Portraiture of the New Testament churchmembers

Front matter

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I

Preface

The idea of the book herewith presented to the public, was suggested to my mind by another volume recently published by me, entitled, " The Minister of Christ for the Times." As, in that book, a portraiture was attempted of the true gospel minister, by notes drawn from the inspired Scriptures — so, in the present volume, is submitted an effort nearly similar, to mark the true and genuine church-members.

I cannot, of course, suppose that the picture here drawn is perfect ; on the contrary, I am already painfully conscious of some of its deficiencies. Yet such as

4 PREFACE.

it is, it may, with God's blessing, be some use to such as shall be dispose^ thoughtfully and prayerfully to contemplate it. To these, of whatever denomination, it is committed, with the best wishes, in their behalf, of

The Author.

Lowell, Feb., 1850,

Chapter I. New-testament Church-members In Respect To Position

SECT. PA&E

1. Awakening 9

3. Faith 12

4. Forgiveness 14

5. Renewal . 16

6. Consecration 18

7. Adoption 19

8. Heirship 21

9. Progress 22

10. Children of light 24

11. Filled with knowledge. . 26

12. Filled with utterance... 27

13. Election 29

14. Purchased by Christ 31

15. Members of Christ 32

SECT. PAGE

16. Temples of God 33

17. Saved from wrath ...... 35

18. Candidates for heaven.. 37

19. Subjects of special provi-

dence , 38

20. Subjects of Divine guid-

ance 40

21. Occupants of heavenly

places.. 42

22. Compassed with wit-

nesses 43

23. Under charge of angels. 45

24. Names in heaven 47

25. Waiting for Christ's com-

ing 48

Chapter II New-testament Church-members In Respect To Personal Character

26. Gentleness 51

27. Patience 53

28. Forbearance 55

29. Meekness 56

30. Humility 58

31. Quietness 61

32. Temperance 62

33. Purity 63

34. Loveliness 65

35. Death to the world 66

36. Spirituality 68

37. Trust 70

40. Joy and Peace 75

41. Fear of God 77

42. Watchfulness 79

43. Wakefulness 81

44. Earnestness 82

45. Strength 84

46. Promptness 86

47. Prudence 87

48. Wisdom 89

49. Steadfastness 91

50. Loftiness of motive 93

51. Resistance to Satan.... 94

Chapter III. New-testament Church -members In Respect To Each Other

52. Brotherly love 97 57. Interest for each other. . 105

58. Interest for each other's spiritual progress 107

59. Sociality 109

53. Union

54. Abstinence from contro-

versy 100

55. Mutual submission.

56. Appreciation of each oth

102 60. Courtesy Ill

61. Catholicity 112 er's gifts 104 62. Appropriation of all.

6 CONTENTS.

Chapter IV. New-testament Chuech-members In Respect To Private Duties

SECT. PAGE SECT. PAGE

63. Searching the Holy Scrip- 66. Self-denial and cross-

tures 117 bearing.. 122

64. Prayer., 119 67. Self-examination 125

65. Fasting.. 121 68. Thanksgiving 127

CHAPTER Y.

NEW-TESTAMENT CHURCH-MEMBERS IN RESPECT TO THE SABBATH AND WORSHIP.

69. The Christian Sabbath 71. Circumspection in the

held sacred 129 house of God 133

70. Assembling for divine 72. Social Worship.. 135

worship „ 131 73. Communion 137

CHAPTER YI.

NEW-TESTAMENT CHUECH-MEMBERS IN RESPECT TO THE SABBATH-SCHOOL*.

74. Deep interest in the Sun- 76. Adding to its numbers.. 143

day-School 139 77. Other efforts 145

75. Activity in its behalf 141 78. Perseverance 147

CHAPTER YIL

NEW-TESTAMENT CHURCH- MEMBERS IN RESPECT TO MINISTERS.

79. Reception of ministers.. 150 83. Prayer for ministers 157

80. Support of ministers 151 84. Unreasonable dependence

81. Esteem and love for mi- upon ministers 150

nisters 153 85. Unreasonable demands

82. Helping ministers 155 upon ministers 161

CHAPTER YIIL

NEW- TESTAMENT CHURCH-MEMBERS IN RESPECT TO PREACHING.

86. Carefulness in hearing 90. Love for the preached

preaching 164 word 171

87. Intense attention... 166 91. Desire for benefit 172

88. Deep reverence 167 92. Earnest prayer 174

94. Practical hearing 177

CHAPTER IX.

