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

although wholly unauthorized by Scrip
ture, and while the same effects are really
capable of being produced at pleasure by
taking opium. S. Most sinners anticipate
In conversion some immediate change, or
visible token from God that their sins are
forgiven; and in their efforts to obtain this
a nervous oppression at the breast is pro-
duced, which they denominate the stony
heart. Any resolution, any cessation of
effort, any diversion of the attention to an
other subject will remove this oppression
and leave the mind unfeeling, quiet and
composed. Thousands regard this natu-
raj effect as Of divine production, and the
result OF superhuman agency, and found
upon ii hope of eternal life. This effect
is produced in innumerable instances
where convicted sinners, perhaps at the
altar, are asked if they do not perceive
some unusual feeling in their mind p
Their attention is Immediately diverted
from their mental struggles, to ascertain
whether or not they have acquired any
different feeling, and of course the mind
becomes quiet. This being perceived, it
is taken for the token OF Gods favor, is
rega rded as the removal ofthe stony heart,
and hope rises in the soul, producing joy.
This joy is supposed to be the new heart,
and is regarded as another token of the
favor Of God, and the soul glows with
rapture unutterable in the anticipation of
heaven. And this selfishness is mistaken
by thousands for religion2
The like effect is produced on those
who are told they are Christians, and that
they may safely hope. Instead of yield
ing themselves to God, and testing them
selves by his word, they confde in the
opinions of others, lose their convictions,
and hope springs up in the heart, produc-
ing pleasure in view of their escape this
pleasure is believed to be the new heart,
and the deluded immortal becomes fast
bound in the chains of selfshness. 6.
There isanothet class who desire this per-
ceptible change, but whose knowledge oil
metaphysical principles secures them from
these delusions, and who, because they
cannot thus delude themselves, rely on the
Justice of God for mercy; and another who
ignorantly reject the doctrine of regenera.
tion. Each of these undertake to obtain
I4ligion gradually, by cherishing their
4 feelings. in the hope that benevolent ones
will emanate from them, and that they
will grow into submission, and get upon
the promises, without unreserved submis.
sion. They become alarmed, perhaps
convicted peruse the Scriptures occa'
sionally will pray, sometimes using sci
form, sometimes extemporaneously; &C.
quaint themselves with the doctrines OF
the church are baptized. and perhaps
confirmed; unite with the church; par
take of the sacrament, and live regular
!, moral lives, except when their conven
fence calls to occasional indulgences.-
These regard themselves as in the right
; way, substitute their hopes of heaven anc
! consequent satisfaction, in place of benevo
lence and holiness, and earnestly profess
to rely on the merits of Christ, while al
: heart their sole dependence is on .hei1
own works. Their great object is to Sc
? cure their own happiness. 7. Others
: while apparently aiming to enter the strait
l gate, actually throw themselves into the
arms of selfshness. One is told to have
faith in Christ and under the mistaken
idea that such an exercise is faith, he
persuades himself that Christ is his Saw
Tor, believes that he died for him in par
ticular, and will save him. Believing be
= has now become Christian, or regard.
ing his consequent mental composure a.
the desired change and divine token o
# pardon, he INDUCES in hope, and rejoice.
. in prospect ofheaven. This palpable er
, FOR has ruined thousands. 8. Another i.
;. directed to yield his heart TO God; h,
r makes many unsuccessful efforts to excit,
: love; and finally consents to let God tax,
e him and sGre HIM 10 his Oacn way-tha
d is, preserve his happiness. Under tn
= belief that he is now Christian, he hopes
;. and rejoices that he has escaped hell
: 9. Another is very properly told tina
|, God requires the cordial obedience of hi.
;. creatures; and he resolves to obey, wheth
l. er saved or lost, but sOitk the ricw and ez
a peetattOn of thereby becoming a ChristiG,
= and securing his future peace. Having
l. formed this selfish purpose, he resolves t.
J. persevere, under the idea, that the Saw
,. iors directions to his disciples in Matth
= x, %, to endure to the end, belongs to hin
1t and hope now springs up in the heart
St and he reioices in the prospect of securing
> heaven. It is in this mode that the ina
p jority of the false hopes amongst profes
r sors in the present day are obtained.
is Another is cautioned against trusting
J. to his own works for salvation, and is di
a rected to submit himself to Christ an
C. finally leaves himself in the hands of Goo
Ct to be sGred through tie merits of Chris
r and not through has Oa0n Righteousness
v In the belief that he has now secured ga
lie Walton he rejoiees. This is the selfis
rs door through which multitudes formerl
ye entered the broad road. Salvation, or tn