Church of England

SUNDAY SCHOOL QUARTERLY

MAGAZINE.

30TH JUNE, 1852.

The Teacher in his Closet.

DEVOTEDNESS.

Ir has always been a characteristic of real heart religion, that, in some particular or other, in a greater or less degree, it has called upon

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possessors to dedicate themselves, or some part of their substance, to the especial service of God. Where grace is largely sought, and consequence plentifully bestowed, its effects are manifested unmistakeably in the enquiry of the new heart, "What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits toward me?" Thus Jacob resolved, "Of all that Thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto Thee." In the same spirit David sung, "Surely I will not come into the tabernacle of my house, nor go up into my bed; I will not give sleep to mine eyes or slumber to mine eyelids, until I find out a place for the Lord, an habitation for the Mighty God of Jacob." The Nazarite was one who gave Himself up entirely to God for a certain season, and, as his name implied, became absolutely separated from the world for that time; other Nazarites, having been so dedicated in their infancy, remained separate through their whole lives. But this kind of religious abstraction could not of course be general, and was therefore in no way demanded from believers, save one or two special instances. On the other hand, one of the first

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calls which true religion makes, is that of spiritual Nazaritism (if we may so speak); for the demand is, "My son give me thine heart," "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart; and when the heart is really engaged, we know how readily follows devotedness of life, to be exhibited in energy and action in the behalf and service of those towards whom the affections are enlisted. Under the influence of this grace-giving spirit, Peter and Andrew left their worldly occupation and property, as also James and John left their earthly father immediately on the call of Jesus, and followed Him. Paul could say, "What things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ; yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung that I may win Christ."

Now we say that this spirit is the spirit of real religion, and that religion does not exist in our hearts in its reality, in its life and progress, unless we do more or less act under the influence of a constraining motive to attain to a high standard of devotedness. By devotedness we do not mean devoteeism. There is just as much difference between these as between sober, untiring earnestness, and wild, reckless fanaticism. Christianity no where asks or tells its followers to become recluses, nor on the other hand, to hinder its progress, and bring reproach upon its efforts by an unleavened rashness which is sure to defeat itself. But Christianity does teach us that our blessed Lord and Master asks for Himself our first love, and this of sincerity, simplicity, singleness of heart, and oneness of motive and purpose, so that we can always say we are ready to do what He requires, to go where He calls, to follow where He leads, and this to the extent that if He show us it is necessary for us to fulfil to the very letter his statement that we are not worthy of Him, unless we are ready to part with all for his sake, and to count the purest, strongest earthly affections as nothing compared with our love to Him, we do so cheerfully and happily.

We ought indeed to be always full of gratitude and praise, that we live in such times of religious prosperity and peace that open persecution for the Gospel-cause does not follow ourselves; yet let not Christians suppose that therefore they are not called upon to exhibit in their characters before the world the spirit of devotedness to God. We must have the readiness to give up all, to do anything, to go any where for Christ, or our Christianity is only a name after all; and this readiness is to be shewn, this light to be made to shine before men, by active devotedness, as far as and in the way in which we have opportunity, by the dedication of the talents entrusted to us, to the special service of our Redeemer.

But the general application of this truth is sometimes doubted, sometimes denied. People say, it is of course applicable to public men, but not to private individuals; to men, but not to women; to parents, but not to children; to old people, but not to young people. On the contrary it will usually be found that every one who really desires to be a servant of Christ, has put into his power some way of helping the cause of the Lord. Only let there be within our hearts the spirit of devotedness, and we shall not be long in discovering what it is God has for us to undertake. Only let us ask, "Lord, what wouldest Thou have me to do," and we shall not be long in finding the answer made plain, in the opening some door for us by which we may go in and join the ranks of those disciples who show their faithfulness by showing their activity for Jesus our Lord, against Satan and all enemies.

And this spirit of devotedness, springing from the "faith which worketh by love," and which so stimulates and animates the believer, is one of his richest possessions among the fruits of the Holy Ghost; for it is an incentive urging him on with a sweet impulse, filling his heart with solid satisfaction, imparting to him in its reality the "luxury of doing good," and strengthening him with the assurance that notwithstanding his distance from the perfection of his great Example, yet he is treading in his beloved Master's footprints.

We should endeavour more fully to know these things, that is to say, we should devote ourselves more to God. Let the writer urge you whose way of service lies in the Sunday school, to encourage yourselves with these and such reflections; for oftentimes this service is wearisome, and it has as heavy trials in proportion, as any other. But it is Christ's work, it is the labour of Christian love, and in "due season ye shall reap if ye faint not." Amidst discouragements and vexations try to gain a deeper conviction that you are called into this path of duty; try and feel that if much of the pleasure which ought to arise from the duty itself is denied you from disappointment as to the results you have looked for, yet that nothing can destroy the satisfaction you may fully enjoy from the knowledge that you are striving to glorify God. If you will only seek more of God's Holy Spirit and heavenly grace, that you may be able to dedicate yourselves to Him with more fervour of devotedness, you will assuredly receive the recompense of reward, in this, if in no other way, that you will find larger "showers of blessing" descending upon your own souls; and though you may fear that your efforts are vain towards others, you will be free from all doubt respecting yourselves, as you will go on being watered, and increasing with the increase of God.

