COMMUNION WITH GOD.
By communion with God, I understand an interchange or reciprocal exercise of views and feelings between God and the soul, when, according to his promise, he draws near and manifests himself to those who love him.
This is both a reasonable and intelligible state of mind. Men are so made that they can exchange with each other both views and emotions, and this is essential to the highest degree of love and mutual confidence. And the same is no less true of the relations that exist between men and God. He is a holy Being, and has infinite intellect and emotions; and if emotions exist in us of a corresponding kind, there is a rational basis laid for union with Him, not only in views but in emotions. Hence it is said, "Every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him." And all Christians familiarly speak of this state of mind as involving a sense of the presence of God. It was this state of mind which David desired when he longed, and thirsted, and VOL. VI.