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 #LIBIIAIIY OF CONGRESS.^ 
 
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 ^ UNITED STATES OP AMERICA. | 
 
POEMS AND ESSAYS: 
 
 INCLUDING 
 
 ADDRESS TO OCEAI, 
 
 THE GREAT QUESTION, 
 
 &c., &c. 
 
 BY MRS. J. F. ADAMS. 
 
 LAWRENCE: . ' v 
 GEO. W. SARGENT & CO., PRINTERS. 
 
 ■j 
 
 > 
 

 4 
 
PREFACK- 
 
 The only apology which can be given for presenting to the public a book 
 possessing no higher degree of literary merit than this httle volume can 
 claim, may be briefly stated. The articles were prepared by the writer dur- 
 ing a season of confinement to her room from physical infirmities ; and as 
 tjiese difficulties still continue in a considerable degree, thereby rendering 
 her incapable of much exertion, they, together with the loss of property 
 and bereavement of friends, may commend her to the sympathy of others. 
 The desire to do good by the dissemination of pious thoughts, even though 
 they may not be expressed in an elegant style of language, is a strong 
 reason in the mind of the writer for wishing the articles published. We 
 know that a vast amount of good is done by the popular method of writ- 
 ing, namely : by well arranged stories conveying lessons of piety and pro- 
 priety in all things. But how often it is, after beholding, as it were, our 
 natural faces as in a glass, while reading these stories, that we go away and 
 forget what manner of persons we are, or neglect to improve by the exam- 
 ples they furnish to our minds, both of the good and evil characters which 
 they portray ! 
 
 Whether our plan of close reasoning and persuasive argument will have 
 any more lasting effect, we cannot tell ; but we sincerely hope that all who 
 read this work will at least endeavor to be prepared to answer the Great 
 Question without remorse or regret on their own part, 
 
 " Whene'er their hour of trial comes." 
 Some errors which appear in the work, are owing to the circumstances 
 of the author's not seeing any printed sheet till the whole number was 
 completed. The article entitled " Two Scenes with Reflections," is intend- 
 ed as a memorial to a deceased husband. His body lies where " no stone 
 can mark the spot." This article is intended here in place of a monument 
 to his memory. 
 
TO MISS L- 
 
 Dear Madam:— 
 
 There are reasons, which you will readily understand, why this 
 book should be dedicated to yourself, if to any one. Though entertaining 
 different sentiments from the author on some subjects, yet, you kindly 
 listened to the reading of a number of these articles while in manuscript 
 and thus encouraged her in the work of preparing them. 
 With sincerely good wishes, 
 
 Yours, cSjc, 
 
 J. F. A. 
 
APOSTKOPHE TO THE OCEAN. 
 
 Well mayst thou roar, thou mighty ocean, 
 
 And raise high thy notes triumphal ! alas I 
 
 For thou hast conquered man, — proud, peerless man ; 
 
 Yea, many victories canst thou count o'er men 
 
 And ships which now lie prostrate 'neath thy car 
 
 Of triumph. Insatiate monster thou. 
 
 The skill and genius of succeeding years, 
 
 And all the intellectual strength which men 
 
 And nations can combine to bear against 
 
 Thy fury, have been tried in hope to save 
 
 Thy victims from the grasp of thy strong arm, 
 
 And lead them safely o'er thy mountain waves, 
 
 In vain. Thy giant-like strength o'ermasters 
 
 All their arts, laughing them to scorn. 
 
 Yea, now, 
 Thy song is loud and boisterous in its tone. 
 As it hath ever been. Methinks a note 
 Of wailing, a sad, funereal peal. 
 Or solemn, dirge-like strain, would seem more fit ; 
 'Twould serve to show thou hadst respect for those 
 Who bravely died, contending to the last. 
 Ah I well ; this v/e should hardly dare expect : 
 Few conquerors are found enough humane 
 Or kind to feel more pity for the ones 
 They make to suffer by their pride and rage 
 Than joy for their own victory. Why dost 
 Thou not restrain tliy billows when they rise 
 Up into cones and avalanches steep, 
 That fall and burst like thunder on our ships, — 
 Which break them up, and drown our men? 
 
Hast thou 
 No pity ? or art thou but a hfeless mass 
 Of inert matter, that would be quiet 
 But for a force, a powerful lever, 
 Wind, or air, which goes down 'neath thy entrails, 
 Whirhng thee into madness and fury, 
 'Gainst thy will? 'Gainst this power thou'it powerless, 
 An engine moved by a superior force. 
 An instrument in the Creator's hand 
 Thou seemest, to deal out ruin and distress 
 On men, and women too. For if but one 
 Of our frail members perish, all the rest 
 Must deeply feel the loss, and mourn its fate. 
 The Babylonish kings, in days of old, 
 Were rods of anger, whereby God chastised 
 His chosen Israelites, when they transgressed 
 His righteous laws. 
 
 •o' 
 
 To have thy mission changed 
 Why canst thou plead ? It seems a task severe 
 To minister judgments even on those 
 Who stand condemned. Thou sparest not the good. 
 Or great, or age, or sex ; alike they fall 
 Beneath thy power, when thou in rage dost boil. 
 Men who contend on battle-fields expect 
 That some will fall. But thou at times art calm 
 And still : so beautiful thou seemest then 
 We can but love thee ; ay, we long to throw 
 Ourselves upon thy breast, and gently skim 
 Across thy sparkhng waves. 
 
 Thou fascinat'st 
 Us by thy varied charms, sublime and grand, 
 And then too oft prov'st treacherous to our trust. 
 A fickle friend art thou, thus to betray 
 Us to our loss ; yet 'tis not thou alone 
 Which causest our distress and mak'st us mourn. 
 Though thou hast covered all who once were dear 
 To us on earth, we'll still be just to thee : 
 The gale terrific, darkness caused by snow, 
 Perchance a floating piJlar formed of ice, 
 Made them a prey to thy devouring maw. 
 Yet these were formed by God. The rocky ledge 
 And hidden shoal seem sometimes worse than thou. 
 
That coral reef, o'er which the water looks 
 So milky white, straight in ouir pathway lies 
 When sailing to those isles and lands which lie 
 All round the gulf. 
 
 Yet, Lord, we do not dare 
 To ask why thou doest aught thy wisdom plans. 
 But then, our minds are part of thine own self; 
 And though aware that we should quietly 
 Submit ourselves to thine unerring will, 
 Sometimes the thought arises, wond'ring, asks 
 Why are things thus ? 
 
 Perhaps from them we might 
 A lesson learn of faith in thee, and care 
 Concerning other dangers which are strewn 
 In all our paths, by land and sea. 
 
 Please, Lord, 
 To grant our hearts' deep prayer : Be merciful 
 And kind to seamen in their hour of woe, 
 Whene'er it be. 'Tis echoed in the breasts 
 Of all the good and kind, yea, e'en by some 
 Who have but this one pious wish : ''God save 
 The sailor." Oh ! hear it, Lord. Like incense 
 May it rise even to thy throne. Now humbly. 
 Most humbly, we acknowledge few of us 
 Approach thine altar as thy law requires, 
 Witk hands and hearts both free from guilt ; but may 
 The depth of soul in this petition breathed 
 Win it thy favor, and have weight with thee 
 When on thy mercy-seat. We ask it, last. 
 In Jesus' name, who once went forth to join 
 His friends, and calm their fears, walking upon 
 The foaming wave-tops' crests unharmed, upheld 
 By an unshrinking faith in thee. Oh I in 
 That hour of all most solemn, when the dark 
 Relentless monster comes in view, and then 
 With threatening looks, and arms outstretched, diuws near 
 And nearer slowly, — no wife or mother there. 
 Or messenger by whom to send them back 
 A farewell word, — no way or opening left 
 For hope to 'scape the dreaded grasp, — dear God, 
 Be thou their friend, and thy good Spirit send 
 With cheering thoughts, — of pardon for their sins ; 
 
Of home and frieuds beyond the reach of storms, 
 Collisions, ice and hail. O I help them, Lord, 
 To bear the dread inevitable fate 
 Which them awaits, and which by lingering 
 Seems yet worse. May they then recall the scene 
 At Golgotha, where thine Anointed One 
 Endured for us such anguish keen. Too fierce 
 It was for e'en his mental strength to bear ; 
 Else why that cry, "My God, my God, why hast 
 Thou me forsaken?" Pity, Lord, when those 
 Of merely human origin thus speak 
 And feel, when trials deep and sore becloud 
 Their mental vision. 
 
 May they then rely 
 On Jesus' power, to give them strength to bear 
 The worst things calmly, and be firm through all. 
 By faith in him who suffered for their sins. 
 To raise them up at last. 
 
 Again to thee, 
 Old ocean, now we turn, to say some words 
 Of glad farewell. There's One can conquer thee ; 
 And thou at his command must bow, and shrink 
 Before his presence. Rememberest thou 
 That when of old he bade the winds and waves 
 **Be still," that all was calm? 
 
 The hour draws nigh 
 When those poor men, o'er whom thou rollest on 
 Thy waves with monarch-like procession tread, 
 Shall be dehvered from their dark abode 
 'Neath thy despotic sway. E'en as the whale 
 Delivered up the prophet, so shalt thou 
 Give back the dead which are in thee, and they 
 Will live again. Yea, they'll rise in triumph ; 
 And as thou art dried up to thy centre, 
 Will come forth victorious to meet their King, — 
 The Conqueror of death and sin, and him 
 That hath the power of death; and thou nor they,. 
 No more canst have dominion over them. 
 
 Then shall peal forth an anthem loud and deep. 
 Echoing far and wide with sound prolonged, 
 Till earth's firm pillars feel its .power, sustained 
 
Through all the upper skies in purest strains, 
 To him who rescued men ; — yet all unheard 
 By thee ; for then there's no more sea. 
 
 Farewell, 
 Then, ocean ! Ere long the angel cometh, 
 To step one foot on thee and one on earth ; 
 And when he lifts his hand and swears by him 
 Who liveth evermore that time's last glass 
 Has run, the music of thy waves shall cease. 
 
 THE GREAT QUESTION. 
 
 Matthew, 16th, 26th. 
 
 For what is a man profited if he shall gain the ivhole world 
 and lose his own soul ? or what shall a man give in exchange 
 for his soul? 
 
 Dear reader, whoever thou mayst be, turn not from this essay 
 because the subject is a solemn one : for though indeed it be 
 solemn, it is addressed to thee as much as to any other per- 
 son ; and it is of such a nature that thou canst not always 
 put it off or shrink from it. Even should you manage in some 
 manner while you live on this earth to avoid thinking much 
 about it, that will only render it tenfold more solemn to you 
 when once you pass this probationary state and find yourself 
 in what we now term the unseen world, but what after all is 
 the real world. What we see and handle are not so real as 
 those mental thoughts of ours, which will exist forever. How- 
 ever, we intend to present one original idea in the course of 
 our reasoning, and beg you to read on till you come to it, even 
 if no farther. But first we will relate a true circumstance, or 
 
8 
 
 anecdote if you please to call it by that name. A gentleman 
 of talent and ability had imbibed certain ideas on religious 
 subjects, as led him to believe, or to think he believed, that 
 all persons would finally be made holy and happy in a future 
 state. On a certain occasion he called upon a clergyman in 
 New England, and talked for some time to him upon his re- 
 ligious views. The minister listened patiently, saying but 
 little in reply ; and the other left him, feeling that his mode 
 of presenting the matter was so persuasive that the minister 
 could not controvert it. However, in this he learned that he 
 was mistaken. The next morning the clergyman called on 
 him as he was about leaving the town, and accompanied him 
 to the cars, and when near separating observed that there 
 was one question he wished to ask him, and hoped he would 
 consider it over carefully before giving a reply. Then fol- 
 lowed the startling question, "What is a man profited if 
 he gain the whole world and lose his own soul ?" &c. The 
 whistle sounded ; the gentlemen parted. There was no op- 
 portunity for giving an evasive reply, nor would such a ques- 
 tion admit of it. The traveller, now left to his own reflections, 
 had ample time to ponder this most momentous question. 
 Although it had been partly forgotten, yet now he well re- 
 membered who it was who first asked this question, — that it 
 was no bigoted priest, or pious fanatic, but the Lord Jesus 
 himself. The result of this gentleman's reflections were that 
 his opinions were so far changed that he soon gave up the 
 practice of the law, and became an Orthodox minister. 
 
 Now, let us continue our reflections upon this text. We 
 have already seen who first asked the question. Now, what 
 wisdom would there be in his propounding such an inquiry, 
 if there were no possible danger that any one could become 
 a castaway, or lose his soul ? The very fact that one who 
 
we all believe knew all things concerning what he preached 
 and taught asked such a question ought to settle the matter 
 at once, that such a thing is possible, — that one may, by- 
 choosing the things of this world in preference to seeking 
 only for the true riches, lose his soul. 
 
 Some may say that this would imply annihilation. Sup- 
 pose that this text might be so understood : would any one 
 be quite willing to be struck out of existence altogether, as 
 unworthy to be permitted to live ? The love of immortality 
 is a universal principle among all nations and people. 
 
 "Memory — the hero buys it with his blood, 
 The patriot with proud sacrifice of self, 
 The poet with sweet music from his lute, 
 Of which his feelings are the subtle chords : 
 Yea, even the vain rich build palaces, 
 To make their name immortal." 
 
 All heathen who are raised to some degree above merely an- 
 imal existence have some desires of living hereafter. The 
 Indian looks to large, beautiful hunting-grounds, his ideas of 
 happiness being fixed upon the excitement of hunting. The 
 Mahometans imagine a heaven suited to their ideas of bliss 
 in this world. We who have read the Bible, or heard it read, 
 have different conceptions of what constitutes heaven. If we 
 should happen to be filled with whatever we have sought 
 most on earth, as a means of happiness, or enabling us to kill 
 time agreeably, we may not now stop to imagine what would 
 be the state of things hereafter. 
 
 Our pride and our affections both make us wish to be re- 
 membered in this world ; and for the sake of him who made 
 us, we should be unvnlling to be bad and unprofitable, that, 
 like a poisonous weed, or a tree so crooked and ugly as to be 
 useless and unsightly, we should be destroyed in order to get 
 rid of us. 
 
10 
 
 Most persons desire to meet their relatives in another world, 
 even though they may care little for God's society or pres- 
 ence. And here let us pause a moment to ask Why do peo- 
 ple not care for the society of God and of Jesus ? Is it be- 
 cause they are unacquainted with them? We sometimes 
 love persons whom we have never seen. We love that lady 
 who joined the army at the Crimea in order to nurse the sick 
 soldiers. Miss Nightingale's name will be had in everlasting 
 remembrance. 
 
 We admire some persons for their great talents merely, 
 aside from goodness. Now God unites every kind and de- 
 gree of talents and goodness in himself, and has given us the 
 means of learning his character and becoming acquainted 
 with him, by reading, and still more by prayer. 
 
 But to return : if we desire to meet our friends in a future 
 state, we must naturally suppose that they wish to meet with 
 us there. Every mother would wish all her children to be 
 happy; and this (we were going to say) would cover the 
 whole human family ; but oh ! why do not all mothers set 
 their children a good example, and endeavor to draw them to 
 heaven by the cords of a mother's love, the strongest of any 
 earthly attachment? O, dear reader! for the sake of thy 
 mother, who will wish thee to be happy whatever may befall 
 herself, try to get a passport to the regions of bliss in a future 
 state ; and for thine own sake, and God's sake, and Jesus' 
 sake, try to gain the pearl of great price, which in another 
 place Jesus says is worth more than all the riches of earth. 
 This passport, this priceless pearl, can only be obtained by a 
 proper faith in the Lord Jesus, and a submission to his re- 
 quirements above all other considerations. Unfortunately, 
 some endeavor to explain away certain passages of our Lord's 
 ijsyings and other scriptures ; but it is a fearful thing to do 
 
11 
 
 this. The serpent said to Eve "Ye shall not surely die" — 
 delusive sophistry. Shall we reject the testimony of God, 
 and of his Son, for false reasoning from imperfect and sinful 
 men, or fallen spirits? St. Paul says though an angel from 
 heaven preach any other doctrine than that which he preached, 
 let him be accursed. Now this great apostle speaks in one 
 place of the possibility of his being a castaway if he did not 
 practise the precepts which he enjoined on others. This term 
 is of the same import as losing one's soul, so that we have 
 additional testimony to the same idea implied in one text, 
 and spoken by the Lord himself, even from one of the highest 
 of the apostles. We will now present the reader with the 
 original idea which we promised. 
 
 In the Old Testament there are passages which say the 
 wicked shall be confounded and shall stagger, but not with 
 strong drink, when the Lord bringeth his judgments upon 
 them. Now, kind reader, thou mayst have seen a man reel 
 because he was intoxicated, and if so we hope that thou re- 
 ally pitiedst him sincerely. Alas that we should ever laugh 
 at the misfortunes of others, or be angry with them when pity 
 would be far more appropriate, and lead to better results I 
 We know not what severe trial was preying upon his mind, 
 which led the man to drink in order to "drown trouble." 
 Perchance thou hast seen persons in a state of partial insan- 
 ity, — not raving crazy, yet sufficiently diseased in mind as 
 to be perfectly miserable, — incapable of thinking properly, 
 or of enjoying any comfort. This is a state of the greatest 
 possible suffering — no peace of mind day or night ; for when 
 such a person is asleep it is so lightly that they keep dream- 
 ing over their troubles, and suflering even while apparently 
 asleep. If an arm be diseased, we may bandage it up, and 
 try io keep it still ; but the mind will not be kept still by 
 
12 
 
 bandaging the head; it cannot be entirely passive, and in 
 cases of insanity it is often fearfully excited. A certain wo- 
 man who was or had been insane gave it as a reason that 
 such did not feel the cold that their blood was boiling in their 
 brains. This statement is at least partly true ; for sometimes 
 the head feels as if it were burning with intense heat, owing 
 to the unnatural excitement. Another person for many years 
 had a severe humor, which at one time was driven inward, 
 and during that period she was partially insane ; but after a 
 few years the humor broke out on the surface again, and she 
 became well in mind. The humor, however, became very 
 severe, nearly covering her body ; but when friends would ex- 
 press pity for her on this account, she told them that laas no- 
 thing to what she had endured during the whole period that 
 her mind was diseased. A gentleman in Massachusetts, who 
 for some time was partly deranged from dyspepsia, says that 
 his mental sufferings were so severe that sometimes he bit 
 his fingers as deep as he could, and at others threw himself 
 on the floor with all the force he had, in order to hurt his 
 body in some way, so as to get relief for his mind. Consid- 
 ering what insane persons suffer, it is almost a wonder that 
 more do not commit suicide when their feelings are perfectly 
 unbearable. And this leads us a step on our original inten- 
 tion. 
 
 But first we observe those persons feel confounded, con- 
 fused, at their wits' end, distracted, &c. 
 
 Now let us suppose a person has lived tolerably easy in 
 this world, and hoping to be perfectly happy in another state, 
 either because he had committed no terrible crimes, or from 
 some wrong ground of hope ; yet when he has passed the 
 boundary of probation's time, he learns that he cannot possi- 
 bly be admitted into the society of the blessed, nor on farther 
 
13 
 
 information can he learn that repentance will serve any pur- 
 pose now ; or at least though a repentant spirit is better than 
 a hardened, rebellious state, still he cannot enter into that 
 happy state he has been hoping for. Now if disappointments 
 sometimes cause insanity here, may not such a terrible dis- 
 appointment as this, an irremediable mistake, make a mind 
 utterly distracted ? and as no way of relief appears, may not 
 perfect madness, or some kind of insanity, be the result ? A 
 small disappointment is hard to bear, a greater one hard- 
 er, and such a one as this, dear reader, unless thy peace is 
 made with God, we wish thee to ponder well ; for when we 
 know we alone are to blame, deep must be our remorse. It 
 is not necessary that there should be any literal fire or brim- 
 stone, or iron chains. If a person be once insane, and imag- 
 ines that evil spirits have power over him, he needs no worse 
 torment. It does not follow that because the mind is sepa- 
 rate from the body it cannot feel distracted. We fear that 
 the feelings will be keener than what an insane person feels 
 in this world, or something like them, perhaps, but worse, 
 and in proportion as one has been more or less bad will be 
 their remorse and suffering. 
 
 Let us imagine the feelings of a person who has thought 
 only of what is usually called pleasure, (parties, balls, cards, 
 gay living, trying to eclipse his neighbors in some way,) or 
 who has cavilled at the Bible, and tried to explain its threat- 
 enings away, when he finds that he is shut out from God's 
 presence because he did not seek it here, shut out from the 
 company of the pious because he disliked it here ; or at least 
 it w^as irksome to him — he wanted lively society. Now he 
 is obliged to be with the bad, whether he will or not. He 
 sees their thoughts, and they see his thoughts ; there is no 
 deception now, no loud laughter in order to conceal the agony 
 
14 
 
 within, -no wine-cup to flee to in order to produce forgetful- 
 ness, no secret bedchamber to which to flee to weep in secret 
 or pray to God for one drop of mercy. No ; if one prays 
 there, he knows that all present see his words. Perhaps he 
 was ashamed to pray in public while he lived on earth ; alas ! 
 now, if this be so. I don't know but prayers may be accept- 
 able in one sense, — permitted, at least ; for the mind that 
 will pray is happier than the one that cannot or will not ; and 
 one might pray for such a spirit, if nothing more. It might 
 be admitted into the society of the penitent, rather than the 
 extreme bad. But we will soon change the subject ; it is too 
 painful to dwell upon. 
 
 We mentioned that we rather wondered that insane per- 
 sons did not oftener commit suicide. In the spirit world this 
 cannot be thought of or meditated upon as a way of escape 
 from present sufferings. God grant that none whom we 
 know or have known may experience these things I 
 
 Some say heaven and hell are not places^ but merely states 
 of the mind. We will leave this matter, but observe that the 
 :<ociety we are in has very much to do with our happiness or 
 discomfort; as well as our own thoughts. The Savior's 
 thoughts were always good, but he was not always happy 
 while in this world. It made him unhappy to see men buy 
 and sell things in the temple ; he wept for sympathy or pity 
 when looking at Jerusalem, in view of the sufferings of the 
 people which the blindness of their rulers was bringing upon 
 them. Here we might observe how different is the Savior's 
 example from the cold words of philosophy which we fre- 
 quently hear in these days. Some persons who even feel for 
 others' sufferings will not give an expression of sympathy, as 
 they say, for fear of doing harm ; — false reasoning, utterly 
 false. The heart that feels things truly will in some way 
 
15 
 
 exhibit its sympathy. The Lord never told people not to 
 complain, or to mourn the loss of friends ; he expects people 
 of proper feelings to do this, and gave them these feelings 
 which lead to it. To return : it is the society of kindred 
 minds, in some way, that makes happiness anywhere. A 
 child may be pleased with a toy for a little while ; larger 
 children are pleased with flowers, trees, landscapes, and other 
 inanimate things : but all want some one to speak to about 
 those things. True friendship we consider the highest plea- 
 sure ; reciprocity of sentiments and feelings constitutes our 
 highest happiness I while on earthy* and in another world it 
 will be the same. 
 
 In conclusion, let us inquire what is our duty with regard 
 to the momentous question with which we began this essay. 
 Shall we try to save our own souls, and also try to lead oth- 
 ers to do the same, so far as is in our power ? 
 
 Did Christ o'er sinners weep? 
 And shall our tears be dry ? 
 
 We are all sinners, in a greater or less degree ; but God gave 
 his Son to die for us in our stead. He so loved the world 
 that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believetli 
 in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. — John, 
 2d, 16th. Precious text ! the worth of the universe is small 
 in comparison with its worth. 
 
 But does some one say How shall I believe aright in order 
 to be saved ? If thy intentions be right, the Spirit will lead 
 thee in the right way. All we can advise is to enter into thy 
 chamber, or some private place, and there confess that thou 
 hast done some things thou shouldst not have done and hast 
 left undone many things which thou shouldst have done, ac- 
 cording as thou alone knowest thy secret wanderings from 
 
16 
 
 the teachings of the holy book. Then in a humble spirit and 
 manner ask God to forgive thy faults, and blot them out of 
 the book of his remembrance, for Christ's sake, and to give 
 thee his Holy Spirit to enlighten thy understanding, and pu- 
 rify thy heart, and sanctify thy affections ; so thou shalt learn 
 to take no pleasure in those things which are not pleasing to 
 God. A certain ignorant man was taught to pray a prayer 
 of ten words: — "Oh! God, for Christ's sake give me thy 
 Holy Spirit :" which ultimately led to his conversion. Last- 
 ly, read the Bible often and carefully ; but do not explain 
 away its teachings by sophistry, lest thy part be taken out of 
 the holy city, and thy name out of the book of life. 
 
