Billeder på siden
PDF
ePub

knows how to comfort you, and how to sanctify you in the deep affliction. You may weep. It is nature's only relief. But do not murmur. Repine not. Wish not that what God hath done had not been done, or had been differently done. It is all right, good, wise, perfect. Be submissive. Yea more, be cheerful. Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." Be it sufficient that the Father's will hath been done, and let his name be glorified.

[ocr errors]

ANECDOTES OF THE REV. DR NETTLETON. A CHRISTIAN minister can possess no talent more enviable than that of skill in stopping the mouths of gainsayers, and in speaking a word in season to all with whom he may meet. This talent Dr Nettleton, the eminent American minister, possessed in a very high degree.

Being accosted by a Universalist, who wished to engage in a discussion on the doctrine of eternal punishment, he replied, "I will not enter into any dispute with you at present; but I should be pleased to have you to state to me your views, that I may have them to think of." The man accordingly informed him, that in his opinion mankind received all their punishment in this life, and that all would be happy after death. Dr Nettleton then asked him to explain certain passages of Scripture, such as the account of the judgment in the twenty-fifth of Matthew, and some others, merely suggesting difficulties for him to solve, without calling in question any of his positions. After taxing his ingenuity for some time in this way, and thus giving him opportunity to perceive the difficulty of reconciling his doctrine with the language of inspiration, he said to him, "You believe, I presume, the account given by Moses of the deluge, and of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah?" 66 Certainly," he replied. "It seems, then," said Dr Nettleton, "that the world became exceedingly corrupt, and God determined to destroy it by a deluge of water. He revealed his purpose to Noah, and directed him to prepare an ark in which he and his family might be saved. Noah believed God, and prepared the ark. Meanwhile he was a preacher of righteousness. He warned the wicked around him of their danger, and exhorted them to prepare to meet their God. But his warnings were disregarded. They, doubtless, flattered themselves that God was too good a being thus to destroy his creatures. But notwithstanding their unbelief, the flood came, and, if your doctrine is true, swept them all up to heaven. And what became of Noah, that faithful servant of God? He was tossed to and fro on the waters, and was doomed to trials and sufferings for three hundred and fifty years longer in this evil world; whereas, if he had been wicked enough, he might have gone to heaven with the rest. "And there were the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, which had become so corrupt that God determined to destroy them by a tempest of fire, He revealed his purpose to Lot, and directed him and his family to make their escape. 'And Lot went

[ocr errors]

out, and spake to his sons-in-law, saying, Up, get ye out of this place, for the Lord will destroy this city. But he seemed as one that mocked to his sons-in-law.' They did not believe that such a doom was impending. They doubtless flattered themselves that God was too good a being to burn up his creatures. But no sooner had Lot made his escape, than it rained fire and brimstone from the Lord out of heaven, and they all, it seems, ascended to heaven in a chariot of fire; while pious Lot was left to wander in the mountains, and to suffer many grievous afflictions in this vale of tears; whereas, if he had been wicked enough, he might have gone to heaven with the rest." After making this statement, he requested the man to reflect on these things, and bade him an affectionate farewell.

A YOUNG lady, who was under concern of mind, said to him, "I certainly do desire to be a Christian. I desire to be holy. I would give all the world to have an interest in Christ." He replied, "What you say will not bear examination. If you really desire religion for what it is, there is nothing to hinder you from possessing it. I can make a representation which will show you your heart, if you are willing to see it." "I am," said she. "It will look very bad," said he; "but if you are willing to see it, I will make the representation. Suppose you were a young lady of fortune; and suppose a certain young man should desire to obtain your fortune, and should, for that reason, conclude to pay his addresses to you. But he does not happen to be pleased with your person. He does not love you, but hates you. And suppose he should come to you and say, 'I really wish I could love you, but I do not. I would give all the world if I could love you, but I cannot-what would you think of that young man?"

