Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1869-01-20
!. MORTuY OF IrsIts.v

Mis- Rankin, who has done and is doing
20 much for the causoof Christ and education
in Mexico, addressed Us recently at morning
deyotions on the subject Of personal respon.
ability and duty. The subject, though not
new, appeared to come in new light and with
additional interest as she referred to her own
early experience, in a very frank, graceful
manner, the substance Of which was as fol-
lows
When | engaged to teach my first school,
| resolved TO begin each mornings exercises
with reading the Scriptures and prayer be.
lleviug it only the part of duty for Gods
children to acknowledge Him in all their
ways, and ask His assistance in all things
My pupils seemed to enjoy reading verse
about in the Testament, aud as they were
children from five to twelve years OF age.
felt no hesitancy in praying before them
Everything passed of smoothly, aud | felt
satisfied in trying to do my duty to God, as
well as to my school. After few days
there came a large boy, fifteen years Of age
and | felt that | could scarcely take up my
cross before him but not till / entered the
schoolroom one morning and found young
nun hNh'A 70 Aut HAihNNI uiN I NNNihf W
omit prayers-this once, at least, because
cannot pray 5efore man, said my cowardly
pride
The children no. knowing my thoughts,
took their Tcstaments as usual, and as it
would not look ,oeH for me to tell them to
put them away without reading, | thought
we could read a chapter any way, and then |
need not pray if it should not seem duty =
Fortunately for my feelings the chapter was
long, and | was glad the little children read
slowly, for | dreaded to come to the end and
make my decision thinking all the time,
what would he say if | should not get the
words. of my prayer just right When We
came to the fifth verse from the end Of the
chapter, it was my turn to read, and was
Matt. 10, 3s An3 he that taFeh not his
cross and folloWeH after me. is not trorfby
Of me- 1t was as a fash of lightning, shiv-
cring the strong walls Of doubt and pride that
would hold aud hide my love and faith And
it was not. the accusing sense of unworthi-
ness, but mercitully, then, its opposite, that
affected me.
Worthy Of Jesus | worthy Of Him
so pure-so holy--so full Of compassion and
love No, am not, and never can be 'cor-
tIy bat the gift of grace is free, and it is
mine it | will only arise and take it, Am |
too proud to accept Of that for which can
not pay ? Am so ungrateful and unwise as
to disregard such love, aud lose so great an
inheritance, even hership with Christ in the
kingdom eternal Why, | do accept hourly,
momcntarily, things innumerable for which |
do not, cannot pay anything, light,
happiness, friends the free, pure air, the un-
disputed liberty of thought and choice
Would /, child. accept few favors from
my parent but dishonor Him and disgrace
myself SO much as to scorn the greatest and
most costly gifts And if receive this
and follow after Him, does He count me
worthy Of Him? Blessed Jesus, forgive my
foolish, blind. proud heart Need tell you,
young ladies, that the remaining verses SEEM
ed long, so anxious was | to kneel down and
humble myself before that same Jesus2
Now, whenever you are called upon at
any reasonable time or in any suitable place
for prayer, if you feel hestancy or doubt
Just ask yourself whether it is real humility
or worldly pride that stands in the way
True humility is not only conscious Of i'll de.
serts, but willing to confess and ask to be
forgiven. This much you can do at least, and
if you do not love Jesus more than you feai
poor sinful people ike yourselves, then indeed
are You not worthy of llm.-Mooye's R'1ai
Neig Yorker.