Obrázky na stránke
PDF
ePub

the language of Job, "Behold I am vile." From the crown of my head to the sole of my feet, I am full of wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores, covered with the leprosy of sin, so that I often exclaim, "O wretched one that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?" Truly I have continual need to cry, "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me." But if we appear thus deformed and sinful to our own partial selves, how shall we appear to the Majesty of heaven, who cannot look upon sin, but with abhorrence; in whose sight the heavens are not clean, and before whom angels and archangels veil their faces, as not worthy or able to behold so much glory. Well might the apostle enjoin us to "be clothed with humility," and well might trembling and despair take hold of us, but that he is a God of infinite compassion and transcendent mercy. How astonishing that he will hold communion with vile worms of the dust, and now and then give them "a drop of heaven," by the benign manifestation of his grace and glory. Blessed be God for Jesus Christ, through whom every blessing flows. O may our souls be lost in wonder, love and praise, when we contemplate the glorious plan of redemption. O the height, the depth and the length of the love of Christ. May it warm and invigorate our hearts, stimu late to every duty, sweeten every cross, alleviate every sorrow, smooth our dying pillows, and be the theme of our adoring praises and extatic hallelujahs through the rounds of eternal ages.

Friday Eve. I had heard of the glorious out-pourings of the Holy Spirit in Bristol, R. I. previous to the receipt of your letter. I have since had information of a very general revival in Francistown, N. H. As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is such good news from a far country. Blessed be God that any are callied to the marriage-supper of the Lamb, made trophics of his victorious grace and redeeming love, and induced to commence their journey from spiritual Egypt to the heavenly Canaan. Wonderful are the effects of divine grace. It can sweeten the roughest temper, soften the hardest heart, subdue the most stubborn will, and humble the proudest rebel. It can change the lion into the lamb, and bring the most aspiring and supercilious monarch to sit with the simplicity of a child at the Savior's feet

We go on here as stupidly as usual, perhaps more so. Tho there are many dry bones here, yet they can live. Who knows but God is about to breathe life into them, to pour out his Spirit here and appear in his glory? Tho there are no appearances of it, yet possibly this may be the case; and, O should I live to witness it-But it is too much to expect. O that the Lord would make bare his omnipotent arm, cause sinners to tremble under the thunders of Sinai, and to flee for refuge to the ark of safety. Do pray that this may be the case, and that your stupid friend may be enlivened and quickened by the Holy Spirit.

Give my love to Mrs. B. and all dear friends. Come and see us, when convenient; but do write every opportunity,

Yours affectionately.

F. W.

Letter to Miss C. G. of Bradford.

Beverly, Oct. 20, 1812.

How is my dear, dear Charlotte? I hope rejoicing in God, and running the way of his commandments, with a heart enlarged with gratitude, and glowing with zeal. May you so run, that you may obtain the prize, even a crown of glory that fadeth not away. When a Christian enjoys the smiles of his heavenly Father, and the presence of the holy Comforter, when he feels the sweetly constraining love of Jesus in his soul, how much does he enjoy, and how active is he in the discharge of duty. How forcibly and how amiably does he ' exhibit the fruits of the Spirit in his life and conversation. Difficulties, insuperable to a lukewarm Christian, do not impede his pro gress. Inflamed with heavenly ardor, he surmounts all obstructions, rises superior to every discouragement, assumes the cross with alacrity, and embraces every opportunity to meliorate the condition of his fellow mortals, and advance the interests of his Redeemer's kingdom, With him the glory of God is a fundamental object, for which he longs and assiduously labors, regardless of the contumely and invectives of a wicked world. He may be stigmatized with the appellation of devotee or enthusiast; but, having learnt to glory in the cross of Christ, he cheerfully bears per. secution, nor counts his life dear unto him," that he may glorify God, and finish his course with joy.

Alas, what I have written is what I would be, but at a very great remove from what I am. 1 trust however it is the happy case with you

and the dear young converts in your vicinity I think much of you all, but particularly of those who have recently been liberated from the bondage of sin and Satan, and adopted children of God. Most sincerely do I congrat ulate them on the happy change, and ardently wish they may ever prove bright ornaments to the religion of Jesus, and zealous advocates for the doctrines of the cross. But my heart almost bleeds, when I think of the trials and temptations, to which they will inevitably be more or less exposed, from a malicious adversary, an ensnaring world, and a wicked heart. Having but just put on the harness, they are little acquainted with fighting, and will probably meet with considerable detriment, and many sore bruises and wounds.. O that they may be careful not to go to battle in their own strength, but in dependence on their Captain; and they shall infallibly come off victorious in the end; for he is the good Shepherd who has given his life for the sheep; and none shall pluck them out of his hand. Tell them, my dear friend, to walk humbly and watchfully, to pray fervently and constantly, to beware of sin; to press forward, to appear decidedly on the Lord's side, and live entirely devoted to God. May they be good soldiers of Jesus Christ, and rich blessings to the church and the world.

I lament that a preacher of universal salvation has been permitted to exhibit his flattering, tho deleterious principles in Bradford; but I hope their influence and tendency has been effectually counteracted. Satan no doubt will avail himself of all his power, to introduce errors, opposition and confusion; but he and

9

all his emissaries are under the control of Zion's King, and cannot go beyond his permission. The present is a critical and gloomy time. Cruel animosities, vice and damnable heresies abound; wars and rumors of wars are desolating nations, and strange convulsions are shaking the earth to its very centre. The judgments of God are abroad in the world, and in our land. The sword is unsheathed, and the din of war resounds in our once peaceful climes, exhibiting garments rolled in blood, and spreading devastation and destruction far and wide. When the conflict will terminate, Omniscience only knows. But it is to be feared, that other direful calamities impend, if speedy national repentance do not prevent. Under these distressing apprehensions, and in these perilous times, what can console us, but the consideration, that "the Lord reigns." Amidst all these eventful appearances and dire commotions, the church is safe. Founded on

a Rock, and under the peculiar protection of the King of kings, she shall stand every blast, and weather every storm; and ere long become the perfection of beauty, the joy and praise of the whole earth. Tho now enveloped in nocturnal darkness, a bright and glorious morning is about to dawn, when the refulgent rays of the Sun of righteousness shall dispel divisions and errors, and make her appear fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners." This is the purchase of Immanuel's blood; and he is a Sun and a Shield to defend and protect her from all the assaults of earth and hell. Happy the soul, whese interests and hopes concentre in the

[ocr errors]
« PredošláPokračovať »