NEW-TESTAMENT CHURCH-MEMBERS IN RESPECT TO BUSINESS.

95. Occupations 180 99. Moderation in business 187

Q6. Useful business 181 100. Payment of debts J 90

97. Diligence in business... 184 101. Honesty 192

98. Quietness in business... 186 102. The glory of God in view 194

CONTENTS. 7

CHAPTER X.

NEW-TESTAMENT CHURCH-MEMBERS IN THE CONJUGAL RELATION. SECT* PAGE SECT. PAGE

103. Love of husbands to 109. Submission 207

their wives 196 110. Reverence 209

104. Absence of bitterness. . 198 111. Benignity of conversa-

105. Knowledge of duty 199 tion 210

106. Honour to wives 201 112. Diligence in domestic

107. Salvation of wives 203 duties 212

108. Love of wives to their 113. Reputation of husbands 214

husbands 205 114. Salvation of husbands. . 216

CHAPTER XL

NEW-TESTAMENT CHURCH- MEMBERS IN THE PARENTAL RELATION.

115. Physical wants of chil- 120. Obedience 228

dren 218 121. Religious training 230

116. Correction 220 122. Dedication to the Lord. 232

1 17. Anger in children 222 123. Education 234

118. Evil associates 224 124. Children fitted to bless

119. Evil books 226 the world 236

CHAPTER XII.

NEW- TESTAMENT CHURCH-MEMBERS IN THE FILIAL AND FRATERNAL RELATIONS.

125. Honour to parents 239 129. Harmony of brothers and

126. Obedience 241 sisters 246

127. Docility 243 130. Love and kindness 248

128. Requiting of parents. . . 244

CHAPTER XIII.

NEW-TESTAMENT CHURCH-MEMBERS AS RULERS.

131. Justice 251 134. Prosperity 256

132. Fear of God 253 135. Ministers of God 258

133. Intelligence 255

CHAPTER XIV.

NEW-TESTAMENT CHURCH-MEMBERS AS SUBJECTS.

136. Election of good men as 138. Honour to rulers 265

rulers 261 139. Prayer for rulers 267

137. Obedience to rulers 263 140. Expenses of government 269

CHAPTER XV.

NEW-TESTAMENT CHURCH-MEMBERS AS MASTERS.

141. Compensation to ser- 142. Kindness 273

vants .- 271 143. Christian bearing 275

8 CONTENTS.

CHAPTER XVI

NEW-TESTAMENT CHURCH-MEMBERS AS SERVANTS. SECT. PAGE SECT. TAGE

144. Obedience 277 146. Good behaviour 281

145. Fidelity 279

CHAPTER XVII.

NEW-TESTAMENT CHURCH-MEMBERS AS TEACHERS.

147. Qualifications 283 150. Effectual teaching 289

148. Aptness to teach 285 151. Interest in teaching 291

149. Meekness of manner.. . 287 152. Teachers of good 293

CHAPTER XVIII.

NEW-TESTAMENT CHURCH-MEMBERS AS PUPILS-

153. Love of instruction 295 156. Eagerness to improve. 301

154. Attention to instruction 297 157. Retentiveness 303

155. Curiosity 299 158. Divine approval 305

CHAPTER XIX.

NEW-TESTAMENT CHURCH-MEMBERS IN RESPECT TO THE UNREGENERATE.

159. Deep and abiding inter- 164. Manifested friendship. . 317

est 308 165. Conversation 318

160. Love to souls 310 166. Christian literature 320

161. Efforts for conversion.. 311 167 Invitation to the house

162. Avoiding offences 313 of God 322

163. A Christian example. . . 315 168. Supplication 324

CHAPTER XX.

NEW-TESTAMENT CHURCH-MEMBERS IN RESPECT TO THE HEATHEN.

169. Interest for the race.. . 327 176 Divine promise touching

170. Extent of heathenism. . 329 the spread of the gos-

171. Deformity of heathen- pel 342

ism 331 177. Other encouragements. 344

172. The remedy 333 178. Going to the heathen.. 346

173. Divinely-appointed and 179. What may each do ?. . . 348

only remedy 336 180. Prayer for increase of

174. Duty of evangelization 338 labourers 350

175. Progress of evangeliza- 181. Perpetual wakefulness

tion 349 and zeal 352

PORTRAITURE OF THE NEW-TESTAMENT CHURCH-MEMBERS.

