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JOSEPH S. BAKER— Editor.
VOL. XIII.
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For the Christian Index.
Thoughts on Luko xii: 32.
BY A BAPTIST AT DAIILOXEOA.
“Fear not, little flock ; for it ‘is your
Father's good pleasure to give you the
kingdom.”
Perhaps there is no part of the word of
God, more deeply interesting, and heart
cheering to the truly jtious, than the sliort
sentence above quoted.
If the rieh man’s prayer could have been
granted, and one from the dead were now
to come, and relate to us some of the cir
cumstances, which surround the spirits of
those, who have depatted this life: would
we not be all attention, and listen with deep
and abiding interest to the information he
might'impart. Pondcringat thesame time
the entire meaning of every word, which
.might Come Ijrom a messenger possessing
a-kttowledge so Important, and at the same
time-so much concealed? What then
yhoulil be the .intensity of the interest,
with which we’shouU listen to the author
of tire winds tinder consideration • who was
sent, not from the dead, bat proceeded from
Goth. Who Was not an aivgei of lights, but
tlte God of the Universe. Whose wisdom
entitled him to the name t;f “wonderful
counsellor.’* i Whose goodness entitled',
liim, “The-everlasting Father.”. Aatd the
mildness qf his. reigfi to,‘‘Trie Prince of
Peace.”
Yes, a messenger, nyjto was equal with
God : Yea; and “whs jGod,” salutes the
earof the treinbliug clturistiau and says,
‘Jear - —i. *y :_• • • ■
I‘jiiiugli y*u uUy b^f. JlS | ,1 is
consirtatß, from * Vrew of your own imper
fections, —ihohigh . your;-,nature iTiay he.
prone to rebel against tho- command? of
your heavenly parent,—luotigli the .flesh
may ivafiigniiiSi the spirit,'—though it may
seem difficult CO overcome temptation,—
though your heart t.nay ‘be deceitful and,
desperately wicked, a- v"oih& front” Hea
vens messenger. comfort? Vflu,
“fear not.” .y; ■. #
ThoughltopeS in the” nffaiqipf this life
may disqppoijit • ypu-i IfiougU the ar- 1
tufe of friends may bereave *yp4 though
persecution, lnuy” rage,, flpil die fibvepf
ny by poeriuVSJwax cofd, and jliough ye ft
may seem la stand alone v Vt)aW; helpless',.
..apd timid; you are” cheered,* comforted;-
atul encouraged by a vqfce Heaven
saying, “fear not."” “ ■•...* v ■
‘l'Tioygh sickness may’ .prostrajl£_
bodily pqVer/> ;• though-, fever may scotcbi
■ your brain* and drive; *;asotl..frqm ii'er
throne.! yet with r'etifniing consciousness
comes the still small Voice,
consolation to a spirit Confined In a ;
ing body:* and see mi-as the -sltndqWwir:!
great rock m*a weary ,r
itnf •* •V ‘GmccP’ 4‘
Though .Satan'bolfeSt, . like
•myriads ;*t)rougli they*’ fiy J ’ 1 . ’
thotigir he beset vou w''‘ . e, . n P alO ‘
make ydtr shmlffct- / " oU o' l uuu.berttf
. yonr^remiesb'-'”" 6 anr rGat ‘
- . a-prospect or,<suScess from
ir” ‘eebleoa^;: l l lough they im-
Llume 0* f*P oara ! ,ce J a f pnk&jnfc. wolves,
r ,,enon beasts?—hg ; to pow
given, says, “sea^ npt&litltejfodc.' ’
RaSbegreatnesSj-ibe‘goodness, and the
swng coggdfcmie i comTuri. \
’ Alßjiigli tis who to us whoc
i.VAarc rile and sinful; to us wttoby 1
lack wisdom : and l * ie
marry dangers, icrn#ahgpaand oppotuo®’ 1
with wliiijj|||^ ; iri; eurrdffivded ;it v y'pWj
seem thereHyerp mucff* cauißftfc>f -di3 r - ot * r
agement. yet we arc „
God of battles, that Ujpf, faints
through more t Ima conqufe'rcrs,
whilst we arts’assiiHyS
pfsircce** in a cause, that embraces notiv
ing less than fur souls eternal welfare; al
[thoujlt*(liflicuUles multiply, and troubles
HSwease. we should “fear not,” though a
*‘'littlqjlock.” .
