Earlier text: FLAVEL'S TOUCHSTONEPartiality is the order of this world, but the wisdom that is from above is without partiality. Christians should be like their Lord, with whom there is no respect of persons. They should be impartial among themselves, and impartial towards the world. Impartiality does not consist in esteeming the good and the bad alike; but in esteeming all in accordance with their true character, without respect of persons in regard to wealth, popularity, numbers, profession, or any external circumstance. It has been a custom among the different sects professing christianity, for the older, more popular, and more corrupt, to treat with contempt and ridicule the younger, humbler and purer sects—purer while little and persecuted—and to sneer them down by giving them some nickname, such, for example, as Methodist Christ-ian, Campbellite, &c. But as each taunted and slandered sect becomes of age, and takes rank with the older and more popular sects, they seem to forget the treatment they have received in their infancy, and join in a crusade against every rising sect, opposing with the greatest zeal such as have Bible truths which come in contact with their creeds. But we, brethren in the present truth, must look upon sects with impartiality. Nothing should be said or done to create a prejudice against any, or to favor any already existing. On the other hand no respect should be paid to any on account of their standing with a more popular sect. It is our business to seek for the jewels of the Lord, wherever they may be scattered, and to treat all sects alike in a kind and courteous manner. Let us take an example or two. Here is a moral well-disposed man, but he is called a Universalist. His creed, we know, is wrong, like all other creeds of human origin. There are a great many wicked men that profess that creed, and so we can say of the other creeds. Shall we not treat him with all the courtesy with which we treat others of equal morality professing a different creed? Perhaps he may have been driven into his present position by the popular errors of natural immortality and endless torments. Shall we despise him while we esteem the other? And here is a poor deluded Spiritualist, caught in the snare of Satan's last deception, and in the broad road to destruction. But perhaps he is innocent and ignorant of the great transgressions into which Spiritualism is leading its followers. Perhaps he has been charmed into this delusion with the pleasing idea of holding converse with the loved and the lost. And having the foundation of Spiritualism laid in all his early religious training, in the doctrine of the consciousness of departed spirits, he is well prepared to take another step in “progression,” and this has made him a Spiritualist. Now shall we contemn this person, while we treat those popular sectaries, who hold fast the foundation of Spiritualism in all their creeds, with respect and courtesy? Nay verily. But we will treat them all of every sect with christian courtesy—all whose moral character entitles them to a respectable standing among men. Some have been recovered from this snare of the enemy by turning their attention to Bible truth; and others may be. And certainly it can do no harm to treat the most wicked with kindness and forbearance. Now if I have written these few lines “without partiality,” it will not be denied that, in this respect, I have done well. If otherwise, I hope by the grace of God to do better in the future for it is my earnest desire to “do nothing by partiality.”
R. F. C. Patience in Waiting for Christ
Moses went up into the mount to commune with God. He was absent from his people forty days. That forty days was too much for the patience of the fickle Israelites. The solemn impressions which they must have received from the sublime scenes they had witnessed around Sinai, as God with an audible voice proclaimed in their ears his holy law, could not last them forty days. Before that time had expired, they were effaced from their hearts. Before that time expired their patience was exhausted. They revolted. They forgot the majesty of God. With an infatuated incredulity they gave Moses to the winds, saying that they wot not what was become of him. They erected the golden calf, and worshiped it as the God that had brought them up from the land of Egypt. Could they have given a little more weight to the things they had just experienced, and to that added a little larger share of patience, they might have been saved from their apostasy. So it seems the church has need of patience at the present day. Our Mediator has entered within the second vail into audience so to speak, with God the Father. He has gone thither to cleanse the Sanctuary, blot out the sins of his people and receive his kingdom and his subjects. Let us not lose sight of him or his work. Let not your patience exhaust by exercise, nor your belief grow unsettled, your faith waver, or your hope grow dim by delay. Our past experience, as the true Advent body, is terra firma. We can look back upon it with confidence and pleasure as the work of God and a fulfillment of prophecy. It brought us in 1844 to the end of the latest prophetic period—to the entrance of our High Priest into the Most Holy. And now while this great work is progressing, let us neither speak nor act as though we were at a loss to know our position, as though we "wot not what had become of him." Patience and perseverance will secure the blessing. Erect no golden calf in your affections; and when he who is to come the second time, shall appear without sin unto the salvation of all those who are looking for him, you may appear before him with confidence and joy. It is the will of God to dwell in our hearts by his Holy Spirit. "Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?" Rom. iii, 