p. 123 | Joy and Sadness

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 20, 1857

Joy and Sadness.

IN meeting the tide of humanity that jostles against us as we pass up and down our crowded streets, what a multitude of countenances are presented, and how various are the different expressions! But has it never occurred to any one that the prevailing expression is that of sadness? Now and then we see a joy-beaming countenance, but it is rather the exception than the rule.

But what histories are here written in the varied lineaments of the face! If we would follow individuals to their homes, whether to the palace or the hovel, what a page in human life would often be unfolded! No wonder that the Saviour of mankind commended himself to the sorrowful and the disheartened in those inviting words of tenderness: “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Surely it is not to a few that he addressed these touching words of comfort.

“AND I WILL GIVE YOU REST!” Did words ever carry such medicine in their tone? Did mariner, tossed for months upon the angry billows, ever long for a peaceful haven, more than mortal man, weighed down with the sins, the wants, and the cares of life, hankers for the “rest” that is here proffered to all? No wonder that “multitudes,” leaving the various callings of life, thronged after Jesus, saying one to another, “never spoke man like this man.” No wonder that Mary, forgetting all things else, sat down at his feet to listen to such tender words of comfort and peace. And how justly was Martha mildly reproved, when in answer to the complaint that she had been left by her sister Mary to serve alone, Jesus replied, “Martha, Martha, thou art troubled and careful about many things; but one thing is needful, and Mary hath chosen that good part that shall never be taken away from her.”

It needs no learned books to prove the truths of Christ’s divine mission. That his doctrine of righteousness, and peace, and rest, comes home to the wants and yearnings of all, is a sufficient evidence of its divine authenticity. And what a transformation has this simple rest-giving religion made throughout the world! As successive mornings and evenings dawn and darken over the world, how many fathers and mothers, daughters and sons, and even little children, bow down to say “Our Father who art in Heaven!”

And who will say that the rising towards heaven of this morning and evening incense brings not down blessings upon our land? Who will venture to say that the prevalence of a deep religious sentiment does not infuse into the national mind a high toned morality, a lofty patriotism, and proud resolves for clinging to the right? It is these qualities, these christian heroic virtues that go to give character and reputation to a nation of freemen. And for them we are principally indebted to HIM who came into the world to be the Saviour of mankind.