The path of life; or, Sketches of the way to glory and immortality. A help for young Christians

Front matter

Qass_ BookJ-

• m 9 v ?A

Or. LANE, a L. SCOTT.

Preface

The following pages are designed for the especial benefit of young pilgrims in the way of life. In their first journeyings they meet with many difficulties. Now, a fog obscures the path ; here, a net is spread ; there, a pit is dug ; elsewhere seductive syrens sing the bewitching songs of error ; and in other places tempting arbors invite them to slumber in shady bowers. Dangers lie all along the path. To explain these dangers, to warn the young pilgrim, to excite his fears, to animate his hopes, are the aims of this book. These things, we know, have been often done by others. Pike, Abbott, Merritt, Hodge, and others, well known to fame, have written most ably for the young. But there is a demand for variety, and it is hoped that this volume may perform some little service for Christ, not accomplished by these admired authors. There are several experimental difficulties common to young Christians removed out of the way in this work, which it is believed have not been noticed by previous writers for young disciples.

VI PREFACE.

We have aimed to write so as to profit the reader. Yet, we have not shunned the pleasing illustration, thereby to allure to the more solemn truth. We have endeavored in this respect to occupy a middle ground between the profuse illustrativeness of Abbott and the rigid simplicity of Pike and Merritt. Profound theological reasoning need not be sought in this little volume, for we have not attempted to write a body of divinity; yet, there is enough of saving truth explained, to make simple the path of life to every sincere inquirer. We have offered many prayers over these pages, and now send them forth to the world, not without hope that the Head of the Church will use them to help His latest born disciples in their doubtful way to His eternal kingdom D. w.

Chapter I. Page

Religion a Solemn Subject. — The royal pageant. The mechanic. The elevation to courtly honor. The change. Desire for human greatness. The extent of youthful prospects. A relation to royalty possible to all. Great condescension. The despisers of religion. Dignity of the child of God. Happiness of the Christian. Christian Lazarus. Sinful Ca?sar. Worth of Christianity. The sleeper's danger. Importance of being saved. A sinner in God's presence. --.--■-.--».-, 9

Chapter II

Repentance. — The great question. The two extremes. Scylla and Charybdis. The first lesson in the gospel. Repentance. Deception possible. Two species of penitence. A caution. An idle boy. Discontent. The clandestine journey. Thoughtless joy. Distress. Reflection. The return. The restoration. A question. Helen and her mother. The promise. The happy party. A proposal. The strawberry meadow. Temptation. Indecision. The transgression. The return home. The hour of prayer. Helen's distress. The confession. Helen's penitence com-

Vlll CONTENTS.

FAGS

pared with that of the idle boy. A plain distinction A question to be answered. The sick youth. His fears. The great change. The awful relapse. Worldly sorrow. Evidence of godly sorrow in the Corinthians. - - - 19

Chapter III

Difficulties in the way of Penitents. — The excited penitent. The calm seeker. A common doubt. A solution of a common difficulty. Scriptural examples. The Phillippian Jailer. The publican. Lydia. Reason why these examples are given. Another difficulty. The duration of Penitence. An easy rule. When a penitent may believe. The first converts to Christ. Repentance no proof of Christian character. Is a preparatory state. Repentance compared with conversion. ----- 35

Chapter IV

Saving Faith Explained. — The Jews and fiery serpents. The wonderful cure. The uplifted serpent selected by Christ to illustrate the nature of faith. Saving faith described. Two elements of faith. Confidence and expectation. Such faith absolutely required. A doubt stated. A key for its easy solution. The blind lady. Her cure. Struck blind again by lightning. Temporary faith. Confidence cast away. Experience of a young man. Faith is a succession of acts. The sailor resting on the life-buoy. Scriptural proofs. Necessity of present faith. A scene on the ocean. Diffei-ent degrees of faith. A foolish and fatal error. Exhortation. --.----47

Chapter V

The Operations of Faith Illustrated. — Abraham's emigration. A sublime instance of faith. The believer's privilege. Scriptural foundation for unlimited faith. Effect of affliction on weak faith. The naval officer and his son.

