what we use in our duties of secret|| name of Jesus-seek to be simple, rather than eloquent-not only sincere, but also fervent-and above all be humble, for we may rest assured, the more we cultivate a spirit of humility, the less danger will there be of disorder and confusion. ARNDT. For the Lutheran Magazine. ON PIETY. worship. We have reason to take more freedom among those that are fellow-saints, and whose hearts have felt many of the same workings with our own. Then when our faith is lively, we should give thanks to God, for the enlightening and sanctifying work of His spirit, upon our hearts; for our expectations of eternal glory; and by expressing the joys of our faith to God, we may of ten be made a means, through the power of the Holy Spirit, to raise the faith and joy of others." In such exercises we would derive a blessed advantage from the prayers of those who offer them up, with of that reader, who only looks for freedom and fervency, in acquiring novelty, may be disappointed; but the same gift, and the exhortations of those who possess a more lively faith and holy zeal, be the means of enkindling the sacred fire in our hearts. Let us then proceed upon the direction given, of doing all things decently and in order, and unto edifying, and we are persuaded there will and can be no objections; and that it will prove the best means of engaging the influence and exertions of all Lutherans in a general support of Prayer Meetings. It is a great mistake, that our people are opposed to prayer; it is only a few, who have no religion, and who have, in many instances, too much authority bestowed upon them in the spiritual concerns of the church. On the other hand, let us beware of coldness and formality, and thus completely destroy the objects of social meetings. In our prayers, we must earnestly look for the aid of the Holy Spirit-ask with faith in the May we not fear, that the reader of the Magazine, with one glance of his eye on this essay, will condemn it as a trite subject, on which nothing new can be said? It is more than probable, that the expectation yet no one will deny, that the subject is of great importance, inasmuch as genuine piety is intimately connected with our happiness; and though volumes have been written on this subject, the variety of opinions and the contradictory definitions of this term, prove that men have not as yet been able to agree on the true character of genuine piety. The writer of this essay therefore hopes, that his ideas on piety will not prove uninteresting to that reader, whose heart is in some measure acquainted with the importance of this subject to his own happiness, and who is therefore susceptible of salutary impressions, which may finally be of the greatest advantage to himself. We have hinted before, at the contradictory definitions and descriptions of the term piety. Sometimes it seems, as if the caution given us by our Saviour, not to imitate the Pharisees of old, had been forgotten; for men are frequently, in our days, portions of the scripture, from no other motive than because the sentiments and doctrines of that sacred book, were at variance with their preconceived opinions and systems called pious, who, when they give alms, sound the trumpet before them, as the hypocrites do, that they may have glory of men, and who, when they pray, like to stand in the cor- of theology; and who turned and ners of the streets, that they may ap-twisted other passages of sacred writ, pear as praying men before the world. that they might press them into their Others are willing to allow the claim service. To this cause, more than of piety to every outward professor to any other, we have to ascribe it, of religion, whose walk and conver- that we have lost ourselves on this sation is not in open contradiction to subject also, in the wilderness of our every virtue. Again, others consi- own imagination, and have been unader themselves as pious men, who are ble to come to a rational conclusion. great zealots for the sect or denomi- The christian cannot deny, that nation which they have embraced, the scriptures are given to us, to oband believe that they are giving||tain every necessary information in proofs of their piety, when they re-regard to our spiritual interest; and vile, disparage and underrate all oth- as piety has a special reference to er denominations who entertain sen- this interest, it is our duty to search timents different from their own. with an unbiassed mind, for a suitaAre we to seek for the cause of these ble explanation on that subject in the erroneous opinions on piety, or of the sacred volume; and though perhaps want of agreement among christians,|| we may look in vain for the expresin describing its nature, in the impos- sion "piety," in our version, espesibility or the difficulty of obtaining || cially in its reference to God, yet we a true definition of it, or in a dispo- will find under other terms, a full sition in man, to overlook the source and satisfactory description of its gewhence alone it can be derived? Inuine character. fear that a careful examination of this Our word "piety," is derived from question would show, that a derelic- the Latin language, where it most getion of the true source whence a cor-nerally signifies the dutiful