Hints for the earnest student
Fison, Mrs., William.*
m ,7/ mimm. r>^:^:^^^^^^^ m fc^^t«'<x^^^'**irt-o' J^OM Jl 'MJ^ IP ji nr Eg" S M 11. T lE ?^ M A S^. ^/; W k •'•: • o| K HINTS EARNEST STUDENT; A YEAR-BOOK FOR THE YOUNG. BY MBS. WILLIAM FISON, AUTHOB OF " LETTEaS FBOU THE COKTINENT," ETC. " Whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God." — 1 Cor. x. 31. " And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him."— Col. iii. 17. I^econtr anH Utbii^ Sltttion. LONDON : SAMPSON LOW AND SON, 47, LUDGATE-HILL ; AND WIGHT AND BAILEY, CHELTENHAM. 1854. roxDON : AtEX. MACINTOSH, PRINTER, GREAT KEW-STREET. ^nsiriylim I HATE arranged these few Hints for the young Student, more especially for the use of the beloved members of my household circle, and to them I would affectionately inscribe them. They represent a class (increasingly large, I trust) of earnest-minded young persons, ■who are anxiously seeking every aid to assist them in their religious, moral, and intellectual progress. I have been, and stUl am a seeker, like themselves ; and recognising in my dear young friends this common sympathy between us, I offer a few gatherings from past hours of delightful study, happy if but to some earnest seeker I bring one thought which may arouse or strengthen the dawning of intellectual life. It forms no part of my present plan to enter into arguments with the thoughtless and gay, upon the importance of my subject. My space is too limited to allow me to do so : but to you, my beloved companions in study, I turn with sincerest pleasure, assured of your deep attention, while together we seek to inquire into the proper spirit with which we should enter upon a new period of time, and the means by which we shall best fulfil the end of our existence. May the Holy Spirit of Wisdom and Truth rest upon us while so engaged ! then shall we realize the fulfilment of the promise made to the earnest seeker, " If thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for imderstanding ; if thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures ; then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord giveth wisdom : out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding." (Proverbs ii. 3 — 6.) PREFACE. A DEEP feeling of tlie importance of true earnestness of character lias led me to com- pile this little book. Associated, as this subject must ever be, with the best interests of the young, it has for some time presented itself to me as possessing peculiar claims to attention. Various circumstances have con- tributed to impress its value upon my mind ; but it was not until a small work, by the Rev. James Hamilton, called "Life in Earnest," came into my hands, that a definite idea was brought before me. The present little volume owes its origin to my perusal of the one above mentioned, for PREFACE. since that time I have found that all my own studies insensibly bore relation to that subject. The Hves of good and great men became more interesting to me, as I saw the happy illustrations often afforded of the working of the high and holy principle accompanying Christian Earnestness ; and knowing the efficacy of example, I became anxious to place the more striking of these before others, who might not possess the same opportunities as myself for procuring the biographical works from which I di'ew them. My little book is more especially intended for those who, in the common acceptation of the word, have completed their educa- tion, and are now to be considered as depending rather on self-culture than the assistance of others for their future mental progression. To such yoimg persons some of the plans I mention may prove useful. For many of them, I am indebted to the PREFACE. beloved parents, in whose happy system of home education they found a place ; and it is therefore from my own experience that I can speak of the pleasure thus imparted to study. As my object has been usefulness, and not originahty, I have not scrupled to make use of all the resources which an excellent library placed within my reach, and may take as my motto the words of the French morahst — " I have here made a collection of culled flowers, and have brought nothing of my own, but the string that unites them together." * New Couet Hoxtse, ChakTiTON Kings, Chiltenham. * I am anxious to acknowledge the great kind- ness of the Kev. J. A. James, of Birmingham, in contributing an original prayer to this work. CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. Page A Eeview of the Past Period of Life — Feelings with which we should enter upon the New Year — Principle of Action — Love to the Saviour — Every Employment to be carried on in the Fear of God, and made subser- vient to His Glory 1 CHAPTER 11. An End in Life — Each Person a Mission to fulfil, a Circle of Influence, Talents to Lnprove — Importance of Self-culture and Mental Progression — An Earnest Life the only happy one 27 CHAPTER III. Hints for the Formation of an Earnest Character — Difficulties to be overcome — Mental Progression — The Inner Life — The Source of Strength . . . .55 CHAPTER rV. Objects of Study — The Bible the most Important — ^All History illustrates the Bible — Historical Studies — Natural Philosophy — Mind — Language — Division of Time — Companionship in Study .... 