For the Christian Spectator. ON CHRISTIAN INTERCOURSE. MAN was made for society. There is a principle common to all, which, independently of calculation, leads them to associate with each other. If proof of either the existence, or the power of this principle be necessary, we have it in the broad fact, that in every age and country of the world, and in every stage of improvement, from the rudest to the most polished, men have sought to live in communities. If there be any exceptionsany instances in which men have exiled themselves from every circle of their fellows, they are extremely rare; and these have not taken place in consequence of the absence of this principle, but in opposition to it. It is not till violence has been done to the sympathies of our nature, and the ties of mutual converse have been broken, that a single individual of our species will wish to exclude himself from the society of all the rest. through every class. The different modifications of human character, give rise to the different modifications of human society. Associates all will have; and each individual makes choice of those whose views and feelings best comports with his own. The Christian has also his share in the common principle, and also exercises it in preferring to associate with kindred spirits. I am, said David, a companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts. These the Christian esteems as the excellent of the earth, in whom is all his delight. And he chooses them, not merely from considerations of duty, or of advantage, but also because it is the inclination of his heart, and because their society affords him the best enjoyment. If you ask me why the Christian chooses such companions, while the man of the world can find no attractions in them ?-the answer is, For the same reason that you prefer your fellow men to creatures of another species, or the members of your own family to strangers. True Christians are always a race by themselves. There are certainly no family relations so near, and no kindred sympathies so tender as theirs :They have all one Father, one Saviour, one baptism, one inheritance,— they all "drink into one Spirit," they are all members of one body. "We being many, are one bread and one body; for we are all partakers of that one bread." And reader if you are a Christian, you will find in all true Christians more than friends; 64 This social principle, though common to all, becomes variously modified, according to the circumstances under which it has to act, and is usually discriminative in its operations. Thus differences of views, tastes, and habits, have always an extensive influence in determining and fashioning the different classes of society. The man of learning, for instance, seeks his companions among men of learning; the statesman, among statesmen; the man of business, among men of business; and so Vol. IV.-No. 10. more than brethren : you will find in will find a great change in the tone them fellow-members of the same and feelings of many who would otherbody, the head of which is Christ. wise gladly be their companions. You will find in them men who, more It is for a corresponding reason that than friends and more than brethren, the Christian feels a positive and will feel an iuterest in your welfare,- strong aversion to the society of the will be able to enter into your feel- ungodly, when they act out their real ings, understand your language, sym- character. Though he feels the inpathize in your afflictions, rejoice in fluence of the social principle, he is your prosperity, and do all those kind at the same time actuated by another offices which give such ineffable sweet- and stronger principle, which requires ness and felicity to the communion of him to forsake all to follow Christ. saints.-Hence too the attachment He cannot stand by and patiently between Christiaos is stronger than hear the name of his Lord dishonourthat between any other class of men. ed, or see his cause openly injured. Behold how these Christians love " I have not sat with vain persons, one another," is a tribute of commen- neither will I go in with dissemblers.” dation which was never received, and “Depart from me ye evil-does; for never deserved by any other commu- will keep the commandments of my nity in the world. However men may God.” Thus he often finds himself unbe united by ties of interest, or ties of der the necessity, no less from the imblood, there are no ties on earth so pulse of his feelings than from a sense strong and no sympathies so tender, of duty, to “come out from among as those of true Christian fellowship, them and to be separate;" to put a arising from a vital union to a most marked distinction between the place gracious Saviour by the indwelling of where he stands, and the circle in the same Spirit. which the profane play off their jeers, Now the very qualities which are and indulge their revellings and their so attractive to the Christian, are re- sports. pulsive to the man of the world. And Thus far our view of the principle if the world lying in wickedness, be is plain and easy, because iis operain a state of enmity with God, it is tions are direct and simple. Somenot to be wondered at, that a portion times however it acts under more of this enmity should be transferred to complicated circumstances, and is afthose who are distinguished by the fected by various and opposite modiimage and the service of God. “If fying causes. Here for instance is a ye were of the world, the world Christian of a cultivated mind, rewould love his own; but because ye fined taste, and polished manners.are not of the world, but I have cho All those in his town or neighboursen you out of the world, therefore hood who possess similar accomplishthe world hateth you.” Here we ments, belong to the world; wbile all have the radical cause of the dislike the pious around him are in these reand aversion soextensively felt against spects unimproved. It is easy to see the society which is strictly religious that the social principle