Say, dear friend, how is it? Be thoroughly in earnest. Be assured there is an urgent demand for out-and-out earnestness in this matter. We cannot hide from you the fact that we are painfully conscious of the sad lack of thorough decision amongst us. We have not, with sufficient emphasis or distinctness, "turned from idols." Old habits are retained; former lusts and objects rule the heart. The temper, style, spirit and deportment do not bespeak conversion. We are sadly too like our former selves--too like the openly and confessedly worldly people around us. All this is really terrible. We fear it is a sad hindrance to the progress of the gospel and the salvation of souls. The testimony falls powerless on the ears of those to whom we speak, because we do not seem as though we ourselves really believe what we are talking about. The apostle could not say to us, as he said to his dear Thessalonian converts, "From you sounded out the word of the Lord ... so that we need not to speak anything." There is a want of depth, power and markedness in our conversion. The change is not sufficiently apparent. Even where there is a work, there is a tameness, feebleness and vagueness about it truly deplorable and discouraging. But more of this in our next, if the Lord will. PART V. We are now called to consider what we may term the positive side of the great subject of conversion. We have seen that it is a turning _from_ idols--a turning from all those objects which ruled our hearts and engaged our affections--the vanities and follies, the lusts and pleasures which made up the whole of our existence in the days of our darkness and blindness. It is, as we read in Acts xxvi. 18, a turning _from_ darkness, and from the power of Satan; and, as we read in Gal. i. 4, a turning _from_ this present evil world. But conversion is much more than all this. It would, in one sense, be but a poor thing if it were merely a turning "_from_ sin, the world, and Satan." No doubt it is a signal mercy to be delivered, once and forever, from all the wretchedness and moral degradation of our former life; from the terrible thraldom of the god and prince of this world; from all the hollowness and vanity of a world that lieth in the arms of the wicked one; and from the love and practice of sin--the vile affections which once held sway over us. We cannot be too thankful for all that is included in this side of the question. But, we repeat, there is very much more than this. The heart may feel disposed to inquire, "What have we gotten in lieu of all we have given up? Is Christianity merely a system of negations? If we have broken with the world and self--if we have given up our former pleasures and amusements--if, in short, we have turned our back upon what goes to make up life in this world, what have we instead?" 1 Thessalonians i. 9 furnishes, in one word, the answer to all these inquiries--an answer full, clear, distinct, and comprehensive. Here it is--"Ye turned to GOD."