121 CONTENTS. CHAPTER V. Page CultiTation of Taste — The Fine Arts — Hints on Drawing — Music — Accomplishments — Their proper Aim — To be made subservient to the great End of Life . . 219 CHAPTER VI. An Earnest Life the only Preparation for a Future State — Present Happiness of the Earnest Christian — Future Blessedness 261 APPENDIX. Letters from Christian Parents to their Children . . 349 Prayers for the Use of a Christian Student . . . 383 Appendix A. 396 Appendix B 400 List of Books suited to the Use of a Young Student . 405 HINTS THE EARNEST STUDENT. I CHAPTER I. A EEVrEW OF THE PAST PEEIOD OF LIFE — FEELLS-G3 VTITH WHICH WE SHOriD ENTEE TTPON THE NEW TEAE — PBIXCIPLE OF ACTION — LOVE TO THE SATIOrE — ETEET EMPLOYMENT TO BE CAEELED ON IN THE FEAE OF GOD, AND MADE STTB3EETIENT TO HIS GLOET. HINTS FOR THE EARNEST STUDENT. " A man's life is a tower, with a staircase of many steps, That, as he toileth upward, crumble successively behind him ; No going back ; the past is an abyss ; no stopping, for the present perisheth ; But ever hasting on, precarious on the foothold of to-day. Our cares are aU to-day ; our joys are all to-day ; And in one httle word, our life, what is it, but to-day ? " — Froverhial Philosophy. " May 22d. — I am now within a few weeks of completing my forty-seventh year. Am I not old enough to view life as it is, and to contemplate steadily its end — what it is coming to, and must come to — what aU things are without God ? I know that my senses are on the very eve of becoming weaker, and that my faculties wiU then soon decline too ; whether rapidly or not I know not, but they will decline. Is there not one faculty which never declines, which is the seed and the seal of immortahty ? and what has become of that faculty in me ? What is it to hve unto God ? May God open my eyes to see Him by faith, in and through his Son Jesus Christ ! May He draw me to Him, and keep me with Him, making his will my will, his love my love, his strength my strength ! and may He make me feel that pretended strength, not derived fi'om Him, is no strength, but the worst weak- ness ! May his strength be perfected in my weakness ! " — Extract from Dr. ArnolcCs Diary, written a few days before his sudden death. HINTS FOK THE EARNEST STUDENT. CHAPTER I. " Mat we consider each night as the tomb of the departed day, and seriously bending over it, read the inscription written by conscience of its character and exit."* Such were the words of a most able writer and earnest Christian character, while he contemplated the flight of time, and the importance of self-examination with reference to its right employment. If it be essential in relation to the smaller portions of life, how much more so when one of the greater divisions has drawn to its close ! Passed for ever from our possession, it can never be recalled. We stand upon the confines of a new period of time, and before entering upon its re- sponsibilities, let us seek together, my dear young friends, to review the past, and gather from the record it bears, some important lessons for guidance in our onward course through life. " The world passeth away and the fashion thereof : " soon our part in the grand drama of existence will be * Eev. John Foster. B 2 4 HINTS FOR THE EARNEST STUDENT. completed, and we shall have vanished from the busy scenes of life — " The place that knows us now, shall know us no more." The subject is one demanding our most earnest attention, since every action we now perform bears relation to eternity, and will either contribute to our happiness or misery in the future state. It has been well said, " We perhaps forget our actions, but we shall meet them again ; — we shall meet them all before the throne of God. There, in the full light of his countenance, shall they all start into new existence, and either claim, through the covenant of mercy in Christ, the condescending and free rewards of grace, or demand the proper punishment of sin — utter and endless woe."