Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1836-01-14

sible Of nothing in the case, only the move
ment Of our own minds. There Is MOTH
INC else that can be felt We are merely |
sensible that our thoughts are intensely |
emnloved on a certain subject Chris
fans are often unnecessarily misled and
distressed on this point for fear they have
not the Spirit of God They feel intense
Nv. but they know what makes them feel.
fhey are distressed about sinners; but
why should they not be distressed, when
they think Of their condition They |
keep thinking about them all the time,
and why shouldn't they be distressed 81
Now, the truth is, that the very fact that
you are thinking upon them IS evidence
that the Spirit of God is leading you
Do YOU not know that the greater part Of
the time these things do not affect you so ?
The greater part Of the time you do not
think much about the case Of sinners
You know their salvation is always equal
" important But at other times, even
when you are quite at leisure, your mind
is entirely dark, and vacant Of any feeling
for them. But now, although you may
be busy about other things, you think,
you pray, and feel intensely for them,
even while You are about business that at
other times would occupy all your tho'ts.
Now, almost every thought you have is,
GOD have mercy on them" Why is
this2 Why, their case is placed in
strong light before your mind. Do you
ask what it is, that leads your mind to ex-
ercise benevolent feelings for sinners, and
to agonize in prayer for them2 What
can il be but the Spirit of God! There
are no devils that would lead you so. If
your feelings are truly benevolent, you
are to consider it as the Holy Spirit lead
ing you to pray for things according to
the will Of God.
2. Try the spirits by the Bible. Peo-
pie are sometimes led away by strange
fantasies and crazy impulses. If YOU
compare them faithfully with the Bible,
you never need be led astray. You can
always know whether your feelings are
produced by the Spirits influences, by
comparing your desires with the spirit
and temper ofreligion, as described in the
Bible. The Bible commands you to try
the spirits. Beloved, believe not every
spirit, but try the spirits, whether they Be
Of God"
VII. How shall we get this infuenc,
ofthe Spirit of Code
/. Il must be sought by fervent, believ
ing prayer. Christ says, IF We then
being evil, know how to give good gift
to your children, how much more shall
your heavenly Father give the Hol,
Spiritto them that ask it p Does any on
say, I have prayed for it. and it does no
Gomez 1t is because you do not pra
Alright EYE ask and receive not, becaus
we ask amiss, that We may consume it up
on your lusts" You do not pray fror
right motives. A professor of religion
and principal member in church, ono
asked minister what he thought of hi
case; he had been praying week afe
week for the Spirit, and had not foun
any benefit. The minister asked hir
what his motive was in praying. Fl
said he wanted to be happy. He kne,
those who had the Spirit were happy, an
he wanted to enjoy his mind as they dit
Why the devil himself might pray So
That is mere selfshness. The man turl
ed away in anger. He saw that he ha
never known what it was to pray. II
was convinced he was hypocrite, an
that his prayers were all selfish, dictate
only by desire for his own happiness
David prayed that God would uphol
him by his free Spirit, that he might teac
transgressors and turn sinners to Cod
A Christian should pray for the Spiri
that he may be the more useful and glor
~ God more not that he himself ma
be more happy. This man saw clearl
where he had been in error, and he WI
converted. Perhaps many here hay
been Just 50. You ought to examine al
see If all your prayers are not selfish.
2. Use the means adapted to stir I
your minds on the subject, and to ke'
your attention fixed there. >Ifa man pra,
for the Spirit, and then diverts his mil
% other objects; uses no other means, b
goes right away to worldly objects,
tempts God, he swings loose from his o
iect, and Il would be miracle if he shou
get what he prays for. How is a Sim
to get conviction? Why, by thinking
his sins. That is the way for Chr
tan to obtain deep feeling, by thinking
the subject. God is not going to pc
these things on you, without any eft
OF your own. You must cherish Il
slightest Impressions Take the Bib
and 60 over the passages that show I
condition and prospects Of the world
Look at the world, look at your childre
and yours neighbors, and see their co
dition while they remain in sin, and DC
severe In prayer and effort till you obta
the blessing Of the Spirit of God to DIV,
in you. This was the way, double
that DIR. Watts came to have the feeIin
which he has described in the seco
HYMN of the second Book. which v
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