 " We, then, that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the 
 iveak, and not to please ourselves,^"* — Romans, 15th, 1st. 
 
 Although this admonition be given by the great apostle to 
 us Gentiles, yet how seldom is it put into practice by the 
 majority of professed Christians! On the contrary, it too 
 often happens that if a brother be weak-minded in any way, 
 he is despised accordingly. We forget that he belongs to 
 Christ, and that for his sake we should love him and bear 
 patiently with his infirmities. 
 
 When a man has a physical defect, so that he needs a 
 staff, or a crutch, or some outward assistance, we would think 
 it cruel and ill-mannered to ridicule him, or make light of 
 his affliction ; and surely no mere bodily infirmity is so bad 
 as a weak or diseased mind. We should, therefore, show 
 more care and pi^y for ojie of this class llian for one of the 
 
17 
 
 former. We should also remember that few of us are per- 
 fect in every respect. This consideration will produce a feel- 
 ing of charity towards those less fortunate than ourselves. 
 This same apostle asks those who are disposed to boast of 
 their superior privileges — "Who made thee to differ, or 
 what hast thou, that thou didst not receive ?" If we possess 
 genius, talent, or wisdom, or well-balanced minds, we should 
 remember that we did not make these for ourselves. It is 
 God who has bestowed them upon us ; and to him we should 
 give all the praise, and endeavor to prove ourselves worthy 
 of such favors, by employing them for the benefit of those 
 less richly endowed. 
 
 If all were wise and talented, virtue and greatness would 
 have but little scope to develop themselves, compared with 
 what they have under existing circumstances ; and in no 
 way does virtue shine so conspicuously, or is so pleasing to 
 God, as when employed to assist the weak, the poor, or the 
 ignorantf or in reclaiming the wanderer from the paths of 
 error or vice. They that turn many to righteousness shall 
 shine as the stars forever and ever. — Daniel. Job said, he 
 had been eyes to the blind, and feet to the lame. A noble 
 testimony to be able to give of one's self. Would to God 
 that more great men were like Job in this respect ! 
 
 But our chief design is to plead the cause of those who 
 labor under some kind or degree of mental difficulty. Some 
 children are injured by blows on the head, sometimes received 
 in play, from the effects of which they never recover. But 
 it is not always that these things are known or allowed of 
 as an excuse for the individual being somewhat less " smart'' 
 or wise than others. The writer knew an instance of the 
 skull's being fractured in childhood, and no one knew how 
 much of the person's mii>fortunes in after-life was owing to 
 
18 
 
 this circumstance. There is one comforting thought in con- 
 nection with these things ; which is that all things are known 
 to our Creator, and he will make due allowance for such 
 infirmities. 
 
 Were we fully aware of all things which cause defects of 
 character, particularly deficiencies of intellect, we would often- 
 er have feelings of pity for the unfortunate person, than those 
 of fault-finding and contempt. When we lose friends by 
 death, we forget all their foibles, and remember only their 
 love and affection for us, and what good qualities they pos- 
 sessed. Sometimes, too, we regret that we did not enter into 
 their feelings more deeply, and sympathize more with their 
 troubles. It seems to be necessary to suffer similar troubles 
 to what others do, in order to feel properly for them. The 
 writer had a friend who suffered severely from pains through 
 ^he top part of the head, which at times were almost mad- 
 dening; but at that time not having herself had the same 
 kind of pain, she did not know how almost unbearable such 
 pain is when violent. The whole brain becomes so inflamed 
 that to think or speak causes severe torture. Some persons 
 think that persons who are insane or partially so do not really 
 suffer much, and what they do think they suffer is only im- 
 aginary. There are some cases of insanity where persons 
 are quiet and simple like children. Then they may be com- 
 paratively happy. But when they seem unhappy, they really 
 feel so. Even if it be an erroneous idea that has taken such 
 possession of their minds, this does not lessen its effect on 
 them ; neither can they eradicate it from their minds, while the 
 brain is in a diseased state. A person who suffered from a se- 
 vere cerebral disease for a long time thinks now that the severi- 
 ty of the blows which caused the difficulty paralyzed a portion 
 of the brain; for she could not seem to get hold of it. It 
 
, 19 
 
 seemed to be held, as it were. She could not feel like her- 
 self; she had such an insupportable feeling that it is inde- 
 scribable ; it was as if her head and one side were in some 
 way beyond her powers of control; they both seemed to be 
 held by some unseen power. It was all a nervous disease, 
 but her sufferings were dreadful. If one could suppose him- 
 self constantly walking over quicksand, and ready to sink 
 at every step, but endeavoring with all 'his might to hold 
 on, or walking where dangers lay so thick of any kind that 
 it was like being suspended by a hair over a precipice, he 
 might get some idea of the way things seemed to this per- 
 son, owing to the terrible state of her brain and nervous sys- 
 tem. If the idea of complete misery can be imagined, insane 
 persons often suftbr it. With regard to the evil being imag- 
 inary, it is positive and real, in such a case as this. A skilful 
 physician told a patient once she could not see things in 
 tlieir true light; while her nerves were so diseased, it was im- 
 possible. She would have to be well to judge of them cor- 
 rectly. Let us suppose of a case of a mother being at 
 church in an evening, and an enemy or umvise friend going 
 to her and saying, — "There is a fire raging near your house 
 — very near; your children are in danger." That mother 
 would hasten homewards ; but when near there, if she found 
 that the fire was in a contrary direction from her house, 
 would her being deceived diminish the effect of her fears for 
 the time she believed it real ? Surely not. So a wife might 
 hear of the loss of her husband's ship, but in a way which 
 left a chance of his being saved. Still, a body had been 
 found which was believed to be that of her husband ; and 
 consequently she gave him up as dead; but in the course of 
 a year he managed to return home, after being long detained 
 by illness in a foreign land : would the fact Ihat he was still 
 
20 
 
 alive make his wife's feelings any less intense during the 
 time she believed him to be dead ? If we believe anything 
 the effect is the same as if it were so in reality. Some per- 
 sons are partially deranged, but not so ill as to need confine- 
 ment; though restraint by persuasion may sometimes be 
 necessary in order to their recovery. These need very careful 
 and kind treatment. In cases where persons do not have 
 judicious friends to take care of them, it may be well for them 
 to be taken to an asylum ; but wherever they may be, the 
 treatment should be kind and considerate. Every word and 
 action has an effect, not only at the time, but even after they 
 recover ; for this class of persons are often highly sensitive, 
 and though for various reasons, they say nothing in reply to 
 unkind words at the time, yet it is hard to forget such things 
 altogether, and they sometimes wear upon one's mind and 
 do them real injury long after the time has past. Entire for- 
 giveness and forgetfulness of injuries is not always easy. 
 Oh! let harsh or unkind language be entirely avoided to the 
 sick, either in body or mind. Even when firmness is neces- 
 sary, let it be administered gently. Let persons consider 
 how if they had a dear friend ill, or were ill themselves, what 
 kind of treatment they would like, and remember the golden 
 rule, to do unto others as ye would that others should do 
 unto you — Jesus' own command. 
 
 There is one important thing bearing on health both of body 
 and mind, which should not be overlooked ; it is that the 
 patient should, if it be possible, kept free from perplexity 
 about being a great cause of trouble and expense. Were 
 this well understood, it would appear like good policy to do 
 everything freely and cheerfully for the person, and never 
 tell them it is very hard work to take care of them,- or that 
 you cannot afford the expense of some kind of treatment. 
 
21 
 
 Prudence may be advisable and necessary. Still, if perplex- 
 ity can be avoided it will be better. And now one word of 
 advice to sick patients themselves. If you find many obsta- 
 cles in the way of pursuing any system of treatment try to 
 give it up at once. It is better to be like a child, submissive 
 to those who are over you for the time being, for quietness' 
 sake, if nothing else. If you are worried and perplexed how 
 your physician will get paid, you might almost as well not 
 have any, for when the mind is agitated it hinders the effi- 
 cacy of medicine, particularly in nervous diseases. Try to 
 hope for the* best, and resign matters as far as possible into 
 God's keeping. But remember in some diseases one cannot 
 exercise patience and resignation, or at least as much as 
 might be wished. Remember that God understands all 
 things, though no one else does. Be patient with your own 
 seeming impatience and want of composure. When you 
 get well you will feel differently. It is the hope which a 
 physician inspires which does as much good as the medicine ; 
 so some physicians admit. Hope is a great help in all cases; 
 but all cannot be hopeful without great encouragement; but 
 they may be resigned. Sometimes one had better keep 
 quiet, and not speak to any one or think much about their 
 troubles. Prayer is always the greatest relief; but let it not 
 be exciting or fatiguing ; a thought can reach to God's ear, 
 and is sometimes all that is necessary. 
 
 Another thing. We should not slight the requests of 
 those partially deranged, if they be easily granted. We 
 cannot tell what good effect a little thing will have on them. 
 Never tell them they '^ could do better if they would try." 
 Such persons usually think sufficiently ill of themselves; 
 besides the very " trying to do better''^ may be only an addi- 
 tional strain on the nervous system, which needs soothing 
 
99 
 
 and repose. Each case is not alike ; a few possibly may need 
 rousing io action; but we believe that in the most cases of 
 partial insanity, or very bad cases of madness, soothing rem- 
 edies and treatment are the only restoratives ; and medicine 
 is of but little avail unless there be proper management and 
 treatment. Whatever will sooth and give some pleasure 
 will be beneficial, only not an excitjing kind of pleasure. Every 
 pains should be taken to let the patient sleep when he can, 
 and have undisturbed sleep. It is most important. The 
 want of sufficient sleep often produces illness and partial in- 
 sanity. Persons might be restored much sooner by judicious 
 means, than is often the case. One thing more: never get 
 angry with a person of this class for anything he may say. 
 You may possibly misunderstand his meaning, and even 
 if he be really angry, it is better not to notice it. It is not 
 consistent to tell a person he is a lunatic, and yet be angry 
 with him if he finds some fault with your treatment; nor to 
 show anger by expostulating with him, when he means no 
 harm, but perhaps is perfectly right. It does not look like 
 wisdom, though it is often done. Remember a deranged 
 person is always sick in some way ; though we see not the 
 cause, THEY FEEL the difficulty.' In addition to the golden rule 
 one text says, — "The strong should bear the infirmities of 
 the weak." These principles should be practised towards 
 all persons in a subordinate condition: children, servants, 
 sick and aged persons : and reciprocally throng all the rela- 
 tions of life and society. Rest assured that kindness will 
 not lose its reward. The remembrance of it in our own con- 
 sciences will be far pleasanter than the recollection of being 
 arbitrary and severe. It is better to err on the side of mercy 
 than on that of severity. We are all liable to err, even when 
 well, and also liable to have such misfortunes befall us as 
 
23 
 
 have come upon others. Jesus said, — " Blessed are the mer- 
 ciful, for they shall obtain mercy. 
 
 Go to some poor child distrest 
 
 With pain or grief. 
 Let his hand in thine be prest ; 
 
 'Twill give relief. 
 
 Pour on him the oil and wine 
 
 0£ peace and love. 
 Let thy face with goodness shine, 
 
 Caught from above. 
 
 Let thy works of love agree 
 With what thou say'st. 
 
 Give aid, if need there be, 
 Of what thou mayst. 
 
 Jesus, while he lived below, 
 
 Food oft supplied ; 
 For he knew with want and woe 
 
 How men are tried. 
 
 And he healed the sick and lame 
 Who sought his aid ; 
 
 To him even maniacs came, 
 Nor were afraid. 
 
 Then like him we'll live, and do 
 
 All that we can 
 To make others love him too 
 
 Who died for man. 
 
 THE SPIRIT'S TEACHINGS. 
 
 " Thai was the true light that lighteth every man that cometh 
 into the worlds — John, 1st, 9th. 
 
 We have seen but few comments on this passage of re- 
 vealed truth, yet it is well worthy of study by every one ; 
 and here permit me to say that were persons of an inquiring 
 cast of mind to consult and study the scriptures more than 
 some of them do, various problems would be made plain to 
 them, which now baffle their comprehension. The apostle 
 Paul says, — "The heathen which have not the (revealed) 
 law are a law unto themselves, their conscience approving 
 or disapproving their conduct." A great man of this nation 
 wrote in a letter to his son, — "Slight not the admonitions 
 of conscience, for it is the vicegerent of God Almighty in 
 
24 
 
 your soul, warning and directing you what is right and 
 what is wrong. Obey your conscience, even should it lead 
 you to offend kings." We do not say that conscience is the 
 same as the Holy Spirit; but that it is the agent or minister 
 of the Holy Spirit, is certain; and that it is of the same nature 
 seems implied by our text. We know the heathen have not 
 all been enlightened in regard to the true religion, — the 
 nature of God and his requirements. Yet Paul says they 
 were a law unto themselves, or, as might be said, had a law 
 within themselves. 
 
 Now, this inner-law conscience must be the same as is 
 meant in the text by the light which lighteth every man 
 which Cometh into the world. It is admitted that some wise 
 heathens have been inspired with sentiments of a similar 
 character with those taught in the divine law; but these 
 men have been few in number. The mass of the people 
 have not been thus enlightened; but they all have a con- 
 science, warning them to do right so far as they know or are 
 taught what is proper or improper. 
 
 We might remark that those heathens who were in- 
 spired, or enlightened more than others, were in all proba- 
 bility men who gave heed to what they already knew, and 
 obeyed the dictates of conscience concerning things in which 
 they had been instructed previous to their peculiar enlight- 
 enment. It can only be the conscience which which is oper- 
 ated upon or enlightened by the Holy Spirit, for other things 
 we must learn by observation or instruction from other sour- 
 ces. We do not of course mean to comprehend those who 
 are called to prophesy, or some peculiar individuals, but the 
 generality of mankind. 
 
 Animals are taught many things, as well as men. Bad 
 men become great scholars sometimes ; yet surely they are 
 
25 
 
 not taught by the Holy Spirit in the manner in which this 
 term is usually understood. 
 
 We think that the Holy Spirit operates on the conscience, 
 or on the mind through the conscience ; and whenever we dis- 
 obey the warnings of conscience, we grieve the Holy Spirit. 
 It has been said that the conscience must be instructed. It 
 seems to me this is a mistake in terms, for conscience can only 
 act in accordance with what we know. If by observation we 
 know that certain kinds of liquors or spirits produce bad 
 efiects, unless used moderately, conscience will warn us to 
 use them sparingly; but if poisonous fruit be presented in 
 a manner which excites no suspicion of intended harm, con- 
 science cannot act here at all, for it has no knowledge to act 
 upon. We often partake of fruits which are new to us upon 
 the recommendations of others. It is sometimes said "When 
 little is given but little will be required." This seems to be 
 something the way that it is with conscience. 
 
 It is said if one disobeys conscience repeatedly, it gradu- 
 ally loses hold on the person, and at last ceases to admonish 
 him at all. Let us try to illustrate this. When a parent 
 has an unruly son, he may on some occasions refrain from 
 reproving him for his own feelings' sake, as he fears it will be 
 useless. But he cannot entirely withhold reproof while the 
 child lives with him, even if it be only by his silence, and 
 withholding his approval of his son's conduct. Now, though 
 one may stifle his conscience to a certain degree by combat- 
 ing its reproofs, and, by the force of a strong will and strong 
 passions, do wickedly in spite of its remonstrance, this does 
 not prove that it is dead ; it is a hard principle to kill. Many 
 a man lives a most wretched life, by doing violence to his 
 conscience; and though apparently gay and lively, he may 
 be unable to bear his own thoughts when alone ; and is forced 
 into boisterous life to keep from thinking. Others get along 
 
26 
 
 better than tliis, and by a variety of things which employ 
 their thoughts, they delude themselves into forgetfulness of 
 their highest duties. Let us here ask who would wish to do 
 what he himself cannot approve, and thus become his own 
 continual accuser. One may deceive others, but cannot 
 wholly deceive himself. The apostle speaks to Timothy 
 (4th, 2d) of some who had their conscience seared with a 
 hot iron. On reading the context we see that it is false reli- 
 gious teachers who are meant here, men whom God has utter- 
 ly cast off and "given up to a delusion, that they may be- 
 lieve a lie and be damned, who had pleasures in unright- 
 eousness." This is a terrible state to fall into. God has 
 withdrawn his Holy Spirit. The conscience is said to 
 be seared with hot iron, which goes to prove that conscience 
 is the agent of the Spirit. The man is now like a child 
 thrust out of his father's house as unworthy of a place by 
 the family hearthstone. He has no more warning- ; but is so 
 fiercely beset with evil companions that he is completely 
 ruined. We will do well to be careful, and not slight the 
 admonitions of conscience, but love them as coming from 
 our best Friend, for truly this is so. It is God himself who 
 thus warns us in order to keep us from harm. 
 
 We admit that the Holy Spirit sometimes illuminates and 
 enlightens the mind in a manner different from the operations 
 of conscience ; but this will not apply to the meaning of our 
 text, w4iich refers to that which every man hath given him. 
 Revelations are sometimes given in dreams or visions, and 
 by direct impressions; they are peculiar to a few good men — 
 doubtless those who have obeyed the admonitions of con- 
 science, and who love to commune with God, and work 
 righteousness. The Spirit descended in the shape of a dove 
 and rested on the Savior on an interesting occasion. Clov- 
 en tongues of fire lighted on the apostles at the great day of 
 
27 
 
 Pentecost, — fitting emblem of the work they were to do on 
 that day, when men from all nations were assembled togeth- 
 er. These were peculiar manifestations, and do not belong 
 to every man. 
 
 Section Second. — We will close the argument here, and 
 now admonish all to see to it that they grieve not the Holy 
 Spirit by doing violence to their consciences. Alas ! how 
 often do even professing Christians do this ! Some are can- 
 did enough to acknowledge they do not attempt to do ac- 
 cording to conscience ; but if feelings lead them to be benev- 
 olent, or kind, or to wish to pray or go to church, then they 
 do these things ; and some even say if the feelings are not 
 in the service rendered, it is not required. Alas ! alas ! 
 where are the precepts for this manner of living ? Must not 
 our whole life be spent, if necessary, in struggling to over- 
 come feelings that are not in accordance with pify? If we 
 would be Christians, we are to overcome the world, the flesh, 
 and the devil. We must crucify the world and its allure- 
 ments. So the apostle commands. But we manage won- 
 derfully to get over these precepts without practising them, 
 and yet claim the name of religious people. 
 
 We know that by faith in Christ we can overcome all 
 things opposed to him ; and that faith works by love and 
 purifies the heart. For by degrees we become so deeply in- 
 fluenced by the spirit that was in Christ, by loving him and 
 thinking much about him, that it becomes far easier to leave 
 all other things for his service than for a woman to leave her 
 father's house — her mother's guardian care, and go with a 
 husband to cheer his pathway in life. 
 
 It may be said that when men are properly under the in- 
 fluence of the Holy Spirit, they will do just right from feel- 
 ings or impulses without thinking of duty or conscience. 
 Yes, this is so ; but most men have sometimes a conference 
 
28 
 
 or struggle with conscience, previous to getting under the 
 Spirit's influence completely, and some, alas! struggle again 
 and again. When completely under the dominion of the 
 Holy Spirit, it gives us such feelings that many things seem 
 no longer hard to do, or to bear ; yet occasionally little acts 
 of self-denial are necessary to prove our love and subjection 
 to Christ. If things were all to our liking there could be no 
 obedience on our part. It was Abraham's obedience which 
 won for him such high advantages. A pious lady once said 
 that in her domestic life, when a question of business oc- 
 curred, and her husband advised a different course from what 
 she deemed proper, she found that when she yielded to his 
 advice it always "turned out better in the end" than had 
 she done according to her own wisdom. God has laid down 
 many precepts for the well-being of individuals and of soci- 
 ety ; and^mong others, that of obeying those who have the 
 charge over us. When, therefore, we obey them we obey 
 him. And obedience is the highest duty. 
 
 In cases where conscience with the aid of the Bible is 
 our only lawgiver, let us be careful not to grieve it by diso- 
 bedience, for we are then under God's immediate supervi- 
 sion. He is our King, our Father and Master. He speaks to 
 us through the conscience, for the Holy Spirit (it seems to 
 the writer) must be God himself in some sense. 
 
 This is is a solemn thought that God thus speaks to us. 
 He communicates to us in a variety of ways. 
 
 There are some things said about the gifts of the Spirit 
 which we will not discuss ; this belongs to the nature of su- 
 perior influences. 
 
 Good men among the Jews, from the commencement of 
 their history, were occasionally enlightened by the Spirit. 
 
 In this dispensation one might suppose we should be pecul- 
 iarly under the guidance of the Spirit in some way, for we have 
 
29 
 
 no open vision, angel, or prophet,''5o tell us when to do things 
 or leave them undone. Perhaps we should not make war at 
 all, as being contrary to the spirit of the gospel. 
 
 This is to be observed, that if we want the influence of 
 the Holy Spirit more than we have, and its teachings to aid 
 us, and show us our duty, let us be sure to obey the precepts 
 given in the New Testament, and also in the old book, 
 wherever we can apply them to ourselves. Let these 
 writings be to us as capital in money, which we are to use 
 to the best advantage ; and by turning it over, though the 
 words do not increase in numbers, a clearer appreciation and 
 understanding of them will necessarily come, and when these 
 fail to guide us right, be assured if we earnestly ask for en- 
 lightenment, or rather to be guided right, we shall be led 
 right. But it is absolutely necessary, if we can read and 
 do know the precepts of the Bible, that we obey them im- 
 plicitly; lest if we seek for more light while slighting what 
 is already given, we have something revealed to us of an 
 unpleasant nature. God may not be trifled with. Obedi- 
 ence is his first law. 
 
 In difHcult cases, pious persons often ask to be led or 
 guided right, even though they see not the way. This is 
 faith and trust. We trust a faithful guide over paths un- 
 known to us. "Why may we not then trust to God, who know- 
 eth all things, and can do all things? Only have our hearts 
 and purposes right; the rest can with safety be left to him. 
 
 We believe that if we faithfully obey the commands of 
 God, and the dictates of conscience in coimection with 
 them, and live closely to GJod, and come often into his inner 
 presence, by degrees we will receive clearer views of many 
 things than ordinary minds possess. There is nothing won- 
 derful in this. Sonic minds seem hardly cajiable of grent 
 
30 
 
 enlightening; yet deep pit^ will produce wonderful efTects. 
 Some unlearned persons, such as slaves, and those who could 
 not read, have, after their conversion, been taught the spirit 
 of the gospel in a wonderful degree ; and their spiritual ex- 
 ercises have been such that we doubt not but that God real- 
 ly communed with them by his Spirit in a peculiar manner. 
 He is able to make up for deficiencies caused by things be- 
 yond our control. 
 
 When a mind is engrossed on one subject it cannot think 
 well on another. If one's mind is on dress and gayety, or 
 things wholly worldly in their nature, he will not pray to 
 God about them, nor will he always take time to pray much 
 for other things. People should take time to pray much and 
 earnestly, and tliink to God as well as pray to him. The 
 more one thinks of the realities of a future life, and of religious 
 matters, the more his mind expands in them, and a greater 
 clearness, knowledge and wisdom, must come from the work- 
 ings of his own mind as well as from communing with God. 
 When we draw near a mother we feel Iter influence, or the 
 influence of our feelings towards her, even though she speaks 
 not to us. Thus when we draw near to God, the influence 
 of our knowledge of his character, and our own feelings to- 
 wards him, must produce certain effects, even if there be no 
 communication in return. Much of what some suppose to 
 be the operation of the Spirit is but the workings of the 
 mind. Yet it may be as valuable as if it were a direct rev- 
 elation. Why should we not exercise our faculties for think- 
 ing, as well as those for walking, in order to strengthen 
 them ? This is in accordance with the teachings in the 
 Psalms. God gave us our thinking powers. They are, as it 
 were, a part of himself. Everything we possess is from 
 him. The Spirit does operate on the mind, as well as on 
 
the heart. But here is the principal thing. If the Spirit op- 
 erate so powerfully on the heart that evil is subdued, ajid we 
 begin to love God so well that we love everybody else for 
 his sake, and are ready to practise any kind of self-denial 
 for his sake, then our minds will do very well. 
 
 Oh, reader! will it not be well to inquire, "Is my heart so 
 influenced by the Holy Spirit that I love every person for 
 the love I have for God, and am ready to do anything to 
 prove my love and obedience to hira ?" 
 
