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Literary
March 17, 1840
The Caledonian
Saint Johnsbury, Caledonia County, Vermont
What is this article about?
Devotional prose instructs on stirring up God's gift through daily faith, prayer, and self-examination, drawing from 2 Timothy 1:6. Emphasizes morning devotion and preserving spiritual blessings. Concludes with a hymn stanza on lifelong prayer and praise.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
Stir up the gift of God which is in thee.--
2d Tim. 1:6; 2d Tim. 7:18,28.
How can this be done? Answer: By looking as well upon thy own poverty and wants, as upon the riches of grace which are in Christ for thee, and so drawing near to God through him in faith. But it is not enough to do this once for all, or now and then only; it is to be our daily work. One day's omission may greatly hurt the soul. Especially the morning hours are very proper for this purpose. These must directly be laid hold on to converse with God in prayer, before we meddle with any thing else in our business, though ever so needful and important, for fear of being entangled and distracted perhaps the whole day; and to gather the whole strength, draw as near to Christ as possible, & even wrestle with him as if it were the last time. Pour out thy whole heart before him not giving over too soon; but be instant in thy supplication, at least with continual inward groaning, till thy heart burns within thee, and then feels the quickening influence of his grace and spirit. Then great care is to be taken to preserve this blessing and strengthen a quiet and well-composed mind, examining thyself frequently, especially at night, how the day has been spent.
I'll lift my hands, I'll raise my voice,
While I have breath to pray or praise;
This work shall make my heart rejoice,
And spend the remnant of my days.
2d Tim. 1:6; 2d Tim. 7:18,28.
How can this be done? Answer: By looking as well upon thy own poverty and wants, as upon the riches of grace which are in Christ for thee, and so drawing near to God through him in faith. But it is not enough to do this once for all, or now and then only; it is to be our daily work. One day's omission may greatly hurt the soul. Especially the morning hours are very proper for this purpose. These must directly be laid hold on to converse with God in prayer, before we meddle with any thing else in our business, though ever so needful and important, for fear of being entangled and distracted perhaps the whole day; and to gather the whole strength, draw as near to Christ as possible, & even wrestle with him as if it were the last time. Pour out thy whole heart before him not giving over too soon; but be instant in thy supplication, at least with continual inward groaning, till thy heart burns within thee, and then feels the quickening influence of his grace and spirit. Then great care is to be taken to preserve this blessing and strengthen a quiet and well-composed mind, examining thyself frequently, especially at night, how the day has been spent.
I'll lift my hands, I'll raise my voice,
While I have breath to pray or praise;
This work shall make my heart rejoice,
And spend the remnant of my days.
What sub-type of article is it?
Essay
Hymn Or Psalm
What themes does it cover?
Religious
Moral Virtue
What keywords are associated?
Devotion
Prayer
Grace
Faith
Christian Spirituality
Hymn
Literary Details
Subject
Stir Up The Gift Of God Which Is In Thee (2 Tim. 1:6)
Key Lines
Stir Up The Gift Of God Which Is In Thee. 2d Tim. 1:6; 2d Tim. 7:18,28.
I'll Lift My Hands, I'll Raise My Voice,
While I Have Breath To Pray Or Praise;
This Work Shall Make My Heart Rejoice,
And Spend The Remnant Of My Days.