Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1870-02-18
Published by rcquest.l
Strengthen the things that remain" Rev. ST.
Advent Elaboration.

ed one stage IN the Journey OF life ; we
now enter upon another. Not one of us
can know tie end of it. Filled it will
be with duties, and trials, and tempta.
tions; Gu. short it may be before it is
half accomplished. This is time for
looking into our spiritual affairs, and
finding out how we stand as to our stew
ardship. For gathering up the frag-
ments that remain, that nothing be lost
Looking for and Fastening unto the
Day of God"
AT this beginning of the fifth year of
my ministry here, address you earnest
ly, commencing to your consciences some
things necessary to be done to meet the
demands of the Master, " ho hath given
to us the talents and is coming to take
account of our use of them. We are all
lacking in much-in personal piety- in
zeal--in devotion of ourselves, our souls
and bodies, our substance, and prayers
to God. 1t is important to know our
shortcomings it is more important to
supply them. In order to know them,
we have only to measure the distance be-
tween ourselves in our best estate of
goodness and our great Exampler and
the rules of His Gospel. In order to
supply them we must set ourselves with
more singleness of purpose to the work
of our salvation. What is done in this
field must be done at once, and all along,
and with our might, "for the time is
short"
The particular matters to which I de-
sire to call your thoughts at this time
touch yourselves, your families and the
Church. As individuals | would call
upon you in Christ's stead as the first
business of mortals and in the fervent
words of the holy Apostle "Be We recon-
ciled to God"
The thrilling announcement of this
days epistle addresses itselft to every one
of US. "The night is far spent, the day
is at hand, let us therefore cast off the
works of darkness, let us put on the ar
NOR of light" / would have you more
dilligent in the work of your salvation.
It is your own personal work. cannot
do it for you: you cannot do it for your
brother; the Atoning Sacrifice cannot do
it without your consent and cooperation.
would have you more earnest in deeds
of charity and mercy. The poor, the
sick and the afflicted, these ''ye have al
ways with YOU, and your course towards
them is made by the dear suffering Sa.
viour the test Of your love and fidelity
to Him. would have you more self
denying. The true religion of the Cross
is a training, not a sentiment, and this
of necessity demands measure of for
getfulness of self in regard for the great
object sought-the disciplining of the
soul for the final commendation of the
Judge. would have you more prayer
ful-more welded to, and more faithful
in, your closets: attention there will help
you wondrously in your Christian war;
fare. Negligence there will render your
greatest exertions useless beating of
the air.
would have you more willing, yea,
more anxious to ego up to the House of
the Lord and more devout in His wor-
ship there. Remember, dear Brethren,
the privileges thus offered you are among
the highest earthly privileges that can
be yours; so also the loss that you sus-
tain by wilful and inexcusable neglect of
them, are among the severest that you
can suffer. 1t is not that your minister
misses you from church, and mourns
over your absence for your own sake. It
is not that your Brethren miss you, and
are, perhaps, injured by your example.
Your Saviour misses you and you miss
the blessings which he hath promised to
the ''two or three who are met in his
name" Besides, He notes and passes
upon the excuses you render for your
absence.
would quicken also, your apprecia-
tion of your family duties. 1t is the Sa-
viour's plan that every household should
be sanctuary of domestic devotion, of
which the head is Priest. An auxiliary
of His church in training immortal
souls for heaven. Such plan can only
be carried out by faithfully meeting the
responsibilities which it imposes. Let
there be family altar in every home,
whence the incense of morning and even-
ing devotions ascends to Him who will
accept and bless. Let every child be
given to Christ in holy baptism. Let
sponsors be faithful in the discharge of
their weighty Office, by teaching their
god-children the solemn VOWS made in
their name, and the blessings following
their fulfilment, and by training them to
"lead a godly and a Christian life." Let
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