 There are cases among certain classes, where persons of 
 peculiar nervous temperaments become excited to a great de- 
 gree ; and they think this is the operation of the Spirit. 
 When persons inquire solemnly what they should do in 
 order to be saved, the Spirit is at work; but when they fall 
 down in a seeming trance, or seem terribly excited, it seems 
 more like the power of intense feeling, and sometimes of a 
 diseased nervous system. The Spirit does nothing but what 
 is useful and proper, for a wise purpose ; and well would it 
 sometimes be to let it finish its work by the help of the New 
 Testament alone, rather than by giving advice which God 
 never commanded should be given. When the terrified peo- 
 ple asked the apostles " What shall I do to be saved ?" the 
 answer was simply " Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ," and 
 they were baptized immediately ; but this may seem out of 
 place here. 
 
 We now say to those who desire a great portion of the 
 power of the Spirit on their minds, to live close to God by 
 prayer, and meditate on religious subjects, as King David 
 did. Neglect no present opportunity of doing good, if only 
 to an animal, or some very vile person, or of self-denial for 
 religion's sake. And here permit a remark which belonged in 
 another place. If a command be for the benefit of society 
 
. 32 
 
 at large, though it interfere with us individually, should we 
 not yield something willingly, rather than wish a change for 
 our own benefit ? Endeavor to obey God's commands from 
 love and respect to him. Then you will feel the power of 
 the Spirit, though perhaps not in the way you wish. God's 
 presence and favor may seem to be enough to you, and to 
 lie at his feet your highest delight. He may not give you 
 a great work to perform, but try your obedience in being 
 submissive to his will. Lose no chance of doing good ; if 
 you help any person you are doing an angel's work. Paul 
 considered it better to be able to assist and edify the church 
 by plain preaching, than if he had the gift of tongues. The 
 highest gift is that which enables one to be most useful. 
 
 Of necessity we have made this essay longer than is desir- 
 able; yet we again urge all to obey God's commands, and 
 not grieve his Spirit by doing what they know is wrong. 
 This brings us back to our starting-point. It has been sup- 
 posed by some to be the unpardonable sin — this sin of wil- 
 fulness, or doing what is contrary to known duty, and yet 
 how many do this again and again I 
 
 We recommend all to read the 4th chapter of Hebrews 
 very carefully, and the 4th of John also carefully, with regard 
 to this subject, and now conclude hi the language of the 
 Psalmist, " Create in me a clean heart, oh God I and renew 
 a right spirit within me." 
 
33 
 THE PEOPER USE OF TALENTS. 
 
 ^'•Then came the firsts sai/ing, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten 
 pounds. And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant ; 
 because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou au- 
 thority over ten cities.^^ — Luke, 19th ; 16th, 17th. 
 
 "Happy, happier far than thou, 
 With the laurel on thy brow, 
 She who makes the humblest hearth 
 Lovely but to one on earth." — Ilemans. 
 
 We should ever feel grateful to our Creator, for all the bless- 
 ings we enjoy, especially for those superior endowments which 
 command respect and admiration from the world. But not 
 only should we be thankful for these gifts, but should also 
 remember that we are under obligations to make good use 
 of what powers we possess ; and our prayer should be for the 
 influence of the Holy Spirit to direct us how to improve them 
 in a manner most profitable to ourselves and others. We 
 should sometimes inquire seriously into our hearts, and ex- 
 amine our manner of living and doing, and see if we could 
 not yet do something more for the glory of God and the good 
 of our fellow-men. 
 
 Each individual has some duties to perform in life ; and it 
 is much more meritorious to make a good use of even small 
 capabilities, than to be in possession of splendid talents, and 
 yet neglect to use them in a manner which will call forth the 
 approbation of the Giver. 
 
 From our Savior's teaching, we learn that to whom much 
 is given, of him much is required; and also, he that hath but 
 one talent confided to his keeping, is as culpable in hiding it, 
 as if five or ten had been committed to him, and he had hid- 
 den them all Still, according to one'.-> means of usefulness. 
 
34 
 
 and the amount of influence he has over others, whether by 
 position, or wealth, or talents of any kind, it would seem that 
 in a future period he will feel more pungent remorse for wast- 
 ing this influence, or directing it in a wrong channel, than if 
 he had been some less gifted or less fortunate person. Ac- 
 cording to one's powers of mind is his capability of deep 
 feeling ; and when death is near, or when before the bar of 
 God, every action of one's life may come up in review ; 
 and painful will it be to reflect on a misspent life and 
 wasted privileges and opportunities for usefulness, when 
 it will be too late to recall them, and no more can be 
 granted. 
 
 It is not enough to do no harm in the world. Idleness is 
 wastefulness — wasting the precious boon of time, which we 
 might almost say even God cannot restore again. Living as 
 we do in a land of books and among industrious people, and 
 we might add, ambitious people, we have every incentive to be 
 industrious in some way, if only for our credit's sake while 
 in this world, and the desire to leave an honorable name be- 
 hind us when we die. No indolent man or woman ever became 
 honorable, though they have often been born heirs to wealth 
 and position. To make one's self a name is worth a number 
 of inherited titles, even of the highest class. Though a good 
 name is the greatest earthly honor to be desired, yet the favor 
 of God is still greater, and he will surely bestow it on the 
 diligent man, providing his efforts are directed to proper and 
 right purposes. We might observe that a good name will 
 extend to eternity ; such a name as every one really washes 
 he had, even though he be unwilling to work for it. We may 
 all have a good name by working for it, or in a way which 
 will bring it ; but not by idleness, or by perverting our means 
 of doing good to that of doing evil. 
 
35 
 
 It is painful to think how it often occurs that the choicest 
 gifts are perverted to ignoble uses, and to objects which tend 
 to injury rather than good. The fine arts, painting and music 
 are sometimes brought into requisition to lure the unwary 
 into the paths which lead to destruction. 
 
 Even poetry, which like music seems almost a divine gift, 
 is also often abused by degrading it to unholy compositions, 
 which, instead of elevating and inspiring men to high and 
 holy purposes, serve to fasten the chains of vice more closely 
 upon them. 
 
 What a different aspect would this world present, if the 
 fine arts were never used but for the glory of God, and the 
 proper enjoyment and elevation of society I 
 
 There are some jealous-minded persons, who, like the man 
 mentioned in the parable, feel that because they are deficient 
 in many things, they are under no obligation to do anything 
 more than what they cannot avoid doing. This is a mistak- 
 en idea ; but it may be that one is sometimes excusable for 
 this feeling, for we sometimes see persons with the very best 
 feelings and intentions in the world passed lightly by, for no 
 particular fault. They are even allowed to be pious ; but then 
 they are not found to command influence, and therefore they 
 remain neglected. Now when those who have some hidden 
 talent or ambition are thus treated, it sometimes causes them 
 to feel discouraged, and to consider themselves as useless 
 beings in the world. 
 
 In thinking about the opinion of the world, w^e arc too apt 
 to forget God's opinion, and that he can judge more correct- 
 ly than men or women can. 
 
 No matter what is our station in life, only let us do our 
 duty in that station. If a servant, try to give satisfaction to 
 rjiu employers, and let us watch for opportunities of doing 
 
36 
 
 good to some one, it may be a child or some poor person. 
 Can we teach some one to read, or by giving them a book 
 give them a taste for reading ? Little things sometimes pro- 
 duce great results. 
 
 Honor and shame from no condition rise. 
 Act well your part ; there all the honor lies. 
 
 St. Paul said, Is a man called, being a slave ? let him not 
 be troubled about it. God will never punish a man for hav- 
 ing a black face, or for being born in China or Patagonia. 
 It is only his manner of conducting himself according to 
 whatever amount of instruction he has received, be it but 
 very little, or a great deal. A man will not be punished for 
 not knowing how to read the Bible, providing he has no chance 
 of learning; but he who can read it, and yet slights its in- 
 structions, on him lies the penalty for neglecting to read it, 
 and obey its precepts. 
 
 There are some duties v/hich some unwise people are apt 
 to think lightly of, because they are common. This is an- 
 other mistake. Common duties arc more useful, perhaps, 
 than the more striking gifts. 
 
 Domestic duties are of the highest importance. Whatever 
 will tend to promote comfort, and give pleasure to those to 
 whom we are united in life, or who are in some way con- 
 nected with us, everything we do has some effect upon others. 
 Neither can we neglect common duties without withholding 
 from others what is due to them from us. We do not all 
 sufficiently think of these things ; and some who even think 
 of them do not enough put them into practice in every-day 
 life. How often are there unpleasant words because a gar- 
 ment has not been put in readiness for the owner to wear I 
 This is one of the little things; yet little things make up a 
 
37 
 
 great part of many persons' lives. A gentleman who had re- 
 cently lost his wife, while lamenting her loss and speaking 
 in her praise, observed that while she lived he never found 
 an article of clothing out of order in any way ; everything 
 was kept in readiness for use. A pious, good woman said 
 she always set a chair out for her husband when he returned 
 home in the evening, the same as if he were a visitor. 
 Would that all persons were as thoughtful about all little 
 things I Yet this woman went about doing good in the city 
 where she lived, to a great extent. She found time for home 
 duties, and also for walks of usefulness. Dear reader, if 
 thou be a woman, try to make thy home a happy one to 
 those who are with thee. If a man deigns to read this com- 
 monplace advice, let me say to him. Try to make those de- 
 pendent on thee happy, and yet proud of thy relationship to 
 them. If thou indulgest them in w^rong pleasures, this will 
 not be the case. No ! thou must command their esteem by 
 firmness in the right-f both for thyself and them, and yet win 
 their love by kind words and deeds. Children ! your duty 
 has been written by the finger of God upon a tablet of stone. 
 We can only copy it : — 
 
 Obey your parents, that thy days may be long on the land 
 which the Lord thy God giveth thee. 
 
 The Savior once gave a woman a most desirable ap- 
 proval of her conduct on a certain occasion in these words, 
 " She hath done what she could." Oh that this could be 
 said of the writer of this article, and of those who may read 
 it ! Let us try for the future to do what we can, that at last 
 we may receive the welcome plaudit. Well done, good and 
 faithful servant; enter thou into the joy of thy Lord. 
 
38 
 THE TRIAL OF THE WOMAN. 
 
 John 8tii. 
 
 The Sim rose in dazzling splendor, gilding 
 The points of that fair city, whose palaces, 
 Rich with ornament, lavishly gave forth 
 The rays like molten gold. One structure there, 
 Whose architect was God, outshone the rest 
 In purity of style, and perfectness ; 
 The plan was drawn upon the sacred mount, 
 While he who was the chief in Israel's camp 
 Was there alone with God. 
 
 Long weary years 
 Of trial had elapsed, and many kings 
 And towns had fallen before an army, 
 Whose chief in office was the Lord of Hosts, 
 Ere came the time when Salem's heights were won 
 By Judah's king. The site once gained, all else 
 Was furnished soon ; — wealth, genius, skill and men 
 From distant Tyre ; the gold and precious stones. 
 Those brought in ships from regions far away. 
 But most, the kings were filled with strong desire 
 To execute so great and vast a work. 
 In its design a dwelli?ig-place fo?' God. 
 It was the home and pride of all the realm ; 
 The tribes who lived remote assembled here 
 To oiFer sacrifice. Their capitol 
 It was, and dearer far to them than those 
 Which other nations reared. 
 
 For here they came 
 To meet with One who made and who destroyed 
 Kings for their sake. Alas ! it soon became 
 An envied object to those Pagan kings 
 Who only sought its wealth. Had they but sought 
 To know its living Founder, and had served 
 Him in their hearts, they would have had a place 
 To worship in his temple. 
 
 Thither came. 
 Early on that fair morn, the rightful Heir 
 Of Zion's King, to offer up devotions 
 
39 
 
 Ujx)!! tliat sacred altar, and to teach, 
 Til words of glowing energy, the truths 
 Which were reserved for him to publish first. 
 This was his public office, where the poor 
 Might feast their eyes on him till they forgot 
 Their poverty. The lame and blind were led 
 Up to be healed. No fee was brought, nor price 
 For costly balms. Ah, no I his medicines 
 Were ne'er distilled in close laboratory. 
 With care and scientific skill. He pored 
 Not over volumes written by men of fame, 
 To learn what was in man, or how to heal 
 His deepest wounds. " Believest thou," he said, 
 " That I have power to grant this, thy request?" 
 *' Lord, I believe ; help thou mine unbelief," 
 The patient meekly answers. Then a prayer. 
 Inward, for strength, — a look, and then he saitli, 
 Thy faith hath made thee whole ; go now in peace. 
 
 But on that morn some other scenes transpired 
 Within those costly walls ; — the master there, 
 But all unknown to those who filled the seats 
 Of highest office ; their eyes were blinded ; 
 They saw not in the unshorn Nazarene 
 The lineaments of their long-promised king. 
 Though of the royal line, his friends were poor, 
 His garments course and plain, his look care-worn 
 From grieving o'er the ills he could not help ; 
 Which things comported not with regal sway. 
 
 Among the crowd which now assembled there, 
 To see, and hear, and to converse, were friends ; 
 An inner circle they, who then had some 
 Conceptions of his mission. Yet from these 
 He still concealed how rugged were the steps 
 By which he should ascend to David's throne ; — 
 Ay, higher, higher far, — the throne of him 
 Who is the Eternal One. 
 
 He sought not 
 A seat o'erlaid with gold, which might ere long 
 Again be stript, nor costly chariots 
 Of cunning work and beautiful design, — 
 Not these ; he sought an empire in tlie hearts 
 
40 
 
 Of men, by love and pity, choice weapons 
 With which to pierce even to the inmost son]. 
 The wings of faith and hope were chariots 
 Fitting- for him, who made and led the way 
 To heaven and to God. 
 
 While giving light 
 To those who sought to know the way of hfe, 
 Suddenly he paused. They who had feasted on 
 His words with gladdened hearts, with sorrow turned 
 To see a company of Pharisees 
 And scribes, forcing their way up to the midst, 
 Leading with them a woman. Soon the chief, 
 In words of wisdom well arranged, explains : 
 •' Master, this woman hath done wrong ; her guilt 
 Is manifest ; and Moses' law enjoins 
 That such should die by being btoned. What theii 
 Sayest thou?" He bowed, retiring back, with pride 
 Supprest, then unaware hov/ he had sought 
 Advice of all most legal. 
 
 Jesus sat 
 Upon an elder's chair ; the raised pavement 
 Of purer stone kept back the crowd who watched 
 Anxiously all his movements. He stooped down 
 And with his finger wrote upon the floor, 
 As though he heard them not. They asked again. 
 In tones more honest and sincere. He raised 
 Himself and said, " He that among you all 
 Is free from sin, let him first cast a stone." 
 Wonder and awe then seized the mind of all. 
 And conscience, ever truthful friend when sought. 
 Reminded them of some unpleasant things, 
 Which they had fain forgot. 
 
 He stooped again, 
 As if he would shut out the spectacle ; 
 The day of judgment had not come, nor wished 
 He to forestall it. His thoughts went upwards, 
 Begging for patient strength. He lifted up 
 Himself again, and lo ! a different scene 
 Met his observant eye. The outer court 
 Was empty ; the vast throng which lately pressed 
 Close on each other now had shrunk away 
 Before his sentence, leaving the woman 
 
41 
 
 Standing alone. Jesus, with compassion 
 Kinglike in his look, said to her, "Woman, 
 Whither are thine accusers gone ? Hath none 
 Condemned thee ?" She softly answered, "Neman, 
 Lord." Then in a voice kind thongh firm, he said, 
 "Neither do I condemn thee. Sin no more." 
 
 Susan Ckey. 
 
 MUSINGS ON THE DEPARTED. 
 
 Where are they now — the friends, who once were here, 
 
 And who were wont to clasp us in their arms 
 
 As if they would be one with us? Whither, 
 
 Ah ! whither are they fled ? No answer comes 
 
 With words of cheer to our o'er-anxious thoughts, 
 
 Save what is found on page of holy writ 
 
 To this import, — that if while here they lived 
 
 To God, and loved to come into his courts. 
 
 And sought his inner presence as a child 
 
 Runs to his mother, and, leaning his head 
 
 Upon her breast, tells her his little griefs. 
 
 And then for gets them; all his pleasures too 
 
 He gladly pours into her willing ear. 
 
 Enjoying them still more that she of them 
 
 Partakes ; — if thus our friends have leaned on God, 
 
 In firm and holy trust, feeling in truth 
 
 He was their Father, and their firmest Friend, 
 
 Then, O ! then we know that now they're resting 
 
 Quietly, or in his higher presence they're 
 
 Uniting with the throng of those who sing, 
 
 "Worthy the Lamb who loved us, and who died 
 
 That we might live, and reign with him on high." 
 
 If alone they've sought for this world's praise, 
 
 And were afraid to come to God for help. 
 
 As if he were a tyrant, we must leave 
 
 Them now with him who we know cannot err. 
 
42 
 
 Are they unconscious in their silent sleep ? 
 Or as we take our lonely walks and meet 
 With disappointments, do they sympathize 
 With our sad thoughts ? We would they always knew 
 When we did right ; 'twould pleasure give to feel 
 Their look of approbation. But our cares 
 From them we fain would hide, lest it should cause 
 Them grief to know we were afflicted here. 
 
 Their bodies moulder in the gray, cold earth, 
 And turn again to those rude elements 
 From which man first was made into a form 
 So beautiful and fair, — the crowning work 
 Of the Creator's art. 
 
 Perchance they fell 
 Into the deep, dark sea, where none can mark 
 The spot where last they breathed a sigh, nor none 
 Can tell of their deep anguish in that hour 
 When death was nigh. Ah I well, now let us turn 
 To him on whom to lean is bliss, in whom 
 Our hopes all centre, and from whom they spring. 
 The tears that flow from death's heart-chilling stroke, 
 He'll wipe away. For he will bring the souls 
 Of kindred minds to meet again ere long ; 
 To join the feast upon that mountain- top 
 Where he has said he will destroy the veil 
 That now o'erspreads the nations, and where all 
 His enemies will be consumed, and death, 
 The last, he'll swallow up in victory I 
 
 LINES SUGGESTED BY A PORTRAIT. 
 
 Beautiful lady ! what knowest thou now 
 More than we who yet wear habihments 
 
 *Tl)e portrait of a lady belonging to the French court, which represents 
 her wearing a plume of feathers, and holding a golden goblet iu her hand. 
 
43 
 
 TeiTcstial ? Where art tliou ? in company 
 
 With the good and great ? This we fain would liope. 
 
 Thy dress and mein — the lofty plumage, meant 
 
 For ornament at some high festival 
 
 Or court levee — the golden cup, encircled 
 
 By thy jewelled hand, far too plainly show 
 
 Thou lovedst the pleasures of earth full well. 
 
 Yet, still, we trust, when death's dark missive, saying, 
 
 "Prepare thyself; the King of Kings now calls 
 
 Thee to his presence chamber," came to thee, 
 
 Thou found'st forgiveness through a Savior's blood. 
 
 Shall we thy features scan ? A spirit there 
 
 Of mirth and pride we trace, with feelings too 
 
 Of kindliness. 
 
 But what is in that cup ? 
 Does it enhance thy mirth? Alas ! we fear 
 It surely does. To thee it might have seemed 
 Naught else but fitting. Perchance thou wert all 
 Unconscious of one wrong intent. Farewell ! 
 We love thee more than when at first we looked 
 Upon thy picture ; pity hath taken up 
 The place of censure, — highest grace in us 
 Poor mortals, seeing we all are erring. 
 O charity divine I come make our breast 
 Thy constant dwelling-place, that we may hope 
 The best of all, nor e'er condemn lest we 
 Should meet with the same rigor from our Judge. 
 
 A PRAYER, OR HYMN OF PRAYER. 
 
 Oh thou to whom all people come 
 
 For help in time of need I 
 O I please in pity hear our prayer, 
 
 Which we before thee plead. 
 
 Thy power and greatness, Lord, we own, 
 But not enough to fear ' 
 
44 
 
 Thy precepts and commands to break, 
 Although thou art so near. 
 
 Contrition is the only plea 
 
 Which we ourselves can bring. 
 The past we cannot now recall, 
 
 Though keen remorse may sting. 
 
 Nor can we tell thee an excuse 
 
 But what thou well dost know. 
 Please save us, Lord, by sovereign grace, 
 
 While we before thee bow. 
 
 Our weaknesses and helplessness 
 
 Are both well known to thee. 
 Oh Lord I in mercy haste to bless, 
 
 And pardon ere we die. 
 
 Thy Son a sacrifice has made 
 
 Of his own flesh and blood, 
 To save us from the stains of sin, 
 
 So we might come to God. 
 
 Then for his sake, Lord, please forgive, 
 
 And thy good spirit pour 
 Upon us in profusion here, 
 
 That we may grieve no more. 
 
 1856, November \st. J. F. A. 
 
 TO ELDER AND LADY ON LEAVING 
 
 NEW YORK, 1846. 
 
 Farewell, dear friends I and where you go, 
 May hope and joy your path illume. 
 
 May every blessing round you flow, 
 Till you draw near the silent tomb. 
 
 Though clouds and shadows have beset 
 Part of your stay, while with us here. 
 
45 
 
 You have those trials nobly met, 
 And faith has silenced every fear. 
 
 Go where you will, may brighter days 
 
 And calmer evenings be you lot. 
 With thousands may you join in praise, 
 
 To whom the " Way of Life" you've taught. 
 
 May numbers flock to hear the word 
 
 Proclaimed by you to dying men, 
 Who while they live shall bless the Lord, 
 
 That e'er he sent you unto them. 
 
 And when the close of life is near, 
 
 Serenely shine your setting sun. 
 May angels whisper, " Do not fear ; 
 
 You soon shall see your Father's home," 
 
 And from the Judge of all the earth 
 May each receive a righteous crown, 
 
 Bestud with gems of priceless worth, 
 Whose splendor shall outshine the sun. 
 
 PRAYER. 
 
 Father of Mercies I draw me close to thee, 
 
 For safety and shelter from earthly ills. 
 
 From myself, from sin, and from the reacli 
 
 Of the enemy, save, oh ! save, in times 
 
 Of fear and death. When darkness hovers o'er 
 
 My spirits like a pall, and in the storm , 
 
 Whence'er it comes, be thou my tower of strength. 
 
 AVhen conflicts that distract my mind come on, 
 
 Wisdom from Heaven bestow. When I err 
 
 In judgment, wilt thou then excuse ; and when 
 
 Thuu callest me hence, O I may my task be done, 
 
 Though but imperfectly. My failures here 
 
 In mercy overlook. My deeper stains 
 
 Wash out in the rich blood of him who came 
 
 To do thy will in all things [)erlbctly. 
 
47 
 
 OBEDIENCE. 
 
 Obedience is Heaven's first law, is the principle I wish to 
 ce.non^trate. Thougli I observed on the walls of a large school 
 house in New York, the sentiment in large letters, '• Order is 
 lie iven's first la;v," and ihough those who established that insti- 
 tution were wise men, yet I think it would have been better for 
 them to have used the word Obedience, instead of Order, in that 
 place. It may be said that G-od bad set the planetary world in 
 order, before he even made man, or gave him laws. True, but we 
 have nothing practical in common with them. The sun and the 
 earth are governed by fixed laws, from which they have no power 
 to deviate. 
 
 The chains which bind us, or which should keep us in the paths 
 of duty, arc very different : we have the power to choose and do 
 either good or evil, Promises and threats are both constantly 
 used, in order to lead us to seek the one and forsake the other. 
 Everything which God could do to prevent us from sinning, or to 
 save us from our sins, he has devised and done, that would be con- 
 sistent with leaving us in possession of free-will or free-agency, and 
 of individual responsibility. Obedience to his commands ensures 
 happiness, — disobedience brings upon us suffering and disgrace. 
 Obedience is one of the most important words in the Bible. I 
 have known persons to seek out all the places in the Bible where 
 a certain word occurred, and read all that is written connected 
 with it at each place. It might be useful to trace out some ten or 
 twenty places, where the words obey, obedience, disobey, disobedL 
 ence, occur, and read what belongs to them, and meditate upon it 
 carefully. 
 
 " For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so 
 by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous," is a most 
 important passage. The disobedience of our first parents brought 
 upon them great and bitter trials. This subject is the theme of 
 one of the greatest poems which was ever written. Their disobe- 
 dience, with its consequences, rendered the death of the Son of 
 
48 
 
 God necessary to atone for those evils ; and by His obedience, 
 even to suffering a painful and disgraceful death, bring in for us 
 everlasting righteousness. 
 
 But, I must leave this, the highest of all themes, and come 
 more particularly to the duty of obedience towards parents and 
 superiors. To return then to the sentiment, ObeJience is Heav- 
 en's first law to man. Obedience is necessary to the preservation 
 of order. In the family, in the school, and in all the affairs of 
 public life belonging to the state obedience to certain persons and 
 laws, are absolutely necessary that any degree of order can be 
 maintained. 
 
