The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1872-04-18

christian ana rhurol lelo, sldp lie va
tfac aud faithful g ihe gcuerd faith a.,
ordinance. ofChrisfs house, a. be under
lood them sud a. expressed Ia our arti
cia q filh and rule, II order. Trne il
was Catholic in bis prii. and loved Al
Thar loved and followed TIE Saviour. m
ala not hold that the branch ofthe churcl
ha belonged too was the only church
Sill having joined himself ia early Iif
and ia 81 sincerity 10 this church and be-
order DC was found faithful 10 the last
Whether a. private member or a. an of
iiccr, Bo one ever daubteahis love for IN,
ordinances of Chri.fs house, that notice.
hi- puuciuality Of worship, his earnest
ness iu Sabbath school. bis attendanc,
upon The appointed meeting, Of IN,
church lie yet speaketh 10 rs by hi,
consistent example by bis self sacrificing
spirit That i is 40 trivial matter no bart
matter between man aud man, 10 take
upon oneself the vows OF God in hi.
church, but rather most solemn and
momentons concern drawing aflcr Il the
love Of the heart aud the conservation oI
the entire life While m her cherished
fellowship, Of brctbcn ADD sisters In
their mutual service Of love and PRAYER.
Ia their watch and urgenoies he found
sweet delight and large help a. he pur.
sued bis way amid iie's care aud strug.
&c, IL varied JOYS aud sorrows. Brethren
do YOU not hear him set speak OF an this
and IN a manner that awakens your adj
admiration, and your new purpose 10
speak out the same thing: That while
The duties you owe lie State and society
must not be neglected OF the duties to
yoar families OF community ignored, yet
70 view Of the primary and superior claims
Of religion and their bearing upon all the
Interests Of man in This world and the
world 10 come, and how necessarily
Christ has linked them TO Ills church,
you will seek first the welfare of the
kingdom of God--its spiritual up building.
Again. Deacon Smith, though dead,
,peaketh TO us Of the power and sweet
ness Of prayer, That he was man of
prayer, Of near aud often communion
with God, was manifest not ouly in his
ially family worship, which he main
aimed as long as his strength would permit
long after he could kneel at the altar
not only also, in his ready and earnest at
.cndance upon meetings Of social and
private devotion, which characterized
hm for years, but more especially for the
,plrit, the feryor, the childike simplicity
md iaith Of bis prayers. In all this, he
eemed like one who dwelt much at the
hrone Of heavenly grace, and felt that III
Drayer was his 'rltal byouth". What
.yer his doubts and fears, there was a
ender earnestness in his petitions that
crealed unto others that his soul trusted
II the God of Jacob and his heart rested
II contidug love in the Saviour of sin
lers. There was not manifested intellec-
ual ability so much as simple Christian
aith and loye-that his heart loved to
ray and in holy communion draw near
9 God. lie speaks TO us vet, my
rethren that we cultivate the spirit and
ne power ofprayer. We are not consti-
uted alike, but who is there Of us that ifI
ge would live in the habit ofprivate COM
1union with God, and hold ourselves in |
lose fellowship with Jesus and His word, |
ut might attain unto the grace of an ef- /
actual fervent prayer in our family and
\ the social meeting where Christians
leet as did the hundred and twenty in
he upper room.
Organized as we are, the social prayer
leeting Of the church is one of the most
Elective agencies Of good, How sad our
will be when there shall no lon
en- any one be found, especially outside
the village, that will unite us in our de-
otions or help lift our hearts-cry to God.
rue other things are important, other
rdinances OF the church must be main
lined; bnt what does bis life speak 10
:, nay, what would he say to us if we
Juld hear him speak from Heaven, ifnot
lat there is great power and large bliss
prayer, that no Christian can live with
nt il, while every protesting Christian,
specially male member Of the church
lould endeayor to take up his cross of
uiy aud bear it for Jesus Moreover.
ould he not speak to us, never be weary
] prayer, however dark and discourage
Y our estate, however long the time, we
ait for tie complete answer to our
raycrs; yet his word-his living and
ying word-was pray without ceasing,
aintain tie meetings Of prayer, pray IN
our closet, pray in your family, pray in
our business and every where pray.
Finally. Though dead, be speakcth to
3 that SICK bed and a dying bed are !
Dor places TO prepare to die. True be {
new that II n person comes TO these uu-
repaired, De mast even then, II he would {
Get big God in peace repent of his sins, !
I'D cast bis soul on Jesus bat this rather, !
say 70 ng If ever any person needs {
.e hope and comfort Of religion, as i
ready possessed IN bis soul--if ever q
, wants the assurance that God IL bis :
lihcr and Jesus bis Saviour, notwith- t
anding the Affections that burden hiu,
e paiu. that rack his poor body, the {
eakncs-cs Of bis mind, il Is, while he Z
/. down npou the sick and dying bed )
{ ihi. biz lie and example speaks With )
i the christian hope during the long 8
q wearisome days AMI nights of pain {
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