* If this be truth — and we know it to be so from the Word of the living God — surely it becomes us to see to it that we apply life to those purposes for which it has been bestowed ; that we faithfully redeem it, seeking so to live that at the close of our probation on earth, we may, with the apostle, be able to say in the full assurance of faith, " I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith." In looking back on the past years of life, the rapidity with which they have fled at once arrests our attention : — * Kev. K. Watson. HINTS FOR THE EARNEST STUDENT. O " Time, in adrance, behind him hides his wings, And seems to creep, decrepit with his age. Behold him when passed by : what then is seen. But his broad pinions swifter than the winds ? And all mankind in contradiction strong, Eueful, aghast ! cry out on his career." The most thoughtless are struck with awe, and may even pause for a moment in their giddy course, till serious thought is again drowned in the vortex of dissipation. An eloquent divine thus pourtrays the rapid progress of life, and the inevitable certainty of death.* " Human life may be compared to a road, * " La vie humaine est semblable k un chemin, dont Tissue est un precipice affreux ; on nous en arertit des le premier pas, mais la loi est prononcee, il faut avancer toujours. Je Toudrais retoumer sur mes pas ; marche, marche. Un poids invincible, une force invincible nous entraine ; il faut sans cesse avancer vers le precipice. Mille traverses, mil1e peines nous fatiguent et nous inquietent dans la route ; encore si je pouvais eviter ce precipice affreux. Non, non, il faut marcher, il faut courir : telle est la rapidite des annees. On se console pourtant, parceque de temps en temps on rencontre des objets qui nous divertissent, des eaux co'orantes, des fleurs qui passent. On voudrait arreter ; marche, marche. Et cepen- dant on voit tomber derriere soi tout ce qu'on avait passe ; fracas effroyable, inevitable ruine ! On se console parce qu'on emporte quelques fleurs cueillies en passant, qu'on voit se faner entre ses mains du matin au soir, quelques fruits qu'on perd en les goutaut. " Enchantement ! toujours entraine, tu approches du 6 HINTS FOR THE EARNEST STUDENT. ending in a frightful precipice ; I am warned of this at the first step, but the law is pronounced ; I must advance. I would retrace my steps, but on, still on ; a resistless weight, a mighty power drags me forward ; I must constantly advance towards the precipice. A thousand disappointments, a thousand troubles fatigue and harass me on my way ; yet if I could but avoid this frightful gulf I No, no, I must walk, I must run, so rapidly do the years pass. I console myself, perhaps, because from time to time I see objects which divert me — flowing waters, perishing flowers. I wish to stop. On ! still on! And during this time, I see falling behind me all that I have passed ; frightful destruction, inevitable ruin. I amuse myself by gathering as I pass, flowers which fade from morning till night in my hands, fruits which wither even as I eat them. " Enchantment ! still dragged forward, I approach gottffre. Deja tout commence a s'effacer ; les jardins moins fleiiris, les fleurs moins brillantes, leurs coiileurs moins vires ; les prairies moins riantes, les eaux moins claires, tout Be temit, tout s'efface ; 1' ombre de la mort se presente ; on commence a sentir I'approclie du gouffre fatal. Mais il faut aller sur le bord, encore un pas. Dej^ rhorreur trouble les sens, la tete toume, les yeux s'egarent, il faut marcher. On voudrait retoumer en arriere, plus de mojen; tout est tombe ; tout est evanoui, tout est ecbappe." — Bossuet. HINTS FOR THE EARNEST STUDENT. 7 the precipice. Already everything becomes indis- tinct, the gardens less lovely, the flowers less bright, their colours less lively, the meadows less gay, the waters less clear — all is ended, all is effaced ! the shadows of death present themselves, the approach to the fatal gulf is felt. But it is neces- sary to advance yet a step further. Now a horror confuses the senses, the head becomes giddy, the eyes wander ! Still on ! I would return ; impos- sible ; all is faded, vanished, gone." We may rejoice that to us the irrevocable sen- tence has not yet gone forth, but that time is still ours. Let us seek, then, before it has passed for ever from our grasp, to realize, by God's blessing, the great objects of this probationary existence — present usefulness and assurance of eternal glory. Our death-bed will then not be the scene of bitter remorse or fruitless regret. And let us not enter upon another year without recalling the goodness which has crowned the past. Oh ! how much occasion for praise will you here find, if you faithfully number up the mercies you have received ! Think of the