The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1844-08-08
THE LOVE OF GOD.
Translated from the German of Zollikofer
BY ELlHU BURRIrT

BY ELiHU BURRIrT.
The love which we owe to God, does
not differ In principle from that which we
bear towards our friends or relatives
Both, TO be genuine and abiding, must be
founded upon deep conviction of the ad-
mirable and amiabe qualities which we
discover in the object Of our love. Both
must be manifested by the same express
sions and actions Of delight, happiness,
desire, and obedience. Only we must
carefully avoid considering the sensual
aud violent emotions which are common
10 that love whose object is sensual and
visible, as necessary and essential part
of that which has for its object Cod, per.
feet spirit. Our love to God must, as far
as the weakness of our present state will
remit, correspond with his pure and ex-
allied nature that is, it must be rational !;
therefore il consists not so much in the
activity and vivacily of our emotions, as
in their durability, and their influence
upon our conduct This granted, my
friends, it will be difficult for US to deter.
mine, in what way the love Of God dis
covers itself.
Frequent meditation on God is the first
way by which the Christian shows his
love for the Supreme Being. How often
aud how voluntarily do we think of a
friend whom we tenderly love? How
deeply is his image craven in the soul 2
On how many occasions does it present
itself 10 the mind2 How a,tentivey we
fix our eyes upon it! The slightes re-
semblance reminds us Of his features, his
voice, his actions. and his peculiar quail
ties. These thoughts often break in up
on us even in the most important business,
and we derive satisfaction from cher
ishing and retaining them. Just so, my
friends, the Christian conducts himself to-
wards God, whom he loves above ALL
He thinks often, he thinks voluntarily,
and with the most cordial satisfaction up
on that lovely Being These thoughts
are so natural 10 him. that they press into
his mind spontaneously on every occa>
sion; they accompany him everywhere;
they ming lie in his business, his enjoy
ments, his pleasures and his pains. They
are so delightful 10 him, that he consd-
ers them as the life of his soul that he
cherishcs them carefully, and dwels upon
them as long as his remaining duties per-
nit. Let him turn his eyes wherever he
will, he finds everywhere the bright ira
ces Of the wisdom, omnipotence, and good
ness Of his Creator; every created being
guides him TO the contemplation of the
glory and perfection of his Author They
all crv to him with "a loud voice: Our
God is great, and his greatness is mex
nressi5!e; he aIoncis good, and mGrclIul
70 all his works Let him suffer what he
nav in this world, the Christian sees the
hand of the Supreme Ruler Of heaven and
Garth, in every occurrence, bolo stca' anu
small, and adores His will withoG! whom
nothing is and nothing can be. "ha'eV'
or may be the nature Of his own clfcum'
stances, they all lead him back to Col
he considers them all in their dependence
upon him. DO his undertakings succeed
is he in the possession of peace, content
ment and happiness, it is God whom Nc
adores as The source Of all these advanta
gcs, whom he thanks for all, and to whose
blessing he limits his whole wel'belng
Are his plans and efforts. rendered futile
do pains and adversely come upon him,
Is God in whom he rcrpacsi to whom D.