Bui God in his goodness has given us
sotpe outlie reasons for the consolation, he
offers imthe words under consideration,’ in
> addition to his God-like perfections.
In theije words the saints ate compared
to a flock. Had this comparison been made
by an enemy, it might have been cause'of
grief: for we might have supposed he ex
pected to flrey upon those he would thus
compare. But the comparison was made
by tlie Lord Jesbs Christ; who thereby
alluded to the relationship of shepherd and
flock.'. Mowj/fljSod shepherd who was a-
Tftnp of duter, wpuld take an interest in
tiff flpek.*'He would not
when iti.cic’ was danger.—
Arfitjlit say, %tt ” for the p*i r
lipee (Shaking the • corih3Sbb*Jvbicli the
flock might repose in The’
iclatkin of shepherd and ‘.vlttcli rc
THE CHRISTIAN INDEX.
ference is here nude, is Jvery endearing to
those who tell they have a place among ihe
spiritual flock ofChrist. ..JjY • ‘
But there is another endearing ljelation
ship alluded jo in the wordsChrtsL. It
is that of parent, and child, ‘■‘■For it
Father's good pleasure.”
O, what consolation, that as a shepherd,
lie will protect, and as a “Father,” lie is
allied to us. If the Lord be my shepherd,
and God be nty Father—what shall I want!
What shall Hear! For if God be for us,
who shall be against us. Who,shall lay
any thing against Gods elect, which is the
“little /lock.” For it is -Christ that justi
fies. FbT God fus protnised to spare them
as a father spareth his own son that serveth
him.
“For it is your Fathers good pleasure
to give you the kingdom.” Here is tke
ground of the Christians comlort. Though
you may be poor and unable to buy ; it is
your lathers good” pleasure to “give,” —
Though you may be depraved and sinful,
and have violated Gods holy law,and merit
nothing at all, it is not bestowed on your
merit, for that is as filthy rags : “itis your
Father’s good pleasure to give you the
kingdom.”
It is the good pleasure of God to “give”
the kingdom to his people. And as he is
God and changes not, it is certain that it
has been from all eternity his good pleasure.
And it is equally, certain that his good
pleasure will always remain the same, So
that none can change that good pleasure.—
None but ap enemy .of God would wish that
good pleasure to be changed. And fc God
will not change his good pleasure, which
is no other than his purpose, to please his
enemies.
Therg is much comfort in reflecting on
the nature of this gilt. Christ calls it a
kingdom—lt is saints are sdid lobe “kings”
unto God. Thesejfre notmeyre unmeaning
titles. not thus mock his saints,,
But it is to be a real kingdom: and such
an one, as Christ would call a kingdom.—
And as lie did not set much by the king
<lonis*ot this world; we have a right to con
clude, that this kingdom greatly exceeds
any kingdom of this world. But this is
not left altogether to conjecture ; for al
though we cannot now know how great
this kingdom shall be; yet we are assured
by the apostle that it shall exceed in great
ness, glory and happiness, any tlm.l
’ “Cue of the apostles calls this gift of God,
‘Eternal life. Now life is the most endear
ing thing of which we have any idea.—
What would we not give for hfe, when
called to lay it do vn? What would we not
.■do for a kingdom in this world, to have the
txjtne and dignity to be called a kingdom to
“tnen.% But this gift of God excels this as
‘far as Cod excels man. O, that iu every
vicisitnde of our chequered lives, we could
feel the comforting and consoling influences
of those t^eaveuiy/words, “Fear not little
Hock.for it is your Father's good pleasure
-to.&'C /ou the kingdom.”’
’ -•
•„ For tJiedtHiristian Index.
*'’ •
‘. ‘ Air. Editor —Since I wrote vou, some
(jtiy.S ago, we have been blessed with two
fir- three light qhotWrs of rain, tvhich fell
;'d.uriirg tint, tiffif av’S'of-the present week ;
dlpugh njOHliing like a Sufficient
Ultima; is half crops of corn,
afld v>* /W ..*l'® skyj* again clear and our
as .ever. Manypeo
ple'have grown seriously alarmed, and one
or’ lw'o of the clthrchcs iu the community
Iravp appointed a day for fasting and prayer.