 The fifth commandment says, " Honor thy Father and thy 
 Mother, that thy days may be long in the land which the Lord 
 thy God giveth thee." This is the first and the only command- 
 ment with a promise attached ; which promise conveys the idea, 
 that if we yield proper respect and obedience to our parents, we 
 will be rewarded with many blessings in this life ; but if we neg- 
 lect or disobey them, it may be our own lives will be cut off, or 
 some heavy calamity will befall us. 
 
 One thing is certain, we can break no command of God, without 
 suffering the proper degree of punishment according to the cir- 
 cumstances in the case. We may not always perceive that certain 
 evils come upon us in consequence of our having transgressed ; we 
 are apt to attribute them to bad luck or accident ; mischance of 
 some kind ; forgetting there i^ a wise and powerful Governor at 
 the helm of affairs, who manages all these matters, and that in re- 
 ality there is no such thing as chance. I once read a story found- 
 ed on the following sentiment : When any accident happens, if 
 it be in consequence of a good act, then it will turn out well ; but 
 if it happen in consequence of a wrong act, then it may turn out 
 ill. But sometimes accidents happen without our seeming to do 
 anything good or evil ; we must then consider them as coming in 
 the order of God's Providence, and be resigned. In such cases, 
 it may do no hurt to look closely over our past feelings, and see 
 if we have not indulged in wrong thoughts oli some occasion, 
 
49 
 
 wlilch may be ilie causo why God Las permitted the ainlutlon to 
 befall us. We admit that trials are needed for discipline ; but we 
 must return to our subject. In order to insure good to ourselves 
 and our families, if possible, we should endeavor to obey all th^ 
 commands of God as well as we can; and if children wish to 
 rise to eminence and respectability, let them honor and obey their 
 parents. 
 
 It is recorded of Gen. George "Washington, that when quite 
 young, he set out to go to sea in a British ship of war, but at his 
 mother's desire, he relinquished his own wishes and gave up going. 
 Shall we ask any one, was he rewarded for this act of filial obedi- 
 ence ? William Ellery Channing, one of the best men who ever 
 lived, yielded strict obedience to his mother's wishes, even in a 
 matter wherein he felt that she acted unwisely ; however, he had 
 the satisfaction of a good conscience, which of itself is always a 
 great reward. 
 
 It may be well to remember that the fifth commandment, " Hon- 
 or thy father," &c , stands side by side with the sixth, which says 
 " Thou shalt not kill." Here, we ask, why is it that the sixth and 
 eighth commandments are sustained by human laws in every na- 
 tion, while the third, fourth, fifth, and tenth, are not thus sustained, 
 and some of them, in many instances, not minded very much. 
 
 Let us remember that when God wrote on a stone tablet 
 " Thou shalt not kill," He also wrote " Honor thy father," &c. •' 
 " Remember that thou keep holy the Sabbath day ; " " Thou shalt 
 not take the name of the Lord thy G"od in vain ; " " Thou shalt 
 not covet." In the New Testament, the command to children, to 
 obey their parents in all things, is repeated ; wives are command- 
 ed to submit themselves to their husbands as to the Lord ; ser- 
 vants to obey their masters, not with eye-service or deceitfully, but 
 as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart. 
 
 One passage reads, " And let the wife see that she reverence 
 her husband.'' I have read an interesting stof^ in connection 
 with this passage. A lady told it at a meeting of ladies. She 
 stated that when slit; left her parcnttil home, slie took with her to 
 
60 
 
 lier husband's house, a favorite cat. and that her husband had a 
 (.'og, to which, for some important reason, he was much attached. 
 This dog felt that he had the privilege of every part of his mas- 
 ter's house ; even to lying on the parlor hearth-rug ; but this 
 became pussy's favorite place, and her mistress felt annoyed that 
 she should have to leave it for the dog. Unfortunately, this lady 
 allowed herself to get very much worried, because the dog was so 
 familiar in the rooms ; she said, ■' he would destroy their Wilton 
 carpets," — "eat them out of house and home," &c. 
 
 "While her mind was in this state, one Sunday morning she was 
 reading in her own room, when her attention was arrested by the 
 admonition, " Let the wife see that she reverence her husband.'- 
 She considered her own course of conduct ; was she reverencing 
 her husband in her treatment of the animal to which he was at- 
 tached ? She felt that she was not ; and like a wise woman, re- 
 solved on amendment. She immediately went inro the room 
 where her husband was reading, with the dog beside him watching 
 him closely. Sometimes, the lady said, she had been almost jeal- 
 ous of the dog, because her husband did not make him keep out of 
 doors, or in the kitchen, to please her ; but now, when she went 
 up to him, and patted him kindly, saying, " Good Jowler, are you 
 helping your master to read ? " Her husband was so much pleas- 
 ed, that he drew her upon his knee, and gave her such an affec- 
 tionate look as he had never bestowed upon Jowler. She now felt 
 richly repaid for well-doing. Years passed by, and when a little 
 child came there to stay, Jowler would lie by the cradle and watch 
 it while sleeping,^eaving pussy in possession of the hearth-rug. 
 Sometimes a handkerchief was tied around the infant, and Jowler 
 by this means could carry it round the house. On a certain even- 
 ing, this gentleman and lady were returning from a short visit 
 with their little boy with them : but a little baby-girl had been 
 left at home with a nurse. On approaching their dwelling, they 
 observed it was on fire, though burning but slowly. Fearing to 
 open the door lest the air shou'd fan the flames, the gentleman 
 Went round to a part of the house where a window was usually 
 
51 
 
 open. On getting to the plcace, he found Jowler stationed there, 
 holding the infant by her night dress, — but so gently that she felt 
 no alarm. — ready to spring out of the window with her, if the 
 flames came nearer. The gentleman quickly relieved Jowler of 
 his precious burden ; and it is needless to say, that the lady ever 
 after looked upon the dog as a friend, and was not sorry that, to 
 please her husband, she had allowed him to have a place in the 
 nursery and parlor. 
 
 An excellent lady, with whom I have conversed on religious 
 subjects, said she had observed that when a difference of opinion 
 existed between herself and her husband, she invariably found 
 that when she gave up to his wishes, though they might bo con- 
 trary to her own feelings of what was right and proper, that the 
 matter turned out better in the end than if she had done accord 
 ing to her feelings at the time. She accounted for this by believ- 
 ing that in yielding to her husband's wish, she was obeying the 
 commands of God, who is able to bring good out of evil to them 
 that serve Him faithfully. 
 
 From my own experience, added to these and higher testimo- 
 nies, I am satisfied that when we cheerfully yield obedience to 
 the wishes of our parents, or legal guardians, — whoever, in the 
 Providence of God, has charge over us in childhood and youth, — 
 and when in mature years we yield obedience and respect to the 
 wishes of our husbands, or, as servants, do the will of our mas- 
 ters faithfully, we shall be rewarded for the good that we do. 
 
 It may not be my place to be philosophical, but I may say that we 
 are compound beings ; our bodies are composed of different con- 
 stituent parts: and our minds of different desires and impulses. 
 While one thought has the ascendancy as is often the case, we de- 
 sire something very ardently which very soon we may care but very 
 little about, and while children we often desire things which would 
 injure us quite materially. God has provided for this difficulty 
 in giving us parents and guardians and friends, whom it is our du- 
 ty to consult ; and though it may seem hard to be thwarted in our 
 inclinations, yet, we should remember that to please our parents 
 
52 
 
 should bo our highest gratification ; and in pleasing them we are 
 pleasing God, -whose favor is above all praise. We should cheer- 
 fully give up whatever they disapprove, relying upon God that we 
 will never have cause to repent doing so. We admit there may 
 be extreme cases, where we cannot please earthly friends without 
 going contrary to the dictates of conscience. In such cases we 
 must pray to God much and earnestly, hoping he will bring all 
 things right. 
 
 Perhaps it might not be amiss for young ladies to enquire of 
 themselves before forming an engagement. Is this gentleman a 
 person such as I can reverence and esteem, or ' look up to.' it is 
 sometimes said. If the answer be unfavorable, it will be better 
 to give up the matter till 3'ou can meet with one whom you can 
 reverence. If this plan were iiore practiced much evil might be 
 avoided. But is there no commands for gentlemen? Oh, yes- 
 and for parents too. They can read it in the Epistle to the Ephe. 
 sians, and in that to the CoUosians. But I would advise gentle- 
 men to conduct themselves so wisely that women would respect 
 and reverence them without any efi"ort. They may rest assured 
 that every foolish act they do, and every inconsiderate word they 
 speak; lowers them in the estimation of both women and children. 
 If they will be really very good, we will esteem and love them 
 even if they seem too strict But, please gentlemen, towards women 
 and children be kind, though firm. Be firm as a rock in the right 
 path ; yield not an inch from your principles if you know they are 
 positively right ; but still speak to us gently, and endeavor by the 
 Bible to make us see our errors, and persuade us to act conscien- 
 tiously in the fear of God. Let us all resolve to do our duty 
 whether others do theirs or not. 
 
 God will not upbraid us that our friends were unreasonable in 
 liieir requirements ; and he may not admit this as an excuse for 
 our neglect of courtesy towards them. Servants are commanded 
 to be obedient, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the 
 froward ; for here lies the greatest degree of merit. 
 
 We said, that without obedience to superiors, no order can be 
 
53 
 
 maintained in the family, or school, or state. The great philan- 
 thropist, Mr. Howard, when about to be married, told his lady 
 that whenever a difference of opinion arose, he might sometimes 
 yield to her wishes if the matter did not involve a sacrifice of prin- 
 ciple ; but he should reserve to himself the privilege of deciding 
 in such cases ; and when he yielded to her wishes, she must con- 
 sider it an act of courtesy. This is a far better method than to 
 dispute about matters, when there is a difference of opinion. I 
 once heard a bright little girl when about seven years old, say to 
 her mother, something to the foUoiving import: '-But Ma, how 
 shall I know but what you may be mistaken ? sometimes Pa says 
 a thing is different from what you say it is; so I don't know what 
 to think about it. Either you or he is sometimes mistaken." 
 
 Another girl, who was about twelve years old at the time, said 
 to her Sabbath School teacher, who was giving her pupils some 
 advice upon the subject of obedience : '' If my father tells me to 
 do one thing and my mother tells me to do differently, which of 
 them shall I obey ?'^ 
 
 It is best for heads of families to dispute very little, especially 
 before their children, or indeed at all. They had better decline 
 an argument and practice self denial for the sake of peace. Chil- 
 dren cannot always discriminate and make allowance; yet their 
 reasoning powers are early developed. For their sake, if not for 
 a higher cause, love and harmony should prevail in the household. 
 One great consolation remains for the party who gives in, — the 
 favor of God, and the hopes that in a future world all will be 
 made right to them. This should amply repay them for a seem- 
 ing defeat in an argument. 
 
 There might be something said on those cases where young per- 
 sons think their guardians mistaken, or old fashioned in their no- 
 tions. Remember, young friends, these persons see the folly "of 
 the things they, like you, desired when they were younger, and 
 from their own exoerieuce warn you for your good. Your sup- 
 posing them mistaken docs not cancel your obligations to obey 
 them, except in matters involving a principle of conscience. 
 
64 
 
 We may oLserve, that it was in consequence of our motlicr Eve's 
 stopping to reason on an important matter, which led her to disc" 
 bey. We sometimes reason in a similar manner. We say, " It 
 would be for our good to have such a thing, and to do thus and 
 so. Such an article costs very little ; it is pretty and fashionable, 
 and I think I might be permitted to have it." My friend, you 
 are treading on dangerous ground when you reason thus ; your 
 parents or your husband know best what they can afford to get 
 for you, than you do ; let them decide, and beware how you teaze 
 and coax them to yield to your wishes contrary to their better 
 judgment. In this matter many daughters and wives act very sel- 
 fishly ; and I may say wickedly, and yet: without duly considering 
 what they are doing. Remember too, that if God sees fit to give 
 you your wishes, he can do so without your resorting to any de- 
 ception, or importuning of your friends, in order to obtain them. 
 
 Never decieve your friends, nor teaze them till in order to get 
 peace in the domestic circle, some obligation is put off till another 
 time : or your friend's tasks are increased to meet your selfish de- 
 mands. We repeat again, avoid reasoning upon these matters ; 
 your friends may be penurious, or entirely mistaken, but do thy 
 duty. Submit to their decision cheerfully, and if God is pleased 
 with thee, and considers it best for thee to have thy desire, he will 
 bring everything right in his own time and manner. 
 
 One remark on the government of children. The Apostle says, 
 '■ Fathers, provoke not your children to wrath," but bring them 
 up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord." It is well never 
 to get angry with a child, or to exhibit passion before them. A 
 certain little boy whose will being very strong, sometimes needed 
 to be restrained by means of the rod. He was once telling a per- 
 son that his mamma whipped him sometimes ; the friend injudic- 
 iously said, " That is too bad." He immediately replied, " oh, no, 
 it is right, mamma has to whip me to make me good ; the bible 
 tells her to whip me when I am naughty." This is the way chil- 
 dren should be taught, that it is positively the parent's duty to 
 correct them when they are disobedient. But all unnecessary se 
 verity should be avoided towards children and every one. 
 
55 
 
 I must now conclude tliis atlJress by urging persons to put 
 these remarks into faitlitVil j^iactice, — that is, tliose who have not 
 practiced them fully. Try to live according to this advice for a 
 year or two, and see if you have any reason to regret doing so. 
 Make the New Testament the rule of your life, and all will bo 
 right. Reading the lives and examples of pious persons may as- 
 sist you very much. 
 
 It may be urged that if a person really loves another, it is a 
 pleasure to obey their every wish. This is true, but unfortunate- 
 ly we have so much self-will and self-love that the love of others 
 to a great degree, is kept in the back-ground. We think we love 
 God, but we allow the world to occupy our thoughts. If God 
 were enshrined in our affections, as should be the case, we would 
 cheerfully obey all his retjuirements and love every one else for 
 his sake. 
 
 The Apostle snys, " If any man love the world, the love of the 
 Father is not in him." And again, " If a man say ho love God 
 and love not his brother, he is a liar, and the truth is not in him." 
 Sometimes we do love our friends so well that any act of obedi- 
 ence, or any kindness we can render them is a pleasure to lis, but 
 it is often the case that our pride and selfishness overcomes our 
 better feelings, and so we do not do the good which we knuw to be 
 our duty. When those relatives and friends whose counsels we 
 have neglected, are removed from us by death, and we know it is 
 impossible to ask their forgiveness, or acknowledge to them our 
 errors, then conscience will smite us with keen and bitter remorse. 
 Better, far better to mortify pride while there is an opportunity, 
 than after the friend is released from the effects of it, to have oc- 
 casion to mourn and lament. How much better to try to make 
 our friends happy by compliance with their wishes, — even if we 
 must practice severe self denial, — than after they are gone, to see 
 and be obliged to acknowledge to ourselves that they were wiser 
 than we, and judged rightly though we supposed they were mis 
 taken. 
 
 God is our great father, but he has given us fathers in the flesh, 
 
56 
 
 to wliom, if wo yield obedience, we ore ob3yiiig Him. Let us all 
 endeuvor to obey God and win bis f:ivor, tliat it may be well with 
 us in time and in Eternity. 
 
 CONFORMITY TO THE WORLD. 
 
 ^'^ And be not conformed unto this ivorld^'^ ^c. — Romans 12; 2. 
 '• Charge them tho.t are rich in tliis tvorld, that they he not 
 high-minded — tJiat they he rick in goodiuorks. ready to distri- 
 bute^ luilling to communicated — ist Timotliy. 7 ; 18. 
 
 From tbe above passages, and otbers of similar import, ws 
 learn that it is tbe duty of Christians, or professedly religious 
 persons, to beware of conforming closely (o the customs of the ir- 
 religious world in regard to many things. 
 
 Doubless the x\postle meant vain amusements, as well as dress, 
 and pomp, and show. In one place he says, '-Avoid foolish jesting 
 which is not convenient;" and James says, "Is any one merry? 
 let him sing paalm " The Apostle is very explicit in regard to 
 costly dress and ornaments, and speaks expressly against them : 
 and observes, with regard to women, " Let their adornment be a 
 meek and ^ quiet spirit." 
 
 James says, •' Pure and undefilled religion before God the Fa- 
 ther, is to visit the widow and the fatherless in their affliction, and 
 to keep one's self unspotted from the world." There is a vast 
 deal comprehended in the terra, unspotted from the world. It 
 doubtless means to avoid falling into its desires and lusts for great- 
 dess; whether of pride, or from ambition to excel merely for the 
 sake of worldly honor or notoriety. The Old and New Testaments 
 both represent the pious man as seeking for God's glory and the 
 
57 
 
 well being of his race above all other considerations, and his own 
 private interest in worldly matters, as of bat trivial importance. 
 
 The Apostle says, let every man seek the good of others, in hon- 
 or preferring one another. All selfishness is expressly forbidden 
 both by Jesus and the Apostles. We might remark with regard 
 to the little value a wise man would set upon merely worldly ad- 
 vantages ; these things can benefit or please us but for a few year's 
 at most, but the recollection of a good or kind act will afford us 
 pleasure through the countless ages of eternity. 
 
 "While looking at the present state of religious society, so termed 
 at least, we seem to see a vast difiference from the precepts taught 
 by the Apostles. There are but few things called amusements or 
 indulgencies, but what many professedly religious people partici- 
 pate in more or less. True, there are a great majority who do 
 not approve of this state of things, and whose lives are strictly 
 conformed to Christianity. But while thinking over the extent 
 of this departure from primitive rules, we feel that some Martin 
 Luther's, or John Wesley's are needed now to preach reform in 
 the Churches. This reform is needed in dress, and costly style of 
 living, so far as mere show is concerned. Many persons in the 
 middling ranks of life furnish their tables but plainly, and even 
 deny themselves solid comforts in order to have the more means 
 with which to dress and make a show in some way ; and looking 
 into things in society closely, we perceive more excuses for per- 
 sons acting thus unwisely, than seems at first : but every one un- 
 derstands these causes. A very wise man or woman may rise 
 above this state of things, but it requires great wisdom and inde- 
 pendence of character. If the rich were to spend their surplus 
 wealth in relieving the unfortunate, and raising the depressed and 
 bowed down, instead of the manner in which too many now spend 
 it, things might be different. 
 
 Do you. my sisters, consider when you put ten or fifteen dollars 
 worth of trimming upon a dress, that this would buy eight or 
 twelve comfortable dresses for so many poor women ; or tenor 
 fifteen pairs of shoes for some little naked feet, that we some- 
 
58 
 
 ^Imes see out doors even in winter time ? How much more rca^ 
 pleasure it would afford us to appropriate it in the latter way, 
 than in the former, which does not increase the beauty of the 
 wearer, but only seems to make her dress look richer, — not pretti- 
 er. If we viewed things rightly, and our hearts were filled with 
 that benevolence which caused the Lord Jesus to become poor 
 for our sakes, there would be no question or hesitation in the mat- 
 ter ; we would at once see that so long as money might be spent 
 more usefully in aiding the sick and the really poor, and provi- 
 ding them with proper food and clothing, and in providing com- 
 fortable dwellings where they might live in peace and quietnegs, 
 and have pure air to breathe ; we would not feel at liberty to spend 
 ii in useless decorations either on our person, or in our houses. 
 
 Now we will mention one thing in connection with this subject. 
 It has become fashionable in some cities to erect expensive and 
 elegant churches — even in those very cities where the greatest 
 number cf wretchedly poor persons are stowed away, during the 
 night at least, in old, delapidated buildings, or in those so con- 
 structed that a great many persons are brought into close contact 
 with each other ; where it is impossible, in some instances^ to have 
 pure air, or hardly a ray of comfort, except, it might be, in the 
 hopes of a release from suffering by death. One dying man said 
 to the Visiting Missionary, " 0, take me away from here ! Jesus 
 Christ cinnot come here ! " The poor man alluded to the ex- 
 treme wickedness of the people, in the adjoining rooms. Though 
 Christ had really come there, yet we are frail creatures, and the 
 man was not to blame that he could not feel right in such a place. 
 Now, we mean to say that, although person3 may think that in 
 consecrating a costly building to God's service, they are doing a 
 religious act of the first magnitude, they may be mistaken. It 
 would not always be amiss to examine the motives which lead to 
 this act, whether it be really all given to God, and meant only for 
 Him and His glory alone, or whether emulation, and even pride 
 has not a large share in our minds when we contribute to this ob- 
 ject. Allowing that God should have the best of earthly things — 
 
59 
 
 the highest specimens of art dedicated to his service, yet might it 
 not be well to inquire in what way the gift would be most accep- 
 table to Him? 
 
 Hero:l, the great, re-built the the temple of Jerusalem, but we 
 all know he was a very bad man ; nor was this act to be consid- 
 ered as one of piety, but rathei' from the love of fjime, or the re- 
 nown which he hoped to gain by doing this for the Jews. 
 
 In no part of the New Testament is there a command to dedi- 
 cate a temple to God to be filled with costly ornaments and works 
 of art. '^ Ye are the temple of the Lord." says the apostle ; and 
 he makes this one reason why men should be pure and holy in their 
 lives and conversation, that God, by His Holy Spirit might dwell 
 in them. But We mean to assert, that if, instead of erecting 
 buildings worth from sixty to three hundred and fifty thousand 
 dollars, — plain, but durable buildings were dedicated to God's ser- 
 vice, costing not more than thirty or forty thousand dollars at 
 most, and the remainder of the money subscribed for this purposa, 
 or growing out of Church funds, spent, not in home ornaments^ 
 but in constructing comfortable houses for the homeless poor in 
 the upper, or outer parts of great cities, where the sick could catch 
 a glimpse of the blue sky sometimes, and breathe a draught of 
 fresh air, it would be a fa,r more acceptable offering to God, 
 and far more after the example of the Lord Jesus, than the 
 one we have mentioned. Is it not evident from the whole of 
 the New Testament, that God would be better pleased to be- 
 hold a plain house, filled with persons plainly attired, — many 
 of them having been poor and wretched, but now clothed de- 
 cently by the kindness of others, than to look upon such con- 
 gregations as He is forced to behold in some of our fashionable 
 Churches? We were present at the consecration of one of 
 these Churches, when, after service, a collection was taken up 
 to build a Church for the poor, to be free for them. Now, this 
 offering was doubtless acceptable, but why should the rich and 
 the poor have separate Churches in which to worship? Is this 
 according to the Old, or New Testaments i* Alas! we think it 
 is a sad conformity to the customs of the world. 
 
60 
 
 Looking al all those tilings, wherein there is such a difference 
 between the precepts and spirit of the Gospel, and the way mat- 
 tars are now managed in the churches, we feel that a lleformation 
 is very much needed; but who will attempt to bring it about ? 
 Will the Lord raise up some great preacher to warn people of 
 their error in these things? We cannot tell. We know there is 
 always a remnant who repent and are saved, or who do not defile 
 themselves by doing after the manner of the heathen nations 
 around them. There are more than four thousand who have not 
 bowed the knee to this Baal. 
 
 Who would rather be of this number than of those who are 
 stumbling blocks in the way of sinners'? It might require some 
 self-denial at first ; every one might not know why you wore a 
 plain dress, and you might think it unbecoming to tell them. In 
 this you may entertain a mistaken idea. Why can you not bo 
 sufficiently on the Lord's side to say that you feel yourself to be 
 but his steward over what means he has given you, and that you 
 must lay it out in the way he has commanded you in his letter of 
 instructions ? Alas ! how much more we worship the opinions of 
 society and the world, than we are aware of; and yet how very 
 much better it would be for ourselves, and others, to act honestly 
 to our convictions of duty, and serve God faithfully, receive his 
 approving smile, and be an example of piety to others. Jesus 
 said, he that taketh not his cross and foUoweth not after rae, 
 is not worthy of me, — may not thi3 be applied in this case t 
 Surely, in professing religion there is no cross at the present day. 
 Jesus said also to his desciples, " Ye are not of this world, 
 therefore the world hateth you." In another place it is written, 
 " He that loveth the world hath not the love of God in him." 
 There is now but a slender partition between this world and the 
 churcb : it is easy to pass from one to the other. This is in 
 seeming only. There is an inner life, — a spiritual life — to which 
 the votaries of plea?^ure, or of ambition, are strangers, wdiether 
 in or without the pale of the visible church. God looks at tlm 
 heart ; all our aspirations and motives are known to him, 
 
61 
 
 whether we are merely seeking world!}' honor, or enJcavoring 
 to conduct so as to win his favor. Would it not be better to 
 practice a life of self-denial, if need be, and IN REALITY 
 renounce the pomps and vanities of this wicked world, and all 
 the sinful lusts of the flesh, and thus secure tho indwelling spirit 
 of God, than do as too many of us do at present? 
 
