A SUMMER'S MORN. SWEET the beams of rosy morning, Slow his progress and serene; Lovely songsters join their voices, All in nature now rejoices, Light and joy succeed the shades. May each morn, that in succession Days and years fresh blessings bring, THE PORTRAITURE OF A CHRISTIAN. Ir one were to draw the portraiture of a Christian, this probably would come near to his description. He is one who,in doctrine, believes that the three persons in Je hovah are equally engaged in the accomplishment of his salvation; that the love of the Father, Son, and Spirit, is but one love, directed to the three objects of their respec tive offices for him; namely, creation, redemption, and regeneration, terminating in his eternal glorification; that he was chosen freely to this mercy, when it was lost by Adam to his nature; that he is freely called by the effec tual application of Divine power; that he is justified wholly and entirely, and at once, by the obedience of Jehovah, in human flesh, to that perfect law which man was created to obey, but had broken; that he is sanctified in Jesus Christ through the Spirit; and by him shall persevere to the end, and be everlastingly saved. The Christian is one who, in experience, looks into himself only for humiliation; and, out of himself, to God in Christ, for all his happiness. He perceives, and often very wofully, that he has not the power of thinking, saying, or doing one good thing; and that, however specious many moral acts may appear to the world, there is nothing intrinsically holy but what is brought into him, and maintained in him by the agency of the Holy One. Body, soul, and spirit, therefore, he meekly surrenders to his God, for time and for eternity. He distrusts his own wisdom, and will, in all cases, from a just persuasion that what is perverse in its own nature can only lead him astray. His whole security from falling, he founds upon his God; and, accordingly, he flies to him in all his temptations and distresses, great or small. He feels himself a poor, weak creature, that cannot stand a moment, and is, therefore, never easy but when he leans upon his beloved. He is well acquainted with this truth, uttered by a good man, that "with God, the most of mosts, in opposition to himself, is less than nothing; but, without him, the least of leasts is too great a burden;" and he hath that joy and peace in his Savior, which he knows the world can neither give nor take away. Advert to his manners and conversation He attends the ordinances of the gospel, because in them he finds refreshment and strength to his soul. He hears the word with solemnity, comes to hear it with seriousness, and departs with gravity. Not glad, when service is performed, to commence busy body in other men's matters, or to enter into the frothy discourse of idle tongues. Like Mary, he wishes to treasure up the gospel in his heart, without evaporating its sweet savor by the impertinence and dissipation of worldly things. Collected and retired in himself, he aims to be inoffensive to others. Without parade, he is religious; and serious without either • gloom or severity. Never wishing to be forward in disputes, he is ever desirous of supporting the truths of God in a way that may please God." He seeks not to obtrude upon or assume over others; but, with modest cheerful. ness, wishes to elevate religion in the eyes of men; bearing with their infirmities, from the deepest conviction of his own. Above all things, he delights in the company of Him who speaks as none other can speak; and, when he obtained this happiness, to use an old paradox, "is never less alone than when he is alone." He is never satisfied "to part with his private duty, till he has found communion with God in it; and, when he has found that, he perceives such a sweetness and savor in it, as to make it not easy for him to go forth again into the world." Against such an experience as this, which sees, and handles, and tastes of the word of life, there is no arguing. If a man should attempt to controvert this testimony, it would be worse than to deny the evidence of the natural senses; because it is founded upon the truth of God, which cannot deceive; and upon the power of God, which worketh all in all. These are some principal outlines of the Christian in his faith,experience, and conversation. There are others, reader, which, if these are once transcribed upon thy soul, will, by the power of grace, come in to heighten the amia. ble picture of thy heart and life. But, does there not appear, even from these, some benefit and advantage in being a Christian? The devil himself spake truth for once, when he said, that "Job did not serve God for nought;" nor doth any true believer. If the heathen moralist could af. firm that "Virtue is its own reward," what superior advantages hath such a believer, who, with Abraham, knows that Jehovah himself is his shield, and his "inexpressibly, exceeding great reward." Redeem'd from slavery of earth, In Christ renew'd by heav'nly birth, Looking to Jesus as their friend, See how the Christians die!" END OF FIRST VOLUME. Samuel Turell Armstrong, printer. |