many spiritual bless- ings bestowed upon you; — the opportunities for public worship and private devotion ; — intellectual and moral improvement ; — the intercourse with Christian friends you have enjoyed ; — the family 8 HINTS FOR THE EARNEST STUDENT. mercies, national benefits, the love of those dear to you, with which you have been favoured. Surely your heart will swell with gratitude when you sum up all the blessings by which you have been sur- rounded, and you Avill cry with the Psalmist — " What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits toward me ? " "While you thus dwell upon the many mercies bestowed upon you, it becomes a subject of anxious inquiry, whether you have made a proper use of them. If we look around us into the busy world, we see, at certain periods of the year, each man of business, from the wealthy merchant to the humble artisan, anxiously examining the state of his affairs, to ascertain what are his gains or losses. Our blessed Saviour, when on earth, pronounced this judgment upon the men of the world : " The children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light." And can it be that man, with an immortal spirit, destined to live for ever in eternal blessedness or endless woe, is satis- fied without the assurance of his future safety? We know that such is too often the case ; and that, engrossed by the pleasures, cares, or anxieties of life, many go on from day to day without a serious thought of the state of their hearts with relation to the great end of their existence. HINTS FOR THE EARNEST STUDENT. y The Christian poet hag wisely counselled us — " Sum up at night what thou liast done by day, And in the morning what thou hast to do. Dress and undress thy soul : mark the decay And growth of it : if with thy watch, that too Be down, then wind both up ; since we shall be More surely judged, make thy accounts agree. In brief, acquit thee bravely : play the man ; Look not on pleasures as they come, but go. Defer not the least virtue. Life's poor span Make not an eU by trifling in thy woe. If thou do ill, the joy fades, not the pains — If well, the pain doth fade, the joy remains." Let me, then, urge you to make the present period one of diligent self-examination. Ketire into your chamber, and in its quiet solitude retrace the actions of the past year. Seek to discover the motives which have influenced you, the principle which has guided you, and do not rest satisfied till your conscience tells you that a true and faithful answer has been given. Ask yourself such ques- tions as these : " Did this new year find me further advanced on the road to heaven than the last ? What victories have I gained, with the help of my God, over the sin that does so easily beset me ? How have I cultivated the talents intrusted to me ? " These periods of retrospection and self- examination may, if properly employed, prove a most valuable assistance to us in our Christian 10 HINTS FOR THE EARNEST STUDENT. course ; and while we deeply mourn over our derelictions from duty, we shall be enabled to form a correct estimate of our spiritual state. Having thrown a retrospective glance on the past, let us seek to know the causes which have operated against our progress in the Christian life. Two present themselves to me as among the principal of these, and I entreat your deep and serious attention while we dwell upon them. The first is, — neglect of earnest prayer for the enlightening influences of God's Holy Spirit. I doubt not but that all who read this little book are accustomed to the daily duty of prayer ; but there is so much danger of mistake, and so many rest satisfied without realizing the blessedness of com- munion with God, that I feel urged to say a few words on this truly important subject. Returning to the subject of self-examination, I would affec- tionately inquire of you, if, during the progress of the past year, you have asked God's blessing upon your studies, your undertakings, and all the con- cerns of your life? Have you, each morning, before commencing the business of the day, sought to realize the presence of God and the truth of his promises, to give you wisdom and all you need ? Have you lifted up your heart to God, " seeking daily and hourly converse with Him who is the HINTS FOR THE EARNEST STUDENT. 11 Father of lights, who is light itself, and in whom is no darkness at all?"