Cofiant y diweddar Barch Robert Everett/Gleanings

Cofiant y diweddar Barch Robert Everett

gan David Davies (Dewi Emlyn)

GLEANINGS,

FROM DR. EVERETT'S STENOGRAPHIC NOTES.

It is not necessary, in order to be true followers of Jesus, that we should lay aside every other object of lawful pursuit. We may be diligently and heartily engaged in the lawful concerns of life; but to be faithful servants of Jesus, his service must be our chief ob- ject. "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you."

The builder is honored by the work which he has wrought. So the work of Christ will declare his glory-the vastness, the perfection, and the magnifical splendor of the spiritual edifice. "He shall build the temple of the Lord."

It is always best to put our good resolutions into practice immediately. A resolution to seek the Lord at some future period, only increases the sinner's guilt. How many there are who perish between these two points "I will arise and go," and "He arose and went."

How soon the disciples of the Savior may have to suffer persecution at the present day, we know not. But this ought not to discourage the believer in Jesus; his object ought to be to do good while he is suffered to live; to do it with pure motives, and to do it with all his heart. The cause in which we are engaged is worth dying for. Better is it, yea, far better to die in the defense of a good cause, with a clear conscience within, than to live on the lap of ease, and throw our influence on the side of an unrighteous cause.

We have all the assurance which can be given that the cause of Christ shall ultimately prevail; we have the pledge of God's own word. Read the promises, my Christian friends, consult your charter.

What is required of us, is to be faithful and untiring in our efforts to promote the cause of Christ, and leave the result with the Lord. It seems to me that God does not charge us with the result, so much, but to be faithful. "Go, work to-day in my vineyard."

God's plans of mercy and purposes of love, with reference to the salvation of his ransomed people, shall be accomplished. We may have purposes, and they may be frustrated; obstacles may arise which we could not foresee, or which we may not be able to overcome -but not so with God.

God's purposes are so many streams of love, flowing, as it were, from the eternal mind.

In all our afflictions, however painful, however dark the dispensations for the present, however mysterious the dealings of our heavenly Father with us, it becomes us to say, "It is well." The exercise of this spirit is sweet and delightful. Whatever is ordered of God must be well.

Be watchful over your own heart; see that it does not deceive you. Trust not in mere sympathetic feeling in religion-trust not, on the other hand, in the outward forms of religion-but trust in the Savior alone.

The church of God will soon be a pure church, without any imperfections. We are assured that the withered branches shall be taken away, and cast into the fire-then this vine will bloom in everlasting verdure, and bear perpetual fruit to the praise and glory of God.

It is a delightful thought that God's glory and our highest interests are intimately connected, so that whatever is done to promote his glory, will at the same time promote our best welfare. So true is it, that "in keeping of his commandments there is great reward," and that the soul that watereth others shall itself receive richly of the dews of heaven.

When I take the word of God in my hand, my feelings are very different from what they are when I take in hand any other book. It is the balance of the sanctuary, in which to weigh the sentiments of men.

Our time is short; much of it is necessarily occupied in pursuing our avocations. But if we would become acquainted with the mind of God in his word, we must be diligent, and economical of the precious time which he has given us.

Remember this, that the Bible contains much; every paragraph is full of truth; a single expression may contain food for the soul for millions of ages yet to come.

Nothing of an earthly nature can compare with the Christian's treasure. You may conceive of all the riches of the Indies; of all the pearls and gems of creation; you may conceive of wealth accumulated for ages by your forefathers; you may expand your thoughts to the most ample profusion of earthly blessings that the human heart can desire or imagine—and after all, it is nothing, and less than nothing, and vanity, when compared with this "treasure in the heavens, which faileth not." It is a treasure which shall not perish, but in some sense, it shall accumulate more and more forever. The Christian will grow richer and richer in God through the ages of eternity.

Much sin is committed, doubtless, by suffering our thoughts to be harassed and our hearts perplexed about earthly cares. Be concerned principally about your Master's work, and he will take care of you.

Children should be instructed to search the Scriptures for themselves, to read the Bible from day to day. It is peculiarly proper that the 'Bible should be read in course through and through, again and again. I do not suppose that there would be great danger of our children becoming infidels, if they were carefully to examine the word of God for themselves, and that while their minds are tender.

There is nothing which tends so directly to demoralize community, as loose principles with reference to the Christian Sabbath.

Family government, rightly conducted, is the best model of civil government; and it ought to be so administered as to give some correct impression of the government of God over the universe.

If our children are soon to occupy important situations in community; and if we hope that, by the grace of God, they will be brought to take their place amid angels in the world of glory; and if their conduct here forms the basis of their eternal usefulness and happiness; how amazingly important must it be that we should know what God would have us to do-to train them. up "in the nurture and admonition of the Lord."

Let not anything hinder the worship of God in your families. Let not the world have such ascendency that family worship shall become a matter of mere convenience. This duty consists in reading the scriptures, in prayer and praise. We should have much to do with the Bible; in explaining Bible truths, in inculcating Bible principles, in enforcing Bible injunctions, and in bringing to view Bible consolations. The Bible is our family charter, and it is our family law book. I have mentioned the singing of praise to the Lord as a part of family worship, because it is evidently in itself a part of divine worship, and it is a delightful part-why not enjoy it at home? If God has visited upon us the gift of singing, why not improve it? The reason why so few sing in the sanctuary, I am persuaded, is because it is neglected at home. That man who is indisposed to be benevolent, has reason to suspect the genuineness of his hope.

When God forgives the sinner's guilt, he forgives him in such a way as never to upbraid him of that sin any more. The divine act of forgiveness is never re called.

Faith is a living and abiding principle in the soul of the believer. It is not a simple act once done, and no more; but it characterizes the Christian's entire life. The just man lives by faith.

There is a present consolation experienced by the child of God, which the world can not afford; a consolation which, to the believer, is felt to be a foretaste of the joys of heaven; which leads the soul to God; which sweetens the cup of affliction and the bitter waters of Mara. But what is all this in comparison with the joys which await the saint in the service of God in heaven? It is only like a drop of water compared with the wide ocean; it is but a ray of light compared with the brightness of the sun.

Wherever the gospel is proclaimed, it is the solemn duty of all who hear to receive it cordially, thankfully, and to devote themselves unreservedly to the service of God.

Religion is a personal concern. 1. Our departure from God has been personal. 2. Our accountability is personal. 3. The judgment will be personal. There is no hope in the case of the sinner until he feels that he has a concern with God himself. We need not expect to see the work of the Lord revived until his people take the burden upon themselves. There is awful guilt here-Christians are looking to others and contenting themselves with throwing the responsibility upon others. But we may rest assured that God's work will not prosper until individuals begin to realize that a fearful responsibility rests upon them.

God has something for all his children to do in the gathering in of living stones to his temple. There is not an individual, however obscure, and however small his talent, who has not a part to perform in the building up of the spiritual temple of God. And if that duty is neglected, there is a breach in the work—no man can do his brother's duty.

Everything which the parent does has a tendency to form the character of the child. Every string which you touch will vibrate through eternity-yea, everything you do will have a bearing upon eternity.