1831, 10mo. 8th.-Last second day, we had a meeting at Peel meeting-house, where C H-, of North America, delivered a good and animated sermon. I do not agree with him, that, if the first dispensation had worked well, the second dispensation would not have come into the world, or would not have been sent to man. 1832, 3 mo. 1st. If a pious man joins religion with intellectual acquirements, will his intellectual acquirements avail him any thing in another world? If it is said, No-we may adduce as arguments 1st. For, otherwise, one who had no opportunity of learning would be below one who, by wealth and rank, had the means and ability of cultivating them, though both might have the will.-2d. Is there any passage of Holy Writ encouraging a cultivation of intellect? And if intellectual acquirements would avail a man's spirit in another world, would they not be recommended? -4mo. 29th.-The Gospel is the rule of a Christian's faith. A friend has said, as I un derstood, that we were to bring our actions to something within us-" Christ in you, the hope of glory, which we preach." If fallen degenerate man was certain of shutting out all evil thoughts —all vain imaginings-every thought of worldly interests-laying down our own will entirely-resigning all to Christ-and patiently waiting for a manifestation of the Divine will -the dictates of truth within us-then we should obtain a living rule of faith-Christ within us, the hope of glory. But, are not the Gospels in accordance with the ministrations of the Spirit of truth? Then the Gospel is the rule of the Christian's faith; and as there are so many false prophets who say, Lo, Christ is here! Lo, Christ is there! is it not safer, as well as more proper, for a CHURCH to take the Gospel as the standard of truth? Yet, happy they who are willing to receive the Comforter, who bringeth all peace, and to govern their conduct by the manifestations of the Divine will within them! These indeed obtain a living rule of faith" Christ in them the hope of glory." 3 Col. i. 27, 28. 1832, 5mo. 20th. I wish to speak, but my tongue cleaveth to my mouth. I have nothing to say; yet, just now, I seemed to revel in words.What could justify David in torturing the people of Rabbah?a I cannot but think that the domestic troubles, recorded in the next chapter, were permitted as a punishment for David's barbarous cruelty. Whatever might have been his zeal for the religion of the Lord his God-the worst idolaters under the face of heaven might, indeed, deserve—but, by every principle of charity, should never receive-that punishment which belongs to the Most High alone to inflict: "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, saith the Lord.” How often does zeal lead us to overstep that very principle for which our enthusiasm was roused! 7 mo. 8th." Our thoughts may be bad, yet produce no poison; they may be good, yet produce no fruit."5 Oh! that this were an infallible rule! what a weight would it take from my heart! Thoughts enter my mind that I detest, 42 Samuel, xii. 31. 5 Colton. that I abhor, that I would wish in the wide space of æther, rather than in my breast, as a canker-worm to destroy every goodly leaf that would flourish therein, but I cannot eradicate them; they come-they go-and I cannot keep them out. Like the poor besieged Bunyan, it seems as if the prince of the power of the air had compassed me with a host of his infernal machinations, to lure me to my own destruction. O thou evil one! there is a power above thine :I feel that so long as I can keep near to my Saviour, he will not permit a hair of my head to be injured by the power of my adversary. O Lord! give me a portion of Thy Divine grace, that I may so resist Satan, that he may flee from me, not in my own strength, but in Thinefor what am I? --- : 8 mo. 5th. First day evening, in my study. Among the numerous internal evidences of the truth of our holy religion, it is most consolatory, that religion alone enables its true believer to experience a peaceful life, and a happy death. The sceptic can never be happy; for he does not believe in a principle upon which hap piness can be based. The great foundation of his creed is to believe in all unbelief. He has no point upon which to centre his hopes; his creed teaches no eternity; yet that principle, implanted in every soul-that inherent proof of its own immortality-proclaims loudly that there is, and must be, an hereafter: the mind recoils from the thought that it is for ever to be lost "Lost in the gaping gulf of blank oblivion." 66 And what is his condition in the hour of death? Then he is obliged to confess, that there is a God. He has then to meet " a God, but no Saviour; a Judge, but no Redeemer; an eternity before him, but no Heaven in which to spend it." 1832, 11 mo. 4th.-O Thou that hearest prayer! holy Lord! conduct me safely through the temptations of sin, and the wiles of Satan. -When our Saviour uttered upon the cross these words, "It is finished!" Satan was conquered-death lost its power-and the whole scheme of redemption was finished. His mission finished, the Son of God ascended up on high, at the right hand of the Father. |