The Weekly Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, O. [Ohio]) 1861-1???, 1862-07-02

hope for popular applause. mo war nor
battle sound" 4" heralds to the world the
commencement Of the reign of righteous
ness in human heart. God sees and APP
proves the poor in spirit rejoice angels
in heaven break forth into singing, but it
requires the heart to be renewed by the
spirit, and the ear to be quickened by faith
to feel and hear the joy in heaven among
the angels of God over one sinner that re-
penteth." After all, this silent approval
is better than the vociferous applause of a
multitude Better. because it endures,
when the other ceases TO be. The superb
ority, the pre-eminent glory of the reward
of sef-conquest is that it is eternal. When
the hollow mouthings of tickle multitude
shall kave faded ont of memory itself,
when its last echo shall have died out of
remembrance-as il surely will--then there
shall be heard the approving voice of God,
and the grateful Acknowledgements of a
purified human intelligence, and he that
hears them both shall feel that the conquest
Of self is nobler victory than taking q
CITY,"
3rd. The prize to be gained by self-con-
quest is more glorious.
One gains a city, or-giviug the language
its widest range "a series of cities, a con-
tinent the other gains an Immortality, an
eternal city, an everlasting habitation. We
are so depraved, so vile, so earthly, we can
scarce appreciate the value of pure life,
and pure reward. So heavy of ear, and
dull of eye that we do not gladden. at hear
ing, nor glow at sight of New Jerusalem
sounds and scenes.
There is a grace that has power to unstop
our ears that they may be ravished with
In - r. IL, &c ID
and salve that may open our eyes to feast
on the glories of heaven. Even now we
have at times longing for a better life.
Even now we sometimes grow tired OF a
proiitess existence. Even now we some
times feel how struggle for self-conquest
places some of our acquaintances immeasu-
rably in advance of us, and when happy
death crowns life of pious exertion we
are forced to the admission that the prize
thus gained is more glorious than inscrip-
tions in brass, or monuments of marble. A
consistent Christian life is a two-fold i'm
mortality Beyond the grave is the eternal
throne, and crown, and palm, and song
while in this world it is the care of God
himself that " His works do follow him,
and his name is not forgotten. 1t is a glo
rious thing to be free To acknowledge nc
master. But who of us can say we are so
Who is a free manY ! answer he is free
who rules himself. If you have not made
the conquest of self, you are slave. Car
you break off your sinful practices, cease
to do evil, learn to do well? You can
Shall we say then that you continue these
practices as the result of a deliberate con
viction that continuance in them is the
better course? No, this can not be. You
continue to sin because you are helpless
victim of self-indulgence, because you have
not the courage to look your habits in the
face, and bid them out of being. We are
servants to him whom we obey, whether
we obey sin uhto death, or grace unto
righteousness. And we shall so remain
until we seek His help, who gave himself
for us, and who ever liveth to make inter
cession. We must make this effort fol
self-conquest-
lst. Because we shall never conquer sci
without repeated earnest effort.
2nd. Because not to gain this victory il
to ensure eternal bondage.
Bird. Because if our piety do not subduC
sin in us, sin will be forever our master;
And finally, because, though the victory
can be gained only by the help of Godi
spirit yet this does not preclude earnes
effort on our part. God showeth mercy
to "him that ruineth," and not to make
an effort is to be "left unto ourselves.
Will we conquer or be conquered? Ma.
God help us to rule our own spirits. Amen