ever blessed be the Lord, that I am no longer a stranger, or at a distance, but am known of God, and near to God! The Once more, I was possessed by Satan. The evil One dwelt in me, influenced me, and led me captive at his will. My heart was his workshop. I was his willing slave. But now, I am inhabited by the Spirit of God. I am a temple of the Holy Ghost. Spirit of Jesus dwells in me. He works in me every good work. He suggests to me every holy thought. He subdues my corruptions, and works in me to will and to do of his own good pleasure. Wondrous change, my heart once the den of the demon of darkness, is now the palace of the Spirit of light, holiness, and truth! How can I sufficiently admire the grace that wrought the change, or adore the God of all grace, who displayed such grace in me! Once I was the bond-slave of Satan, now I am the redeemed of the Lord. Once I was a criminal waiting for an ignominious execution, now I am accepted in the Beloved, justified from all things, and acknowledged a child of God. Once I was a bitter enemy to God, without the least cause, now I am his friend, and he always treats me as such. Once I was a child of wrath, an heir of hell, now I am an heir of God, and a joint heir with Jesus Christ. Once I was afar off from God by wicked works, and loved the distance well, now I am brought nigh to God, and live in near and sweet communion with him. Once I was possessed by Satan, and the God of this world found a home in my heart, now I am inhabited by the Holy Spirit, and am an acknowledged temple of God. Can any change be more wonderful! Can any thing set forth more the riches of God's grace, the merit of Jesus, or the power of the Holy Spirit! O the contrast between the past and the present; and all must be ascribed to the grace of God alone! Tell me no more of earthly toys, Tell me no more of praise or wealth, Give me a Bible in my hand, HOW TO BE USEFUL. "It is my desire," said a young Christian, "to be useful. I want to do something for Him, who has done so much for me. But I want a little advice. Can you tell me in a few words, how to act so as to succeed in my efforts ?" The desire is good, and the effort should be made. The advice, such as it is, is forthcoming. First, look well to your motives, for very much depends on this. A selfish motive, will never command God's blessing. Many a young man has felt a desire to be useful, and has gone to work, but has failed; just because he was prompted by spiritual pride, or by some other carnal principle or motive. If you would succeed in your efforts to do good, see to it, that you are influenced by the love of Christ, by sympathy with perishing sinners, and by zeal for the glory of God. Then look out for work that you can do, not be aspiring to what is beyond your abilities, or for which you are not at present qualified. You may be able to give a religious tract, and speak a few loving words to recommend the Saviour; if so, do it. Or you may be able to instruct a class of poor children, endeavouring to snatch them from ruin, and to win them for Jesus; if so, do it. By and by, you may be able to speak to a few friends, in order to provoke unto love, and good works; and then to go out into some neglected village, hamlet, or back street of the town, and collect together a few who never hear the gospel, and tell them in simple, heartfelt, strains of a Redeemer's love. In this way, you will find your talents increase, and your courage and confidence gain strength. But do not attempt to begin, where you should leave off. If you aim at a pulpit, it may be only to display your abilities, and then you will manifest your folly. But, if you are willing to do any thing for Jesus, and begin by doing little things first, you will secure God's blessing, and no doubt succeed. Having selected the work which appears to be most adapted to your station in life, and abilities, then exercise faith in God. Believe his promises, realize his presence, and place implicit confidence in him. If you believe that God will bless the most simple efforts put forth for his glory; if you realise that God is with you, as he has promised to be; and if you speak or act, having confidence in God, you will conquer fear, overcome difficulties, and act as a servant of God. Be much in prayer. Nothing will do so much to qualify you for your work, or to bring you into a proper state of mind for your work, as earnest, fervent, secret prayer. I suppose there is not a successful servant of God living, but who, in looking back, is ready to exclaim with a sigh, "Oh, that I had prayed more!" Prayer will bring down the blessing of God upon you. Much prayer will constrain the Lord Jesus to be specially present with you. Labour in the work. Make a business of it. Don't take it by way of amusement, or relaxation, or to fill up a vacant hour. But set your heart upon it as important, as necessary to be done, and to be done by you. If we labour at all, we should labour for God. If we throw our heart into any thing, we should throw it into God's work. If we agonise at all, after we have entered in at the strait gate, we should agonise to save souls from death. Follow up every effort, with a direct appeal to God for his blessing. Some parties carry their work home every night, and present it to their employers; we should do so, oftener than that. Before commencing, we should pray; while in the work, our hearts should be ascending to God; and when we have done any thing, we should at once lay it before the Lord, and earnestly crave his blessing upon it. Paul must plant, and Apollos must water, but the increase must come from God. To use the means is ours, to bless the means is God's. Then we should |