CONTENTS. IX

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'God's children not discoverable by visible favors. Joseph. David. Daniel. Job. Jeremiah Stephen. Paul. John. The reason of the afflictions of the righteous. The work of faith. The boy in a storm. Language of faith. Future will explain the present. The widow. The orphan. The merchant. Necessity of special faith. The obedient son. The apostolic exhortation. Paul's thorn in the flesh. Especial faith overcomes particular sins. A complaint. Stella and the cameo brooch. Presumption. Important operation of faith. Elisha's faith. Stephen the martyr. Effects of realizing eternity. Need of effort. Influence of former habit. Faith must be stimulated by meditation. - 64

Chapter VI

The Witness of the Spirit. — A solemn question. An imaginary picture. The exiled prince. A father's love. The letter. Penitence. Anxiety. A fair presumption. The Bible not the only witness of acceptance. The Holy Spirit's testimony. The message to the prince. His joy. God has provided a Divine Witness. Witness of the Spirit explained. Manner of the Spirit's operation a mystery. A question. Extract. A caution. Degrees of Spiritual manifestion various. Extract. An entreaty. Deception possible but unnecessary. The man under sentence of death. His pardon arrives. A great change. A second witness. Fruits of the Spirit. Conciousness of a change. An important sentence. The orphan boy. A benefactor. Adoption. Adoption forfeited. Wilful sin excludes the Witness of the Spirit. The motions of sin are felt in true Christians. They are conquerors through faith. An exhortation to the convert. - 83

Chapter VII. |

Temptation. — The world a vale of tears. Poetic extract. Temptation. The clerk and the new watch. A family scene. The trial. The reward. A tempter. The plot. Fascination. The concert. The happy escape. Two kinds of trial.

X CONTENTS.

PAGE

God tries our faith. Abraham. The agents of temptation. Satan's devices. Indirect temptations described. Power of indirect temptations. Eve. Esau. Ahab. Gehazi. Peter. Other tempters. A fear. The convert's safety. Promised help. Luther and his enemies. The Subterranean cavern. No temptation peculiar. The child and the lion. Conditions of safety. A word of exhortation. - 104

Chapter VIII

Joining the Church. — A lovely scene. Unwillingness to join the church. The pilgrims. The deadly climate. The wilderness. The pilgrims on their journey. The lonely pilgrims. Their destruction. Most all who do not join the church backslide. Why converts do not join the church. The church of divine origin. Humane houses. Appeal to the young Christian. The honorable character of the church. To delay joining the church, dangerous. The lamb. A church relation should be highly valued. The Mississippi and its springs. A resolution to die in the church recommended. The convert should love the church. He should help meet her expenses. What church should the convert join. The motive should be pure. - - - - - -'- 123

Chapter Ix.'

On the Formation of Religious Habits. — Power of habits. The young lady and her music. Habits important. Philip. Peter. Cause of the difference between them. A secret, closet devotion should be habitual. Prayer must be earnest, sincere, scriptural. Elizabeth and the Earl of Essex. Seven ways by which prayer is made unsuccessful. The tailor tempted. Habit of family prayer. Castle of Indolence. Evil of mental dreaminess. A Sabbath scene. The missed hearers. Habit of attendance on public worship. Irregular hearers always spiritually poor. Poetical extract. Habit of reading and study. The spider and his victim. Quotation from Pollock. _.--_- 139

CONTENTS.

Chapter X. Page

Evil Company. — The prudent mariner. Fatal neglect to take warning. Good counsel. What is evil company. Relatives not to be forsaken. A sketch. Madeleine. Her first love. The invitation. The party. The rebuke. Worldly spirit in the ascendant. Condemnation. Repentance. More temptation. Madeleine a backslider. Beautiful extract. Fatal effect of worldly friendship. Subject important. The jailer. The soldier. Divine teachings. Dr. Chalmers, on evil companions. How to act with irreligious relatives. The diving spider. Choosing friends. Right action urged. Lot. Samson. Solomon. Rehoboam. - 161

Chapter XI

Marriage. — One mistake fruitful of evils. Eli. Napoleon. The ill assorted marriage. Louise. Her piety. The unconverted suitor. The struggle. The wedding. The apostasy. Lucy. Her modest piety. The rejected suitor. The happy marriage. An appeal. The subject serious. William Jay. The two mariners. The lost ship. Scriptural argument. Agreement of spirit necessary. Old Testament prohibition. Effect of unscriptural marriages on the children. New Testament sentiments. Appeal to the Christian. 177

Chapter XII

Decisionof Character. — Notable examples. Fabricius. Milton's Abdiel. Joshua. Elijah. Daniel. Paul. Firmness a leading element of Christian character. Sir Thomas Abney at the Lord Mayor's feast. A sketch. Frank Edwards. His conversion. Sweet experience. A trial. Decision. Severe trouble. Poverty. Emigration for conscience sake. Prosperity. A new test. Frank's firmness. The reward. Decision of character admirable. The rock in a storm. Christ's freemen. Decision the convert's privilege. Caution. The broken buckle. - 193

XU CONTENTS.

