Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1869-11-09
The Souls Restfulness.

Through how many centuries, over how
many lands, and to what a diversity Of ma
lures have those wondrous words of Christ
been making their appeal and uttering
their promise, Come unto me, all we that
labor and are heavy laden and | will give
you rest"
They touch chord that does not railways
vibratc, but one that is sooner or later to
be found in all hearts. In youth, when the
pulses and the muscles are elastic, and the
path is sunny, and the sky serene, and the
heart full Of hope, and the future appears
glorious like the dream land, and bitter
griefs are not cOmprehended, and every
power struggles for free activity like
hound held in a hunters leash--at this
season and amid this experience of life,
these words may wake no response in the
soul. And even later, when the eager and
ambitious pursuit of gain or place is at its
height, and the hand is Just closing upon
the tempting fruit little suspecting that it
is perchance to prove like the apples of
Sodom,. worthless ashes in the palm, the
offer of inward repose may be unheeded.
Labor is not always burden; the shout
ders do notalways stoop beneath life's load,
the tempest is not constantly careering
over the soul; desire does not fail wherever
it is indulged WEAKNESS is not constantly
forced to cry out for a respite and the con-
science is not perpetually plying its lash.
! And even when there is exhaustion or dis
quiet, the heart is often averse to the sort
of rest which Christ promises, and it spurns
the conditions upon which it is offered
We would have repose, but to 20 to him
for it-ah that is what our waywardness
and our pride object to.
But it is gracious word after all. 1t
pledges what the heart Graves, though since
that craving is more than half blind, there
is often failure to perceive what is really
to meet the want. 1t is rest from bafiled
logic and unrewarded speculation; for the
soul is calm in the assurance of the truth.
shrinking at every thought of God and OF
his claims; for the spirit of reconciliation
has come. 1t is rest from the self reproach
that followed every survey Of character
and every reading of the inner record for
being justified by faith, there are bott
peace and hope. 1t is rest from the defeat
ed struggles for self publication for the
eye has seen the Lamb of God whose BLOOD
cleanseth from sin. 1t is rest from the vain
attempt to keep the weak heart in safety il
a world Of temptations; for he who one
mastered the subtlest and strongest Of tn
souls foes in his own person, has under
taken now to master them again in the per
} sons of his own disciples. 1t is rest from
the fear of death that holds 50 many il
bondage all through the life time; for h
has taken away its sting and despoiled tn
grave Of its victory. 1t is rest from tn
crushing anxieties about the future; for h
i who has gone to prepare place for his fol
lowers will receive them to himself, so tha
t where he is, the source of all real gooC
r. they may surely and forever abide sati.
5 fed because they have awaked with hi
5 likeness.
I The world is full of the laboring an
c heavy laden. They are weary with tot
j bowed beneath burdens, cheated and d,
d spondent with their many struggles for +,
X lief. But the great Rest giver is ever nes
: them, even when they see him not. H
u speaks to them, though they fail to recol
/ nize his voice. He bends over them to Ii
/ them up, though they feel themselves d
y serted. Let them look and listen, and tai
I his yoke, and the heart load will lighte
Oh service shall have in it an element of +
&c lief, and amid the hardest toll and longe
L marches, Faith shall bring vigor, Love b
'e stow restfulness, and Hope give the earne
Of eternal satisfaction t...
20 Rest of rests peace, serene, eternal
I'll Thou ever Invest and thou changest never!
pd And in the glory of thy presence dwelleth
Fullness OF JOY, forever and forever"
uo -1fOrDin0 STIR