The Guardian

cerned," says Prof. Kleinert, "if Pietism his son Renatus. Several English miswere stricken from its history, the sionary hymns have been translated church would not only be destitute of into German, and are now extensively missionary hymns but there would be sung. One of the best is Dr. Schaff's no Reformed hymnology worthy of the version of "From Greenland's Icy name." "We are too much accus- Mountains." tomed," says the same author elsewhere, "to regard Pietism only in its mystical and extravagant forms, forgetting that its best life remained in the Lutheran and Reformed churches, and thus saved them from utter ruin.'

It was the warm enthusiasm for the conversion of the world, characteristic of this period, that gave birth to some of the most beautiful hymns of the Reformed church. It was this that inspired Joachim Neander in his cave, and gave unction to the stream of sacred poetry that flowed from the lips of Gerhard Tersteegen, the ribbon-weaver of Mühlheim.

Stilling, the last of this blessed band of enthusiasts, advised all the German Pietists to unite in the work of Missions, so that they might get rid of their separatistic notions and be really one in the Lord.

The Lutheran circle at Halle was not inferior to the Reformed poets of the Rhine. Bogatzky published in 1750 the powerful hymn: "Wach auf du Geist der ersten Zeugen."

Awake, Thou Spirit who of old
Didst fire the watchmen of the Church's youth."

J. J. Rambach also wrote several mission hymns, of which the best is, 'Welcome, Thou Son of David."

The Reformed church of Germany and Switzerland has recently contributed its full quota to the rich treasures of Christian song. We need but mention the Krummacher family, who seem to be born poets as well as preachers. In Switzerland many delightful hymns have also been written in the interest of the cause of missions. This is owing principally to the influence of the celebrated Missionary Institute of Basel. Not less than twenty sacred poets have gone forth from the latter institution, and some of them have even had the privilege of translating the hymns which they had themselves composed into the languages of the heathen. Of this company of poets the best known are Preiswerk and Rothen. Several Christian women have also distinguished themselves in this department of sacred poetry. Among them are Anna Schlatter, Sophie Herwig, and Meta Heusser. It has been remarked that the poetesses appear to be especially interested in the conversion of Israel.

The work of missions is progressing with unexampled rapidity. Heathen nations have been deeply stirred and are turning towards the Sun of Righteousness. The consummation of our hopes appears nearer at hand than at any former period. When at last the The history of the American Board great work has been accomplished, and of Foreign Missions has been traced to all the nations acknowledge the Lord, a prayer-meeting held by a few students what glorious songs will burst from the under a haystack. Not less insignifi- lips of God's triumphant people. Our cant was the beginning of the mission- present hymns are but weak petitions, ary work of the Moravians. Two young and we will then gladly lay them aside noblemen, while at school, vowed to join in the grand anthem of eternal brotherhood, after the fashion of Ger- rejoicing. man students, but coupled with it the unusual agreement to devote their lives to the conversion of the heathen. These young men were Zinzendorf and Wat teville, and how they kept their vow the whole history of Moravian missions completely illustrates. It is said that among the early Moravian missionaries there were no less than thirty-six who wrote hymns; but the best of these were from the pen of Count Zinzendorf and

"FROM the brevity of life we may learn patience under all our crosses and troubles; they may be shorter than life, but they can be no longer. In all the bitter blasts that grow in thy face, thou who art a Christian indeed, mayst comfort thyself in the thought of the good lodging that is before thee."Leighton.

THE BLOSSOM AND ITS BUD.

present year.

In the beautiful God's Acre at New Goshenhoppen there is a new-made grave, containing all that is mortal of a youthful mother and her first-born son. Mrs. S. R. Steltz, the wife of Mr. Edwin H. Steltz, and only daughter of Rev. Dr. C. Z. Weiser, was called away from earth on the eleventh day of March of the She had been for many years a faithful reader of THE GUARDIAN, and, on one occasion at least, contributed an article to its pages. It is proper, therefore, that the following tender stanzas, written by her father in his bereavement, should be published here. Many a heart beats in sympathy with the sorrowing relatives, and many a prayer is offered that they may be enabled to look to Him who is the Source of Consolation.-EDITOR.

The young Child Mother and her Babe, I

mean.