Section I

"Awake, thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead" — 2 Tim. ii, 26.

The members of the New-Testament Church have been awakened. They are not, like the rest of mankind, dead in trespasses and in sins ; they are not, as they once were, blind to their native character and tendencies ; they are not asleep, as formerly, to the vanity of the present world, and to the unutterable importance of the things that are to come ; they no longer dream that time is everything — eternity, nothing. The scales have fallen from their eyes ; they have trembled in view of their position as unpardoned sinners. They have been thoroughly convinced of sin, and have discerned something of its hateful character, and have felt their perishing need of a Saviour. Thenhearts the Lord hath opened that they should attend to the things which belong to their peace. They have felt that " pricking of the heart,"

which is the operation of God's Holy Spirit, and have become alive to a new class of emotions and influences. It is not meant that all have felt themselves to have been equally aroused and alarmed. Yet of all it is true that they have emerged from a state of spiritual slumber and inactivity, and have become interested in the salvation of the Gospel. They have awaked to righteousness. With concern sincere, and more or less deep, they have looked around themselves, and inquired, "What shall I do that I may be saved, and inherit eternal life?" Whereas they were once blind, they now see — see with sufficient clearness to induce them to pause in their course of sin, and neglect of God and of eternity. Like the traveller, before whom is suddenly revealed a precipice frightful and ruinous, they have come to a full stand, and advance no step farther in that direction. Thus the thousands of Pentecost were effectually made to pause. Thus Paul, as he journeyed to Damascus, was arrested like the bullock struck by the axe of death. Thus the jailer, in his alarm, sprang toward the apostles to inquire for safety.

Section II

" God be merciful to me a sinner." — Luke xviii, 13.

The members of the New-Testament Church have become penitent. Seeing themselves, and their exposed situation, they have not hardened themselves against the truth. They have not, like the impenitent Jews, when wounded by the darts of truth, gnashed upon its minister with their teeth, and rejected the counsel of God against themselves. But while they have felt all, they have acknowledged all — have confessed themselves to be sinners — yea, even the chief of transgressors. They have at once applied to the only remedy. There is forsaking as well as confession — a turning away from their wrong doings — a breaking off of then sins by righteousness — a sorrowing for past offences, and a looking for pity to Him who hath promised that he who confesseth and forsaketh his sins shall have mercy. Thus the publican, with no thought, like the Pharisee, of any personal goodness, but deeply penetrated with a consciousness of sin and guilt, standing afar off, and forbearing so much as to lift his eyes heavenward, cried, " God be merciful to me a sinner I" Thus the multitudes that were wounded under Peter's sermon — who, in the midst of their distress, repented as they were directed to do — gave up their sins upon the spot, and begged for remission, and were comforted, of course, and were added to the number of the disciples of the Lord Jesus.

Thus the members of this Church became such in a state of penitence. They felt, and bewailed, and forsook their sins ; nor aside from this would they have found their way into such a Church, or received mercy from God. This spirit of contrition for sin they always feel, just so long as any remains of the carnal mind linger within them.

Thus the Corinthian Christians sorrowed with a godly repentance when convicted of wrong by the apostolic epistle. Thus the true Christian of every age, so long as, upon careful and solemn examination, he detects his failings, his dulness, his injudicious words, his misspent minutes, his loss of opportunities for doing good, — just so long he mourns over these defects in his Christian character with sincere penitence. Every day he prays, "Forgive us our trespasses." Every day, as, in his closet, he compares himself with the great God and his perfect law, he cries from the depths of his soul, "Have mercy upon me, O God ; according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies, blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin; for I acknowledge my transgressions."

Section III

U I believe that Jesus Christ is tlie Son of God." — Acts

viii, 37.