16. Now it cannot be said that the Spirit of God dwelled in that man who enjoys it but seldom. No wonder that the peace, the joy, and imperishable treasures of heaven look dim to those who are not familiar with the operations of the Spirit of God upon the heart. For says the Apostle, "But, as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit; for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God." 1 Cor. ii, 9, 10. But not only does the Spirit of God make intercession for us, but Jesus our Great High Priest ever liveth to intercede for us. His first gift after his ascension upon high, was that of the Holy Spirit. Let us for a moment look at the wonderful plan of redemption. "Man was afar off from God, guilty, and under the penalty of that sentence, the soul that sinneth it shall die. How was the mercy of God to be displayed, and his justice remain unsullied? By the death of the holy Jesus, the Son of God, his justice is satisfied, and engaged on the sinner's side; so that his mercy may flow to sinners in copious and uninterrupted streams. The divine love has its brightest displays, in being manifested towards the unworthy; and the Almighty arm is now stretched forth to save, and not to destroy the sinful. All the perfections of God being engaged on the sinner's side, the intercession of Him who has accomplished this, will evidently prevail. Here, then, and here only, is the true ground of encouragement for us to draw near with confidence to the holy God." Consider the character of our Intercessor: "He is the beloved Son of God, the elect in whom his soul delighteth. Isa. xlii, 1. He is 'holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens.' Heb. vii, 26. And with all this, he is full of compassion, tenderness, and love. 'We have not an High Priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.' Heb. iv, 15. He is one who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way." "Consider, further, THE NATURE OF HIS INTERCESSION. John seems to give us an emblematic view of this. (Rev. viii, 3, 4.) 'And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand.' Even the prayers of saints are so defective, that they need the incense of our Redeemer's merit to make them acceptable unto God." "Jesus Christ intercedes BY PERSONALLY APPEARING FOR US BEFORE GOD." In the heavenly Sanctuary he now appears in the presence of God for us. "'This man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sin, for ever sat down on the right hand of God.' Heb. x, 12. 'By his own blood he entered in once into the holy place.' Heb. ix, 12. The virtue, merit, and power of that blood still remain. How sure may we be, then, that he will obtain what he asks, when he pleads that he died to procure it. He ascended into heaven with that body in which he suffered; and we may imagine, when he makes intercession, the prints of the nails in his feet, and in his hands, and of the spear in his side, silently and yet powerfully urge his pleas in our behalf." Having made the above remarks on the subject of prayer, and spoken of the necessary aid of the Holy Spirit, and the intercession of our great High Priest in the heavenly Sanctuary, we pass to notice the different kinds of prayer. And first, we shall speak of PRIVATE PRAYER. No duty is more clearly pointed out in the Scriptures than secret prayer; and more tendeth to greater prosperity in the service of our heavenly Master. Here in our helpless condition, we come to spread out our wants, and to implore the blessings of heaven, encouraged by the promise of a reward "openly." Says Jesus, "And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are; for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, they have their reward. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and, when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions as the heathen do, for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking." Matt. vi, 5-7. A writer, speaking of some of the advantages of secret prayer over social and public worship, says, "By praying in secret we give God the glory of his being every where present, and seeing and knowing all things. We acknowledge not only his general providence, as taking care of communities, but his particular providence, as watching over us individually. We express our faith in his presence, his power, and his love." "The christian can also in secret give free vent to every desire; vary his requests according to the present state of his mind; or the present necessities of the day, or hour, in which he is living; he can dwell on his personal wants; and, in short, give full scope to his feelings, and pour out his whole soul before God." "It is observed by Dr. Owen, that 'if a man of a carnal mind be brought into a large company, he will have much to do; if into a company of christians, he will feel little interest; if into a still smaller, engaged in religious exercises, he will feel still less; but if taken into a closet, and forced to meditate on God and eternity, this will be insupportable to him.' Man is evidently by nature averse to all communion with God. There is an enmity to be removed. Rom. viii, 7. And hence arises the necessity of a change of mind: of obtaining a spiritual mind, without which, spiritual truths and exercises can neither engage nor influence the heart. The man who possesses a spiritual mind, does, through the grace of the Holy Spirit, often find that closet retirement, which Dr. Owen states to be insupportable to the carnal mind, a real privilege." Says one, "Prayer in secret is also considered by our Lord as forming a line of distinction between the christian and the mere professor. When we are constant in secret prayer, not as an act of self-righteousness, but from a feeling of necessity, and of its being both our duty and privilege, we may