St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1876-02-11
Consistency in the Christian Life.

Illc Shi ioIidi A-ihS-
1t is Christian to exercise Il pelilttn-
tial and contritc heart, the spirit that
priNs with the Christian publican, tod
IL, mcrciful to me, IA sinner But this
is not a feeling to be once exercised, AZ
when we first turn from Il selfish and
sinful life to a forgivinS God, and there
discarded il is to he cherished daily
aud continuously, until the soul stands
in spotless white before the Redeemer
in glory.
II is Christian to exercise faith in
Christ, not merely 10y the original com
initial of the soul to him who ''b"re our
sins" but every hour and every moment
to rest upon his merits. his work. his
interceSsion and promise.
1t is Christian to love our Saviour
with all our heart and soul, and mind.
love that breaks forth in paSsionat"
words aud tender tears and this not
when we first come to him to choose
him iS our Lord and to trust him as
our surety, but every time we speak
his dear name. or think of our infinite
debt to him.
SO the love of the brethren is Chris
tian. and the love of the sanctuary. and
delight in prayer, and devotion to the
kingdom of Christ, but there is never Il
time when any of these things are to Ice
suspended and laid aside. They are to
characterize the child of God at every
step and stage of his progress. ''ycster
day, to-day" and through all the to-
morrow of his life.
ANY cessation from these gr;iceS is an
interruption of the Christian life. IL SuS-
pension of his spiritual vitality. abide
in me-" is the condition of living 1T all
in the new life. And this must he il
continual abiding. OF the pulses of this
life stop beating.
The condition of our fruittulnrSS is
the same. AS the branch cannot bear
IL WI 'N'' ~ ~ ~ 'iN
vine; no more can We, except We abide
in me-" The abiding is imperative.
Separated from The vine the leaf withers
on the branch. the clusters dry up, and
the branch being dead. is no longer Il
fruit bearing branch.
So it is also with the Christians
strength. with his comfort, with his
peace. with his hope there is no ele-
mcnt of his spiritual life thai does not
depend upon the consistency of his union
with Christ, and the exercises and du
ties that bclt and result from that
union.
These are all obvious and common
place thoughts and conclusions, but the
unvarying fidelity, the changeless con
stancN of which speak are not so com
in the life and activity of protesting
Christians. At one time the fcrv0r is
bright and glowing, and many rejoice
in lis light and heat, and are quickcned
and warmed 10y it; and then, presently
it dies down into larkcned cmhers and
cold ashes. within which there seems to
be no spark of fine lurking.
Iou shall see Il brother here rise to
his feet. and hear winged and burning
words from his lips. and he seems to
set all other souls on fire and Il stranger
in this room listening to his forceful and
kindlimg speech would he apt to say,
"Why, what Il helper You have there,
He is Il man to he Il leader in the sacr;,-
mental host. lou are greatly favored
in the presence of 50 fervc1t and stimu-
lating IL brother.' Well. that glowing
speech will likely enough he the last
heard and seen of the '.fervent and slim
ulating brother" for six weeks. When
the next prayermcctimg night comes he
is not in his place. He is not i'll he is
not out of town; he has no more care,
no heavier burdens, than any of Won
but he is diSinclimed to come out, he is
Il little languid, he has pleasant book
to read. OF Il social engagement to re-
deem. So he will have a monthly re-
vival. and between dates NE is lost to
the fellowship and work of the church.
Or perhaps it is the sacramental season.
once in two months that stirs him up.
But the stirring up soon subsidies. A
New Years sermon breaks in upon his
apathy and he is very ardent for a
fortnight or so; but those who know
him best, know that it will not last.
know there is Il difference of tenn
permanent between men, | know there
is Il difference between the words of the
same man. can understand aud ap-
preciate all that. But this tiuctuation
of which | speak is of another quality.
1t is lapSing into GOODNESS. barrenness.
and Indifference. The lamp is without
oil, and the light goes out and the wick
is dry.
Brethren, if any of YOU have been
characterized by such fitfulncss and in
constancy, he ashamed of it, afflicted by
it, and mourn over it. See if Won can
not attain To IL consistency of Christian
living. Ii will come only by PRAYER.
and watching. and resolute purpose.