·

A PERSON once said in his presence, that to inculcate upon sinners their dependence on God for a new heart, is suited to discourage effort, and to lead them to sit down in despair. He replied, "The very reverse of this is true. Suppose a number of men are locked up in a room, playing cards. Some person informs them that the roof of the building is on fire, and that they must make their escape, or they will perish in the flames. Says one of them, 'We need not be in haste, we shall have time to finish the game. But,' says the person who gave the alarm, 'your door is locked. No matter for that,' he replies; 'I have the key in my pocket, and can open it at any moment.' But I tell you that the key will not open the door. Won't it?' he exclaims; and,' rising from the table, flies to the door, and exerts himself to the utmost to open it. So sinners, while they believe there is no difficulty in securing their salvation at any moment, quiet their consciences, and silence their fears. But when they are taught that' such is the wickedness of their hearts, that they will never repent unless God interposes by his regenerating grace, they are alarmed, and begin to inquire, in deep distress, what they shall do to be saved."

[ocr errors]

A CAVILLER once asked this excellent minister, "How came I by my wicked heart?" "That," he

HAVE I A SOUL? WHAT THEN?

replied, "is a question which does not concern you
so much as another, namely, how you shall get rid of
it. You have a wicked heart, which renders you
entirely unfit for the kingdom of God; and you must
have a new heart, or you cannot be saved; and the
question which now most deeply concerns you is, how
you shall obtain it." "But," said the man, "I wish
you to tell me how I came by my wicked heart."
I shall not," replied Dr Nettleton, "do that at
present; for if I could do it to your entire satisfac-
tion, it would not in the least help you towards ob-
taining a new heart. The great thing for which I
am solicitous is, that you should become a new crea-
ture, and be prepared for heaven." As the man
manifested no wish to hear any thing on that subject,
but still pressed the question how he came by his
wicked heart, Dr Nettleton told him that his condi-
tion resembled that of a man who is drowning, while
his friends are attempting to save his life. As he rises
to the surface of the water, he exclaims, "How came
I here?" "That question," says one of his friends,
"does not concern you now. Take hold of this rope," |
"But how came I here?" he asks again. "I shall
not stop to answer that question now," replies his
friend. "Then I'll drown," says the infatuated man,
and, spurning all proffered aid, sinks to the bottom.

A PARCEL of gay young persons got up a ball in a neighbourhood in which Dr Nettleton had been preaching with great success, and, for the amusement of themselves and others, inserted the reverend gentleman's name at the head of the list of managers. The company assembled at the time appointed. About the hour for commencing the dance, Dr Nettleton made his appearance, and observed to the company that he perceived, from the tickets that had been issued, that he had been appointed a manager, and therefore he proposed to open the services with prayer. He then offered up a very affecting prayer for the thoughtless group; which was blessed of God to the conviction of a number of those present, several of whom afterwards professed conversion, united with the church, and were never afterwards found within the walls of a ball-room. This anecdote we believe to be true. The circumstances were narrated to us in Virginia, while Dr Nettleton was labouring in the county in which we then resided.

DEMEANOUR IN CHURCH. THE devotions of a congregation, as of an individual, should be uninterrupted by any unnecessary or unusual noise or bustle. "When thou prayest," said the Saviour, "enter into thy closet." And a congregation should enter the house of prayer with the same desire of retirement from the thoughts and cares and interests of the world, with which a single Christian seeks the privacy of his own apartment. The feelings and thoughts should be schooled to quiet awe and a devotional spirit. Every person should move as one desirous not to disturb or attract the eyes and ears of his neighbour. He should feel the awe of the patriarch for a place set apart for the duties of religion,

357

and address himself entirely to the duties which have brought him to the church.

