Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1875-07-22
THE PIOUS GRUMBLER.

The celebrated Edmund Burke once. in
Parliament, characterized a person who was
never known to be satisfied, thus: "Give him
ENGLAND for farm, and he would ask for
Ireland as potato patch" Thus there are
real Christians who are admirable workers in
the Masters vineyard, but always are hank
ering after something unattainable. If you
speak of the cloudless sunshine of the day,
he thinks it's gathering up for storm. If
you call his attention to the delightful season
of social communion around the Lords table
last Sabbath, "Yes-but don't you think Mr..
A. presumed to come, and all know him
to be a hypocrite."
"But remember, friend, there was one at
the Lords table when the Redeemer had the
choice of his disciples
"Well, but wish that we could get rid of
all who are not above suspicion"
"Then perhaps you and were shut out. u
Such grumblers quote Paul's "desire to de,
part" as their authority for hankerng after
this and that, but even Paul might have de-
sired to be with Christ too fervently. The
Lord in boundless love and wisdom, only de.
tains believers here until their work is done.
"Their dross is consumed, and their gold
refined" Even heather rebuked this long
ing after rest, which death brought them, as
they believed: "Can pilot dare wish to
leave the helm in storm, without the charge
of cowardice?" Hankering after the joys of
paradise we may become sullen, sinfully dis
contented with our lot of peril, toll and pain
here. "Whom I love I rebuke and chasten. y
Infinite Love binds itself to the rod in this
vale of tears. Therefore, repent" adds the
Holy Spirit. (Rev. 3: 21.)
The thoughtless believer seems to forget the
ten thousand temporal mercies he shares. And
the privileges of freedom to serve God, un-
taxed and undisturbed by the minions of
spiritual despotsm; all the immunities from
the dreaded conscript law, from the jealous
cruelties of the Inquisition, or the horrors of
material fire, do not satisfy such persons. All
the glorious inheritance of the church of our
fathers God, first purchased on Calvary, and
then with trials tinged with the blood of the
pilgrim fathers, avail not to satisfy.
Tell these pious grumblers they have the
open Bible with all its priceless promises, the
doors of the sanctuary like those Of the golden
City, standing open day and night. Tell
them of the blessed Sabbath, with all its quiet
joys and inspiring hopes clustering round the
sacred desk, the table of the Lord. Tell them
of the sweet communion Of saints and the
heavenly light that dawns evermore in the
darkest hour on the Mercy Seat. Above all,
tell them of the privilege high, holy, precious,
of working for the dear Redeemer, and hum.
bly, aiding to gather for the garner'house OF
our Saviour-and bid them rejoice, and soon
they will hear the long, loud shout of Harvest
! Home
Nevertheless the pious grumbler has his re-
deeming traits. He is modest and hunable
He never blows the trumpet of his selfdeny'
ing labors for good. He has the entire conf
dence of men as to his sincerity. He bears
abundance of fruit, although "grace," as Bun
yam says, "was grated on a crabbed-apple
tree" His steppings are heavenward, al
though he ever dwells in the shady, not the
sunny side of the Mount of God. He sings
too, with right clear note, the songs of Zon
but they all seem in the sad strains OF the
minor key.
! The secret of this is twofold. Partly con-
stitutonal, over which he may not have any
control Partly supreme longing and an
unutterable desire to mourn over his own SINS
and over the fearful shortcomings OF 80 many
| around him,-InteriOr.