Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1836-12-28
VOL. IX....NO. IA.


Christian hates, and consequently avoids
on their own account In the former, the
secret relish for forbidden enjoyments re-
mains, and the recollection of former in
dull genccs produces pleasure and excites
desires for their repetition; therefore they
often indulge secret y in sin, and not SCI
dom openl y. so far as regard 10 character
j viii permit; and at times, fear of punish.
: ment alone deters fem selGindulgence.-
A strong rcpugnonce 10 active efforts in
the cause OF Christ is generally conDect-
ed with these feelings and where the mind
is hopeless ofsecurng future benefit from
them, they are neglected altogether
conversion being an entire change in the
desires and relish ofthe soul, the decep-
ton under which such labor, is evident.
I. The eoadings OF conscience induce
many professors reluctantly to engage in
those religious duties which the Chris
tan discharges with delight. Often are
such to be seen, suddenly aroused under
the exhibition of truth, publicly confessing
their backwardness in duty and the incon-
sistcncy Of their lives, accompanied with
solemn promises CT future watchfulness
anu oEN OLtOll' L uCSS lSSOlut1ODS act as
an oPiate to the conscience, and in a month
their hcartlessness is evinccd bv return
, to word}jness, like the dog to lis vomit.
Mutltudes in the church are miStaking
the impulse Of conscience, for Christian
/ motives: and it IS to be feared will never,
till enclosed in the arms of eternal death,
discover that thefriend of God is one who
is led by his inclnations, and not merely
driven by conscience, to the discharge Of
his duties TO God ard men, 8. Early
habits lead often to a course of conduct in
one, which grace induces ano;herto adopt
such as the external observance of the
! Sabbath, attendance on the sanctuary, &C.
casional secret prayer, &c. 9. A secret
hope ofsecuring the favor Of God induces ,
the discharge Of many duties, and endur-
ance of selt-denials, 10 which pure dis
interested benevolence will also Lead
The strength Of this selfish principle is
amazing-that which leads the misguided
deVotee to sacrifice his life under the
! wheels OF .J"ggernaut, the hope of future
happiness, will lead more RATIONAL but as
profoundly deceived religionists, to sub
! NIT to the greatest sacrifices TO secure it,
emoIuments Of the world for the sacred
ministry, and even TO selEdevotion to a
missionary life among the heather. tits
seIfIshness painting after eternal enioy-
ment, overcoming se]fshness desiring
;: present and temporary indu]gences self
Ishness IN one form surrounding it in an
other. Hence it is evident that ortbo-
ooXy OF sentiment, ardent professions of
oevotedneSs, zeal, high standing as officers
OF the church, volubIity and pparent feel
ing and devotion in social PRAYER, the f..
vorabIe opinion of others, or strong conf
dence IN your own good estate, are far
from being decisive evidences of Chris
tIan character. Where these exist, the
world will form favorable opinion, be-
cause they cannot discern the secret
springs OF action but the professor him
self can ascertain here, what the universe
will discover at last, that the whole is
wrong, and like whtened sepulchre.
tar to the view, but within filled with all
pollution. Let me now request you to
! recall events in your past life, deliberately
reconsider the foregoing tests, and by
them h0nestI y examine your motives for
unless truth is applied, it will be useless.
! L. have been attentive, and will vet
more deIibe rate y test my conduct. Even
now my conscience condemns it as self
! ish
M. We will notice the second source
OF evidence. 1t is on which you alone
can develop, and by it the leading and
prevailing motive which constantly infu-
ences you, can be aScertaiued and CLEARLY
defined, forming proof, when under
stood, conclusive as consciousness itself
1t IS the test suggested by the apostle,
Let every man prove his own work." or
an examination of the question, eWhcn
you supposed that You first Welded to
: Christ did you enter in at the strait g3te?"
Influenced by false maxim, many fear
to recur to past experience with a viewto
testing their character, and content them
selves with prayers for aid, and With good
resolutions for the future; but such fatally
mistake their duty; for if they were de-
ceived at first, all their resolutions will
partake of the nature of their first exercis-
es, and unless they retrace tteir steps thew
Will inevitably be lost. Before the deceiv-
ed can be converted the true nature Of
their supposed submission must be seen,
their hopes abandoned, and they convict
cd of sin like other inrpenitent sinners;
and like them must Weld unrcservediv 10
Christ. Proper conviction Of sin always
implies a sense ofthc bopelessness of his
pardon, while the person remains impcni-
I tent and if hope be retained, this stale of
mind never will exist, for the instant the
Spirit leads him to realize his lest state,
he will fly 10 his hope for relief and thus
gricve the Spirit and dispcI his convictions.
Hereby also he will render his conversion.
! i1nnnSSihle fnr IN lnos d.. ...;.l -