Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1836-07-21

OF church, it must be brought about by
causing the desired change to take place
IN the individual members. So in the
present case We must all engage in
this business. And be assured, brethren,
! 1t IS home work, which cannot be per-
formed for US by others. We must GO
about 1t ourselves if we would ever have
our hearts filled with the fruits of the
spirit; and our piety rendered like that Of
primitive saints and the martyrs of the
church. In this work we are confident
that the Christian who aims at elevated
9lety, will be often and seriously engaged.
He will practically regard the veighty
direction of the apostle: Examine YOUR
selves whether ye be in the faith prove
your own Sc Ives. Know We not your
own selves, how that Jesus Christ is In
you, except We be reprobates." Having
thus prayerfully inspected the state of the
heart, he will labor 'with all diligence to
keep his heart" in the love of God and in
the faith Of tsus-Will aim to correct what
! IS wrong or redundant-to ''s1rengthrn
the things that remain and are ready to
die TO cherish holy affections and pious
exerciScs-to cultivate a heavenly mind !;
and TO affect himself more and more Deep
! y with a sense Of eternal things
This is also daily work. 1t cannot he
deferred without disastrous consequences.
And when it is faithfully performed it will
not be in vain. Its results will be gloli-
Gus, and its happy fruits will soon be ap-
parent in rjrh clusters ON all the branches
of personal rei0 ion.
! SecondIy-If you would attain 10 emf
hence in piety, it is important that, as your
crpmpe, you set the Lord even before
you, and that you acknowledge him in all
your ways. In every thing you must
look to him as your pattern, and must es-
recially "lct the same mind be in YOU,
which was also in him." For if any
man have not the spirit Of Christ, he is
none Of HIS With the Lord tuli in your
view, we say, brethren, 'bc not coniOrmed
to this world, either in its spirit, its max
inns or its customs; but labor to conform
in all things TO him who was 'h6lv, harm
less, undrflcd, and separate from Sinners'
and who has said, IF any man serve
me, l6I nun IOIIO" Ill., IdNC given
you an example, that ye should do as |
have done" Such a course will not fail
of producing blessed effects in the cause of
true pety; For 'he that foIowcth Chris.
shall not walk in darkness;' nor fail Of
growing in grace, and in divine knowI-
edge.
! AS intimately connected with the fore
~ will l,o of 0CcoOtio
qIencc,
ThirdIy-That in order to deep and
vigorous piety, you will be constantly on
your guard against "grieving," by sinful
thoughts, affections or practices, 'thc Ho-
ly Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed
unto the dav Of redemption.' The special
presence of this Divine Comforter is ne
:ceSsary to enIven your faith, your hopes,
and your graces. And that s5ekinah, or
symbol Of the Divine presence is often
withdrawn by reason ofour unfaithtuIness
and sins. And then all within is dark,
comfortless and unfruitfuI. Avoiding
therefore as much as possible all sin, and
"perfecting holiness in the fear Of God,
bis lite-gIving presence must be affection
atcly wooed, and his gentle motions and
) indictments picusly needed and cherish
. ed. Devout aspirations must also, from
| full and feeling hearts, be often raised tc
] heavCn-such as, 80 Lord, take not thy
' Holy Spirit from me-" Woe unto u;
: when the Lord is departed.
! FourthIy-Secret prayer, daily and de-
! voutly offered 10 God, we next IT commend
r as direct and necessary means Of strcng
d thenng pious principles and enIvenin!
= pious affections. Where this essential
J. duty-this invaluable privilege, is babu
e ally neglected. or but inconstantIy and un
= feeling'y performed, true piety in the sou
h must necessarily wane and anguish. Blu
:, where ii is regularly and CONSCIENTIOUS
d attended, it will powerfully suhserve tn
e advancement of piety in the heart.
1t tends to keep eternity in view, and tn
5; eternal King in all our thoughts |
d then, B ethren, repeatedly every day, Ell
IS ter INTO your closet and there spray
IL ferventIv TO your Father which is i
a secret; and your Father which stth j
I'd secret, shall reward You open|v.'
" connection with. secret devotion, as we
Iy as at other times, it SHOULD he your settle
is practice to read devoutIy portion Of - II
1t, good word fGod, and to mediate ser
in ously upon its doctrines, its promises, i
We threatenings, and all its wonderful di
IS, closures and announcements s. Scare
in the scriptures: for in them ye think J
be have eternal life" Make them the M
ly Of your constant counsel, and they will
as "a lamp unto yoar feet and liz
nd unto your path Reading the Bible, d
oe vout religious thinking, and fervent 5
- cret prayer constitute happy means
he keeping alive religion in the soul, a.
pit tend powerfully to deepen piety. Isaac
you rccollect, went out to mediate
as The fields. at even -tide'1 And Of a ore