The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1866-05-09
c. E y T R A L
DUTIES OF THE DAY.

The season of the year upon which We are
now entering suggests thoughts and plans 1or
the promotion of religion. Happy shall we be
if the soul receives new light and warmth, and
our hands are so put to the plough in the vlne-
ward of our God that the days which are beau
tiful, and promise to be so suspicious to our
prosperity, in the natural world may be fertile
and productive in the spiritual Kingdom. As
some vieissitudes in life demand the exercise of
the passive, and others the active virtues, so
the bright suns and genial temperature of the
Spring, and the cloudless skies of Summer call
us forth to duties that are impossible in the
dreary and inclement season Of Winter.
If we take counsel of the world we shall
look forward with a selfish eye, mind that
plans only for business or pleasure. But as
Christians, it becomes us to study the signs Of
the times with higher aims, to consider what
new doors of usefulness are now opened before
us, what voices of providence mingle with the
strains of grace and call us to wise improve
ment of the golden opportunities which lie be-
fore us.
IF the heart is ever glowing with that sacred
affection expressed in the words of one of our
familiar hymns
II love thy Kingdom, Lord
every change in life will excite some new and
enterprizing scheme to advance the sacred
cause which is the object of affection. As
''loye makes all labor light so it is busy and
ingenious always in deyising new methods by
which time and talent may be more efectually
consecrated to the cause which enlists its sym
patty.
'.'The gloomy season is proper emblem OF
our natural state by sin, as the succeeding
Spring is of our conversion and renovation by
grace divine" One who can say concerning
the prospects of his soul, The Winter is past
the rain is over and gone" will inquire Of
the sacred Oracle, will be earnest and anxious
how his zeal and love may be displayed in acts
of duty to God and benevolence to man. The
language of the heart will be
"Were the whole realm of nature mne
That were a present far too small,
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my heart, my life, my all. !"
God prolongs the days of His grateful ehil.
dren on earth that under the influence of such
a motive they may labour and suffer to carry
the great salvation to their perishing fellow
men. No power within the breast but this
deep and pervadiug sentiment of obligation tC
the Redeemer who has delivered them from
so great death, could sustain them in a walk
so arduous, so opposed to all the inclination:
of the natural man, so beset on every side with
the difficulties which world at enmity with it,
Maker constantly obtrudes.
Whatsoever thy hand fndeth to do, do il
with thy might" There are many things
which can be done that could not have beer
done few months ago, and cannot be done {
few months hence. The farmer is busy, the
merchant is busy, all prudent men are busy
and eager to improve the opportunities which
the season affords for advancing worldly inter
ests. With close watchfulness, and a careful
ness to enter every door of usefulness which
Providence may open, much may be accom-
plished: a harvest of pleasant fruits may be
reached before the coming Summer is over.