---

A few years ago a fierce and violent dispute was carried on between the chief physicians of Europe concerning antimony. And while some maintained that this mineral was a most valuable medicine, and extolled it to the skies, others asserted that it was injurious, and ought to be classed among the deadly poisons. The debate at length subsided; and it is now admitted that the article in question may be useful when administered with sound judgment. The opinions of men have always been greatly divided on the subject of religious joy — some extol it in the highest strains; others reprobate and condemn and labour to extinguish it.

I. THE NATURE AND SOURCE OF RELIGIOUS JOY. An able writer on the passions says, "Joy is the vivid pleasure inspired on our receiving something peculiarly grateful; something evidently productive of advantage, or something which promises to contribute to Our present or future happiness." The worldly man exults in the acquisition of wealth, power, titles, and honours. When religion enters the mind it both informs the understanding and moves the passions. Among the passions joy holds a conspicuous rank.

1. Religious or holy Icy arises from a sense of the free favour of a merciful, covenant God.

2. Religious joy arises from a sense of the special presence of a merciful, covenant God.

(1)  While he contemplates the grand and beautiful scenes of visible nature.

(2)  In the ordinances of His worship.

II. HOLY JOY TENDS TO INVIGORATE AND SUSTAIN THOSE WHO ARE THE PARTAKERS OF IT. There are certain states of mind which we are accustomed to express in figurative terms and in the form of maxims. Thus we say knowledge is power, and ignorance is imbecility; hope braces, and fear relaxes the soul. If there be any aptness in such contrasts, we may assert, that as melancholy is weakness, joy is strength. Joy has a manifest tendency to invigorate and sustain —

1. The Christian's resolutions, in prosecuting all the arduous labours of virtue and piety.

2. The Christian's faith under the afflictions and trials he is called to endure (Habakkuk 3:17-18).Conclusion: We have an express warrant to rejoice: "Rejoice in the Lord alway."

1. Our personal interest is wrapt up in this duty.

2. The welfare of our brethren is in a certain degree involved in this duty.

3. The honour of our Master is implicated in the right discharge of this duty.

(Congregational Remembrancer.)

---

---

KJV: And Nehemiah, which is the Tirshatha, and Ezra the priest the scribe, and the Levites that taught the people, said unto all the people, This day is holy unto the LORD your God; mourn not, nor weep. For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law.

WEB: Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest the scribe, and the Levites who taught the people, said to all the people, "This day is holy to Yahweh your God. Don't mourn, nor weep." For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law.