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Literary
May 18, 1831
Morning Star
Limerick, York County, Maine
What is this article about?
A Christian essay from the Episcopal Recorder on the challenge and joy of submitting entirely to God's will, drawing from Matthew 6:10. It reflects on human pride, trials as blessings, and includes a devotional poem affirming 'Thy will be done' in sorrow, darkness, and death.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
From the Episcopal Recorder.
"THY WILL BE DONE."
Matt. 6:10.
Perhaps there is no Christian attainment more difficult and more desirable than that of entire submission to the will of God, and none that would render pilgrims so happy while they sojourn here below, as the constant exercise of this sweet and holy disposition. How often do we imagine that we have given up our own wills, to be moulded according to our Heavenly Father's pleasure, when the most trifling circumstance shows us that our deceitful hearts have misled us, and that we still have in our hearts remains of that "carnal heart, which is enmity against God." Oh! how much is comprised in these four short words, chosen as the subject of my remarks, "Thy will be done." It is the Christian's privilege, to be guided in all things by a God whose wisdom is infinite, whose love is unsearchable, whose faithfulness and truth shall stand for ever. How is it then, after having professed to take God as his portion, he sets up his own will, in opposition to that of God his heavenly Father? Is it not the latent pride and unbelief of the human heart, which is ever prone to rebel against God? There are no Christians, who have not more or less of this experience: there are times when they sit at the very feet of Jesus, when their wills and affections seem to be swallowed up in the love of God, and when as little children, they return to their gracious parent, tired of their wandering, and ready to cry, with their whole hearts, "Thy will be done."
Who that knows the blessedness of such a Christian grace, but desires always to remain in the same holy frame: but alas! new temptations draw the heart away, and it forgets again, and again, the wise and holy God. If sorrows and disappointments are sent to the believer, they prove blessings to him, if he only receives them as a christian ought to do. If placed in circumstances of difficulty, darkness and distress, the child of God need not "mourn as one without hope," if he is only enabled to say "Thy will be done." There are situations, in which many a humble and zealous disciple of the Saviour is placed, wherein his usefulness is hindered, his hands tied, and his heart almost sinks within him, at the trials which are his; but even here, he may glorify God, in quietly submitting, and his soul shall be kept in perfect peace, as long as he can say, Father, "thy will be done."
Tho' sorrows thicken round my path,
And earthly joys have flown,
I shall not greatly fear, for I
Can say "thy will be done."
E'en darkness, clouds, and storms awhile,
May shadow life's bright sun;
My dearest joy remains, for I
Can say "thy will be done."
The sorest trials, blessings bring,
From heaven's eternal throne,
When'er the christian heart can say
"Father, thy will be done."
In darkest hours, O! teach me Lord,
To trust in thee alone:
And in the hour of death to say,
"Father, thy will be done."
So when my weary spirit rests,
When sighing is unknown,
With holier joy I there shall sing--
"Father, thy will be done."
"THY WILL BE DONE."
Matt. 6:10.
Perhaps there is no Christian attainment more difficult and more desirable than that of entire submission to the will of God, and none that would render pilgrims so happy while they sojourn here below, as the constant exercise of this sweet and holy disposition. How often do we imagine that we have given up our own wills, to be moulded according to our Heavenly Father's pleasure, when the most trifling circumstance shows us that our deceitful hearts have misled us, and that we still have in our hearts remains of that "carnal heart, which is enmity against God." Oh! how much is comprised in these four short words, chosen as the subject of my remarks, "Thy will be done." It is the Christian's privilege, to be guided in all things by a God whose wisdom is infinite, whose love is unsearchable, whose faithfulness and truth shall stand for ever. How is it then, after having professed to take God as his portion, he sets up his own will, in opposition to that of God his heavenly Father? Is it not the latent pride and unbelief of the human heart, which is ever prone to rebel against God? There are no Christians, who have not more or less of this experience: there are times when they sit at the very feet of Jesus, when their wills and affections seem to be swallowed up in the love of God, and when as little children, they return to their gracious parent, tired of their wandering, and ready to cry, with their whole hearts, "Thy will be done."
Who that knows the blessedness of such a Christian grace, but desires always to remain in the same holy frame: but alas! new temptations draw the heart away, and it forgets again, and again, the wise and holy God. If sorrows and disappointments are sent to the believer, they prove blessings to him, if he only receives them as a christian ought to do. If placed in circumstances of difficulty, darkness and distress, the child of God need not "mourn as one without hope," if he is only enabled to say "Thy will be done." There are situations, in which many a humble and zealous disciple of the Saviour is placed, wherein his usefulness is hindered, his hands tied, and his heart almost sinks within him, at the trials which are his; but even here, he may glorify God, in quietly submitting, and his soul shall be kept in perfect peace, as long as he can say, Father, "thy will be done."
Tho' sorrows thicken round my path,
And earthly joys have flown,
I shall not greatly fear, for I
Can say "thy will be done."
E'en darkness, clouds, and storms awhile,
May shadow life's bright sun;
My dearest joy remains, for I
Can say "thy will be done."
The sorest trials, blessings bring,
From heaven's eternal throne,
When'er the christian heart can say
"Father, thy will be done."
In darkest hours, O! teach me Lord,
To trust in thee alone:
And in the hour of death to say,
"Father, thy will be done."
So when my weary spirit rests,
When sighing is unknown,
With holier joy I there shall sing--
"Father, thy will be done."
What sub-type of article is it?
Essay
Poem
Hymn Or Psalm
What themes does it cover?
Religious
Moral Virtue
Death Mortality
What keywords are associated?
Submission To God
Christian Grace
Thy Will Be Done
Trials And Sorrows
Devotional Poem
Faith In Adversity
What entities or persons were involved?
From The Episcopal Recorder
Literary Details
Title
"Thy Will Be Done."
Author
From The Episcopal Recorder
Subject
Matt. 6:10
Form / Style
Prose Reflection With Concluding Devotional Poem
Key Lines
Oh! How Much Is Comprised In These Four Short Words, Chosen As The Subject Of My Remarks, "Thy Will Be Done."
There Are Times When They Sit At The Very Feet Of Jesus, When Their Wills And Affections Seem To Be Swallowed Up In The Love Of God, And When As Little Children, They Return To Their Gracious Parent, Tired Of Their Wandering, And Ready To Cry, With Their Whole Hearts, "Thy Will Be Done."
Tho' Sorrows Thicken Round My Path,
And Earthly Joys Have Flown,
I Shall Not Greatly Fear, For I
Can Say "Thy Will Be Done."
In Darkest Hours, O! Teach Me Lord,
To Trust In Thee Alone:
And In The Hour Of Death To Say,
"Father, Thy Will Be Done."
So When My Weary Spirit Rests,
When Sighing Is Unknown,
With Holier Joy I There Shall Sing
"Father, Thy Will Be Done."