The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1879-11-07
SUNDAY READrru.a
.GIFTED nEARERa Z

There are various kinds of bearers
who certainly are not gifted. There
are the sleepy hearers, who, whether
drowsy or not at convivial or political,
musical, silver or golden gatherings,
may be usually drowsy at church.
4" Bodily inflrmityY OH, yest but es-
pccially on the sabbath, in meeting.
There are doubtless many Indifferent
hearers, who catch here and there a sen
tence, or q part of one, but whose
thoughts are mostly elsewhere.
Pleasure.loving hearers there may he,
taken up (though they may at times
seem 10 be deyouD with the style of
the costumes with which polite wor-
slippers condescend TO honor the house
of worship; or buried in thcretrospect
OF past pleasures, and in anticipation of
pleasures in the future.
Others, amidst the snatches of the
service which they, ever and anon.
clutch as they fit by, may be occupied
in reviewing bargains, made or pro-
posed, and computing profits.
Others still ale fastidious hearers,
who carefully note every alteration
from correct taste, and rhetorical and
logical rules, being too much taken up
with the manner TO be blessed by the
truth.
Cavilers too, there may be, who, in
their predjudice and impotence mis-
conceive or irrevcrcntly distort the
message which, rightly received, might
benefit and save.
Added to all these, may be some cred
ulous. passive hearers, receiving for
gospel all the pulpit utterances per-
haps, or nearly all, without examina-
ton and most unlike the Bereans.
This enumeration may suffice, nor is
it affirmed that all these are found ia
every congregation; nor yet that they
all certainly exist. Nevertheless, the
thing is possible if not strongly prob
able.
But gifted hearers, wherein do they
differ from those Just described? In be-
ing their opposilcs in respect to the
things indicated, and also other things
Particularly: The truly gifted in the
fullest sense, (and of these only men
t"n is here inade), come 10 the house
OF worship in apropcr manner. They
do not converse freely all the way TO
about crops ar merchandise or
p"llIics or tile current worldly news,
but hold themselves in due reserve,
liiiing from time To time their thoughts
above, or speaking OF the things OF lhe
kingdom. They comprehend chat there
is philosophy and common sense in re-
ligiun, - in Other things, and act ac-
cordingly.
W iIrh giitcu hearers arrive mt the
place of worship, they do not loiter
outside, nor in the porch, nor engage in
gossip iii The service begins, but de-
yonily take their srats, to sit in Il wait
ing frame, preparatory .to the worship.
w Well-intormed. gifted hearers, do not
keep their hats on III the house of God
when sitting, nor walk up long aisle 70
their pew covered Friends except
ed, with whom il may be, and perhaps
generally is, matter of conscience.
Gifted hearers do not defile the house
Of worship by using tobacco there. In
deed, the nIost gifted, it is presumed,
do not use the unclcan weed. '.i
Gifted hearers aim 10 H. punctual to
the hour. They do not wish 10 Jose the
Introductory dcvniicis, and the reading
Of the Word; nor are they willing by
coming in late to interrupt the congrc-
CATION. If by Il hindering Providence,
they at any time are late, they open and
shut the door gently, and with light
step 90 to their seats. 1t is the coarse
and careless sinner who would most
naturally bang the door, and come
to Il seat, reckless of the COM
fort and well-being of others.
The gifted hearcr understands that
of heart is just as nccdtul
for hin, as for tho preacher. Moet do
cent people would eXclaim against Il
minister undertaking to deliver the
Lords message without previously
seeking the Lords aid and blessing.
Nothing short of this would be becom-
ing of preacher. And the gifted
nearer judges that nothing short of this
would be becoming in him.
Such prepara'io ion renders him devout
and attentive. 1t also tends to render
hin. candid, and willing to examine
in the sermon which are
new to him. or which NAY conflict with
some of his cherished opinions. or
course he regards his minis er as II
teacher and not as mere exhorter. and
he counts himself a learner, quite at
liberty to investigate. but not To pre-
scribe, or cavil. la his view, 10 people
should receive us II minister one that
" cannot teach and will not learn"
Gifted hearers grow in knowledge,
us may be readily supposed. They do
not propose TO abide always at the
Threshold of the temple OF knowledge,
bul as divincly taught, leaving tho prin-
ciples of the doctrines of Christ, they
GO on unto perfection not laying again
the foundation of repentance from dead
works, aud of faith toward God, of
the doctrine OF baptism, and of LAYING
on of hands, and Of resurrection of the
dead, and of eternal Judgment. That
they may thus grow, they take care not
to have too many absences from their
house of worship, which wutld break
in upon the continuity of pulpit teach
ing, and 81, important explanations and
items of practical godliness would be
missed to the loss of equipments for
the Christian life. When pupils are it,
constant in their attendance mt school,
it Is obvious enough that lass, soni =
times wcll-nigh or quite irreparable
may result. Why in respect 10 religious
learning is NOT the effect OF iiterinitfent
attendance equally evident: Gifted
utNltfH uO ilol
hindrances, such as slight headache, n
feeling of imertness, the appearance of
some modest clouds. ar heat or cold,
which are thought uoJling OF on week
days; nor yet the presence of "com-
pany" at their home. Met get excuse d
from " company when important
business calls on weekday; and stall
wart, gifted hearers can do the same on
the Sabbath, or take their company
with them. Shams they eschrw, and
only real Providence Keeps them Mt
home. As to travelling for business or
pleasure or engaging in social WISHING
70 the neglect of Gods house, or the
proclamation of the Sabbath, gifled hear
ers are not wont 10 do these things.
Many professors NAV, but "all is not
gold that glitters." .a
Gifted hrarers, as a matter Of course,
grow in grace. This is sure result of
sanctified knowledge. None ever grow
in grace, who do not become propor-
tionally wise in the things of God. The
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