In order to these good effects and influences, it is desirable, first, that all churches should be so constructed as to minister to quiet. No jarring nor rattling doors and seats should be suffered by the builder, or those who have the house in charge. And these requisites to quiet being secured, the worshippers should each remember the injunction, "Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God." All should strive to be punctual in attendance, endeavouring rather to be earlier than the hour, than to suffer themselves, by delay, to disturb the devotion of others. It is a great assistant to devotion when one can reach the pew, and settle himself in solemn quiet before the time for service-that he may " commune with his own heart and be still." The cares of this world too often intrench upon the Sabbath. The bustle of preparation for going to church, even in the best regulated households, must, more or less, interfere with the perfect stillness and rest which is desirable, which seems indeed to be an element in the air of the Sabbath. These adverse influences can be overcome, and the mind schooled to its better and holier duties, if a few minutes' rest and thought and silent prayer are obtained before the services commence. A morning of worry, and haste, and bustle is not a propitious training for worship. Early rising and early repairing to the house of God, all possible preparation having been made upon the day before, will comfort and tranquillize the soul, and enable it to "receive with meekness the engrafted word."

Children should be very early impressed with proper feelings of awe and respect for religious services, whenever and wherever held, whether in public or in the family circle. All lightness and irreverence should be promptly but kindly checked; and they should feel that it is a matter of great importance that prayer should be offered. Formalism and mechanical worship tend almost as much to teach disrespect, as the absence of all attention to worship does. Our children in these, as in all other respects, will follow our examples.

If they find us hurrying to church at the last hour, as a matter of business, they will be certain to take the infection; and thus habits may be early formed which a lifetime perhaps will not wholly eradicate. Familiarity with sacred themes and places offers many temptations which we cannot too carefully guard against; for indifference to externals even may beget irreverence; and that temper of mind once formed, the "first work" is to be done over again. Man is prone to extremes. The spirit of the present generation is to run from the superstition of the past to a spirit in the opposite direction, almost if not quite as dangerous. Let, then, parents and Sunday school teachers not be unmindful even of small things in the demeanour and bearing of the children in their charge.-Episcopal Recorder.

HAVE I A SOUL? WHAT THEN? YES, indeed, I have. The value of the soul no tongue can describe. It is eternal, and must spend an eter

nity either in a world of glory or in the region of darkness!

If my soul be so infinitely precious, ought I not to make it my first care? True, I am placed in an ensnaring world; I am surrounded by cares, difficulties, and business; I have my daily duties to perform, everyday crosses to encounter; but let nothing stand in the way of my first care, MY SOUL!

The health of my body depends upon the beat of my heart. If that is in fault, the life-stream is affected, circulation grows languid, and a chilling sensation is feit throughout my frame.

And so does my spiritual health depend upon the state of my soul ! It my good Physician be not continually resorted to for the Holy Spirit's quickening powers, very soon all within will be in a languishing and dying state. It is from God alone that I can receive wisdom, support, and direction, for all that lies before me. My Saviour has opened a fountain for all ny guilt, and all my weakness. If I fail to drink argely from such a fountain, all that I do will be one nass of confusion. Instead of peace, I shall have tisquietude; every little circumstance will seem filled with difficulties; unexpected duties will be met with gitation; my mind will be as a troubled sea, my temper will be irritable, and all pleasure in my business will cease to exist.

I know that the proper measurement of time depends upon the correct ticking of my watch. Should the mainspring be out of repair, or broken, I cannot expect the wheels to perform their daily round of luty. If I neglect to wind up my timepiece, I cannot blame its mechanism because it ceases to tick. My soul is like this mainspring. Let me, then, beore I enter on my daily duties, repair to that throne of grace, where I shall find a willing and powerful and ready to renew me day by day.

Let me first secure the peace which Jesus gives; let me first feed my own soul with spiritual strength ind grace; then how differently shall I spend my lays! "I will go in the strength of my Lord God." The most trifling annoyance I will receive as from is hand, and my peaceful manner, my quiet spirit, ny subdued temperament, will cause my household o acknowledge, that "religion's ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace."

