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l\' otice.


U Th e Annual Meeting of the R" toration­i3t


Tracl Sociely will be holden at N~ 64


Cornhill, on Wednesday, May 27th, at 3 o'clock,


P. M; The attendance of every member i.'


earnestly solicted.


ELIJAH CL. lR~ ; JR., SeCretary•.


HtJ3tOn" Ap, il 20, 1810.


,.


THE PRACTICAL CHR18TI. A: N. ·


CONFERENCE AT MILJ~ VILLE. How ought our light to shine before men, that LOVE NEVER F. AILETH. came unto his own, but his own received him


Epi, tle. tliey may tie led to glorify our Father in heav- In the 13th Chapter of Paul'e Epistle to the notf- Did he turn upon them ill anger for th. ir


Tlte welhrc" Q8, embled in Quarterly communion en? Let us watch ana pray continually, for our Corinthial'ul, we have a description of the work- ingratitude? • Ye will Jlot com, uato It'IC tAat


at Millville, to all in every placewho acknouil- perfect regeneI'iltion' ~ n « f spiritual conformity to ings of love; and the ' possession ot it is en- ye might Aave life ;'- this was his meltigg ex­edge


fellowsAip wilh them in Christ Jesus, ' end ) he likeiJes~ of o~ r . divine Master.. Let us be joined as the lone thing needful.' It is exalted postulation. And even from those who arrayed


salutalions offraternal love and peace. awake to the evils and miseries which sin il in- above every thing else; above eloquence; above themselves against him in deadly hostility, hi.


It has pleased the Father of mercies to gath- tlicting on the human family. Let us be fore- the gift of prophecy; above knowledge; and warm heart was . not alienated. . His addresa to


er our Iittl handful once more in devout and most, thoagh unostentatiously, in every~ good above faith i- above that faith even which will them was :- oh! that thou hadst known in thw


happy conferen ce. We have taken sweet coun- testirno~ y and ~ ork. We profess to, have, e~- enable us to perform miracles, And had this thy day, the things that belong to thy peace.' ­sel


together in a heavenly place in Christ, The braced ~ n our faith . the ~ eat restormg pnnci- view of the subject been always enforced, by Nor did his love fail in death. ' In tbe midst of


Holy Comforter hail been in our midst, and. our pie, . which. can alo? e extn,~ ate m~~ , from " the the professed ministers of Christ, the church his agonies upon the cross, his soul was full of


louis magnify the Lord. We have never enjoy- horrible Pit and miry clay of spltltual death. would certainly have been different from what compassion, and he prayed that his murderers


ed a more refreshing and profitable meeting. Arc w~ duly concerned f~ r the rede~ ptioli of it now is- and society in general. But, they might be forgiven! No scene'through which he


A goodly number waited with us on the services o~ r wives, husbands, children, relauves ~? d have taught an opposite theory. They have u- passed, from the commencement to the close of


of the sanctuary, and religious impressions fne~ ds? Do , we look on ~ em as fellow. spmts idte. with the scribes and pharisees of old, and his blesse~ mission, had any power to dry up


were made which we trust will never be effac- destined to exist to all eternity; and are we ex- contended that certain meats and drinks- cer- the fountain of benevolence within him, or to


ed, In the midst of this our spiritual ent ert ain- ert. ing all our influence for their eternal gOcid- tain forms and eeremonieszand certain doctrines prevent his laboring for the good of all. Though


ment we cannot be wholly unmindful of our that they may be meet with us for the inherit- are the essential » ofreligion, without which there despised and rejected, and as the consequence.


absent brethren and friends- many of whom are ance of the saints in light? And do we feel can be DO salvation. But in doing this, they a I man of sorrows and acquainted with grie£' ­far


from us in the flesh, cut off by distance the circl~ s of our benevolence widening to em- make void, not only the words of an apostle, but though persecuted, reviled, spit upon, crowned


from our pri vileges, and scattered as sheep with- brace neighbors, our fellow ", len that are strang- the words of Christ. They set themselves in with thorns, crucified, he triumphed over all


out a shepherd. We wish to evince our regard ers to u~, . and ev~ n our ene, m~ es, ? Can we reo opposition to him, as the Jews set themselves in temptation to retaliate, even in word, and ai­l'


IIsuch and to impart unto them somewhat buke spiritual Wickedness m high places, and opposit ion to Moses. They compass sea and scended to heaven unspotted by sin, and with


ror a , I . k ' d ' I I ' h f ( If our joy, that their hearts may be encouraged carna "'. Ic · e ness in ow p aces, Wit tears 0 ' land to make proselytes to their creeds, and love that nothing could quench.


in the christian pilgr image, ' Ve also deem it compass~ on for those who fear not Go~ n. or reo when they have made them, they frequently And now, with such a pattern hefore me, what


our duty, as well as our privilege, to incite them gard their own welfare.? Are we tes~ l. fymg . by makethem in some respects worse than they must I think of myself, if my love i~ of that na­by


affectionate admonition unto love and good word and example against the prevailing SIDS. were before. They teach that unless men be- ture, that an unkind word, or insinuation, or


works, of the age? Have we done what we could, as lieve their systems of theology, they shall, with- look can extinguish it? - or in the least abate it?


