The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1839-10-29
MORAL * RELIGIOUS.
From the Southern Rose.
JESUS THE BREAD OF LIFE.

JESUS The BREAD OF LIFE.
IT, in the midst of the ignorance, uncertainty
and perplexity, into which man is naturally and
confessedy born, there is person to whom he
can apply for information and assistance on ev-
cry point connected with his conduct and gen.
eraI happiness; ifhe can learn from that person
the true end of his own being, the true path Of
duty the exact balance Of the passions, the pre-
else line to be drawn between self love and self
sacrifice; if he can be shown the certain method
by which he can best adorn and dignity his life,
maintain all his powers and faculties in their ut
most perfection and most appropriate exercise;
if he can be taught the rare secret of preserving
in his breast calm and perpetual peace, sweet
and tranquil enjoyment, which might mock the
fairest, clearest, brightest sky; if he can learn
from the same source the most infabe meth
DDS ofprocurng the felicity of others, and secu-
ring the everlasting and inestimabe APPROPRIATIONS
of the giver of his existence, is it too much for
the person from whom all these results and bles-
sings may be derived, to call himself the Bread
of Life? Yet such is Jesus Christ in the gospel
which he has published to mankind
Jesus moreover properly styles himself the
bread efye,in consequence of the simplicity,
will perceive that wonderful propriety of our sa-
vour's figure Of speech, if you contemplate his
religion in these different points of view. Its
simplicity 1t is adapted in all its essential quail
tiles to every capacity. He that runssmay read.
Its ploin commands its clear doctrines, its evil
dent spirit its precepuble instructions, If duly at
tended to by the mind, aud received into the
heart, will be quite sufficient to nourish every
living and immortal SOUL and ripen it for eternal
happiness. And in this respect the gospel re-
sembes that bread which furnishes support TO,
every human being. So too its 1s',iUersatiiy pre-
sents us with another prominent and impressive
point Of resemblance. 1t is fitted for every age
of the world, for every nation and individual o.
mankind, Cor every change of fashion, for every
difference circumstances, for every state oflife
for every rank, for every degree, for every want
moral, spiritual, natural. 1t mounts to the
king OH his throne-it descends to the begga
in his howell. 1t has its touching appellation te
the lispjiug infant; it presents its mighty sane
ton to active age, and it lends its gentle prop
decaying years. 1t affords JOY to the ever.
relation and sphere of life. Parents child, hus
band. wife, ruler, subject, brother, sister, friend
nejghbor, man. where is the being with mora
sense, with conscience with a capacity 70
virtue, with a feeling Of free agency, for whom
the gospel contains not means of improvement
and inexhaustabIe treasure of undying, neve
falling hone? In addition to it's univeisality, tn
necessity of the gospel furnishes a new ilustra
ton of our Saviour'sj being the bread of life
The world could not have done without tho re
ligon of Christ. Civilization might have bee
retarded and crushed. great moral deaf
would have paralyzed mankind. But now tn