hope well of our sincerity and of our state before God. The effects of christian retirement, will appear in the sweet composure of the passions, the evenness and affability of the behaviour, the charitableness of the temper, and the purity and tranquility of the life. The retired violet, which hides itself in the shade, gives one of the sweetest scents; and the lowly christian, who is constant in secret prayer, diffuses a holy feeling, a heavenly atmosphere around him.", "This blessed intercourse in secret raises the christian above anxiety about temporal things. A holy familiarity with his Maker, gives him a fixedness and serenity which nothing else can bestow, and hardly anything can discompose. It prepares him for all events, and fills him with a noble contempt for all the sinful pleasures and pursuits of a world lying in wickedness. It is like a sure anchor, which is unseen indeed above, but is safely fixed in solid ground, and though out of sight, keeps the vessel steadfast and secure amid the tumultuous waves and the stormy tempest." "It makes us fruitful in every good work. 'I reckon it,' says Bennett, 'matter of common experience among good men, that they find themselves more or less disposed, and fit for their respective duties and services according as their diligence, constancy and seriousness in secret prayer, is more or less.' The root that produces the beautiful and flourishing tree, with all its spreading branches, verdant leaves, and refreshing fruit, that which gains for it sap, life, vigor, and fruitfulness, is all unseen; and the farther and the deeper the roots spread beneath, the more the tree expands above." O, then christians, if you wish to enjoy the smiles of our heavenly Parent here, and desire an abundant entrance into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord, be encouraged to faithfulness, remembering that every tear of godly sorrow shed in secret, will there be a brilliant gain in the crown of glory surrounding the brow of the overcomer. The christian's reward comes from the Father of infinite power, riches, wisdom, and love; and therefore cannot be a small reward, or an unsatisfactory position. "But it must not be concealed, that there are PECULIAR DIFFICULTIES IN CONSTANT AND FERVENT SECRET PRAYER. We have many adversaries opposing us. We are by nature both reluctant to the duty, and utterly helpless and insufficient in ourselves. We can do nothing by our own strength; though we may do all things by Christ strengthening us. And besides the oppositions of a corrupt nature within, the temptations of the world without, continually draw and allure us from the practice of this duty. Our great enemy, Satan, also uses every temptation to keep us from secret prayer. Hence, though it is a most evident and needful, as well as profitable duty, yet it is one, which it is not easy with constancy and effect to fulfill. We do not find it so difficult to read the Bible, go to church, or hear sermons, as we do to persevere in constant, fervent and believing private prayer. 'It is easier,' says one, 'to hear a whole hour, than to pray a quarter of an hour.'" But with the most profound reverence and holy awe, should we enter into audience with the Most High. "The consideration that the eye of God is upon us, that our heavenly Father is in secret, and there beholds us, should be continually on our minds as a motive for continual watchfulness, and a source of the greatest comfort. Thou God seest me, should be written on the walls of our closet, or, rather deeply engaven on our hearts. Before an earthly superior, we are careful and circumspect in all our expressions and actions; how careful then should we be when we approach unto one, who, though he is our Father, is yet the King of kings, and the Lord of lords! If an angel in all his heavenly brightness were to be with us, surely our hearts would feel awed by his glorious presence. How much more then should it affect us, and fill us with a holy fear to think, I am with God: he is present in the room with me, that God is now about me whose glory stains and sullies the beauty, and extinguishes the light of angels.", "Rush not hastily, then, into the presence of God. Pause for a few moments. Meditate on his character. Consider his goodness: he is our Father; consider his greatness, he is in heaven." "Recollect THE GLORIOUS MAJESTY OF THAT BEing whom you address. He is in heaven, and we are upon earth. It is with reflections of this kind, that David begins many of his Psalms. Thus he says in the 104th Psalm, 'O Lord, my God, thou art very great, thou art clothed with majesty and honor. Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment, who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain, who layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters, who maketh the clouds his chariot, who walketh upon the wings of the wind.' These recollections of his majesty are calculated, through the grace of the Holy Spirit, to bring your mind to a state of solemnity and devotional feeling. But lest this view of his awful grandeur should discourage you," Recollect his wonderful grace and mercy. His blessed promises should encourage us to the throne of grace. "Ask, and it shall be given unto you; seek and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: for every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him." Matt. vii, 7-11. "What child, in a proper state of mind, will not willingly run to the arms of a tender father inviting it to come to him? It is our want of faith and love that makes our prayers a task and a burden. How often God invites us to pray; how much he promises, in order to encourage us to come to him with a holy boldness and confidence freely and unreservedly! We need not fear to ask, when God himself commands us to do so." L E T T E R S .
