The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1875-03-24
Christian Longing.

Everything that men think desirable, starts
in them wish to obtain it. 1t may be com
pletely out of their reach, or it may be very
near, but the longing in the soul to get at it
may be equally strong in either case. There
is longing to be rich, strong, distinguished,
happy. Hundreds of men have some special
wish, to crafty which they are ready to make
almost any sacrifice. There is a desirable end
to be gained, others have gained it, and hence
they have passionate desire to do what is
thus, not only so good, but possible.
And Christians have their longings like
other people. Loekips*ssar the history OF
the Church, they read of many saints who
had grown great in grace. They were strong
and happy, and having gained certain points
of experience and blessing, they seemed to
live in region visited but by few. ooh!
says the admiring reader, eff l could only
get where they were !" Or looking around
them, they see Christian friends who seem
to live in state of sanity enjoyment Of
which they themselves have no touch of ex.
perience. How they wish to be like them
If they could only get such peace, such trust
and joy and assurance. The "higher state
they are longing after, and believing in
"higher life," they make themselves miser'
able in feeling they have never reached it.
The difficulty that mostly thwarts the
wishes of these good people consists in the
fact that they do little else than long. They
wish, but they do nothing more. Their de-
sires all 60 off in reveries and languOrs, and
the beautiful land they wish to occupy re-
mains far away because they never start tc
it. If they want the gold, let them dig fol
it. If they desire the fruits, let them &c
where they grow and gather them. If they
expect "the promised land, let them "gc
forward" And if they are anxious for the
sweet epjoyments of composed Christian
life, let them seek them by the earnest activ.
ity of Christian career.
Such longings are in every case spiritual
hindrance. They cloud the spirit. They
beget a disposition to NOPE and whine, to
spend time in musings and melancholy fore.
castings. Air-castles and spiritual day.
dreams are their brightest products, but very
little that is ever substantial and useful is
gained by them. And sinking people down
into kind of disseminated state, they unfit
them for the only way by which they can
get what they profess so much to admire.
Spiritual eminences are not to be gained
by sitting at the foot of them and wishing we
were at the top. 1t takes climbing to get
them. Nor will any one ever reach them
who climbs simply for the joy of getting
them, and revealing in the pleasure of the
prospect and elevation. That is poor mo
tive. Happiness is seldom gained when we
set traps for it, or chase it for its own sake.
1t comes when we do our duty. There is a
10y in the work and an added one in IT'S &C.
complishment, and the fulnesS of joy comes
in the end, under the blessing of God.
Christian readers, are you longing after
spiritual blessings? Then remember that
you will only obtain them, when leaving off
your longing, you rouse up to duty when
you "run with patience the race set before
you, looking unto Jesus. - United Presby-
ferinn