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Show HOW TO DEAL WITH SOULS, BY S. E. WISHARD, D. D. First. Accept the word of God as the voice of God to yourself. The Bible is not simply an old book, with sacred memories clustering about it, bringing us good advice on important subjects. It is infinitely more. It is God's voice to His people. " Thou shall hearken dilligently unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe and do all His commandments, which I command thee this day." Deut. 28; I, 15. Second. Hold yourself to implicit faith in, and obedience to the word of God. " Obey, I beseech thee, the voice of the Lord, which I speak unto thee." Jer. 38; 20. If we do not obey God, we cannot speak with power to souls. Third. Question a soul, rather than exhort. " Elisha said unto her, what shall I do for thee ? Tell me what thou hast in the house." II Kings 4; 2. What J^ave you, and what do you want ? Mere exhorting is random shooting.-Direct questions: (i.) Open the door to confession. (2.) Lead to self-condemnation. (3.) Bring the soul into the conditions of pardon. See I John i; 9. Fourth. Discover how the Holy spirit is wjorking in the mind of the sinner, and work with him. " For we are laborers together with God," (I Cor. 3, 9; II Cor. 6; i ) , and not against God. If God has convicted a soul for one particular sin, do not go to work at some other point, where there is no conviction. Work with God's spirit. The doctors practice to the case. Fifth. As far as possible answer all objections in the very words which the Hoi y Spirit has given. " All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, ler correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." II Tim. 3; 16, 17. God has spoken to every necessity of the soul. His words are the sword of the Spirit. He will honor His own words. Sixth. Treat the following objections as God has treated them. Answer them in t h e words which the Holy Spirit has given. The sinner objects : 1. " I have no need of pardon." God answers : "There is none that doeth good, no not one." Ps. 14; 3. " There is no man that sinneth not." I Kings 8; 46. " The soul that sinneth, it shall die." Ezek. 18; 20. 2. " I do not believe in God." God answers : " The fool hath said in his heart, there is no God." Ps. 14; I. |