•It seems-to fie that, when the blessings of
heaven are showered upon us abundantly,
we- afe not sufliciontly grateful for them ;
and whqn die times of adveftity or gloom
‘come, Wd are. too much inclined to com
plain and repine at our lot'/- An old maxim
says that “ In peace is the time to prepare
lor war;” and a lesson for Christians yet to
learn is, that thanksgiving ‘and pftuse, #s
well as intercessions and entreaties, should
ut.ulLtijnest iscend to a throne of grace, _ I
do > flHßflfljHbjelicvc it
lastamrpray^!SPi%.* Vj^k*/sr' f,
tho'se by.
bat that we, are’forgetfol ot wefl
feiffntoa i? roa^M
‘congi^fc 31 ™ . g, and
ing in - intt icrs oi
There were iaWikor nlDrC ’ v, o , n sv ere
three Mays,
liierc were a L v . u .
that"*’ I'aitTi anil ordeij^^^EG- 01 '’ ‘l'iieri
Hiram Barren, V
W in. Cailenfiead, Mose^^^fc 1 > tfrd"do?l
Barrow, Sikes, Freeman j|.| 1
were‘preached many long .js.ilie]
mons, whose aim was to op
trine of pLection, the futility )3 poke the
lent institutions. Among j„ iyeaii-
cratiniis “It lia .Ii i a said.”
i (-1 1 ■■ r, if n>>! in wools, al IcasSHHHHHj
ing,) “ that. Paul and the
missionaries. If this bo/riie, it fo\U>m*cre in
a matter beyond dispute-, that all as lot
ries and labors cc^suf iS c>ivA \ mi
Apostle*” “TSiat’sa goo^-j^PD I ''. zc
an old brother to the i ( | a
Again (lie samij]P(o7uswJtließß(k
ittg “ prove that tfilnse . not
f6r THE BAPTIST CONVENTION hF THE STATE OF GEORGIA.
PENFIELD, GA., AUGUST 15, 1845.
or that all does not mean every one. He
quoted the passage in which it is saitTthere
came to John’s baptism “Jerusalem, and
all Judea, and all the region roundabout
Jordan, and were baptized, ’’ &c. “ But,”
continued the speaker, “we read farther
that, notwithstanding all came ami were
baptized, yet, when many of the Pharisees
and Snslducecs come to his baptism, who
lived in these game l regions, he did not bap
tize them.” , ;s v 6 .’ -
E-t hoc genus omne, ad infinitum. *Hbt
onbjoyied the church, though the members
thereof had a pleasant time, and the parting
scene was truly affecting.
TheProtrtdirw^Wf^;'flf wl\lTssiona
ry” Liberty, begins to-day, and is expect
ed to contiuuo a week. Several ministers
are expected, (some of them strangers,) and
considerable preparations are being made
for the accommodation of visitors. You
shall hear the result of the meeting.
Last Sunday was a beautiful day, and
quite a contrast was seen, or rather heard,
in our community. A little to the south of
tne, a minister was preaching to his congre
gation, and a little to the north a bold hun
ter was ranging the forest and swamp, and
hallooing to his yelping curs in the most
approved manner, ala chase. This is no
uncommon occurrence in this section ; and,
indeed, every Sabbath is devoted, by some,
to the sports of humitigand angling. This
fact rmy not be much to the credit of this
“ Ghutch-going” community, but it is nev
ertheless a fact. 1 have been led to the belief
that regular Prayet Meetings, good Sunday
Schools, practical preaching, with a proper
reading ol the Scriptures by prolessors of
religion, would have a tendency to chock
these evils ; for then parents would see the
importance of restraining their children and
servants, and remonstrating with their
neighbors. It is a pity that our neighbor
hood should be so far behind the world.
