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JEWELS from JAMES
(Choice devotional selections from the works of John Angell James)
Fiendlike, beastlike, manlike, Godlike
“Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.”
(Luk_6:27 - Luk_6:28)
To return evil for good, is fiendlike.
To return evil for evil, is beastlike.
To return good for good, is manlike.
But to return good for evil, is Godlike.
This is true practical Christianity.
“Do not be conquered by evil, but conquer evil with good.” (Rom_12:21)
The religion of this poor Hottentot woman
It is the practice of some of the Christian Hottentots, in order to enjoy the privilege of secret prayer with greater privacy and freedom than they could do in their own confined and incommodious dwellings—to retire among the trees and bushes, that they may carry on their devotions without being intruded on by others, and also derive all that tranquilizing influence which would be produced by a spot, with which no other occupations, thoughts, and feelings are associated, than such as are holy. Each individual selects for his own use a particular bush, behind which, and concealed by it, he may commune with his heavenly Father in secret.
By the others, this bush is considered as sacred to the one by whom it had been appropriated; and which, therefore, is never to be violated by the foot, or even by the gaze of another, during the season it is occupied by its proprietor.
The constant tread of the worshipers, in their repeated visits to these hallowed spots, would, of necessity, wear a path in the grass which lay between their huts, and the sylvan scene of their communion with God.
On one occasion, a Christian Hottentot woman said to another member of their little community, “Sister, I am afraid you are somewhat declining in piety.” The words were accompanied with a look of affection, and were uttered with a tone that savored nothing of accusation, nor of reproachful severity—but was expressive of tender concern, and the meekness of wisdom. The individual thus addressed, asked her friend for the reason of her fears.
“Because,” replied this good and gentle spirit, “the grass has grown over your path to your bush.” Nature carrying on its usual progress, had disclosed the secret.
The backslider could not deny the fact. There, in the growing grass, was the indisputable evidence that the feet which had once trodden it down had ceased to frequent the spot. She did not attempt to excuse it, but fell under the sweet influence of this sisterly reproof, and confessed, with ingenuous shame and sorrow, that her heart had turned away from the Lord. The admonition had its desired effect—the sinner was converted from the error of her ways, and her watchful and faithful reprover had the satisfaction and reward of seeing the wanderer restored—not only to the path to the bush, but to the renewed favor of that God with whom she there again communed in secret.
Note the value of private prayer, and the connection between its regular and spiritual performance, and a healthy state of the soul. When the bush was neglected, and the path to it forsaken—then did the religion of this poor Hottentot woman begin to spiritually decline. And how could it be otherwise? Who ever kept up a vigorous piety—when secret prayer was neglected?
It is in the closet of private devotion, that...
our cares are lightened, our sorrows mitigated, our corruptions mortified, our graces strengthened, and we shake off the dust of the earth!
Men may see something of God in me!
“For I have given you an example that you also should do just as I have done for you.” (Joh_13:15)
It has long been my conviction, that there is a great deficiency in evangelical churches—of the practical enforcement of Christian duties in detail; especially of what may be emphatically called the Christian virtues —the passive graces of the Christian character, the exercise of brotherly kindness and love.
It is not so acceptable to have all the special and difficult duties of the Christian's life, or man's conduct to his fellows, set clearly before the understanding and enforced upon the conscience. Men do not like to be followed through all the labyrinths of the heart's deceitfulness, beaten out of every refuge of lies, and made to feel the obligation to love where they are inclined to hate; and to forgive where they desire to revenge.
And we ministers pander too much to this taste. The pulpit has not done its duty. We have preached to the intellect, to the imagination, and to the taste—but not enough to the heart and to the conscience. In our endeavor to please, we have not been sufficiently intent upon the greater object—to profit. We have not preached justification too much—but sanctification too little. We have urged faith—but not love. We have descanted upon the evil of licentiousness, and falsehood, and dishonesty, and covetousness—but have said far, far too little about malice and bitterness. We have urged men to zeal and liberality—but not enough to humility, forbearance, and forgiveness. We have rightly led men to view the cross of Christ—but we have not sufficiently urged them to take up their own cross. We have properly entreated them to view Jesus as their Righteousness—but not sufficiently as their Example.
O, Christians...
study that wondrous character, contemplate that illustrious pattern, dwell upon that beautiful model, until the frosty incrustations of your cold, hard heart have all melted, like icicles before the sun!
How wonderful and how ennobling is the conception, and what an ambition should it raise in the mind of the Christian, to consider and say, “Men may see something of God in me!” Yes, we can teach them what God is, as to His moral character, and let them see in 'our merciful disposition' a ray of the infinite sun of His own glory. These sweet relentings of our nature, these soft and genial currents of our soul, these effusions of love—these, we can remind them, are but the overflowings of His goodness, His own love, into our hearts, and the reflection of His infinite mercy to us.
“The one who says he abides in Him should walk just as He walked.” (1Jn_2:6)
“Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in His steps.” (1Pe_2:21)
Casting all our sins into oblivion!
“Who is a God like You, removing iniquity and passing over rebellion for the remnant of His inheritance? He does not hold on to His anger forever, because He delights in faithful love. He will again have compassion on us; He will vanquish our iniquities. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea.” (Mic_7:18 - Mic_7:19)
Wonderful language! This is one of the finest images to represent the completeness of God's pardoning mercy to be found in all the Bible. He casts our sins not into a brook nor a river where they might be found again; no, nor into the sea near the shore where the tide might wash them up again—but like a stone cast into the depths of the sea, where they can never be fished up again, but lie forever buried and forgotten at the bottom of the ocean! This is divine forgiveness—casting all our sins into oblivion!
