinct. James was one amongst the promising boys of my acquaintance; naturally possessed of a most affectionate and generous disposition, and that disposition greatly improved by the religious example and training of pious parents. Morning and evening he read the scriptures, and was instructed in them. Within a few weeks he had committed to memory John's gospel, with other portions of scripture. He was literally trained up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, and his thoughts and feelings ran in that channel. Like Timothy, he was blessed with a pious mother, (whose piety is every where spoken of,) who had taught him the holy scriptures from a child, and whose supreme desire was not only to train him, but all under her care, for heaven. He was a favorite with all who knew himgreatly beloved by his relatives, and dear to his fond parents. Being possessed of superior mind and fond of study, they justly indulged the hope that he would be eminently useful in coming years. But, alas! their fondest hopes are blasted in a moment. Such an affliction is heart-rending when it comes in the ordinary way and the mind somewhat prepared; but to be thus suddenly bereft, is superlatively severe. It came upon them like a thief in the night; and how unspeakable was the anguish of his fond mother when the fatal tidings fell upon her ear, and when that son, on whom so many hopes had clustered, was brought home a mangled and lifeless corpse! Oh! it is fearful thus to be stricken down, and our hopes and hearts crushed in a moment! How uncertain are all earthly joys, and how

soon can the strongest and tenderest ties be severed! Truly, this is a world of sorrow, and "sighs might sooner fail than cause to sigh." "Our roses grow on thorns, and our honey wears a sting."

In the very moment when happiness, like a gentle cloud, is hovering around this beloved family, does this unseen tempest burst upon them, and sweep away their joy. May they submissively bow before it, and under the shadow of the wings of the Almighty, may they flee for refuge! May the Lord sustain them, and may they say with Eli of old, "It is the Lord: let him do what seemeth to him goed;" or with Job, when bereft of his possessions and children, "The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord!" When the Lord afflicts, he sustains us under that affliction. Our Father is too kind to wound and not heal; to afflict us and forsake us in an hour when we need most his sustaining hand: and if sorrows abound, the tenderness and sympathy of our High Priest superabounds; and while he lives the afflicted child of God will find sympathy and relief. "Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivereth him out of them all." God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in time of trouble; and may they with David "sing of mercy and of judgment." Our afflictions are momentary: our pilgrimage is short: our separations are temporary. If faithful, we shall soon arrive at our Father's house where no separation or sorrow is known

No hidden grief,

No wild and cheerless visions of despair;
No vain petition for a swift relief;

No tearful eye, no broken hearts are there.
No parted friends

O'er mournful recollections have to weep;
No bed of death enduring love attends

To watch the coming of a pulseless sleep.

May the God of all consolation and comfort sustain them in this hour of affliction, and enable them to bear it with resignation and Christian fortitude. If the sympathy of friends could heal the wound it be more than healed. Nothing but the gentle hand of time, and the still more gentle influence of our holy religion, can heal it. May the Lord be with them and strengthen them with might by his Spirit in the inner man, is the prayer of their sympathizing brother.

Yours in hope,

R. Y. HENLEY.

Dear brother Campbell—Wɛ have to record the death of sister ELIZA WITHERS, the wife of brother W. A. Withers, of Cynthiana, Ky., in the 42d year of her age. She was the daughter of brother Achilles Perrin, of Lincoln county, where she had gone on a visit of love to her aged parents, and where, after an illness of twenty-one days, she departed this life on the 29th of July. It was a source of deep grief that brother Withers was confined to a severe attack of fever; but when the severe indisposition of his wife was communicated to him, though unable to walk without assistance, he started for Lincoln county with his family physician. When he reached the house, sister Withers was silent in death. She had died about fifteen minutes before. It was a time of agony to a husband whose love and respect for his wife knew no bounds. She was his life and soul. Sister Withers was one of the most intellectual, pious, benevolent, and dignified ladies I have ever known. I had the pleasure, some eight years past, of inducting her and her husband into the kingdom of the Redeemer. It was a most interesting time; indeed, it was one of the happiest meetings I ever held. It was on Lord's day, and the congregation was unusually large. After the discourse brother Withers offered his arm to his wife, and they came forward under circumstances the most thrilling. They have proved true, faithful, and devoted ever since. They had been married near twenty-six years. She was kind, confiding, and affectionate. She was a