of the Chris-that society in which the name of tian must bere be put to a very severe God is properly honoured, and bis trial. While all the force of his litecause faithfully espoused. It is very rary taste and polite accomplishmeots true that there are those who profess is exerted to draw him one way; his religion, against whom the world does regard for religion and sympathy with not feel the same degree of repug- the people of God, draw him the nance. The reason is, that whatever other. The trial is certainly a severe they profess, they are yet in heart and one; and if the conflicting powers are in life conformed to this world. But nearly balanced, the issue is likely to as soon as they show themselves the remain long doubtful. If the pious real and faithful servants of God, they feelings are faint, they will soon yield to the opposite influence : but if they that, notwithstanding the prevalence are strong, they will prevail against of christianity and the number of the world. " This is our victory christians in the world, there is yet so which overcometh the world, even little of that which deserves the name our faith.” Invariably therefore the of christian society. The sentiment result will be according to the strength is too powerful, that however much of faith and pious affections. On the we are bound to manifest our religion question of duty under such circum- elsewhere, in our social intercourse stances, the example of our blessed there is no place for its appearance. Lord is very decisive. Foregoing We see christians regular in their atall the splendor and accomplishments tendance upon divine ordinances, and of the world, he chose his companions faithful in the discharge of many duamong the illiterate fishermen of Gali- ties, yet when they meet for social lee, because bis delight was with his enjoyment, the common topics of the saints on the earth. If any think this day engross their conversation, while standard too high, let them look at otten you do not hear a single word Moses, who, though "learned in all of Christ or the affairs of his kingthe wisdom of the Egyptians, refused don. There is for the most part a to be called the son of Pharaoh's backwardness and a shyness in reladaughter, choosing rather to suffer af- tion to those things which demonstrate Aiction with the people of God, than that our hearts are not warm enough enjoy the pleasures of sin for a sea- in the cause ; and that the world ususon; esteeming the reproach of Christ ally outstrip us in zeal and devotedgreater riches than the treasures of ness to the objects of their pursuit. Egypt.' Or if this be too ancient ; When statesmen meet, politics is the look at Paul, who sacrificed every burden of their conversation. When possession and every comfort-the men of letters meet, literature is the highest honors and the brightest pros- subject of theirs. But when chrispects--yea, he consented to be thought tians meet, religion with all its wide" the offscouring of all things,” in or- ly extended and infinitely interesting der to embark with the despised and topics is often very far from their persecuted followers of the meek and thoughts and their lips. The plain crucified Jesus.How decisively reason is that their hearts are not full therefore does the fact speak against enough of it,--they are not enough the piety of any professing Christian, “spiritually minded,"—they have too — that, when other things are equal, he much to do with the world, the unyet prefers the society and conversa- due cares of which unfit and indistion of the world! If he can find the pose them for such holy employment. same degree of cultivation in a circle The fact to which I have adverted, of religious friends, that he finds in should therefore fill us with humiliaone of worldly friends, and yet pre- tion and sorrow; and cause us all to fers the latter; are we not warranted study greater spiritual mindedness, to conclude that this preference ascer- strive to become more conformed to tains and marks his owu character ? our blessed pattern, the whole of 6. The world will love his own.”-In whose conversation was " seasoned the midst of all these remarks it is with salt,” that we may thus be fitmost cheerfully conçeded that litera- ted for the society above, where all ture and taste add vastly to the at- their delight is in those very things tractions even of religion. At the about which we are now so shy, so same time we are taught that when- backward, and so cold. ever there arises any competition be there will be no such reserve in the tween them, the preference is always days of the millenium, and much less due to the men “whom God delights will there be any in heaven. in, and in whom he dwells." Intercourse with men is a process It is very much to be lamented by which we became assimilated to a Surely their character and manners. If that character and those manners be good, the effect will be beneficial. If they be otherwise the effect will be in the same degree injurious. "He that walketh with wise men shall be wise; but the companion of fools shall be destroyed." All have seen the influence of good society to improve the understanding, refine the taste, and polish the manners of those who are admitted within its circle. If then there be any thing excellent in religion, we may, even on common principles, expect its benefits to be imparted by familiar intercourse with religious society; and the man who is cut off from all such intercourse, is cut off from one of the richest as well as most delightful sources of improvement. There is at least an ease and gracefulness, an accuracy and an ardour of religious sentiment -great ornaments to the christian character which cannot be acquired except by intermingling frequently with such as make religion the subject of their conversation. For the want of this, there are many who, though not total strangers to "the language of Canaan," are yet embarrassed with all the awkwardness of inexperience, when placed in circumstances, where they have to express themselves on a subject in which their dearest interests are involved. Having said thus much of the existence of the social principle in our species, and of its importance with reference to christians; I proceed to enumerate some of the advantages which the followers of the Lord Jesus derive from frequent intercourse with each other. 