Religion in Earnest Part 7

joined me, and informed me what the Lord has done for her soul. She believes He has taken full possession of her heart. I rejoiced while she imparted the blessed news. She expresses herself clearly. O may she ever hold it fast. I gave the following lines to Miss A. A. on her birthday; may they be made a blessing to her.

"How important the season! Big with eternal results!--born for eternity! Let it be a day of reflection, dedication, and prayer; and if the following lines prove any a.s.sistance to you, I shall be amply repaid.

Again the happy morn appears; And nature, clothed in beauty, wears Her wonted colours; and the rose In all its pride of l.u.s.tre glows; Emblem of frail mortality!

It buds and blossoms but to die: Too soon its glory fades away, The pa.s.sing pageant of a day.

In this fair flower, your image trace; While youth sits smiling on your face, Secure those virtues, which perfume The life, when beauty fails to bloom-- The rich adorning first designed, The vesture of a humble mind.

Be yours, in rich abundance given, The treasure of an inward heaven.'

Hence virtue takes its deepest root, And scatters fragrance in the shoot; Blossoms when youth hath pa.s.sed away, Maturing for eternal day.

Reflect; the moment flies! 'tis gone!

The year its rapid course hath run!

What tidings have been winged to heaven, Since first the precious boon was given?

Examine well; nor fear to know, What truth may in its mirror show.

Is this, your twentieth birthday, blest With more of wisdom in your breast?

Are your affections more divine?

Do you in Jesus' image s.h.i.+ne?

More dead unto the world and sin, Than when you did the year begin?

If fraught with truth our moments are, And swift to heaven the tidings bear; How should we weigh each act and word, And wisely think, for thoughts are heard!

At this important period pause, And unto G.o.d commit your cause; With firm resolve and earnest prayer, To meet Him in the clouds, prepare.

Him first, Him last, in all things own, Whose wisdom guides in paths unknown; Then, as the winged hours ascend, Shall blessings fall upon my friend; Till, full of years, matured you rise To claim your birthright in the skies."

X.

WORKS OF MERCY.

"I DESIRED MERCY, AND NOT SACRIFICE."--Hosea vi. 6.

Mercy is the brightness of the glory of G.o.d;--the rainbow round about the throne; wherein the pure light of Deity, too effulgent for the eye of sinful man, is refracted, and presented under an aspect, which not only reveals his manifold wisdom, and perfections, but blends them in one bright manifestation of beauty, which even sinners may dare to contemplate, with wonder, admiration and love. Jesus Christ is the embodiment of the picture, being the brightness of the Father's glory, full of grace and truth. While He enters the lowly abodes of humanity, to contemplate its sorrows, and minister to its relief; the dazzling effulgence of divine majesty is veiled under a covering of flesh.

Nevertheless, it is G.o.d who weeps with Martha, and Mary; who wipes away the widow's tear, and speaks words of comfort to the outcast.

Incomprehensible Mystery! It is G.o.d incarnate, who suffers and dies upon the cross to purchase life for His enemies. What a picture is this! So far as it is capable of being reproduced, G.o.d loves to see it revived in His children; and never does a man become more truly great, or more faithfully represent his Master, than when, "putting on bowels of mercies," he seeks by every means to alleviate the sorrows and sufferings of his fellows. "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy." At this period, Mrs. Lyth's journal abounds with instances of her benevolent exertions, but a few of which we can transfer to these pages; yet they are ever recorded with an humble consciousness of her own unworthiness. She proceeds:--

"I want to improve all my moments for G.o.d, but, on reviewing the past, I find I need everywhere the blood of sprinkling. I am Thine, save me.

I feel Christ is precious _now_. He has my whole heart, yet I want an increase of every grace, especially of patience, and meekness.--I feel my own poverty is great; be it so, let me only receive more largely out of Thy fulness. Humble, O humble me to the dust, but let Thy image s.h.i.+ne in me. While I write I am awed by the presence of Deity. Oh let it continually surround me. Jonathan Saville met my dear little flock; I felt my own littleness, while he spoke to us.--I accompanied my husband to Barnbow, to invite Mr. Dawson to come and preach Dr.

McAllum's funeral sermon; which he consented to do. To me it was a day of rich enjoyment, for my soul was happy in G.o.d. I recognized His presence in the heavens above, and the earth beneath; indeed everything spoke of Him. I took tea with Mrs. R----n, who desired me to pay a little attention to the moral and religious character of her son, resident for a time in York. O what a responsibility! I write it here that I may remember.--Mrs. R----n has come to stay a few days with us. On Tuesday, we breakfasted with a few praying friends at Mrs.

F.'s. While pleading with G.o.d a blessed influence rested upon all.