But let me never feel satisfied that I am feeding others while my own soul is starving. I must beware of Satan's devices. Often, alas! does he lull the Christian to sleep with regard to his own spiritual growth, while he is active enough in cultivating the vineyards of others. My friends see me thus busily employed for my Lord, and think all is right, and commend me. But perhaps my Master above “sees that my own heart is a waste howling wilder

[blocks in formation]

afterwards died under the tortures inflicted for his crime; James the Second was killed by the bursting of a cannon; James the Third, when flying from the field of battle, was thrown from his horse, and murdered in a cottage into which he had been carried for assistance, his own son being engaged against his father in the battle; James the Fourth was killed in battle at Flodden-Field; James the Fifth died of grief and mortification for the defeat of his army at Solway Moss-a defeat arising from the treachery and disaffection of his nobility; Henry Stuart was murdered, while his palace was destroyed by the explosion of gunpowder; Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots, was beheaded in England by the orders of her rival Elizabeth; James the Sixth of Scotland, and first of England, died not without suspicion of poison by the Duke of Buckingham; Charles the First was beheaded at Whitehall; Charles the Second, for many years, was a wanderer on the Continent; James the Second was driven from his kingdom, and died in the habit of a monk; and his family, in their attempts to recover possession of the British empire, discovered such infatuation, both in counsel and in action, that one of their sincere friends, in leaying the Pretender, said, "What can your family have done, thus to excite the judgment of God?"

COMPANIONSHIP OF THE WICKED.

O YE who have been seduced from the society of the good, look from the borders of that pit into which you are plunging, back to the gates of life. Say, are you willing to forego the pleasures of eter nal glory, for those sordid enjoyments which only end in disappointment, and are followed, in your moments of reflection, by many a pang? Say, are you willing to take up your abode in the dungeon of despair, when you might walk beneath the light which beams from the throne of God? Say, is not the company with whom you associate, such as, if there is a hell, will lead you thither, and overwhelm you in that sea of trouble from which there is no deliverance? By the influence of your companions, when the voice of conscience disturbs you, it is soon fled. You resort to your pleasures, and drown the clamours within your breasts in noisy mirth. You fall asleep in your sin, and dream of happiness here, but put off the considerations of hereafter. It is an easy matter, with such consciences as you possess, to imagine that the wrath of God, because it is delayed, will never arrive. While surrounded by companions, you can paint before your imagination the delight of sin, and bury in a momentary oblivion the anguish which it must eventually afford. You can laugh at the salutary fears of piety, and commit those deeds of darkness to which your wicked hearts may prompt. And all this may serve as an opiate to lull you to repose. But,

"Say, dreamers of gay dreams, How will you weather an eternal night Where such expedients fail ?"

REV. DR WITHERSPOON. THE Rev. Dr Witherspoon, formerly president of Princeton College, was once on board a packet ship, where, among other passengers, was a professed

A FAITHFUL MINISTER.

atheist. This unhappy man was very fond of troubling every one with his peculiar belief, and of broaching the subject as often as he could get any one to listen to him. He did not believe in a God and a future state, not he! By-and-by there came on a terrible storm, and the prospect was that all would be drowned. There was much consternation on board, but no one was so greatly frightened as the professed atheist. In this extremity, he sought out the clergyman, and found him in the cabin, calm and collected, in the midst of danger, and thus addressed him: "O Dr Witherspoon! Dr Witherspoon ! we're all going; we have but a short time to stay. O how the vessel rocks! we're all going; don't you think we are, doctor?" The doctor turned to him with a solemn look, and replied in broad Scotch, "Nae doubt, nae doubt, man; we're a' ganging; but you and I dinna gang the same way." The poor man was speechless; and the worthy doctor, who had not said much before, then took the opportunity of setting before him the guilt and folly of his conduct.

STOOP! STOOP!

DR FRANKLIN once received a very useful lesson from the excellent Dr Cotton Mather, which he thus relates in a letter to his son:

[ocr errors]

"The last time I saw your father was in 1724. On taking my leave, he showed me a shorter way out of the house, by a narrow passage which was crossed by a beam overhead. We were still talking as I withdrew, he accompanying me behind, and I turning towards him, when he said hastily, Stoop, stoop!' I did not understand him till I felt my head hit against the beam. He was a man who never missed an opportunity of giving instruction; and upon this he said to me, You are young, and have the world before you; learn to stoop as you go through it, and you will avoid many hard thumps.' This advice, thus beat into my head, has frequently been of use to me; and I often think of it when I see pride mortified, and misfortune brought upon people by their carrying their heads too high"

[ocr errors]
[merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors]

"THE teacher in his closet!" What precious thoughts this little title suggests. "Enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly." Delightful promise!

