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GEUS FBOM CECIL.
GEMS FBOM CECIL. of repose, but I have now long since
learned to turn unto Thee. 'TeU me,
THE direct cause of a Christian's O Thou whom my soul loveth, where
spiritual life is union with Christ. All Thou feedest, where Thou makest thy
attention to the mere circumstantials flocks to rest at noon 1"'
of religion has a tendency to draw the
soul away from this union. Few men TEUE grace is a growing principle.
except ministers are called, by the nature
of thefr sf^tiou, to enter much into child may play with a serpent, but the
The Christian grows in discernmeaJt; a
these cfrcumstantials: such, for instance,
as the evidences ofthe truth of child may taste poison, but the map
man gets as far froni it as he can; a
religion. Ministers feel this deadening will not suffer a speck of poison near
effect of any considerable or continued him. He grows in humility; the blade
attention to externals; much more shoots up boldly, and the young ear
must private Christians. The head keeps erect with confidence; but the
may be strengthened tiU the heart is fuU corn in tbe ear inclines itself toward
the earth, not because it is fee­
starved. Some private Christians, however,
may be caUed on, by the nature bler, but because it is matured. He
of those cfrcles in which they move, to grows in strength: the new wine ferments
and frets; but the old wine ac­
be qualified to meet and refute the objections
which may be urged against quires a body and firmness.
religion. Such men, as weU as ministers,
while they are furnishing themselves
for this purpose, must acquiesce their religion requires from them, with
CHRISTIANS are too little aware what
in the work which God appoints for regard to their wishes. When we wish
them, with prayer and watchfulness.— things to be otherwise than they are,
If they cannot always live and abide we lose sight of tbe great practical
close to the ark, and the pot of manna, parts of the life of godliness. We
and the cherubim, and the mercy-seat; wish, and wish, when, if we have done
yet they are drawing the water and all that lies on us, we should fall quietly
gathering the wood necessary for the into the hands of God. Such wishing
serrice of the camp. But let their cuts the very sinews of our privileges
hearts stiU turn toward the place where and consolations. You are leaving me
the Glory resideth.
TBE Christian's fellowship with God
is rather a habit than a rapture. He is
» pilgrim, who has the habit of looking
forward to the light before him ; he has
the habit of not looking back; he has
the habit of walking steadily in the
^aj, whatever be the weather, and
whatever the road. These are his habits;
and the Lord of the way is his
gnide, protector, friend, and felicity.
As the Christians exigencies arise, he
li«s a spiritual habit of turning to God,
md saying, with the Church," 'Tell me,
0 Thou whom my soul loveth, where
Hiou feedest, where Thou makest thy
flocks to rest at noon ?' I have tried
to find rest elsewhere. I have fled to
welters which held out great promise
for a time, and you say you wish you
could leave me better, or leave me
with some assistance; but if it is right
for you to go, it is right for me to meet
what lies on me, without a wish that I
had less to meet, or were better »blo
to meet it.
ATFLICTION has a tendency, if IfMg
continued, to generate a kind of .despondency
and iU-temper ; and spiritual
incapacity is closely connected •wijth
pain and sickness. The spirit of prayer
does not necessarUy come vrith affliction.
If this be not poured out upon
the man, he wiU, like a wounded beast,
skulk to his den and growl there.
THE world wiU allow of a vehemeace
approaching to exstacy, on almost any
occasion but that which, above all others,
will justify- it.
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