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By
S. S.
No. VII.
Rectitude
Perhaps my young friends think that in writing for
them, I should be at least amusing, if not
instructive; but my object is, to cause them to
think, by briefly calling their attention to such
principles as should be the true guides of their
conduct on their first entering upon the journey of
life.
My
theme to-day shall be “Rectitude,” but we will not
take its dictionary meaning, but call it the effect
of faith in, and obedience to, the revealed will of
God.
Nowhere in the history of man do we find this
quality so truly exemplified as in the life of
Abraham. Moses was a servant of the Lord, “faithful
in all his house.” But twice in the mission of Moses
had he lacked the full faith which is accounted
righteousness. Abraham, however, though leaving no
record of that unattainable intellectual power, with
which Moses was imbued, leaves no record either that
his character was for one moment less acceptable to
God during this long pilgrimage, than it was at the
time he first obeyed the voice of his Maker. The
friend of God! his pious mind forbade him to do
aught in disparagement of that character. There he
stood in that fertile land, a tall majestic
oak—alone! no seedling had sprung from his root: no
flower had bloomed on his boughs! But God said, and
it was! a beautiful sapling had sprung into
existence, a young soul saw the light of day.
How the smiling infant entwined itself around the
heart of the no longer childless old man. Day by day
it grew in innocence and beauty. Infancy is past,
and the fond parents feel no longer that when they
cease to exist, their name <<347>>will be forgotten.
The true heir will now inherit their wealth, will
inherit that good before which wealth sinks into
insignificance, the blessings of the Most High God.
But a change passes over the brow of that noble man.
Sorrow beams in those mild eyes, but determination
sits triumphant on that unfurrowed brow. His son,
the child of his old age, is demanded by the King
of kings, and without even a secret murmur, he
prepares to surrender the chief jewel of his heart.
And “faith, exemplified by obedience,” was
again deemed righteousness by the Lord of Hosts.
And what does faith like this teach us? No such
sacrifices as this are we now called upon to make,
but to fear God and do justly. To search through the
inner chambers of the mind, and see that the motives
which guide our actions, are pure and just. To enter
the secret cells of our hearts, and banish envy and
bitterness, and malice therefrom. To act justly to
our neighbour, to plead his cause fearlessly and
truly, though it might militate against our own
interest. To beware how we let passion and prejudice
sway our judgment, that we may not secretly smite a
brother, whilst our lips utter nothing but love,
and principle, and the public good: for who knoweth
but that the pit which we have dug for another may
not gape wide for our own destruction?
But as these evil tendencies are rooted out, new
visitants enter:—Faith and its attendant Hope. The
mind is serener, and the heart is at rest. We feel
God no longer as an oppressive Master. but as a wise
and loving Friend, whose behests are but the rules
by which happiness is attainable, and whose
prohibitions were designed to preserve intact the
purity and holiness of our natures. Thorns and
thistles no longer impede our course, but our way
lies through green pastures and sweet-smelling
flowers, guided by the music of falling waters: and
as the streams of time rush into the ocean of
eternity, so seek our spirits the reward of a life
well spent. |