conduct rect definition of piety can be obtain-of children towards parents. This ed, has a greater share in creating pious behaviour of children, is foundthese evils, than any difficulty which ed on that peculiar connexion which may exist in the research. Men exists in that relation. Children are have their prejudices, proceeding dependant on father and mother from their respective characters and for their daily support; they look to education; neither can it be denied, them for protection, assistance and that each is inclined to believe him- direction; they are wont to consider self more correct in his judgment their parents as their best friends, than his neighbor. Hence we fre- and as their surest earthly refuge in quently imitate, in our enlightened times of danger or distress. This day, the conduct of certain heretics conviction of children, creates in of ancient times, who rejected somell their hearts, an acknowledgment of their dependance; it keeps alive the land on his power to protect and preprinciple of love and gratitude, and serve us, be entitled to the appella the continued experience of the love of parents towards their children, manifested in the parental protection and advice, induces the child to obey its parents' mandates, to respect and follow their advice; or in other words, it makes children dutiful and obedient, i. e. piously inclined towards them. tion of piety? This definition of the term "piety," is supported by the authority of holy writ. We have already observed, that, although the words "piety" and "pious," do not occur in the sacred volume, in regard to our relation to God, yet the expressions, godliness, righteousness, faith, godly, righteous, and faithful, The scripture teaches us, that man are frequently to be met with in the stands in a similar relation to God. scriptures; and I contend, that these He is our first parent, for he has cre- expressions, sometimes jointly, and ated us. As children are dependant sometimes individually, express what on father and mother for their daily I believe is contained under the apsupport, so we live, move, and have pellation of piety to God. To prove our existence in God, and are wholly this, a reference to a few passages of dependant on him. Daily experi- the Bible will suffice. St. Paul adence agrees with these sentiments, monishes Timothy to follow after expressed in holy writ; for it teaches righteousness, godliness, faith, love, us, that we find in God, not only a patience and meekness; and he dereadiness, similar to that of parents, clares, that godliness is profitable unto protect us, to be our refuge in to all things, having the promise of times of danger, and to supply our the life that now is, and of that which wants; but also, that his good will is to come. The same apostle also is supported by his omnipotence, assures his beloved son in the faith, which enables him, under all cir- that the doctrine of our Lord Jesus cumstances, to perform the pleasure Christ, is according unto godliness ; of his will. If we therefore have and to Titus he says, that the chriscause, as children, to place confi-tian doctrine teaches us to deny undence in our earthly parents, who godliness and worldly lusts, and to frequently, notwithstanding their best live soberly, righteously and godly in wishes, are unable to protect or as- this present world. When St. Paul sist us, it would be the most incon-declares to the elders of the church sistent and irrational conduct, should of Ephesus, that he had laid before we refuse to place the most unlimited confidence in our Creator. If, therefore, a dutiful behaviour of children to parents, founded on the knowledge of their good will towards us, is deservedly called "filial piety," how much more then, will the same conduct of men towards God, bottomed on the assurance of his good will, them the whole counsel of God, and that he had hid nothing from them, which in a spiritual sense might be profitable unto them; in particularizing the subjects of his preaching, he says, that they had been "repentance towards God, and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ." Now, it is well known, that the term, rendered re pentance, in our language, conveys through the gospel of his only begotto us the idea, in the original, of a ten Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Thus change of sentiment, an after thought, filial piety towards God is produced a second consideration and reflection in the heart; the study of the scripon a subject, of which we have be- tures, the operations of the holy ghost, fore entertained erroneous opinions, and personal experience, cherish and and to act agreeably to that better foster this spirit of piety in the conconviction, which the re-considera-verted man; he is daily more and tion has produced. The unconvert- more convinced of his entire depended man considers God as an enemy, ance on his God; and while he is and is himself an enemy to God; he firmly persuaded, that in his own entertains no pious thoughts respect- strength and power he cannot foling his Creator; but when true re- low after holiness, he draws all his pentance has taken place, he learns strength from Christ, the true vine ; through the gospel of Jesus Christ, and in this manner, he is enabled to and