By I. S. Chaffee
“Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another.” Bro. SMITH : I am still striving to do God's holy will, and I find it to be a self-denying way to live; but I can say that it is more than my meat and my drink to do my Master's will. I praise God that he has shown me that if I love the world the love of the Father is not in me. God in his tender mercy has taken the love of this world and its honors from me, and I hope by his grace to lay aside the sin that does so easily beset me. There are those here that say that the Sabbath and second Advent doctrine is of the Devil; but I believe that if God set apart one day for a rest day, it was the seventh day, and no other day will answer for the Sabbath. I have come to the conclusion that when we are willing to keep the first and great commandment which is, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and all thy mind &c., then we shall be willing to keep the fourth, and let the world say what it pleases of us. I want to know that I am doing every duty and that my ways please God, and I will be satisfied. We have trials here, but know we not that the trial of our faith is more precious than gold? and we have temptations, but we have the promise that we shall not be tempted above that we are able to bear. I feel that it is time for the people of God to come up to the help of the Lord, and lay aside every sin that doth easily beset. Surely we must fight if we would reign; but our weapons are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds. O that God would harness us for the battle! We need to present ourselves a living sacrifice to God, holy and acceptable; for without holiness no man can see the Lord. There is a growth in grace, and our path may grow brighter and brighter. Although we have temptations and trials on the way, we must cast our care on Jesus and not forget to pray. I feel that I am growing stronger in the Lord day by day, and I am striving for the faith once delivered to the saints. Brethren and sisters, I believe in holiness of heart, and I have often felt of late the renovating power of the Holy Spirit. Glory to God for what he has done for me, and what he is willing to do for us all. I request the prayers of all God's dear children, that I may prove faithful. Yours in love.
I. S. CHAFFEE.
Ordino, Wis., June 19th, 1858. Conversion to the Sabbath
By E. G. Hardesty
Bro. Smith: The Review is quite a welcome messenger to me and my family, and we take great delight in reading the various communications from brethren and sisters with very many of whom we have no personal acquaintance. Myself and wife embraced the Sabbath of the Lord last October, and the light of the Third Angel's Message shines brighter and brighter. The Bible seems much plainer than it used to before we embraced the present truth. Then I would frequently get stopped on some point of theology, and resort to Dr. Watson, Dr. Clarke and others for information, but alas, they too were in the dark. For instance I would look in the Bible for infant baptism, but it was not there. I then looked for the natural immortality of the soul and not one text to support it could I find. I was finally induced to look for the First-day "christian Sabbath" (so-called) but to my utter astonishment, could not find a word about it. I believe I will give a short history of my conversion to the belief and practice of the Sabbath of the Lord. During the tent meeting here last Summer, one morning I met an old citizen of this place, who was, or had been a member of the M. E. Church. Said he to me, Can you tell me when and where Christ or his apostles changed the Sabbath from the seventh day to the first day of the week? I told him to call at my residence and I would show him; for said I, the change was made by them according to the understanding I have of the matter. When I returned to my house, I commenced examining the matter but could not find the change in the Bible. I soon resorted to W. R. Watson, but alas! alas! he had the same understanding of the matter that I had, but could not point me to chapter and verse for the change; so I had to give it up. I must confess that I felt mortified to think that I had been as I supposed quite a reader of the Bible, especially the New Testament, and had not found the mistake before; but I tried to console myself with the reflection that I had been in pretty good company. And now what could I do? I had been preaching the law as well as the gospel, each in their proper place; the law to show the sinner guilty, and the gospel the cure for that guilt. Now had I been wrong in this matter? I saw the fourth precept in the same law which said thou shalt not covet, and it had not been changed by divine authority; and the result was that I must take the position that the law was abolished or keep the fourth precept; yet the seventh day that our Creator gave to man to celebrate the work of creation, and not the first day. Oh how could I willfully break God's law, which the Saviour came not to destroy, and which Paul calls holy just and good, which James calls the royal law. I finally came to the conclusion after the debate between elders Moss and Cornell, that as neither Christ nor the apostles had changed the day, nor any other person or persons had the right to do so; therefore I preferred to obey God rather than man, let it cost what it would. It has and will cost me considerable, so far as this world is concerned; but what of all this? A clear conscience in this world, and the enjoyment of that rest that remains for all the true Israel of God in another, will more than repay all; so the Lord helping me, I will fight on until he says it is enough. I am more than ever satisfied that we are living in the last days, and that the Two-horned beast is doing up his sinful work, and preparing for the great battle spoken of by the apostle John, Rev. xvi. O let us be getting ready for that day. Your unworthy brother.
