Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1841-03-10
RELIGIOUS MISCELLANY

The following article is copied from the
frs. number of the CHRISTIAN INvEsTJ-
GATOR, published at Whnesboro' N. Y.
by William Goodell.
We commend this extract to the atten-,
ton of our christian readers. If we mis-
take not, their hearts will respond 10 the
heavenly sentiment. 20 for q deUotion
that shall aSsimiIate men to God!' -
AcCEPTABLE woRsHIP--ITs Ma
TURE AND EFFECTS. .... n
What is Christian worship? What
does it imply? What are its uses r.
Whence arises its value? What is its
connection with growth in grace-with
the Christian virtues-with Christian USE
fulness-wiM the a0ork Of The aoortd's re-
formation from sin and uace The for
maisl makes it to consist in round Of
hearless observances. The enthusiast
degrades it into periodical ebullitions OF
equally unmeaning rhapsodies. The mys-
tic confounds it with dreaming reveries,
with vague and indefinite contemplations
Of the vast, the unseen, and the future
But neither of these constitute true Chris
tan worship. 49,.
Tc worship God is to contemplate with
admiring love and holy veneration the re-
al excellencies Of his true character; with
corresponding expressions o. this admlra-
1tion and love, directed TO the great object OF
worship. 1t may be in secret or in pub.
lic-in retirement or amid active employ
men,s-in silence or in vocal prayer, or
in singing praises with the spirit and the
understanding. There are proper times,
, places, and occasions for all these; but
the substance and essence are always the
same. ..
Such worship implies correct knowl-
edge OF Gods character, as ascertained In
the light of the great doctrines of natural
and revealed religion. This includes a
knowledge OF the divine law, and of the
scheme Of redemption and salvation by Je
sus Christ TO worship God is to love
( and adore him for all the manifestations
he has made of himself in his works, in
his providence, ia his word, and by his
grace: for all that he as--for all that ht
: does-for all that he has designed. a..
!; Is it not wonderful that a moral philos
f opher should inquire, doubtingly, of VIA
, use it can be for human bengsto WORSHIP
Coda Yet there have not been wanting
Those who have been accounted wIse& pre-
5 found.--who have protested to believe in
\ Col ofiLfn perfections--and especially I
cherish deep concern for the moral an
), intellectual Improvement OF mankind, VIII
u have even cast sheer OF deIision upo
= The spectacle of a company of humble
Christians assembled for the devout wor
: ship Of The living and true Godl The,
have inquired 1o4at good 1t could do
" praise God1 They have even intimate
o that nothing but an utter ignorance OF Go
could make any one suppose that he coul
: be pleased with human alteration. I
suppose that he could delight in the wol
: ship of his saints, they have said, won!
IS be ascribing 10 him the same vanity an
love Of applause which is degrading. eve
). to human being.
How strangely do such persons owe
u look the essence and the effects OLA trul
II spiritual worship of The Holy One !
h To worship God is to love him. /
love him, is TO love moral beauty. Il is
- be enamored with spotless. purity-to
delighted with infinite excellencel
as But truly to love virtue is to be Writ
lly Gus. 10 adore purity is to pant after II
ur 10 attain III To be delighted with NOR
Z excellence is to seize upon and posses
= What man loves he amitates. What
gs man loves be becomes What an immo
,ct tai spirit lOres he himself Is and determin
TO be!
y From the very nature of the case,
ire must be so. The miser idolizes gold, Al
pants after the dust of the earth. Re is
in the earth, earthly. You look for no nc
excellence 10 the deyotee than IN the id
res The sensualist. bv the same process
eir assirrilation, becomes brute. The vc
nv Of fame, like that which he seeks ali