Obrazy na stronie
PDF
ePub
[ocr errors]

laborers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth.

If a man at his own table, as is not uncommon, should pray God to supply those who are destitute of the mercies, by him and his family enjoyed; the words of such a prayer would be good. But if the man should contribute nothing to the relief of the poor; his prayer would avail no more than the cold com. fort administered by him who dismisses the poor with good words only. "If a brother or sister" saith the apostle, "be naked, and destitute of daily food, and one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled: notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit ?" Let Christians think of the angel's testimony in behalf of Cornelius, the devout Centurion; "Thy prayer and thine alms are come up for a me. morial before God."

If a Christian should pray, as Christ has directed, "Thy king dom come," this is nothing more nor less, than praying for the prevalence of true religion. But what avails such prayers, if we practically oppose true religion, or even use no endeavors to promote it.

Finally, in a word, if we separate prayer from the spirit and temper of mind, which the duty requires, and also from corresponding practice, what will it be but solemn mockery? It is in iquity, even the solemn meeting. And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from

you, yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear; your hands are full of blood.

JUSTUS.

THE DOCTRINE OF THE CROSS. A SCRAP.

As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up; that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

[ocr errors]

How absurd, to imagine that the form of a serpent in brass, elevated upon a pole will prove an antidote to the deadly venom of these fiery serpents! How foolish, to believe that barely looking upon this artificial serpent will affect the cure of those who were bitten! How repugnant to reason! How repugnant to common sense!'-Such, or similar to these, might have been the exclamations of the proud and pretendedly philosophic in the Hebrew camp. And such, or similar to these, have been the exclamations, actually uttered by men, doting on their own reason, in modern times. has been thus also in regard to the doctrine of the cross. In the early days of the gospel, ❝ Christ crucified was to the Jews a stumbling block, and to the Greeks foolishness;" and in all succeeding ages, it has been the standing jest, the scorn, and derision of vain pretenders to philosophy, and vaunters in the all sufficiency of human reason. But never more than in the present age, was the doctrine of salvation by faith alone in the cru

It

eified Son of God, branded as foolish and absurd, nay, as im. pious and blasphemous.

But however foolish to the wise men of this world the method of cure might seem, however repugnant to the proud decisions of human reason and philosophy; still, every humble and believing Israelite, who, when bitten, look ed to the serpent of brass, lived. So likewise, though the preaching of the cross be "unto them that perish foolishness;" it is nevertheless, "unto every one that believeth, the power of God unto salvation." After all their pretensions then, to superior wisdom and philosophy, after all their disdainful sneers at the doctrine of the cross, and at the humble believers in the crucified Im

manuel; with what egregious folly and madness are they really chargeable, who, through the wantonness of pride and self. conceit, "reject the counsel of God against themselves." Had any of the Israelites, vainly trusting in human skill and scorning a method of cure, so humbling to human reason, refused, when bitten, to look to the serpent of brass, and therefore died ; not all their fine and plausible reasonings and objections, not all their par. ade of wisdom and philosophy, not all their points of wit or strokes of sarcasm, could have saved them from the infamy of fools or madmen. The fool. ishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stron ger than men."

66

SELECTIONS.

[blocks in formation]
[ocr errors]

"Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings, hast thou ordained strength' "Children" cried "in the temple, Hosannah, to the son of David."

"I love them who love me, and they who seek me early shall find me."

"THEY brought young chil. dren to" Christ, when he was on earth" that he should touch them ; and his disciples rebuked those that brought them. But when Jesus saw it he was much displeased, and said unto them -Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not; for of such is the kingdom of God-Verily, I say

unto you-Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God, as a little child, he shall not enter therein. And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them." The scriptures, by little children, mean all who are under age, as well as infants on the breast

the "Olive Plants," arising about a good man's table, "The heri tage of the Lord," which the parent is bound to cultivate and to improve.

"Suffer the little children, to come to me."-Some of them were of the same tender age, as the thousands in Nineveh, who could not discern their right hand from their left-These he took into his arms; others of them being more advanced, were led forward

[ocr errors]

by their friends, and introduced into his presence-upon those he put his hands and blessed them. Both were welcome to Jesus, and engaged his attention and regard.

Since Christ has removed to the invisible world, the command"suffer the little children to Come to me," suggests ideas somewhat different, although in effect the same, which receive various modifications, according to the progress made in life, until that limit be passed which marks the term, by which child. hood is prescribed.

Let the infant be devoted to the divine mercy and care.Christ the unspeakable gift of God, is the Savior of the child, and of the parent; both have been considered in the covenant of grace, and provision has been made for the renovation and happiness of both; of this baptism is an expressive emblem. When a parent gives himself first to God, and then his child, this solemn act becomes highly benefieial—the parent hereby renews his own profession of faith and obedience, and lends his child, as Samuel was lent, all the days of his life, to the Lord.

By Baptism, children are initiated to Christ's family-By a religious education, they are formed to the dispositions and conduct, becoming in the high and honorable station which they fill. Let them be brought up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, which inelude, the one, all the branches of discipline-the other, all the branches of instruction. Is fol. ly bound up in the heart of a child? the rod of correction must drive it from him. Is man born like a wild ass's colt? Deficient

in every kind of knowledge and improvement. By the greatest care and patience, must he be instructed and improved. Discipline roots out the noxious weed.-Instruction nourishes the useful plant. Instruction without Discipline, is throwing seed on ground where the pernicious weed is permitted to grow luxu. riant and Discipline without Instruction is as ineffectual; it may root out the weed, but it endangers the grain.-Let the sons of Abraham instruct their children with authority and care, they shall receive pleasure in them, for Christ loves those who in their youth, are brought up in his service, and marks, them out for future honor.