Chapter XIII. Page

Holiness. — The pure in heart described. Their song. The modern Indian. Resemblances. A sorrowful experience. Poetic extract. Causes of low experiences. Solemn questions. Holiness sweet to its possessors. Why are not all Christians holy. Mistaken effort. Young Joseph's experience. His struggles with particular sins. His want of success. The morass. The hidden spring. Joseph's error. Holiness of heart the source of holy character. The two travellers in Lapland. How to attain a holy heart. Consecration. Faith. The Jewish worshiper. Exhortation. - 210

Chapter XIV

Apostasy. — The two beggars. Special sympathy. Bitter remembrances of apostates. Javan's soliloquy. A backslider's misery. Ruinous influence of the apostate. The epidemic. An infirmary. Cures wrought. Popularity of the infirmary. Relapses. Two important points. Power of Christian profession. The apostate neutralizes the influence of the truly faithful. He is an object of astonishment. Apostasy a possibility. Satan. Adam. Demas. Paul's fear. His caution to Timothy. Apostasy unnecessary. How to avoid it. Present assurance must be maintained. Relation of practical duty to experimental enjoyment explained. Every point must be guarded. The Roman capitol and the Gauls. An evil illustrated. The case of Robert. Advice. Conclusion. - - ----_. 227

Chapter I Religion A Solemn Subject

rJSHP^kL the reader permit himself to be transported to some European city ?

A royal cavalcade is passing there, with all its wonted pomp and circumstance. Beautiful banners and silken pennons are floating in the air ; plumes are nodding and waving to and fro upon many a martial head ; drums are rolling and trumpets flourishing ; while the wide welkin rings with the shouts of a pleased and applauding multitude.

Amidst the ten thousand people, who gaze upon this showy pageant, stands a youth unknown as yet, to the great world — a simple-minded, unambitious lad, whose highest hope is to succeed well in the craft by which he earns his bread, As the royal personage passes this youth, he singles him out from among his companions, and an officer is sent to conduct him to the kingly carriage. There he sits, side by side with royalty. He is conducted to the palace. Place and title are given him. He becomes, at once, the friend and protege of the king.

It will not be at all difficult for the reader to suppose, that, henceforth, this youth will think more highly of himself than he did before. Others, too, will think him greater, and pay him a respect such as they never paid him while he was a simple mechanic.

Why would this change take piace in the feelings of the youth and his friends ? Really, he is no greater than when he stood gazing at the gay pageant in the street. He is of no more worth, physically, intellectually or morally. Why, then, is he greater in his own estimation I — In the opinion of society ?

The reason is plain. His relations to the social body are changed. Before his exaltation, he was merely an artizan : one of the brotherhood of labor ; now he is connected with the chief magistrate, the sovereign of the realm. It is from that connection, he derives his new-born greatness.

Such a relation to some human potentate, would swell the heart of almost any man — it would thrill the soul of the reader. Were it practicable ; he would seek it with indescribable earnestness. Had he attained it, he would maintain it by the most diligent and unsparing exertions. \ \

But this relation to earthly majesty is impossible to the young reader. He may not derive honor and dignity from intimate connections with royalty. His largest rational hope is a little wealth ; a small share of political distinction, and a few civic honors from his townsmen. This is the utmost boundary — the ultima Thule — of the earthly prospects of all, who will read these pages.

May I not hope, then, to secure both the attention and heart of the reader, when I inform him that a connection with one royal potentate is possible to the humblest, the most unknown ' little one ' in this teeming world? With the King of Kings — the Everlasting Jehovah — the most intimate relations are possible to the meanest man who walks the earth ! Strangely wonderful ; but infinitely true is the fact, that the vilest sinner of human kind may derive dignity, honor, and glory, from the Holy Father of all things. Nay, more, he may become his child: may enjoy the riches, the affection, the care, the communion, the grandeur which belongs to a filial relation !

