Chapter 21

Chapter 21 Circumstances favorable to the promotion of pious joy

It will be seen, from the foregoing pages, that the charge which is sometimes made against piety, is wholly without foundation; that if a cloud rests upon a Christian’s brow, or any gloom pervades his soul, it is not piety that produces it; but it comes, in most instances, from the obstructions alluded to, which prevent piety from exerting its legitimate influence.

Only such hindrances have been noticed as are prominent in our day and country. If Christians will avoid these, and give to piety an unobstructed sway over the soul, she will doubtless soon produce those lovely fruits, which in the Scriptures are ascribed to her influence. "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance," Galatians 5:22-23. For an illustration of this subject, we may advert again to the analogy of nature. When it is intended to cultivate the fruits of the earth, or to call forth the flowers and foliage which are to adorn it, the first important step is to remove the obstructions, and place the desired vegetation in circumstances favorable for its growth. The nature of the soil is carefully attended to; the exposedness of the plant to boisterous winds or nipping frosts is considered; every precautionary measure is adopted to prop or to bind it—to lay it open to the sun, or to shield it from a too intense action of his rays. It cannot be reasonably expected that the plant will thrive and put on its lovely dress, without all this care and culture. If the soil is overgrown with weeds, and obstructed by stones; or if this delicate plant is left to be beaten by the winds, or smitten by the sun-beam, how can we look for the natural and proper development of its beauties! Nor is it otherwise with the fruits of the Spirit. The soul that is left exposed to every adverse influence, will present a moral condition analogous to the neglected plant. The chilling winds will invade it; the blighting frosts will silently wither it; and if it still retains some appearance of life, it will be so stinted in its growth, and so barren in its aspect, as to excite a melancholy feeling in the beholder. On the other hand, if "God’s husbandry" is properly cultivated, and the tender plants are shielded from unfriendly influences—if the culture is in any degree proportioned to the importance and excellency of the expected fruit—there will not be a more attractive sight in the universe than these "trees of righteousness," flourishing with well-watered roots and unwithering leaves.

If God has given us facilities in the one field, so has He in the other; and, if in the one case, the reward is proportioned to the care and labor, it is no less certain and abundant in the other. In the productions of the earth, we have the rain and the dew, the light and the shade, the heat and the cold, all operating in such due proportion on the soil, as to warm into life, and call forth into beautiful forms, that which is the object of our care. And is it otherwise with the soul whose graces are to be cultivated under a faithful spiritual culture? Has not God promised, with equal explicitness, "Whatever a man sows, that shall he also reap?" Galatians 6:7. Has he not declared, that, as the rain comes down from heaven, and returns not there, but waters the earth, and makes it bring forth, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: so shall His words be that goes forth out of His mouth? Isaiah 55:10-11. As certainly as the dew distills on the flower, and the sun-beams fall upon and enliven it, so surely will God give his Spirit to refresh, and the light of his countenance to cheer his soul, "who diligently seeks him." To this established connection between the use of means and the certain production of pious fruits, we must add the very extraordinary facilities for the full development of the Christian graces, which are found in our highly-favored land.

If the Christian does not daily advance in his upward path, it will not be for the lack of means and appliances. If any obscurity rest upon his soul, it will not be owing to a diminishing of light in the moral atmosphere. The Sun of righteousness has arisen upon us with healing in his wings, Malachi 4:2. No people on earth are more richly endowed in this respect. The manna falls upon us daily, and in great abundance. The pillar of cloud is before us by day, and the pillar of fire by night. The silver trumpet of the Levites is ringing continually in our ears; and the cleft rock is pouring out at our feet the waters of life. Is there any reason why we should not joyfully march on our way? To constitute the happy Christian, two departments of labor must be occupied. The one respects the duties which we owe to ourselves, and comprehends the exercises of the closet, such as prayer, self-examination, and the study of the Scriptures. These are of primary importance; and it is out of the question to expect pious joy where they are neglected, or discharged in a superficial manner. But scarcely less important—especially in forming the character of the happy Christian—is the department of labor which respects the good of others; which aims to carry out our influence upon all whom it is possible to reach and to bless. The spirit of the gospel is not evinced, nor its joys experienced, without a faithful occupation of our talents, and a conformity, by self-denying labors, to Him "who went about doing good." "To do good unto all men, as we have opportunity," is the grand rule, estimating the pressure of the obligation according to the nature of the good, and the ability and opportunity to bestow it. Now, the Christian, who is faithful in the one department, will be very likely to be faithful in the other. He who lives near the private altar, and gathers there his motives, and feeds there his zeal, will be ready to embrace every opening to be useful which the providence of God shall disclose. He will not be "standing all the day idle," and crying, with folded hands, "No man has hired me."

It has pleased God to place before his church in our day, facilities for doing good, and for extending the cause of truth and righteousness, more numerous, and in greater variety, than perhaps were ever known before. There is hence no apology for indolence or inactivity. Not one in the spiritual community can say, "There is nothing for me to do." The work is graduated to the ability of every saint—not excepting the most indigent. Each may, if he thinks proper, select that department of benevolence which is best suited to his circumstances. Such being the case, it is evident that no pious person can be happy, if he withhold good from him that needs, when God has put it in his power to do this good; for, "to him that knows to do good, and does it not, to him it is sin," James 4:17.