Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1841-06-09

liable consequence 2" This thought took
such hold upon him, that he could not get
rid of it, amidst any of his engagements or
amusements. But it became from day to
day more and more troublesome, more and
more penetrating, and threatened to embit-
ter every JOY Of his life; so that at last he
thought he would go to the preacher him
self, and ask him upon his conscience if he
were convinced Of the truth of that which
ne had lately preached. He fulfilled his
Intention and went to the preacher. ''Sir,n
said he to him with great earnestness, 81
was one of your hearers, when you spake,
short time since, Of the only way Of sal
walton. confess to you, that you have
disturbed my peace Of mind, and can not
refrain from asking you solemnly before
God, and upon your conscience, if you can
tprove what you asserted, or whether it was
an unfounded alarm" The preacher not
little surprised at this address, replied with
convincing certainty, that what he had spo-
keE was the word Of God, and, consequent
ly, infallible; truth. t'What then is TO be-
come Of usp' replied the visitor. His last
word US, started the preacher; but he rallied
his thoughts, and began TO explain the plan
of salvation to the enquirer, and to exhort
him to repent and believe. But the latter
as though he had not heard one syllable of
what the preacher said, interrupted him in
the midst Of it, and repeated with unceasing
emotion, the anxious exclamation, elf il be
truth, sir, beseech yo1 what are we to do"
Terrified, the preacher staggers back. 'Wen
thinks he, "what means this We?' and en-
deavoring TO stihe. his inward uneasiness
and embarrass ment. he resumed his exhort-
atoms and advice. Tears came into the
eyes Of the visitor; he smote his hands
together like one in despair, and exclaimed
in accents which might have moved heart
of stone, "Sir, if it be truth, we are lost
and undone" The preacher stood pale,
trembling, and speeches.. Then over
whelme1 with establishment, with down-casI
eyes, and CONCLUSIVE sobbngs, he exclaimed,
Friend, down.on your knees, let US pray and
cry formercyp' They knelt down & prayed,
and shortly afterwards the visitor took his
leave. The preacher shut himself up in his
closet. Next Sunday WORD was sent that the
minister was unwell, and could not preach
K The same thing happened the Sunday fol-
lowing. On the third Sunday, he made his
appearance before his congregation, worn
with his inward conflict, and pale, but his
, eyes beaming with joy, and commenced
his discourse with the surprising and affect
, ing declaration, that he had now, for the
: first time passed through the strait gate"
This man preached Christ, but was not
! moved to do so by the constraining love OF
i God; for he knew nothing of that love only
n in theory. He could not say with the apps.
: tie, "We love him because he first loved
q u.s." But are ministers, only, in danger OIL
: being deceived ? BY no means: the same
: important declaration Of an inspired apostle
is addressed to all, Be not deceived; Goc
: is not Knocked: for whatsoever man sow
eth that shall he also reap. For he tina
!, soweth to his flesh, shall Of the flesh real
e corruption; but he that soweth to the spiri
= shall of the spirit reap life everlasting."-
Then, if it be of importance that our mo
J. tires should be right; and if there be
q possibility Of being deceived, we see tn
L necessiiy.of having a rule or standard I
'e which we may appeal, and by which W
'e may know whether the principles by whicl
in we are governed are what they should be
n Happily for US, we have such rule, th
s. Holy BIBLE and the example of thos
n whom God inspired TO write il, so far a
IL their example is In accordance with wha
they wrote.
re We learn from this rule, THAT we shout
u, be influenced by love to God, in the di;
40 charge of the duties devolving on US. Til
ne is considered, by the sacred writers, to be
ay SO much importance that nothing is NOR
ne largely insisted on, than supreme love
20 God, as preparing US rightly TO discharg
C. every duty. And until we love God, it
70, impossible for US TO be actuated BY rig
cd motives, in the discharge of religious dutie
ca All that we do previous to this, IS no mo
DC acceptable 10 God than was the sacrifice
''y the lame and blind under the old dispens
OF ton.
" But forbear to enlarge, in this pap
en intending ID. w. to furnish an article,
'n- the motives which should influence chr
my tiaus in the performances'of religious duti,
Gu as illustrated in the character of the apps
~ Paul. ours. truly. IT n n