Infected and enfeebled
The church is infected and enfeebled with worldliness.
“Who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil world.” Gal_1:4
“And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever. 1Jn_2:17
Do you indeed ACT as you pray?
I need not prove to you that prayer, as a duty, is essential to Christian conduct; and, as a privilege, is equally indispensable to Christian enjoyment. All Christians give themselves to this devout exercise.
Their petitions are copious, comprehensive, and seemingly earnest.
What solemn professions they make to God!
What ardent desires they express!
What numerous blessings they seek!
What strong resolutions they form!
If we so pray—how ought we to live? What kind of people must we be—to live up to the standard of our prayers? And ought we not, in some measure at least, to reach this standard? Should there not be a harmony, a consistency, a proportion—between our practice and our prayers?
Do you indeed ACT as you pray? Do you understand the import, and feel the obligation of your own petitions?
Do you rise from your knees where you have asked and knocked—to seek? Do you really want, wish for, and endeavor to obtain an answer to your prayers? Are you really intent upon doing, and being—what you ask for in prayer?
Our prayers are to act upon ourselves; they have, or ought to have, great power in the formation of character and the regulation of conduct.
It is plain, therefore, that much of prayer is mere words. We either do not understand, or do not consider, or do not mean—what we say.
Do we go from praying—to acting, and to live for salvation, for heaven, for eternity?
How common is it for professors to pray for victory over the world; to be delivered from the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life; to be enabled to set their affections on things above, and not on things of the earth; and to be dead to seen and temporal things. And yet all the while they are as obviously eager to amass wealth, to multiply the attractions of earth, and to enjoy as much luxurious gratification as possible!
'Spirituality of mind' is the subject of innumerable prayers from some who never take a step to promote it! But, on the contrary, who are doing all they can to make themselves carnally minded! How many repeat that petition, “Lead us not into temptation,” who, instead of most carefully keeping at the utmost possible distance from all inducements to sin, place themselves in the very path of sin!
How often do we pray to have the mind of Christ, and to imitate the example of Jesus. But where is the assiduous endeavor, the laboring effort, to copy this high model, in...
its self-denying condescension, its profound humility, its beautiful meekness, its indifference to worldly comforts, its forgiving mercy, its devotedness to God?
How often do we pray to be delivered from evil tempers and irascible feelings. And yet we indulge them on every slight provocation, and take no pains to subdue them!
It is unnecessary to multiply the illustrations of the inconsistency between our prayers and our practice.
So hideous and so dreadful is the offspring!
How dreadful is the nature of sin! Sin is the parent of death.
Death the first-born of sin. What must be the parent—when so hideous and so dreadful is the offspring! Who can have watched the harbingers of death—the groans, the pains, the dying strife—without being struck with the fearful nature of man's revolt from God?
Death in itself, and by itself—is horrid and revolting! To see all this inflicted upon a Christian, a child of God, an heir of glory; to see no way even to the kingdom of God, to the realms of immortality—but this dark valley of corruption, earth, and worms—this gives us a most impressive idea of the dreadful nature of sin! How such scenes should enlarge our views of the malignity of sin, and embitter our hearts against it!
O sin, sin—what have you done!
Like water to the flame of joy
“I have spoken these things to you, so that My joy may be in you, and your joy may be full.” Joh_15:11
One of the reasons why so little spiritual joy is experienced by the majority of Christian professors, is because of SIN.
Sin weakens spiritual joy—and ought to do so! I do not now mean immorality—for that extinguishes joy! I mean...
the lesser workings of our corruption, the sins of the heart, the sins of the tongue, the sins of the character, sins known only to God and conscience, sins of omission, sins of defect.
I mean sins that do not unchristianize us, any more than they excommunicate us from the church. Such sins unopposed, unmortified—do, and must, prevent or diminish our joy. They may not put out the light of our piety altogether—but they surround it with an impure atmosphere, a thick fog—which prevents its light from shining upon the heart!
The religion of many is altogether too feeble. They are too worldly, too lukewarm, live too far from God—to derive much joy and peace from their piety. Spiritual joy, is joy—in God, in Christ, in holiness, in heaven!
And when, therefore, the professor lives so little in the closet, communes so little with his Bible, and lives so far from God—it can be no wonder that his religion does not make him happy!
My dear friends, let me now entreat you to avoid these hindrances, and to seek after more of that heavenly, holy, happy frame of mind. Pray for it, for it is a fruit of the Spirit. Be much in converse with your Bibles, for it comes in the way of understanding, believing, and experiencing the truth. Find time for private, silent meditation, for the truth will not be seen, so as to affect the heart, by a hasty glance at Scripture. Seek to have your faith strengthened, for your joy must ever be in proportion to your faith.
Watch against sin, for sin is like water to the flame of joy. Cultivate all the branches of holiness; for holiness is happiness. You must have eminent piety, if you would have spiritual joy. Spiritual joy is the oil to the wheels of obedience. It is this which braces up the soul for action, and carries it forward through difficult and self-denying duties.
How can we best vanquish the world, that ever present, and every where present foe, which comes in so many forms—and with such golden pleas? How, but by a heart already well pleased with its own happiness in Christ.
Spiritual joy is the world's vanquisher! The heart by holy joy rises above the world—sees it below, covered with smoke and dust, and finds itself in a brighter, purer, happier region, with the cloudless sun above, and all around filled with glory. What has the world to offer comparable to that which a rejoicing faith has found in Christ? What has 'worldly ambition' to offer, which can vie with this? He may spurn the favor of the crowned prince, and put his crown aside as a bauble—who is rejoicing in hope of an incorruptible crown of life and glory!