God of Glory, is this possible ? May I ? May the reader be really and truly related to thee as thy child ? Stupendous thought ! Unheard-of condescension ! Most wonderful love ! Sinners, worms, creatures, may be allied to the Lord God Omnipotent ! Yea, many have been so united to him ; for, to as many as received the Lord Jesus by faith " to

THEM GAVE HE POWER TO BECOME THE SONS OF GoD EVEN TO THEM THAT BELIEVE ON HIS NAME."

With this glorious connection open to all who may choose to form it, what shall we say of those who despise it ? Of those, who have stoutly refused to accept it, or having accepted it, have cast its honors and dignities away as unworthy trifles ? O, is it not a sad and melancholy infatuation to turn with only unspoken contempt from the most enduring and exalting honors in the universe ? For the sake of forbidden pleasures, whose raptures die away in a moment, and leave an undying worm behind, they neglect and despise the friendship of God ! Spurning the substance ; they choose the shadow ! Loathing the Eternal ; they love the momentary and perishing ! Despising the lovely and beautiful ; they court the hideous and horrible. In a word, they scorn the Creator and adore the creature. Most hopeless and ruinous contempt ! Persisted in a little while — and O, how brief that time will be — the long insulted Jehovah will tear them from their chosen objects of delight, and cast them down to depths of unfathomed woe.

Happy then is that youth, who has sought the honor of being a Christian. In rising from the condition of

a guilty sinner, he has already soared far above the 2

!' i i envied lot of nobles and monarchs. A Christian is

greater than a king. He is more honorable, more elevated, more happy. His honors are real ; those of princes are imaginary ; his elevation is eternal, that of thrones temporary — his happiness is genuine and satisfactory, while that of kings is fancied and unsatisfactory. Considered in any and every aspect :

"A Christian is the highest style of Man." " Beloved now are we the Sons of God." Can any human dignity equal this ? Nay ! for it surpasses immeasurably the proudest dignities of earth. To be " Heirs of God and joint heirs with Jesus Christ" is to have unsearchable riches, which laugh to scorn the tiny coffers of kings, and shame the wealth of the whole material universe. To have "fellowship with the Father and his Son Jesus Christ" is to enjoy a degree and quality of bliss undreamed of in the wildest reveries of the most sanguine sinner — it is "joy unspeakable and full of glory." To believe, undoubtingly, that in our " Father's house are many mansions ; " that when

" Christ shall appear we shall be like him even as he &," that we shall stand as " kings and priests unto ' God " before the throne, and sing " the song of Moses and the Lamb for ever" — that we shall dwell u where the wicked cease from troubling and the weary are at rest ; " and that once in that undescribed and undescribable world of glory, we " shall go no more out for ever ; " is to have an enjoyment, so ravishing, and a hope so resplendently glorious that the combined anticipations of every unrenewed mind sink into utter nothingness, when compared with the prospects of one such humble follower of Christ. And more than this, to be the temples of the indwelling God now — to have these " vile bodies " honored as the abodes of the Holy Spirit and our once denied natures washed, and transformed into the image of Jesus Christ ! To have the Holy One look with pleasure upon his image reflected upon our souls, this — this is dignity indeed — it is elevation and honor beyond the conception of unrenewed sinners !

Yet these are the dignities, honors, prospects and joys of the Christian ! Invested with this high character, Lazarus, ragged, beggared, spotted with disease, is really greater and happier than imperial Caesar. Beneath that forbidding exterior, he conceals a princely dignity, which will shine as the sun in the day that will witness the everlasting downfall of the proudest sinners.

What, then, is more important than to know ourselves Christians ? Food, clothing, station, wealth, friendships, have their value. But Christianity is worth far more than all these put together. Could it be purchased, it would be cheaply bought, at the sacrifice of every thing in your possession, not excepting life itself. For without it, man is in momentary peril of perishing everlastingly.

Can you imagine a man sleeping on the brink of some lofty height ? A gulf of many fathoms deep yawns below. In his slumber, he starts fitfully, as if disturbed by horrific dreams ; every motion brings him nearer to the crumbling edge. Another start, a slight crumbling of the earth, and he is gone — dashed to pieces on the craggy rocks beneath !