O brother, sister, Christian fellow-labourer! whoever thou art that readest these words, take courage; let not thine heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. Thy Father seeth thee; he waiteth to receive thy prayer. Enter into thy closet; shut out the world and worldly thoughts; pour forth thy sorrows, and doubt not that thou shall be comforted.

359

light thyself in the Lord, and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart."' Is thy learning greatthine intellect powerful ?-then great is thy need of the closet. Beware lest thou depend upon thyself; lean not on thine own understanding. Enter into thy closet; forget thy learning, thy intellect; and lowly kneeling at the throne of grace, prefer thy prayer for deep humility.

Art thou disheartened because thou labourest

much, and seest no fruit? Be not disheartened; it is God's work, and in due time thou shalt reap if thou faint not.

It may be, thou hast not sought a blessing from that source whence only thou hast a right to expect it.

Hast thou entered into thy closet, and prayed to the Lord of the harvest to bless the seed thou hast seed spring up and bear fruit? sown? No! Then how canst thou expect to see the Yes. Then let patience have her perfect work; fear not, in his own good time God will bless thy labour which proceedeth of love.

MAGNETISM OF FAITH.

I HAVE observed at sea, and it is often noticed by mariners, that in the beginning of bad weather, before the storm was fairly set in and fixed in its course, the needle in the compass-box was considerably affected, and there was unusual oscillation, probably through the changing or disturbance of the atmosphere's electric forces. But after the gale was fairly formed or at its height, the needle became true to its polarity. In like manner is it with a mind under trial that has been once thoroughly imbued by the larity impressed upon it, making it to turn always grace of God, so as to have the law of Divine poto the pole-star of Bethlehem. Though ordinarily true to her pole, it is seldom or never that the Christian can at once repress the flutter and agitation of nature, control or understand its deviations, collect his energies, and repose calmly on God. It is seldom that faith, taken by surprise, does at once steady the soul, and lift a man clear above hostile infirmities and fears. Although it be true that, when once affected by the love of God, the soul does always point upwards by strong attraction, as the compassneedle to the north, yet, like that same needle, sudgive it time to recover its balance, and, its oscillations denly acted upon by a disturbing force, you must done, to fasten upon the central point of rest.

We have known God's dear children sometimes, when calamities came suddenly in prospect, when huge billows seemed ready to go over them, and a black cloud of sorrows was about to burst upon their heads, at first trembling and anxious, swinging a little with trepidation to this side and that of the central point of rest. But as the trial became more distinctly defined, the cloud's lightning began to flash, and its big drop to fall, the palpitating heart would be still, the vibrations of the will would cease, faith gather strength, and the eye of the soul be upturned and fastened on a faithful God, and its hand grasp firmly the promises, which neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, can ever loosen.-H. T. Cheever.

Are thy abilities small? and dost thou fear that A FAITHFUL STEWARD. thou art of no use? Remember that the work of PROFESSORS of religion have never yet felt as they conversion is the Lord's. Thou art but his instru- should do that their property is the Lord's, given to ment; a weak one it may be, but he maketh the weakness of man to work mighty things. them to sustain his cause. Ask of Hence they talk about him, and he will give thee understanding. "De-giving their property for the support of the gospel;

as though the cause of the Lord Jesus were to be supported as an act of alms-giving. A merchant in a large town was in the habit of paying a large part of his pastor's salary. One of the members of the church was relating the fact to a minister from a distance, 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; suppose you employ a clerk to sell goods, and a schoolmaster to teach your children, and you order your clerk to pay your schoolmaster out of the store such an amount for his services in teaching. Now, suppose your clerk gave out that he bad to pay this schoolmaster his salary, and should speak of the sacrifices that he was making to do it, what would you say to this?" "Why," said the merchant, "I should say it was ridiculous." "Well," said the minister, "God employs you to sell goods as his clerk, and your minister he employs to teach his children, and requires you to pay the salary out of the income of that store. Now, do you call this your sacrifice, and say that you are making a great sacrifice to pay this minister's salary? No; you are just as much bound to sell goods for God, as he is to preach for him."