E. G. Hardesty.
Gilboa, O., June 18th, 1858. P. S. I would say that I am holding meetings nearly every First-day, and occasionally on the Sabbath in the neighborhood around home, as my health and circumstances will permit. The brethren and sisters still meet in this place every Sabbath for prayer and conference meeting. Four have embraced the truth since we last wrote.
E. G. H. Preparing for Christ’s Appearing
By H. J. Kittle
Bro. Smith: We in this place are trying to get ready for the appearing of the Saviour. Although we are feeble and lonely, as there are but few that are willing to bear the scoffs and frowns of the world for the sake of the Commandments of God and the Faith of Jesus, yet we are determined to persevere to the end, firm in the belief that the end is near and hasteth greatly. The world around us are calculating for many years; they plant, they build, and say all things continue as they were? where is the sign of his coming? They see nothing in all the fearful and rapid strides, and abominable and revolting sentiments put forth by Spiritualists, to excite them to an examination to see if these things are of God or of the Devil; and the religious world are preparing the people for just such a state of things. May the commandment-keepers, the remnant, remain steadfast and unmovable. Bettsville, Ohio, June 17th, 1858. Eight Keeping the Commandments
By Samuel Haskell
BRO. SMITH: I have had a lonely time here for three years past, but the Lord has opened the eyes of some of my neighbors, and we now number eight souls that are trying to keep the commandments. We meet together and strengthen one another in prayer and talking of the goodness of God. We live in an out of the way place, and are not blest with the privilege of having preaching, but we serve a God who is not confined to one place, but is everywhere present. Blessed promise, that where two or three are gathered together in his name there he is in their midst. The brethren and sisters in Gilboa and Green Spring are getting wide awake. It does me good to go their meetings. It makes me think of meetings twenty or twenty-five years ago; you then could hear church members shout and sing as if they had religion; but since 1844, where are the good old lively meetings in the professed churches? None are so blind as those who will not see, none so deaf as those who will not hear. Let us often think on Eccl. xii, 12, 13, and treasure their sentiment in our hearts. In hope of eternal life. SAMUEL HASKELL. Ridgeland, Ohio, June 1858. LUCINDA DAWSON
By Lucinda Dawson
BRO. SMITH : Permit a lonely one in the far West to speak through the columns of the Review to the scattered flock, as I have no other way of communicating with them. It has been nearly six years since I embraced the Sabbath and other truths connected therewith, and I have never felt to regret that I did so; but have often felt to mourn because I did not live always at the feet of my heavenly Master; yet, my christian friends, I mean to be an overcomer. I have not seen any of like precious faith (with the exception of my father) for the last eighteen months. I think I know in a measure how to sympathize with the lonely ones that are scattered upon the mountains, weary and without a shepherd; and yet we are not alone, for God is with us by his Holy Spirit. I feel as if we were resting too much on the theory of the truth while it is not having that sanctifying influence upon our lives that it should have; for we must be pure and without fault before the throne of God. Is it not time for us to arise and put on the whole armor of God, and prepare for the loud cry of the Third Angel's Message? O for more faith to overcome the world, the flesh, and the Devil with all of his works, that we may have a right to the tree of life and enter through the gates into the city. Who of us that profess the truth now, will have these glorious privileges? and who will be shaken out? O let us prepare for the coming crisis. Rockford, Iowa, June 1858. The Bible is a History of Compensation, The prophecies of the new covenant were uttered in seasons of depression—at the fall of Adam, the separation of Abraham, the bondage of Israel, and the giving of the law by Moses, the captivity of Babylon. Cloud and rainbow appear together. There is wisdom63 in the saying of Feltham, that the whole creation is kept in order by discord, and that vicissitude maintains the world. Many evils bring many blessings. Manna drops in the wilderness—corn grows in Canaan. Rarely two afflictions, or two trials, console or trouble us at the same time. Human life is the prophet's declaration drawn out into examples,—"God stayeth his rough wind in the day of his east wind." And one curious and beautiful feature of the divine scheme of compensation is seen in its changing our sorrows into instruments and channels of joy and comfort. The curtained chamber of sickness sows the barren field with flowers. A sick man seated in his garden, or tottering down a green lane for a few minutes, might suppose himself transported into the morning and sunlight of creation: The common air, the earth the skies,
