A practical directory for young Christian females : $b being a series of letters from a brother to a younger sisterNewcomb, Harvey
Religion
A practical directory for young Christian females : $b being a series of letters from a brother to a younger sister
Newcomb, Harvey
Christian life; Young women
Self-examination, for this object, should be habitual. In reading the
Bible, in meditation, in hearing the word, wherever you see an evidence
of Christian character, inquire whether you possess it. But this is not
sufficient. You ought frequently to set apart seasons for the solemn and
prayerful consideration of the important question,--"_Am I a
Christian_?" A portion of the Sabbath may be very properly spent in this
way. You should enter upon this work with the solemnities of the
judgment-day before you. The Scriptures furnish abundant matter for
self-examination. Bring the exercises of your heart, and the conduct of
your life, to this unerring standard. You will also find much assistance
in this exercise by the use of the following tracts, published by the
American Tract Society:--No. 21, entitled "A Closet Companion;" No. 146,
entitled "Helps to Self-Examination;" and No. 165, entitled "True and
False Conversions Distinguished;" and likewise from a little work
entitled "Are you a Christian?" by Rev. Hubbard Winslow. You have also
probably noticed several chapters in Doddridge's Rise and Progress,
admirably adapted to this object. I mention these, because it is
advantageous frequently to vary the exercise. The subject of true and
false conversion is continually undergoing discussion; and those who
feel truly anxious to know the foundations upon which they rest will not
fail to avail themselves of every approved treatise on the subject. But,
above all, study the Bible diligently and prayerfully, for the purpose
of ascertaining the genuine marks of saving grace; take time to perform
the work of self-examination thoroughly, bringing to your aid all the
information you can obtain from these sources--varying the exercise, at
different times, that it may not become superficial and formal.
I have also prepared some questions for this purpose, which you will
find below. In these questions, I have not aimed at covering the whole
ground of Christian experience, so much as to bring before the mind, in
connection, some of the most prominent passages of Scripture relating to
the evidences of Christian character. Nor have I taken particular pains
to prevent the questions from involving each other; as we may detect our
deficiencies on the same points the more readily by having them held up
in a variety of views. The chief design of these questions will be lost,
if you do not examine the passages of Scripture referred to. Some of the
traits of character here presented may not be certain evidence of piety;
while, in other cases, a person may be a Christian while possessing the
graces mentioned in a much less _degree_ than they are here represented.
It is not necessary, where time is limited, to go through the whole of
these questions at once; and probably in most cases it will be found
more edifying to take up a portion of them at a time.
AM I A CHRISTIAN?
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