Christianity would be accompanied. So certain was it that discord and confusion would ensue, that our Lord spoke of these things as if they were the objects of his mission. Still, unavoidable as some degree of violence was under the circumstances of the times, it was accidental and temporary. And no one can doubt that the main design of our religion is to produce tranquillity and public order, and that sobriety, quietness and regularity are the natural fruits of Christianity. The legacy of its blessed Founder was peace. It sought to operate on the human mind, not by extravagance and excitement, but in a gentle and gradual manner. Its coming in the soul is not with a sudden blaze and with imposing circumstances, but it is like the silent and slow operations of the material creation. And here we may observe a still more striking analogy than that last mentioned, between our religion and the works of nature. It is the object of all religions but the religion of the New Testament it is the aim of many religious teachers at this day,—to startle men, to produce excitement and turbulence in the mind. Now the design of the Creator, so far as it is manifest in the course of nature and providence, appears to be very different. He does not aim to excite us, but to keep us calm and composed. Only think how tremendous are the resources of his omnipotence, and then look around you and see how quietly he uses them. There are no dazzling and confounding displays of power, such as we may easily conceive him to make if he chose. On the contrary, every thing is done in the softest and stillest manner. It seems as if God, remembering that we are dust, and knowing how excitable a creature man is, took particular care not to disturb and overthrow our minds. In an instant he might make such an exhibition of his power as would drive man to insanity, and blast his intellect by an overwhelming sense of terror. The Almighty, so far from using any such means of impressing us, walks around us with noiseless step, and carries on the magnificent operations of nature slowly and silently, and seems to veil himself from us in mercy. The wheels of God's creation ' creak not harsh thunder' as they turn, but roll on with a gentleness equalled only by the power that moves them. Christianity in our view accords most beautifully with the spirit of nature and providence. The ends at which it aims are sublime, how simple and gentle are the means! It would fashion man, this poor fabric of dust, to the glorious image of the Invisible God. But it erects no imposing apparatus to effect this object. It bids us cultivate faithfully our natural affections and discharge our plain duties quietly and without ostentation; and in this way, the wonderful process of spiritual creation is carried on and the human soul becomes a partaker of the divine nature. I have thus endeavored, in various ways, to exhibit what I conceive to be the practical aim-the spirit of the New Testament, because there is ever such a strong disposition in the human mind, especially under deep religious impressions, to start away from the natural sphere of human duty, and to have its sense of moral obligation disturbed by false, imaginary, and profitless requisitions. It is not intended to be denied, that occasions arise when we may go out of the usual routine of duty, with advantage. While Christianity bids us do good, espe cially to them who are of the household of faith, it bids us also to do good to all, as we have opportunity. Occasions offer when the band of charity may be extended to a distant sufferer. Of these we should avail ourselves. But we earnestly protest, and we believe that we do it in accordance with the genuine spirit of our religion - we earnestly protest against the sentiment so current, that these opportunities are the principal occasions upon which our benevolent affections are to be exercised that they afford the chief room for our religious faith to show itself; as if the common course of life did not daily, hourly and momently, make demands upon our kindness, our patience, our integrity, in short, upon every quality that helps to constitute the christian character; as if the ordinary relations of the world did not furnish, for the display of every christian grace, a vastly better opportunity than can be afforded by occasional calls upon our sympathy made by great and distant objects. If there were no other objection to this false sentiment, it would be enough, that it sets up a most injurious standard of character. He who is absorbed in striking schemes, is extolled to the skies on this account. What he is in common life, whether he is affable to those around him, merciful to the poor debtor, and honorable in all his transactions, are points which, if they are not wholly neglected, are deemed matters of inferior importance. On the other hand, he who withholds his countenance from the imposing movements made in behalf of some distant object, no matter how irreproachable his character in the common offices of the world, is regarded with coldness and distrust. But we have a greater objection still to this prevalent mode of feeling. It is opposed to the whole spirit of the religion of Jesus. That spirit we have taken many words to illustrate; but if the world were only prepared to receive it, it might be described in a very few. Charity and all the christian graces begin at home. This maxim is, to be sure, in liberal use among those who are liberal in nothing else. Still it is true. And it is better that it should be sometimes perverted, than always forgotten. Yes, our virtues must take firm root at our firesides. They must tenderly overshadow our natural and familiar friends, and then extend themselves to all those with whom we have any dealings or intercourse. This is the proper growth of the inward man, when nurtured by the genius of Christianity. The costliest offering of religion is to be rendered in the sphere of one's personal influThere the choicest sacrifice must be kindled, and watched day and night. If when thou comest to lay thy gift upon the altar of some public charity, thou remember that thy brother has aught against thee, leave there thy gift — but no, carry it back, and if it be possible, let it help to cancel what is due from thee to thy brother. It is idle for a man to profess to sympathise with the sorrows of his race, to engage with a proper feeling in plans of general benevolence,―he deceives himself, if at the same time he is harsh, impatient, and unforgiving, toward that small portion of the human family, with which he comes into daily contact. And on the contrary, if he who is faithful to his common duties, whose kindness radiates through the whole circle of his personal influence, at the same time withhold his patronage from public schemes of benevolence, it is not for his brethren to cher ence. ish toward him any feeling but the most cordial respect. We cannot estimate the good which he is doing. So long as he discharges so faithfully his duty to those around him, which is his first duty, there is no room for anything but approbation. There is nothing so beautiful as the pure and uncorrupt religion of Jesus Christ. Would you look upon its beauty, fill yourself with its quiet, gentle, and glad spirit, and in the still chambers of your own soul, God will make unto you a great revelation. Truth, in her own divine and eternal form, shall appear there. 'He who doeth God's will shall know the doctrine.' The tongue of an angel could not give you such a sense of its worth and glory, as you shall have, when it has thoroughly sanctified you. |