I felt as if let into G.o.d. What will it be when prayer is turned to praise? To-day we had another baptism at Miss C.'s. The same friends were present. Surely Christian friends.h.i.+p is one soul in many bodies; who can express the unity?--'Jesus is bringing lost sinners to G.o.d;'

Glory be to G.o.d! I feel it my duty to pay more attention to my boys; praying for them is not enough. I must warn, and daily inculcate their duty and privilege. Lord help me.--I visited Mrs. F., and found it profitable to converse with an aged saint; we were comforted together.

She said the Lord had sent me. It is true I prayed for direction, and the promise is, if we acknowledge Him, He will direct our steps.

Evermore guide me.--Mr. Mortimer and his brother breakfasted with us.

While at family-prayer the latter, who had backslidden, began to cry aloud for mercy; the Lord speedily came to his deliverence, and prayer was turned to praise.--I went to the Sabbath School tea-meeting; but doubted whether I was in my proper place. However, I resolved to send William and John to the School, simply with the hope that their minds might be impressed with divine truth.--Thursday. A day devoted to works of mercy, both to the bodies and souls of men; in which I prayed to be saved from self, and directed aright; but how feeble and imperfect my efforts! I feel myself a poor nothing.--While visiting Mr. S., who is in a dying state, I was much encouraged. He has long been a hearer, but neglected to embrace salvation. While I was pleading for him, he exclaimed, 'I believe, I believe.' I saw him again the next day, and on asking him if he felt Christ precious, he said, after a short pause, 'Precious, quite precious.'--I was much affected by a circ.u.mstance related by the Rev. Robert Wood, of an eminently pious man in ----; who has not been seen to smile for four years, and when asked the reason, uniformly replies, 'The word of G.o.d is true; the wages of sin is death; my son died in his sins, and is now in h.e.l.l. How can I be cheerful?' May this make me more than ever in earnest in pleading for my sons.--I am aiming to have a conscience void of offence in the sight of G.o.d and man; but, on examining my doings, I am ashamed of them. I might have used greater diligence, evidenced more love, spoken with greater propriety, cultivated a more affable spirit. I might have been more pointed in address, more constant, more humble, and in many ways have acted with greater Christian consistency; but Jesus is my refuge. Praised be His name, I love Him!--At the lovefeast Mr. W. stated, that a man in L---- had five sons, for whose salvation he had importunately prayed, from the time of their birth until he died; but without success. They all followed his remains to the grave; and, as they were taking their last look at the coffin after the usual service, one of them clasped his hands and exclaimed:--'I once had a praying father; but there he lies; and now I must pray for myself.' From that moment he commenced a new life, and was soon brought to the knowledge of the truth. Within two years the rest were all truly converted to G.o.d: encouragement for parents.--I prayed that the Lord would direct my steps in visiting the poor, and in this He answered me: for quite unexpectedly I was sent for to the bedside of a woman apparently dying, and who, being awakened to her lost condition, lamented the neglect of past opportunities. While a friend was praying she began to pray for herself, faith instantly sprang up in her heart, and she cried out, 'I will believe, Lord help me, I never felt it so with me before.'--Glory be to G.o.d, I am still a witness of His saving grace; though buffeted by the enemy within, and exposed to temptation from without. I see the path lies straight before me,--'looking unto Jesus,' who is yet alive.

If I proceed, I feel confident of conquest over all my enemies.--Mr.

Barnabas Shaw met my Sunday cla.s.s and said, that once when preaching in Africa, he exclaimed:--'What is it makes the Gospel so sweet?' One of the natives instantly arose and said, 'Jesus.' Truly it is so. My soul tangs on Jesus; here I find rest. The last few days I have been endeavouring to live in the will of G.o.d, with some power to do it. To G.o.d be all the glory for the work He has wrought. Yesterday I took the sacrament with poor Mary F., who is praising G.o.d for the grace manifested to her on a death-bed. How quickly time flies! Well, let it go--

If Jesus my companion be, My words and actions shall agree, The index of my soul; Meekness, benevolence, and love, Shall every secret purpose move.

And sanctify the whole.

[The following letter was sent, with the articles specified, to some unknown person in Nottingham; and the subject of it remained a secret in her own bosom, until the copy was found among her papers.]

"Dear Sir,--Having a little matter to put into your hands in aid of the Methodist Missions, I take the liberty of addressing a few lines to you.

"The approach of your Annual Meeting at Nottingham reminds me of what I have seen and heard on such occasions; viz., that small donations, and comparatively trivial incidents, in the hands of your ingenious and able speakers, have often been turned to good account, and produced a very happy impression.

This consideration induces me to mention a few particulars relative to myself, which otherwise would be impertinent.

"When very young, a kind friend of mine, for whom I had a great affection, gave me a piece of silver newly coined, with which I was so well pleased, that I was resolved to keep it for the sake of the giver; or, as the common phrase is, to make a keepsake of it: and this resolution I held so sacred, that neither childish toy, or youthful pleasure, could wrest the treasure from me.

