SYMPATHY. It is said that in viewing the falls of Niagara from a rock above the falls, there is an almost irresistible tendency to throw one's self over with the rushing cataract, into the abyss below. How strange, yet how true. Have a care, then, O fellow-traveler, of this sympathy, in your intercourse with the rebellious, the erring, and the wicked. Many a poor sympathizer went down with Korah, into the yawning earth. Stand like a rock, about which billows dash and foam. Stand fixed, immovable, permanent, grounded upon the rock Christ Jesus.
MOTION OF THE EARTH. It is said that in Germany the ladies are rather ignorant of the geography of the earth. One of them in conversation asked if Christmas did not occur in the summer in the United States, as it came in the winter in Germany (if my memory is correct). This reminds one of the objections some people raise against the Sabbath, on account of the spherical form of the earth.
THE CONFERENCE. I observed to Bro. H., Our meeting was interesting; no evil influence seemed to be present. Said he, "It was not because no evil was present, but because the good Spirit prevailed." There is much truth in that. O that the good Spirit might always prevail, in our meetings, and in our whole life!
CALLING FOR AN EXPRESSION. I do not like asking people to rise. Perhaps it may do in some general movements, but ordinarily it is a damper; for many who embrace present truth are timid at first, until the truth gets hold of them and makes them bold. Do not frighten the timid, doubtful seeker, by asking more of him than he is able to bear. If it is necessary to seek out the inquiring, a general invitation might be given, to those interested, to visit the messenger, and inquire farther into the truth. This is only my own view. Perhaps it is wrong.
CONSISTENT. It is to be perfectly correct in everything. For a Christian to be consistent with his profession, is to be without guile or deceit, without stain or blemish, without shadow of evil or sin. Christ was consistent. O how glorious it would be to see a church consistent; every one consistent in all particulars. We will aim at nothing short of this.
INSURING CHARACTER. There is an idea extant in the modern churches, that a person must be defended by his brethren from the attacks of scandal, and the tongue of malice. But if I understand the genius of Christianity, when a person resigns himself to God, and consecrates his all to him, his character is included with all his interests; and he should no more be troubled about what the world say about his character (for it is no longer his), unless the allegations against him are true; and in either case, his brethren are not to proceed on the evidence of vague report; but if the evidence is clear that a Christian has wronged a man of the world, and the thing can be proved by good substantial testimony, the church is as much bound to proceed against such offending church member, as though the offence were against a brother.
CHEERFULNESS, is as much opposed to lightness, as much opposed to a jesting, careless, frivolous turn of mind, as it is to moroseness and taciturnity. A frivolous, jesting manner, shows that the heart is neglected; that the thoughts are vain and evil, and the sin is, in disobeying the precept, "Keep thy heart with all diligence." O, how many stumble here, and fall, often to rise no more. 'Tis a dangerous habit, this way of trifling, and lightly playing with words, and ideas, though it may seem innocently pleasant. There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof is the way of death. The influence and popularity the Christian may gain by such a course with the world will be like the false light of the inebriate, short-lived, and dearly-bought. Conscience inflicts her severest pangs upon the trifler and joker; or calloused she droops in hopeless stupor. The Christian soon discovers the origin, and nature, and tendency of this sin, and resists and overcomes it, or he remains a Christian no longer. The habit may be deeply rooted, and firmly fixed. No matter for this; his salvation is at stake, and heaven must be gained, even though a right hand or eye is destroyed, and heaven is even then cheap enough. Cheerfulness is no more allied to hilarity and lightness, than zeal is to emulation and strife; or than neatness is to vanity and pride; and Satan has no more stronghold upon man than this: to turn virtues into vices, by an abusive extreme.
PROV. XXV, 26. "A righteous man falling down before the wicked, is as a troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring." Therefore let the good man keep his lips and his tongue, lest he err, for the wicked will be first to discover a flaw, and call for recantation. Then Satan smiles. J. CLARKE.