She clasps it now as one she ne'er will wean;
So one they lived, so one they died,
And so as one to Heaven they hied,
That we, like one of double view,
Know not, if they be one or two.

But two-score Springs and four were past, well-nigh,

When her fair advent raised our hopes so high;

And when we named her Happy Queen,
We saw not in our fondest dream,

That she so soon should have a throne,
To rule o'er one so all her own!

;

To keep that Blossom open here,
To shield its Bud, and us to cheer!
Friends came to stand about our dead;
They spake, and words of solace read
They strove our hot grief to allay,
And lowly knelt around to pray;
From near and far, from ev'ry where,
Were those who would our burden share :-
Most precions is the thought to me,
Yet, over all this sympathy,
That nought but glory those await,
Who go beyond by such a gate;
Who, Christ-like Life with Life annex,
Thro' primal sorrow of their sex.

PERSONAL, VITAL QUESTIONS,

BY REV. J. B. SHONTZ.

are

From childhood to old age, we We are living in an age of questions. questioned on every topic, subject and floating report, until one's head and heart are sick and tired.

under rigid questioning. The duties, Of course, we learn and improve improvements and stern issues of our age, demand corresponding rigid catechisation. The arts and sciences and industries of the day, call for skilled and accomplished men and women. The wealth and fashion and show of the

Like Rachael, she had sought and pray'd, a period, hold out dazzling and promising

child;

Her Bride-heart so alone was reconciled,
And when the Lord had heard her cry,
With laughter she went forth-to die!
Oh! Why should she, as Rachael sigh,
And like her, have her pray'r and die?
Thro' Egypt hours, she moaned her sad re-
frain:

"Benoni !". "Child of sorrow, tears, and pain!"

Till," Benjamin!"—at God's command
Was heard-"The son of her right hand!"
How marv'lous that to untold grief,
His Word should bring such sweet relief!

But of all solace, sweetest is, the thought,
That by such sacrifice, tho' dear, she bought
Of Christ, for her and hers, her All!
For it is written by Saint Paul,
And in the Saviour's words quite plain,
That life so lost is found again.

This balsam to our wound is best,
Or we would be too much bereft,
To think that God for sparrows cares,
And ev'ry flow'r His bounty shares;
But for her night no s'ar was sent,
From out of His full firmament;
No angel of His countle s host,
That dwell along the Heav'nly coast;

inducements. The amazing increase in outward splendor and worldly honor, in the last quarter of a century, have largely revolutionized the tendency of thought among even the best and most enterprising portion of the people. Questions of business, of worldly honor and of power, have chained the attention of the most energetic. These questions are so numerous, so urgent and so all-absorbing, that little or time or energy is left for questions of morals and religious duties.

The last serious reflection will show to any one, that if such an increase of attention to worldly duties should continue for another twenty-five years, serious and earnest thoughts on moral and religious duties, will be almost entirely crowded out. Not that the good people will deliberately discontinue all thinking on the higher spiritual interests of men, but the ever increasing and multiplying demands from increasing and multiplying worldly business and

possessions, will crowd out, enervate and displace all moral and religious instincts and energies.

Personal questions are asked, but not those that relate to our highest honor and greatest good. A profession or calling is chosen whereby a livelihood may be obtained. Then questions are propounded. How may I best succeed? How may I gain the most possessions in the least time? How may I gain the greatest popularity in the shortest period? How may I soonest earn the highest honor?

Books are published-cheaply - and sold-dearly-in which standards of successful men are set up as inducements to call out greater energy from our spirited young men Anything less than a millionaire, falls short of a proper standard. Morals, good character and piety, go for nothing. Bonds and stocks and politics, are held up as the only live questions worthy of earnest attention. Our newspapers are filled and burdened with "special off rs,' off rs," good investments," rare chances,' big wages," &c., &c., and this condition has been reached, by a steady, but gradual crowding out, and enervating of the moral and religious sentiments and tone, that once characterized all our newspapers-secular and religious Satan is at the bottom of all this, and if he can but succeed through magnify ing and multiplying the claims of the world in the minds of all our most active young men and women, he will gain a victory for himself, against Christianity, as great as if he did it through open immorality.