“The joy of the Lord is your strength!” Neh_8:10
Though we mourn—we must not murmur
“Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will leave this life. The Lord gives, and the Lord takes away. Praise the name of the Lord! (Job_1:21)
“See, I am the only God! There are no others. I kill, and I make alive! I wound, and I heal, and no one can rescue you from My power!” Deu_32:39
When a holy and beloved object of our affection is removed by death, we ought to sorrow. Humanity demands it; and Christianity, in the person of the weeping Jesus, allows it.
The man without a tear, is a savage or a Stoic—but not a Christian. God intends when He bestows His gifts—that they should be received with smiles of gratitude; and when He recalls them—that they should be surrendered with “drops of sacred grief.” Sorrow is an affection implanted by the Creator in the soul, for wise and beneficent purposes; and it ought not to be ruthlessly torn up by the roots—but directed in its exercise by reason and piety.
The work of grace, though it is above nature—is not against it. The man who tells me not to weep at the grave—insults me, mocks me, and wishes to degrade me! Tears are the silent, pure, sincere testimony of my heart to the excellence of the gift He gave in mercy; and in mercy, no doubt, as well as judgment, He has recalled.
But, then, though we mourn—we must not murmur.
We may sorrow—but not with the violent and uncontrolled grief of the heathen, who have no hope.
Our sorrow must flow, deep as we like, but noiseless and still —in the channels of submission. It must be a sorrow so quiet, as to hear all the words of consolation which our heavenly Father utters amidst the gentle strokes of His rod. It must be a sorrow so reverential, as to adore Him for the exercise of His prerogative in taking away what and whom He pleases. It must be a sorrow so composed, as to prepare us for doing His will as well as bearing it.
It must be a sorrow so meek and gentle, as to justify Him in His dispensations. It must be a sorrow so confiding, as to be assured that there is as much love in taking the mercy away—as there was in bestowing it. It must be a sorrow so grateful, as to be thankful for the mercies left—as well as afflicted for the mercies lost. It must be a sorrow so trustful, as to look forward to the future with hope.
It must be a sorrow so patient, as to bear all the aggravations that accompany or follow the bereavement with unruffled acquiescence.
It must be a sorrow so holy, as to lift the prayer of faith for Divine grace, to sanctify the stroke. It must be a sorrow so lasting, as to preserve through all the coming years of life, the benefit of that event, which in one solemn moment changed the whole aspect of our earthly existence.
These are the idols of the heart!
The first commandment of the decalogue says, “You shall have no other gods before Me.” The meaning of this precept, which is the foundation of all religion, is not merely that we shall not acknowledge any other God besides Jehovah—but also that we shall treat Him as God! That is, we...
must love Him with all our hearts, serve Him with all our lives, and depend upon Him for our supreme felicity.
It is obvious that whatever we love most, and are most anxious to retain and please—whatever it is we depend most upon for happiness and help—whatever has most of our hearts—that is, in effect, is our God! It does not matter whether it is friends, possessions, desires—or our own selves!
These are the idols of the heart!
SELF is the great idol which is the rival of God, and which divides with Him the worship of the human race. It is surprising and affecting to think how much SELF enters into almost all we do. Besides the grosser form of self righteousness, which leads many unconverted people actually to depend upon their own doings for acceptance with God; how much of...
self-seeking, self-valuing, self-admiration, self-dependence, there is in many converted ones!
How covertly do some seek their own praise in what they professedly do for God, and their fellow-creatures!
How eager are they for the admiration and applause of their fellow-creatures! How much of self, yet how little suspected by themselves—is seen by One who knows them better than they know themselves, at the bottom of their most splendid services, donations, and most costly sacrifices!
In how many ways does self steal away the heart from God!
How subtle are its workings, how concealed its movements, yet how extensive is its influence. How SELF...
perverts our motives, lowers our aims, corrupts our affections, and taints our best actions!
How much incense is burned—and how many sacrifices are offered on the altar of this idol!
“Little children, keep yourselves from idols!” 1Jn_5:21
The prevailing sin of Christians
Increasing deadness to the world, and growing spirituality of mind, are sure results of 'sanctified affliction'.
The love of the world is the great snare of the church in every age! Worldly-mindedness is now the prevailing sin of Christians. We see them on all hands too eager to make themselves happy on earth, and seeking their enjoyments, if not in the sinful amusements of the world—yet in its 'innocent and home-bred comforts'. They look not at unseen and eternal things, but at seen and temporal things. Theirs is too much a life of 'sense', refined it is true from its gross sinfulness—but still a life of sense, rather than a life of faith.
Hence there is “a needs be” for severe trials, if not to separate them and keep them separate from open and gross sins—yet to lift up their affections to things above, and to lead them to seek their happiness...
from God, the fountain of life; from Christ, the Redeemer of their souls; and from heaven, the object of their expectations.
When the world has been crucified to us, and we have been crucified to the world; when we have been taught its vanity and emptiness as a satisfying portion for the soul; when we have lost much of our anxiety to obtain its possessions, and of our dread of losing them; when we have turned from the folly of hewing out broken cisterns which can hold no water, and led more to the fountain of living waters; when we have lost our dependence on our comforts and possessions for happiness, and feel and rejoice in a glorious independence from 'created good' for bliss—when there is really and truly a conscious elevation of soul towards God and divine things —there is the evidence that we are sanctified by our trials.
“Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep Your word. It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn Your statutes. I know, O Lord, that Your judgments are righteous, and that in faithfulness You have afflicted me.” (Psa_119:67, Psa_119:71, Psa_119:75)
The most subtle, stubborn, and tenacious foe
“Don't you know that your body is a sanctuary of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God?
You are not your own, for you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body.” 1Co_6:19 - 1Co_6:20
Recollect that the renunciation of SELF, as well as of SIN, was one of the solemn transactions of that scene, and that time—when you bowed by faith at the foot of the cross, received mercy through Jesus Christ, and yielded yourselves to God. You then abjured, not only self-righteousness, but self-seeking, self-pleasing, and self-living. Self, as a supreme object, was renounced.
Self, until then, had been your loftiest aim; self-love your highest affection—but then you transferred your aim and your affection to another object. The Christian has no right to ask what he will do with himself; or to what he will give himself; or how he will employ himself. He is no longer at liberty to inquire how he shall spend his energies, his time, his properly, his labor, and his influence; for he is not his own—he is bought with a price.
He is not to live for fame—and please himself with the applause of his fellow creatures.
Nor is he to live for riches—and please himself with increasing wealth.
Nor is he to live for health—and please himself with the glowing energies of a sound body.
Nor is he to live for taste—and please himself with the pursuit of literature, science, or the arts.
Nor is he to live for social enjoyment—and please himself with an agreeable circle of friends.
Nor is he to live for ease—and please himself with unmolested quiet.
In short, he is not to consider himself as his own master—to please himself supremely in any way; nor his own property—to employ himself on his own account, and for his own benefit. He is not to imagine that personal gratification is to be his end and aim—for the accomplishment of which he may lay down his own schemes, select his own course, and pursue his own methods—as if he had an independent and sovereign right over himself. Self is...
“the old man” to be crucified with Christ; the body of sin to be destroyed; the corrupt nature to be put away; the law in our members to be resisted; the lusts of the mind to be subdued.
Self is the enemy of God—to be fought against; the rival interest with Christ in our soul—to be subdued; the means by which the devil would hold us in alienation from holiness—to be opposed.
Self is the most subtle, the most stubborn, the most tenacious foe with which grace has to contend, in the soul of the believer. SELF lives, and works, and fights—when many other corruptions are mortified. Self is the last stronghold—the very citadel of Satan in the heart—which is reduced to the obedience of faith.
Why do believers murmur at the painful dispensations of Providence, and find submission so hard an achievement?
Because self is disturbed in its enjoyment!
Why are they so easily offended, and experience such difficulty in showing forgiveness? Because self-esteem has been wounded!
Why are they covetous? Because self is gratified by its increasing stores.
What is vanity—but the indulgence of self-love?
What is ambition—but the exultation of self?
What is pride—but the worship of self?
Why are they so reluctant to give their time and labor for the good of others, and the glory of God? Because they want it for ease, and the enjoyment of self!
Why are they peevish, quarrelsome, and discontented with the little annoyances of life, which are everywhere and continually occurring? Because they want to settle down in unmolested ease, and undisturbed quiet, to enjoy themselves!
But is this right? Is not this living as if we were our own?
Is not this living for ourselves? Is not this forgetting that we are purchased property, belonging to another?
My dear friends, do consider this subject. Weigh well the import of the condition of Christian discipleship, as laid down by our Lord: “If any man will come after Me, LET
HIM DENY HIMSELF.” Self-denial, not self-pleasing, is your business! And the evidence of our being disciples is in exact proportion to our disposition thus to take up our cross.
If we are coveting ease, quiet, soft indulgence, luxurious gratification—and are dissatisfied, and discontented, and contentious, and peevish, because we cannot please ourselves, nor get others to please us, as the supreme end of life—how can we dream that we are the disciples of Him, of whom it is declared, “He pleased not Himself,”
especially since it is said, “Let the same mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus?”
For whom then are we to live, and whom are we to please, if not ourselves? Who is to come in the place of self? GOD! And for this obvious reason—we are God's! God's servants! God's property!
All others are walking to perdition!
“Enoch walked with God.” (Gen_5:24)
Walking with God! Is this our religion? Does this aptly set forth our life? It makes no difference...
to which church we belong, nor what creed we adopt, nor what ceremonies we profess, nor what zeal for religious things we have —if we are not walking with God!
Reconciliation with Him through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ; a habitual acting as in His sight and with a view to His approbation, and a life of devotional communion with Him—is true religion—in whomever or wherever found.
Walking with God! Is this religion ours?
Do we intelligently, experimentally, know the meaning of that phrase—walking with God? Let us set it down before us, look at it, ponder it, and never cease to study it, until we know its meaning, and feel its force!
None are walking to heaven, but those who are walking with God! All others are walking to perdition! We hear a great deal about other things that are connected with religion—its doctrines, its forms, its creeds—but walking with God is true religion. If we know nothing of this, we know nothing of true piety!
It is walking with God—and not any external matter, that distinguishes the real from the nominal Christian!
And it is 'close walking with God' which distinguishes the earnest Christian from the comparatively lukewarm one.
The earnest Christian walks closely with God, presses, so to speak, to his very side; while the other, like Peter, during his season of cowardice, follows afar off.
“Walk humbly with your God.” (Mic_6:8)
Over-indulgence of fond and foolish parents!
“I am going to carry out all my threats against Eli and his family. I have warned him continually that judgment is coming for his family, because his sons are blaspheming God and he hasn't disciplined them.” 1Sa_3:12 - 1Sa_3:13
There is, in some households, no family government, no order, no subordination, no discipline.
The children are kept under no restraint, but are allowed to do what they like. Their faults are intentionally unnoticed and unpunished, and their corruptions allowed to grow wild and headstrong; until, in fact, the whole family becomes utterly lawless, rebellious against parental authority—and grievous to all around them!