* And have you, in the same spirit as the sweet singer of Israel, cried, " Shew me thy way, O Lord ; teach me thy paths ; lead me in thy truth ; and teach me, for thou art the God of my salvation. Teach me to do thy will, for thou art my God : thy Spirit is good ; lead me into the land of uprightness." It is when seeking in this earnest manner that we may expect to receive the help we need, and thus is it bestowed upon us : " The Father, through the mediation of Christ, communicates by the Spirit this Divine teaching to his children : the Holy Ghost is the main agent. The Divine Spirit enables us to know the things that are freely given us of God. The Lord promises ' the Comforter, which is the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name. He shall teach you all things.' (John xiv. 26.) " He dispels prejudices ; He preserves from dan- gerous error ; He guides into all necessary truth ; He makes our study itself devotional, humble, and practical. He removes the averseness of the affec- tions, and He tunes the will to God. 12 HIXTS FOR THE EARNEST STUDENT. the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.' (2 Cor. iv. 6./' * The second cause to which I would allude is, — neglecti7ig to take the Bible for your daily rule of life. As children of Christian parents you have all been brought up to reverence the Word of God; you are accustomed to read it daily, and you are well acquainted with its inspired pages. But it is something even more than this that I desire for you. One who, in Holy Writ, is called " the man after God's own heart," thus describes his use of the blessed Word of Truth : " Thy word have I hid in ray heart ; that I might not sin against thee." It has been well said by Bishop Jewell, that " The Scriptures are manna given to us from heaven, to feed us in the desert of this world." And it is certain that if we do not thus receive it into our hearts through faith, we may study its contents constantly, and yet be not true Bible Christians. All our knowledge respecting revelation flows from the Bible. Nowhere else can we find any clue to guide us to the future destiny of man. " We must go then to the Word of God with these convictions on our mind. This is the master from whom I, who know nothing, am most implicitly to receive all things. My teacher is infallible, and I * Bickersteth. HINTS FOR THE EARNEST STUDENT. 13 am not to cavil at his instructions, however in some things they may transcend my ability to compre- hend them." It falls not within my plan here to speak of the evidence by which this precious volume is proved to be the word of the ever-living God. The proofs of Divine origin are deeply interesting and con- clusive ; and since they are so, it becomes us to submit implicitly to its authority, taking it as our guide and rule of life. We are told, that so plain is the way it points out to us, that " a wayfaring man, though a fool, need not err therein." A Christian poet truly described its transcendent value when he wrote : — " Lamp of our Kfet ! whereby we trace Our path when wont to stray ; Stream from the fount of heavenly grace ! Brook by the traveller's way ! Bread of our souls, whereon we feed, True manna from on high ! Our guide and chart, wherein we read Of realms beyond the sky ! Pillar of fire, through watches dark ; Or radiant cloud by day ! "When waves would whelm ovur tossing bark, Our anchor and our stay ! Pole-star on life's tempestuous deep. Beacon when doubts surround ! Compass, by which our course we keep, Our deep sea-lead to sound ! 14 HINTS FOR THE EARNEST STUDENT. Bicbes in poverty ! Our aid In every needful hour, Unshaken rock ! The pilgrim's shade, The soldier's fortress tower ! Our shield and buckler in the fight ! Victory's triumphant palm ! Comfort in grief, in weakness might, In sickness, Gilead's balm ! Childhood's preceptor ! manhood's trust ! Old age's firm ally ! Our hope, when we go down to dust. Of immortality ! Word of the everlasting God ! Will of his glorious Son ! Without thee how could earth be trod. Or heaven itself be won ? " Tremble, then, lest you should neglect this mine of heavenly treasure ; seek to have its life-giving truths deeply impressed upon your hearts. Pros- trate your reason before the word of Revelation, and with the docility of little children seek to be led into the way of truth. Call your Bible your beloved guide ; make it so, and you will soon find you have a never-failing counsellor by your side, however trying and diffi- cult the circumstances may be in which you are placed. You are young and inexperienced ; you need wisdom to direct you, as you pass onward through life. Hear, and take to your hearts, the promises HINTS FOR THE EARNEST STUDENT. 