The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1843-01-30
Moral and Religious.
From the Vermont Chronicle.
DOII.OVE JESUS?

as otherwise than they Let see, then ,wheth
er my love will bear the test Of examination
When we love person, we delight in his or her
company; desire his appreciation and love; we
seek plcnse him; for his interests; and we
have special regard for his relatives and friends II
l find these evidences Of love to Jesus, need not
doubt. may rest in tho happy assurance that am
his, and he is mno.
l. DO Idclight in his company? Yes, if ever
am happy, it is when I feel that he is with me-
When feel that he hears me MS speak to him in
praise and prayer,and il is cnsy for me to tell Inn all
my thoughts and feelings; then Ienjoy sweet com
posure satisfaction soul, sometimes rising to in
tense delight, which never find at any other time l
have often neglected to seek his compuny,as one who
loves much may be expected 10 seel, the company Of
his beloved But the neglect has been partly invo-
untary do not approve Of it, choose it with my
whole soul las sometim es desire his presence i am
always sorry for it soon; and the bitterness my sor-
row is evidence Of the sincerity Of my love.
How dear TO me the places where Ihave en-.
joycd communion with him in prayer. How often
have gone where he is accustomed to meet his
friends TO the house Of God, the communion table,
and the social meeting, hoping to enjoy his presence
there. Have not loved TO be there, when he mani
tested his presence with us Have not often gone
away mourning bitterly over my disappointment,
when did not feel that he there? Surely /
have loved TO be where Jesus do love his
company. love to hear his voice in the words Of
Inspiration; and love TO speak to him in praise,
thanksgiving, and prayer. If, then, love OF ones
company be proof Of love, l love my Rcdecmer
2. DO Idesire his appreciation and lore? Yes,
have sought FOR years to do what suppos ed he would
approve, and to avoid doing what he would disap-
prove have done it in secret things, in the
thoughts and feelings Of my nmost soul.
think it is my intention, my fixed purpose to do so;
and though often fail Of doing as I believe he
would have me; yet if am not greatly deceived,
seek his ap probation much than that Of any Of
my fellow creatures, OF all Of them together. It has
become, in some degree habit with me try TO
cure his appreciation: and is it not evidence that
have abiding, constant love to him?
IF an ardent lover knows that his love is reciprocal
ted, and his beloved loves him. it gives him unspea
nble satisfaction. 1t is emotion which he cannot
describe to others, but is evident to himself the
light OF day; yea, as his own being. think
times feel just such satisfaction in the assurance that
Jesus loves me. Surely should not feel thus, if
did not love him.
8. DO I seek to please him? Were we not de.
praved did our minds and hearts act tremendously,
we should aw avs be pleased with what we approve.
Jesus has no depravty, and is always pleased when
he sees me trying to do what he approves. / have
sought to please him by being and doing what he
would have me and do My efforts have been too
few and feeble; yet believe have sincerely tried
thus to please him, and therefore have also this evil
dence Of love to him.
4. DO Icnre for his Interests Yes I rejoice
when I know that he is honored and his kingdom
promoted. love the advancement OF his
bove my chief joy; and have sometimes rejoiced at
it with joy unuttcrable. On this point, have other
evidence, well that of feeling My actions
have shown, if mistake not, that care for the in
teress Of Jesus. The conversion and salvation of
is his great interest in this world and this inter-
est have cared for, and made it my aim to promote
by the best use knew how to make Of all the tai
ents God has given me. have worked for IT, tho't
for it, talked f'r it, have contributed Of my strength
and my time, and my money to advance it, 1t my
daily endeavor to promote it according the best of
my ability. If, then, cnre for any thing I surely
care for the interest of Jesus
5. am interested in has relatires and friends ?
Yes. they are my chosen companions, and have been
for years. / love their company better than any 9th.
er ] rej'ce in their prosperity, especially their
spiritual prosperity; and mourn when hear that
it is ill with them. seek to please them, and to
promote their highest good.
On the whole, l think have as much evidence
that love Jesus, as have that love ather or moth
er. brother sister, wife child. WHY should |
donbt it? Because sometimes forget him, and my
affections are often dull? No; forget my dearest
relatives many an hour, when they absent; and
yet love them, and it would be doing them wrong
to say do not: and it would be doing wrong to Je-
sus 10 say do not love him. While I am in the
body, so beset with infrmties and temptations, and
so weak in all my faculties, not expect TO feel
constantly all the fervor of an angels love. must
be thankful for little love- and try make it greater
The evidences OF love to Jesus which find in my
feelings and conduct, all his gifts. 1t would be
wrong to deny that have them; and it would be A.
busng them, to refuse the consolation which thew