Wherefore, dearly beloved in tile Lord, re- the disc iples of Christ, for the abatement and out doubt, perish everlastingly ;- that a benev- Can I suppose that I am prepared for heaven ?_


' ceive the assurances of our sympathy, and suf- prevention of licentiousness, intemperance, alent heart- s- that a soul filled with heavenly for the society of the pure and happy spirit. that


fer the word of exhort ation. We beseech you oppression, war, covetousness and worldly am- love, does not sufficiently qualify us for tile pre- dwell there ? How strange if I should. Yet


IlIIt to feel in your solitude that you are forsak- bition? Let us remember that it is by . moral seuce of God. They virtually insistthat to re- many cherish th is delusion. Still, love, divine


e n of the gre at Shepherd, or forgotten by your instrumentalities- by the foolisliness of preach- ject what they call the fundamental truths of the love, dwell in whomsoever it may, never faileth,


brethren. Let your lamps be constantly trim- ing- by the reproach of the cross- by the ag- gospel, is a greater sin than to be oppressive, He in whose breast it dwells, seeks not his own


med and burning, and you yourselves as ser- gressive power of truth, . Iove, and holiness, that and covetous, and passionate and revengeful- but others' welfare. He does not labor for th~


v. mts waiting fur their Lord- that when the man must be restored- that the kingdoms of a greater sin than to be what the pharisees ef honor that cometh from men, but from God. It


bridegroom calle th for you, there may be a read- this world can ever become the kingdoms of old were. But we feel authorized from heaven is in the possesalon of a spirit of love, that he


iness to enter with him into the holy marriage J ur Lord Jesus Christ. Wherefore if we would to declare to the world- to Christians especial- looks for his ch ief happiness. If he can have


ch amber . I, Gird up your loins, be strong, promote the regeneration of mankind we must Iy, that without Love they are mere' sounding this, and have it at all times, if he can meet thOle


quit you like men, " What though ye be few not be conformed to the . genius of this world, brass or a tinkling cymbal.' by whom he is neglected with kindnes'- if h.


aud far between, surrounded by opposing hosts, but. be transformed through the renewing of our Such a religion is all noise. For on the two can cherished right feelings towarde those who


. and seldom permitt ed to commune together in minds. Thus while in the world we shall not be commandments which enjoin love to God and array themselves against him- if he can have a


the places of rei igious concourse ? Lei none of of the world, but be its salt, and light- ditfus- love to man, hang all the law and the prophets, disposition, and a burning desire to leek the


these things discourage you. Persevere in the ing around us continually a salutary and redeem- Nor can any thing be innocently placed above welfare of every one, whether friend or foe, be


inuint enance of tru th, and patiently continue in ing influence. these. ' LoYe,' saYI St. Paul, I is the fuljillinR is contented- be is happy. And certainly, to


well rloing i for in due season you sh all reap if Beloved brethren, we would not be tedioul in of the law. have a love that does not depend for its strength


. Y" u faint nOI; \ V e have signs of bett er days- our address- knowing that in a multitude of . ut we_,!" iIl_ not n~ ers url7iDlJ upon .. 010: 11> luving _ to bave & love iliat ' nev­days


of increase, of edificat ion a nd holy gl ad- w- onl~ uiere Is vanity. ~ e om~ to ~ ou Itheir doctrines upon, mankmd, and with earn~ st- er faHeth,' is to be god- like. ' God commend­ness,


Be patient; let your hearts be establish- our little paper, the Practical Christian, which nels. Let them plainly declare what they think eth his love towards us, in that while we , were'


ed in Christ. We are chiefly anxious, not' to we hope will prove a, means of edification and to be the whole counsel of God. But let them yet sinners, Christ died for the ungodly.' And


mnke you conspicuous ill the flesh, but to pro- comfort to many that are scattered abroad. We not exalt these above a true heart- a heart beat- this ill the injunction of the great Teacher-" Be


. llIute your grolV th in grace - that you may keep trust you will liberally sustain it by your sub- ing ever with divine charity. If their fellow ye perfect, as your Father in . heaven is , per­yourselves


" unspotted from the world," and be scriptions, and by all other appropriate etforta.- beings cannot receive them, let it be impressed feet.'


a · .... culiar people of God, perfecting holin ess in We invite you to make it a medium ofcommuni- UpOD their minds, that after all, there is a more B


r> ut many are hoping to enter the kin~ om of '


llis love nnd rever ence , \ Ve wOll ld have you cation with us, that we may know by your letters I excellent way'- the , way of Love- a way in h ....


