The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1843-05-16
Moral and Religious.
CHRIST TIE JOY OF HIS PEOPLE.

The covenant engagements of Jesus his very
name, his incarnation, his blood, his promises, his
work, and ntercession, all seem to say TO u.s. ere
joce evermore.'' They have introduced grand, SOL
id ground for joy; and heartfelt pleasure is connect
ed with faith and love- This is a transport that is
better experienced than described; for when God
lifts up the light of his countenance upon SOUL that
soul has more joy than the men Of the world have,
when their corn, and wine, and oil increase; sran-
gers intermedde not with this joy, they know moth
ing of it; entirely surpasses their understanding
Saints themselves connot tell it half, they have no
language to express it, they cannot convey proper
views of it to others for it is unspeukable, being
cited by participation Of Gods unspeakable gift: it
is full of glory. There is rejoicing in iniquty, an
evil and scandaous triumph; but the Joy now allu-
ded to makes the subect,oft appear truly honorable
in the eyes Of angels. good men, and God; it is
pleasure that maketh not ashamed, that leaves no
sting behind for it is substantial; whilst "the joy of
the hypocrite is but for moment, and the laughter
Of fools is like the cracking Of thorns under pot
This holy sensation increasing aud more, is the
beginning, the pledge, the presage of eternal happi
ness; it is glory begun below; it is a kind of first
fruits of new life, which we shall pluck from heaven
ly trees in the kingdom of glory above. The saints
can tell something OF the happiness oil the world OF
spirits, by the bliss which the discovery of Divine
love causes in their souls, in the midst Of the
greatest calamites. Such was the rapture which Pc
ter james, and John felt, when in the mount of
tr nsfguration with the son of God and far greater
will be the rapture of the glorfed spirits round the
throne of God and of the Lamb for ever.
'That mount, how bright, those forms how fair!
TITS good to dwell forever there;
Come death, dear envoy of my God,
And bear to that best abode.''
Oh let US never forget that Christ Jesus is the
proper, the appointed, the only object of religious
10y. Whatever the Christian rejoices in must have
connection with him. Are the promises the
matter Of his rejoicing? These were all made by
him, all ratified, ssare all yea and in Christ
Jesus, to the glory of God by u.s.. Is it any spirit
ual blessing 1t comes to only through his med-
alton. Oh, then, Christians, ''joy in God by whom
you have received the atonement;'' ssrejoice
and be exceeding glad, for great is your reward in
heaven; "rejoice in hope of the glory of God;' let
your heavenly inheritance be the matter of your tr-
umph, s'though now for season, ifneed be- you are
in heaviness through manifold temptations While
the rich man gores in his riches, and the mighty
man in his might, do you rather rejoice that your
names written in heaven. "Decare his works
with rejoicing; 60 to God your exceeding JOYS with
joy draw water out of the wells of salvation: finally
my brethren rejoice in the Lord; rejoice in the Lod
always, and again. say, rejoice. So shall the Lord
your God rejoice you with singing, yea, rest in
his ve."-Reu. Thomas Spencer.