1. Religious intercourse is calculated to increase our religious knowledge. "A wise man will hear, and increase learning." Conversation between friends collects into one body the several portions of intellectual light which were before scattered among them all; and puts each individual into possession of the whole tollected mass. The fact too of your contributing to the common fund makes you more perfectly master of what you possess before :-you will at once see it more clearly, and learn to use it with more readiness and judgment. Such mutual communications moreover quicken and stimulate the mind in search of further knowledge. "Iron sharpeneth iron, so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend." And it has frequently been observed that some of the most useful inventions have originated from the collision of men's minds when earnestly engaged in conversation. 2. Nor are the advantages of religious society limited to the mind. The heart also has its share. If the collision of minds elicits light, the contact of hearts communicates heat. "How can one be warm alone?" If you have only a single spark of love to your Saviour when alone, it will increase into a flame by uniting with the love of others. And if "evil communications corrupt good manners" and taint the heart; good communications have a tendency to sanctify and save. 3. A third advantage of religious society is the consolation which it affords in adversity. There is not a more effectual way to bear each other's burdens, than by sympathising In each other's afflictions. There is a virtue in the sympathy of a real friend to charm away half our woes. "Ointment and perfume rejoiceth the heart; so doth the sweetness of a man's friend by a hearty counsel." And if christian sympathy and kindness be so sweet when exercised to relieve our worldly misfortunes; how much sweeter still, when they administer the healing balm to the "wounded spirit," when they bring the consolations of the gospel to draw away the poison of sin, and sting of death! What more welcome visit can there be than that of a kind christian friend, who, feeling deeply for your soul's welfare, brings to your heart the message of peace, when from the convictions of guilt, you were just ready to plunge into the A SERMON. depths of despair. 4. Another advantage of religious Exodus xxiii. 2. Thou shalt not fol low a multitude to do evil. society is---that it encourages and animates in duty. “ Two are better This is an important caution; esthan one.” Certainly we need all pecially to the young, who are easily the encouragement which we can de- led astray by evil examples. A pronesire from one another in our pilgrim- ness to imitation is natural to man. age. We bave all so many embar- It is strongest in the young. We earrassments within, and so many obsta- ly see it in children, and it more or cles without, in our journey toward less continues through life. the promised land, that the best often This disposition is of great utility. faint and become weary—the soul of It facilitates instruction and aids imthe people is often “much discour- provement. It makes the duty both aged, because of the way.” But how of teachers and learners more easy reviving is it to meet with compan- and pleasant. But there is a certain ions on the way, who, aiming at the boundary at which it must stop. same end, and beset with the same This is the line which divides the trials, are yet holding on their way ground between right and wrong, beand provoking one another to love tween virtue aud vice. When the and good works !" Did Jonathan love of imitation transgresses this strengthen the bands of his friend line, it becomes dangerous, and may David by his visit to him in the wood ? prove fatal; for it draws us blindfold So there are few christians who cap- into evil, and none know where its not, from their own experience, tes- influence will cease. Hence the Jewtify to the efficacy of all similar vis- ish law-giver judged it necessary to its. And if the mere recollection of give his people this command, “Thou the cloud of witnesses, who are look- shalt not follow a multitude to do ing from heaven upon us, is calcula- evil.' ted to inspire the weary pilgrim with We will consider what precaurenewed courage and strength ; may tions are necessary to security against we not expect still more from the the influence of a guilty multitude ; presence and example of fellow-pil- and the great importance of adopting grims, who are partakers of like pre- these precautions? cious faith and of the same glorious I. We will což sider what precauhope ? tions must be taken, that you may 5. The last advantage which I not be led away by the multitude of shall mention, is the blessing of God. sinners. For in all times and places Here we need only call to mind a there are many of this character. well known passage from the prophet The first and chief precaution in Malichi :-" Then they that feared the case, is to have the great truths the Lord spake often one to another; and principles of religion well fixed and the Lord hearkened and heard in your minds and strongly operating it ; and a book of remembrance was there. written before him for them that Moses supposes the people confeared the Lord, and that thought cerned in this precept to understand upon his name. And they shall be the difference between good and evil, mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that and to know wben the multitude went day when I make up my jewels ; and right and when they went wrong; for I will spare them, as a man spareth otherwise, the caution, not to follow his own son that serveth him.” them to do evil, would have been use |