PRESBYTERIAN RALLY.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVI, Issue 13, 21 May 1913, Page 2

PRESBYTERIAN RALLY.

(Contributed.) The weather interfered somewhat with tiie meeting ia the 3t. Andrew’s Hall last evening, but there was a very good attendance. Those in charge of the mission say the attendance has oeen so good that they will continue the meetings until the good weather ■sets in again, sc as to give the people a chance to come out. The subject of the address last evening was, whether one may know chat he is a Christian, or in other words, is assurance of salvation possible? The missioner said he would take as an answer to this enquiry the words of I. John, v. 13, “These things 1 have written unto you, that ye may know that ye have eternal life, even unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God.” “Three things amongst others were,” the preacher declared, “clearly taught in that verse. It was taught that one might have eternal life, that is, he might he a child of God, a Christian. Second, he might know that he had eternal life, that he was a follower of Christ; third, John wrote his epistle that believers in Jesus might have this knowledge, this assurance of salvation. Mr Gladstone had once said that if there he a God the knowledge of tins God, and our relation to Him, must ever constitute the top stone of knowledge. In the midst of an age of wide reading, and extensive knowledge, it was well to remind ourselves that the highest and most vital of all knowledge was to know God, whom to know wak life eternal. It was important, supremely important to give all diligence to make one’s calling and election sure. It was important because too often men were building their religious hope's for the future on a foundation of sand. They were assuming that they were Christians when their lives contradicted the assumption. The Bible was full of warning against false security. Jesus had said in the most solemn words: “Not every one that saith unto me Lord. Lord, shall enter into the* Kingdom of Heavqn.” Two positions were possible: it was 'possible to imagine oneself a Christian when he was not; and, it was possible to be a Christian and not know it. The word of God did. not leave 'the honest seeker for assurance of salvation in a, fog. One might not only know whether lie was a believer but it was his privilege and duty to know. The interests at stake wore so vital and momentous one could not afford to remain in doubt on such a subject. \ SWIMMOLOGY.

As illustrating the importance of this knowledge of the genuineness and reality of one’s Christian experience, the story was told of an eminent scientist who was once visiting the Scottish lakes. He found a boatman named Dqnald to take him for a sail one day' on one of these lakes. As the boat glided peacefully along, the scientist asked Donald if he had ever studied zoology, to which he answered “No.” ‘‘Did you ever study reology?” asked the learned man. **No,” replied the boatman. “Studied astronomy?” asked the savant. “No,”

answered Donald. “Well,” replied the scientist, pitying the boatman, “You have lost half your life.” While Donald was wondering what prodigy of learning he had found he forgot to mind his boat. Just then a squall suddenlys truck the sail and upset the vessel, and threw both occupants into the water. Donald managed to climb up on the side of the boat and called out to the professor, who was struggling in the water: “Say did ever you study swimmology.” “No,” gurgled out the professor. “Well,” said Donald,\“Yoa have lost the whole of your life.” HOW TO GAIN ASSURANCE. But how was one to know this one so supremely important thing, the certainty of his being a Christian? By observing the conditions laid down in the word of God. John wrote his letter to those that “believed on the name of the Son of God,” in other words who trusted Christ for salvation. These conditions are the same to-day as then. Let one trust Jesus Christ as His Saviour with the best knowledge and faith he has; let him turn from his sins, “quit his meanness,” and follow Christ in his everyday walk and conversation, and he will be a Christian, and may know it, and joyfully declare it. In some mysterious, yot unmistakable way the spirit “of God beareth witness with onr spirits,” (when we thus accept Christ as Saviour), “that we are children of God.” This is assurance, a possible, and glad experience _ which too few alas! in these days enjoy.