East Saginaw courier. (East Saginaw, Mich.) 1859-18??, 1859-10-13
CHU RICH LUM N.
USE OF TINE FEELINGS.


feelings as the test Of his spiritual state.
Some would make religion an intellectual
or mechanical employment merely, pay
ing no regard whatever to the feelings
and affections. But God has not given
us intellects only, nor are we made mere
machines;a due attention to our affections
and emotions is by no means unworthy of
US In any undertaking in which men
are truly in earnest, there is exhibited an
ardor which tells that not merely their
hands and their minds, but the whole
heart and soul are given to the work.
Nor can earnest minded men be wholly
free from emotion in the service of God.
Some, again, would make piety to con-
sist almost entirely in excitement. They
seem to think that there is no true holt
ness where every religious act is not &C
companied by raptures, and TO regard as
cold, formal and lilelcss and even as
heathenish that calmness, peace and
quiet which must ever characterize the
performance of duties which have be-
come habitual. Such become enthusiasts,
sometimes fanatics. Religious affection
becomes with them sickIy sentimental
ism, and devotion, extravaganza. The
inevitable consequence of which is an
overlooking of many Of the plain and
simple duties of common life.
We enter with ardor upon any occupa-
ton that is new, and in proportion to our
earnestness, bring to it all our energies;
our feelings are warmly engaged We
may keep up our zeal, but we cannot
keep our feelings ever on the stretch
Nor does God require it in the work OF
our salvation. That man is jealous in
the pursuit of wealth who gives to it his
diligent and constant care. That Chris
tian will be equally Jealous in the cause
of God who gives that his time and labor
though his career be marked by no VIC
lent emotions.
In our ordinary worldly pursuits, we
Meet with excitements Of various kinds
We are now depressed how elated, al
times transported with JOY, and at times
sorrowful Now all these have cause
either in the nature of the objects which
occupy us, or in some popularity of oul
bodily constitution. In whatever pur
suit we engage, there will be the ebb anC
flow of feeling. In no pursuit is theil
presence deemed essential to success, o
their absence the sign of failure. VIII.
think differently in religion. Why is i
that men go on regardless Of their feel
ings in pursuit of earthly objects Of de
sire, making use of them as helps to sub
serve their plans-in all things regarding
them, as in fact they are, involuntary
and mostly beyond their control, but we
wholly mistake their nature and desigl
in religious matters?
Our feelings, then, are chiefly of us
to us in the beginning of the Christian
course, or, Ito speak Of those who hav
grown up, unmindful of the solemn cove
nant made in their names at Baptism, il
the return to duty. They rouse us to
sense of guilt and danger-terrify at tn,
doom pronounced upon the ungodly-
make us joyful under the assurance o
Gods love, elate us with the hope Of par
don, and fiji us with zeal in the new an,
untried course upon which we enter
Exercising with regard to them the SAM
common sense, the same degree Of judg
ment we exercise upon them in world,
matters, we may make them handmade
in our holy work p. a. a.. .
Excited feelings when they exist i
.connexion with piety, are only accompani
ments = they do not constitute piety.-
What if God had made us without fee
ings?-therc would still be recorded tn
commands, do to all as you would be don
lhy-pray without ceasing - honor all i
authority-not forsaking the assembling
yourselves together AS we grow in he
illness we shall have less and less to
with our feelings, we shall be stron
enough to walk without their aid, too ia
above them to be under their CONTROL
Their religion is weak which cannot stan
unless propped up by excitement-an
their error is great, their danger grea
who instead of obeying the plain dictate
of duty to God and man, employ then
selves in cultivating what they call piou
emotion and peculiar framns of mind
They may have zeal OF God, it is nc
according to knowledge. AS habits {
holiness strengthen, as religious dutic
become familiar, excited feelings will di
away, and he who makes these feeling
the test Of his growth in grace, is no wi
er than he who estimates his wealth /
his feeling rich. And when it is borr
in mind that our peculiar emotions al
often, very often, the effect of some bod
ly in6rmity, that irreverence is that whic
attributes the ailments of diseased co
stitution, to the workings of the Ho
Spirit!
Holiness, and the rewards of holmes
are matters totally distinct. The one
our duty, the other is Gods free gif
which we can never deserve. We al
bound to serve Him were there no r.
ward promised, Yet in condcscension
our weakness He graciously promis,
happiness as the reward of holiness
Happiness on earth has'more or less to
with our feelings-and men are impatiel
TO enjoy it. Penitent, and believin
themselves pardoned, they set out wit
Joy upon the Christian course, that il
they look upon as one pledge of the fiji
fllment Of the promise, as the beginnir
Of their reward. Grant that it is so,
is it deserved? Have few DAYS
prayer, after a lifelong of transgressio