 The writer once heard a clergyman say to his wife, "Heaven 
 is worth trying very hard to obtain." Eemcniber this, dear 
 readfi*- But we need not wait for death in order to have a fore- 
 taste of heaven. Let us only do in reality what we profess to 
 do when being confirmed, or joining the church. Let us love 
 God supremely, and get him enshrined in our affections, as a 
 lover is sometimes fixed there ; then it will be a pleasure to try 
 to please him, — even though some things seem hard at first, 
 they will come easier by degrees. Instead of shrinking from 
 duty, let us do it fearlessly, looking to God for help, and soon 
 the way will become smooth, or our strength will be increased 
 to meet whatever difficulties do arise. One thought more, and 
 we close. When we feel it our duty to pursue a certain course, 
 let no persuation cause us to deviate from it. — for, the same 
 persons who at first may ridicule our notions, if they only find 
 us firm and consistent, will soon learn to treat us with respect 
 and deference. Courage and firmness are necessary in fighting 
 manfully under the banner of the Lord Jesus, and we may rest 
 assured, if we are not afraid of the world, He will help us to 
 conquer it. He said, "I have overcome the world." He re- 
 nounced the office of a king in order to be our Savior. Moses 
 did something similar to this. Shall we follow their example, 
 and sit down with them in heaven ? 
 
62 
 
 Doctor, what shall I have for dinner? A friend, said the Phy- 
 sician in reply, Why Doctor, we are not cannibals ! — Mij JSovcl. 
 or Varieties m English Life. 
 
 There are inany persons who fully understand the Doctor's 
 meaning, and can realize that any kind of food is likely to be di- 
 gested easier, and eaten with greater relish, if one has a friend to 
 keep him company while at table ;than if he be obliged to dine 
 alone, with no one to share in conversation, or say something to 
 cheer his spirits, or produce a little relaxation to relieve his isaind 
 either from the weariness of study, or thinking, whether it be of 
 himself, or of business ; whether he be sick, or even tolerably 
 well. The design of this essay is to plead the cause of the sick ; 
 those who have chronic or long standing complaints, so that 
 their acquaintances are tired of hearing them complain. " They 
 have been taking medicine so long, and saying they are sick, — 
 it is all imagination or spleen ; if they had to work, or would 
 go to work, they would be well enough." Has the reader nev- 
 er hoard such remarks as the above 1 We hope, dear friend, 
 you have not, especially if you were the subject of them ; but 
 such remarks are made, and sometimes too, Nvhen they are out 
 of place. There are some beggars in the world who are lazy, 
 or are as willing to beg as to seek for employment. But, on 
 the other hand, there are thousands who would gladly labor in 
 any way, rather than solicit charity. Some have even commit- 
 ted suicide, or died alone, from want, rather than ask alms. — 
 Let us not then condemn all beggars, because some are impos- 
 ters. Though some persons may imagine themselves more dis- 
 eased than they really are, and though pleasant employment is 
 a great blessing to those in health, as well as those who are 
 but slightly ailing, yet for one person who feigns, or imagines 
 sickness, and therefore neglects his or her duties, (in tbe lower 
 or middling walks of life,) there are scores who go beyond their 
 ability, and injure their health by doing things for which their 
 strength is insufficient. 
 
 In this country, where there is so much excitement, and em- 
 
63 
 
 vilation to be as " smart " as others, in some way ; it may be to be 
 neat housekeepers, or to have one's family diessed well, or to at- 
 tend some party, or to have company. In these various ways 
 there is more danger of overdoing and taxing one's strength to the 
 utmost, than of listlessness, — even those who have no families of 
 their own, are often engaged in philanthropic efforts for the good 
 of others, and in religious efforts. It sometimes happens that 
 those who have active minds, and overzealous hearts in the 
 good cause, forget that they have not strong constitutions, and 
 thus go beyond their strength, and break down before age comes 
 on. Once the system does get thoroughly " run down'" it may be 
 very difficult to restore it again, far more so than to break up a 
 fever, or some acute disease, where one is obliged to give up en- 
 tirely, and during the period of illness have every proper care and 
 attention. 
 
 There are several reasons why those hiaving chronic diseases are 
 not speedily cured, even though they go to some trouble and ex- 
 pense in obtaining and taking medicines. Some of these belong 
 to works of physiology, rather than to a moral essay. We will 
 Bay, however, that there may be great prostration or weakness of 
 the parts diseased, the tone and energy of the system is gone, and 
 the want of that stimulus furnished by excitement or employment 
 formerly, h now felt severely, particularly by those persons who 
 are said to /ive vpon excitement. This observation is sometimes 
 made by the nearest friends. 
 
 Could a person sometimes give up all care of themselves and 
 their affairs, into the hands of a friend in whom they could place 
 implicit confidence that all would be well taken care of, it might 
 produce such a relaxation of mind, that would be of the greatest 
 benefit. But it often occurs that, though one is very much ailing, 
 yet they " keep about," and do all they possibly caiWo, except 
 going to churchy or takius: that kind oj healthful and pleasant 
 EXERCISE which is most needed. 
 
 Some persons are so situated that they never have proper care 
 
64 
 
 and attention ; even though money be spent for medicine, there 
 are circumstances which counteract its effect, and render it of no 
 avail. Then the physician, or the medicine, is blamed, when 
 the fault lies entirely in other things. Proper care, and good 
 nursing, and right management everyway, is of far more importance 
 than the medicine alone. When the mind is harrassed and per- 
 plexed by any cause, the efficacy of medical aid is hindered in 
 proportion to the extent of the perplexity. Homeopathy recog- 
 nizes the effect of mind over the body, by recommending various 
 specifics for different states of mind; or diseases produced by 
 grief, anger, home -sickness, &c. Every medical practitioner soon 
 learns the effect of mind upon the body, and the effect of ihe 
 want of sufficient sleep, — this is an important consideration. 
 
 Now what can be done in these cases, where various things 
 unite to prevent one from recovering from illness ? Sometimes 
 we can only say, "Endeavor to be resigned to the will of our heav- 
 enly Father. It is He alone who can remove the preventing 
 causes." At other times, much may depend upon the patient's 
 own management, and always considerable on the kindness and 
 carefulness of those who are round about the person ; whether 
 they have or take any interest in the case, or are indifferent. Much, 
 very much depend on the friends, or those who have some charge 
 or intercourse with the ailing person. The writer would like to 
 get up a new system of medicine for friendless invalids^ but it 
 might be difficult to find all ready to administer it. It may be 
 supposed I mean resignation ;. no, that state of mind God alone 
 can produce. No, we will call it Hajyj^iness. Let every one who 
 is near or around sick persons, try in some way to make them hap- 
 py or pleased, if but for a moment. The present of a simple 
 flower juth kind words, may do more good than a potion of medi- 
 cine, oolomon says, " Words fitly spoken are like apples of gold 
 in pictures of silver," and surely they must be especially so, when 
 addressed to the low-spirited. Persons cannot always help being 
 low-spirited when they are ill ; their illness causes this state of 
 
65 
 
 mind, sometimes, on account of the trouble and care one is to oth- 
 ers. Sometimes one cannot help feeling unpleasantly. Truc^ 
 there are different dispositions, and people are differently situated 
 in regard to a variety of things. Some persons will preach to the 
 sick, and enjoin the duty of patience on them : but one little act 
 of real kindness and sympathy will do more good every way, bod- 
 ily and mentally, than a long homily on patience and resignation. 
 God has no where enjoined perfect patience and quietness 
 under affliction. Has He not commanded us to call upon Him 
 in the day of trouble % David was a most pious man, but he com- 
 plained bitterly of his afflictions. Job, who is usually called a 
 patient man, also complained still more bitterly during his state 
 of suffering. 
 
 No where in the Bible does God command us to practice cold- 
 hearted philosophy or stoicism. If we have sufficient grace and 
 wisdom to practice resignation to the Divine will it is a blessed 
 thing; but often in sickness the mind is not in, subjection to the 
 will, — though we know what is right, we cannot practice it. When 
 one has relatives and good friends, a variety of plans will suggest 
 themselves to them, how to please and entertain a sick person. 
 Light, pleasant employment may be very useful, and the company 
 of judicious persons, who know when to keep still, and not talk 
 too much, or make the sick persons talk more than is proper for 
 tliem. The patient's own feelings and desires should always be 
 considered, for that is very important. Reading a pleasing book 
 is an easy way to entertain a sick person sometimes. Having 
 the room pleasantly situated with regard to an out-door prospect 
 is of very great service, and having it tastefully arranged inside, 
 also may be useful. Whatever gives pleasure to the eye gives 
 pleasure to the mind. Let everything be arranged prettily, but 
 without that stiffness which seems to say, " be careful not to put 
 anything out of orderj' Bright cheerful colors, and pleasing pic- 
 tures should bo chosen for a sick chamber ; the last serves a 
 double purpose. Oftentimes the patient may be alone or unable 
 
66 
 
 to bear conversation ; then a picture to meet tlie glance occasion- 
 ally, may be almost a friend. The writer once heard a cleigjman 
 i=ay that a minister could not preach so well where the walls were 
 entirely plain, as if there were something to break the sameness, 
 and render things pleasing to the eye. As previouly stated, what- 
 ever gives pleasure of the proper kind — not excitement — must be 
 of utility in cases of illness, that is, from debility, lameness, and 
 su3h diseases as are of long-standing. Usually when a person is 
 happy he will try to be good so long as the happy feeling contin- 
 ues. Sometimes there may be cases of selfishness, but then re- 
 monstrance or advice should be given kindly. One can usually 
 gain more by kind persuasion than by scolding. Let the moral 
 and religious feelings of persons be appealed to in all cases, if it 
 can be done properly ; still, if done at all, do it kindly, for then 
 it is far more likely to produce the desired effect. 
 
 Something has been said about employment, which has called 
 forth another idea with it. We sometimes see persons in poor 
 circumstances 'keep about" and work diligently almost constant- 
 ly, who are yet far from being quite well, and it would seem as 
 if work were a benefit to them, — perhaps it is ; but in this way, 
 they have but little time for intense thought or deep reflection ■ 
 they get tired enough to sleep soundly without injurious opiates. 
 It may be that they are not capable of exercising much deep 
 thought. It would seem better that some persons are not capable 
 of doing so, for it would be impossible to work all the time and 
 think deeply too. In this way the lower orders of people really 
 escape that wear of mind and nerves, which is often felt by those 
 in responsible positions. The slaves seem happy, because their 
 minds are undeveloped. Sailors seem to care for nothing but to 
 do their duty at the moment. Not so the commander of the ship ; 
 he has a weight of care on his mind, which the common sailor 
 does not feel. 
 
 In youth, we play or work in a way that exercises our physical 
 faculties ; in mature life, we have to exercise the mind more, by 
 
67 
 
 planning and thinking. Then, if both our physical and mental 
 abilities be overtaxed in the period of youth and mature age, we 
 are liable to fall into premature old age, or second childhood ; or 
 if the powers be taxed to the utmost, we fall down and die while 
 comparatively young, before reaching the natural period of human 
 life. We might say that though employment is beneficial to some 
 diseases, there are many others which positively prevent the per- 
 son thus afflicted, from pursuing active employment. We should 
 learn to discriminate, and not judge cases too hastily, when we 
 speak of the sick person's needing to go to work in order to be 
 well. In all ca^es let us have charity, which is the bond of per- 
 fectness, and remember that we too may be ill at some future 
 time. He that shows kindness, may expect to be treated kindly, 
 according to the Bible. 
 
 We have sometimes thought that boarding places might be es- 
 tablished for sick persons who have means, but who have no near 
 relatives to wait upon them or rather to make things pleasant for 
 them. At such houses the expense might be less than having a 
 constant attendant, and yet pleasanter. Persons want a change, 
 and to see more than one or two persons. The superintendent 
 of such a house should be a decided Christian, and have the love 
 of God in her heart in a large degree, so that she would sympa- 
 thize sufficiently with each one. so as to be a real friend to all, and 
 be able to see what would be fitting and best for them to do. 
 
 When speaking of complaining, we meant to say, that we all 
 like to be understood. It is either a common weakness, or a 
 natural desire ; and much of our seeming complaining is merely 
 the efi"ort we make to be understood^ and make people comprehend 
 and know that we really are ill. One great benefit resulting from 
 a physician's visit, is his sympathetic language to the patient, who 
 feels that he at least knows that something ails him, more than 
 the mere force of imagination. A true friend will always listen 
 to complaints patiently, or seemingly so, even if he or she endeav- 
 ors to lead the mind off to other things in order to make one for- 
 
68 
 
 get their troubles. Hutif anjtliing can be do-ne, then let us know 
 all the symptoms of a case, in order to administer the proper 
 remedy. If possible, find out if there be any hidden trouble that 
 may be lightened, if not cured, by sympathy ; afterwards the pa- 
 tient's mind should be diverted from himself as much as possible, 
 only so far as is necessary to take proper care of himself Wc 
 will not say that kindness and happiness are specifics for all chron- 
 ic complaints ; but thoy are valuable aids to medicine, and serve 
 to make the patient/cc/ better, which is of great value. 
 
 If we could be made so comfortable while sick, that we forget 
 our pains, it would do very much towards banishing them alto- 
 gether, if that be possible. 
 
 We hardly know how to conclude this essay properly. We 
 might say, let one who wishes to be kind and good to the sick, 
 practice the Golden Rule : '• Do unto others as ye would that 
 others should do unto you.^' Read the Bible much, for kindness 
 is enjoined in all parts of the sacred volume ; and read it to the 
 sick if you can. 
 
 There is one thing, ho'wever, which is not always thought of, — 
 we never can feel for others exactly right, unless we have suffered 
 in a similar way ourselves. A certain writer says of poets, ^' They 
 learn in suffering what they teach in song." Another writer sa^s 
 a woman must suffer deeply, in ordar to develop her highest pow- 
 ers. We believe this to be the truth. Stilly there are some young 
 persons who have never suffered very much, and yet are excellent 
 nurses, — simply from a desire to please and be useful. They do 
 not act from compulsion, or merely a cold feeling of duty ; but 
 from pure kindness of principle, which is the very best teacher in 
 the world in these matters. When persons act merely from com- 
 pulsion, it is all up-hill work ; but when love or affection lends a 
 helping hand, all becomes easy. If the Son of God could conde- 
 scend to heal diseases, we may patiently be willing to act as nurses 
 or friends to the sick, and be assured of the favor of God in thus 
 doing ; and if we remember that every good or kind act we do 
 
69 
 
 to any Imman being, is done to God, to whom we all belong, we 
 
 may take great pleasure in being good and kind. 
 
 " Mine let the tender office long engage 
 To rock the cradle of declining age ; 
 Explore the lost, explain the asking aye, 
 And keep awhile a parent from the bky." 
 
 [extract.] 
 GOTHE'S FAUST, AND DANTE'S PAKADISK 
 
 Nothing can better show the difference of result between a stern 
 and earnest life and one of partial accommodation, than a com- 
 parison between the Paradise, and that of the second part of Faust^ 
 In both, a soul gradually educated and led back to God, is re- 
 ceived at last not thiough merit, but grace. But 0, the difference 
 between the grandly humble reliance of old Catholicism, and the 
 loop-hole redemption of modern sagacity. Dante was a man of 
 violent passions, many prejudices bitter as well as sweet. His 
 knowledge was scanty, his sphere of observation narrow, com- 
 pared with those of Goethe. But retiring into his deepest self^ 
 clear-sighted to the limitations of man, but no less so to illimita- 
 ble energies of the soul ; the sharp details of his work convey a 
 largest sense, as his strongest and steadiest flights only direct the 
 eye to Heaven and beyond. 
 
 But perhaps he had not so hard a battle to wage as this other 
 great Poet. The fiercest passions are not such dangerous foes to 
 the soul, as the cold skepticism of the understanding. The Jew- 
 ish demon assailed the man of Uz with physical ills. The Lucifer 
 of the middle ages tempted his passions, but the Mephistocles of 
 
70 
 
 the eigbteenth century made the finite strive to encompass the in- 
 finite ; and the intellect attempt to solve all the problems of the 
 soul. This path Faust has taken. It is that of modern necro- 
 mancy, not willing to grow into God by the steady worship of a 
 life. Man would enforce his presence by a spell : not willing to 
 learn his existence by the slow process of their own. They strive 
 to bind it in a word, that they may wear it about the neck as a 
 talisman. 
 
 THE FUTURE IS BETTER THAN THE PAST. 
 
 Not where long passed ages sleep, 
 
 Seek we Eden's golden ties ; 
 In the future, folded deep, 
 
 Are its mystic harmonies. 
 
 In the spirit's perfect air, 
 
 In the passions tame and kind. 
 
 Innocence from selfish care 
 The real Eden we shall find. 
 
 It is coming, it shall come, 
 
 To the patient and the striving — 
 
 To the quiet heart at home, 
 Thinking wise and faithful living. 
 
 When all error is worked out 
 
 From the heart and from the life. — 
 
 When the passions are laid low 
 Through the spirit's holy strife. 
 
 When the soul to sin hath died, 
 True, and beautiful and sound. 
 
 Then all earth is sanctified. 
 Up springs paradise around. 
 
 Then shall come the Eden days, 
 Guardian watch from seraph eyes, 
 
 Angels on the slanting rays, 
 Voices from the opening skies. 
 
71 
 
 SPIRITUAL AID. 
 
 If we seek spiritual aid, let us ask it of God the Father, through 
 the worthy name of Jesus ; thence may hope for the enlightning 
 influence of the Holy Spirit, for our Lord said that His Father 
 would give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him. But 1 think 
 we need this influence more to enahla us to obey the letters of 
 instruction which have already been sent to us, more than we do 
 to convey to us any more. A child receives his lessons daily, and 
 if he be wise, will not skip the one intended for to-day, in order 
 to study one which he is not to recite for a week or two hence. 
 
 Who of us can say honestly, " I keep all the commandments 
 perfectly, even the 4th, and 8th, and 10th. I do good to every 
 one, hoping for nothing again. I visit the sick and those who 
 are in prison, or ip affliction. I give to the needy all I can* possi- 
 bly spare. I hold no unpleasant feelings towards any one who 
 has injured me, but am ready to render them good for evil. I 
 pray three times in a day, earnestly and sincerely : not merely as 
 a matter of form ; I delight to do the will of God, so far as I am 
 able, more than all things else ; still I rely wholly on God's mercy 
 through Christ for that salvation, knowing that I am still imper- 
 fect and have not always been as good as I am now." The man 
 or woman who, from the heart can say these things of himself or 
 herself, will not add the following: " I am as good as I can be, 
 with only the New Testament to instruct me. If departed spirits 
 and angels would come and converse with me, and influence me, 
 no doubt I would feel better and become more perfect." 
 
 Alas ! it is not knowledge we need so much, as the disposition 
 to seek it where it is to be found, and practice it when we know 
 it. No doubt the company of good persons sheds a hallowed in- 
 fluence over one's mind, and such we might expect would be the 
 effect of the society of angels. But if God wishes us now, at 
 present, to labor and live among men and animals, and trees, etc., 
 is it quite right for us to seek to get into a higher seat before the 
 Master thinks us worthy of being invited to take it.^ Let us do our 
 
72 
 
 duty in whatever society we now happen to be placed, and the an- 
 gels will love us better than if we neglect present duties in seeking 
 their society. We are here on an errand, as it were, and when 
 the business is settled, we shall get our discharge • God grant that 
 we do the work faithfully, lest we get discharged with merited 
 disgrace. 
 
 If our hearts are free so that we can commune with the Father 
 of Spirits and Jesus our Kedeemer, this will be sufficient for the 
 present. This Holy Spirit (which I think is God, himself, in 
 some way) can enlighten the mind, if that be necessary, and puri- 
 fy our hearts from the love or practice of sin and from sinful 
 thoughts and desires. Religion is a heart work. To become spir- 
 itually minded, we must deny ourselves every gratification which 
 conscience or the New Testament forbids, and be willing that God 
 should i*e our most secret desires and actions, at all times and un- 
 der all circumstances. Perhaps many would not feel able to meet 
 the eye of God on all occasions, especially when excited. But 
 even then it will be well to feel that God does see us. This 
 thought will bring about calmer feelings ; and in times of trouble 
 we will look to God for help as a little child looks to his mother, 
 and though his wants be not immediately attended to, will keep on 
 calling till she does relieve his distress. We should thus continue 
 to look to God for assistance, even though it be deferred. 
 
 When we know some positive duty, let us not hesitate to do it. 
 Whether in times of trouble or of joy, we should always go to 
 God and thank him for our pleasures, or ask him to remove the 
 difficulty. We might thus in some measure seem to commence 
 heaven below, for we may be sure that even if admitted into the 
 world of spirit.*!, our highest pleasure will be in ascribing all the 
 praise to Him who bought us and redeemed us with His ot^n blood. 
 
73 
 
 ON THE SAME SUBJECT. 
 
 TO J- 
 
 There is something I wish to communicate to you, and in order 
 to be brief, will come to the point at once. You believe that per- 
 sons are inspired in these days in a similar manner to what the old 
 prophets were. If this be so, then I may as well lay claim to in- 
 spiration as any one else. Now in the silent watches of the night, 
 when thinking upon a certain subject, sentiments like these come 
 to me, " Seek communion with God only." Seek truth from the 
 fountain of truth, and let your vessels be free from dregs and im- 
 purity, so that you may have only the pure truth. Translation : 
 '• Seek not unto familiar spirits from the livimg to the dead." — 
 Isaiah But seek deep, earnest communion with the Infinite 
 Father, as you would with your most intimate friend, to whom you 
 might resort at any moment, if necessary, and pour your joys ar 
 sorrows in bis ear. Leave your departed friends with God ; when 
 He comes He will bring them with Him if they be among the 
 blest. The New Testament is a pure fountain of truth without 
 alloy. Come to it with your mind' free from all preconceived no- 
 tions which are contrary to its doctrines. If possible, lay aside 
 every idea which is not in accordance with what Jesus and the 
 Apostles taught. Paul says, " Though we or an angel from heav- 
 en preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have 
 preached unto you, let him be accursed." — Gal. 1. With such a 
 text as this before us, should we not try the spirits, and examine 
 and see whether their teachings harmonize with the teachings of 
 the New Testament. Jesus says, " My words are spirit and they 
 are truth. The words that I speak shall judge him at the last 
 day." From the testimony of Jesus there can be no appeal. 
 Even if God should come to dwell among us. He could not teach 
 a different doctrine without destroying all religion. There can 
 be^progress to truth ; it is unchangeable as its Author. Rest as- 
 sured we shall have no revelation from God till Christ comes in 
 flaming fire. See the first verse of Hebrews : " God hath in these 
 
74 
 
 last days spoken to us by His Son," &c. If the history of Paul's 
 conversion be trne, his commission is valid for all ages in this 
 state of existence ; or till a new heaven and earth appear. It be- 
 hooves us, therefore, to be careful and read these doctrines and 
 believe them implicitly, and reject all that differs from them. 
 One word on miracles. It was by faith in Jesus' name the Apos- 
 tles or those who attended upon Him. performed miracles. Feter 
 utterly disclaims all merit of himself, after healing the lame man, 
 and positively said it was done alone by faith in the Lord Jesus. 
 
 FRAGMENT. 
 
 The spirit which God implants within us, is that of love and 
 mercy, or pity, peace and joy. These overcome our propensities 
 to evil, and mould our thoughts and feelings into harmony with 
 Himself and all His arrangements. If in a right state of mind, 
 we feel to say " not my will but Thine, God, be done." But 
 the influence of this spirit is not given in an audible voice, but 
 rather like a hallowing influence from holy thoughts, like deep, 
 earnest prayer when no words are used. Do some persons hardly 
 comprehend this ? When a mind is brought near to God, it can 
 commune with Him as friends sometimes do by a look or pressure 
 of the hand. There are many modes of communicating with those 
 whom we know perfectly understand us ; and we know God does 
 understand us. 
 
 We all know the influence which love has upon us. If a friend 
 does us some service or sends a message of love and sympathy, 
 what is the effect of this upon us ? Why, we feel so pleased that 
 we love everybody in the world for the time being. Oh ! that 
 those who have the power would ofteaer cause these feelings ! 
 Oftentimes, under religious emotions, persona feel to love all the 
 world for the time being. This is the work of the Holy Spirit. 
 
75 
 
 God is love. Heaven is not merely an intellectual academy on a 
 large scale. Love and good will to every creature, is the heaven 
 of heavens where God resides, and all that life is love. 
 
