No End to Christian Progress.

No. VII. TO MR. M—.

The summit of Christian attainment may never be reached in timePaul not perfect in attainment-He professes perfection, and in what sense-A state of perfection requiring progression urgedChristian, not Adamic perfection, the object-It already belongs to man as soon as the conditions upon which it is offered are met.

MY DEAR CHRISTIAN BROTHER,-In view of the ad monition, "Go on unto perfection," you inquire, "Should I go steadily onward, how soon may I expect to arrive at a state of perfection? And when I arrive at this point, will not the summit of Christian attainment be reached ?" Permit me to answer your latter inquiry first, and it will enable me more readily to meet the former.

The summit of Christian attainment reached? No, not in eternity itself, with receptive powers still growing, while immortality endures, will the attainments in love, knowledge, light, and power, which have been made possible through the atonement, be grasped. Paul says, "Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: . but this one thing I do: forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."

Christian Perfection requires Progress.

It is evident, as you perceive, on Scriptural authority, that a state of perfection which will not admit higher degrees is not to be expected. But that a state of perfection is attainable is most evident, and is proven upon the same premises. The apostle, in continuation of what I have already quoted, goes on to say, "Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded;" including, as you observe, both himself and a part of those addressed as being in a state of perfection. I am the more particular in speaking of this subject, because it is not uncommon for those who oppose the doctrine of Christian perfection to refer to this passage.

Just the state of perfection aimed at in these passages (Phil. iii, 8-15) is what I would now urge upon you: that is, a state of perfection which requires progression-a state which could not even be retained, without obedience to "this one thing-forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forth unto those things which are before." The perfection to which your attention is urged, does not imply perfection in knowledge or light, but a state of supreme love to God, where all the powers of body and mind are perfectly subject to love's control, and ceaselessly offered up to God through Christ. This is Christian perfection; not angelic perfection, neither Adamic perfection, but Christian perfection. To think disparagingly of Christian perfection, implies, to my mind, think

Unbelief Sinful.

Question answered.

ing lightly of the atonement. To undervalue the efficacy of the blood of Christ to cleanse is sinful. And it would be sinful to doubt whether the offering presented to God, through Christ, is holy and acceptable.

What you need, in order to bring you into this state, is an offering up of yourself through this purifying medium. Now do you still ask, How soon may I expect to arrive at this state of perfection? Just so soon as you come believingly, and make the required sacrifice, it will be done unto you according to your faith. Christ came to take away our sin, to destroy the works of the devil, and to purge us from all iniquity. The purpose of man's redemption is not accomplished until he is presented perfect in Christ Jesus. When the Saviour said, "It is finished!" then this full salvation was wrought out for you. All that remains is for you to come complying with the conditions, and claim it. As it has been purchased for you, it is already yours. If you do not now receive it, the delay will not be on the part of God, but wholly with yourself.

Yours, truly.

Privilege of the Young Convert.

No. VIII. TO MR. M

Inquiries relative to the length of time intervening between a state of justification and entire sanctification-Mr. Wesley's views on the subject-How backslidings might be less frequent-Another inquiry from my Hicksite friend-Unreasonable not to be holyHow unholy professors encourage skepticism-The case of a young man whose friends were professing Christians-Salvation from all sin may be obtained now-How a housekeeper obtained it.

DEAR BROTHER M- "But do not persons generally wait months, and even years, after justification, before they are brought into this state of entire sanctification?" Mr. Wesley, in speaking on this subject, says, "This we know: but we know likewise, that God may, with man's good leave, 'cut short his work' in whatever degree he pleases, and do the work of many years in a moment. He does so in many instances."

If believers from the hour of their justification, with all the ardor of early unquenched love, should walk after the Spirit, how soon would they be ushered into the highway of holiness! Would that this duty were simplified, and urged with point and power upon young professors! Then would backslidings in heart and life be far less frequent. If the way is so plain, that wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein, young converts surely may be brought to understand it. The truth is, the difficulties are not attributable to the intricacies of the subject, but to the want of

Conversation.

Sanctification.

What is it?

simplicity. We do not need great powers of mind to reach it, but deep humility of spirit to come down to it.

I am again reminded of my Hicksite friend. In continuation of the conversation referred to when I first wrote you, she asked another question, almost as important in bearing as her first inquiry, which will illustrate what I would say on the moAs soon as I had anmentous subject before us. swered her first question, "What is faith?" she said, "I have heard you speak of sanctification, and now I should love to have you explain that to me." My mind for a moment recoiled, and I thought, She does not yet understand the principles of the doctrine of Christ, and now, how can she be brought to understand the deeper things of God? I looked to the Lord to help me to simplify the matter, and then said,

If you should purchase an article from me, you would expect to have it whole, entire, just as you "Yes." bought it, would you not ?"

"If I should keep back any part, it would be "Yes." unreasonable, would it not ?"

Well, the Bible says, 'Ye are not your own, ye are bought with a price, therefore glorify God in your body and spirit, which are God's.' Now, when we acknowledge the claim which God has upon us by the right of redemption, and set ourselves wholly apart for his service, he sets the seal