And what is strange, those who break the
Sabbath, and go into ail manner of wicked
ness, arc the first to argue the different doc
trines.. taught in this country. Here we
have Calvinists, Arminians, Wesleyans,
Whileites, Campbellites, and a dozen other
ists, ans, isins and ites, among the most
wicked set of folks one ever saw. Now, 1
am persuaded that this is not because so*
many different doctrines are taught; but it
is the manner of teaching these doctrines
hjs jhe fault of thp teachers. Each one
goes to j.. r.,.1. u ,v e 1:„ ,
never teaching the vast importance of Chris
tian obedience —never insisting upon the
practice of Christian duties. 1 may have
formed ji wrong opinion, but I hope not to
the injury of auy minister; lor 1 wish
them, lirst, to believe honestly that they arc
right—and, secondly, loac? (and not preach
only) what is right in their opinions.
1 hear of a controversy getting up be
tween two ministers differing in opinion,
and it is thought the time and place will be
arranged for them to argue the matter pub
licly. if this is done, more people will ride
thirty miles to hear it, than would go one
mileto fear an able minister preach Christ.
So goes the world. *
Yours, * BACKWOODS.
For the Christian Index.
Brother Baker —l send you for publica
tion 4ho following account of a meeting,
that die jiearts of Christians may be en
ccuraged: We had a general meeting in
the second district of die Apalachee Asso
ciation, with the church at Bethel, in this
county, where I have had the privilege of
preaching for the last six years, and where
the Lord has given His people many evi
dences of His mercy in the conviction and
conversion of sinners, and strengthening
die faith of believers. Our general meet
ing commenced on Friday before the fifdi
Sunday in June. The brethren, Hadaway,
Churchill, Langford, Baitholoipew^dP^
Pfp'/li., lb;,l i
7iif
i -Tyi-\ .V”,V' - :•" ’■ -; v pV s vyf's^'®CUUvl•, alld a >
:„\n W’
c(ea scd the <£ usC for n * tat itudeU
brother, \ 1” ( .. her , n emh 6 4BfthatchuH^
of
Btaee 3 clde f\l
experience- .. a j ar gc eongJ c g‘
:*• .Vo.tnet Tucsday, wilh a bridg
Ition, at a b^ Ul ‘ w ojecould see with S' 6 ,
-across so thatt j. the thri
1 salislactioi'i) *■* . bes- ‘l’ hc sce l
who had joined * , \
was imposingdo^^^m^^^Grcel
the hrilTgc ami bcauliffinJanlslni^^^B
looking on while’ I led the candidJHHH
- And. al;l„„„ri.^ faWsHm
zed hundreds, f never felt as 1 dilwSf
day, wliilc standing in the water Rv my own
sou, looiiiiig to heaven and then in wm\M
,tf*Pfm..Uj.lM‘, tvtgtm ({rave.
T|*! was much feeling during the service.
f/e then repaited to the church, where
oul meeting continued to grow in interest.
Gfcstians rejoiced undera sense ofthe love
oftod shed abroad in their bteasts; and sitt
ne* Avept under a conviction of their lost
coalition, and came forward willingly for
prwer. Several professed hope in the
blelsed Savior.
Sunday morning, (being the first Sun
day in July, and tenth day of our meeting,)
m® again at the water, where the people had
Awmbled from different sections ofthe sur
rounding country ; and, after a most inter
esting time oljt the bankof the*Creek,l led
ten .willing, (happy souls, down into the
water: and, added greatly to the in
terest of the (occasion, old brother James
Richardson and his companion walked
down, side by side, with me into the water,
while their iumerous friends and relatives
stood on the [bank weeping and rejoicing.
From this we repaired to the house, had
a pleasant meeting, met with mourners in
the evening, prayed with them, and took
the parting hand, in order to attend a Min
isters and Deacons’ Meeting at Monroe, an
account of which I hope to give you short
ly. •
Yours in the bonds of the gospel,
JOHN HENDRICKS.
Monroe, Walton county, Ga.
, Ibr the Christian Index.
Big Tliillgs.
Brother Baker —Having seen so many
things doing and done, as recoidcd in the
Index; i have thought it would not be antiss
lo let you know what we were doing down
here in old Hephsibah Association.
