Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1837-01-04

oy regard to our own interests and hap .
Piness Is wrong in principle and unac-
ceptable 10 him. 3. That such love will =,
not be permanent, continuing 70 long only !,
as the hope or belief exists, that our inter.
ests and happiness are secure. 4, That
the person exercising such love Is an enc
my OF God at Eeart 5. Thd uprightness
OF department, or confidence in our own
good state, Is not conclusive evidence of
piety. 3. That all who are regenerated
VIII love and serve God for his own sake,
whether their happiness is secure or not. |
An illustration may aid you in under
Standing and applying these principles
One 10 in your power and breads your an !
ger he knows your principles in refer
ence to the subject between you are good, |
and that you are determined to maintain
them; and that in so doing. his happiness
will be destroyed, il being founded on
course Of conduct directly opposed to
yours and wrong in itself Determined
TO persevere in his plans, he will secretly
hate you. Suppose, from some unimpor-
tant resolution Of his own and from the
kindness Of your department, he imbibes-
the hope OF belief that you have become
his friend and will not destroy his happi-
ness, but will promote his interests. Now,
while his preference of his former ways
will remain unchanged, he will rejoice in
having escaped the consequences of his
evil conduct and your anger, and will re-
gard you with love. for the benefits he has
and expects to secure Gom your friend
ship. Evidently, this would be selfish
love, not a regard for you on your own
account but mere love to his own inter.
ests, through you; and all his joy would
be ofthe same character, being founded
on his hope Of securing happiness. II
you had the least regard 10 your own
character, YOU could not reciprocate his
feelings, but would despise him for them.
His love would not be permanent because
you would not abandon your correct prin-
ciples for his benefit; and whenever be
should discover this, see that you would
not subserve his selfish Interests, and that
be was consequently still exposed to your
anger and dislike, his love would be dis.
PEELED, and his hatred to yourself would
revive and burn 6ercer than ever. And
il is equally evident, there would be nc
change in his desires Of pursuing his for.
ner course OF conduct, no relish Of your
principles that is, his heart Of inclina
tons on that subject would remain un.
changed This is a fair exhibition o.
your celusion, and Of that Of all deceived
professors in reference to God. Many
who yield themselvesro God, to be saved
and love him as friend to their interests
discover in this life, that God Will no
abandon his principles by favoring theil
selfish interests and plans, and immediate
ly their hope, and Joy, and love cease, ant
they walk the ways Of God no more buI
alnsl what multitudes first make the sam
discovery in eternity. and then curse Go
to his face, as they weep and wall forey
er. But should your enemy, in admire
ton Of your principles and character, an
in view ofthe improperly Of his own, dc
termine to stop his course, and yield to an
initiate your principles because they wer
right; he would then prefer your princi
Piles and love you for them; and his act
ofxindness would be influenced by thi
change OF inclinatlons, and not by regar'
10 his own selfish interests. He would b
disinterested, that is, would like. you
whether he INDUCED a hope Of your favo
or not and his enjoyment would not
at all dependent on such hope. H
love would be as permanent as your pril
eIples and character, being produced by
view of them; and the same favor you hs
for them, would be extended to him. Sue
is the dedication, and such the affection
and such the service the holy God
quires Of us; that we should love him +
the rectitude and goodness Of his prime
Piles, character and conduct, and yield Oh
dience for his own sake, and not to pr
mote our own miserable selfish ends.
is this love that wakes the high anthem
ofheaven; and less than this il would
derocatory to the character Of God 10 a
cept. SeIishness being preference
our personal Interests tothe claims Of rigl
conversion is consequently cordial vie!
ing 10 the influence Of right principle
and TO the control Of God who will alwa
do rirht, whether We are saved or not.
II 4 the subiuoation Of our self-love, p'
sonsi happiness and the conduct OF
lives 70 the control Of these principles
administered by him, even at the sacrlt
Of our selfish interests. Because thu
can be no better motive Of action. u
right, God ~ altogether influenced by
and he requires the same Of Us. How
this subjugaiion to be eHected1 Iansw
by honestly conserving, under prof.
conviction OF the guilt Of your conducts
consequent lost state. that right may c,
troll you and your Interests. What
the principle Ofrigh. in your case demar
Strict justice required your everlasting