The Hillsborough recorder., 1861-09-11

penltence. III must be the trult OF perfect L
Of self, and an unreserved love
Of God. But though they, who become pen
itents, and tear themselves from the vanit,es
of the world, make self the object Of thought I
yet they must avoid an excessive and un-
quiet occupation with themselves, such as
would trouble, and embarrass, and retard
them in their progress. Dwelling too much
upon self. produces in weak minds useless
scruples and superstition, and in stronger
minds presumptuous wisdom. Both are
contrary TO true simplicity, which is free
and direct, and gives itself up. without re-
serve and with generous seli-iorge etfulness,
to the Father Of spirits. How free, how in.
trepid are the motions, how glorious the pro.
gress tina; the soul makes, when delivered
from al! low. and interested, aud unquiet
cares.
Ii we desire that our friends be simple and
free with us, disencumbered Of sell IN their
intimacy with us, will il not please God, who
is our truest friend, that we should surren-
der our souls to him. without fear or reserve,
10 that holy and sweet communion with him
self which he allows usf II is this simplirI-
~, which is the perfection Of the irue chill.
dren Of God. This is the end that we must
have in view, and TO which we must be con-
tinually advancing.
This delverance of the soul from all use
less. and selfish. and unquiet cares, brings 10
IT peace and freedom that are nnspeakable;
this is true simplicity. 1t is easy to perceive,
at the first glance, how glorious il is; bnt ex-
perience alUae can make us comprehend the
enlargement Of heart that it produces. We
are then like child in the arms Of its parent;
we wish nothing more, we fear nothing. We
yield ourselves up to this pure attachment,
we are not anxious about what others think
of US, all our motions are free, graceful and
happy. We do not Judge ourselves, and we
do not fear to be judged. Let US strive after
this lovely simplicity; let us seek the path
that leads to it. The farther we are from it,
the more we must hasten our steps towards
| il. Very far from being simple. most chris
iisns are not even sincere. They are nut on.
ly disengenuous, but they are false. and they
idissemble with their neighbor, with God, and
with themselves. They practice thousand
little arts that indirectly distort the truth.
Alas! every man is liar; those eten who
are naturally upright, sincere. and ingenu-
Gus, aud who are what is called simple and
natural, still have this jealous and sensitive
reference TO self 10 everything, which secret
Ily nourishes pride, and prevents that true
simplicity. which Is the renuucialion aud per-
feet oblivion Of self
But il will be said, How can help being
occupied with myself: A crowd Of selfish
fears trouble me. and tyrannize over my mind,
and excite lively sensibiity. The pripci-
! pal means to cure this is to yield yourself up
sincerely to God. to place all your interests,
pleasures, and reputation in his hands. iore
ceiye all the sufferings that be may inhlct
upon you in this scene Of humiliation, as tri.
ais and tests Of your love to him. neither I,
J fear the scrutiny, nor to avoid the censure q
mankind. This state Of willing acquiescsnc'
produces true liberty. and this liberty bring
: perfect simplicity. A soul that is lIbera.r'
: from the liitle earthly interests Of self-loe
: becomes confitlIng. and moves straight on
4 ward. aud its views expand even 10 inlinity
J Just in proportion as lis forgetfulness, .
self increases. and its peace Is profound ever
. in the midst Of trouble.
: have already said. that the opinion q
/ the world conforms to the judgment nI God
upon this noble simplicity. The wnrld al
1 mires. even in its soiaries, the Tree aud eas
. manners Of person who has ln,t sight Z
. self. But the simplicity. which i produce
: by devotion to external things, still mof
/ VAN than self, is not the true simplicity;
n is only an image Of il, and cannot reprrsen
: its greatness. They who cann"t 6ad ih
E substance. pursue the shadow; .nd shado'
Q as il is, il has a charm, for IL has snmr ie
sembIance t. the reality that the, have lnsl
. A person fall Of defects, Who ,lnes not ~
r tempt 10 hide them. who does nni seek I
y dazzle, who does not affect either talents .
e virtue, who does not appear t. think OF hin
4 self more than Of others, but to have To-
4 sight OF this self Of which we are jealnI'
! pleases greatly IN spite Of his defects Th
IS false simplicity IS taken for the true. Y
o the contrary, person full Of talents, q 81
. tues, and II exterior graces. Il he appear Al
J. tifcial. IL he be thinking Of himself Il hc Al
feet the very best things, is te,li"a, an
i wearisome companion that no one likes.
It Nothing, then. we grant. is more lpsel
. and grand than simplicity. But smne VA
Q say, Must We never think OF self; We nee
d not practice this c0nstraint; 10 tfsing 70 3
Z simple. we may luse simplicity. WHAT the
must We dOi Make no rule about =. but b
r satisfied that you affect nothing. When yu
!. are disposed TO think Of yourself fram ,4nit.
: yau can onls reptess this strong desire, D.
. thinking Of God. u4i what you are calict
q upon BY Him to do. Simplicity does ~
b consist in false shame or false modesty. az,
4 more than in pride Or vain glory. Wher
/; vanity would led 10 egotism, We have onl,
D TO turn from self; when, on the contrary
4 there is a necessity Of speaking Of ourselves
8 we must not reason too much about II. ",
]. must look straight at the end. But what wil
{ they think OF mel They will think an
5 bossting; shall be suspected 10 speaking 81
: freely of my own concerns. None Of these
! unuaiet rcflectuns should trouble Us tor ons
q moment. Let u speak freely. ingenu"usly
. and simple Of ourselves. when we are callet
. upon to speak. Il is thus that ST. Paul spok'
! often in bis epistles. What true greatnvs,