How many have had to curse the over-indulgence of fond and foolish parents! How many, as they have ruminated amid the desolations of poverty, or the walls of a prison, have exclaimed, “O, my cruelly fond parents, had you exercised that authority with which God entrusted you, over your children, and had you checked my childish corruptions, and punished my boyish disobedience; had you subjected me to the beneficial restraint of wholesome discipline, I would not have brought you with a broken heart to your grave, nor myself with a ruined life to the jail!”
Overindulgence of children is awfully common, and continually making shocking ravages in human character. It is a system of great cruelty to the children, to the parents themselves, and to society. This practice proceeds from various causes; in some instances, from a perverted and intentional sentimentalism; in others, from absolute indolence, and a regard to present ease, which leads the silly mother to adopt any means of coaxing, and yielding, and bribing—to keep the “young rebels”
quiet for the time!
It is not uncommon for parents to treat the first acts of infantile rebellion, rather as accidents to be smiled at, than as sins to be disciplined. “O,” says the mother, “it is only play, he will know better soon. He does not mean any harm. I cannot discipline him.”
Lack of parental discipline, from whatever cause it proceeds, it is in the highest degree injurious to the character of the children!
For wives only!
“Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord.”
Eph_5:22
In every society, there must be authority vested somewhere, and some ultimate authority, some last and highest tribunal established, from the decision of which there lies no appeal.
In the family constitution this authority rests in the husband —he is the head, the law-giver, the ruler. In all matters concerning the 'little world in the house', he is to direct, not indeed without taking counsel with his wife. But in all differences of view, he is to decide—unless he chooses to waive his right; and to his decision the wife should yield, and yield with grace and cheerfulness.
Usurpation of authority is always hateful, and it is one of the most offensive exhibitions of it, where the husband is degraded into a slave of the queen mother.
I admit it is difficult for a sensible woman to submit to imbecility, but she should have considered this before she united herself to it. Having committed one error, let her not fall into a second, but give the strongest proof of her good sense which circumstances will allow her to offer, by making that concession to the God-given authority of her husband.
She may reason, she may persuade, she may solicit—but if ignorance cannot be convinced, nor obstinacy turned, nor kindness conciliated, she has no resource left but to submit.
“Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord.”
Eph_5:22
For husbands only!
“And you husbands must love your wives with the same love Christ showed the church. He gave up His life for her to make her holy.” Eph_5:25 - Eph_5:26
Christ's love is SINCERE.
He did not love in word only, but in deed, and in truth. In Him there was no deceitfulness; no epithets of endearment going forth out of untruthful lips; no actions varnished over with a mere covering of love. We must be like Him, and endeavor to maintain a principle of true love in the heart, as well as a manifestation of it in the conduct.
It is a miserable thing to have to act the part of love, without feeling it. Hypocrisy is base in everything; but next to religion, is most base in affection. Besides, how difficult is it to act the part well, to keep on the mask, and to pretend the character so as to escape detection! Oh, the misery of that woman's heart, who at length finds out to her cost, that what she had been accustomed to receive and value as the attentions of a lover—are but the tricks of a cunning deceiver!
The love of the Redeemer is ARDENT.
Let us, if we would form a correct idea of what should be the state of our hearts towards the woman of our choice, think of that affection which glowed in the bosom of a Savior, when He lived and died for His people. We can possess, it is true, neither the same kind, nor the same degree of love—but surely when we are referred to such an instance, if not altogether as a model, yet as a motive, it does teach us, that no weak affection is due, or should be offered to the wife of our bosom. We are told by the Savior Himself, that if He laid down his life for us, it is our duty to lay down ours for the brethren; how much more for the “friend that sticks closer than a brother.” And if it be our duty to lay down our life, how much more to employ it while it lasts, in all the offices of an affection—strong, steady, and inventive!
She who for our sake has forsaken the comfortable home, and the watchful care, and the warm embrace of her parents—has a right to expect in our love, that which shall make her “forget her father's house,” and cause her to feel that with respect to happiness, she is no loser by the exchange. Happy the woman, and such should every husband strive to make his wife, who can look back without a sigh upon the moment, when she left forever, the guardians, the companions, and the scenes of her childhood.
The love of Christ to His church is SUPREME.
He gives to the world His benevolence—but to the church His love! “The Lord your God in the midst of you,” said the prophet, “is mighty; He will save you, He will rejoice over you with joy; He will rest in His love—He will rejoice over you with singing.”
So must the husband love his wife, above all else—he must “rest in his love.” He should love her not only above all outside his house—but above all within it. She must take precedence both in his heart and conduct, not only of all strangers, but of all relatives, and also of all his children. He ought to love his children for her sake, rather than her for their sake.
Is this always the case? On the contrary have we not often seen men, who appear to be far more interested in their children than in their wives; and who have paid far less attention to the latter than to grown-up daughters? How especially unseemly is it, for a man to be seen fonder of the society of any other woman, than that of his wife, even where nothing more may be intended than the pleasure of her company. Nor ought he to forsake her, in his leisure hours, for any companions of his own sex, however pleasant might be their demeanor or their conversation.
The love of Christ is UNIFORM.
Like Himself, it is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
Marital affection should have the same character; it should be at all times, and in all places alike; the same at home as abroad; in other peoples houses as in our own. Has not many a wife to sigh and exclaim—”Oh! that I were treated in my own house, with the same tenderness and attention as I receive in company!” With what almost loathing and disgust must such a woman turn from endearments, which under such circumstances she can consider as nothing but hypocrisy! Home is the chief place for fond and minute attention; and she who has not to complain of a lack of it there, will seldom feel the need or the inclination to complain of a lack of it abroad—except it be those silly women, who would degrade their husbands, by exacting not merely what is really kind, but what is actually ridiculous.
