Maxims for Christian Living
By JOS. CLARKE
DUTY neglected becomes drudgery; duty promptly performed becomes pleasure. Men in authority are often tried by the fickleness and unfaithfulness of those under their care. This often makes them tyrannical. Christ sets us a noble example of patience under such circumstances. By noticing trifles, we become captious; by passing over injuries, we become noble. All have trials, as well as ourselves. By thinking over our own trials, we become peevish; by sympathizing with others, we gather courage. In most of the affairs of this life, there is a light and a dark side. By looking continually at the dark side, we become sad; by viewing the light side, we become cheerful, and sometimes joyful. Fatigue clogs the mental powers; rest and nourishment set them free again. He who is cautious in his words, his promises, his contracts, shuts Satan out at three doors, which when left unbarred, often ruin men, temporally and spiritually. He who can bear reproof given at any time, in any manner, by any person, under any circumstances, deserved or undeserved, has evidence that he is renewed in heart. Discernment, when possessed in any remarkable degree, will be attended with such a degree of humility as to preclude boasting of it. It is objected to Christianity that hypocrites abound; as well might it be objected to courts of justice that perjurers abound in those institutions. As it is only by grace that we discover the corruptions of our hearts, so it is only by grace that we overcome these corruptions. The most profitable debates are those in which conscience wins the laurels of victory. As nature smiles after the refreshing shower, so does the heart rejoice when visited by the Spirit of God. Revelation alone, clears up the mysterious existence of evil with good, in this world; yet most men see no mystery in this union, and of course care not for the explanation. The good man sees light beyond the cloud in the darkest dispensation; the wicked man sees no such light in any dispensation. The shield of faith, if properly held, will quench all the fiery darts of men or devils. Retirement is favorable for deep thought and continuous meditation, leisure is necessary for study, and rest for labor; but God's blessing must be in each, to make them fruitful. To justify wrong in any one, or in one's own heart, causes a perversion of the judgment. The good man holds daily court in his own heart; the wicked man adjourns court indefinitely. The worldly man has no time for devotional and religious pursuits; the good man hardly has time to devote to his worldly affairs. The possession of great talents, does not always denote moral worth; yet such talents, when consecrated wholly to God are very precious and admirable. Humility and purity of life must attend and accompany each talent; then be they few or many, great or small, they are acceptable to God and man. JOS. CLARKE.