HAPPY POVERTY. is poverty the aged Christian's lot? Little has be to care for in this world, And much he thinks of that which is to come. Ir must not be considered that these essays were written exclusively for those aged persons on whom a kind Providence has cast its choicest smiles. The poor will not be forgotten; for if while a man enjoys the comforts of life under the painful infirmities of age, and needs both instruction and consolation, certainly he who suffers the pinch of poverty in the last stages of human life, must require an additional cordial to refresh his depressed mind. Although the instances of thoughtless persons being brought to know the Lord in old age are very few, it is possible this paper may be read by one who is conscious of his past unprofitable days, feels the importance of having his heart set right with his God before he goes hence to be no more seen, and therefore will cordially receive the least degree of instruction. Besides, who will venture to deny, that the grace of God, and the charms of piety, cannot be found in a man's heart, though he lives in an humble cottage, and his table spread with the most simple food; or should he even be altogether dependent for his support in the habitation of charity? Perhaps, in addition to these marks of necessity, he likewise mourns the loss of his friends, labours under sickness in addition to the accumulating infirmities of age, and yet ardently thirsts after those sacred consolations, unknown and undesired by many who abound in affluence. David bears testimony to the indulgent care of Providence over the needy; for, said he, I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed (though) begging bread. Psalm xxxvii. 25. And James assures us, that God hath chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom, which he hath promised to them that love him. Chap. ii. 5. Nothing is more common for misguided man than to make a false estimate of the nature and qualities of human happiness; supposing that misery is an inseparable companion with poverty, or that happiness can alone dwell with the rich. This is an erroneous calculation, and is not only contrary to fact, but to the testimony of that blessed Lord who knows the state of man, and estimates the qualities both of happiness and misery. He declares that a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. Luke xii. 15. On the contrary, Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God. Psalm cxlvi. 5. It is however true, that some gracious persons, by the force of temptation, are disposed to draw a conclusion unfavourable to themselves, from the pain, and the indigence which may attend them, and thus deprive themselves of a portion of that internal composure and felicity to which they are entitled. Suppose, therefore, I endeavour to state to you, that the happiness of God's children is of one and the same kind, whatever may be their station or external circumstances, whether in private or public life, rich or poor, high or low, young or old, bond or free. This, perhaps, may have a tendency to reconcile you to the lot which a wise and good God assigns you on earth, and will excite your gratitude for the share of internal happiness which you may enjoy. The source or fountain from whence the happiness of God's redeemed children flows, is precisely the same. It is the same God and Father who hath loved them. One Mediator and Redeemer to whom. they are united, and who has made one offering of himself upon the cross for them, and who now for ever lives to make intercession for them before the throne of God. And there is one divine Spirit who operates upon all as the spirit of life, and is the only communicator of all the blessings of salvation and grace, which either the rich or the poor can possibly enjoy, and which produces their internal comfort and happiness while here upon earth. The manner in which the personal happiness of the sout commences, is likewise the same, though different in degree, for it begins with their conversion to God. We all, like sheep, have gone astray; all have sinned and come short of the glory of God, are under condemnation, and are children of wrath. The mind is darkened, the heart depraved, the judgment perverted, and the life is vanity and vexation of spirit; of course the sinner is without God and without Christ in the world, a stranger to that moral happiness which is essential for the soul to enjoy. Our Lord, therefore, hath assured us, that except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God, whether it be in heaven above or in the church upon earth. As there is but one kind of natural birth for every man born into the world of nature, whether he be the child of a prince or the child of a beggar, so there is but one spiritual birth into the world of grace, let the external circumstances of the man be rich or poor; and by this new birth he turns unto his God and Saviour Jesus Christ for all his happiness in time and in eternity. The realities which constitute the substantial happiness of the soul of a real Christian are exactly the same, let his particular religious denomination, age, or condition in the world, be prosperous or adverse. There is one blood of atonement to constitute his pardon, one robe of righteousness for his justification, and one Spirit of adoption, whereby he enjoys communion with his God and Father. There is but one Gospel, and not another, which, while it reveals the unity of God's truth to be believed by every enlightened mind, it directs the soul under all the variety of its wants, changes, and afflictions, to the one great source, the fulness of Christ, from which to receive grace for grace to preserve and increase his happiness. Besides, the grace which God bestows are all of the same kind, faith, hope, peace, love, joy, which diffuse their virtues alike in every man's breast who receives them, and becomes more or less operative, according as God seeth he may require. The whole of these truths are not only evident in the Scriptures, but from the experience of every man who has tasted that the Lord is gracious, let his nation, language, tongue, or outward condition, be high or low. These are all the free grace gifts of God to his children, as much so as the sun gives light and joy to all, and as one heaven drops down rain and dew upon all for what man has ever yet pretended to say, there is one salvation for the rich, and another for the poor? Christ is all in all. As society promotes man's felicity on earth, so the Lord hath established his church, which is called the house of the living God; and the household of faith, in which all his children, rich and poor, have an equal right, without the shadow of distinction; the same Gospel ministry, one baptism, one supper of the Lord, and one spiritual communion, so that they are all one in Christ Jesus. If the rich man, like king David, can say, It is good for me to draw near to God, the poorest of God's children can say the same. may certainly venture to affirm, that the obedience or services of the Christian poor, are as acceptable to the Lord, when performed in faith and love, as I |