The love Jesus is PRACTICAL and LABORIOUS.
He provided everything for the welfare and comfort of the church, and at a cost and by exertions of which we can form no idea.
The business of providing for the family belongs chiefly to the husband. It is yours my brethren to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of carefulness, and to drink if necessary, the waters of affliction, that you may earn by the sweat of your brow, a comfortable support for the family circle. This is probably what the apostle meant, when he enjoined us to give honor to the wife as to the weaker vessel—the honor of providing for her, which she in consequence of the weakness of her frame, and the frequent infirmities which the maternal relation brings upon her, is not so well able to procure for herself.
In most barbarous countries, and in some half-civilized ones, the burden of manual labor falls upon the woman, while her tyrant husband lives in indolence, feeding upon the industry of the hapless being whom he calls a wife—
but treats as a slave! And are there no such idle tyrants in our age and country, who so as they can live in indolence, and gratify their appetites, care not how they oppress their wives—wretches who do little or nothing for the support of the family? How utterly lost to every noble and generous sentiment must that man be, whose heart cannot be moved by the entreaties or tears of his own wife, and who can hear in vain her pleadings for his child at her bosom, and his child by her side, and who by such appeals cannot be induced to give up his daily visits to the tavern, or his habits of sauntering idleness, to attend to his neglected business, and hold off the approaching tide of poverty and ruin.
Such a creature is worse than a brute—he is a monster! And it seems a pity that there is no law and no prison-ship to take him away to a land where, if he will not work, so neither could he eat!
A practical affection to a wife extends to everything! It should manifest itself in the most delicate attention to her comfort, and her feelings; in consulting her tastes; in concealing her failings; in never doing anything to degrade her, but everything to exalt her before her children and others; in acknowledging her excellencies, and commending her efforts to please him; in meeting, and even in anticipating all her reasonable requests; in short, in doing all that ingenuity can invent for her substantial happiness and general comfort.
Christ's love to His church is DURABLE and UNCHANGEABLE.
“Having loved His own, He loved them to the end”—without abatement or alteration. So ought men to love their wives, not only at the beginning; but to the end of their union; when the charms of beauty have fled before the withering influence of disease; when the vigorous and sprightly frame has lost its elasticity, and the step has become slow and faltering—when the wrinkles of old age have followed the bloom of youth, and the whole person seems rather the monument, than the resemblance of what it once was. Has she not gained in mind, what she has lost in exterior fascinations? Have not her mental graces flourished amid the ruins of personal charms? If the 'rose'
and the 'lily' have faded on the cheek—have not the 'fruits of righteousness' grown in the soul? If those blossoms have departed, on which the eye of youthful passion gazed with so much ardor, has it not been to give way to the ripe fruit of Christian excellence? The woman is not what she once was—
but the wife, the mother, the Christian—are better than they were!
For an example of marital love in all its power and excellence, point me not to the bride and bridegroom displaying during the first month of their union, all the watchfulness and tenderness of affection—but let me look upon the husband and wife of fifty, whose love has been tried by the lapse and the changes of a quarter of a century, and who through this period and by these vicissitudes, have grown in attachment and esteem; and whose affection, if not glowing with all the fervid heat of a midsummer's day, is still like the sunshine of an October noon—warm and beautiful, as reflected amid autumnal tints!
“So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies—he who loves his wife loves himself.” A man's children are parts of himself; his wife is himself—”for the two shall be one flesh.” This is his duty and the measure of it too; which is so plain, that, if he understands how he treats himself, there needs nothing be added concerning his demeanor towards her. For what tender care does he take of his body, and uses it with a delicate tenderness, and cares for it in all contingencies, and watches to keep it from all evils, and studies to make for it fair provisions. So let a man love his wife as his own body.
Husbands! It is in your power to do more for your wife's happiness, or misery, than any other being in the universe! An unkind husband is a tormentor of the first class. His victim can never elude his grasp, nor go beyond the reach of his cruelty, until she is kindly released by the 'king of terrors', who, in this instance, becomes to her an angel of light, and conducts her to the grave as to a shelter from her oppressor!
For such a woman there is no rest on earth—the destroyer of her peace has her always in his power, for she is always in his presence, or in the fear of it. The circumstances of every place, and every day, furnish him with the occasions of cruel neglect or unkindness, and it might be fairly questioned, whether there is to be found on earth a case of greater misery, than a woman whose heart daily withers under the cold looks, the chilling words, and repulsive actions of a husband who loves her not. Such a man is a murderer, though in this world he escapes the murderer's doom; and by a refinement of cruelty, he employs years in conducting his victim to her end, by the slow process of a lingering death.
A ball, a concert, a festivity, a party!
Some of you are bent upon present worldly enjoyment.
The apostle has described your taste and your pursuits where he says, “Lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God.” Ponder that description. Does it not startle and horrify you? Lovers of parties, of the dance and the song, of the gay scene and frivolous chat—more than God!
Just look at this thought in all its naked deformity. A ball, a concert, a festivity, a party—loved more than God! Not to love God at all for higher objects than these—for science, literature, fame, rank, wealth—is a dreadful state of mind!
But to neglect and despise God for scenes of frivolity, mirth, and pleasure—is it not shocking?
Did you ever yet seriously reflect thus—”What a dreadful heart I must have—which can love pleasure, but cannot love God!”
