The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1827-02-07
3seGtgfous.
on DEYoTIO.Y

|" Devotion, considered simrly in itself. is an
intercourse between God and US, betU cen the
sspreme sef-existent, inConceivable Spirit.
which formed aud preserves the universe, and
that particular Spirit, with which, for awful
reasons, he has animated a portion of matter
upon earth that we call man.
| sit is silent act, in which the soul dyest,
! itself OF outward things, flies into heaven
and pours forth all IFS wants, wishes, hopes
fears, quilts or pleasures into the bosom of an
almighty Friend. Though This devotion. in
its first stages, may be a wearisome, insipid
exercise, little habit will overcome the re-
luctance. and whenyou have fairly entered
on your journey. tl.~ WAYS of this wisdom will
be always OF Pleasantness, aud all its paths
peace. True devotion doubtless requires a
considerable degree of abstraction from the
worid-hence many modern Christians treat
it as vision, hence many modern writers
have little OF its junction bu; it CLOVIS in the
scriptures, it warns US in the fathers, it burn
ed in Austin and many other OF the prosecuted
martyrs who are now with God.-That we
hear little of it is NOT wonderful, Ii makes no
noise in the circle of the learned or the ele.
CANT; under a heap OF worldly cares, we
smother the lovely infant, and will not let it
breathe. Vanity, ambition, pleasure, avarice.
quench the celestial fire; and these alas /!
are too much the god Of mortals. Ever since
the world began, writers have been smusing
us with shadows of this piety, instead of Civ
ing it soul and substance, superstition has
placed it in opi1ions, ceremonies, austerities.
piisrimsges, and august temples or splendid
imagery, which has little connection with SEN
timent or spirit.
" Enthusiasm has swelled with unnatural
conceptions, and obtruded a spurious offspring
on the world, instead of this engaging child Of
reason and truth-while the lukewsrn have
rested in a few outward duties, which have
had no vigor, and, as they sprung not from the
heart, never entered the temple Of the Most
High.-Real pety is OF a different and o! a
much more animated nature it looks up TO
God; sees, hears, in every event, in every vi
cissItude, in all seasons, and upon all coca
sions-it is theory verified by experience it
is faith substantiated by mental enjoyment
it is heaven transplanted III the human bosom;
il is the radiance of the Divinity warming and
encrcling man. II is spiritual sense gTatif-
ed by spiritual sensations-without this all
ceremonies are ineficacious books, prayers,
sacraments aud meditations, are but a bod
without soul, or statue without ANNA
ton.
"That man is capable of such an inter-
course with his Maker, there are many living
witnesses TO prove, without having recourse to
the visions Of fanatics, or to the dreams OF
n.tural or philosophical causes. God is
spirit so is the mind. Bodies can have inter
course; so can souls. When minds are IN an
assimilating state Of purity, they have un'ol
with their Maker-This was the bliss OF par
adise sin interrupted, and holiness must re
store Il TO the soul. Thus disposed, the Crea
Tor communicates himself to the soul, IN
manner as insenSble 10 the natural eye az ar
the falling dews; but not less refreshing to It
secret powers than they are to vegetation.
| "The primitive saints are thus described
when they speak OF .heir transports. DavI
felt il when he longed for God, as the bal
panteth after the water.brooks; st. Pau
when he was carried up into the third hoaN
cas-, and heard things not 20 be utteredi p
Stephen was filled with it, when he saw IN
heavens opened, and prayed for his murder
e.s. By il martyrs were supported wnen inc
were stoned and sswn asunder; ana unt
] we feel il ourselves, we shal! never Sn0w IL