To him are opening Paradise. Plato relates that Socrates, on the day of his death being in the company of his disciples, began to rub his leg, which had been galled by the chain, and mentioned the pleasurable sensation in the released member. The Greek prison represents the world; the philosopher, the christian; the fetters, the calamities of life. When one of these is loosened, the soul experiences a feeling of delight. It is the leg of Socrates unchained. The iron enters into the soul, and afterward the wound is healed. St. Paul told the Corinthians, that when he came to Macedonia, his flesh had no rest; without, were fightings; within were fears; but God comforted him by "the coming of Titus." So it is ever.—Sel. THE RACE AND WARFARE.
By Mrs. R. Smith
Are we loitering on the way
To the realms of endless day?
Sleep we on while danger's near?
Have we nought to dread or fear? Let us heed the call, Awake!
Our eternal all's at stake;
One false step our fate may seal,
Ruin, our eternal weal. Foes our every move to spy,
All around in ambush lie;
Watching, and will take the place
That's not fortified by grace. O what havoc then is made,
Structures fair in ruin laid;
Messengers driven from the field,
Those who should be valiant, yield. Some who started to go through,
Now a wicked course pursue;
What account must soon be given!
Why thus sink in sight of heaven? Flee O see the tempter's snare!
There is power with God in prayer;
He is ready to forgive,
Saying, Look to me and live.
MRS. R. SMITH. The Hight of the Steeple the true glory of the Church !
In the Senate chamber of the Empire State an honorable senator, when discussing the affairs of Trinity Church, gave utterance to the following sentiment. The language is preserved as nearly as we can remember. The sentiment was emphasized and enforced with great earnestness: "Trinity Church deserves the gratitude and admiration of every true Protestant in the country, for the honor she confers upon his religion, in the erection and perservation of that lofty monumental pile, which so eminently out-vies any other structure of a similar character in the land. A distinguished magnate of the Catholic Church, proposes to build a Cathedral, with two towers, each more than one hundred feet higher than the spire of Trinity. Till that, let every true Protestant that has one spark of pious ambition glowing in his bosom, remember Old Trinity with affection and pride." See Rom. iii, 27, Jer. ix, 23-24, and 1 Cor. 1, 27-31. Enough said. “According to your faith be it unto you,” is a promise, which has received frequent fulfillment. The American Messenger has some encouraging facts bearing on this point: A few females who had long been associated as a “praying circle,” were assembled, and one of them read from Matthew xviii. On reading, “If two of you shall agree on earth, as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven;” she paused a moment, and then said, “Is it possible that we have so often met to make known our requests unto God, and have never noticed this promise? I have read it all my life, but it seems now new to me. Why should our prayers be unavailing, when we have such an assurance from the Saviour's lips? Perhaps it is because we have not agreed on some definite object for which to pray.” She then proposed that some individual should be made the special object of their supplications. The proposition was acceded to, and a merchant of high respectability and worth, who seemed to lack only “the one thing needful,” was the friend mentioned. He was exemplary in his deportment, a man of strict integrity, liberal to charitable objects, and a regular attendant on the public ministrations of the Sabbath, but was never seen at an evening meeting, and had never evinced solicitude in relation to his highest interests. Fervent and repeated supplications were made on his behalf by this little company; and when they dispersed, they agreed not to mention the course they had pursued, but continue to entreat the richest blessing on the individual until they should meet again at the expiration of a fortnight. Strong as the faith of these ladies had been, they were surprised, at the next weekly prayer-meeting, to see the gentleman for whom they had been so much interested enter the room. In the course of the evening, he rose and said he felt constrained to state that a few days since he became deeply impressed with the thought that he was living “without hope, and without God in the world;” that he had been wretched ever since, and now had come to ask the prayers of those present. Before the next meeting of the praying-circle, this friend was clothed, and in his right mind, sitting at the feet of Jesus. Encouraged by this signal answer to their prayers, these ladies united in another object. There were two brothers in the village, both