Connecticut western news., 1880-08-04
Sunday at Pine Grove.

A union quarterly meeting for Falls Vil- lage, Norfolk and Goshen circuits was held on the Pine Grove camp ground last Sunday forenoon, and was largely attended. The lovefeast, which began at 930 @. m. was an inspiring and interesting service. The testi- monies were chiefly given by gray haired old patriarchs who gave evidence of Gods sus- taining grace through years, and even half centuries of His service. The appeals to the unconverted young, from these old saints, whose many years of Christian life have taught them to k7a0so it's beauty and it's con solation, must have na.ent- Influence, for the salvation of souls. The peace and con- tentment portrayed in that wrinkled coun- tenance, beaming with the joy of a happy knowledge, which at once dispels the cynics sneering intimation of transitory rapture, must convince the young that there is real ity in the religion of Jesus, and that it has been tried and found not wanting
 After the lovefeast Presiding Elder Sanford delivered an effective sermon from Colossians, lst,s27: "Christ in you." These words of the apostle Paul, said the speaker, were addressed to the Christians of Colosse, in collective capacity, yet are capable of personal appli- cation. They are exhorted to continue in the faith, as body, and this exhortation may be applied to the individual believer, showing Christ's presence in Church and believer
 He is in the believers faith. Christ's merit is always the ground of the Christian faith
 A Christian expects no favor of God because he is Christian, but through the merit and intercession of Christ; he does not differ in this from the poor penitent. Paul is good illustration: beforeAhis conversion he was a bitter prosecutor of 'the Christian religion :; after, faithful servant of Christ. He never allowed his trials and prosecutions to come in as a ground for his salvation. Despite these, he said, am the chief of sinners. Wesley had the same experience, and at death, rested not in his toll. The language of his heart was: 1T the chief of sinners am, but Jesus died for me-" Christ is in the prayers of His people. The Christian brings Christ, if as penitent
 because Jesus is his intercessor. If his in- hrmities weigh upon him and he desires to overcome his sins he pleads Jesus blood to cleanse. If fighting with the adversary of souls, he pleads the name of Jesus and gains the victory. If in af1ictlon, he comes for re- lief; in the loss of friends he pleads the strength of the promise: 1T will never leave thee nor forsake thea." Whatever the nature of his errand, he takes the name of Christ and prevails. Though Gods arm be raised in anger that name causes it to fall, and He says, son, daughter, go in peace. Christ has given us a check, signed with his blood
 which, presented at the bank of heaven, will be honored as we demand, with the bread of life, the water of salvation, the robes of right ousness and purifcation from all our unclean- ness. Christ is also in the praises and af
 fections of His people. Through His affec- tion we have redemption and forgiveness
 Christ embodies all things that tend to obtain for Him our affections-amiability, charity,
 condescension, virtue tender and self sacri- f1cing love. The Christian loves Christ better than friends His affections are sanctifed through this love for Christ. He is also ID tue ooeulenco ol us people. lie IS the shepherd, and they follow him obediently
 knowing that His yoke is easy. They will follow Him through afaictions, through be- reavements, through the tomb. Such is the meaning of the text. "Christ in you"-not as wine in tankard, but as blood in the body-stimulating every element of our be- ing. In our desires, in our trials, ln our du- { ties, Christ is all and in all, permeating our whole nature. When He rules within, we shall be dead to sin and alive to Christ. He came to make religion highly social in it's ef- fects on the hearts of men. They came to- gether for the mutual enjoyment of the privi. ieges of worship. It is not the beauty of the edifce, the eloquence of the pulpit, the mel ody of the choir, the wealth of the congrega- tion that makes the service enjoyable it is Chrlst's presence-the heavens coming down. In the grove, in the ''two or three, in the family group, in the cell, where Christ is, there happiness abounds It is not surround | ings, not family, not wealth, not the commodi- ous edifice, that makes the Christian happy, l but 1t is OhySstin him as well of water, |spflDging ppinto everlasting life.