Rensselaer Union, Volume 9, Number 31, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 April 1877 — A Happy Christianity. [ARTICLE]

A Happy Christianity.

There are two counsels of the great Apostle to the Gentiles, found in one of his epistles, which seem to have an additional significance by reason of their local arrangement. He says: 11 Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing.” These two admonitions are put close together; two of the shortest verses in the New Testament, two of .the weightiest, laid right in immediate contact that they might help each other. The unceasing prayer goes exactly hand in hand with the joyous heart. Let it be understood always that this “ joy of the Lord” is a direct answer to a definite supplication, and then we need not be suspicious of ill, or be afraid we are getting too happy to be safe. The man who will pray and then complain, the man who can pray and then be wretched, had better just keep praying till he feels himself becoming a more charitable brother, or getting into a more comfortable mood. “Is any one among you afflicted? Let him pray. Is any merry? Let him sing psalms.” It is high time that God’s children suffered themselves to live on a more generous spiritual diet. Away with all dullness of countenance and all heaviness of soul! No man need willingly afflict himself in order to keep hifc dangerous spirit down. A Christian ought to be the happiest being on all the earth. The joy of theLordia the keynote at everything which has a right to be called religion. True holiness has no sackcloth among its habiliments; the Bride of the Lamb never wears mourning, never puts ashes on her head. It is sin that makes sorrow; grace in the humble believer’s heart gives relief from both sorrow and sin. You will be astonished at those multiplied and voluminous passages in the Word of God which a half hour would point out with a common concordance. The whole Bible is full, not only of encouragements, but of positive commands, to Christians to be cheerful and happy. Paul says this again and again: “Rejoice.” He puts it at the supreme height of his affectionate counsel: “ Finally, mv brethren, rejoice in the Lord.” And, even after this, he comes back to it anew. As a commentator of the olden time quaintly phrases it, he fires a gun of congratulation to show he has got out of the woods: “Rejoice in the Lord always;” and then he lets off’ the other barrel: “ And again I say, rejoice.” That Christian does most good in his day and generation who leads his fellowmen up into the more elevated of divine clemency and care. For it is upon an errand of cheer that we are all to go forth. “ Gospel ” means glad tidings. A generous hand extended, a friendly word spoken, a slight ministration of heart-felt sympathy, has more than once filled a desolate life with encouragement and made a gloomy path to grow radiant with peace. These ages are full enough of woes and worries, without our attempting to increase them by a melancholy foreboding. It is the cbeerfulest spirits everywhere, which after all are doing the most good, and bringing most souls to the cross. “Oh, this world might be better, If each would do hia part; If each hand would break one fetter, Binding now some saddened heart.” A happy Christian family is one of the very best gospel sermons ever preached on earth. Let the boys play, ana let the girls sing, and try a little quiet fun yourself. We should all accomplish more, if we did not somehow produce the impression that Christian endeavor is such disheartening and such melancholy business for all concerned.—lllustrated Christian Weekly.