Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1836-12-28

or wrong; therefore eausions have been
very properly uttered. Bot I srua YOU
will enter upon 4 With the fall desermina-
ton 70 know and obey the truth. Our
Lopd enjoins soon his creatures TO avoid
the wide gate and broad way, that is, self
ishness and h ffuits and to enter the
Araht gAte u Npdghiness, and walk the
narrow way Of disinterested Obedience
BY examination. the specific duty requir.
a can Be distinctly understood, and BY a
recurrence 10 the past you can positively
decide whether or not you entered the
strait gate II you did, you are in the
marrow way. and your subsequent life
has been mainly controlled BY right mo.
tiyes; hyou did not. then you entered the
wide gate, your motives Of conduct have
been all wrong. your joys ell spurious,
your hopes unfounded. and your path
leads to hell. As this inquiry shall re-
suit, you may know whether you are a
Christian or sinner; it may appear that
you have been heretofore converted, or il
will be seen that you never have been re-
generated.
p. The process by which you intend
to convince me il not very Ineligible at
present Many years have past since
thought ] first submitted 10 God and the
lapse Of time. the very indistinct nature OF
my exercises. and my inability to desig-
nate the precise moment when I was con-
yerted, fever. viii, I spprehend, make
- he examination fruitless.
M Twill aid you BY suggestions and
inquiries, and your religious experience
will not be found 30 obscure as you ina
CINE. Place your attention now wholly
on the period Of your conviction of Gin,
and previous to your supposed conversion.
Was you then conscious Of your entire
guilt and desert Of eternal WRATH
P.I was, and became hopeless Of re,
ceiving pardon while in that condition.
M Did you not previous to submis
sion, spend much time IN efforts to obtain
right feelings, in endeavoring to submit
feelingly, or in prayer to God for a new
heart
p. did, but without success. Indeed
at last | despaired Of ever doing duty.
M. While despairing of success, and
before indulging hope, do you remem
Der forming any discrimination as to your
future course in life; or making up your
mind as to what God might do with you
in time and eternityl do not refer tc
any act you would denominate as done
Jselingly, but mere resolution, neither
preceded nor followed by percep,ible feel
ings.
p. lido remember such an act, altho
III hau 90 al a r
Hnce. While alone in my room. reflect
ing on my dangerous state, made Up m.
mind to do my duty and serve God 70
the future. 1 have no recollection Of an,
materially different resolution.
M. That seemingly trivial determine
ton was the gate by which you entere
into the path you have since been walk
ing. either to life or death; it was you
submission, either genuine or spurious
OF course you know it was right, and yo,
ought to serve God; hut did you forr
that resolution under the hope that Chris
would save you. or with view of thereb
obtaining pardon2
p. did. I supposed in this way
was to become Christian. The oppos
ton which might be encountered, and tn
censorious remarks to which should b
subject, were Distressing but salvatio
seemed most important, and l preferred t
meet them.
NJ. Then you did not determine I
obey merely because God and duty re
quired Il, willing that right might tax
place, whether you were saved or punish
ed; but you did Il to secure your saliva
ton.
p. You have described my exercise
correctly.
NJ. Immediately after forming this de-
termination, did you still expect to
punished
p. did not, bu, rather hoped to e.
cape l felt willing to be in the hands &
Christ.
NJ Was you not willing 10 be unde
his control because you hoped he woul
forgive your sins and receive you into hi
p. That was the reason.
NJ. Let us ascertain upon what ground
your hope was founded. Instantly sae
& .ermining 70 serve God. did your agits
ton cease, and your mind become quiet
composed and destitute OF feeling2
p. II did. am not aware Of ther
having any different feelings towards Coo
or others.
NJ. Had you not anticipated undergo
ing some perceptible change upon being
converted, and supposed that this woulc
form a token Of your acceptance witt
God and did you not regard this peac,
Of mind as that change or token1
p. I did, and also remember the feel
ings ar delight that arose when first per
! ceivcd this mental quiet and regarded i
N the long-soughf evidence, and began Ia
hope had escaped from the pains Of
he'll. 49,. ......
NJ IT,. 60. :, -. -