Does your heart sicken at the conception of that sleeper's danger? It should sicken more at the idea of not being a Christian. The peril is greater. The ruin more terrible. For while an unchristian man is gliding with irresistible rapidity towards the mysterious future, " Hell is moving from beneath to

MEET HIM AT HIS COMING ! "

See, then, young immortal, the unmeasured importance of being a Christian. Neglect it ; you can never know a moment of real happiness, here or hereafter. Seek it ; and you secure true enjoyment in both worlds. Neglect it, and how will you meet your Creator ? Meet him you must, for the river can as soon roll its floods backward as you can stop your unerring destination to the bar of God. How can your spirit stand unclothed at his judgment seat without the friendship of Jesus Christ ? How terrible the thought of standing alone amid the infinities of the universe, to be confronted by the Being you have rejected ! There, from amidst clouds and darkness, His eyes, brighter than the lightning's flash, shall dart consuming flame through your shivering spirit ! His word shall send you, thrilling, with the anguish of remorse, to the abodes of eternal sadness ! But if you are a Christian, death will be no terror and the future will be blessed.

Chapter II. Repentance

^^^^i^l ILL you not therefore seriously study this great question; "Ami a Christian?"

Among those who throng the altars of the church are two parties, who rush into two opposite and equally dangerous extremes. The one party contend that it is very hard, if not impossible, to certainly know yourself a Christian ; the other as zealously affirm it to be one of the easiest things imaginable.

To a young Christian, these opposite opinions are as dangerous, as the much dreaded Scylla and Charybdis were to the ancient and timid navigator in the waters of Sicily. If he is led by the first of these parties, he may perish in a whirlpool of doubt and unbelief ; if by the second he may be dashed to pieces on the rocks of hypocrisy and carnal security. The truth lies between them. A man may be as certainly conscious that he is a Christian as he is of his own existence ; for says the Apostle, u we know we have passed from death unto life;" while to retain that consciousness, is a task requiring great self-denial and severe heart-discipline.

Supposing that my young reader desires to navigate these dangerous waters in safety, to avoid all extremes, and to settle on bible principles the great question of his personal Christianity, I propose to offer him the great scriptural marks by which alone it must be decided.

The first lesson enounced by the great Teacher to a fallen world was that of Repentance. " Repent ye " was the voice uttered by the forerunner of Christ : by Christ himself : and by his apostles. If then you are a Christian, You have repented of sin.

Repentance is so simple a thing, a matter so easily comprehended, one would think it impossible to make a mistake, or to suppose ourselves penitent when we are not. Yet such a mistake is possible. Men may think they have repented of sin, when they have never known true penitential feeling. Paul recognizes this possibility in his letter to the Corinthians. He says, " Godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation, not to be repented of : but the sorrow of the world worketh death."

Here are unquestionably two species of sorrow, both of which the Corinthians might have considered religious : the one he calls " Godly sorrow ; " the other " sorrow of the world." And so diverse are they in their character, that while the former needed not to be regretted or repented of, because it led to reformation and eternal life ; the latter only led to eternal death.

Does this sentiment cast a shadow on your young heart ? Does it discourage you and raise the question ; " Perhaps I too am deceived ? " If so, refrain from your misgivings ; remember that while deception is possible it is not necessary.

I will now present you with illustrations of true and false repentance, by which you will readily perceive the wide difference that exists between them, and also understand precisely the nature of that penitence, which is the primary lesson in the school of Jesus Christ.

There was once a lad of my acquaintance, who had grown discontented. The just and wholesome restraints of his father's house were irksome to him. His proud heart magnified the wise discipline of home into tyranny. His temper grew sour. He became the evil genius of his paternal home.

Miserable himself, he spread an evil influence around him. The faces of his parents wore a saddened aspect. They expostulated with the wayward boy. He considered these judicious pleadings harsh ; in a moment of excitement he resolved to quit his home forever.

Prompted by ungovernable passions, he started stealthily away by night. Borne by swift conveyances, he soon reached a distant city. Madly joyous were his first wild outbreaks of feeling, when he felt himself free. No will above his own to control him. O ! he fancied himself the happiest of youth.

