St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1888-03-15
CHRISTIAN
BY MRS. c. L. GooDELL.

n we not to regard IL as an
possibility, if it is a privilege can
afford to miss it9
Ne see those about us who have
ppy homes, loving friends, healthy
lilies. enough of this worlds goods,
apparently few trials, and we say,
Sc can ''rest in the Lord and wait
ently for Him."
&c see others whose once happy
mes are broken, whose hearts are
ed with SORROW, who have heavy
Tdens and daily perpleXing trials,
we say, such as these cannot rest
the Lord !; they must be anxious and
rried much of the time. How is it
ssible when their dearest earthly
spes perish, and many things turn
so contrary to their expectations
ben their best endcayOrs seem to
f, and their prayers remain unan-
fred
This sounds reasonable and has a
jim of truth i'll it, yet it is not all. by
81 means. We must remember this
christian restfulness we are speak
of, and it is not dependent upon
Award circumstances or surround
IS. 1t is true, these may aid or him
the exercise of it, and often do,
ID they are nOt the criterion.
We may rightly believe it is attain
lie in some degree by every child of
Ad, however he may be situated or
grounded. On the other hand, it is
III promised to the people of the
I'D, even if everything moves to
eir mind ans no present trials assail
em. None but the followers of
rist can understand or have it. 1t
he blessed ''secret1 between them
III their God. eve which have be-
he'd do enter into rest" Believed
{iatR Believed Gods Word, which
given MS for III support under trial,
5r our d~eliverance in times of tempta-
an, for our comfort in affiictiOn, Our
ker in encouragement, our guidance
Derplexity, and for assurance of for
zen sin and hope of eternal life be-
Aed that the promises concerning
Is life and the life to- come are really
BE-. So the condition of entering in
this r%estfulness is faith faith in
n, the unchanging One, the faithful,
senant-keeping One-faith in Him
feugh we do not see how He is work
This rest will be imperfect so long
we are in this world, the same as
HI love is imperfect and our other
Hristian virtues, but it is a grace that
~ be cultivated, and God gives us
zEH the means necessary for it. 1t is a
Eant often of slow growth, because we
Ia so little pains in its culture. But
is important that we get it well
bted in our hearts, so that we shall
40t be overcome by the winds and
sferms that are sure to come.
t makes Il great deal of difference
hether we dwell continuously on u
= rsonal distresses and hardships, or
BON Gods encOuragements and prom
IS of help. There is probably enough
ut is adverse III every ones life, if
bowed the uppermOst place in the
lOuglIts, to shut out the light of the
ii II and keep one in a perpetual state
n darkness. We do sometimes meet
bose who will see only their trials ;
no refuse to admit there is any bright
ide; who wonder why it is that they
lave so much more to bear than 9th
5rs, forgetting that every heart know
Eth his own bitterness. You try to
lift them up and turn their thoughts
INTO a clearer channel, and they think
EOu do not understand, and are cold
Ind unsympathetic. You remind them
That the Lord is pledged to help and
suppOrt and comfort them according to
heir need, and they say, 81 suppose
10, but as it there were something
Exceptional in their case. If this Is
liver true of Christians how dishOnOr-
big to the Savior whose name they
bear How he is wounded in the
house of his friends!
Paul was able to say, with reference
~ the ills and calamities of life, "NOne
bf these things move me-" Surely, his
usefulness of spirit did not depend up
Pm his earthly surroundings, for he
buffered persecution and trial more
sIlan commonly falls to the lot of man.
He gives us his secret it is this: 'By
Die grace Of God | am what | am"
Let St. Paul be IL teacher, for it is
he who also said. ave are troubled on
Every side, yet not distressed we are
but not in despair; perse-
euted, but not fOrsakcn !; cast down,
but not destroyed" Listen to one OF
tle real helps he gives us i'll attaining
this Christian T~estfulness. "WlIatsO-
over things are true, whatsoever things
Are honest, just, pure,
lovely, of good report; think
b. these things" Think on them.
on them. Not on our troubles.
Fill our minds with them dwell OF
them talk about them till we get the
sweetness and comfort out of them and
can call them our own. Think on them
till we can hear the divine whispers to
our SOU from the open heavens: Coast
thy burden upon the Lord and he shall
sustain thee" "'The Lord is faithful,
who shall stablish you and keep you
from evil" Let not your heart he
troubled" Oh, how much we need
the consolation that these words bring,
There is so much struggle in life! So
many tears shed So much sorrow
mingled with the joy! So many say
ing in the morning, "WOuld God il
were even !" and at even, "Would God
it were mornings" But all the while
the plying Savior is yearning to com
fort his children, and pour the oil oI
his love and tenderness into tlIeiI
wounded hearts. "Come unto me, and
| will give you rest" We need t.
come to this fountain as often as We
can ; and indeed to live 10y it as con
~stantly as We can. "This is the resi-
wherewith ye may cause the weary t,
rest, and this is the refreshing"
Resting on the faithfulness of Christ our Lord
Resting on the fulness of his own sure Word
Resting TN his power. ON his love untold;
Resting ON his covenant secured Of old.
Resting in the pastures, and beneath the rock ;
Resting by the waters where he leads his flock;
Resting. while we listen, at his glorious feet;
Resting IN his very arms-Oh, rest cOmpletei'
We shall find this fountain so ricl
and incxhaustible, and its support an'
nourishment so Strengthening. w
shall grow strong to bear, and come Il
feel as Paul did, that ''the suffering
of this present time are not worthy t.
be compared with the glory that shall