Hints of Usefulness

Be assured that things external cannot remove the evils found in the depraved heart, nor afford those supplies always needed to enable us to live before God aright. Mere human contrivance will always fall short of meeting the wants our spirit feels. Christ must be recognized as the Way, the Truth, and the Life ; and only in and through Him can we obtain that which will make and keep us right. Though the above are the honest sentiments of our heart, yet we think a proper estimate of outward means is important, inasmuch as a judicious use thereof, has a tendency to bring before the mind's eye those things we should never lose sight of. While in our probationary state we shall find ourselves surrounded with many adverse elements and things, calculated to dissipate the mind. A countermand is needed, and that is often found in the means of grace when attended to aright. And now as we are about to enter another year.I feel it on my heart to beg of the members of our Society to observe a few things, which if observed one year, would secure such an amount a good, that they would be disposed to try another, and endeavour to prevail with others to do so too.

1. Let us all resolve that once a week at least, we will stay before God in secret, until we feel, even more, of the renewing power of saving grace than we did when we were first brought to know God. This will prevent us from losing our first love.

2. Let us see to it, that the fountain from whence our conversation flows, and the root from which our action grows, be pure. This is all important.

3. Let us so examine the course we pursue before it is pursued, as to be assured that the viewing of it afterwards will be, both to us aad others, like the pouring forth of sweet ointment.

4. Let us view doubting God's truth as one of the greatest sins we can commit. Oh, how we insult Him when we doubt what He has said; God's having commanded us to believe, implies that we may believe the truth suited to our circumstances, if we will, and if we do not, the fault is our own. Did He ever command his people to do that which is impossible!

5. Let us resolve so to live every day as to secure through Christ, the abiding testimony that our ways please God. O how vast the peace attendant on those who thus live; it is such as neither health, wealth, honour, nor anything earthly can afford.

6. If possible, let us read a portion of God's word on our knees every day. Those who observe this aright, will find the word to be, as a pasture green, one in which the great Shepherd will richly feed his flock.