Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

CHAPTER IV.

SEPARATION FROM THE WORLD.

"Fain would my heart, henceforward, be
Fixed, Oh my God, alone on Thee;
That heart and soul by Thee possess'd,
May find in Thee their perfect rest.

66

Begone, ye pleasures false and vain,
Untasted, undesired remain,

In heaven alone those joys abound,

Where all my true delight is found."

LYRA GERMANICA.

"LOVE not the world, neither the things that are in the world." Such is the injunction of a holy Apostle, one who was largely baptized with his Master's spirit of love, and had nothing in common with those rigid ascetics, who would make of life one continued act of self-mortification. Why,

then, has he, or rather, why has the Spirit of God which inspired him, thought it needful to leave on record a command so stringent? Why, but because he knew that the "friendship of the world is enmity with God;" "for if any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him." He knew the delicate organization of the spiritual life, and therefore uttered an emphatic warning against its exposure to the tainted atmosphere of a world that "lieth in wickedness." Well would it be, if the professing followers of Christ were more influenced by this warning, and more habitually realised their calling, to be a peculiar people, chosen out of the world, though for a season they are compelled to remain in it.

"How far may I conform to the world without compromising my Christian profession?" is a question which has often caused no small perplexity to the young inquirer. And it is one which none can answer, for, in such a matter as this, no other human being can help. It is impossible to lay down a fixed rule by which all are to be tried; for,

in forming a judgment as to a thing that is not in itself sinful, differences of temperament, and social position, with many other considerations, must be taken into account. "I think," writes one whose bright brief course has strengthened many in running the heavenly race, "the love of the world may show itself very differently in different persons, and no one can altogether judge for another, whether they are indulging it or not, in what they do. But I believe conscience tells each child of God in secret. After all, our grand concern is, to aim at close walking with God, leaving Him to order our steps for us, and trusting Him so to order our way as best to enable us to walk closely with Him." Each one must, therefore, trace out the path of duty for himself, and will always most easily discover it, in proportion as he is most fully walking in the light. But we have always felt, that the question, as given above, is wrongly stated. If we have, indeed, been made to "sit in heavenly places," with a risen Saviour, and taught to "set our affec

* Adelaide Leaper Newton.

tions on things above," we shall inquire, not "how far may I conform to the world," but, "how far may I be separate from it without neglecting the social work which God has given me to do?" It is a dangerous thing to speculate how nearly one may approach to the edge of a precipice, without peril of destruction. We cannot take fire into our bosoms and expect not to be burned. We cannot approach pollution without having our garments sullied. Besides, if our ears. have been opened to distinguish, however faintly, the echoes of the song they sing in glory, we shall care little for other music. It is not so much that we dare not mingle with the world, as that we would not. We love the narrow way, strait and painful though it be, better than the broad, with all its offered charms. We have lost our relish for such pleasures. We are satisfied with the joys which Jesus gives, and we need no other. What have we to do with anything which would obscure our sight of the "hope set before us," on which we desire that our hearts should be entirely fixed? Are we

not strangers and pilgrims? Do we not profess to seek a "better country, that is a heavenly ?" And why should we entangle

ourselves with that which will only hinder us in onr progress? Why should we suffer a weight on our wheels? Rather let this be

our answer, to all who would persuade us to loiter by the way, "I cannot tarry, for I am journeying."

But, although it is impossible to do more than lay down broad general rules, already framed for us by the Word of God, which speaks in this matter with no uncertain tone, we would, nevertheless, say a few words, in the spirit of Christian meekness, on a subject which, in the present day, is very frequently discussed. We allude to attendance on Concerts, which is considered by many truly good and pious men to be both innocent and allowable. Far be it from us to sit in judgment on the duty of another. We design only to offer one or two hints, which may perhaps assist the reader in coming to a decision.

It has been urged, in defence of Concerts,

« AnteriorContinuar »