 Were all evil passions subdued, pride of heart individually and 
 nationally, all desire or emulation to rise one above another done 
 away with, and love (toward every one) reign supremely in our 
 hearts and minds, heaven might be begun below. We should all 
 try to get as near God as possible without one wish that others 
 may not get yet nearer, for God can make room for all who love 
 him sincerely. No crowding is necessary to whisper a word in His 
 ear ; and His hand can reach to o cation'' s utmost bounds. 
 
 SENTIMENT. 
 
 When I look to the blue sky and at trees and flowers, I feel as 
 if I needed no other spirit but these to speak to me. There is a 
 deep tone in all nature's works which goes directly to the heart, 
 and makes one feel in the presence of Jehovah and a nearness to 
 Him. I may not think of His having made those beautiful crea- 
 tions, sky, trees and flowers; but knowing this fact, there is a holy 
 feeling comes over me which makes me feel safe and happy for the 
 time being. When I look at a beautiful infant, something of the 
 same holy feeling comes over me. 
 
 SCATTERING THOUGHTS. 
 
 Is it not when men reject the truth of God's word that He per- 
 mits errors to get into the world ? Did not the Turks know about 
 the Jewish scriptures previous to Mohammed's time, and may it 
 not have been on account of their rejecting these, that they were 
 overcome with a system of falsehood ? Mormonism and all errora 
 may have come into the world in consequence of men's rejecting 
 or neglecting the truth of the Christian religion. 
 
76 
 
 Sonietitncs the question arises, why has God permitted sia to 
 be in the world when he might have prevented it ? The answer 
 seems to come like this. It is by contrast that we see the deform- 
 ity of sin and the beauty of holiness. In a higher state of exist- 
 ence we may be better able to judge of the wisdom of God in 
 these things which now baffle our comprehension. The ways and 
 dealings of God with us are but imperfectly understood by us 
 now ; only we know He is our Father, and that He cannot err. 
 Of this truth we may rest assured. Therefore we may rest satis- 
 fied in regard to those things which seem involved in mystery. 
 Here is faith in God's supreme goodness and wisdom. Could we 
 see everything as plain as we do some of our mechanical opera- 
 tions, there would be no room for the exercise of faith. Oh ! how 
 I would like to be a little child and lie down at the feet of God 
 quietly, without asking any questions about why anything is thus. 
 I feel that the highest excellence in the character of the Deity, 
 His crowning attribute of perfection, is His benevolence in bring- 
 ing back His erring children. His wisdom is manifested in some- 
 times bringing good out of evil To take the highest case of this 
 kind, the death of our Lord Jesus. It was wicked to put Him to 
 death, but oh ! the blessings which have flowed from this circum- 
 stance we dare not attempt to enumerate. Sometimes we regard 
 death as an evil, but in another sense we should not any more 
 than when the blossoms fall from the trees so that the fruit will 
 begin to form, or that a decayed body is removed in order to give 
 the spirit more freedom to expand and ascend to a purer atmos- 
 phere. May not the cause for the fall of some angels have been 
 that God might show forth His power in redeeming man even 
 from their influence ; though this thought may seem like ventur- 
 ing into too deep water for us at the present time. 
 
 EXTEACTS. 
 
 Yet is the spirit lone, — its problem deep, 
 No other may work out,— its mystic way, 
 
77 
 
 2s o other wing may try ; passionate hopes, 
 Miglity yet powerless, and most aivful fears ; 
 Its strength ne'er equal to the burden laid. 
 Longings to stop but eagerness to go, 
 Is its alone; a wall unscalable 
 Circuits fhe soul, — its fellow cannot pass. 
 The mother may not spare the child, to take 
 Its youthful burden on her willing heart ; 
 Nor friend enfranchise friend. Alone, alone 
 The soul muat do its own immortal work ; 
 The best beloved most distant arc ; the near 
 Far severed wide. Soul knows not soul, 
 No more than those uuansw^ering stars divine. 
 
 Ood of these splendid stars ! I need 
 Thy presence ; need to know 
 That Thou art God — my God indeed : 
 Far off they shine, far off they glow. 
 Shield me 'mid Thine innumerable worlds; 
 Give me some point where I may rest, 
 While Thine unceasing ages flow. 
 ****** 
 
 Recall, Eternal Source, and reassume 
 In Thine own essence peace unutterable. 
 
 0, Thou, Supreme Infinitude of thought ! 
 
 Thou who are height and depth ! whether is life 1 
 
 And what are we but vanishing shadows alll 
 
 O'er the eternal ocean of Thy Being. 
 
 It is Thy will, the sunbeam of Thy mind 
 
 That pervades and modifies the air 
 
 Of mortal life in which the spirit dwells. 
 
 Thou conjugatest those joys and hopes and griefs ; 
 
 In Thee they beam or gloom, Eternal Sun ! 
 
 Let them not come between my soul and Thee. 
 
 Let me rejoice in Thy o'erflooding light ; 
 
 Fill up my being's urn until a star 
 
 Once kindled, ne'er extinc my soul may burn 
 
 In the pure light of an excelling Love, 
 
 Giving out rays as lavishly as given. 
 
 THE MIND. 
 
 The ralnd is not under the control of the will. It sometimes 
 needs to be coaxed into proper or right feelings. Keading some 
 good book will oftentimes have this effect, or conversing with a 
 true and wise friend ; but it cannot be turned as one might turn 
 
78 
 
 a reed and bend it backwards from its former position. Who has 
 not been troubled to get a train of thoughts off his mind which 
 bad been and were still annoying him ? Sometimes by speaking 
 of the matter to another, (even though one feels slightly condemn- 
 ed in doing so.) often yields relief; of course, supposing the con- 
 fidant to be a friend. An intelligent person observed, '' one train 
 of thoughts can only be discharged by others taking their place." 
 In such cases if one coax others in the place of unpleasand one by 
 reading or otherwise, it will be well. 
 
 The mind of itself knows nothing of the Sabbath day. Hovr 
 frequently thoughts of business will creep into our minds even in 
 church, unless they are deeply pngaged in the service; and oftimes 
 something by the power of-associations, will call up thoughts 
 which we feel obliged to check on this holy day. The mind re- 
 fuses idleness, and if not properly employed something will come 
 up which is unsuitable at the time. I hardly think it is the ene- 
 my which does this, or but seldoni it seems like the bent of the 
 mind ; all persons are not alike in this however, some have more 
 control over their thoughts than others. Early training and 
 soundness of mind may be causes for their being able to exercise 
 this control, which advantages all do not alike possess. 
 
 A SENTIMENT. 
 
 Oh ! for that filial devotion 
 
 To our Universal Parent, 
 
 Whch would lead us on all occasions 
 
 To forfeit all we may hold dear on earth 
 
 Rather than Him offend, 
 
 Even in teeming trifles. 
 
 A man whose heart is true to God, 
 
 Will, fur his honor, sacrifice 
 
 Time, kindred, frieuds, or life itself, 
 
 If cause demands. 
 
 By labors too severe for human strength, 
 
 But called forth by circumstances 
 
 In his Master's service ; 
 
 Yea, for the tiuih itself 
 He often becames a mart^Ti 
 
79 
 
 PROCRASTINATION AND FORGIVENESS. 
 
 " Shall we continua in sin that grace may abound 7 God 
 forbid! — Romans G: I, 2. 
 
 There is a principle involved in the text we have chosen, that 
 makes it decidedly wrong for us to continue in sin, because that 
 God is mer3iful. The Apostle is very emphatic here. He says, 
 God forbid ihat we should do so. We admit that these verses are 
 addressed to persons who professed to be religious; yet we believe 
 it may be applied to such as know they should be pious in order 
 to inherit eternal life. No one can say, '" I know it is not my 
 duty to begin to be religious, and endeavor to secure the favor of 
 God," if he be not already pursuing a religious life. Now if one 
 knows this, he is surely incurring God's displeasure if he procras- 
 tinates the time for repentance and doing good works. 
 
 The cause for writing this essay is that we have heard it urged 
 against the glorious doctrine of the atonement, that it allowed 
 people to live in sin all their lives, relying on the hope that in 
 their last moments they could beg for God's mercy through Christ. 
 It caused us to feel sadly to hear such an objection raised against 
 the very highest act of God's dealings with mankind, that though 
 they have debased themselves by sin, they can be purified and 
 pardoned through h'S appointed means of restoration to a state of 
 holiness and purity. It was further urged, that if men were told 
 that they would be punished for their sins, and would have to 
 work out their own salvation by doing good works, that they 
 would be far more careful about doing wrong. Has not this doc- 
 trine of punishment for transgression besn preached over and over 
 again, for six thousand years ? and we might also ask has that 
 alone ever produced genuine conversion? 
 
 Has not the Catholic Church invented the practice of doing and 
 suffering penance, and the doctrine of purgatory on this very 
 ground; and virtually made the blood of Christ of none effect 
 through these traditions ? But have Catholics been so very fear- 
 ful of committing sins ? Alas ! alas ! Let history answer this 
 
80 
 
 question. What ij it that melts the heart into tenderness so 
 veadilj, as to preach of God's love to a fallen world, and his love 
 to sinners, not withstanding their rebellion against his laws ? 
 
 We might ask in the relation of mankind with each other as 
 parents or masters, which usually produces the best efiects, love 
 and mercy — or harshness and severity ? But it is more taught 
 in our churches that sins are not punished. On the contrary 
 every sin which is not repented of will be visited by punishment- 
 The Scriptures and the churches all inculcate this idea. It is 
 only when we are truly and sincerely sorry for our faults, and ask 
 God to forgive us, that he blots them out of His book against us. 
 
 Here we may mention an anecdote of a boy whose father was 
 in the habit of driving a nail into a post whenever he done wrong, 
 and pulling one of the nails out again whenever he done a good 
 thing. After a time the lad became so good that the last nail 
 was extracted from the post ; but then the boy observed the scars 
 and wished that they could be effaced. Dear reader, it was to 
 efface the scars which our sins had made, that the blood of Christ 
 was shed for sinners. We all love to look upon an infant, it is so 
 pure and holy ; but very soon, in most cases, this purity is some- 
 what diminished. As soon as a child learns to take an apple, or 
 a bit of sugar secretly, or to raise its hand in anger, or speak a 
 naughty word, it is no longer holy ; sin has already defiled it, 
 however beautiful and innocent it may seem. But Jesus has 
 made atonement for these imperfections of childhood, and for the 
 more aggravated faults of mature years, when these are mourned 
 over and repented of. 
 
 But to speak a word more on the subject of punishment. In 
 the very nature of things, no transgression of a moral or physical 
 law can be committed without corresponding punishment. It 
 would be wrong in a parent to withhold necessary discipline from 
 his child ; it is his duty to give correction when it is needed, as 
 much as it is to give medicine when the child is sick. The Scrip- 
 tures £ay, God scourgeth every son whom he receivcth ; and we 
 
81 
 
 should consider these chastenings as tokens of His favor, rather 
 ihan otherwise, when we have wandered from His precepts ; as 
 <hey lead us to consider our ways, and make the necessary amend- 
 ments in our manner of living, so that our souls may be saved at 
 last, and our hearts brought more into conformity to the will of 
 God. This is the design of chastisement ; but when we fail to 
 profit by them, and only become rebellious and more wicked, sad 
 indeed will be oui fate. Let any one look closely over his past 
 life, and see if every wrong act of his life has not in some way 
 met with a corresponding punishment. But no amount of pun- 
 ishment can purify the soul from the stains of sin, or change the 
 motives of the heart and bring them into nearness with God, so 
 that we can feel towards Him as to our Father and Friend. The 
 tears of sincere repentance are supposed by some to purify in part 
 from the stains of sin. But by faith in Christ as suffering in our 
 stead the full penalty of our guilt, we are accepted into God's 
 favor as though we were pure in our own right ; and the opera- 
 tions of the Holy Spirit makes us loathe sin, and love only to do 
 the will of God. 
 
 What a beautiful thought, that the vilest sinner may thus be- 
 come as pure as a little child in the sight of God ; and his crimes 
 though deep as crimson, be sponged out and washed away, from 
 his remembrance forever. 
 
 In every part of St. Paul's writings, he advocates the doctrine 
 of forgiveness for sins, through the atonement made by the death 
 and sufferings of the Lord Jesus Christ; and he explains the sub- 
 ject in the most logical manner. Being a Jew. he fully understood 
 the nature of the purification intended to be made by the blood 
 of animals ; and treats of this also in a masterly style of chris- 
 tian like argument and expostulation. It would seem as if those 
 who deny the doctrine of the Atonement can never have read the 
 Epistle to the Hebrews, or to the Romans. We fear too many 
 either imagine, or make up their own sentiments on religious 
 
82 
 
 >jects ; or draw them from other sourcei than the Xew Testa- 
 rncDt. 
 
 We are told that Jesus only taught morality of a higher order, 
 in his Sermon on the Mount, — that in that discourse ho said noth- 
 ing about the forgiveness of sins. 
 
 So did Moses at times preach morality ; but still, sacrifices 
 were offered daily for the purification of the people from the 
 errors they were continually committing, notwithstanding all the 
 moral precepts he gave them. The sons of Adam were undoubt- 
 edly taught to offer sacrifices by their father, and he must have 
 been taught by God Himself. 
 
 The death of Christ was intended to take the place of all sac- 
 rificial offering ; that by faith in Him the sinner is made free from 
 his sins in the sight of God. 
 
 We cannot forgive our own transgressions, — we accept of for- 
 giveness from God as an act of Mercy on His part, and when pen- 
 itent and humble, we are very thankful to be forgiven and received 
 again into favor. 
 
 No minister encourages his hearers to put off the time for 
 repentence ; but on the contrary, urges the necessity of immediate 
 action in this matter for several important considerations. 
 
 It is not the doctrine of forgiveness which makes people indif- 
 erent and careless how they live. Four thousand years elapsed 
 before Jesus died, or this doctrine was taught in its fullness ; had 
 men not sinned greviously before this time, Jesus need not have 
 suffered by wicked hands, and for His murderers even, as He 
 could not have prayed for them had they been beyond the reach 
 of forgiveness. 
 
 There may be some errors in our Theology which will not be 
 made right while we remain in the body ; but the doctrine of for- 
 giveness fjr sins by faith in Jesus, is too clearly taught for us to 
 make a mistake in it. 
 
 If persons from pride, really wish to suffer the full penalty of 
 their shortcomings till they become perfectly holy, it may be a 
 
83 
 
 very long time before they are fit to stand in the presence of God. 
 As penance cannot remove the consequences^ nor the remembrance 
 of sins; and no unholy person can be admitted into the Divine 
 presence in such a manner as to feel comfortable there. We know 
 how our first parents shrank from God's presence when they had 
 broken a positive command ; and how we shrink from an earthly 
 parent's look sometimes, when conscious of having done wrong. 
 
 It is therefore, our wisest course to ask for forgiveness humbly 
 and earnestly ; acknowledging that with all the weakness and im- 
 perfections of our nature, we yet might have done better than we 
 have done. 
 
 Eeader, we close this essay by saying that we fear that the 
 charge we have been trying here to combat, is the work of the 
 enemy of souls. He is ready to start any idea which will in any 
 way detract from Christ's Mission. But do th«|f remember that 
 Jesus said, "Behold I come quickly, and my reward is with me, to 
 give unto every man as his work shall be." Repent quickly, and do 
 good works lest thou have thy part taken out of the Holy City. 
 
 EXTRACT BEARING ON THE SAME SUBJECT. 
 
 We cannot see how the disbeliever in a vicarious atonement can 
 account for the life, sufi'^rings and death of Jesus Christ. They 
 were most wonderful, viewed in any light ; but if not regarded as 
 an expedient to satisfy justice and to make an atonement for sin, 
 they ure utterly inexplicable. Even on the supposition that he 
 was a mere man, he was not obliged to die. He was not subject 
 to the inexorable fate of mortals. Death is solely the result of 
 
84 
 
 sia ; but Christ was sinless, and death was therefore no part of 
 his allotment. '• No man taketh my life from me ; I lay it down 
 of myself" Why then he died, unless for some important end, 
 which could not be accomplished by any means short of such an 
 event, cannot be explained. It does not explain it, to suppose that 
 Christ suffered and died for the mere purpose of setting an exam- 
 ple. Tnat this might have been a subordinate object, is true ; but 
 if it was the main or the ultimate end of the procedure, the means 
 he took to secure it were altogether disproportionate. The sacri- 
 fice of a being endowed with qualities so singularly excellent, and 
 so richly furnished with supernatural gifts, simply to teach man- 
 kind how to behave in their afflictions, does not evince the wisdom 
 God has manifested in all his other works. Besides, what is the 
 example which the death and sufferings of Christ afford ? It i» 
 the example of Hfl innocent man subject to the most cruel treat- 
 ment — perfect obedience rewarded as the most flagitious crimes — 
 the greatest holiness doomed to the severest misuse — an example 
 which, if unexplained by any other circumstances, the most fright- 
 ful and disgusting the world ever saw. If this was Christ's object 
 he most miserably failed. He never manifested an extraordinary, 
 exemplary deportment, if we disallow the existence of some af- 
 flictive experience beyond what is visible. — some terrible suffering 
 from an unseen source. His anguish and cries. His bloody sweat 
 in the garden, and His pitiful cry on the cross, seem to be entirely 
 unmanly. The desertion of His friends and the cruelty of His 
 enemies, He might have borne with far greater composure. Many 
 of His followers, in all ages, have endured much sorer evil than 
 He experienced with far more apparent magnanimity and self-pas- 
 sion. So far from setting an example of pati«nce and self-passion 
 in the hour of suffering and trial. He might be commended to the 
 example of some of His own followers. 
 
 Neither is the strange event we are considering, explained by 
 supposing it to have been endured in order to prove the truih of 
 the doctrines He taught. The death of Peter or Paul, or of any 
 
85 
 
 of His disciples, was a far more satisfactory testimony to its truth. 
 Christ died in defence of an opinion ; the martyrs in attestation 
 of a fact. Men are often exceedingly zealous for opinions and 
 doctrines which are false ; and have carried their attachment to 
 them to the altar and the stake. But this zeal affords no proof of 
 their truth. It proves, perhaps, that the zealot was sincere, but 
 that is all. A man might die a thousand deaths for his doctrines 
 or opinions, and yet we should never think of believing them the 
 more. But the case is different where a man endures martyrdom 
 for his unwavering adherence to a representation of facts. His 
 death then would indicate his honesty not only, but would furnish 
 an argument for the credibility of the alleged fact, ii would prove 
 the fact just so far as it proved his sincerity. Now Christ had 
 promulgated certain doctrines and opinions which he believed to 
 be true. Would he prove them so by suffering and dying in their 
 defence ? He would prove that he thought themto be true — that he 
 was sincere in the belief of his own doctrines. But it would not 
 prove that he was not mistaken, ignorant, or deceived, but his mar- 
 tyred disciples based the truth of the doctrines they taught upon 
 tho existence of certain facts : if the facts be admitted, the doc- 
 trines must be believed of course. In illustration of these facts 
 which they had seen with their own eyes, and heard with their own 
 ears, they voluntarily submitted to imprisonment, torture and 
 death, thus proving, not only their own sincerity, but the exist- 
 ence of the facts to which they testified, and of course to the truth 
 of the doctrines which grew out of those facts. There was no op- 
 portunity for ignorance or mistake, — a certainty which cannot be 
 predicated of any opinions which they might hold or promulgate. 
 The death of Christ, therefore, is valueless in comparison with the 
 death of his followers. Of course then, this is not the object of 
 His death. He never left his truth supported by such unsatisfac- 
 tory and unsubstantial proof. " Believe me for the very work's 
 sake." On the contrary, how completely does the whole mystery 
 find solution in the theory that His sufferings were endured and 
 His death submitted to as an expiatory sacrifice for sin — as a sat- 
 
86 
 
 isfaction to the law which men have violated, and as an expedient 
 by which God can consistently and honorably forgive those who 
 have transgressed. Upon this supposition, all is natural — the bit- 
 ter anguish, the bloody sweat, the awful desertian, and the expir- 
 ing cry are all explained. There appears no enormity of misusage, 
 no weakness, no infliction, without purpose or end. 
 
 TWO SCENES AYITH REFLECTIONS. 
 
 FIRST SCENE.— Sunset at Bangor, Me. 
 
 One sunset's hour I gazed abroad, 
 
 A varied landscape met mine eye ; 
 A city's buildings near me stood, 
 
 With tall spires pointing to the sky. 
 Far to the right a mountain rose, 
 
 Decked with a veil of misty blue ; 
 Near and aronnd fair gardens bloomed 
 
 With fruits and flowers of every hue. 
 In front an open space lies waste, 
 
 Close where the Kenduskeag flows by; 
 While on the opposite hill's crest 
 
 The steam car's whistle sends its cry. 
 
 But while I looked with feelings soothed, 
 
 By chance my gaze did upward tend, 
 As it an angel had bent down 
 
 And kindly whispered, " Look up. friend.' 
 For then a hcene still lovelier far 
 
 Than that on earth, was pictured there ; 
 'Tvvas heaven's blue arch, embroidered o'er 
 
 With silvery clouds surpassing fair. 
 
87 
 
 I called on one to share with me 
 
 This lovely view which seemed to look 
 Like some fair scene in heaven's own land — 
 
 As cherubs by some crystal brook, 
 Or angels that in splendor shone. 
 
 While worshipping before the throne. 
 Agam I looked, and saw with pain 
 
 Where earth's damp vapors mixed their rays 
 With the blue ether, — how it changed, 
 
 And both became but dusky haze. 
 
 And thus it is that earth-born cares 
 
 Too often damp our holiest joys ; 
 And faith's bright vision keep from view 
 
 By vexing thoughts which thence arise. 
 
 Oh where is he who was my guide 
 
 Across old ocean's trackless waste ? 
 Who oft would call me to his side 
 
 When some new scene arose in haste. 
 For ocean hath full many scenes 
 
 Which no slight pencilling can line ; 
 Even words keep back, deep thought alone 
 
 Can read the picture and define. 
 
 SECOND SCENE.— A Storm at Sea. 
 
 One morn that I remember well, 
 
 He called me out, — the scene was wild 
 Our ship before the new-bom gale 
 
 Ran wildly like a frighted child. 
 The sea seemed level — o'er its face 
 
 A veil was spread of sparkling foam, 
 Like frostwork or like living lace, 
 
 Or chiselled work on polished bone. 
 
88 
 
 So beautifully leaped and danced 
 
 Those little jets of snow-white spray, 
 Awhile they most my thoughts entranced, 
 
 One pleasing scene on that sad day. 
 The sun was struggling to be seen ; 
 
 Through some small spots he urged his right — 
 " This sign was bad," so said my guide ; 
 
 " He'd rather have him out of sight." 
 But still he hoped that the fierce wind 
 
 Would soon "take off" its keenest edge. 
 His hopes were vain — it louder blew, 
 
 And fiercer still the sea did rage. 
 
 It was a wild, exciting scene, 
 
 My mind was filled with solemn awe ; 
 And yet I knew not what to think. 
 
 For sunshine 'midst the clouds I saw. 
 Two little specks of clear blue sky 
 
 Spoke kindly to me, " Do not fear. 
 Though clouds and tempests arc below. 
 
 Do not despair, God still is near." 
 This served awhile to check my fears ; 
 
 I knew God saw us through the cloud. 
 I took his Book and read with tears 
 
 Long as I could, — sometimes aloud. 
 
 But all the terrors of that day 
 
 I must not hope to tell in verse ; 
 But to some long-known friend I may 
 
 Sometime the facts in prose rehearse. 
 When moontide's hour had passed away, 
 
 The gale became a hurricane ; 
 Tlie waves arose and toAvercd high, 
 
 And seemed commingled " sky and main," 
 For sunshine now was out of sight ; 
 
 'Twere vain to look for one " blue speck ;" 
 My fears arose, as well they might, 
 
 That our poor ship would be a wreck. 
 
 The word was passed — all liands were called ; 
 They gathered round, all wet and chilled, — 
 Their chieftain near. Some axes held ; 
 
89 
 
 Some, posts of greater danger filled. 
 Two now were stationed at the wheel, 
 
 Charged with the safety of the whole ; 
 So anxious did the chieftain feel, 
 
 Thus spake the feelings of his soul : 
 "Now, my dear fellows, you well know 
 
 Much, if not all, depends on you ; 
 The easiest way now let her go, 
 
 Try hard to keep from broaching to." 
 The ship rolled boldly in the trough 
 
 Of the huge seaa which o'er her broke — 
 As on some ledge o'er which the surf 
 
 Breaks loud and fierce at every stroke. 
 
