Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1870-10-11

They love to sing
ooh! to grace how great debtor
Daily I'm constrained to be-"
but judging from their lives, they believe
that when they were converted, Jesus saw
of the travail of his soul and was satisfied.
They anticipate the white robe and the
crown of righteousness, as the heir looks
forward to the princely possession, but
they regard sinners starving around them
very much as that heir would regard the
beggar at his gate, plying him because his
birth was not as fortunate, nor his future
as bright They have comfortable pews
in the sanctuary, high priced and in the
centre isle, if they can afford it, they bow
devoutly to the prayer and join in the
hymn of praise, and altogether, they are
happy and cOntented in their religious
state, for they have a hope (which years
ago they laid away on the shelf for future
use) and with some of the good things of
this world for present enjoyment, they re-
joice in the promise that in the world to
come they viii possess life everlasting
They wish, however, that their pastor
would not be always urging them to labor
for others, and preach so often about cross
es, for, they reason, docs he not know
how busy | am all the week. My business
20 engrossing, so many social calls, con-
certs, parties, etc, etc. They believe that
there should be only about half as many
collections on the Sabbath, for they tell
you, "There is no danger Of impoyerishing
the congregation" but from the tight fist
on their own purses it is evident they do
not intend to be led away in that direction.
Now there is a great deal of this kind of
professed christianity in the visible church.
and it is AS much like the spirit of Jesus,
as a snail is like an eagle. 1t is spiritual
meanness and selfshness, and its existence
rests like an awful incubus on the energies
Of the church. And when these profess
ors knock at the pearlygat for admission,
they will be terribly disappointed, for on
ly servants, only fishermen, only soldiers,
can pass in through the gate into the city.
Every true disciple Of Christ is preacher
of the gospel, as, by as much as he Or she
is one with Christ, aud the human love is
absorbed into his divine, yearning love, by
so much will the highest, the royal purpo-
ses of life, be to push forward that gloriou.
salvation which Calvary inangurated, and
to preach Christ regardless of self. AnC
every christian has talent for this work
since, in reality, the Holy Spirit is the
workman through the heart, mind, lip
and hands of the disciples. But not only
is it true that there is work tor every chris
tian, but it his peculiar work, which viii
be left undone unless he performs it, fo
that work was planned for him from al
eternity, and his place in the vineyard wa
fixed by infinite love. And, still further
t hat individual work, small and uninhueE
tial though it may seem, but drop in tn
ocean, is as essential to the perfectness 0
Gods redemptive plan, as was the work O
Paul, of Luther, or of Calvin. The car
penter, who drives the nail beneath tn
keel Of the ship, is doing a little thing
and may be unnoticed by the passers by
but that nail is as essential as is the mas
or the rudder, for without it, in the strain
ing Of the timbers by the angry storm, tn
entire ship would be weakened, so tha
the loss Of that nail might be the loss of
valuable cargo and precious lives. An
50, in the accomplishment of the divin
plan for the redemption of a lost worl
myriad lips, hands, and hearts are workin
and though some may seem to be perform
ing grander work than others, yet, aftC
all, the perfect plan is the result of tn
little words and acts of individual efo
and prayer.
Whether then my place in the vinegar
be public, prominent position, or 4 lowl,
secret service, confined within the circle
my personal influence, the place is of gre;
Importance in Gods sight, and if / fail
labor, there will be a loss to the plan
God, and loss of immortal souls entrus
ed to my care. DO not then be ever anti
ipating and longing after some great woI
for Christ, saying in your heart "If OIL
ly had PauPs enthusiasm and grand o.
portunities, if were Luther, or Whit
field, or if / were gifted in any way or ha
wealth at my command, how much cou
do for Jesus {" God made you just as yC
are, placed you in these circumstance
and if you accomplish your mission in b
vineyard, you have done all that the wise
and greatest can possibly do-if you il
prove the opportunities as they pass,
sowing at least one seed for Jesus, and tn,
another, and another, it may be clothil
the naked, visiting the home of sorro
watching by the sick bed, smoothing Il
pillow Of the dying-it may be a word
warning in the ear Of the thoughtless, on
word which seemed to be lost and inc
fective, it may be prayer in the clos
for a Sabbath school class, child, friei
ont Of Christ, or it may be conquering Sc
and striving to enter into that 'large celt
tial charity, which is meek, enduring, u
retaliating," whatever it is, it is christi
work in the vineyard of Jesus, and ov
each word, act, prayer, struggle, sacrift
rests his benediction, "Well done, go
and faithful servant"
And then how glorious the rewar
promised to the faithful servant With c
cry act Of christian labor there flows ba
eternal wealth into the soul. An act
love makes the soul more loving. He th
sows a seed of life, reaps life, he who i:
champion for the truth becomes hims
more manly and pure in thought, and
who takes up cross for Christ, there
increases his own love for Christ, and fin
a richer satisfaction IN his commune
and joy in his service. But how feeble
human words to describe the munifcer
of the rewards which await the laborer
the life TO comel To him "who has
bbhhNA ~ AhA WIN vi INC llOius W
has laid up good foundation for the til
to come" what rewards has God promis
Eye hath not seen anything so gorgeC
and beautiful-ear hath not heard su
plaudits and praises--the mind hath ne,
conceived Of such lavishness of veal
honor and joy Gle shall eat of the t
of life, which is in the midst of the pa
disc of God" "He shall have power o
the nation" the Morning Star" will
his, che shall be clothed in white raimer
The Lord will lovelingly confess his ma
before the Father and the holy angels,
more than this, he shall sit with Imma
ell upon his throne, yes, more than t
what mind can apprehend it, what he
can grasn IN che shall ;pbor;t oil thine