The members of the New-Testament Church have trusted in Christ. Thus did his apostles at the first. As they passed with him from place to place, and heard his words, and saw his wondrous works, they confided in him as the true Messiah and Lord — as him that " should come into the world." When others went away, and walked no more with him, the language of these disciples, when asked if they would also go away, was, " Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life." After lie had. to their surprise, descended to the grave, and before they had consciously seen him again alive, they whispered among themselves, " We trusted that it had been He who should have redeemed Israel." Thomas but expressed the confidence of all his brethren, as, in that sacred meeting after the resurrection, he stretched forth his hands, exclaiming, " My Lord and my God !" The eunuch, in his chariot, was reading the Prophet Isaiah, and when he learned of whom he was reading — and when Philip, beginning at the same scripture, preached unto him Jesus — then with all his heart he affirmed, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God." And upon such a belief of the heart, and such a confession of the mouth, he was baptized and went on his way rejoicing. The jailer was astonished and alarmed at the supernatural manifestation at the prison — and rushing into the presence of Paul and Silas, he cried, " Sirs, what must I do to be saved ?" The response he receives is, " Believe — trust in Christ." He trusted, and rejoiced. Cornelius, also, came into the New- Testament Church in the same way. He was a praying man before ; and the Lord heard him, as he hears all that seriously inquire after him — and Peter comes, and preaches Christ, the Lord of all, and Cornelius believes, and is happy.

So of all the members of this Church, of eveiy age, nation, colour, or grade of wickedness, previous to their membership. Christ is the door of this blessed fold, and they all come in directly there. They come to Christ — not literally, indeed, as did the woman of the bloody issue — but mentally, spiritually, — with their hearts. They leave all other hopes — abandon all other supposed methods of salvation — they relinquish all ideas of fitness — they stand still, and cease from their own works, and fall as they are — sinners lost — upon Him who came into the world to save — sinners.

None ever came to Him and was cast out. Millions have come, and all have found an instant welcome. They were not to ascend to heaven to bring Christ down, nor descend into the deep to bring him up — the word was nigh them — in them — already in their lips, and in their hearts. And they confessed with the mouth the Lord Jesus, and believed in their hearts that God had raised him from the dead, and they were saved.

Section IV

" Thy sins are forgiven thee" — Luke v, 20.

The members of the New-Testament Church are forgiven. Having broken off their sins, and returned to the Lord, he has had mercy upon them, and has abundantly pardoned them. They are justified freely by his grace, and there is now no condemnation. " I have written unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake." Thus the publican went down to his house justified ; and thus to one and another the blessed Saviour pronounced the heavenly declaration, saying, " Thy sins are forgiven thee."

Forgiven ! Their sins are buried, and are become as though they had never been. They are passed away to eternal oblivion; and those who were guilty and condemned, and ready for execution, are utterly absolved for the sake of Him who died for their sins, and rose again for their justification. And who shall ever be able to compute the worth of a gift like this? If some man on earth had sinned only once in the course of his earthly existence, would it not be worth a world that such a single sin should be buried — this one stain wiped away, and the man reckoned innocent as if he had never at all transgressed ? But the church -members I am describing have been forgiven — not a single sin — not a few — but " sins which are many." There is now sunshine and peace.

11 My God is reconciled,

His pard'ning voice I hear ; He owns me for his child, I can no longer fear."

Tell me if, after such absolution — a blessing of infinite and everlasting value — the members of this Church will ever cease to be thrilled with holy gratitude and love ? And if another — if others — if a nation — a world, may, by searching, find the same pearl of great price — and if the forgiven sinner's agency might contribute to such a result, will he not exert that agency as a privilege too great to be forfeited for mountains of gold, and crowns of evanescent fame ? O, will these churehmembers ever forget that "Blessed is the man whose transgressions are forgiven — whose sin is covered ?" And will they bear solemnly in memory the declaration of James, as in the conclusion of his Epistle he writes, " Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him, let him know that he that converteth a sinner from the error of his ways, shall save a soul from death, and hide a multitude of sins."

section v

" If any man be in Christ he is a new creature" — 2 Corinthians v, 17.

The members of the New-Testament Church are renewed. They were once sinners — their hearts alienated from God, and they children of wrath, even as others. Some of them were among the violent, the profane, the unclean, the injurious; but they have repented, and their sins have been purged away. They are washed, they are sanctified, they are justified, in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of God. They are created anew in Christ Jesus unto good works. They are regenerated, and born anew of water and of the Holy Ghost.

And who shall fully appreciate the change that has gone over these men and women, as we view them translated out of the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of God's dear Son? The apostles, when called and renewed, left all, and followed Christ. Paul, from a violent and injurious persecutor, became a builder of the faith which before he had destroyed, — and gave his life and every ability to the advancement of the Redeemer's kingdom. These members, being regenerated, became kindred to all good and benevolent beings, and naturally labour to advance every excellent enterprise. All things are become new. They dwell as in a new world — their action is new — their natures — their tendencies — their lives, have become revolutionized and sanctified. This is the power of the everlasting gospel — this is the genius of the Divine working. He who declared, " Behold, I make all things new," has laid his hand upon his little ones, and they are no longer of the earth, earthy, but are formed after the image of Him that created them.