through the guidance of the holy say with the Apostle, that "his comspirit, that he, whom he considered mandments are not grievous.' In to be an enemy, is, and has always health and in sickness, in prosperity been, his best friend; that in mani- and adversity, he looks to his heavfesting his love to the world, by the enly Father, through Christ his Samission of Christ Jesus, God has also viour; and by thus living the life of manifested his love towards him as the righteous and pious man, he prean individual; and that, while he pares himself to die the death of the was a prodigal son, and an enemy of righteous. In the last agonies, he his heavenly father, the paternal remembers, that the Lord has been heart yearned with compassion to- his shepherd and guide through all wards him, and mourned his lost and the trials of life, and that he has proruined condition. He finds that it is mised, that whosoever believes in good for man to lay down the wea- him, though he were dead, yet shall pons of rebellion, and to dwell under he live. This assurance of his Rethe shadow of the Almighty, and in deemer, supports him in the moment the paternal house. He learns to of dissolution, knowing from past exknow, that every provision has been perience, that he has not followed made in the gospel, that God might cunningly devised fables, but has be just, and the justifier of him that trusted in the living God, whose probelieves in Jesus; he believes his mises will not fail, though heaven Saviour's word, that the very hairs and earth should perish. Thus the of his head are numbered, and that doctrine of our Lord Jesus Christ, none of them falleth to the ground, becomes to him a doctrine unto godwithout the will of his heavenly fa-liness or piety; and thus it teaches the ther. He is taught to cast his bur- pious to live soberly, righteously and den and all his cares, upon the Lord; godly in this, present world, and to and as a pious child, to look for eve-wait for that blessed hope, and the ry blessing to him, who has manifest- glorious appearance of the great God, ed his love to his rebellious children and our Saviour Jesus Christ. Thoughts on Resignation. For the Lutheran Magazine. THOUGHTS ON RESIGNATION. 103 1st. It is certain that we owe to the free goodness of our Creator, all should reflect that it is our duty to resign, with equanimity, that which is not our own, instead of breaking out into reproachful complaints, or indulging in stupid despondency.-Nay more, we should express our gratitude for that with which we have been so long favored, rather than sullenly regret its loss. As we had no claims on the bounty of the gracious Donor, the discontinuance of that bounty can be no injustice on his part, and no hardship on ours. 2d. As we are helpless beings, entirely dependant on our Maker, He has an indisputable right to deal with Life is a continual scene of disap- the blessings that we have ever enpointments and afflictions. Unfore-joyed. Whenever, therefore, we seen occurrences frequently blight have been deprived of one good, we our fondest hopes, and remove our present enjoyments. In the morning of our existence, ignorant of the vicissitudes of this world, we project schemes of future happiness and ease; at noon, we find ourselves beset with trials on every hand; and in the evening of life, we sit down in quiet, and summing up the testimony of experience, pronounce all sublunary desires, to be vanity and vexation of spirit. Upon some, disappointments and calamities fall more frequently and with a more oppressive weight than upon others; but either in a more severe or more sparing degree, they happen to all.us as He pleases. But it is to be obDifferent individuals support themselves under afflictions in a very different manner; whilst some yield to them with the most dastardly submission, others meet them with the firmest fortitude. The Christian alone, when animated by the sublime hopes of his religion, though plunged from the highest summit of human bliss, to the lowest depths of complicated misery, cannot be provoked to a single expression of complaint; but, on the contrary, amidst all his surrounding difficulties, he still preserves the most exalted sense of duty, still cherishes the liveliest emotions of gratitude for the blessings he had before enjoyed. Out of the many arguments which served, that no instance of his conduct towards us, needs to be defended upon this ground: every pain and calamity we suffer, is called for by our own misconduct. If at any time we should be afflicted by dispensations which may appear to us severe, let us but call to mind how frequently we have violated the will of our Benefactor, even whilst he was pouring down His favors upon us with an unsparing hand; and the review of our ingratitude and worthlessness, and of his munificence and forbearance, will immediately silence our complaint, and convince us that our chastisement is very far from being proportionate to our guilt. 3d. It cannot be denied, that we might be urged to recommend a have it in our power to lighten the cheerful acquiescence in the dispen-weight of every calamity, by bearing sations of Providence, the few fol- up against it with firmness. He who lowing shall be selected :pores over his misfortunes, will be 1 |