Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1870-07-26
The Key Note.

ne Ne1 NOI6.
The key note of the christian world was
struck by the angelic choir at the birth of
Jesus. GLORY to God in the highest, peace
on earth, good will to men" This spirit
rung out from every word and work of Je-
sus. 1t rung out from his every footstep
as he traveresed the hills and plains Of
Palestine 1t rung out from his cross of
agony endured for the sinners sake. 1t
rung out from his sepulcher of rock and
babe the sleeper arise, proclaiming right
eousness for the guilty, salvation for the
lost, and a glorious resurrection for all
who fall asleep in him. Itrings out today
from every page in the gospel message
All Christ's followers TO the end of time,
| seeking the glory Of God in the salvation
of men, are to blend their voices with the
angelic song. Every generation Is to take
up the strain, increasing as they pass away,
till all ''the church of God" united shall
pour itfourth in one melodious song. which
shall echo from every hillside and roll
| along every valley, rendering the world
vocal with the seraphic tones of music first
! caught from heaven, and which will soon
mingle with the symphonies of that vast
multitude around the throne (which no
man can number"
This Is truth most elevating in its ten
denotes and most fragrant in its beauty,
which we wish might deeply penetrate ev-
cry heart, leaving its sweetest influences
there. We would it might be sounded out
far and wide, that christians are not re-
newed and sanctified for their own benefit
| alone, but also for others good that they
are redeemed from all iniquity" by the
| blood of Jesus and purified unto himself
a peculiar people" not alone that they
may have peace and joy, foretastes of heav-
en- here and heaven itself forever, but that
they may be Jealous of good works. -
Others, not themselves, are to be the en-
crossing objects Of their interest True.
they are to desire personal holiness and to
strive for it as earnestly as the wording
seeks for "hid treasures" but ultimately
| that they may ditfuse the salvation of Je-
sus. Paul was "a chosen vessel unto God, :"
but it was that he might carry the gospel
both to Jews and Gentiles. and thus be-
come the instrument of purifying multi
tudes in every age down to the coming of
our Lord. So every brother in Christ is
"a chosen vessel unto God" to do a work
helpful to others. Feels he the pulsations
of hallOwed love, it is that he may spread
abroad "the sweet SAVIOR" of its influence.
Feels he the aspirations of faith, it is that
he may tell the world what Saviour he
has found" Feels he the glowings Of
holy zeal, it is that he may kindle in the
hearts of others that Godlike fame. Feels
he the calmness of resting on God. 1t is
that he may tell the tossed and afflicted.
the care worn and poverty stricken, where
they may find rest for their rufled and
weary spirits.
Iii was the yearning of Paul's heart to
be the helper of others joy, it should be
the yearning of our hearts. If we are to
rejoice with others with sympathetic iov.
much more should we weep with others
with sympathetic tears, and thus help bear
one another's burdens, especially since
such weeping and sharing of burdens but
swells the still current of our own purest
joys. We have seen the trees of the forest
standing thick side by side, and extending
and interlocking their branches, and then
the vine clambering up their trunks, run
ming from tree to tree, and entwining about
their limbs, binding them all together in
reciprocal support, the weak standing firm
by the strength of the strong. That fra
ternlty OF trees is beautiful symbol of the
mutual sympathy and aid which christians
should extend to each other.
Would that the members of all local and
| individual churches, instead of pickering
and backbiting, and thus moving on with
the gratings and Earrings of discord, as they
too often do, would remember the kev-note
of the christian life, and return in one loud
full, heartfelt chorus to the primal strain,
Peace on earth, good will to men," Oh.
would that the entire circle of the churches
instead of fixing their gaze so intensely on
their differences, would study with more
earnestness their agreements, and by giving
themselves up without reserve to the power
OF the great center of all in Christ, would
be drawn toward it with the same tender
love that streams from it; and thus becom-
ing one large beaming constellation bright
with the Sun of Righteousness, would shed
their light reciprocally upon each other
and unitedly pour their concentrated radi-
ance on the darkness of sin, driving it for
ever from the earth redeemed by Him
whose advent was so beautifully announced
by the angelic song Adcance.