Will the Christian, then, ever think of himself otherwise than as a sacred person? Will his mind linger another day with the earth ? Changed by grace, and changed with a view to eternal life, will he spend another hour in labouring for the meat that perisheth — or will not every effort be reaching for the meat that endureth forever? Has God created him anew unto good works? Has not the Divine hand formed him for a sacred and heavenly instrument ? Is he not, henceforward, to be a labourer in the Lorel's vineyard ? If men light not a

candle to place it under a bushel, then does God light up the fire of heaven in a human heart to conceal it from a benighted race ? " Ye are the light of the world."

Section VI

"I beseech you therefore, brethren, that ye present yowr bodies — ." — Rom. xii, 1.

The members of the New-Testament Church are consecrated persons. They have given themselves to be the Lord's forever. They contemplate themselves as not their own; — they are married to Christ-— pledged to him and his sacred service by a solemn covenant. Thus they consider themselves no longer at liberty to live unto themselves, but to Him that died for them and rose again. They have accepted the Lord as their Sovereign and Ruler, to dwell in their hearts evermore, to reign supremely and incessantly over them, and to be the strength of their hearts and their portion forever. They feel themselves now to be shut up to the service of Christ. They have, comprehensively, but one thing to do — to glorify God in their bodies and their spirits, which are his. There is one great inquiry of their lives. It is, " Lord, what wilt thou have me to do ?" Thus the church-members in Macedonia, in connexion with the liberality of their charitable gifts, first gave their own selves unto the Lord. And giving ourselves to the Lord, there is, of course, no withholding of whatever good things the Lord of Providence has bestowed upon us. The good and true church-members fail not to lay all upon the altar of sacrifice ; — their bodies, and all that sustains them, — their minds, and all their operations and productions, — their hearts, and all their desires, affections, hopes, happiness. A voice Divine has fallen upon their ears, saying, " My son, give me thy heart;" and they have obeyed. Nor is their self-consecration an occasional matter; but their covenant is perpetual and everlasting. They take not themselves away from the Divine arms and the Divine heart; but they abide in Christ, and cleave to the eternal Rock. They come out from the world, and separate themselves, and are received of the Father, and are henceforth His sons and daughters.

And the presentation of their powers and their being to Christ as a living sacrifice, is pronounced by the apostle a reasonable service. Reasonable, indeed ! Nor is there reason, or propriety, or goodness, or salvation, until this sacrifice is performed.

Section VII

" Ye are all children of God" — Gal. iii, 26.

The members of the New-Testament Church are children of God. They have come into a high and holy relationship, and their exaltation is astonishing, and beyond all human conception. They are born of God, and are owned and cherished by him as his own dear children. " Come out from among them," He saith, "and be ye separate, and touch not the unclean thing, and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters." And this is so of all that have accepted of the Saviour ; for to as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name. As he viewed all this, John exclaimed, in his amazement, " Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed on us that we should be called the sons of God !"

And with the fact before him that he is a child of God, and that the Lord Almighty is his Father, what will the Christian do, and how will he conduct himself? Will he not hasten to do the work of his Father ? "With infinite interest will he not study the will of his Father, and covet his likeness, and sympathize in his plans, and co-operate with his efforts, and watch his providences, and be led by his Spirit? Sons and daughters of the Lord Almighty! What have these to do with anything that is low, or trifling, or impure, or transient, or worldly, or undignified? Remembering their relation to God, will they ever put forth their hand save to please and glorify him ? Will they ever cease to adore the infinite condescension that deigns to adopt and to exalt them ? Will their admiration ever cease while viewing the God of the universe thus approaching fallen and sinful beings, and lifting up upon them the smiles of a Father? Will they ever shrink from any duty while such a relation between themselves and God shall continue ? Shall they not gather a power and a courage here by which to overcome every foe, and which shall lead them with firm and sprightly step to move for the redemption of the world to Christ? What may not Christians accomplish if their Father be He who sitteth in the heavens, and ruleth all things ?

section vni.

"If children, then heirs! 1 — Rom. viii, 17.

