The Truth Within the Soul
By J. W. Gleason
Bro. Smith: While reading the cheering testimonies from the brethren and sisters from different parts of the land, in the Review, I feel to say to the saints scattered abroad that I am trying to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. As true religion is an inward principle, we must not rely too much on foreign human aid to establish its reign in our souls. The excitement of holy fervor and of devout emotions—love to God and love to men—are not to be kindled up in our hearts by those strange fires which emanate from the passions of men when their hopes and their fears are in a state of ungoverned agitation. We must rely principally upon our Saviour and our heavenly Father. In the stillness of our own souls we must work out our salvation. When no eye but God's is upon us let the holy resolve be made, the resolution taken that our lives, our talents, our influence shall be consecrated to truth, to duty, and to God. Let us seek the assistance of the Father of light and love. In the New Testament we have recorded those heavenly discourses which our Saviour delivered. How admirably adapted to the passing wants of the soul. Read them. Study them. Ponder upon them. Engrave them in your memory. Stamp them on your heart. Let their teachings be your guide in life, your guide in business, your guide in pleasure, in joy, in sorrow, in trial, in prosperity, in adversity, at all times, in all places. Consider his manner of teaching, how gentle, how affectionate, how mild. He did not cry nor strive, but was always calm and serene. Notice his prayers. Let their confidence and devout spirit fill your soul when you address your Father in heaven. Consider the example which he has set us. Observe how he lived and how he died; how he conducted towards friends and towards foes; how he bore insult and suffering. Let that example be constantly before your eyes. Follow it unhesitatingly. Follow it through good report and in evil report, and you need not fear. See also what his spirit was; how benevolent, how merciful, how kind, how full of compassion, how forgiving, how full of trust in God, and resignation to his Father's will; and let the same spirit be in you. Cherish it in your souls and exhibit it in your lives. Bear in mind that true religion is an active principle. It will show itself in action. It is seen, not at particular times, but at all times. It is present in every place; and we must let it be known everywhere that we are Christians, that we abhor whatever is low, mean and despicable, that we practice what is just and honest and noble. We must show in the every day business and duties of life that we are governed by the strict and unbending principles of integrity and righteousness. We must let all who know us understand that we are not to be bought; that we are not to be sold; that no gains, no losses, no threats, no flatteries, can turn us from the straight path of rectitude. We must show that we fear God rather than man; that we love our heavenly Father with an undying love, and our fellow men with a strong, ardent, fraternal affection. In this way are we to show our interest in our holy religion. Finally, my friends, let us bear in mind that extravagances in religion, that undue excitement, that fanaticism and insanity on the subject, is the result of a faint and feeble and inconstant interest therein. Those who do not make religion their daily meat and drink, who are not governed at all times by its sacred influences, who have not constantly in all their pursuits, in their business, as well as in their devotions a reference to the divine will, are subject to periodical seasons of heat and cold. Now they are all on fire; anon they are as cold as an iceberg. Now they are tremblingly alive; anon they are spiritually dead. This is not the life which the disciples of Jesus should lead. This inconstant interest, sometimes like a calm and sometimes like a tempest, is not the interest which wise men and true Christians should exhibit in the most momentous of all subjects. They should feel an interest which never tires, never cools; which knows no excesses and no deficiencies. Excite and cherish in your minds this true, and deep, and strong interest. Be religious at all times, in all places. Let it be your daily bread to do God's will. Kindle upon the altar of your heart the sacred fire of devotion, and never suffer it to go out. Let it burn with a constant and steady flame. Nourish it with supplies from the deep fountains of your own souls and from the boundless resources of God's love. Then will your hearts be always warm, and a sacred influence will go forth from your character, and from your example a light and heat will be radiated which will warm and cheer and enlighten your fellow men, and guide them in peace and safety to the abodes of heavenly joy. Yours in hope of eternal life. J. W. GLEASON.