A Castaway, and Other Addresses (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1897 edition. Excerpt: ...your holiest day will seem to be imperfect; you will abhor yourself and repent in dust and ashes, and you will need to say: "Forgive me my debts as I forgive my debtors." SALVATION FROM KNOWN SIN--BUT NOT FROM TEMPTATION. Still, up to the limit of our light God can keep us from known sin. I will say that again: up to the limit of our light--twilight, morning, noon--up to the limit of our light God is able to keep us from all conscious and known sin. But He will not keep us from temptation. You cannot help the devil knocking at the door, but you can help inviting him in to supper. You cannot help the foul vulture flying over your head, but you can help letting him make a nest in your hair. When you live near God you will be most tempted of the devil. Some men seem to think they are not holy because they are tempted. I should not believe in a man's holiness if he were not tempted. When I was at school, the boys used to avoid certain orchards, because they were full of crab apples; and you might know that the apples in those orchards were sour, or the boys would go for them. And if you are not tempted, it shows that your heart is empty and wicked, and NOT WORTH THE DEVIL'S WHILE to spend his time over. When the Spirit of God descended upon Christ He was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil--Spirit= filled, devil=tempted. You ask, why does God let us be tempted? I think it is to show where we are weak; that upon the temptation, as our stepping stone, we may reach out for some of God's help. I would not know how much I needed Christ unless the devil were constantly tempting me. God is working in you. The compunction you feel when you sin, the yearning you feel for a better life, your desire to go to a...