The members of the New-Testament Church are heirs of God. This seems a natural consequence of the relation before named. They are begotten of God according to his abundant mercy unto a lively hope, and to an inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for them. They are not straitened, for all things are theirs, whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come. In the best of all senses may it be said of them, that they possess all things. All things conspire to work out their benefit. Eternal life is before them, while great and glorious things are in actual possession. Their days of life are sublime, in view of the unspeakable riches that are poured at their feet. All things requisite to their highest usefulness are placed within their reach. The great gift of the Holy Spirit, that wonderful baptism, is ready; and under its influence they shall be mighty to the pulling down of strongholds. They will come to possess all the Christian adorning, and be fitted to be efficient and successful labourers in the vineyard of the Lord.

O, the untold, priceless riches that lie, this moment within the grasp of these heirs of God ! The thoughtful heart faints at the contemplation of the exuberance of the gifts and blessings in their power to-day, and which they are competent to seize for pushing the triumphs of the cross in every direction over the world. Freely they have received — will they not freely give? Will they not largely communicate, and especially when precisely here it may be said that there is that scattereth, and yet increaseth ; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, and it tendeth to poverty ?

Section IX

" Forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark? — Phil, iii, 13, 14.

The members of the New-Testament Church are in a state of progress. Great things are spoken touching the advancement of the people of God. Leaving the principles of the doctrines of Christ, they go on to perfection. The foundation being secured, the heavenly superstructure is rising every day. Giving all diligence, they add to their faith virtue ; and to virtue, knowledge ; and to knowledge, temperance ; and to temperance, patience ; and to patience, godliness ; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, charity : for these things being in them, and abounding, they make them that they be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. Like the lovely fruits of the earth, they are ever growing, and maturing, and ripening. There is first the blade, then the ear, then the full corn in the ear. If the outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. They are bowing their knees to the Father, and he is granting to them, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man ; that Christ may dwell in their hearts by faith ; that they, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height, and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that they may be filled with all the fulness of God. For they are looking to Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that they can ask or think, according to the power that worketh in them. Thus, while eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, and it hath not entered the mind of man what God hath prepared for them that wait for him ; yet he is perpetually revealing to them those things by his Spkit.

Successive years, as they roll away, are placing these church-members in new positions. They see with greater and still greater clearness; and the path they travel shineth more and more unto the perfect day. They put on Christ more and more fully, and the shape they bear is rapidly approximating the heavenly model. Seeing, as in a glass, the glory of the Lord, they are changed into the same image, from glory to glory, even as hj the Spirit of the Lord. With steady and decided steps, they are preparing to be presented perfect in Christ Jesus. All-pervading and full is the baptism for which they look, and which they receive. From one degree to another, they are rising perpetually, while wider and wider is the prospect that encircles them, and purer and lovelier the atmosphere they inhale. And when, at the last, they come up to the gate of heaven, there will be " an abundant entrance."

SECTION X. * Ye are all children of lightV — I Thess. v, 5

The members of the New-Testament Church are children of light. The darkness that once hung over their minds has partially cleared away. They no longer walk in blindness ; but the Lord, by his Spirit and his word, has illuminated their minds and removed the scales from their eyes; and He who hath shined out of darkness, hath shined into their hearts, to give them the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. They no longer lie under the mistake that this world is everything, and the future of trifling consequence. But the light that has shone upon them, has discovered to them the overwhelming importance of everlasting things. Under this light, they look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen ; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal. All this world rises before their minds as fading and empty. They see clearly that all here is perishing, and that all efforts are, in a sense, lost that are not put forth for the meat which endureth to everlasting life. Indeed, to these children of light, all things wear a different aspect from the former appearance. They have opened their eyes as if upon a new world, and they are moving in a diviner sphere. They see God. Wherever they go he meets them. All nature's scenery reveals him to their wondering eyes. They see His glory, and all the universe around appears to them one vast sanctuary, and all pervaded and animated by His sublime presence. Amid the luminous atmosphere where they move, they see God's hand in all that occurs to them, and mark his footsteps amid the tumults and shakings that agitate thrones and nations. They see life — what it is, and what its connexion with the awful future. They see death — they see the judgment to come — they see the world of retribution, and the world of heaven. They see the results of righteousness and of wickedness, and are not blind to the momentous distinction, in time and in eternity, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not. Nor are they blind to their own duty and agency in the matter of rescuing men from ruin, and aiding them to compass immortal good.