Download PDF - Free Methodist Church

EXPERIENCEOP MES. LIBBIEDAVENPOET.I enjoy the consciousness ofa soulat peace with God—that integrityboth of heart and life, that enablesme to enjoy his presence and favorin which is fulness of joy. I cannotattend the pubUc means of graceand enjoy communion with God'speople, yet throngh THE EAENESTCHBISTIAN and Free Methodist, Ihave to day received a crumb frommy Master's table, whUe readingthe U'ving testimonies of those whogive the trumpet no " uncertainsound." I have truly felt " Blessedare the people who know the joyfulsound." I am proving that the boltsand bars of circumstances cannotcontrol'• The thought, the freedom of the soul."The most precious and constantmeans of grace, within the reach ofevery child of God (communionwith God), keeps my sotd peacefuland happy amid the storms andtrials of life. I realize it is as mnchmy duty and privilege to Uve a holy,humble, consistent Christian Ufe, asat any time in all the past; andthat the work of grace wUl not bedone tUl I obtain the crown. I haveread of "starvation circuits," butthe land in which I dwell, is" A land of com and wine and oil.Favored witb God's peculiar smileWith every blessing blest."In my Lord, I find boundless resourcesof saving grace.He is made unto me righteousness,sanctification and redemption.I am proving that the effects ofrighteousness are quietness and assuranceforever. 1 am upheld bythe same righteous, omnipotentarms that move the world.. IshaU hold fast the professionof 'my faith •without wavering,EXPEBIBNeB. 21knowing that he is faithful whohas promised. At bome or abroad,in the city or •wUdemess, in sicknessor health, U-ving or dying, anywhere,everywhere and always, 1 am devotedto those principles of truthand righteonsness that were implantedin my soul when the glory of theLord shone round me, and he accomplishedthis work of savinggraee in my souL No toil, no privations,no suffering shaU deter myon'ward progress. The cross •withits reproach and its glory, is minenow. Heaven with its imperishablejoys shall be mine also.THE BIBLE.—Take the Bibleaway, and what a mockery is humanphUosophy! I once met athoughtful scholar who told me thatforyears he had read every bookwhich assailed the reUgion of JesusChrist. He said that he shouldhave become an infidel if it had notbeen for three things :" First, I am a man. I am goingsomewhere. T am to-night, a daynearer the grave than last night.I have read aU that they can tellme. There is not one soUtary rayof Ught upon the darkness. TheyshaU not .take away the only guideand leave me stone blind."Secondly, I had a mother! Isaw her go down into the dark valleywhere I am going, and she leanednpon an unseen arm as calmlyas a child goes to sleep upon thebreast of a mother. I know thatwas not a dream." Thirdly," he said with tears inhis eyes, " I have three motherlessdaughters. They have no protectorbut myself. I would ratherkiU them, tlian leave them in thissinfnl world, if you could blot outfrom it all the teachings of the GospeL—The-Voice.Seek not so much to know thyenemies as thy friends; for where oneman has fallen by foes, a hnndredhave been ruined by acquaintances.—The stars give us a Ught thatis not their own, so do Christiansreflect the light of Jesus who is theLight of the world.