Consider what this desire for pleasure will do for you...
in the hour of sickness, in the scenes of poverty, in the season of calamity, in the agonies of death, in the bottomless pit?
Woman's mission
The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” Gen_2:18
Woman's mission is to be the suitable help-mate of that man, to whom she has given herself as the companion of his pilgrimage upon earth.
She is, in wedded life, to be his constant companion, in whose companionship he is to find one, who meets him hand to hand, eye to eye, lip to lip, and heart to heart—to whom he can unburden the secrets of a heart pressed down with care, or wrung with anguish; whose presence shall be to him above all other friendship; whose voice shall be his sweetest music; whose smiles his brightest sunshine; from whom he shall go forth with regret; and to whose company he shall return with willing feet, when the toils of the day are over; who shall walk near his loving heart, and feel the throbbing of affection as her arm leans on his, and presses on his side.
In his hours of private companionship, he shall tell her all the secrets of his heart; find in her all the capabilities, and all the promptings, of the most tender and endeared fellowship; and in her gentle smiles, and unrestrained speech, enjoy all to be expected in one who was given by God to be his companion and friend.
That companionship which woman was designed to afford to man, must of course be included the sympathetic offices of the comforter. It is hers, in their hours of retirement, to console and cheer him; when he is injured or insulted, to heal the wounds of his troubled spirit; when burdened by care, to lighten his load by sharing it; when groaning with anguish, to calm by her peace-speaking words the tumult of his heart; and act, in all his sorrows, the part of a ministering angel.
The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” Gen_2:18
Dreadful and murderous cruelty!
What genuine believer can for a moment question whether his children's eternal salvation ought to be the supreme solicitude of his heart?
If we look to the great bulk of mankind it is perfectly evident that true religion hardly enters into their view.
They are very willing that their children should go to church; but as to any concern for the religious character, and the formation of pious habits—they are as destitute of everything of this kind, as if religion were a mere fable, or were nothing more than a mere form. Their chief object is either elegant and fashionable accomplishments, or learning and science—and provided their children excel in these, they never make any enquiry or feel any concern whether they fear God. They would be not only surprised, but would either laugh you to scorn, or scowl upon you with indignation, for proposing such fanatical questions in reference to their children! Yes, this is the way of the greater part of parents, even in this religious country.
To train them up to shine and make a figure in society, is all they seek.
Amazing folly!
Dreadful and murderous cruelty!
Degrading and groveling ambition!
To lose sight of the soul, and neglect salvation, and forget immortality! To train them in every kind of knowledge but the knowledge of religion! To instruct them in an acquaintance with every kind of subject, but to leave them in ignorance of God their Creator, their Preserver and Benefactor! To fit them to act their part well on earth, and to leave them unprepared for heaven! To qualify them to go with advantage through the scenes of time, and then to leave them unfit for the glorious and enduring scenes of eternity!
O strange fondness of irreligious parents!
O miserable desting of their hapless offspring!
In direct opposition to this, the chief end of every Christian parent must be the spiritual interests, the religious character, the eternal salvation of his children. His highest ambition, his most earnest prayer, his most vigorous pursuit, his eye, his heart, and his hope should be engaged for their eternal welfare!
This should be the nature and exercise of his concern—”I am desirous, if it pleases God, that my children should be blessed with the enjoyment of reason, of health, of such a moderate portion of worldly wealth, and worldly respectability as is compatible with their station in life; and with a view to this I will give them all the advantages of a suitable education.
But above and beyond this, I far more intensely desire, and far more earnestly pray, and far more anxiously seek, that they may have the fear of God in their hearts, may be made partakers of true religion, and be everlastingly saved. And provided God grants me the latter, by bestowing upon them His grace, I shall feel that my chief object is accomplished, and be quite reconciled to any circumstances which may otherwise befall them. For rather would I see them in the humble valley of poverty, if at the same time they were true Christians—than on the very pinnacle of worldly grandeur, but destitute of true piety.”
Such should be the views and feelings and desires of all true Christian parents. Religion should be at the very center of all their schemes and pursuits for their offspring. This should be the guiding principle, the directing object, the great landmark by which all their course should be steered.
The rib
“Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib He had taken from the man, and brought her to Adam.”
Gen_2:22
Woman was the finishing grace of the creation.
Woman was the completeness of man's bliss in Paradise.
Woman is the mother of the human race.
Woman was the cause of sin and death to our world.
The world was redeemed by the seed of the woman.
Woman is our companion, counselor, and comforter in the pilgrimage of life—or our tempter, scourge, and destroyer.
Our sweetest cup of earthly happiness—or our bitterest draught of sorrow, is mixed and administered by her hand.
She not only renders smooth or rough our path to the grave—but helps or hinders our progress to immortality.
In heaven we shall bless God for her aid in assisting us to reach that blissful state—or amid the torments of unutterable woe in another region, we shall deplore the fatality of her influence!
I look beyond the painted and gaudy scene of earth's fading vanities, to the everlasting ages through which you must exist in torment or bliss; and, God helping me, it shall not be my fault if you do not live in comfort, die in peace, and inherit salvation!
The first book they read
“Train up a child in the way he should go.”
Pro_22:6
Education in modern parlance, means nothing more than instruction, or the communication of knowledge to the mind; and a good education means, the opportunity of acquiring all kinds of learning, science, and what are called achievements.
But properly speaking, education in the true and higher import of the term, means...
the implanting of right dispositions, the cultivation of the heart, the guidance of the temper, the formation of the character.
The most important part of education is that which relates to the communication of godly principles, and the formation of moral habits.