Those who have noticed c>ur Minutes
for the last few years, are consltaincd to
snyt truly that’s a doing body. In the
Jjimites of’42, you discover apian for a
greA big school, to be fixed at some eligi
bll spot, that should be of general utility.
Trustees are appointed, and all are now in
anxious expectation for a school at home,
&w'ntS*PWsuW9, or a part of
incfei-i-aiiu oot, n |,\ i one oi our goou uruift
ren preaches its funeral, and the rest, we
may suppose, buried it.
But wo are a doing body, and must be
busy.. It seems that there is a plait propo
sed by our sister, the Washington, for sup
plying a very destitute tegion of country,
contiguous to us, with the gospel; and said
plan is sent down to old Hephsibah, know
ing her to he a doing body. She at once
responds. It lakes almost without opposi
tion. Well now, thinks I, something will
be done ; and, indeed, a committee is ap
pointed, and they appoint a pioneer to ex
plore the field and report. Away the plan
goes, as on the wings of the wind, to the
Georgia Association: tiiey respond, and are
alt ready to pay over their contributions,
willing only i o[ t|, e report of the commit
tee or pioneer of the llepiioibah.: but alas !
na report! They have no doubt supposed
tbit, ere this time, the plan has found its
grjtve along side of our big school; oroar
pioneer must be sick or runaway. O, what
a doing body ! and yet, how many strong
and powerful appeals do we hear from those
very brethren for foreign missions !
Dear brother Baker, does it seem consis
tent that we should send our missionaries to
foreign lands, and pay no attention to the
destitute at home? liow often has the
Macedonian cry been reiterated, “come
■M£r'and help us?” yet not a word—no
hpip “for the destitute at home. I would
lila to know upon what ground we can
cvljvinceOurselvcß that we are carryingout
iThe true spirit of the Bible in relation to mis
sions, when we engage heart and hand to
the gospel to foreign lands, and never
lve toward the suffering and dying of our
Slate. Now, it has always seemed to
\)i that we ought to begin our labors at
larmo.
r We are reminded of a circumstance that
”')ok plaee not a hundred miles off. Agi n
jeman, some years since, was requested to
nnbscribe for a certain object ofbenevoltJnce.
h ie did it, supposing that his name would
[jfcfme out in the public prints, with the
amount annexed: but behold, it did not!
And when lie found that out, he swore he
yould not subscribe again. • ■:
Our oid book says, “ Let not the right
hand know what the left does ; and when
thou docst thine alms, do notsoundatrum
pe ,” &c. Now, if our means arc so eir-
as to prevent our attending to
It hoiki ttopLvwpcm to me wc ought to at-
V(. v May the good Lord
A Well Regulated Temper.
Extracts from u Sermon in the. Baptist
Preacher, by Rev. C. D. Mullary,
In looking over the Sermon of brother
Mallary, on this subject, we find it diflicult
to make selections. We shall therefore
publish the greater part of it, in consecu
tive numbers. We omit the exordium, and
give iu this number, what he has to say in
the first division of It is discourse.
NO. I.
XV hat is implied in a wkl kegli.\ted
temper?
Femper is an expression often applied
to the condition and qualities ofthe mind,
and in various acceptations. It is .some
times employed, with a qualifying epithet,
to designate some particular trait or {lmpo
sition ; —thus we speak of one quality as a
good temper, of another as an evil temper.
It is sometimes used, in an extended im
port, to express the more general condition
ol the affections. Thus a person, who ex
hibits in his conduct a well ordered state of
pious feelings, is said to manifest a Chris
tian spit it or temper; whilst a different
course of conduct is spoken of-as an indica
tion of an unchristian temper. Again—it
is sometimes used to express the condition
of the irascible passions, in connection of
those of a sweet, and gentle nature, which
are regarded as their opposites. A person
in whom the former are easily excited, is
said to be quick tempered :—one, in whom
they are frequently roused to an intense anil
unreasonable degree, is said to be high tem
pered ; and if in any one their natural ten
dency, when excited, is to a malignant and
revengeful state of mind, he is said to pos
sess a bad or an evil temper. When the
kind and gentle passions of the soul habit
ually predominate—are so exercised, and
cultivated, as properly to soften, regulate,
and control the fiery qualities of out nature,
we see an exhibition of what we frequent
ly denominate a good temper, or a well
regulated temper- And this is the accepta
tion, in which we propose, for the most
part, to use the expression in our present
discussion.
