THE GOOD MAN'S COMFORT IN AFFLICTION.
By Delia A. Eddy
The religion of Jesus Christ not only arms with fortitude against the approach of evil, but supposing evils to fall upon us with their heaviest pressure, it will lighten the load by many consolations, to which others are strangers; and while they are weighed down with sorrow, they can hear that still small voice, Fear not, for I am with thee; be not dismayed, for I am thy God. What abundant reason have we to thank God for his kindness to us poor, sinful beings. Let every one that hath ears hear, and all those that hunger and thirst after righteousness come to the fountain and be filled, without money and without price. They call the proud happy, and admire the gay; but let a vain world take its gaudy trifles and dress up the foolish creatures that pursue them; but the good man's happiness is in what the Son of God came to recommend and to procure. May God grant that we may obtain mercy of the Lord, that we may be owned of him as his children, and enjoy his presence. With these hopes, we will cheerfully welcome the lowest or the most painful circumstances; and may we ever be ready to cultivate those amiable virtues which are here recommended to us, meekness, humility, purity and charity, or benevolence, or love; for true charity is an active principle. It is not a single virtue, but it will lead us to the fountain whence all the virtues flow, such as candor, forbearance, generosity, and liberality, as so many streams of water all uniting in one great stream. Gentleness is that part of the great virtue of charity, which makes us unwilling to give pain to any of our brethren, and compassion prompts us to relieve their wants; forbearance prevents us from retaliating their injuries; meekness restrains our angry passions; candor, our severe judgments; gentleness corrects whatever is offensive in our manners, and is mild in its demeanor, breathing habitual kindness toward friends, courtesy to strangers, and long suffering to enemies. It contends not eagerly about trifles, slow to contradict, and still slower to blame, but prompt to allay dissension, and restore peace. It delights above all things to alleviate distress, and if it cannot dry up the falling tear, it will soothe, at least, the grieving heart. In a word, it is that spirit, and that tenor of manner which the gospel of Christ enjoins when it commands us to bear one another's burdens, to rejoice with those who rejoice, and to weep with those that weep, to be kind and tender-hearted, to be pitiful and courteous, to support the weak, and to be patient toward all men. I long for more of the love and Spirit of God shed abroad in my heart, for more of his presence through the day to keep this heart of mine from tossing to and fro; for a brighter and stronger faith, and the assurance of my Saviour's love. “The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose,
He will not, he will not desert to his foes; That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
He'll never, no, never, no never forsake.” The Bible says, “Ye are the light of the world.” The blessed Jesus himself is the speaker, and he is addressing his disciples. He does not say ye may be if ye are careful to live up to your privileges, or that ye ought to be, or that you shall be by and by; but that ye are the light of the world. Brethren, let us see to it that it may be said of us that ye are the light of the world.