Year: 1863




The writings of the prophets teachings of Christ, the
epss of the apostles and the experience christians y
ing and dying that if Gods religion has any thing
to do with human beings the of its operations the heart
One of the mysteries to the unregenerate mind the
birth the change that religion effects the soul The inquiry
OF Nhodemus How can these things be has been the in
quy of the unconyerted world from the days Of Christ the
present time And whilst the worldly wondering how it
be obtained and how make its posossor happy the
religious wonders why every docs be
happy possession The scribes and phasees very
particular even about the external ceremonies Of their
fathers religion. They thought that if they tasted and prayed
long PRAYERS and paid thes Of what they possessed at
tended to the outward washnes and other ceremonies of the tenn
pie they discharged all the obligations and realized all the ben


fits of their religion They had but vague notion religion
that had do with the powers proensics passions feel
ngs of the heart And it with the Jews of Old so it is
with thousands VINO connected with the church of Christ at
the present day We prone to look at things temporal but
slow seek and aspire after thing that spiritual and eternal


Many the nominal but few the real children Cod
Many the temple Sabbath days and take part in the
outward exercises but few allow God enter the temple their
hearts and set up his throne their souls Many listen to the
voice Of the minister sounding from the pulpit but few hear
voice Of God speaking through the preacher their consccnces
Many charmed by the music Of the choir sounding upon
the outward earfew capvated charmed and speIbound
by the soul stirring music Of heaven brought bear upon the
soul by the spirit of God Many 90 from the house Of Cod talk
ing what they through the eye sense such as bon
nets hats garbaldes feathers and flowers etc. but few there are
who by an e Of faith behold God their Savior walking among
his golden cndestc dispensing blessings Of all kinds to dec
crate and beaut the souls of his children There much talk
and unrequenty unpleasant feeling about the exerns
of religion but little little anxiety Of mind about the
things calculated promote godineSs the soul In word
the grand desdeatun Of the christian church is religion





lgion in the head they think that to have well arranged sys
tenn Of theology and clear understanding Of the doctrines
Jesus Christ is all that is needed We believe it is
Importance that have right theology right creed and such
knowledge the doctrines of Christ able to defend
them before those who would try to break them down But


mast not stop here we must have knowledge of Gods favor
in souls 1t is privilege know that the approving smile
Of Jesus is upon day Paul could say q know whom
have believed Not merely from what he heard Of him.
from what he Of him. but from what he felt Of him Pauls
knowledge Of Christ Of the heart his belief belief
the heart and his experience always the expression his
inner being The religion need and the only religion that
make happy the on written the tablet of heart
the church has been convincne conclusive
eectua from the heart than from the head may never
have read or understood the evidences of religion from Clarke or
know by the love of God shed abroad in the heart There is
such thing knowing he is christian by the teachings
Of the holy ghost without the teachings Of What says the
good book? This the covenant that will make with them
after those days saith the Lord will put my laws their
was, create in clean heart Gods promise is new heart
will give you and spirit will put within you. No
read these portions Of Gods word without being satisfied that
the religion Of Jesus Christ has much TO do with the heart and
at Che time be impressed with the Importance of living
us POSSESSION @ On ana enoig IT'S otnei ana where this IS the
the pecularity the distinguishing feature by which christians
known in this world loving God with all the heart and neigh
bols as ourselves Love to God in TIE heart is the moving prn
cp the actuatng ofa duties sacrifices,
ifcence whole life conecated the of Jesus With
out tins pncpe the heart be accepted OBJ
atiol procure Gods blessing upon soa With this
feeling no man. the devil battle out Of our conf
dence God John we can say: eve know that we are
Of iod; with Paul 81 know whom | have believed"
think the following anecdoe will illustrate my subject as
the feeling part of is concerned It seems doctor wanted to
battle good out Of his confidence in God by trying argue
away the existence Of the soul from the fact that could
recognized by the greater of the He reasoned
Did you ever see the soul?' NO said the good "Did
NO Did Won ever taste soul - nSo .,Dd Won vr M
soul Z" Yes said the man, 4 feel have within me-"
"We said the DOCTOR there four against you
have only your side Every well" said the christian
"did you pain? No" Did you ever hear pain p
NO Did you smell pain?" NO" "Dd you
taste PAIN" No" Did you ever feel pain: Yes"
And that is enough suppose prove that there is pain
Yes So with the religion of Christ in the heart if there
know it and though the scoer the shrewd nde may
break down all other arguments Of the good he
troy the argument written by GODS spirit upon the heart


Keeper.