15 given to those who seek daily to gather this heavenly manna. " Hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness. Incline your ear, and come unto me ; hear, and your soul shall live ; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David." (Isaiah Iv. 2, 3.) " This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth, but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to aU that is written therein, for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success." (Joshua i. 8.) " His delight is in the law of the Lord, and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season ; his leaf also shall not wither ; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper." (Psalm i. 2, 3.) " The law of God is in his heart ; none of his steps shall slide." (Psalm xxxvii. 31.) " "Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way ? By taking heed thereto according to thy word." (Psalm cxix. 9.) * Rest not until you feel that you realize the * The late M'Cherne was a bright example of the hallow- ing infliiences of study thus pursued. " Js^o sooner was he settled in his chamber, than he commenced his work. With 16 HINTS FOR THE EARNEST STUDENT. blessedness of those who are led by the Spirit of truth ; your Bible will then no longer be a sealed book to you, but when you go to its sacred pages for counsel and direction, a holy light will shine upon its precepts, bringing them home to your conscience. While urging you to begin an earnest Christian life, I should indeed be making an important omis- sion were I not to seek to bring before you the great principle of action which is to be interwoven with all you do and say. Let us turn to our never- failing guide, the book of Divine wisdom ; and we him the commencement of all labour invariably consisted in the preparation of his own soul. The forerunner of each day's Tisitations was a calm season of private devotion, during morning hours. The walls of his chamber were witnesses of his prayerfulness — I believe of his tears as well as of his cries. The pleasant sound of psalms often issued from his room at an early hour. Then followed the reading of the AYord for his own sanctification, and few have so fully realized the blessing of the first Psalm — His leaf did not wither, for his roots were in the waters. It was here, too, that he began to study so closely the works of Jonathan Edwards ; reckoning them a mine to be wrought, and if wrought sure to repay the toil. Along with this author, the ' Letters of Samuel Rutherford ' were often in his hand. Books of general knowledge he occasionally perused, but it was done with the steady purpose of finding in them some illustration of spiritual truth. He rose from reading ' Insect Architecture ' with the observation — ' God reigns in a com- munity of ants and ichneumons as visibly as among Uving men or mighty seraphim.' " — lAfe of Sev. R, M^Chet/ne. HINTS FOB THE EARNEST STUDENT. 17 shall find it set forth in the glowing language of the apostle : " And ye are not your own, for ye are bought with a price ; therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's." (1 Cor. vi. 20.) Earnestly do I pray that each of you, my beloved readers, may understand the full meaning of this beautiful passage of Scripture, for it can only be those who have tasted of the love of Jesus who can thus glorify God. I have spoken of communion with God, but until you have sought to know Him, who is the way, the truth, the life, you cannot enjoy this happiness. It has been well said, — " The Gospel does not abolish labour ; it gives it a new and a nobler aspect. The Gospel abolishes labour much in the same way as it aboHshes death ; it leaves the thing, but changes its nature. The Gospel sweetens the believer's work, it gives him new motives for per- forming it. The Gospel dignifies toil, it transforms it from the drudgery of the workhouse or the peni- tentiary to the afiectionate offices and joyful services of the fireside and the family circle. It asks us to do for the sake of Christ many things which we were once compelled to bear as a portion of the curse, and which worldly men perform for selfish and secondary reasons."* * Hamilton. G 18 HINTS FOR THE EARNEST STUDENT. When this principle becomes interwoven with the life of the believer, when his eye is fixed on his Saviour, and his heart filled with his love, then it is that the earnest disciple seeks to know how he can glorify his God, his reconciled Father in Christ. His heart swells with ardent love, and he brings to the foot of the cross, time, influence, wealth, talent — all that he possesses — and consecrates it to the service of his Heavenly Father. Hear the dying testimony of one of God's most honoured servants, the late Mrs. Fry. In the prospect of death, she could say, when reviewing her past life — " Since my heart was touched at seventeen years old, I believe I never have awakened from sleep, in sick- ness or in health, by day or by night, without my first waking thought being how best I might serve the Lord." This life-giving principle was never more richly displayed than in the ministerial labours of the Eev. G. Whitfield ; and we find the latter traced to their true origin, in his funeral sermon, preached by a beloved brother labourer : — " If it be inquired, what was the foundation of his integi'ity, of his sincerity, courage, patience, and every other valu- able and amiable quality, it is easy to give the answer. It was not the excellence of his natural temper ; not the strength of his understanding ; it was not the force of education, no, nor the advice HINTS FOR THE EARNEST STUDENT. 