Chelsea, May, 1852.

R. H. D.

ON UNION.

THE story of the watch is well known, whose movements were entirely checked and interrupted in consequence of a single minute grain of sand having found its way into the works; a grain so small, that for a long time it eluded the patient and diligent search of the watchmaker.

I am an ardent lover of machinery. I love to stand by the mighty steam machine, and watch the slow yet regular movements of the vast fabric. I love to trace and to meditate on the harmony and unity of its movements, for therein I think I discern something of the union and harmony which Almighty God intended to pervade all things; yes, even the corrupt and disunited mind of man. But my musings are frequently interrupted by the reflection, that the precision and order of the movements of the giant machine may, in a moment, be interrupted, and the whole mass thrown into confusion by the fracture of a single cog, or the bending of the slightest rod.

I was once travelling on one of the Scotch railways. The day was delightful. Earth, air, and sea combined to enchant and beautify the scene, and to raise my mind in praise and adoration to that glorious Being who has so graciously and wonderfully embellished the face of this sinful and corrupt world. Suddenly a rushing sound was heard, and the train in which I was seated came to a dead stop. It was discovered that a tiny hole had been caused in one of the pipes by the pressure of the steam, which had increased until it caused the stoppage of the train, and consequently great inconvenience and some alarm to the passengers therein.

If we turn from the works of art to the works of the Creator, and attentively survey the various dispositions and arrangements for the government of his universe, we shall perceive the same principle of order and harmony more fully and beautifully exemplified. The heavens declare the glory of God. The firmament sheweth his handywork. The whole of the starry creation is a text upon harmony and order. Not one of the planetary orbs moves out of its appointed circuit. Summer succeeds winter. The earth produces flowers and trees. These in turn flourish and die, all according to the arrangements appointed by Divine wisdom. The moon knoweth her accustomed seasons, and the tides move in obedience to the Creator's will. But if such an event could possibly occur, as that a planet should wander out of its course, a single season be altered, or the tides ebb and flow contrary to the arrangement made for them, what disunion, disorder, ruin, and death would inevitably follow!

So also in the plan of salvation revealed in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. "The law of the Lord is perfect," says the Psalmist. The operations of Divine grace, though infinitely diversified, proceed according to a certain, though unrevealed order, and produce the same effect; viz., in bringing the sinner in humility and contrition to the foot of the cross.

It would be useless to multiply similar examples. They will naturally suggest themselves to the mind of the reader.

It will, I think, at once be granted, that the same grand principles of order and harmony which are discernible in many of the works of man, and in all the works of the Creator, should also be developed in a community of Sabbath school teachers, if they desire to carry on successfully the great-the blessed work of leading young souls to the fold of Jesus Christ. So long as unanimity, and order, and method, combined with fervent zeal and ardent love, are the dominant features in a Sunday school, so long we reasonably expect that school to flourish, and souls to be added to the Church, of such as shall be saved. But let but a single violation of known duties, or the slightest spirit of insubordination find its way into its sacred precints, and it will probably soon be seen, as in the case of the machine, that the whole body will be thrown into confusion, and the glorious work be checked, and perhaps eventually stopped. How earnestly and prayerfully then should all engaged in the work of Sunday school teaching, strive to prevent the entrance into their little society of anything which might tend, even for a moment, to raise such a spirit, or to excite an angry word, or revengeful thought. Let me say a word both to Superintendents and to Teachers on this subject.

First. To Superintendents. The office of a Superintendent seems to me to be one which, while it demands the most earnest zeal and devoted activity, yet calls for the most consummate wisdom and judgment. He is placed over a band of intelligent, and, in many cases, well educated persons, who naturally look up to him for advice, assistance, and affectionate sympathy. And that is indeed a happy time for a school, when the youngest and most inexperienced Teacher, as well as the Teacher who has been successfully engaged in the work for Jesus, can go to his Superintendent as to a friend, and lay before him his trials and difficulties, feeling that he is sure to meet with a kind and affectionate response. What zeal—what devotedness—what prayerfulness is demanded of such a man ;-what condescension and humility, combined with dignity and wisdom! How anxiously should he strive to avoid anything on his part which might tend to destroy this beautiful feeling of sympathy and love, which should ever exist between himself and those over whom he is placed.

Secondly. To Teachers. The office of the Teacher, as it is one that