COLDNESS IN RELIGION.

COLDNESS is a far more dangerous extreme than too much heat. The one may consist with real goodness, nay, may be the consequence of real goodness, commixing with a perturbed imagination, or an ill-formed judgment. But coldness can be resolved only into an absolute want of feeling. Enthusiasm is excess, but coldness is want of vitality. The enthusiast, in a moral respect, is insane, which implies a possibility of recovery, and a partial recurrence of reason; but the cold person is like an idiot, in whom reason never shows itself, and in whom convalescence is desperate. Professors of Christianity, members of churches, ponder gravely this solemn thought-Are you lukewarm, cold or hot?-Anon.

EVERYDAY HINTS.

MATTHEW HENRY, in his Life of his father the Rev. Philip Henry, says, "I have heard him often blame those whose irregular zeal in the profession of religion makes them to neglect their worldly business, and let the house drop through, the affairs of which the good man will order with discretion;' and he would tell sometimes of a religious woman whose fault it was-how she was convinced of it by means of an intelligent, godly neighbour, who, coming into the house, and finding the good woman, far in the day, in her closet, and the house sadly neglected, children not tended, servants not minded, 'What!' said he, is there no fear of God in this house?' which much startled and affected the good woman that overheard him. He would often say, every thing is beautiful in its season: and that it is the wisdom of the prudent so to order the duties of their general callings as Christians, and those of their particular callings in the world, as that they may not clash or interfere. I have heard it observed, from Eccles. vii. 16, that there may be overdoing in welldoing."

[ocr errors]

THE YEAR.

WE may consider the year before us as a desk containing three hundred and sixty-five letters addressed to us, one for every day, announcing its trials and prescribing its employments, with an order to open daily no letter but the letter for the day. Now we may be strongly tempted to unseal beforehand some of the remainder. This, however, would serve only to embarrass us, while we should violate the rule which our owner and master has laid down for us: "Take therefore no thought for the morrow, for the morrow shall take thought of the things for itself."—Jay.

CANONS OF PRAYER.

Ir is evident that all the provision needed for the supply of our wants has been made by our heavenly Father. Christ Jesus has made full atonement for All things are ready-the provision is ample, and yet our sirs, and purchased the gift of the Holy Spirit. it is true, that nothing of importance is bestowed but in answer to prayer. What, then, are some of the things to be regarded as among the conditions of prevailing prayer.

1st Canon: "Ilf I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me."

2d, "When ye stand praying, if ye have aught against any, forgive."

3d, "When thou bringest thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath aught against thee; leave there thy gift before the altar, go thy way, and first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift."

4th, "If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you."

5th," Ask in faith. All things whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive. He that cometh unto God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him."

PRAY AND THRIVE.

THE REV. Mr Carter, a Puritan divine, was once in company with a poor man, who complained of the hardships of his condition, saying-" Mr Carter, what will become of me? I work hard and fare hard, and yet I cannot thrive." The reply of Mr Carter was, "You still want one thing; you must work hard, and fare hard, and pray hard, and then you will be sure to thrive."

HOW TO SPOIL A CHILD.

ABOVE all mistakes, is that of supposing that the better nature of a child is to be drawn out and raised into strength, which we should desire to see in the man, by making him pass through a cold and cheerless youth. A system of petty restraints, of priva tions, of severe looks, and incessant chiding, only results in depraving the feelings, and perverting the reason of a young person. He is, under such circumstances, entirely out of harmony with nature. He is like a flower, which requires light and warmth, placed in a cellar, where it can never acquire its proper proportions, colour, or vigour. It is quite impossible that a child so treated can ever attain the proper characteristic of a well-constituted man or

woman.

« ForrigeFortsæt »