heaven, to those things which | gentleness, love, and forbearance. are not seen, but by the eye of Express your regard for their faith. Thus may you walk by souls as well as their bodies, by faith, guided by it as the eye of a devout, serious course of famthe soul, and raised by it to heavily worship. Let those of your enly mindedness, so as to love household, and of your acquainand delight in God! tance, see that you have a new heart by your leading a new life, and studying in all things to be conformed to the will and word of God. Be strict and conscientious in all your dealings. "Render to all their dues, tribute to whom tribute, and custom to whom custom is due," as well as every other lawful debt: not defrauding either the King, or your fellow-subjects, nor any way encouraging those that do. Instead of your former vain conversation, henceforth let your tongue be employed to God's glory in "speaking good of his name ;" in thanks and praises to your good benefactor; in telling others "what he hath done for your soul;" in warning sinners of their danger, and encouraging them that fear Clod to be bold and hearty in his service. And let your conduct in life be such as becometh the gospel. You are called to fight the good fight of faith; see that you faint not, neither be weary of -well-doing. Shew that you are alive unto God by living unto God; by devoting yourself to his service, and by diligence therein. Do something for him that hath done so much for you. Love all men, for they are the work of God's hands do good to all according to your ability. Your time and strength, and every other talent are given you to be improved; lay them out in acts of charity and love. Let your heart be enlarged to all men, not excepting your enemies: let these have your prayers and forgiveness, and be ready to overcome evil with good. Shew a particular regard for "them that are of the household of faith," all the sincerely godly, for Christ's sake. For all men were originally created after God's image; in them is this image in some measure restored. These therefore, in a peculiar manner, belong to Christ, being washed from their sins in his blood, and sanctified by his Spirit. And to animate you to greater diligence in this work and labor of love, view often with the eyes of faith the glorious reward set before you, the eternal weight of glory to be bestowed on that day, when Christ shall reward acts of mercy and love done in his name, as if done to himself. Quickened by this principle, and encouraged by this prospect, strive to grow in knowSee also that you shew the ledge and purity, and faith and power of godliness in the cons-love, and fear; in meekness and cientious discharge of relative duties. Be kindly affectionate, and tender-hearted to all about you. To those of your family shew yourself an example of VOL. I. NO. 11. every christian grace. Study to promote God's glory, the welfare of all men, and such a disposition in your own soul as may render you meet to be a parta Fff still let them steadilybear in mind, that singularity is not Christianity. He who departs most from ker of the inheritance of the saints in light. And in order to promote this work of sanctification in you, wait for God's bles-worldly habits may be as far from sing in a conscientious use of all the means of grace. P. Sir, I thank you, I see the work before me to be great, but by God's help, I hope I shall be able to hold out to the end. God as he who adopts them. The stoics of old were perhaps as much alicnated from their Maker, and as widely removed from the character of their Redeemer, as the epicureans: and we are told distinctly by our Lord himself, that the publicans were nearer to the kingdom of heaven than the pharisees. As foul a picture of "the old man” has, no doubt, been frequently exhibited amidst the severities of a cloister, as in the luxury of a court. Much as the Christian must be on his guard against an undue compliance with the cus M. You must expect many difficulties and much opposition. The way to heaven is the way of the cross, and through much tribulation. The world, the flesh, and the devil are strong enemies, and they are closely leagued together. But be not discouraged; God is above all. Christ" ever liveth to make intercession for us ;" and to save in every difficulty, "those that come unto God through him."toms of the world, yet, if his Holy angels will be employed as your guardians; and all the truly godly will be your loving brethren and ready friends. "They that are for you are more than they that are against you."-Be not your own ene-trials to which a departure from my, and nothing can hurt you. However, "be not high minded, but fear." Happy is "the man that feareth always." From the Christian Observer. conformity to the world, I con- Published in the Connecticut Magazine, page 345. conscience be well-informed, and his dispositions right, he will be restrained from needless singularity, both by his judg ment and by his taste. By his judgment, from a sense of the general usage will expose him. He knows that the world looks on those who are not with her as against her. She cannot eas ily brooke the tacit reproof she receives from them; and she is prompt to retaliate by subjecting all they do to a severe scrutiny, and by imputing to them im the world to charge Christians with folly, pride, inconsistency, and hypocrisy! This indeed gives the true servant of Christ an opportunity of adhering to his revered Master through dishonor no less than through honor; thro evil report no less than through good report: and no doubt he finds the troubles brought upon him others an effort which will call for a considerable sacrifice of his feelings. But I may be told, perhaps, that I am only pointing out to Christians the troubles to which they are doomed; for that, if the reasoning in my former paper be sound, they must be sub every action of their lives, to the evils I am now describing. Differing from the world so widely as they do in their objects and principles, how seldom will it be possible for them to agree with it in their practice ! by his fidelity, a fire of the great refiner, and highly conducive to his purification. But still he will look with apprehension on the trials to which calumny, and even merciless, tho' just, criticism, will expose him. He will be aware how difficult it is to love those who dislike us, and in the spirit of love to re-jected every hour, and in almost turn good for evil; and how much he will be tempted in his turn to be forward in condemning the world, and in setting it at defiance. He will also be deeply sensible, that whatever breathes a spirit of opposition to mankind must be revolting to Him who was meek and lowly of heart, and must disgrace instead of adorning his gospel. On this subject his taste will coincide with his judgment. His turn of mind will lead him, if it be possible, to live peaceably with all men. He will wish to avoid notice. He will shrink from contention, and even in the best cause will dislike putting himself into a situation which may oblige him to step forward in his own defence. His choice will be the cool sequestered vale of life, rather than the eminence, or the busy scene; and he will shun, as far as duty will permit, that marked singularity, which may draw him from it. His affection also for his fellow creatures will engage him to travel with them in the same track when he can. He will feel the same indisposition to pursue a conduct at variance with theirs, that he does to contradict them in conversation. If he is meek, lowly, and affectionate, to do either will require some effort; on many occasions indeed, a slight one; but on Widely indeed do they differ from others in what must always give the prevailing color both to the character and the life: and woe be to those Christians who labor to lessen this difference; who do not even labor to maintain it! But still, when it has suffered no diminution; when it has neither been sapped nor battered down by the various stratagems and engines which Satan employs against it; it admits, in a variety of particulars, of an agreement in practice between Christians and the world. 