 While now 'twas hard on deck to stand, 
 
 The chieftain he himself unshod, — 
 Then with an axe in his own hand. 
 
 Ready to spring and cut, — he stood. 
 But God, who watched us, kindly gave 
 
 His blessing on our helmsmen's skill; 
 Both ship and men did well behave, 
 
 Though sorely prest — they struggled still. 
 Through the long night the vessel rolled, 
 
 For slowly did the sea go down •, 
 Those dreary hours, though wet and cold, 
 
 I watched by him whose strength seemed gone. 
 Yet God preserved us through the gloom 
 
 And awful terrors of that storm. 
 And saved us from the g»ping tomb 
 
 Which opened wide in frightful form. 
 ****** 
 
 Four years have passed — one sleeps in death — 
 
 He who was then ray guide ani friend, 
 With our poor ship, have sunk beneath 
 
 The Atlantic's waves. This was their end. 
 Some think an iceberg gave the blow 
 
 (While on her way to Erin's shore) 
 That broke the ship ; but all we know, 
 
 She sailed away — was seen no more. 
 
90 
 
 His farewell words, " God bless you," still 
 
 Are ofttimes present to my mind, 
 And none is left, but God, to fill 
 
 The vac.int place'which there I find. 
 To Him for safety then I'll go, 
 
 Though in my zenith there may be 
 No bright blue sky,— yet still I know. 
 
 In darkest hours, God can see me. 
 
 TO HATTIE. 
 
 WRITTEN FOR AN ALBUM. 
 
 Would that I might here inscribe some idea which would be to 
 thee like the whisperings of an angel visitor, trying to attract thy 
 attention to joys and pleasures far exceeding any thou hast yet 
 dreamt^ of. I will therefore pray for the guidance of the Holy 
 Spirit to aid me to find suitable words and thoughts for this pur- 
 pose. 
 
 Our Blessed Redeemer once said to a woman, " Martha ! Mar- 
 tha ! thou art troubled about many things, but Mary hath chosen 
 that good part which shall not be taken away from her." Might 
 not such a reproof be given to many of us ? Are we not often 
 troubled about things of but trivial importance, and neglectful of 
 those of the highest interest ; or at least we are apt to put off the 
 time when we purpose to attend to them. We neglect to learn 
 wisdom at the feet of Jesus as did Mary on this memorable occa- 
 
91 
 
 sion to her ; for Jesus said she had chosen the good part, and it 
 should not be taken away from licr. The most costly articles we 
 can think of, in the way of dress, style of living, equipage, &c., 
 must at death bo taken from us, or we must leave it forever ; but 
 the part which Mary's mind was fixed upon, will remain as hers 
 forever and ever. It was her consolation at thi moment of death, 
 and if her spirit be conscious now, it is her enjoyment; and in the 
 morning of the resurrection it ivilL he her stay and support. 
 
 Oh ! this priceless pearl I which all may possess if they will 
 only seek for it ivith all their heart. Jesus likens the Kingdom 
 of Heaven to a man who was seeking goodly pearls, and having 
 found one of great value, sold all that he possessed and bought it. 
 This is wisdom. Everything of an earthly nature should be freely 
 given up, if it be necessary, in order to insure a pious life and 
 preparation for eternity. 
 
 The Apostles, when speaking of woman, says, let their adorning 
 be in the inner man of the heart ; not with gold and pearls and 
 costly array. For the ornament of a meek and a quiet spirit is 
 of great price in the sight of God. 
 
 We learn that during the lifetime of the Saviour upon earth, 
 women were always His friends, and He was grateful for their 
 kindness. On that occasion when a woman anointed His feet 
 with precious ointment. He showed His approval of the motive 
 which caused the act, and said, wherever the gospel was preached, 
 there should this thing which she had done be told as a memorial 
 of Iter. 
 
 O, let us try to imitate those good women of old, for though 
 Jesus is not here, he said, that whosoever received one of His 
 messengers or disciples, received Him; and whoever gave one of 
 them even a cup of water in His name, should not lose his reward. 
 When we feed the hungry and clothe the naked, it is as meritori- 
 ous in the sight of Jesus as if done for Himself Let us seek for 
 the possession of that goodly pearl, whose lustre cannot be dimmed 
 by age, but will enable us to shine as the stars forever and ever. 
 
92 
 
 and will be our wedding ornament and our passport into the pres- 
 ence chamber of the Bridegroom, when He comes to claim His 
 bride and take her to His Father's house — there to present her 
 free from spot or blemish, wrinkle or any deformit}' — purified by 
 His own death from all imperfections of our nature. Oh ! let 
 us see to it that we have within us that spirit which was in 
 Jes-is. Your Friend. 
 
 TO THE LOVERS OF PLEASURES. 
 
 There are many persons whose time is almost exclusively devo- 
 ted to the pursuit of amusement in some form ; or in forming 
 plans relative to that object. To such persons the writer wishes 
 to make some suggestions : First, — many places of public amuse- 
 ment are attended with considerable expense, !Not long sincej 
 while listening to the account of monies paid to persons in the 
 employ of the Dramatic Company ; the feeling called forth in the 
 mind of the writer, was the strong desire to have the amount thus 
 toasted.^ expended for the benefit of the poor in the city. 
 
 There is a large class of poor persons in our midst, living in 
 filthy cellars and miserable garrets. Might not the money which 
 is annually expended in public amusements, be applied to a better 
 purpose, by getting up comfortable dwellings in the upper part of 
 the city, expressly for the poor ; and let them be rented at a cheap 
 rate, and in some extreme cases entirely free for a time ? 
 
 Would not kind hearted, benevolent ladies and gentlemen take 
 more real pleasure in contributing to such an object the amount 
 they would spend in Balls and Theatres ; and even the Opera ; 
 
93 
 
 than in visiting those places ? would not the blessing of the poor 
 be a far sweeter pleasure than even Italian music of the most 
 perfect kind. 
 
 Our highest source of pleasure should be to obtain the favor of 
 our Creator, to whom we are responsible for the manner in which 
 we spend our time money, or talents ; neither of which was given 
 us to be spent in expensive amistsements from which no profit can 
 be derived. In benefiting our fellow creatures, or improving 
 ourselves, we are doing what is pleasing to God. But in many 
 places of fashionable entertainment, no improvement or real advan- 
 tage is expected ; only the excitement or amusement for the time 
 being, is at all cared for. Now for children, or weak-minded sick 
 persons, an excuse might be found for spending time in this man- 
 ner ; but for persons of mature years and judgment, surely some 
 other mode of spending one's evenings might be found. 
 
 Among the poor are many sick ; these might be visited, and 
 great advantages gained by both parties. Let those who can sing 
 well visit poor persons who are ill, and cheer their lonely hours by 
 music and other offices of kindness. These ideas can be carried 
 out^and extended by any one who has the means and the heart to 
 seek the true source of enjoyment. Let any one make the experi- 
 ment and they will never have cause to repent it in time or eter- 
 nity. 
 
 New York, December^ 1855. 
 
PERSONAL INCIDENTS. 
 
 Severe winter — domestic trials — loss of the steamer — sus- 
 pense — loss of the ship — incident on ship-board — STORM at 
 sea — incidents — concluding observations. 
 
 " They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in 
 great waters, these see the works of the Lord, and his wonders in 
 the deep. For He commandeth and raise th the stormy wind, 
 which hfteth up the waves thereof. They mount up to the heav- 
 ens ; they go down again to the depths : their soul is melted be- 
 cause of trouble. They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunk- 
 en man, and are at their wit's end. Then they cry unto the Lord 
 in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses. He 
 maketh the strorm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still. 
 Then they are glad because they be quiet ; and He bringeth them 
 to their desired haven. Oh that men would praise the Lord for 
 his goodness and for his wonderful works to the children of men." 
 
 How truthfully and poetically does the Psalmist express the 
 idea of a stormy wind at sea, every sailor can testify. Yea, there 
 are times when their soul is melted because of trouble. 
 
 The winter of 1855-6 was one of the severest on record, if not 
 the most severe. The worst gale of the season occurred about 
 the 6th or 7th of January ; and it was said to be the most power- 
 ful ever experienced by those who were exposed to its fury. The 
 harbor of New York was obstructed by ice, and some ships lying 
 at the Atlantic Docks, Brooklyn, near Greenwood Cemetery, were 
 frozen into the ice so fast that it was impossible for them to get 
 out to sea. Amongst these was the ship Havana, under the care 
 
96 
 
 of Capt. Alexander Adams, the husband of the writer. This state 
 of things was peculiarly disagreeable ; the weather was intensely 
 cold, and being obliged to go across every day to the ship, and 
 hoping to get out by some manner of means, from day to day, 
 was very trying to Capt. A. Some other things, too, served to 
 make him low-spirited besides these. The writer was in misera- 
 ble health, and he had a strong presentiment that he would not 
 live to return again — as he himself twice expressed it — he felt 
 that this would be his " last voyage." However, it did not seem 
 as if he felt that his death would occur on the passage out, for he 
 seemed anxious to have all his summer clothing with him, in case 
 the ship should go from Europe to the West Indies. Indeed, 
 owing to some circumstances, he took every article of his wearing 
 apparel with him, except something which was newly made, and 
 that he had merely tried on. Every old garment had been re- 
 paired, and was taken away with him. Such a circumstance had 
 not occurred previously ; something was always left to be put in 
 order in some way : but now, all went with him and the ill-fated 
 ship. Once, while speaking to the writer before leaving, he said, 
 " Jane, you will be disappointed in finding certain persons do for 
 you as you expect, when I am taken away." The answer was to 
 this effect : " Try not to be troubled on my account. I hope that 
 God will take care of me." At times he spoke of his interest in 
 the ship, and told the writer all about his business affairs, so far 
 as he could. Happily for him, then, he did not dream or foresee 
 all that was in the future with regard to these matters. 
 
 On Saturday, the 19th of January, the ship sailed. The day 
 was fine, and the weather continued tolerably favorable so far as 
 we could judge, for some weeks. That winter was a trying one 
 to the people of New York ; owing to the accumulation of snow 
 and ice in the streets, it was almost impossible to get through 
 them, either on foot or with a carriage. Then, at times, the 
 weather was severe in the extreme. 
 
97 
 
 About two weeks after the Havana sailed, the people began to 
 look for the arrival of the steamer Pacific, for she left Liverpool 
 on the 23d of January, four days after the 11. left New York. 
 Days passed over, however, and the steamer came not. Great 
 anxiety begun to be felt, which increased as week after week 
 passed over, and ' other steamers came, but without bringing any 
 reliable tidings of the missing one. True, there were tidings of 
 various kinds, — that she had put back into Ireland, and that she 
 was seen scudding northward, etc. These proved to be all false 
 reports : As yet, nothing definite has been heard of her fate. 
 Those who felt an interest in the Havana, hoped to hear from her 
 in eight or ten weeks, at most, from her time of sailing. Long 
 letters on fine French paper were written, and sent over to Lon- 
 donderry ; — some other things even were sent over to meet those 
 who sailed in her, upon their arrival there. In vain ! When 
 eight weeks had passed over, then we began to be anxious ; but 
 we heard that westerly winds had prevailed for some time along 
 the English coast. This allayed our anxiety a little. Then, too, 
 we remembered that ofttimes we had been very anxious before, 
 and ready to give up all hope ; and yet we had learned that our 
 friends were safe after all. Thus we fought with our anxious 
 fears till three months passed over; various conjectures came 
 into our minds, — sometimes thinking, that though the ship might 
 be lost, yet perhaps the men might be saved by being taken on 
 board of some other vessel, and carried to a distant port. When 
 three months had elapsed and no tidings came of the Havana, 
 our feelings were such that we hardly wish to bring them up to 
 our minds again. Is he really gone ? Must it be that we shall 
 meet no more ? — were the constant inquiries in our mind. Then 
 we tried to come to God for help, to whom no one comes in vain. 
 About this time one of the Insurance companies failed in New 
 York, by which a considerable amount was lost on the ship. We 
 
98 
 
 bore this first loss without murmuring ; but when, at a later period, 
 other losses came, which took away nearly the whole amount for 
 which the ship was insured, it was a bitter trial indeed. Thank 
 God, that Capt. A. did not know that these failures would take 
 place, and that in his last moments he felt a surety that the wri- 
 ter was provided for, for some years at least. 
 
 A word of explanation may be given, to account for such a 
 singular occurrence. It was owing to the very great number of 
 shipwrecks which happened during that severe winter and spring, 
 that the insurance companies failed. The losses were more than 
 they could bear. 
 
 Some have believed that an iceberg struck the ship, and made 
 a hole in her side, which caused her to sink. This may be so ; 
 but as she was going to Ireland, — in the same track that the 
 steamers come and go in, — and as the Pacific was on her way 
 here at that time, and was never heard from again, there is a 
 strong probability in the mind of the writer, that the two vessels 
 met and had a collision, by means of which both perished. Some 
 things occurred while the writer was on board the ship, which 
 serves to render this idea very probable indeed ; and an account 
 of some of these will be given as we proceed. As to the cer- 
 tainty of any thing in such cases, we cannot have it till " the sea 
 shall give up her dead." It is painful to think how much all 
 these men may have sufiered in mind during their last hours, or 
 moments, according to the circumstances in the case. There 
 may have been days of extreme sufiering ; and again, perhaps, 
 in half an hour after the blow was struck, all was over with them 
 in time. But ! what sufie rings may be crowded into the space 
 of half an hour, if all hope seems gone, and no way of escape 
 appears for their relief. To God alone they must then look, both 
 for themselves and those whom they must hope to see no more 
 in the flesh. * * * 
 
99 
 
 It may be stated here, that the first officer of the Havana had 
 been recently engaged to a young lady in Brooklyn ; his name 
 was Frank Emery ; his parents live in Hampden, Me. By the 
 marriage of his half sister, he was connected with the Adams 
 family. The second officer left a young wife to mourn his un- 
 known fate. The names of the crew are unknown to the writer, 
 though at the time they were given up, she sought information on 
 this matter, but did not receive it. 
 
 In the spring of 1852, the writer went to Liverpool in the ship 
 Havana ; during this passage we encountered five very severe 
 gales, — ^but a smaller circumstance will be related first. We were 
 in St. George's channel ; it was a calm evening, not very bright 
 nor beautiful, but moderately pleasant. About 8 P. M., our se- 
 cond officer reported a steamer in sight ; we thought very httle of 
 the affiiir ; it seemed hardly worth reporting, but the officer done 
 what was his duty. We went out on deck and watched the 
 steamer's lights for some minutes, fully beheving that she would 
 go on her way astern of the ship, and without commg very close. 
 All at once, however, the steamer changed her course, and came 
 along towards us, so that she went as it were directly across our 
 bows. At one time the writer felt that we must of necessity 
 strike each other ; she got a lantern, and screamed pretty loudly ; 
 others on board scolded at the boldness and daring of such an act 
 on the part of those in the steamer. We just missed of striking 
 her amidships, and barely that. Other occurrences of a similar 
 kind, so far as danger of coUisions happening, oftentimes take 
 place at sea. 
 
 Now we will endeavor to give a plain account, in simple lan- 
 guage, of a storm at sea ; not of our first one, on the passage 
 above alluded to — that we have already attempted to portray in 
 another article. It was the 7th of April, on Thursday — Holy 
 Thursday — the day preceding Good Friday, when the gale com- 
 
100 
 
 menced by squalls in the afternoon. No one seemed to fear any 
 thing very bad, but the writer ; she had an idea that there would 
 be a storm during the day, on Friday. The others thought the 
 squalls would blow over soon. In this they were mistaken. The 
 wind increased during the night to a furious and constant gale. 
 About 5 A. M., on Friday, the writer arose and fastened the bin- 
 nacle window, which had become unfastened ; this was quite a 
 hard task for her to perform, — still she accomplished it ; but as 
 she did so, the ship began to give a tremendous roll. She then 
 endeavored to hold on by the sofa, but in vain ; and when she let 
 go her hold, she was thro-wn over into a state-room opposite, strik- 
 ing the back of her head on the side of the berth ; then she was 
 lifted up from that position, and thrown directly into the berth by 
 the motion of the vessel. The captain was now aroused, and 
 seeing how she had been thrown, observed, " You are killed, my 
 child ;" but though considerably hurt, she and he both found 
 that something was the matter with the ship, though they knew 
 not what. The first officer stamped on the deck, and called aloud 
 for help. When the captain went out, he found the ship's decks 
 full of water up to the highest rail. As he looked through the 
 window, he exclaimed, " We are all afloat." At the time the 
 vessel had that dreadful roll, she shipped a tremendous sea, which 
 filled her decks, and carried away a water hogshead and some 
 other things over the bulwarks. We would soon have been 
 swamped, had not the force of the waters broken away the bul- 
 warks, and thus made themselves a passage-way out again. At 
 this time the wind was fair, though blowing dreadfully ; and mas- 
 ter mariners never like to " lay a ship to," so long as the wind is 
 fair. There is a kind of pride about these matters, as well as 
 self-interest, to hurry the vessel on her way. Every mariner 
 likes to say that he can manage a ship well, and keep her run- 
 ing, even under very trying circumstances, so long as the wind is 
 
101 
 
 fair. It may be observed, that on this passage our vessel was 
 very cranky owing to the manner in which she was loaded. By 
 this term is meant, that she would He down upon one side, instead 
 of being firm and upright. We were also deeply laden, consider- 
 ing the season of the year. 
 
 Now to return from these explanatory remarks : After the 
 captain saw the danger we were in, by attempting to run in such 
 a sea and with such a gale, he resolved to " lay the vessel to^^ if 
 this thing could be done ; for it is attended with difficulty, and some- 
 times with danger, to get a vessel " laid to^'' in such a heavy storm. 
 
 As soon as this measure was fixed upon, the captain came and 
 told the writer to try to keep in the berth, and on the windward 
 side, let ivliat would happen. He then managed to get the ves- 
 sel " laid to." After this was done, he sat down on the leeward 
 side of the cabin, and looked so sad and careworn that pity for 
 him took up all the thoughts of the writer for awhile. She had re- 
 solved to keep Good Friday as a fast day, and surely it was a 
 solemn fast. Neither she or the captain tasted food till nearly 
 night. At such times the captain never ate anything ; he could 
 not eat when the ship was in danger ; and this day she laid so 
 low down on her side as to render it almost impossible to get to 
 the windward side of her. The deck was like an inclined plane. 
 It was just as much as the steward could do to reach the writer a 
 mug of coftee into her berth. Of coui'se no table is spread at 
 such times ; whatever food is already prepared, is got hold of, and 
 with some warm cofiee, the officers get down in a corner and hold 
 on while they eat. The writer wished occasionally to speak to 
 her husband, but he could not get up to the side where she lay in 
 the berth, on account of the difficulty we have already mentioned. 
 
 On this morning, soon after the ship was laid to, the officer 
 again called out in tones of terror, " A large ship is bearing right 
 down upon us." The captain did not go out at first ; perhaps 
 
102 
 
 he thought it would be useless, for he could do nothing. He had 
 just said, " The ship was in God's hands now ; he had done all for 
 her that he could do." In a little while the officer called again, 
 for God's sake to do something, this large ship was " coming right 
 upon us." The captain went out ; the writer sprung out of bed, 
 with the intention of doing something, and with the feeling that 
 we were destined to be lost that morning. Just at this time a 
 heavy sea struck the ship, which made a crash similar to what 
 another ship might be supposed to make by striking us, and for a 
 minute it seemed as if our last moments had really come. It 
 happened, however, in the order of God's providence, that the 
 other ship went by without touching us. 
 
 But perhaps some persons may not exactly understand our po- 
 sition, and the danger of being run into while " lying to." The 
 writer cannot explain this as a seaman would ; but suffice it to 
 say, that when a ship is "lying to," she is in a similar condition 
 to a horse which is kept in place by a weight let down upon 
 the ground, having a string attached, which confines it to the 
 carriage. If another horse should come at full gallop towards 
 the horse which is fastened, the latter could do very little to help 
 himself keep clear of him. 
 
 Our danger on this sad morning arose from the fear that the 
 men on board of the other ship would not or could not perceive 
 but what we were under headway, and consequently in a condi- 
 tion to help to keep our ship from being struck by them ; besides, 
 if they believed we were running, they would naturally suppose 
 that we would not remain where we were then, but would be get- 
 ting further on every moment ; and thus they would steer very 
 differently from what they would, could they only know that we 
 were in a measure tied fast, and unable to help ourselves to get 
 out of their way. 
 
 We have said, this was a solemn Fast day ; yes, so far as the 
 writer was able alone by herself to make preparation for death, 
 
103 
 
 she did so. Many things were thought of, and, as far as could 
 be, matters were settled between herself and God. But her time 
 was not yet ; many bitter trials were to be borne ere her passport 
 to go home is sealed. 
 
 The dreadful day wore away ; — towards night, as the writer 
 had anticipated, the wind went down a little, but only a very little. 
 Still, this slight abatement gave the captain courage to eat a mor- 
 sel of bread at the hour for the evening repast. After dark, he 
 thought he would try to get the ship under sail again, and act- 
 ually did get her going for a few minutes ; but there seemed to 
 be a strange pressure upon her, bearing her down : it seemed an 
 unusual feeling or sensation, just as if she were completely water- 
 logged and could not move along. The idea of running was 
 therefor abandoned, and they again *' laid the ship to " till the 
 next day. 
 
 Some misfortunes bring others in their train ; to add to our 
 troubles on this occasion, two of our men got hurt considerably 
 during the time of this gale ; one got thrown while at the wheel, 
 and another fell on the main deck. In small merchant ships, 
 these accidents are felt by all on board, because there are no 
 supernumeraries carried in them ; and at all times, but more par- 
 ticularly in time of a storm, all the help is needed that can possi- 
 bly be obtained, and the loss of one man's assistance is felt very 
 much. On Saturday morning, the ship jumped about more than 
 on the day previous ; and the writer, being then tired and nearly 
 worn out, it was very hard to bear this continual jerking. For 
 some time the feeling in her mind was, that if she only had some 
 quiet place to get into, where she could lie down and die, she 
 would be thankful ; for it seemed impossible to die even, while 
 being jolted and knocked about all the time. It is hard work to 
 hold on and keep in the berth sometimes. After one gale, the 
 writer observed that her arms were blackened in places, as if they 
 
104 
 
 had been bruised by the efforts in holding on. On Saturday after- 
 noon the gale had sufficiently abated, that the ship was again got 
 under headway, and on Sunday the weather grew more moderate 
 every hour. Monday — Easter Monday — was the finest day we 
 had on this passage. On Sunday evening, the writer observed 
 to the captain, " We have passed through a dreadful scene." 
 " Yes," he rephed, " but I would give ten dollars to see a pano- 
 ramic view of the ship, as she lay with her rail nearly down to the 
 water's edge on Friday." 
 
 We feel that we have hardly told half what might be said con- 
 cerning things on board ship during a storm. Some nights the 
 vessel would roll fearfully for the whole night, and the sea would 
 break against her stern, or over the house, with such force, that 
 one would think the timbers must be forced inward and broken. 
 There is great danger when the sea strikes against the stern. On 
 one occasion, the captain feared the ship would be broken in by 
 this means, and told the writer that he would give a large amount 
 of money if she were then at home : he told her just what he fear- 
 ed. An hour afterwards he retired, being very weary with long 
 and anxious watching. Soon afterwards, a sea broke against the 
 stern, with seemingly greater fury than previously, so that the 
 writer felt that what the captain dreaded had surely taken place. 
 But though she sprung out of the berth, expecting to see every 
 thing smashed to pieces, she soon found that it had done no very 
 great damage. 
 
 Once the writer held on to the mizzen-mast for safety, as long 
 as her strength would hold out, and then had to sink down on the 
 wet floor, for there was no dry place to be found, nor any appar- 
 ent safe place. 
 
 When the captain expected the ship would " broach to," he told 
 the writer, when the ship laid down, to get into one of the state- 
 rooms on the upper side, and endeavor to remain there till he 
 
105 
 
 could release her. At another time, when our cargo shifted, he 
 sent her word by the steward to put on thick clothing, and be 
 ready to go into the boat. His request was complied with, but 
 only from courtesy ; for she fully believed she could not live in 
 an open boat in such a sea as was then running. However, one 
 of those seas came and lifted the boat from the davits where she 
 was fastened, and carried her off with the oars. Thus we would 
 have had hard work to leave the ship, had it come to a positive 
 necessity for us to do so ; but we were spared that necessity. 
 They managed to get the ship turned round, so that the wind 
 blew against the side to which the cargo had fallen, and after 
 twenty hours hard labor, and with the ship heading the contrary 
 way to what was our true course, the cargo was again got into 
 place, so that we turned round again, and resumed our journey. 
 