This world is a nursery, where seeds are sown, and plants are raised, but they are brought to maturity in other ground-when our children whom we devoted to God; over whom we watched; whose instruction and improvement we anxiously studied; when such are cut off in youth, what shall we conclude?—That our labor has been in vain, and our hopes all disappointed. By no means-Let us rather concludethat our labor has been effectual, and our hopes completely realiz. ed. The plant is removed from this nursery, where our expectations from it might all have been blasted, to the paradise of God above, where it flourishes, and shall for ever flourish, in the highest maturity.

Of such is the kingdom of God,"-remarkable assurance.— It means such as these belong to Christ's kingdom on earth, and are the heirs of heaven, Their simple and modest appear. ance, their meck and innocent

conduct, their teachable temper and indifference to the things of life, are worthy of imitation; nay destitute of a character in which these qualities principally prevail, you are none of Christ's disciples but the expression seems immediately to intimate, that into the kingdom of heaven these children themselves are received. Christ views them with delight, as osiers which are easi. ly bent; as wax susceptible of any impression, and he has left it in charge with parents to give the osier the proper bend, the wax a good impression. The directions on this subject are plain, urgent, and express, repeated again and again, in the holy scriptures when followed, the parent may be assured of the approbation of his Savior, who will reward his obedience, the reward sometimes is-The child is taken from him-The world has a thousand charms adapted to the corrupt inclinations natural to us all. Some minds from their Constitution are more exposed than others. It may be in pity to mankind in general, and perhaps in some instances, it may be the reward of the diligence, and answer of the prayer of the pious parent, for the welfare of the child-that such a proportion of the human race are cut off in early life. But be this as it will-since children are capable of being members of Christ's kingdom on earth, and afterwards of admission into the heavenly kingdom, let parents do every thing in their power to prepare them for heaven-and let them rejoice when their Savior is pleased to take them to himself.

That children are capable of

religious impressions, and some. times give evidence of a disposi tion and conduct, which the spirit of Jesus alone could in. spire, appears to me plain from the affecting narrative, which has suggested these reflections, and will I hope be read with in. terest and advantage.

THE NARRATIVE.

CHARLOTTE LENOX, was a daughter of Robert Lenox, Esq. of New-York. The family are numerous and promising-and enjoy advantages which few enjoy. The manner in which the Lord's day is improved by all its members I state with pleasure, not doubting but to this, under the blessing of God, may be as. cribed the religious impressions which have supported some of them in the most trying moments. The family assemble in the morning to hear the word read, and to join in prayer. Public worship during both parts of the day is regularly attended. The evening hours are sacred to in struction at home. Private dities are not absorbed in public duties, each has its time, which in pleasing succession, dispose the mind for serious impressions, and render them deep and lasting. A day thus spent is happiness beyond what the sensualist cau boast, and it is attended with an enriching blessing. Thus happy was the family of my friend, when I saw them. They were all in health, and tasted the do mestic cup overflowing with good.

A few short weeks and a bitter cup went round. ethea," a young lady of eighteen, whom none saw without being pleased; with whom nose con

Tersed without being charmed; whose amiable manners conciliated the affection of all; was the boast of her parents, but her days were numbered. She took her leave of mortal things, and left her friends in tears, her parents in an agony of grief.

Afflictions seldom come alone, the wound inflicted by this stroke still bled, when the heart receiv. ed a new wound from a stroke equally heavy, and equally severe. Such the steps of provi. dence, they are wise, although to us a great deep. Joseph is Bot, and must Benjamin also be taken from me? Should nature agonize, faith acknowledges, that the Judge of all has done right.

That our sufferings are not singular, although it cannot throw off the burthen, yet it may ease its weight. The reverend Dr. Hunter, of London, looked round on a family he had raised with care, and beheld them filing with honor and ability, stations of usefulness and profit in different paris of the world, he reaped the fruit of many painful hours, when that fruit grateful to a parent, as the fruit of paradise, was suddenly destroyed. One son died in the East, and another in the West-Indies; a third died at home; a daughter also, the joy of his heart, at the moment too of her entering life with the fairest prospects, fol. lowed her brothers to the tomb. These events succeeded in quick succession.

The thunder roared in repeated peals. A firm mind was shak. en, and knawed with grief, but it bowed in silence, having learn. ed of Job to say, "Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him," and of a greater than Job, "The VOL. II. New Series.

cup my father giveth me, shall I not drink it: Not my will, thine be done."

The little Charlotte had entwined herself by a thousand charms round the heart. Her disposition was sedate and thoughtful, beyond what at her time of life, is usual. A famil iar anecdote gives insight into her character. Some time ago I was supping with the family when the family were alone. The conversation was cheerful, but innocent. The children took their part; it was indeed feast of love. Alethea, described a party of pleasure, many of them had shone in sprightliness and gaiety, one of them, whose distinction was not of this kind, was pleasingly but with perfect innocence, spoken of by Alethea, who concluded a striking picture, declaring with a smile, "For all the world she is like our Char. lotte." The characteristic of the child is marked, in this anecdote with a strong hand. Frioolous and showy traits attract the inconsiderate, but traits, in which solidity and thoughtfulness appear, stamp a value on the character.

What may be expected of a child twelve years old? Little generally may be expected, and little is realized; but the present instance is an exception. The child was sick unto death. She was a child indeed, but her words and conduct were the words and conduct of mature years, and of a mind exercised to godliness. Take them from the pen of a sister, and their father has assured me that "the description is not by any means high colored."

"She appeared to have seri. 2Q

« PoprzedniaDalej »