Our text, (Prox. xvi. 32.) we conceive,
describes an individual, characterised bv
such a temper, lie is slow to anger ; lie
ruleth his spirit. The expression slow
to anger does not seem so'mtich to describe
me natural temperament or me luaivniuai,
ns that well-balanced state of the irascible
passions, which is the result of a proper
discipline. The phrase, which follows,
(he that ruleth his spirit,) may be regarded
as both a parallel, and explanatory expres
sion, and will consequently justify the ex
position, we have given, of the “preceding
clause. But to be more particular.
1. A well regulated temper implies ha
bitual self-control. Its possessor is one,
who has subjected his spirit to a steady,
judicious, and permanent rule. This will
will act with promptness, vigor, and effect:
—it stands, a well trained sentinel, by the
creater of passion, to deep down the re
bellious fires beneath. Amidst the tempta
tions, and excitements, with which he may
be biought into collision imho persecution
of his various duties, lie is, in peculiar sense,
his own master; maintaining a calm, and
solid jurisdiction over the turbulent portion
of his nature. It is not a temporary, but a
permanent victory, that he has gained over
himself- There are some, who- for a sea
son, mantles i g.ont equanimity of spirit;
they parry the edge or —^ KSlve
provocations: the bitterest insults seem not
to cast them down from an apparently calm,
and settled equipoise ; but the will, unac
customed to long, and well established
command, relinquishes atlcast its grasp up
on the passions, like a (orient, that
gathers force from a temporary obstruction,
now rush forth with _auginented violence,
scatiering abroad mischief, and confusion.
We seiS not here the operation of a well
regulated temper. These are not the indi
viduals, who have learned to rule their
spirits. They are like a city will, broken
walls—like.a magazine, whose train is
open at a hundred jioints, to the falling
sparks of a neighboring conflagration.
As occasional, and temporary self-con
trol not all, that is needful to constitute a
well regulated temper, so the government
of the irascible passions, in some of their
modifications, hut not others, leaves the
spirit but imperfectly defended. Our self
control must maintain a broad, as well as a
permanent jurisdiction. Unreasonable an
ger assumes many forms. There are some
who in their u rath aic sullen, and silent;
there are others, who arc blustering, noisy,
and impetuous. There are some, who kin
dle into vexation iu a moment.; whilst
there are others, who are constitutionally
slow to be moved, but, when .excited, are
like a furious hear, or a iaging ten,pest. —
Some there arc, who can bear, with a good
degree of patience, and fortitude, the more
cumbersome, and distressing aillictions of
life; while a thousand petty provocations
worry them into an unamiablc, and fretful
humor. And, strange to tell, we some
times discover in the same individuals, at
different times, and in varying circumstan
ces, more or less of these notifications o< -
•disordered, and angry Ireling. That self
control,.of which we arc speaking, must
rear its “monitions at all these vulnerable
points, and piotcct us agJimsl the insiduous,
and imposing, as wqfl as the more open,
and violent assaults I lowed pas*
, 11. r n 11: r i
anoppor.
Ittth any
Publisher —BENJ. BRANTLY.
handmaid, and its guide. We may sonte
ttmcs meet with those , who, on some oc
castons, display much self-possession, and
energy of will, who are nevertheless, un
happily, defective in judgment. Now is
it reasonable to suppose, that the proper
management of the temper will rise higher
than the dictates ofthe judgment? That
it should often fall below these dictates, is
by no means strange. Superficial reflec
tion will often allow us lo palliate, if not
applaud many of the little sallies ol petu
lance, and passion, ond even the wilder
out-breaks ol wrath, which sober reason
nuo cumlrum.. Tlw malt or a wen regu
lated temper is a thoughtful considerate
man. He ponders well his goings. He
avoids temptation, when he can, and when
duly cails him into ihe strifes of the world,
lie moves on with wise forecast, and delib
erate caution. If at any time he allows in
himself the expression of indignation, he
sees to it, that the occasion which pro
vokes his displeasure. is a just one—that
the motives, which prompt him, aie in
themselves pure, and heavenly—that his
anger does not rise to an unreasonable
height, nor dwell long in his bosom, and
that the expression of it be moderate, and
well timed.
