The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1845-11-01
TIE CHRISTIAN IN RETIREMENT-AND Il
TIE WORLD.

TIE WORLD.
What great difference exists between the ardor OF
youth, and the cool sobriety Of old age What
great difference also exists between the prose or
thoughtful and the poetcai or fanci(ul hours of hui
man life! Again, what a great difference exists be
tween Christian IN retirement, and that same Chris
tian in the world! Uniformity s desirable in the
Christian character; for without it, where Is consis
tencyY
But view the Christian in retirement. All is tran
guilty and silence, he meditates sacred subjocts
MS his thoughts are solemn, dgnifed and splendid
lie regards the world nothing but vanity, lie Sc es
and feels that religion is the great subject, and the
true Christian the great character. lie forms his
pans makes his resolves aud thinks Of going out in
10 the world rcdolent Of pety.
Let me transport this individual from his closet in
10 the busy and cIamorous walks OF society. Is he
any longer the same beings What his thoughts,
words, feelings and acIionsf lie has business to
transact: and is disturbed Men PeTversc, and he
isirritated; or they are frivolous, aud he imbbes
their fIivoty. lie he prosperous, :hen he ~ eluted
Do things proceed unlavorably' Then he IS perpeI-
ed and dispirtes! Is Ibis the who was such
noble being m retirement?
approach him; ask him, where are the thoughts,
confused at the question-pauses few moments
and then says IN touching manner: lament the
difference between retired and public hours In those
almost angels; but in these we are only men,
ara arIeved Sde ashamed
su ch is the fact We no, sufficiently in tho world
what we are in the closet Not sufficiently say
for the hour which is given 10 religion will be more
carr spiritual and sublime than the hours in which
....t. 81. II
isterce. But surely is the point of excellency to
bring us much as possible the thoughts and feelings
of our best hours into our common hours.
Religion Is not like robe to be put and Off as
we please. IL rs not subject for one hour, one
place, and one circumstance only. II is not an act
but habit. IL is a casual profession, but u
biding principle II is yoke which is always to be
sustained. Shall in retirement to The third
heavens, and associate with il no heaven ex-
fsted!
To be spiritually minded is the essential point
but il is difficult 70 maintain this frame Of soul. My
natural taste is worldly, and am strongly iucned to
mind worldly things. cannot be spiritual minded
unless gan, the victory self; unless vanqusl
corruption and keep abiding Of divine things
in my heart.
1 would delight in retirement. would remember
Isaac who 'fwent on; to mediate in the field at
tide.' But the best proof of rightly using solitude
is, show greater excellence in the common course
of life. If be religious, shall carry religion with
me; aud it will give tone, direction, color. 10 oil
my behaviour in the world.
o my soul! do not say to thee, be not always
talking about religion; but say to thee keep .hysei
always under its holy influence. Thus thou wilt a.
void what is foolish, vain, useless and perverse; and
thou wilt be able to do something to the honor Of
God and of his truth, in thy ordinary walk. Thou wilt
enjoy more Ofthe energy and consolation Of piety,
thou wilt be freed from the accusations of conscience
and many ofthe moments now spent in sorrow and
complaint, will be spent in Joy and praise Book Of
the Heart