Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1840-07-03

pearance to hold the last brief interview with
one whose heart has not yet become impreg.
nablc to the arrows Of affection. thrown from the
bosom Of another, who, notwithstanding his |
faults, loves him still. They leave the place Of
confinement, and turn their downcast eyes
towards their dreary home, where in all proba-
bilty, for the future, widowed mother and her
orphan children are to dwell--At length the
hour Of execution arrives, and the executioner
make his appearance. The prisoner is led out
to the place of death, and mounts the scaiIold.
All things are ready for the work-the counte-
nance Of surrounding spectators all exhibiting
promiscuous mass of deep anxiety, mingled with
here and there an emotion of fear or desire for
| the termination of the scenes. The axe is rails
ed TO overthrow the dcceitful foundation OH
| which the prisoner stands--when suddenly
voice is heard in the crowd as the voice of deci-
sion and command, ordering the work Of death to
be delayeda moment. A messenger approaches
and reads aloud a pardon for the convict, signed
by the ruling officer of state, commanding the
release of the prisoner. What pleasure, then,
must arise in the mind Of him who, but mo.
ment before, was at the veay gate of death.
lie is overwhelmed with gratitude to his benc-
factors, to whom he owes his wonderful delive-
rance. And what must be the pleasure of that
little group who, little before, had left the pr-
son, supposing they should sec his face no more.
This is an imperfect illustration, but will, hope,
serve to illustrate and enforce the principle that
pardon produces pleasure. And if pardon by an
earthly court, for crime deserving punishment,
produces such an effect, what effect must par
don produce, issued from the court of heaven,
lsigned by the Judge of all the earth, granting
Ideliverance from the very jaws Of destruction
Let no one ever murmur, then, at the shouts
and the rejoicings of newborn soul, for it has
abundant cause for joy.
The showers of Gods spiritual presence upon
la believers heart, are source of unspeakabc
bliss. When God sees fit, in answer to prayer
to brighten the Christians prospect for eternal
glory, and to grant him clear evidence of his
favor and regard, then he rcjoccs in hope. l,
is likewise pleasure to Gods children to see
their relatives and acquaintance, yea, sinners
sinners OF every name, flying to Jesus "as
lcloud and as doves to their native windows
Not only the enjoyments of religion, but all its
duties arc delight. Pleasure is found in per.
forming the duties Of the gospel. They are
fruitful source of joy. When the Christian re.
tires from the world, and in secret pours on,
| his soul unto God-whcn in the lonely closet
or the silent grove, he bctakcs himself to the
mercy seat, where JESUS is ever ready to bless
he often holds sweet communion with his God
And not only so, but in all the commandments of
the gospcl-in meeting his brethren at the table
of the Lord, to partake of the symbols of the
broken body and shed blood of their Redcemer-
in self-denial-in travelling the road to heaven
the Christian has joy the world cannot Afford
But these are small compared with the pleasures
Of heaven. There, every thing calculated to
produce distress of mind, is unknown.-There
in the regions Of unclouded light, perfect plea
sure forever reigns. Let, these things, then
animate our courage, and cause us to 'be not
slothful, but followers Of them who, through
aith and patience, have inherited the PROMISES
A FELLow-TRAvELER.