Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-05-16
Glorifying God by a Cheerful Face.

Did you ever think, my Christian friend,
of clarifying God by cheerful face Per-
haps you may even be surprised at the ques-
ton, and reply, as did the Sabbath-school
class, "Never thought of such thing"
You say that the gospel is "glad tidings !"
that Christ has redeemed you that all
things work together for good to them that
love God" You go to meeting and sing;
Happy day, happy day,
When Jesus washed my sins away;
He taught me how to watch and pray,
And live rejoicing every DAY
And yet, after all this, perhaps by fretful
or dissatisfied countenance, you practically
deny your Christian profession and destroy
your influence for good We have been told
that the type of piety, in former days, was
deeply his lost condition before he would
rant such religion. Though we talk more
nowadays of the love of God and of the
peace and Joy found in serving Christ do we
illustrate it by cheerful faces and happy
lives is there not room yet for great i'm
provement in our daily exhibition of religion
before it will appear very desirable in the
eyes of those outside the fold A blunt old
man, speaking of an aged lady, declared that
she was the crossest woman he ever knew
that professed to be a Christian, and she
preachers wife, too. Tracing these lines,
the vision of the calm, peaceful face of
dear old lady rises before me, as my eyes
used to rest on her in church. seemed to
catch glimpse of the conquering faith that
brings TO earth the victory over all its ills.
Aud this serene expression dwelt with her
habitually. ! fancy, my friend, hear you
saying 40, if hadn't so many trials |
might always look pleasant, too" This
dear, happy old lady did not live in the
peaSure-gardens of ease. A severe daily
trial, wearing in its nature both on soul and
body was her portion, and had been for
years. 1t is not the absence of trials, hut
the gaining the victory over the spirit amid
these very trials, that sets the seal of peace
upon the brow Indeed, is it not rule that
these who have passed through the deepest
waters have gained the deepest experience
OF peace :. But | can't look any differ
emily from what feel" you say. Certainly
not. That's just the point. To carry a
cheerful face you must have happy heart.
" But | am not naturally of a happy dis
position" Then cultivate one. Charlotte
Bronte writes Happiness is not potato,
to be planted in mould nd titled with ma
nure. Happiness is glory shining far
down upon us out of heaven" We beg
lcdNt W lStb US HoW bulu ilom thc
wisdom OF the world to the wisdom from on
high: "The kingdom of Ged is within
you" "a mans life consisteth not in the
abundance of things which he possesseth."
Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he
also reap" But this sowing is not for ones
self alone, but for the glory of God and the
hest good of his children. Yet while thus
giving we are thrice blessed in receiving.
Rev. Kngman Mott, whose early departure
was so deeply lamented, says: " If did not
make it a matter of principle to be happy,
should not always be so happy as | am"
Yes, make this being happy "matter of
principle" Don't let the dumps or the
" blues get the better of you. OF Mott it
was said, His mind and heart were not at
the mercy of the circumstances and events
of the day, ruled by them; but these were
subject to his serenity of soul" And before
he went home, it was said of him, again and
again, 4" His face is heavenly" My brothers
and sisters in Christ, why may not you and
gain a similar victory through him that
loved us ?" May not the seal of peace be
written upon your brow and mine-a token
to all that there is blessed reality in the
religion we profes' ? When fretted or
tempted to yield to dissatisfied spirit, let
us look up to the infinite love of our Father,
and say to ourselves, God helping me,
wW strive to glorify him by happy face
Christian at Work.