. eaven in another way than this. They nave


standing witnesses by word nnd deed fur pure from tllne to time the state ofyourafi'airs. We which all may walk. " For whether there be 1


not earned that the kingdom of heaven is with-


; nnd undefiled relirriolJ- livinrr " suberly rirrht- ,- ~ " also invite your attendance at our Quarterly prophecies, they shall fail ; whether there be m · them;- th at it is purity of heu. rt, and love' un-


- eously and godly ill this present world"- and Meetings, of which due notice will hereafter be tongues, they . shall cease; whether there be fie'igned. But f1or myself, I may be permitted to


. Buornino- II th.. doctriue of God )' our Savior in given through our public organ. Or if you can, knowledge, it shall vanish away,- for here we th t I .


" ' th d' .' k ' say, a never expect to enJoy perfect happi-


. all thin os." not meet WI us, sen us written commuDlca- ' now m part only. As the soul progresses in th · di


If


'" IJ I F th h I I d tions to be read in our conferences. \ Ve shall goodness, it outurolVs o! linions thllt were re- niess, nhor


h


e Imme ate Pdresence ot God, until


)' our .. eaven y a er as en arge. an . . . . '" , reac I at state of min in which no enmity


' fi d f fl ' I rej Oice to hear from the humblest brother or celved as Important; and embraces more en" . h ' II d


. purlt, e ylour cboillcdep IOns


t


0 liS mo. rta


h


gdove. rn - sister, who may be disposed to communicate larged conceptions. . I Blessed fire the pure in Illd~ t . ers'bwi prlo uce enmity in me i- in which


fIIen alll ena e you 0 gaze WI a urlDg , . . a lvme en evo ence will be the mO\ ling sp in


th h I f h


' d . With us by means of the pen. We recommend heart,' says Jesus, I for they shall see God :'- f II . d r g


- er es on e sore ess ocean 0 IS re eemlllg , 0 a my actions an all my words Th' , th


I e let it h the rei" lJinU' ambition of " our to you the faithful improvement of all such that I~, they shall understand him, they shall f" .' I. I . IS. IS •


ov , e "'" J f " . .,. k h' h h 11 • • state 0 perlectlon, ue ol'cd reader to which we


. Io11ls to approl'e yourselves his dutiful children. means a grace and rehglous dlsclphne, pub- now 1m, t ey s a enJoy him. But until we are all called A d · t · · fj h' h '


, to t t . d I I . t t d lic, social, domestic and solitary, as are availa- are entirely pure- until we become perfect h ; In I IS or our Ig est mter.


'. e rUB your nlll1 slave ueen pene ra e ' est, t at we IOrsa w every worldly II t


I . • ' th tl I . t ' th t . .'. ble in your several circllmstances. Maintain a we OIay expect that our heavenly Father . h h l". I' . a uremen-


", Ie 50 cIOn conVIC IOn a mnn In SID IS h ' , . ' ' 11 I h' , nc es, onor, las lion, and self- lDdul ... ence of


f 1/ r d f ]' f, If. d t d tI t truly c r1stlan beanng towards people of other WI revea Imself to us more and more glOri- k' d h . . . ,


h~ eni ~ lenat~ ~ O~. I ~, ~ e ~ e~ roye


f;


dla denominations- and towards all men, whether ously, just in proportion as we advance towards ev. e~ y ' I. n • ~ ose tendency ISto prevent our at­I


IS on y lOpe0 sa va Ion IS m t e , on 0 0 - friend or foe. Consent to nothing which is a resemblance of him. And certain it is, that tallllng It. or need we fear that we shall not


and that he c:\ n be. benefited hy thiS great Re- wrong and corrupt, . l" o. r the sa ke 0flp easl'llg any as the sp" mtuaI worId opens upon our souls we be compensated ( or every sacrifice' which we


, s. tore. r only as he IS . made a new modra' fl creaIture lIlan. II ' cL. Jave no lI". eIIowsh'Ip W. ith the unIirU'itIiul shaII have occaSI" On to moa;: ry. our theolo'T'. lcal may be ca" lled to make. In proportion as we ap-


