8 Sermon Illustrations on Consecration

Bring forth every thing separately, — yourself, your family, your reputation, your property; relinquish all claim, and surrender the whole to God, to use and to enjoy them only as he directs, and with reference to his glory; never to withdraw what you solemnly covenant shall be only his.

— Dr. R. S. Foster

I recollect a story, told by one heathen of another, in the following terms, — Eudamidas, a citizen of Corinth, died in poverty; but having two wealthy friends, Arctæus and Charixenus, he left behind him the following testament: In virtue of this my last will, I bequeath to Arctæus my aged mother, to be taken home to his house, and supported for the remainder of her life; to Charixenus I bequeath my daughter, to be portioned and honorably fitted out by him to the best of his ability. In the event, however, of either of the two dying, my will is, that the survivor shall supply the place of the deceased. This testament occasioned much mirth and laughter. The two legatees, however, were pleased with the testimony it gave of the confidence reposed in them by their departed friend; and as, in the course of a few days, Charixenus departed this life, Arctæus undertook the double trust, and affectionately executed it. If heathens, then, thus trusted, and showed themselves so faithful to each other, even after their decease, why should not I cherish a far greater confidence in the most faithful of all friends, my beloved Master, Jesus? I hereby, therefore, nominate him my sole heir, bequeathing and consigning to him, first my soul, and next my children, sisters, blood-relations, and acquaintances, that he may adopt, protect, keep, and provide for them by his mighty power unto salvation. The whole residue of the estate which I leave behind me in the world shall be intrusted to his holy counsel and will, that he may do and deal with it as he lists, to the advancement of his glory, and the salvation of those I leave behind. Gotthold.

An incident is related of a missionary, and a proud and powerful Indian chief. The chief was convicted of sin. Trembling under a sense of guilt, he approached the missionary, and profited his belt of wampum, to be freed from his crushing fears. "No," said the missionary, "Christ cannot accept such a sacrifice." The Indian departed, but soon returned, offering his rifle, and the skins he had taken in hunting. "No," was the reply: "Christ cannot accept such a sacrifice." Again the Indian went away, but soon returned once more with a troubled conscience, and offered his wigwam, wife, child, every thing, for peace and pardon. "No," was still the reply: "Christ cannot accept such a sacrifice." The chief seemed oppressed with surprise for a moment; then, lifting up tearful eyes to the face of the missionary, he feelingly cried out, "Here, Lord, take poor Indian too."

A merchant in one of the towns of the State of New York, says Mr. Finney, was paying a large part of his minister's salary. One of the members of the church was relating the fact to a minister from abroad, and speaking of the sacrifice which this merchant was making. At this moment the merchant came in. "Brother," said the minister, "you are a merchant. I suppose you employ a clerk to the prizes. This was accordingly done, to the astonishment of all France.

# 99. Conscientiousness. Want of.