SELECTIONS | AdventAI

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 6, 1858

SELECTIONS.

CHEERFULNESS OF CHRISTIANS.—Religion is mistaken by the worldling for a system of rigor and austerity, marking its votaries with melancholy, and supplanting every genial affection and innocent enjoyment. Let those who possess it, be careful to rectify this error by their own example. In their deportment, let them evince neither moroseness nor want of courtesy, but the graceful serenity of a hopeful, patient, and loving spirit. Let them cultivate the smile that can shine though sorrow, and speak those words that heal as a medicine; and not sink or repine as others, when "the desire of their eyes is taken away with a stroke." For who has such a right to be always happy, and on whom are such obligations laid to be ever cheerful, as those who "have the promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come!"—Am. Messenger.

PARENTAL EXAMPLE.—In vain do children hear what is good, if they see what is evil. Virtue must be before their eyes, as well as sounded in their ears. Whatever parent gives his children good instruction, and sets them at the same time a bad example, may be considered as bringing them food in one hand and poison in the other: alas, food which by nature they distaste, and poison for which they have a natural appetency.

COVETOUSNESS.—Constantine the Great, to reclaim a miser, took a lance and marked out a space of ground the size of a human body, and said, "Add heap to heap; accumulate riches upon riches; extend the bound of your possession; conquer the whole world; in a few days such a spot as this will be all you will have."—Buck.

SUBMISSION TO THE WILL OF GOD.—The famous oriental philosopher, Lokman, while a slave, being presented by his master with a bitter melon, immediately ate it all. "How was it possible," said his master, "for you to eat so nauseous a fruit?" Lokman replied, "I have recieved so many favors from you, it is no wonder I should, for once in my life, eat a bitter melon from your hand." This generous answer of the slave struck the master so forcibly, that he immediately gave him his liberty. With such sentiments should man receive his portion of sufferings at the hand of God.—Bishop Horne.

MARAH AND ELIM.—Marah and Elim! How near they lie to each other! Thus near to each other are the bitter and sweets of life, the joy and the sorrow of time! Both in the same desert, and often times following each other in the progress of one day or hour. The bitter, too, is first—then the sweet. Not first Elim and then Marah; but Marah first and then Elim—first the cloud and then the sunshine—first the weariness, then the rest. In token of this, we broke off a small branch of palm from one of these Elim trees, and laying it on the similar branch which we had brought from Marah, we tied them together, to be kept in perpetual memorial, not merely of the scenes, but of the truth which they so vividly teach.—Bonar's Desert of Sinai.