Profane Use of Scripture.
“I cannot forbear to warn the reader against the profane practice of jesting on the Scriptures, or of introducing any of the stories or expressions which occur in them, to enliven conversation, and excite the laughter of the company. To hear jests of this nature uttered by an infidel would not surprise us; but how must every pious person be shocked when they proceed from the mouth of a professed friend of revelation! The wit which consists in an unseasonable application of the Scriptures, is not of difficult attainment, as is evident from this consideration, that it is within the reach of almost any person who chooses to display it. The language of the sacred books occurs without an effort; and when applied to some unexpected subject, it has a ludicrous effect, by the grotesque mixture of majesty and meanness, of what is solemn, and what is familiar or trifling. Such wit, a man of taste will despise for its vulgarity; and a good man will abhor for its profaneness. If there be jestings which are not convenient, those which have divine things for their subject are without dispute among the number. A habitual belief of the presence of God would make us afraid to sport with His words. That jest would better be spared which, while it contributes to the amusement of irreligious companions, provokes the indignation of heaven, and exposes the jester to a punishment which will make him serious and sad for ever.”—(From The Watchword, 1867.)
Female Preachers.
There is much rage for novelty at present. The Apostles commanded the gospel to be committed to “faithful men who should be able to teach others also,” but not a word of women. Women have a most important and useful sphere of Christian duty, but it is not in the pulpit. Christ employed women, but had no female apostles; and Paul would “not suffer a woman to teach.” One of those wandering, preaching women lately came to a worthy minister and requested his pulpit. When refused, she said she was compelled to preach by love to Christ and could not refrain. The minister replied, “True love is the fulfilling of the law, but your love is the breaking of the law.”—(From The Watchword, 1867.)
Mr. Josiah Welsh and Victory.
“Mr. Josiah Welsh, son of the famous Mr. John Welsh, was provided, about 1626, of the Lord to bring the covenant of grace to the people at Six-Mile Water, on whom Mr. James Glendinning, formerly minister there, had wrought some legal convictions. After preaching some time at Oldstane, he was settled minister at Templepatrick, North of Ireland, where he had many seals of his ministry. He was much exercised in his own spirit, and, therefore, much of his preaching was on exercise of conscience. After he was deposed by the Bishop of Down, he continued for a time preaching in his own house; and his auditory being large, he stood in a door looking toward a garden, that he might be heard without as well as within, by which means he, being of a weak constitution, with faulty lungs, contracted cold, which occasioned death, about the year 1634 (23rd June). I was with him on his death-bed, and found that he wanted not continued exercise of mind. One time he cried out, ‘Oh, for hypocrisy!’ On which Mr. Blair said, ‘See how Satan is nibbling at his heels before he enter into glory.’ A very little before he died, I being at prayer before his bedside, and the word Victory coming out in some expression of mine, he took hold of my hand, and desiring me to forbear a little, he clapped both his hands together, and cried out, ‘Victory, victory, victory, for evermore!’ and then desired me to go on. Within a little after he expired.’—(Livingstone’s Characteristics, chapter 3.)