On Christian Self-denial.

379

But

Satan had not prevailed, God and man, like the Father and the Son, would have had but one will. being now perverted and corrupted by sin, our wills incline towards the evil which they ought to hate, and turn away from the good which they ought to choose; and at last, are only brought with difficulty to acquiesce in what God sees best, provides for us, or allots to us. Self-love, self-indulgence, self-preference prevail. We pursue our own inclination, not God's honour: we neither love what delights him, nor hate what displeases him.

The Gospel is intended to bring us back to a state of agreement with God; and to lead us to inquire, not what may gratify our own feelings and wishes, but what God will admit and approve. A choice we must have, as reasonable creatures; but that preference must give way to the commands and decrees of God. Our blessed Lord expressed a preference, when he said, "Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me." But he left us an example of the truest self-denial, when he added, " nevertheless, not my will, but thine be done."

Another branch of a Christian's self-denial is, that renouncing all ungodliness and worldly lusts, renouncing the desires of the flesh and of the mind, he strives to "perfect holiness in the fear of the Lord." That this is no easy sacrifice is too plain: plain from the self-indulgent habits which too many allow themselves; plain from the endeavours which have been made, in all ages, to reconcile faith in Christ with the indulgence of some favourite besetting sin: which led St. Paul to say, after condemning such iniquities, as if he foresaw the arts of evil-teachers, and the readiness of the heart to be corrupted: "Let no man deceive you with vain words; for on account of these things, the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience."

I am aware that all this self-denial is its own reward; that a practical reliance upon Christ is the only sure repose which the soul can enjoy ; that a submission of

our own will to the will of God is the oil which smooths all the troubled waves of life; that "the carnal mind" is at enmity with itself as well as at "enmity with God," and that to "be spiritually-minded is life and peace." But it would be contrary to all truth, and all experience, to pretend, that such a life can be entered. upon, or such a state of heart attained, without constant and resolute self-denial. Our Lord well knew this and, therefore, when he uttered the warning, he adds a consideration which ought to overcome all the resistance of natural corruption. "What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul." Because no reasonable person would consent to "deny himself and take up his cross," without a sufficient motive; he, therefore, adds a motive which may well be deemed sufficient. What shall it profit a man, though he may gain present ease, and present enjoyment, though he may escape vexation and trial, what shall it profit him if he be cast away at last, and make shipwreck of his soul?" For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father, with his angels, and then he shall reward every man according to his works."

Here then is the reason why all should exercise themselves to renounce the besetting sins of their age, their station, their disposition. Even if that self-denial be tribulation in this world, it will be incalculable profit in the end. It will repay the poor man for mortifying his discontent, his envy,-and for acquiescing in the lot which the wisdom of God assigns him. It will repay the rich man for mortifying his worldly desires, "the lust of the eye, and the pride of life." It will repay the young for mortifying their carnal appetites, their vanity, their dangerous pleasures. It will repay the elder for mortifying their peevishness, their selfishness, their unchristian tempers. It will repay the sensual for crucifying the flesh, with the affections and lusts," and the covetous for learning to be charitable. It will repay all for renouncing their self-dependance,

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and committing themselves to the "only name under heaven, whereby they can be saved." For whosoever takes up the cross and follows Christ here, in the way of humble and obedient faith, shall follow him to glory hereafter, when he comes in his kingdom.

SAVINGS' BANKS.

THOSE persons in humble life who are regular depositors in a Savings' Bank, are in the way of keeping themselves out of many difficulties; and may thus do more for themselves than any plans of government, or any efforts of private charity can do for them. Every man who, from habits of idleness, becomes industrious; from habits of drinking becomes sober; and, from habits of carelessness becomes thoughtful, passes a better reform bill for himself than any government can pass for him. A government that endeavours to get. rid of corruption and abuses does well; but no human government can cure the corruption of a man's heart, or guard him against the bitter consequences of it. This is God's work:-but all indulgence of profligacy is opposed to this work of God; every means therefore that tends to check profligate habits ought to be used, not only for the sake of present advantage, but for the sake of man's best and eternal interests. It is true, indeed, that a man may be very careful and very steady, and yet have no love for religion at all; but still, on the other hand, as loose and profligate habits are wholly contrary to the Christian religion, those who wish well to their fellow-creatures will try, by every means in their power, to correct such destructive habits.

The following extract is taken from the last report of the Kensington and Brompton Savings Bank,

The object of this Institution is to place in security and increase the small savings of the industrious; to

enable all persons who may have the opportunity, to provide, by the gradual saving and accumulation of small earnings, against a time of sickness, loss of work, and unforeseen casualties of life; to relieve the infirmities of old age; and spare the honourable mind of those in reduced circumstances the degrading and painful task of applying for parish relief. Persons may deposit 30%. in any one year, and continue their deposits to the amount of 150%., which may remain in the Bank, with the advantage of compound interest, until the same amounts to 2007.

"In addition to the numerous benefits which attend these Institutions, it is a peculiar feature in their character that the business is transacted free of expense, and every facility is given in the dispatch of business that can encourage and reward the provident endeavours of the humble classes of society. To shew the great advantage arising from savings invested in this Bank, the subjoined scale is introduced:

The above calculation is made at the rate of Three Pounds Six Shillings and Eight Pence per cent. per annum."

EXTRACTS FROM DIFFERENT AUTHORS.

WE should constantly strive, without loitering or carelessness, to advance in that path which we shall never

Extracts from different Authors.

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be permitted to retrace, with watchfulness and humility, since we can have no security for our continuing in it, nor any knowledge of the hour when we shall be summoned before our Creator, to give an account of the manner in which we shall have performed our journey here.-Fenelon.

Let us be content to live an humble and obscure life, if such be the will of God: and if he has so placed us in this world, let us bear our daily crosses and vexations with an even temper and a quiet mind; they are (no doubt) good for us, and we have need of them; they are the merciful exercises of God to our souls. One great point is, to think humbly of ourselves, and to be content that the world should despise us, if it so pleases God. We cannot live unto righteousness, but by dying continually unto the world and unto sin.The same.

The righteous man possesses an understanding brightened by the rays of divine truth; for the sun of righteousness hath shone into his soul. His heart is beautified by the light of purity, diffusing a pleasant lustre around him in his conversation; and his spirit is cheered with the light of joy and consolation from the countenance of God.-Lawson on the Book of Proverbs.

We ought carefully to keep our tongues and hands, our eyes and feet; but above all, we ought to keep our hearts. This will be the best means for keeping all the rest, and without this, however well our external behaviour is regulated, we are but corrupt and false-hearted professors of religion.-The same.

With a strong hand must the heart be ruled, and it ought to be our constant endeavour to subject to the word of God every imagination and reasoning, every opinion and thought, every inclination and affection. A neglected garden will not be so full of weeds as a neglected soul of vain thought and exorbitant passions, hateful to God, and dangerous to our own happiness and peace. The same. Sent by T.