19 of his friends. It was no other than faith in a bleeding Lord. Faith of the operation of God ; it was a lively hope of an inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away; it was the love of God shed abroad in the heart by the Holy Ghost, which was given unto him, filling his soul with disinterested love to every child of man. From this arose the torrent of eloquence which frequently bore down all before it ; from this that astonishing force of persuasion, which the most hardened sinners could not resist ; this it was which often made his head as waters, and his eyes as fountains of tears ; this it was which enabled him to pour out his soul in prayer in a manner peculiar to himself." Here, then, is the secret of all you see estimable in the character of the earnest Christian. " For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. For whether we live, we live unto the Lord, and whether we die, we die unto the Lord ; whether we live then or die, we are the Lord's." It was this spirit of fervent love to the Saviour which led a Schwartz and a Martyn into distant lands to publish the tidings of salvation. It was seen in the unremitting efforts of a "Wilberforce and a Buxton to relieve the captive slave — in the labours of Simeon — and shone with equal lustre in C 2 20 HINTS FOR THE EARNEST STUDENT. one of our own sex,* when, with a heart burning with, love to Christ, she devoted all her powers to the good of her fellow-creatures. Say not that you have neither influence nor the talent necessary so to serve the cause of Christ. The question is not as to the amount of talent, but the nature of its employment ; and however small the pori;ion in- trusted to you may be, if, animated by love to your Saviour, you seek to devote it to his service, you will be owned and approved by your Heavenly Father. Entering thus upon the New Year, you will look forward to its duties and employments with cheerful alacrity ; you wiU feel that having Christ, you have all things, and that whatever may be the painful afflictions and trials of the future, they will be all overruled by the tender care of your reconciled Father in Christ ; your earthly cares will be sensibly lightened ; and you will understand the spirit with which a devoted servant of God cried, " O Lord, let me have anything but thy frown, and anything with thy smile." When the heart is touched with the love of God, every employment is made subservient to the one great end of life, viz., his glory. You vdW. at once ♦ Mrs. Frv. HINTS FOn THE EARNEST STUDENT. 21 feel that you have an aim in all your studies and employments. Thus devoting your powers to the service of God, you will enjoy true happiness, for there will no longer be " a disparity between the lofty capacity of the human soul and the objects upon which it is occupied." You will regard the acquisition of knowledge as not an end, but a means ; and while you anxiously seek for every opportunity of improvement within your power, you will make all subordinate to the great aim of your life. An old author observes, — " Life has its enjoyments, and is not the con- temptible thing we make it ; but heaven upon earth, when it is conducted upon right principles, directed to a right end, and devoted to the will of God. What would we have more, when the way to heaven is through heaven, if quiet passions, regular desires, contented minds, pure wills, well- governed hopes, holy longings, happy foretastes, communion with God, reconciliation to death, can make it so ? Sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, by adverting continually to his presence with reverence and godly fear, considering Him as always looking upon the heart ; trusting in his Almighty protection, believing in Him as a holy, sin-hating God, and reconciled to sinners of man- kind, "only in Jesus Christ ; valuing his favour 22 HINTS FOR THE EARNEST STUDENT. above all the world, and making it the settled, sole aim of our lives, to approve ourselves in his pure eyes." * It is delightful to retrace