1. Nothing forbids this agreement in things indifferent. We can live in houses, and wear a dress, and use a language common in our country. In these and many other points, however they may be obliged to modify their compliance with prevailing usages, in order to preserve their principles inviolate, there will be a general agreement between Christians and the world. Though to a critical eye the scenes displayed by these parties on the canvass will exhibit the marks of differ the most disputable nature? ent schools; to the superficial | ing petty claims, and those of observer they will appear so much alike, that they might be thought to have come from the hand of the same master. And ought not this to be so? Nothing would be gained, but much lost, by differing from our contemporaries in things of no moment, In addition to the general arguments which have been advanced in favor of agree ing, when we can, with those around us, it may be remarked, in reference to the particular case now before us, that to slide on in the common course will always cost least time and attention and surely a creature so short lived and so limited in his capacity as man, and yet having so stupendous a work before him during his continuance in this world, is bound to reserve his time and attention as much as may be for objects of import 2. But even in things of real importance, the religious and the irreligious man, though arguing from different premises, will often arrive at the same conclusion, and be led to similar conduct. Religion is the highest wisdom, and best promotes the true welfare of mankind, temporal as well as eternal. Man always at, tends to his temporal interest at least, and lays down a code of maxims, which become current in the world, for promoting it, Though lamentably misled by his contracted views, his wrong dispositions, and his false estimate of things, yet the paths which lead to present misery and present happiness are fre quently so strongly marked as not to be mistaken for each other. Thus dishonesty, falsehood, cruelty, ingratitude, are Further what ought a reprobated, and the opposite Christian to have most at heart qualities are honored, by the in his intercourse with mankind? worldly man as well as by the To persuade them to become Christian, who will both join in new creatures, by renouncing endeavors to discountenance and those desires and pursuits which punish the one, and to encour are most natural to them, and age the other. Both the worldfixing their affections on others ly man and the Christian will be of a very different kind. If sensible of the advantages arising then he is to hold forth religion from the cultivation of the as demanding so great a change, understanding, the acquisition of will he debase its dignity, and knowledge, the preservation of frustrate its operation, by lead- health, the prudent manage ing men to look upon it as soli- ment of property and there citous about mere trifles? If in will be considerable similarity his divine embassy (for we are in the means they employ for atall, in a sense more or less em- taining these common objects. phatic, embassadors of Christ) In short, worldly prudence, that so many points of collision be- baser currency, as it is some tween him and the world must where called, by which the busnecessarily occur on the most siness of life is carried on with momentous topics, will he court tolerable regularity by numbers disagreement and debate by urg-who are not possessed of genu ine religion, the only true coin; ance. -worldly prudence, in many to influence human conduct, few particulars, so far answers the purposes of the sterling gold, as to admit of persons possessed of these very different kinds of wealth travelling on amicably together in some parts of their journey, pursuing, the same objects, and joining in the same measures. demand more attention than common usage. It often operates on human affairs in a way not unlike that which the superstition of former times attributed to the planets; shedding on them a benign or baneful influence according to the aspect it wears. When it frowns on any one, what obstacles does it throw in his way; to what trials does it subject him; to what misconceptions and prejudices on the part of others does it expose him! Suppose I were to deter mine to rise regularly at four, and retire to rest at eight, and were to fix on corresponding hours for my meals, thinking (as 3. But in many cases in which the Christian thinks common usages inexpedient, and even to a certain degree mischievous, he will find it best to comply with them. Why? Because he will find it more inexpedient or mischievous to depart from them. What, considered in itself, is not best, often becomes best under existing circumstan-perhaps I may) that this course ces. No calculation of consequences should ever induce a Christian to violate the divine commands. But supposing different lines of conduct, involving no such violation, to be presented to his choice, that will be entitled to the preference which is best calculated to promote his own salvation and the glory of God. And is it not evident, how much times and circumstances must influence his decision in a case of this kind? If I have a great work in hand, and find it necessary to call in the mechanical powers to my aid, I must adapt my machine to the nature of the ground, and must bear in mind various particulars which happen to apply to the case before me. In many cases the machine which suits me best may be one neither cheap nor simple, nor likely to obtain the suffrage of a student in his closet. Now of the different subordinate considerations which ought would be more conducive to health, usefulness, and enjoyment, than that generally pursued: what would be the consequence? I should subject myself and all my friends to very great inconvenience. My hours for business would be theirs for eating or for relaxation, and vice versa. A solicitor would bring me deeds to execute when I was sitting down to dinner : and an old friend, who promised himself a social breakfast with me, and a long morning, would find my breakfast over two or three hours before his arrival, and would have the mortification to see preparations making for my dinner soon after he had drank his comfortless dish of tea, and had entered on conversation. I should be so perpetually crossed and jostled by custom, when I adhered to my plan, and cases would so perpetually occur in which I should be obliged to depart from it, that I should probably find it adverse |