III hun by regenerating grace. An I you lave k f d ' ' f ~ proal'h tillS condition of the soul we shall en; oy'


k I. " t I . tI I t h wor so ark ness, but rather reprove them."- Views, I not to removes some of them entirely, . . h F h' J , nown uy, spm ua experIence Ie rea wre c - . th I commuDlon Wit our • at cr in Heaven. We


edlIess 0 f tlIe human souI auI 0fehrl's- t, anu. 1 th e And y. et, . refuse not to . co- operate, wherem, you e apostles were ' . changed from, glory 1~ 0, glory, shaII tieeI tllut he I' S W. ilIl us- that he is in UI-blessedn


ess of beino- made alive in hin' yOll conSClentlously can, With all good men IDall even as by th e Spirit of the Lord. And m con- and that it is his spirit that moves


JflUSt have become o'n" e witll him in seek. i. n .. to good ca uses, however they may d'IfIier firom you 1l". 0rID · Ity W · I · th the"~ e Views, when ugire pa'rucu- hearts, and kindles upon them the fire fudpon t ' our


.,. . . . Wh " ' bl did' II 0 eva IOn.


restore all the lost of human kind. Then, in- I~ 0plOlOn. erever It . IS ~ ractlca e, ~ e , a - ar octnnes upo~ ~ y fe ow beings- when I Then, too, shall we have the consciousness that


deed is tile will of God yow' will and the mis- vise you to set up and mamtam weekly rehglOus urge upon them 0plOlOns that I may consider im- we shall live forever. And being thus Id


' I; ion , of his only begotten Son yo• ur miHioll.- meetl. Ogs, . f1or praye:, prai. se, exhortatl'on ~ nd portant, I. wouId say- If you cannot see them not Chri stians accomplish more than th' eywocuan'


You feel ' yourselves to be humble instrunlPnts; conversatIOn j and , withal, to see. that your ~ hlld- clearly- If th~ y do not appear to ! OU to be . in now accompli!' h ? Such a 101' e as we have spok­attached


to his person, IIsed in his hanrls, and ren and h~ usehol~ s are care: ully IDstr~ ctedm the acc~ rdance wllh r~ ason and revel~ tlOn. a?~ With en of, is tireless. Jt reaches out and out contino


continually employed in promoting the conver- word of hfe. Fall not to give a po: uo~ of every the m\~ rd teachmgs of tlle dlVme Spirit, do ually after every wandering soul ;- and will


sion of the world from Sill to holiness. \ Vhat day to secret prayer and self. exammatioD; and not recEive them :- but be sure and follow after forever . Nor is it faithless. It believes that it


then is your faith your hope. your charity? while bowed before the throne of grace rem em- love. Seek this and aim tu be moved by it, in can, and eventually must triumph over all 0


What is your o- rea; concern your chief inter- ber us- especially praying that we may pros- all you do and say. Opinions change, but love sition. It is indeed the voice of God withi ppo-.


. est, your highe"" st glory? Can each one of you p~ r 1.0 h0rmes~, and may become , a pure people never. Th" IS IS 0f Eterm. ty-. of God. l~ we teaching the way to save, and the certaintnyuos, f


say-" God forbid that I should glory , save in ot God. Hopmg to hear from all the chur~ hes, should ? ave ~ o thr~ w our theories to the WIO~ S, success. Oh! that all might have this love­the


cross of ollr Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the sabbath schools, class meetmgs, and many msu- Love wll~ abide witli us forever. It never fall- thiS love th at never [ aila/ I. Let us seck it.


world is crucified unto me, and I unto the lated friends in different places at our next eth. It cannot fail , for it is a part of. the divine w. H. F.


1IlIOrld?" Do you feel that you helong to the Quarterly gathering, we do now commend you nature. He that dwellet~ in 100' e, dwelleth in


~ iDgdom which II is not of this world;" and can brethren, " to God and the word of his grace God, and God in him.' And when christian ~


you look through the gloom, and shame, and suf. which is able to build you up, and to give you make love the great all in ~ II, then Dlay we


fering of the cross, to the brightness and grand- an inheritance among all them which arc sancti- hope to see tllem fre~ from passion, and envy,


. eur of that final triumph over the powers of dark- tied." In behalfof the Prethren, and strife, and lIeet8:~ iani.~ m, and selfishness,-


ness, which shall sweep from the universe the ADIN BALLOU. and no one will find heaven until he reaches this


lut vestige ~ f ' sin? Are you willing to lutfer Mendon, May 1, 1840. state of mind. .


iWith C~ ist that you may reign with him? ChristiaBity is practically worth very little to , L~ t us I~ k to Jesus, and I, ee wha. t love was


Brethren, .. wbat manner of persons oUiht we him whom it does not enable to triumph over all In him. DId the neglect With which he met tobe in all holy conversation aDd godliness 1"~ sinfiJl enmities. overeome it, or the malice and hatred? He

Page 7 from Volume 1 of The Practical Christian 1840-1841

Ballou, Adin

1840