the lives of those who have been enabled thus to glorify God, and we could bring forward many instances of high talent devoted to his service. Newton thus applied the intellectual strength so liberally bestowed upon him, and by " uniting phi- losophy with religion, he dissolved the league which genius had formed with scepticism, and added to the cloud of witnesses the brightest name of ancient or modern times." f Whilst revered as the greatest philosopher of his time, he never failed to use the influence this elevated position gave him, to advance the cause of religion ; and if Dr. Halley, his friend and com- panion, ever dared to utter anything disrespectful to it, he invariably checked him, and said, " I have studied these things — you have not." Once having this end placed before you, and referring all things to it, it will become as the pole-star to the mariner, leading you to your home, through all the difficulties and trials of life ; your employments and recreations will all be made sub- servient to your one great desire ; and as you wiU have a standard of judgment to which to bring * Adams's Private Thoughts. t Paley. HINTS FOR THE EARNEST STUDENT. 23 every pursuit and occupation, you will not be tormented by the wavering and undecided feelings which must ever be the lot of those who do not act according to the same standard. You will suddenly find intricate paths made plain before you ; amid the darkness which may overshadow your course, you will have, as it were, a silken clue ever in your hand to guide you right ; you will hear a voice saying, " This is the way, walk ye in it." You will no longer be at a loss how to act in difficult circumstances, for you wiU know where to go for wisdom and strength, and you have God's holy Word as your rule of life and conduct. Your anxiety will not be, " What will the world think or say if I act thus ? " but " What is the will of my Heavenly Father ? " Difficulties will vanish, and you will realize the truth of the promise, " I will instruct thee and lead thee in the way thou Shalt go." The late Charlotte Elizabeth was a bright ex- ample of the consistency with which Christians will be enabled to act, if their eye be single. " When wholly dependent on her pen for the supply of her daily wants, two separate proposals were made to her — one to the effect that she should become an anonymous contributor to a highly popular magazine, supplying tales or other light 24 HINTS FOR THE EARNEST STUDENT. articles ; the purport of which was to be as moral as she pleased, but there was to be no direct mention of religion ; the terms offered were extremely liberal, and strict secrecy being observed, the writer, it was urged, would escape the charge of inconsist- ency ; the proposal was moreover made when her regular source of income was suddenly closed, and when the idea of becoming burdensome to her generous brother was scarcely supportable. It was a temptation ! Charlotte Elizabeth, however, resisted it. She regarded herself as engaged to work in the Lord's vineyard, and although the conflict was severe, she declined, as she herself has recorded, to hire herself out to another master. " The other proposal involved a refusal even more painful. She was asked by an old and very kind friend to recast for him a novel which he had written several years before, and which had been unsuccessful. Her share in the work was never to be known, and carte blanche as to terms was laid before her. She at once, though, as she relates, with many bitter tears, wrote a faithful letter to the friend in question, setting forth, most unequi- vocally, the ground of her refusal, adding, moreover, a plain statement of those great Christian doctrines with which, as she had reason to believe, her friend was still unacquainted. Of that friend, who, as it HINTS FOR THE EARNEST STUDENT. 25 was supposed, had intended to make her the heiress of a considerable portion of his wealth, she never heard further tidings. Her sole reward was the testimony of her conscience." * I must not dweU longer upon this deeply inte- resting subject, as I shall have occasion constantly to refer to it in the following pages. That you may each be brought thus to consecrate all your powers to the service of your God and Saviour, is my earnest prayer ; then wiU every employment, however lowly in the eyes of the world, be en- nobled, and you will enter into the spirit of the quaint but excellent poet Herbert, when he sings : — " Teach me, my God and TTing ! In all tilings thee to see. And what I do in anything, To do it as for thee. A man that looks on glass, On it may stay his eye : Or, if he pleaseth, through it pass, And then the heaven espy. 