A few days spent in pleasure exhausted his scanty purse. He sought employment. His pride had often whispered that he had only to offer himself, to be eagerly employed by men of his craft. Now, he put his hope to the test, and called at various stores with the question — " Do you wish to hire any one in your business ? "

He met only a cold, unfeeling gaze, and an equally cold " We do not."

On he went from store to store, from street to street, and still the chilling, " We do not," fell upon his ears.

Thus he spent several days. His money gone, his spare wardrobe sold for bread, and still no employment. Hunger, grim and terrible of countenance, stared him in the face. Poverty compelled him to sleep in an empty cart that stood in a back street. Poor, proud boy ! how sadly his sins used him.

In this extremity he reasoned with himself: ".Fool that I am to stay here and starve. Father has plenty at home, and his fireside is warm. The old gentleman is pretty good hearted after all. I '11 go back ; if I do not I shall starve. If I could stay here, I would ; but I can 't. So I '11 go home and tell my father I 'm sorry, and so get rid of my trouble."

He returns home. With downcast eyes, he ventures into his father's presence. " Father," he says with well affected grief, " I am sorry I went from home. If you will let me come back again, I will try and do better in future."

He is forgiven and reinstated in his former place at the family homestead.

What does my reader think ? Is this a case of true penitence ; or is it not ? This lad felt sorrowful ; he confessed his fault ; he promised amendment. These are the three elements of repentance ; yet still, I press the question, was he a penitent ?

Before resolving this point; I wish to introduce another illustration.

Suppose, then, a mother and her daughter residing in some pleasant country village. It is a school holiday.

. " Mother, may I go to play with the girls in the pasture, this afternoon ? " inquires the child.

" You may, Helen, on one condition."

" What is that, mother ? " j

" That you will not go into Mr. Lester's meadow after strawberries.'"

u Why not, mother ? "

" Because the ivy abounds there. Mr. Lester's men were poisoned by it last summer ; and you know your playmate, Jane Carter, is now sick from the same cause. She went there last week to gather strawberries, and her feet are sadly swollen through being poisoned by the ivy."

" Then I am sure, mother, I will not go into the meadow."

" On that condition, you may join your frends in their pastimes, this afternoon."

Helen now sets out to join her companions, inwardly resolved to keep her promise. Various are the sports pursued by the youthful party, beneath a cluster of pleasant trees in the pasture. They organize a mimic school ; they go through the forms of housekeeping ; they run, they race, they enjoy the exhilaration of a swing, which is fastened safely to a stout old tree. At length, they are weary, and pause for some new method of spending the time. Presently, a little girl cries out, " Let us go into Mr. Lester's meadow and gather strawberries."

" yes, let us go ; " respond a half dozen voices at once.

Helen interposes. " no, don't let us go there."

" Why not, Helen ? Why not, Helen ? " they inquire.

" There is poison ivy in the meadow," she replies.

" O, is that all," they exclaim all at once.

" Don't you know Jane Carter is sick through going into that meadow and getting poisoned with the ivy?"

A pause ensues. The little party is startled. They know Jane Carter is sick. They may get poisoned too. Perhaps they had better not go.

Thus they think a few moments, when one of the girls starts up and remarks : " Yes, Jane Carter is sick ; but I know where the ivy is. It is down near the brook, which runs through the meadow. Jane went there and got poisoned. We will keep away from the brook. Come, let us go, strawberries are ripe and plenty. Let us run to the meadow."

This appeal decides them, and away they run across the pasture towards the meadow. Helen is following them slowly in the rear — her mother's caution ringing in her ears.

The meadow is reached. The children are all, save Helen, half concealed in the grass, gathering strawberries. She peeps through the fence, longing to join her companions.

" Come Helen ! " cries one, at the same moment holding up a large ripe strawbeny by way of temptation.

" My mother told me I must not enter the meadow," she said, though so faintly, it was plain her resolutions of obedience were fast giving way.

" O ! " said the other, coaxingly, " Your mother only meant you should not get near the ivy. If you don't get poisoned, she will not mind. Come, Helen ! "

Helen was overcome by this specious reasoning of her wily companion. So she crept through the bars, and in a few minutes forgot her mother's admonition ; the playful remarks of the party, with the excitement of searching after the sweet ripe strawberries shut out all sober thought.