We need, however, not entertain any gloomy forebodings in regard to these questions; but now, before the evil day comes, we ought to hold up the "danger signal." We are in the sweeping, rushing current of a business life, more active and threatening than any the world has ever seen. The pleasures and amusements, the intemperance and immorality of the age, are not much greater than in some ages past, while the tide of business is rolling higher than ever before, and is still swelling. On this high-tide, our rising young people, can soon be carried beyond the reach of the gospel, hence, into inevitable ruin.

There are vital questions claiming our attention in this age of questionable issues, which we ought to hold up and emphasize with far greater vigor and determination than is being done.

When we appeal to the human conscience, we are met by a train of questions, vital and thrilling and overwhelming. There we find a place, that the business of the world, nor the world itself, cannot satisfy. There we hear a voice, that calls for help, the world cannot answer. There we discover a thirst that the purest water of this world cannot slake. There we see a hand outstretched for assistance, that the world cannot reach or fill. There we may see a face with upturned eyes pleading for mercy. There we may come in closest contact with all that makes man immortal, and elevates him to the very apex of creation; namely, the image of God. The divine image may be defaced, marred, and only dimly seen; but faint as may be the outlines of that image, it is after all, of more real value than ten thousand worlds. The image is not a dead one; hence, the cries, pleadings, wooings, and questionings that arise in the human conscience.

Even in the conscience that is reconciled to God, and where the divine image has been restored by the cleansing blood of the Lamb of God, questions are ever arising, asking for fuller joys, deeper experiences, higher delights, fuller coi secration, more abundant labors and clearer evidences of God's favor. But in the unreconciled conscience, where Satan still predominates, where the battle still rages for possession, there vital questions arise that trouble, perplex, alarm, and which must be answered. From thence come the questions, Why do I realize a constant conflict in my breast hetween the forces of good and evil? Why do I love the good, one moment, and give way to the evil, the next? Why do I obey an inclination that I know will do me no good but on the contrary, will do me injury? Why am I not master of myself? What is this that leads me where I know I ought not go? What is that that blinds me when most I want to see? What pressure is that on my mind which makes me stupid when I attempt to think a sober thought?

Other vital questions, more gentle and old ones too, for that-imagine, than those above-mentioned, often that under almost any other circumspring up, and ought to be seriously stances, and almost any where else, considered, viz.: What are my duties that I may enjoy the highest good? How may I overcome every downward tendency in my nature? How may I reach the highest joys? How may I best improve every talent I possess? How may I extract from every opportunity the richest honey? How may I cross every stream of opposition, climb every hill of difficulty and scale every mountain of severe trial?

These heart-questions are too often neglected. They are allowed to pass away as idle thoughts, whereas, they ought to be heeded and thoroughly studied. Every experience of keen sorrow from wrong doing, is a question that ought to be answered. Every taste of joy from an act of obedience, is a question which ought to contribute largely towards answering the great question. The importance of these vital questions, is seen, in the fact that they come before the mind for solution, under all the varied conditions and circumstances of life. In the day time and in the night, in business and pleasure, in sickness and health. If we would but pause and reflect when they come; what great helps they would be. Then we might see our failures and our advantages. Then might we behold the true road to permanent happiness, ever widening into greater fields of usefulness. Then might we feel the awakening and enkindling of new and higher forces, assuring us of coming success.

The question of time is a vital one. WHEN ought I to attend to these things, these promptings to do that which is of most importance? Why now, or, why not now? Now, because now is the only time I am sure of. To-day I have, toworrow I may never have If I am to have to-morrow, I can make to-morrow better, by taking into it, all the good I can obtain to-day. Therefore, now is always the best and the only sure time to do that which is for our greatest good; and if we fail in obtaining some lesser temporary good, we are still in finite gainers (Matth. 6: 33).

WHERE shall I perform what I know I ought? That question has given no little trouble. Too many young people,

than where they now are, they could do much more good and be better. Our advantages are seldom seen by ourselves. Others see them and covet them, just as we covet theirs. The truth, however, is, that God has placed each, just where we may do the most good-if we will. To seek a place where to do right and be good, on the plea that we cannot do it where we are, is only seeking an excuse for remaining in sin. The proper way is to turn to God where we are, and if the place is not a good one, God will soon provide more congenial surroundings.

