Sivut kuvina
PDF
ePub

its thrones and potentates, their dignities and splendors, fade before it like the shadows of the night before the rising sun. But it is a theme too vast for mortal tongue, a vision too bright for human eyes."

Here Theophilus paused for a few moments, absorbed in con

and benevolence displayed in the redemption of man.

are created for an eternity of happiness or misery, deriving from nature a propensity to evil and aversion from good, with an incapacity in themselves to will or to do any thing pleasing to God! But the gracious Father of mankind has not placed his children in a state of remediless misery, he has not imposed ob-templation of the divine wisdom ligations upon them which cannot be discharged; and though we cannot save ourselves, he has "Such (continuing his disprovided a salvation for us. Pe- course) is the glorious hope ruse the volume of eternal life, which God in Christ has revealwhich has been given for our in-ed to us; it is no fiction of the formation; there the mystery of imagination, but rests upon the the redemption of man, which immutable promise of the cterhuman imagination could never nal word, by whom the world have conceived, is plainly reveal-was made. He calls upon all ed. Ruined by sin, man must men to accept it, and prescribes have perished for ever, if the the indispensible conditions of Son of God had not descended repentance and faith. Believe from heaven and made atone- and be saved; but faith, let it ment for the sins of the world. be remembered, must ever be He has borne the burthen of our shewn in love to him evinced by iniquities, and the gates of im- obedience to his commandments mortality are no longer barred against us. Through faith in him we have access to the man-sant. sions of heavenly bliss, for he is the way, and the truth, and the life. But we cannot enter them with the pollutions of carnal desires and appetites, with earthly passions and affections; our de-him; who refuse to believe in sires must first be spiritualized, their Saviour. Strive, my dear our affections sanctified, our na- Edward, to escape it, whilst yet tures must undergo a purifica- the hour of grace is given to you. tion, we must become new crea- The first step towards religion ture before we are meet to be is a deep, humiliating conviction partakers of the inheritance of that you are a sinner, and as the saints in light; for this pur- such, an offence to a holy God, pose a sanctifier is no less offer- whose eyes are purer than to ed to man than a Redeemer, behold iniquity; this will lead who sheds his purifying influ-you to the consideration how ence upon those who devoutly you are to escape his wrath, and implore it, in the name of Jesus. to the interposing mercy of Thus redeemed and sanctified Christ. May the divine grace what a scene of glory opens to impress this conviction deeply our view. The earth with all on your heart; implore it in the

[ocr errors]

that love which will make the duty of obedience easy and plea

"But the same Jesus has also declared this alarming truth, that there is a state of endless misery for those who reject the gracious offers of God through

to relieve my mind from despondency, earnestly inculcated the duty of benefiting by the grace of God, which through his means had been offered to me, as well as the danger of reject

name of Jesus; put up your pe-
titions also for understanding to
comprehend the great mystery
of redemption through a cruci-
fied Saviour, for repentance and
faith; and I will offer up mine
that the Holy Spirit may pouring it.
down upon you his illumination,
and by his sanctifying influence
renew you in that righteousness
and holiness without which no
man shall see the Lord."

The tears fell from his eyes as he concluded, and mine had bedewed my cheeks whilst he was speaking. He strained me to his bosom with an affectionate embrace, and we separated for the night.

You will anticipate the conclusion of my narrative: my invaluable friend, who, by the blessing of God, sowed the seed of the word in my heart, never ceased to water it and promote its growth. We daily read the scriptures together, he shewed me the connection between the Old and New Testament, pointed out the most remarkable prophecies which had been completed, particularly those relat

difficult passages, and noticed others as affording important subjects for meditation, and he read the sublime strains of devotion in the scriptures with a rapturous animation that seemed almost inspired.

I was too much affected by his discourse to enjoy much re-ing to the Messiah; explained pose, and although my mind was in some degree prepared for its impression, it excited a variety of ideas which I had never before, or imperfectly, entertained. "If this be true, in what condition am I? Have I not lived without God in the world? a mere conformist to the practice of religion, without any knowledge of its spirit? What would become of my soul, if God this night should require it of me?" Such amongst many others were the reflections which occurred to me. I felt a desire to pray, as well as the necessity of prayer, but I could scarcely utter more than repeated ejaculations. In the morning, though dejected, I was somewhat more composed, and I then confessed my sins to God, and implored his pardon in the name of Christ, with a devotion which I had never before felt. I made no hesitation in communicating all my emotions to Theophilus; he rejoiced to perceive them, and whilst he endeavored

[ocr errors]

How different do I now appear to myself from what I was when I entered the house of Theophilus. I look back with horror to many scenes of my life, which I used to retrace with complacency; and I feel more satisfaction from this contrition than I ever derived from that dissipation in which I formerly thought myself happy. Under a deep and humiliating sense of the iniquities of my past life, I take a delight in spiritual meditations, which, six months ago, I was incapable of conceiving. I look with trembling hope for pardon and redemption, thro' the atonement of a crucified Saviour; and whilst, in humble dependance on the assistance of divine grace, I endeavor to work out my salvation with fear and

us.