2. A well regulated temper is one, that is
habitually free from bitter, malignant, and
vindictive feelings, and is sweetened by a
due admixture of meekness, gentleness,
forbearance, and love. We suppose, that
there may be a lawful expression of anger.
This is implied in the declaration, “be ye
angry, and sin not.” We may receive in*
juries, that may awaken a just, and holy
resentment. We may witness folly, and
sin, that may demand the expression of
open, decided, and intense disapprobation.
It is not the possession of that attribute of
character, that renders us capable of indig*
na nt feelings, which constitutes our ‘sin,
but the perversion of that attribute. This
perversions in a greater or less degree is
almost universal. There is a strong, and
fearful tendency in the irascible passsions
to wrath, hatred, and revenge. Our hatred
of an injurions, and provoking act is apt to
be transferred to the passion, who performs
it, and thus, insend of pursuing him with
our pity, and our prayers, we follow after
him with malediction, and spite. Tostrug*
gle resolutely against this perversion is the
imperative duty of all, ami a hieh decree of
success in tins struyj,, secures To us one
happpy item of a well regulated temper.—
Our anger, to he without sin, must be like
that of our Father above, blended with ten
der benevolence, and endearing compas
sion ; like that of Christ—our great, and
spotless exemplar, who wept over those,
whose hard-heartedntss provoked his in
dignation. It must be under the control of
that wisdom, which is from above, which
is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and ea
sy to be entreated, and full of mercy. It
must be tempered,- and sweetened with that
heaven-born charity, which suffereth long,
and is kind, is not easily provoked, beareth
all things, believeth all things, hopeth all
things, e.idureth all things.
3. A well regulated temper, m a high,
evangelical sense, implies a proper state of
mind with reference to the adveise provi
dences ol God. The turbulent nature of
man docs not allow him to confine his un
hallowed resentments to his fellow-man
It were far less to be blamed, if this were
the case. But alas! it rises up in an in
dignant attitude against the allotments of
Heaven, and calls forth the Almitrhtv to
the helu o battle. nt ß ui ß p CT ®Sg J®
questioned with the spirit of bitterness, and
anger, ihe afflictions which see.-n to fall
as it were, visibly from Ilis hand, discom
cvrl, and irritate, ami enrage. It is occa
sionally so-~at least fora season, and in
some degree, with the people of God.
Look at peeytsh and fretful Jonah. The
him w < itR f 4xateSS!i4.Sl?^ll ,ed gourd fills
very compassion of Jehovah, that rescued
fora season a mighty city from destruction,
was the occasion of angy disquietude.
JSucii vu ljs strange, and unaccountable
selfishness, that, in the unhallowed excite- -
memos the moment he would seem to pre
fer, that all Ninevah should perish, rather
than that lie should run the risk of suffer
ing in his prophetic reputation, by the in
terposition of mercy iu behalf of that guilty
city. Surely he was a badly tempered be
liever ! Happy would it be, if querulous
Jonah bail no imitators in this unreasona
ble controversy with the providence of God.
A well regulated temper is a quiet, meek,
submissive temper. ~ ‘!Tho Lord gave, the
Lord hath taken away, blessed be the name
of the Lord.” “Study I behaved, anil
quieted myself ” says Davhl “as a child
that is weaned; my soul is ever a weaned
child ; I was dumb, and opened not my
mouth, because thou didst it.” Here then
we have a lovely exhibition of a right tem
per with reference ’to the Providence of
God.
In concluding out remarks upon this
point, wc may be allowed to say, if the
views just presented be correct, a well reg
ulated temper is one, which is habitually
governed by the scriptures of divine truth.
It implies self-control—thus self-control
must be guided by right reason; reason, to
guide us right, must beenlightened.froin on
high. The scriptures constitute the only
safe guide to the understanding; and itt
them are to be found those motifs, and
restraints, which are the. mos.t effectual to
subdue the rebellious spirit; and bring it in-
subjection to the
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