You educate your children by...
your example, your conversations, your likings and dislikings, your home life, your daily behavior, these, these will educate them!
You began educating your children the moment they were capable of forming an idea. This unconscious education is of more constant and powerful effect, and of far more consequence than that which is direct and apparent. This education goes on at every instant of time. It goes on like time—you can neither stop it nor turn its course.
Your children may read many books, but the first book they read, and that which they continue to read, and by far the most influential—is that of their parents' example and daily deportment.
Pointing or leading?
Children have their eyes always upon their parents, and are quick to discern any violations of consistency.
If they see us as worldly-minded, as grasping and anxious after riches, as solicitous to be surrounded by splendid furniture, luxurious gratifications, and fashionable habits, as the people of the world—if they see us deceitful, implacable, or malicious—what can they conclude but that our religion is mere sham?
In such a case, of how little service is our attempt to impress upon their minds, those claims which we ourselves 'practically' deny? It were far better for some parents to say nothing to their children about religion, for until they alter their own conduct, their admonitions can produce no other effect than to excite disgust!
It is enough to make every parent tremble—to think what a parent should be! Without a godly example, everything else that we do is most lamentably deficient!
As has been often said, it is only pointing them the way to heaven—but leading them in the way to hell!
They slay their own children!
A mother should never forget that those little engaging creatures which play about the room so gaily and so innocently, with all the unconsciousness of childhood, are young immortals—beings destined to eternity—creatures placed on earth on probation for heaven—and that much will depend upon her, whether the everlasting ages shall be spent by them in torment—or in bliss!
This is an overwhelming thought!
All should realize the sublime idea that...
their houses are the schools for eternity; their children the scholars; themselves the teachers; and evangelical religion the lesson.
Those parents who neglect the religious education of their children, whatever else they may impart, are more guilty than Herod!
He slew the children of others, they slay their own children!
He slew only the body, they slay the soul!
He slew them by hired assassins, they slay their children themselves!
We shudder at the cruelties of those who sacrificed their babes to Moloch. But how much more dreadful an immolation do they practice, who offer up their sons and daughters to Satan, by neglecting the education of their souls, and leaving them to grow up in ignorance of God and their eternal destiny!
Mothers! Your religion, if it is genuine, will teach you at once the greatness of the work, and your own insufficiency to perform it aright in your own strength.
Your business is to train immortal beings for God, heaven, and eternity!
The domestic slave
There are various kinds of slavery in the world, and many classes of victims of this cruel bondage. There is among others, the domestic slave, whose tyrant is her husband—and the scene of her bondage, her home!
His stinginess allows her scanty supplies for bare necessities. His selfishness is so engrossing and exacting, that his demands for his own personal ease and indulgence are incessant, and leave her no time for the consideration of her own comfort. His disposition is so bad, that all her diligence to please are unavailing to give him satisfaction, or to avert the sallies of his irritability, discontent, and complaints.
When such a man protests against Negro-slavery, let him begin the work of emancipation at home, by raising the oppressed woman he holds in bondage there, from the condition of a drudge—into the station of a wife!
But there are also many sad cases in which the slavery is self-imposed! The bondage comes from the wife herself!
The husband would gladly release her—but she will not let him!
Some are slaves to neatness—and make their fidgety anxiety about this matter a misery to themselves and all around them!
Others are slaves to fashion—and are always anxious and troubled about elegance and refinement!
Others are slaves to domestic display, parties and amusements—and are always full of anxiety about making a splendid appearance!
Others are slaves to frugality—and are ever vexing themselves to economize!
In these ways women will torment themselves and fill their minds with unnecessary cares and self-imposed troubles! To all such we say, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about so many things!”
A hideous skeleton!
A collection of bones!
A heap of dust!
“Don't be concerned about the outward beauty that depends on fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. You should be known for the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God.” 1Pe_3:3 - 1Pe_3:4
How exquisitely is this put! How impressive the ideas which are conveyed! It is the decoration of the soul rather than of the body, about which Christian women should be chiefly solicitous and concerned.
The soul is indestructible and immortal—so should its ornaments be. What can jewels of silver or jewels of gold do for the soul?
Can the diamond sparkle upon the intellect?
Or the ruby blaze upon the heart?
Or the pearl be set in the conscience?
Or the gorgeous robe clothe the character?
Or the flower wave over the holy nature?
No! The appropriate ornaments of the soul are truth, holiness, knowledge, faith, hope, love, joy, humility; and all the other gifts and graces of the Spirit—wisdom, prudence, fortitude and gentleness. These are the jewels with which the inner heart should be adorned. The outer body is corruptible. Dust it is, and unto dust it shall return.
That beautiful woman glittering in all the profusion of diamonds—the admiration and envy of the party or the ball room—must before long be a mass of putrefaction too ghastly to be looked upon—and then a hideous skeleton, a collection of bones, a heap of dust!
And where will be the immortal spirit? Will it wear the cast-off jewels of the body? O no! These remain, rescued from the grasp of the 'king of terrors', but only to ornament other bodies!
But turn now to that other female, the woman who, regardless of the decoration of the body, was all intent upon the beauty of the soul. Look at her, who was clothed with the robe of righteousness and the garment of salvation, and decorated with the ornaments of a gentle and quiet spirit.
She too dies; but her indestructible and immortal soul over which death has no dominion, goes not unadorned into the presence of the Eternal; for the jewels with which it decorated itself on earth are as indestructible as its own nature, and go with it to shine in the presence of God!
All taken up with fashion, amusement, and folly!
“Make the teaching about God our Savior attractive in every way.” Tit_2:10