Rules for Godly Living by Brownlow North

In April 1959, my father the Rev John J Murray produced a little magazine called Eternal Truth.  For the next two years he produced it by-monthly until he went to work for the Banner of Truth and became editor of the Banner of Truth Magazine.  I am very hopeful to republish the bound copies of the magazine as a tribute to my Dad at some point but in the meantime I hope to put some of the articles from the magazines on my blog. 

The following is from the first edition in April 1959 and had the original title of 'Some Good Rules' by Brownlow North.  Used mightily by God, Brownlow North (1810 - 1875) lived a reckless life but was wonderfully converted during a card game after a violent seizure.  God used him during the 1859 Ulster Revival.  There is a longer account of Brownlow North's life and ministry in the Evangelical Times here.

1. Never neglect daily private prayer; and when you pray, remember that God is present, and that He hears your prayers (Hebrews 11 v 6).
2. Never neglect daily private Bible reading: and, when you read, remember that God is speaking to you, and that you are to believe and act upon what He says.  I believe all back-sliding begins with the neglect of these two rules (John 5 v 39).
3. Never let a day pass without trying to do something for Jesus.  Every night reflect on what Jesus has done for you, and then ask yourself, What am I doing for him (Matthew 5 vv 13-16).
4. If ever you are in doubt as to a thing being right or wrong, go to your room, and kneel down and ask God's blessing upon it (Colossions 3 v 17).  If you cannot do this, it is wrong (Romans 14 v 23).
5. Never take your Christianity from Christians, or argue that because such and such people do so and so, therefore you may (2 Corinthians 10 v 12).  You are to ask yourself, 'How would Christ act in my place?' and strive to follow Him (John 10 v 27).
6. Never believe what you feel if it contradicts God's Word.  Ask yourself, 'Can what I feel be true, if God's word is true?' and if both cannot be true, believe God's Word, and make your own heart a liar (Romans 3 v 4; John 5 vv 10-11).