Basic HTML Version
122
Early Writings
iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with
His stripes we are healed.” “Every idle word that men shall speak,
they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.” “Thou God
seest me.”
We could not think of these important words, and call to mind
the sufferings of Jesus that we poor sinners might receive pardon
and be redeemed unto God by His most precious blood, without
feeling a holy restraint upon us and an earnest desire to suffer for
Him who suffered and endured so much for us. If we dwell on these
things, dear self, with its dignity, will be humbled, and its place will
be occupied by a childlike simplicity which will bear reproof from
others and will not be easily provoked. A self-willed spirit will not
then come in to rule the soul.
The true Christian’s joys and consolation must and will be in
heaven. The longing souls of those who have tasted of the powers
of the world to come and have feasted on heavenly joys, will not be
satisfied with things of earth. Such will find enough to do in their
leisure moments. Their souls will be drawn out after God. Where
the treasure is, there will the heart be, holding sweet communion
with the God they love and worship. Their amusement will be in
contemplating their treasure—the Holy City, the earth made new,
their eternal home. And while they dwell upon those things which
are lofty, pure, and holy, heaven will be brought near, and they will
feel the power of the Holy Spirit, and this will tend to wean them
[113]
more and more from the world and cause their consolation and chief
joy to be in the things of heaven, their sweet home. The power
of attraction to God and heaven will then be so great that nothing
can draw their minds from the great object of securing the soul’s
salvation and honoring and glorifying God.
As I realize how much has been done for us to keep us right, I
am led to exclaim, Oh, what love, what wondrous love, hath the Son
of God for us poor sinners! Should we be stupid and careless while
everything is being done for our salvation that can be done? All
heaven is interested for us. We should be alive and awake to honor,
glorify, and adore the high and lofty One. Our hearts should flow
out in love and gratitude to Him who has been so full of love and
compassion to us. With our lives we should honor Him, and with
pure and holy conversation show that we are born from above, that