"When in my twentieth year, it pleased G.o.d to bring me to the knowledge of His salvation; which so rejoiced my heart, that the natural consequence was a readiness on all occasions to contribute my mite to promote the cause of the Redeemer, through whom I had experienced such unspeakable happiness.

"On one occasion it happened, that I had no money about me but this piece, which I had so long and sacredly kept in remembrance of my friend. As the collectors were handing the boxes round to the different pews, I began to argue in my mind the propriety of giving away my piece, as the best way of keeping it. The thought of laying it out upon myself I could not entertain for a moment; and was aware there would come a time when I could no longer retain it. At length, to test the propriety of giving it, I supposed I had done so; and afterwards met my much-loved friend in the world of spirits.

I imagined she was well acquainted with what I had done; but, on consulting her countenance, I could not perceive the least mark of displeasure: on the contrary, I thought she gave me a smile of approbation. This determined me; accordingly, when the box was presented to me, I dropped my piece into it; and from that moment to the present, whenever the circ.u.mstance has occurred to me, I have always felt perfectly satisfied with my decision.

"At the present I have a few choice things, bequeathed to me by a dear friend, now, I trust, in heaven; and I wish, as in the former instance, to keep them for the sake of the giver; but I can think of no means so satisfactory as that to which I have adverted. I therefore send them as specified in the margin; [Footnote: The articles were--a silver coffee-pot and stand, a silver plated tea-pot, a silver cream-jug, do. fish-knife, and half-a-dozen do. dessert spoons.] and request they may be appropriated to the furtherance of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

"Perhaps some may be disposed to question the propriety of such a mode of preserving their treasure; but, I think, I cannot do better than put the precious things to those which are most precious.

"With most fervent prayer for the prosperity of Zion,

"I remain, Dear Sir,

"Yours most respectfully.

"My mother continues very ill; how it will terminate I know not. Her affliction bows her down to the dust; and though she casts herself upon the Lord, she seems to have no joyous feeling. I have been with her night and day. Sometimes sorrow overcomes me; but the promise, which I received some months since, when I was praying for her, follows me daily: _'At evening time it shall be light,'_--At the Watch-night service Mr. Wood desired us, on our return home, to take pen and paper, and testify whom we would serve. To Thee, O Lord, I plight my vows; in the strength of Thy grace, I WILL SERVE THEE. Thou, who seest me, ratify the decision in heaven. Help me to perform what Thou requirest of me. My talents, my time, my body, my soul; be wholly Thine. Amen, and amen.

MARY LYTH.

Here with the closing year, I would my vows renew; Humbly before Thy throne appear; In mercy do Thou deign to hear, Descend, and bless me now."

"1828.--When I awoke, this blessed admonition was given me for a morning repast; 'Abide ye in My love;' and sweet it was to my taste."

A BIRTHDAY THOUGHT.

No cold wish do I express,-- Many birthday's happiness; But in heart sincerely pray, G.o.d may dwell in you each day; Every day, a birthday prove, Born anew in Jesus' love.

"I was sent for to visit L.G., but she did not come to see me. Oh!

what a deplorable case! without G.o.d! without hope! and without desire!

Her friends, who had come for me, seemed concerned on her account.

Lord, lay to Thy mighty hand; the work is Thine. Praised be Thy name, for opening my eyes, once equally blind, though at a much earlier period. I am a much greater debtor to grace, because of its long continuance, great forbearance, and incessant efforts to win my worthless heart."

MY WEDDING DAY. LINES ADDRESSED TO MY HUSBAND.

Full thrice seven years I've shared your home and name, Nor yet extinguished is affection's flame: By reason tempered, now with steady heat, It brighter glows, fed by endearments sweet.

Hail then the day, that made us one on earth, Yet not with pipe, and song, and foolish mirth; Bather to G.o.d let us our vows repay With hearts united;--at His footstool say "We will be Thine; call us Thy love, Thy bride, And let us shelter in Thy bleeding side."

So when dissolved the matrimonial chain, We die, to live; and live, to meet again.

Transporting thought! through our Redeemer's love, We have the promise of a house above; Death disappears, with all his sable train, And light, and life, and love for ever reign.

Come then, my love, let us together rise, Forget the things behind, and seek the prize; By fervency of spirit daily show We pilgrims are, and sojourners below: And should some storm of fierce affliction come, Portending s.h.i.+pwreck in the sight of home; In Jesus anch.o.r.ed, strength shall be supplied, Till we the fury of the storm outride; And reach the haven of serene repose, Where all our sorrows shall for ever close.

Amen, so be it, let our hearts reply,-- In Christ made one,--in Him to live and die; In life, our happiness united be, In death, divided not,--eternally.