This last week has placed Theophilus in a new point of view. He has been confined to his room for the first time of his life, with a most painful disorder which scarcely allows him sleep or repose. But his tem

per has suffered no alteration; placid, patient, and submissive, he bears the severity of disease without a múrinur, and leaves the event to him with whom are the issues of life and death.There are intervals in which the fervor of devotion suspends the

expatiates on the ineffable love and mercy of God, as revealed in Jesus, the animation of his countenance bespeaks not only gratitude but all the joy of hope.

trembling, I feel a joy and peace in believing, unknown before. Such, Sir, is my present state, for which, by the blessing of God, I am indebted to TheophilThis narrative, if it have no other effect, will exemplify the great importance of a conformity between external manners and internal rectitude. If, instead of appearing to me as he did, I had found my friend reserved, formal, and precise; if he had not won my esteem by the kindness and urbanity of his deportment; in short if Chris-intensity of pain; and when he tianity in him had not appeared as amiable as his profession of it was sincere, though I might have respected his virtues, if I could have discovered them, I should, probably, have left his house after a few days residence in it with the same mind with which I entered it. But I would not be understood, by any thing I have said, to depreciate from the worth of those plain, simple, unpolished characters, who bear the rich jewels of Christian faith and love in an unseemly casket. The religion of Christ is, doubtless, made for the poor and un-and returning yesterday from the educated, as well as for the rich and polite. Its proper effect, however, in all is to produce that genuine politeness of manner which consits in affability, Kindness, courtesy, and condescension; and although many are debarred from acquiring the easy and graceful manners, and the external polish of Theophilus, yet the Christian humility and the Christian love, which give to these their intrinsic value, are equally attainable by all who are truly religious, and ought to be uniformly exhibited in their conduct and conversation.

You will ask, Sir, what are my feelings on this trying occasion: I know not how to describe the mixed sensations of grief, anxiety, admiration, fear, and affection; they are best expressed by my fervent prayers to God for his recovery. The crowd of anxious enquirers, which surrounds his house, shews how extensively he is beloved;

Church, the humid eyes, desponding faces and unsuppressed sighs of his friends and neighbors, who explored my looks with penetrating anxiety, affected my heart in a manner which I cannot describe. He is now somewhat recovered, and we have a fair prospect of his restoration to health. I tremble, however, whilst I write; but would say, Thy will, O God, be done.

ASIATICUS.

ANECDOTE.

The Robber disarmed by Charity.

A PIOUS Lady of Montpellier, who devoted the greater

been denied relief when I have sought it of you; and I was now upon the point of injuring you! Ah! believe me, my good lady, I did not know you, or I should not have molested you; for though I have given you but too great a proof that I am a robber, yet I am not a monster,

part of her property to the relief of objects in distress, one day passing through a little wood, accompanied by her servant, was stopped by a man who presented a pistol to her, demanding her money or her life. The good lady, without being terrified, looked on him with an air of kindness, and said, "Ah! my-which I must be to injure a friend, you must be reduced to great extremity, since you are determined to take a part which both draws on you the wrath of God, and exposes you continually to all the rigors of human justice. I wish I had wherewith to supply your wants, and extricate you from the dangerous situation in which you are; but I have, alas! only eighteen franks, which I had taken for my journey, and I offer you them with all my heart." The high wayman looking upon her attentively, before he would take the money, wished to know who she was; and when she told him, 'Wretch that I am,' said he, throwing himself at her feet, I have many times experienced your bounty, and have never

person so charitable as you are. Go on then, keep your money, and I will myself escort you out of the wood; and if any one come to attack you, I will defend you, at the hazard of my life.' The lady was exceedingly affected, and endeavored to represent to him his danger, and to urge motives of honor and religion, to induce him to quit so dreadful a way of life, and promising to do more for him another time, she again offered him the eighten franks; but knowing she wanted them for her journey, he would not accept them; till at last, she prevailed on him to take nine of them, which she threw to him on going out of the wood.

[ocr errors][merged small]

July 31: Widow Bishop, of Norfolk,

Sundry individuals in New Preston Society,
Washington,

Aug. 15. A Friend of Missions

[blocks in formation]

$1.19

88.

[blocks in formation]

ONE method taken by Free-holiness, not false accusers, hot

thinkers, to render people indifferent about the peculiar doctrines of the gospel, or their opposite, is, to speak of them as mere speculative opinions, which men may hold or reject, consistently with being equally good, useful and happy. But I trust, that from a careful attention to the nature of things, and to the experience of mankind, it will appear, that the opinions which men hold, or the things which they receive for truth, have great influence on their tempers and conduct. And if we consult the scriptures, we shall find, that great stress is laid on the truth, or sound doctrine; as an important and necessary means of piety and virtue.

|

given to much wine, teachers of good things; that they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. Young men likewise exhort to be soberminded.”

Sound doctrine, then, în Paul's estimation, is of great importance for promoting sobriety, gravity, temperance, &c; and therefore the preachers of the gospel should be careful to speak those things, and those only, which become it, which are implied in it and agreeable to it, and calculated to illustrate its

An idea of this kind is sug-nature and tendency; and to gested by Paul's charge to Ti- recommend and enforce the betus, in connection with the fol- lief and reception of it, and a lowing words, recorded in Tit. temper and conduct agreeable ii. 16. "But speak thou the to it. VOL. VI. No. 4.

Q

« EdellinenJatka »