WHY ought I consider the questions relating to my salvation? 1st. Because those questions weigh heavier on the mind than any others, and their very weight prove their superior value and importance. Nothing so troubles the sincere inquirer, as the thought of being out of Christ and exposed to the wrath of God; and nothing so comforts the penitent heart as the assurances of God's favor and pardon in Christ. 2d. Because these questions of personal salvation press upon the soul, and plead with infinite tenderness of a gracious Father's love, of a suffering Saviour's bitter tears and awful agony, of a blessed Comforter's nearness. These, and ten thousand other causes, explain why each one should seek the salvation of the soul.

Those who would be true and good in all the relations of life, must first be true to God. True love and obedience to earthly parents cannot be enjoyed by a heart not reconciled to God, the heavenly Parent. The human soul is capable of enjoying something better than things below. The object and substance of the soul's highest enjoyment are not found on this earth. The soul was from the first the divine breath in human form, which was only superseded by the divine Person in human form. There always has been too much heavenly material present and offered to the soul, which the soul has refused; hence, its poverty and leanness while feeding on the world in the very presence of a heavenly table.

From the deepest wells comes the

purest water; so, from the deepest longings of the heart come the truest voices calling us to our highest and purest duties. God, by His Holy Spirit, working in the human conscience, calling to repentance and into holy fellowship, and into sweeter communion, are thoughts and questions, before which all others sink into darkest night, in comparison.

Shall others heed the call of God by the Gospel. and be saved, and must I be cast out? Must I, who have so often nearly surrendered myself to Christ, be lost through open, willful neglect? Shall I be prudent in matters of this world, and unwise in matters of the world to come? Will I permit every call from God, and every pressing in vitation, to pass by, hoping and expecting something more powerful to call me? Why do I act differently in choosing spiritual po sessions than when I choose worldly benefits? Will I refuse to accept salvation for my immortal soul when it is so freely offered to me by my own Creator, and at the same time eagerly and thankfully accept every worldly possession offered me? How strange the anomaly of human action in regard to choosing eternal life, when compared with the wit and wisdom displayed in all secular business.

May we not hope that at least some of these vital questions may take hold of the heart of each one that reads this article? May some new desire be awakened, some depressed heart be encouraged, and some crying question be answered. Oh! that some may be led to decide for God and immortal glory; and may others be stimulated to seek for richer experiences in the humble service of the Master; while others still may be induced to enter the highest office in God's service, and thus answer the profoundest questions ever presented to the heart of a child of God; and thus, also, secure the greatest blessing from God, in the assurance of fulfilling the highest mission delegated to man, by Him who has all power both in heaven and in earth, and who spake as never man spake, and who went about doing good.

SHIPPENSBURG, PA.

STANDING ON ONE'S DIGNITY.

BY REV. I. E. GRAEFF.

There is a dignity common to all men. This is the dignity of human nature. This lies in the fact that the nature of man, common to the whole race in all its physical differences, is of origin is divine, the one personal God one origin and of one destiny. The being the maker who created man after His own image. The design of this creation was, and is, and ever will be, a beneficent design. Man was made for fellowship with God, and that not for a day, or for a year, or for any period of time; but for the days, and the years, and the periods, of an endless eternity. It will be in vain to seek for a dignity more ennobling than this. If men only knew the divine royalty of their nature, and lived up to the nobility of their origin and their divine calling, they would have the benefit of a dignity on which they could stand in the face of all the trials and the issues of their existence.

The lesson of a common dignity of human nature is a plain one, and yet it is very hard to learn. If man was not perverted, if by the abuse of freedom he had not become estranged from that which is right and good, his natural impulses would lead him to follow the law of his divine dignity; but he got out of this way of thinking, and feeling, and acting, by giving himself under the power of evil-by sinning against God and his own nature. Thus the knowledge of God was lost, and along with it the knowledge of the dignity and the destiny of human kind. As this downward tendency gained power and dominion, men did violence more and more to each other, and more and more lost their own proper self respect. The weak were at the mercy of the strong, both as to life, property, and the pursuit of happiness. And it is not at all surprising now, in view of the moral degeneracy of our nature, that the lesson of human equality is being learned so very slowly, and that for many long dreary ages the race was seemingly altogether ignorant of this plain primary truth. We know more of it now,

« Previous Continue »