Life and Labors of Elder John Kline, the Martyr Missionary: Collated from his Diary by Benjamin FunkKline, John
Religion
Life and Labors of Elder John Kline, the Martyr Missionary: Collated from his Diary by Benjamin Funk
Kline, John
Kline, John, 1797-1864
SATURDAY, July 17, he says: Take a walk over some of the surrounding
eminences with preacher Henry Brown of Harrisonburg, Virginia. Mr.
Brown is a very sociable and pleasant man to be with. Whilst we differ
on a good many points of Christian doctrine, we can still walk and
talk together sociably; and I enjoy his company very much. It would be
pleasant to believe, did the Scriptures warrant the conclusion, that
all the differences which mark the divisions of Christians here will
melt away in love and be forgotten there. Of one thing I am sure: No
one will ever have a just right to boast of his own goodness, or lay
claim to preferment on the score of his own obedience. "When ye," says
our Savior, "have done all these things that were commanded you, say,
We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which it was our duty
to do." Whilst it is true that the Presbyterians are zealous advocates
of education and moral improvement, and as a people exhibit in their
daily lives many Christian virtues and graces, still I fear they are
occupying dangerous ground by rejecting some of the plain commands of
our Lord Jesus. "If the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the
disobedient appear?" I know of no righteousness but that of obedient
faith, or, as Paul puts it, the righteousness of faith that works or
obeys from love, and in this way purifies the heart. A hungering and
thirsting after this righteousness
"Gives exercise to faith and love;
Brings every blessing from above."
If this dear Christian friend is in darkness as to the nature of
obedience and its blessed fruits, himself misled and misleading
others, I pray that the scales may drop from his eyes, that he may see
clearly the whole truth which God has placed in the line of our duty
to do and teach.
SUNDAY, July 18. Friend Henry Brown preached to-day. He is a very
clear and pleasant talker. In his discourse, however, he made me think
of some beautiful birds that hop over what they do not wish to touch,
and take hold gracefully of what they are pleased to alight upon.
THURSDAY, August 12. This day Brother Kline moved back home. He says:
Anna much improved in health. The season at the Springs has been quite
pleasant, with the exception of atmospheric dampness from the
abundance of rain we had while there.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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