Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1871-03-31

Held for PoStage-G w Goodsell, New
Haven, Conn.
THE CHURCHES.
Centre Church, Rev. n. Mighin, pas
tor, March 20, 1871, A. NJ Text 1,Pe. /:
1915. The reasons given by the apostle in
preceding verses for the injunctions of the
text were stated. The duty of the Chris
tian as laid down in the text was then
brought forward.
l. He is to grid up the loins of his mind
a calling in and concentrating the faculties
of our being in the interest of redemption
is here signifed. How numerous are the
distracting elements in the world without
and in the mind. How exposed are we to
being led away from the path of life
There is a fickleness in our attention to re-
ligion which is unworthy and dishonora-
BILE. Indecision also is a snare, as is fear
of opposition. The Christian is to apply
himself to his peculiUr work, to the attain
ment of the end of his existence. What is
the course taken in reference to worldly
enterprises2
2, The Christian is exhorted to soberness.
The prece pit "bo sober is not opposed to
bodily into xication simply; it is wider in
its appli cations including the whole man.
We are required to hold and act upon just
views of life and duty; are not to exact
trifing honors, pleasures or pursuits to
the throne within us, nor to be swayed by
impulse, imagination, or associations. We
are to guard against the workings of vani-
ty, conceit and carnal wisdom, to put off
the old man and put on the new. An il
lustration was drawn from the expression
''sobered down" as applied to youth: the
sober mind most of all becomes a joint
heir with Christ.
3. We are to hope to the end for the
grace that is to DO brought at the revela-
| ton of Jesus Christ. The Gospel brings
to the soul a glorious hops, hope topch1
ing what is not as yet realized. Salvation
is by grace: the Christian is to guard
against self-dependence in the form of self
rig hteousnoss and to ascribe the praise OF
salvation to God. Further, he is to contin-
ne in the glorious hope of the consumma-
tion of redemption, to continue "to the
end, or, as the margin has it, he is to hope
perfectly for the full salvation. God
gives reasons why the believer should not
distrust him. Christ is revealed as true,
and mighty to save.
4. The Christian is to be obedient to God,
is TO take God as his rule. He is not to
fash ion himself, his character, associations,
surroundings according to the desires or
aims cherished in an unrenewed state. He
is not to find his standard in his own best
tn oughts and feelings; nor in the holiness
of angels. He is to look beyond these.
His eye is TO rest upon the infinitely per-
fect. This is the Christians duty as well
as privilege. One prominent cause of d-
minutve stature in the life of faith is the
low standard falsely chosen. The one set
up for us will instruct, guide, animate, ell
evate.
st. Michaers (EpiscopaD church, Rev.
Charles Clark Harris, rector. Fifth Sun
day in Lent, March 20, A. NJ. Text, st.
IS: IS !. c. In our Lords parable, two men
are represented as going up to the Temple
to pray; the one a Pharisee, the other y
Publican. As he enters, the Pharsee with
draws himself from the multitude, as be-
ing better and holier, and in conspicuous
place and in an ostentatious manner prays
with himself" But the Publican, as he
enters the Temple, seeks to avoid public
observation. He stands afar off, and, bowed
down in the deepest humiliation, his heart
almost bursting in the agony of his sorrow,
smites upon his breast, saying, Good be
merciful unto me sinner" 1t is to this
prayer, 1.-THE prayer of the Publican) TO
which attention is now directed. The Pub
LEANS prayer was exceedingly brief; 1t
was all comprehended in few simple
words. But it was made brief by that in
tensity Of feeling which inspired it, This
was only natural 1t was even necessary.
w hen men are moved most deeply, when
their whole inner nature is stirred by some
profound emotion or by some strong pas
sion, when they are oppressed by present
and active consciousness of sore need their
"straitened spirit finds no room for prolix
! expression" Broken CALCULATIONS rather
burst forth as the outgushing of the great
flood of feeling, which wells and surges
almost resistlessly within or perhaps the
uplifted eye, sutiused with tears, or the
bowed head, weighed down with sorrow, is
the souls only expression. the Publican's
prayer was really and thoroughly sincere.
In our relations with our fellow men, 1t is
sincerity which gives an essential excel
lence to any profession we may make, to
any claim we may urge or to any desire
we may avow. In all the relations which
men sustain to himself, God demands the
same deep soul veracity. The Publican's
PRAYER was the expression of the deepest
humility of spirit. There was no pride in
his demeanor, there was no presumption
in his words. Standing aiar oil, he ''would
not lift up so much as his eyes unto heav-
en-, but smote upon his breast saying, "God
be merciful to me a sinner" II was be-
cause of this hu mble spirit he cherished,
that be event down to ms house justified"
rather than 'the proud Pharisee" who ac-
eompanied him. The Publicans prayer
was also an honest confession of sin, "God
be merciful to me Il sinner" these were
his only words. Al! men are sinners. The
sad fact of human guilt IL declared upon al
most every page of the inspired Word. 1t is
also asserted by the intuitive convictions,
(the soul.) II is SO great that IL separates
man from God, and renders him the object
OF the divine displeasure. Therefore, to