members of the church, but between whom there was such hostility that years had passed without their speaking to each other. These brothers were next made the subject of fervent prayer. That very night one of them was sleepless, and musing on the unhappy state of feeling between himself and a brother once so dear to him, on the effect such an alienation was calculated to produce on their own character and on the cause of Christ which they both professed to love, he felt the stings of an awakened conscience, and resolved to attempt a reconciliation. Early the following morning he repaired to the dwelling of his brother, who saw him approaching, and went out to meet him. They greeted each other most affectionately, and in tears “confessed their faults one to another.” Each declared himself the aggressor, and the other comparatively blameless. After a melting interview, they separated, forgiving and forgiven, loving brothers in Christ. “Let us not be weary in well-doing,” said these ladies. “We will ask yet more of a prayer-hearing and a prayer-answering God.” They knew that one of their brethren in the church was rendered most wretched in consequence of being “yoked to an unbeliever.” His wife was another Xantippe, and openly opposed to everything connected with Christianity. Her conduct was so obviously reprehensible, that she was the object of universal censure, and to her own family she was a terror. Nothing but the power of God could subdue a heart like hers, and this was sought most earnestly. Importunate entreaties for her conversion, and the emancipation of her husband from his miserable thraldom, were reiterated—and wrestling prayer prevailed. There had been sunrise meetings for some weeks, and on the morning after this meeting of females, the brother who had so long writhed in anguish from this “thorn in the flesh,” and gone in solitude to the place of prayer, was seen walking thither, with his wife leaning on his arm, who seemed bending under the weight of some terrible emotion. During the services, the husband told the audience that he had passed a sleepless, anxious night, and his wife one of indescribable agony; that her sin like a mountain was pressing her in the dust; and he besought all to pray for her relief. Ere many days elapsed, she was, with the spirit of a little child, learning in the school of Christ. Do not these facts afford powerful encouragement to united, ardent, and believing prayer for particular individuals?—Sab. Rec. THE following may be read with benefit a dozen times. There is one circumstance attending all conditions of life, which may and ought to be turned to the use of self-culture. Every condition, be what it may, has hardships, hazards, pains. We try to escape them; we pine for a sheltered lot, for a smooth path, cheering friends, and unbroken success. But providence orders storms, disasters, hostilities, sufferings; and the great question whether we shall grow strong in mind and heart, or be weak and pitiable, depends on nothing so much as on our use of these adverse circumstances. Outward evils are designed to school our passions, and to rouse our faculties and virtues into intense action. Sometimes they seem to create new powers. Difficulty is the element, and resistance the true work of men. Self-culture never goes on so fast as when embarrassed circumstances, the opposition of men, or the elements, unexpected changes of the times, or other forms of suffering, instead of disheartening, throw us on our universal resources, turn us for strength to God, clear up to us the great purpose of life, and inspire calm resolution. No greatness or goodness is worth much unless tried in these fires. Hardships are not, on this account, to be sought for. They come fast enough of themselves, and we are in more danger of sinking under than needing them. But when God sends them, they are noble means of self-culture, and as such let us meet and bear them cheerfully. Thus all parts of our condition may be pressed into the service of self-improvement.—Sel. Sin's Impressions on the Mind
By Hickok
Every sinful word and deed, and every secret thought and purpose of the human mind leaves its own impression there as upon an ineffaceable tablet. Aside from all the influence our sin may exert upon others, it puts imperishable impression upon our own minds.—Hickok. Receiving Without Giving
By Hawes
He who always receives but never gives, acquires as a matter of course, a narrow, contracted, selfish character. His soul has no expansion, no benevolent impulses, no elevation of aim. He learns to feel, and think, and care only for himself. Desire of Excellence
By Albert Barnes
THE original desire, as it may exist in the bosom of angels, as it was implanted in Adam, and as it may attend us hereafter in a high and holy world, is the desire of excellence, of virtue, of the cultivation of our powers, of making as much of ourselves and of doing as much in the sphere where we are placed, as possible.—Albert Barnes.