 Perhaps some may say, " ! sailors do not mind storms ; they 
 get used to them." Some persons may get burned and hurt 
 many times, but there is no such thing as getting so used to dan- 
 ger as not to mind it. 
 
 Sailors have a large share of pride — false pride, perhaps ; they 
 will never own afterwards that they were afraid on any occasion. 
 They will tell you they rather thought or feared the ship would be 
 lost, but then they were not afraid! 0, no ; they must go or die 
 some time, and it made but little difference to them when the time 
 came. We will not exactly say, that the sailor speaks falsely, 
 when he talks thus ; still we know it is but partly true. Every 
 seaman knows that all his energies are needed on these trying 
 occasions, and all his powers are on the alert to do whatever may 
 be suggested for the safety of the vessel. There is httle time to 
 indulge in feelings ; bold, prompt action is needed then. But let 
 not those who slumber in peaceful dwellings, on downy pillows, 
 think that the sailor does not feel and suffer in consequence of 
 these storms ; his mental and bodily energies are often overtaxed 
 
106 
 
 to the utmost ; and if he can sleep in the midst of severe gales, it 
 is from this cause. There are many men of fine feelings who fol- 
 low the sea. Though some become bad by mixing with all classes 
 during their boyhood, others remain uncontaminated even in a 
 ship's forecastle, and practice their religion in the best way they 
 can. It needs true courage to be a Christian on shipboard ; still, 
 many contrive to exercise this courage, and we trust the time 
 will soon come when more mariners will be led to do the same. 
 Surely, the sailor ought always to be pious, both for his own sake 
 and for the sake of those friends at home, who are ever anxious 
 about him while at sea. Those who cross the ocean in summer 
 time in a fine steamer, and make the passage in two weeks, may 
 not have experienced any such trials as we have ; probably not : 
 they must go to Liverpool in the winter, and in the blustering 
 spring months, to have so many gales. Yet we have experienced 
 a heavy gale on the Fourth of July, when, instead of celebrating 
 the day by havuag something nice prepared for dinner, w^e were 
 forced to keep in our berth, and our men were hard at work the 
 whole day, even though it was Sunday. 
 
 In conclusion : we beg our readers to pity the sailor, and pray 
 for him, whether he be in the cabin or forecastle. In either 
 place he has his share of suffering and hardship to endure, till 
 often his constitution and spirits are broken down. Pray for him, 
 that he may have grace to pray for himself ; and, if opportunity 
 offers, to give him a good book or a kind word, or look, do it with 
 a good will. Various means are in operation for the conversion 
 of seamen ; were they all pious men, the work of converting the 
 heathen nations abroad would be comparatively easy. So far as 
 opportunity offers to assist in these efforts, we trust all our read- 
 ers will lend a helping hand, till the abundance of the sea is con- 
 verted to the Lord. 
 
-^ 109 
 
 verse of fortune. Dear reader, the bottle had been a guest too 
 often at their board, — not table. 
 
 The bottle and the jug are not only jealous but greedy visitors ; 
 they are not content with monopolizing all attention to themselves, 
 but soon eat up the resources for enjoying the company of truer 
 and better friends at the social repast. 
 
 During our conversation with these persons, the lady observed 
 that there was such a thing as the heart becoming calloused. She 
 spoke as if she thought her own had become dead to suffering, but 
 in this we feel that she was mistaken. No, no ; her heart was not 
 calloused, or dead in any of its emotions so long as its life pulses 
 continued to beat. The pressure upon her mind was doubtless 
 very great ; and the worst of the evil was, she saw no ray of hope 
 that things could or would be any better. They considered it im- 
 possible for him ever to regain his lost position as a clergyman ; and 
 the idea of being a useful instructor of youth in a small community 
 such as he was there engaged in, was not a sufficient inducement to 
 excite his ambition to do all the good he could in the present ; and 
 leave the future to a higher Providence than his own. It was 
 owing in a great degree to their keen sensibility to the change in 
 their circumstances that caused them to seek for an alleviation of 
 their suffering from a wrong source. Had they possessed true piety 
 they would have been able to have borne things calmly and sub- 
 missively, and in time, perhaps, brighter days would have dawned 
 on them. Mr. and Mrs. E. spent some time in the vicinity of 
 St. Johns and other parts of the province. They often received 
 remittances of money and clothing from relatives in England ; but 
 those gifts were too soon exchanged for what was intended to be as 
 the waters of Lethe to their troubled minds. Vain delusion ! 
 Being a member of the Masonic fraterity, Mr. E. was often aided 
 by these brethren ; his debts were occasionally paid up, and himself 
 dragged from the brink of the pit, and set on firm ground where 
 
no 
 
 he might have regained his respectability, if he had only resolved 
 to deny himself the indulgence of the intoxicating draught. It may 
 here be observed, that there was a very great difference between 
 the wines and liquors these persons had formerly drank in England 
 and what they were in the habit of buying after they came to this 
 country. Mr. E. could drink a great deal of wine at a gentleman's 
 table without showing the effects of it ; but the poor stuff that his 
 wife drank at home soon overpowered her nerves, her system not 
 being sustained by the nourishing food she had enjoyed during her 
 early hfe. 
 
 After a period of five or six years' stay in the Provinces, Mr. 
 Edwards became ashamed of giving his friends so much trouble ; 
 perhaps observing that they grew weary of trying to assist one 
 who did them no credit. He, therefore, resolved to try his for- 
 tune in " the States," and by some providence found his way, 
 with his wife and child, to the banks of the Potomac. 
 
 In the winter of 184-, a vessel from the eastern part of Maine 
 visited the port of Alexandria, having on board of her, as an offi- 
 cer, a young man who knew Mr. Edwards, and who was some- 
 what surprised by a visit from that gentleman on board the brig. 
 Mr. E. said he had been seeking employment, but had been un- 
 successful ; and stated further that he had eaten nothing for a 
 day or two. Some food was placed before him, of which he ate 
 as if half famished. But we now hasten to the denouement of our 
 story. 
 
 It was late in February. All was gaity at the nation's capi- 
 tal. The representatives from all parts of this wide-spread Union, 
 — gay ladies as well as grave and sedate gentlemen, — were gath- 
 ered there, the former for fashion and pleasure, the latter on mat- 
 ters of business for their own and their country's good, but which 
 they had most at heart we will not pretend to divine. Some, 
 doubtless, were really and truly devoted to the interests of the 
 
107 
 
 THE CALLOUSED HEART; 
 
 OR....A SAD BUT TRUE TALE. 
 
 While on a visit at one of the islands in Passamaquoddj Bay, 
 near the eastern part of Maine, I became acquainted with an EngUsh 
 family who at that time resided there — the gentleman filling the 
 office of school teacher on the island. On one occasion when I 
 called to see this family, they told me some particulars of their 
 history and misfortunes which I shall relate briefly as follows : — 
 
 Emily was the only daughter of Captain Wilson, who, during 
 her youth, had the command of a steamer in the service of the 
 British Government. His wife and daughter sometimes accom- 
 panied him to different places on the Mediterranean ; once if not 
 oftener they went to Alexandria in Egypt. As has long been the 
 custom, wines and liquors were used freely on board the steamer ; 
 no one fearing that the bright girl, who was the pride of two hearts, 
 was then forming a habit which would cause her degradation. 
 
 Emily had repeated opportunities of being united in marriage to 
 some who would have been calculated to make her life happy ; but, 
 unfortunately, her heart either remained untouched, or caprice, or 
 pride prevented such a desirable result. When about the age of 
 eighteen, she was deprived of the guardianship of her mother ; and 
 some months after this event, went to reside with her relatives in 
 a part of England, at some distance from the British capital. 
 
 At this place, Emily became acquainted with Mr. Edwards, who 
 was a graduate of Oxford, and had already been admitted to holy 
 orders. In this gentleman's early history, there are some pas- 
 
108 
 
 sages which we will pass over in silence ; merely observimg, that 
 a systematic and college education, is not of itself sufficient to 
 qualify a man for the offices of the gospel ministry. Mr. Edwards 
 won the hand of Emily in marriage ; but for the transfer of the 
 more dehcate gift of the rich affections of the heart, we fear that 
 all was not quite right in that respect. A few years after 
 his marriage, Mr. E. was guilty of some imprudence which caused 
 him to " lose his gown^^ or in other terms, he was expelled from 
 the pulpits of the Established Church. Nothing now remained 
 for him to do but to seek an asylum in one of the Provinces, for 
 his wounded pride prevented his remaining in England with any 
 degree of comfort. 
 
 She and Mr. Edwards had friends who were willing to assist 
 them to some extent, and though Emily's father was now deceased, 
 other relatives spoke words of consolation and good counsel ; but 
 alas ! they were of little avail. 
 
 New Brunswick became the retreat of the fugitives ; and teach- 
 ing, ever the resource of the unfortunate among the educated 
 classes, the employment by which Mr. Edwards hoped to maintain 
 himself and family. Poor Emily, who perhaps had seldom entered 
 into a kitchen during her unmarried hfe, knew very little about 
 housewifery in its more important branches. Her neighbors some- 
 times made observations about her want of skill in the preparation 
 of jBsh, and other articles for the table ; forgetting that her early 
 life had been spent in pursuits entirely different from theirs, and 
 that she probably knew many things of which they were entirely 
 ignorant. At the time we called on this family, their room was 
 destitute of almost every article necessary for comfort or con- 
 venience. They both expressed a w^ish for us to remain till their 
 meal was prepared : or to come and take a cup of tea with them 
 sometime ; but, — but, ah ! there was a but, they had no means of 
 serving a meal respectably, to set it before a stranger. Sad re- 
 
113 
 
 est morning light the father went forth to obtain tidings of his 
 wife. After some inquiries, he learned what had taken place the 
 preceding day, as we have already stated it, and in sadness bent 
 his steps to the place where the dead body had been conveyed. 
 It were vain to attempt to portray his feelings as he came in 
 sight of those pale features and that inanimate form, which he im- 
 mediately recognized as belonging to his wife. Already weak 
 from hunger aiid anxious watching, no wonder he too sunk down 
 for a time ; but with some assistance he rallied and told his story, 
 and received some relief for his immediate wants and those of his 
 child ; but nature's powers with him had received too severe a 
 shock to continue their action much longer. He stated that for 
 two or three months previous he and his family had subsisted 
 solely by the charity of strangers, and had often been in want of 
 food and fuel. Notwithstanding that Mr. E. was taken to a place 
 where he received sufficient food, yet the severe blow which he 
 had received in the death of his wife in such a manner, added to 
 his previous privations, so affected his system that in the course of 
 a few weeks he was laid by strangers in the public burial-place. 
 The little girl, who bears the name of a distinguished English 
 writer, to whom the family was related, was taken to an orphan 
 asylum for a time, and subsequently sent to England, to the kind 
 relatives who had made public inquiries for her deceased parents. 
 It would seem that for some reason these persons had not com- 
 municated to their relatives their removal to the States. Thus, 
 though presents were sent to the Provinces for them, they failed to 
 reach them, no one having instructions to forward the articles. 
 We may conclude by saying, in the language of Scripture, truly 
 " The way of the transgressor is hard.'' 
 
 One remark, in conclusion : I have sometimes regretted that I 
 did not take more pains to inspire hope in the minds of these per- 
 sons, and use my feeble endeavors to lead them to a better state 
 
114 
 
 of feelings. True, my opportunity was limited ; my stay in their 
 vicinity but short ; yet how often do some people accomplish very 
 much good even in a shorter time. I hope, if any of the readers 
 of this story should ever meet with any persons who think their 
 sufferings have been so great that their hearts have become cal- 
 loused to them, that they will try to do or say something to impart 
 a ray of warmth and cheerfulness, which may dispel the gloom 
 and depression of spirits which weigh so heavily upon them, and 
 which may inspire some hope and animation to revive the heart 
 into proper tone and action. 
 
 " Deal gently with the erring ones ! 
 
 Thou mayest yet win them back, 
 By holy words and gentle tones 
 
 From misery's thorny track. 
 Kemember thou hast often sinned. 
 And sinful yet may be ; 
 Deal gently with the erring ones, 
 As God has dealt with thee." 
 
 TO YOUNG CONVERTS 
 
 During a season of revival which took place recently, I was 
 present at a few meetings, and heard advanced Christians address 
 the young converts very earnestly, advising them to be faithful to 
 the end, no matter what difficulties they might meet with, and 
 also warning them that they must expect a great many hindrances 
 and obstacles in their way while pursuing a religious hfe. While 
 thinking over this matter, I felt hke saying something to this effect 
 to young converts and others : — 
 
Ill 
 
 nation, — others, we fear, were somewhat selfish in their desires. 
 Not only did these gentlemen and ladies fare sumptuously every 
 day, but the feast was spread for their entertainment nightly ; 
 and music and gaiety beguiled the hours of darkness, and, we fear, 
 kept some from enjoying proper repose to fit them for the impor- 
 tant labors for which they were assembled at Washington, at the 
 expense of the nation. 
 
 In an obscure part of this fair city other scenes are witnessed, 
 for poverty has her victims even within the shadows of opulence 
 and grandeur. 
 
 On a clear but chilly morning, a woman was seen leaving 
 an old dilapidated building in one of the poorest streets, having 
 on but scanty covering to shelter her from the keenness of the air. 
 After crossing a few streets, she approached some which bore a 
 better appearance in every respect, and now she began the ac- 
 complishment of her errand. By picking her way over the ice 
 she reached the common entrance to two or three dwellings, and 
 asked of the inmates for some cold food for her child at home. 
 At one she received nothing ; at another some dry crusts and 
 pieces were given her, which could be soaked in water and made 
 eatable. The woman's steps begin to falter, for she has had no 
 breakfast ; but she resolves to make one more trial, and was ob- 
 served advancing to the side door of a respectable looking build- 
 ing ; but ere she reached it she fell, from seeming weakness. 
 The inmates went out and raised the prostrate form, which was 
 taken into a house near by, and restoratives were applied to bring 
 the poor woman to consciousness, but in vain. It was too late. 
 A cup of warm drink and some proper food, given half an hour 
 sooner, would have prevented this catastrophe ; but now the 
 powers of nature had been too severely taxed, and refused to 
 rally again. The vital spark fled before any information could be 
 gained as to the unfortunate being who had perished from hunger 
 
112 
 
 and cold. The corpse was conveyed to a public place for recog- 
 nition, where it remained till the time of interment. 
 
 Let us now return to that dilapidated building, from which the 
 woman issued forth in the morning. In a clean but comfortless 
 looking apartment, are a man, rather past the prime of life, but 
 on whose countenance sorrow rather than years had left furrows and 
 wrinkles, and a child, — a little girl about four years old. The man 
 is now pacing the floor, but frequently stops to listen for a foot- 
 step, or goes to the well-patched window to see if he can get a 
 glimpse of some one ; and yet he knows that window does not look 
 into the street by which he expects the person to come. He 
 gets almost besides himself as the day advances. The day pre- 
 vious was stormy, and his poor wife could not go out to make 
 calls for charity, either for herself or others. Their food was all 
 eaten the evening previous, and this day they have had none. 
 At times, the little girl bursts out and cries, and then is hushed 
 into silence by being told that her mother will surely come soon. 
 We need hardly tell the reader that this man was Mr. Edwards. 
 He had still been unsuccessful in the pursuit of business. Per- 
 haps his clothing had become too shabby for him to be noticed by 
 those who might have employed him. 
 
 Most anxiously did Mr. Edwards and his little daughter look 
 for the return of the wife and mother during that sad afternoon 
 and evening. She had gone out to try to procure the means of 
 sustenance from those who might be kind enough to give ; but 
 when she returned not, her husband became overwhelmed with ap- 
 prehension. Sleep flies from the pillow of the wretched, and 
 surely Mr. E. was wretched then. The records which conscience 
 had been keeping for years are spread out before him, and the 
 wretched man writhes in agony of spirit. 
 
 After severe weeping the child fell asleep, for its conscience 
 was as yet " void of offence." Leaving it in bed, with the earli- 
 
115 
 
 Set your aims high ; resolve to be very pious indeed. If you 
 have read the lives of eminently pious persons, make it your en- 
 deavor to be as devoted to God as they were. When a child, I 
 read the Life of the Rev. Jonathan Edwards. All I remember 
 of his early history at present is, that at one time he was in the 
 habit of praying five times in a day. Most earnestly do I wish 
 that I had followed his example in this respect. And here let me 
 speak of the power of habit. Endeavor to get into right habits. 
 Be as regular in your devotional exercises as in eating your meals. 
 Be regular and systematic in all things. Waste not a moment of 
 precious time, except in needful recreation for the benefit of 
 health. Let your reading be in such books as will elevate your 
 mind to pious resolves, purposes and feelings ; — not in those which 
 merely excite and entertain, without making you any wiser or bet- 
 ter ; for this kind of reading is a waste of something besides time, 
 being an expenditure of mental effort, and, sometimes, sympathetic 
 feelings, which positively injure the health. Let all your labors 
 and reading have some object in view, either the pursuit of 
 knowledge or piety. 
 
 Again I say, set your aims high. Let every one see that you 
 mean in reality what you profess. By this means you will avoid 
 some kinds of temptation, which I will illustrate in this way : — Let 
 your pastor go down into the lower streets, and let him stand and 
 talk with seamen, or others, who congregate about the ships where 
 rum is sold and games are played. No man will attempt to in- 
 vite him in to join those games or to drink with him. But if a 
 young lad should be hanging round those places, who was not 
 supposed to be very firm or pious, most likely some of them would 
 invite him to drink or play. It is the same with regard to visit- 
 ing places of amusement of a more respectable kind, as balls, 
 theatres, &c. If you are once known to be firm as a rock against 
 all appearance of evil, you will seldom or never be invited to join 
 
IIG 
 
 with others in things which even they, most of them, think would 
 not be right for a Christian to take a part in. It may be that 
 some persons will avoid you, but this, though a little unpleasant, 
 is no great evil. Use great kindness in your manner of treating 
 these persons, and perhaps you may be the means of saving them. 
 But some may quote the words, — 
 
 " But of all the foes we meet, 
 None so apt to turn our feet, 
 None betray us into sin, 
 Like the foes we have within," 
 
 Admitting this to be so, our own passions are our worst enemies ; 
 yet by pursuing the course I recommend, these will be kept under 
 pretty well. If the mind is filled with good plans and ideas, evil 
 thoughts will find no door of entrance ; and if anger occasionally 
 is likely to spring up, you will be more likely to think in time that 
 it is wrong, and then endeavor to restrain your words and con- 
 duct. 
 
 Be careful to keep holy the Sabbath day. Many promises 
 are given in the Old Testament to those who honor the Lord's 
 day. Young converts, if you follow these suggestions you will 
 have less trouble than some would lead you to expect. I know 
 that in youth the mind is buoyant and hopeful, and, consequently, 
 not so readily discouraged at the difiiculties of which it is fore- 
 warned. This is as it should be, for God hath so ordered it that 
 while the body is immature the mind should be more free from 
 corroding care and anxiety, and no wise person will wish to make 
 things different from what the Creator has formed them. 
 
 But, my friends, I do not say there are no difficulties in the 
 Christian's pathway while in this life ; I only wish to direct you 
 to the best means of avoiding them. Another thing worthy of 
 earnest consideration is this, that in trials and hindrances in our 
 pursuits which may occur, God is perfectly aware of all that takes 
 
117 
 
 place ; and if when as soon as opportunity offers, or mentally, we 
 breathe a prayer to Him for help, we may rely upon it that, if it 
 be best, the evil will be removed, or we shall be able to bear it. 
 The Christian is not driven to despair by afflictions, like the man 
 who lives without God in the world, for he can throw the burden 
 off his mind upon God, and leave it at his disposal. Trials are to 
 the Christian as the furnace to the gold, to purify and refine, till 
 the Maker can see his own image reflected therein. The reason 
 why some of us have temptations is because we are only half 
 Christians. How few of us take Jesus for an example, and yet 
 nothing short of that should satisfy those who take his name, and 
 call themselves his disciples. If it be said that Jesus had trials 
 and temptations, I ask did he ever submit to them ? No, not 
 even when suffering from hunger and fatigue did he yield, but 
 bore the trial the appointed time. He neglected no duty ; he 
 observed secret prayer ; and he was kind to the poor, and the 
 aged, and the sick. 
 
 Now, permit me to state that our duties are not confined to 
 attending meetings, and prayers, and religious conversation. 
 There have been many eminently pious persons whose fives were 
 devoted to pious works, who were not in the habit of ever speak- 
 ing in pubfic meetings. They belonged to societies where it was 
 not expected of them ; but in their ministrations to the sick and 
 the poor, and the ignorant, they could tell the story of the Cross, 
 and expatiate on the theme of redemption ; and in their closets, 
 with their pens, some have left evidences of their close communion 
 with God. It is in the domestic circle and in the private walks 
 of life, that most Christians have their appropriate field of labor. 
 Not that they are to be always speaking on rehgious subjects, but 
 by speaking kindly, and pleasantly, and respectfully to all persons 
 they come in contact with. If an aged person is a member of 
 the family, though poor and dependent, yet he or she should be 
 
118 
 
 treated respectfully. Perhaps these have brought up children, 
 and done their work in years gone by. Treat them kindly now. 
 
 Some yonng persons, who really think they wish to be religious, 
 are yet wanting in reverence and respect to persons of advanced 
 years, but who now, unfortunately, are poor and dependent on 
 their children. If we study the Bible carefully, we may discover 
 that there is as much piety in showing proper reverence to the 
 aged, and to those who are much older than ourselves, as there is 
 in attending religious meetings ; indeed, far more, for too often 
 we go to meeting for other reasons than to worship God and pro- 
 mote his cause. It is only mockery for us to attend rehgious 
 meetings, while we neglect our daily duties in the family circle, 
 of treating all with love, kindness and respect. 
 
 We too often forget our home duties to our nearest relatives and 
 others, because, alas ! true religion has but a faint hold upon us. 
 I fear the rehgion that too many of us have is merely a knowledge 
 or consciousness of what we ought to be, and what we ought to 
 do ; but we still lack the necessary feelings and inclinations which 
 lead us to be kind and good, forgiving and charitable, even to the 
 uncharitable. Do you ask, how shall we obtain these feehngs ? 
 By earnest, continued prayer. I know of no other way. As be- 
 fore observed, Jesus prayed in secret, and sometimes spent whole 
 nights in prayer. I do not say any one should do this last, unless 
 the case be an extreme one. We may remember, too, that Jesus 
 said we must watch and pray. If wrong feelings or a cross word 
 are ready to arise, try to restrain and check them quickly. Prac- 
 tise self-denial, if need be. Try to live to God and for him, and 
 not to yourselves. Let your adornment be in the inner part of 
 the heart. Seek most of all things to please God, and rely upon 
 it, if you do this last. He is able to save you in times of temp- 
 tation, and to make you perfect unto every good work. His 
 grace is suflficient for all things. 
 
119 
 
 ADDRESS TO THE PEOPLE CALLED CHRISTIANS. 
 
 It is with some hesitancy that the writer commences this arti- 
 cle. Had she practised, in her past Ufe, that exalted state of 
 piety which she intends here to advocate, this might in part be 
 spared. It has been observed by some that we need to live one 
 half of a common lifetime, in order to see how we should Hve and 
 conduct ourselves in the various relations we sustain in life. In 
 taking a retrospective view of the past, too many of us, alas ! see 
 with pain and remorse the mistakes, and errors, and follies of 
 which we have been guilty. We are also ready to palliate those 
 offences by whatever excuses can be brought to bear upon them 
 in any degree ; and as every individual knows his or her faults 
 and frailties better than any other person knows them, so they too 
 know best what peculiar circumstances led to the commission of 
 those things which they afterwards regret, and also how far they 
 were excusable for those acts better than any other person can 
 judge concerning them. Yet, with all the mitigating circum- 
 stances which can be brought up in our defence, when conscience 
 does her perfect work, she shows us that it was the want of true 
 piety in the heart which caused us to speak as we should not have 
 spoken, and to get excited or angry when patience and quietness 
 would have been right, and far more proper and fitting the char- 
 acter we had taken upon us as Christians. Not to dwell longer 
 upon this point, we will only add that since the past cannot be re- 
 called, nor those whom we have injured and made unhappy by 
 any of our misdoings, be repaid by us for the sufferings we have 
 caused them, we can only turn to God and humbly beg his for- 
 giveness for our offences, and ask and beseech earnestly for the 
 
120 
 
 gift of the Holy Spirit, not only to convince us of sin, but to keep 
 us from committing any thing grievous in the future ; and incline 
 our hearts to feel right and to do good, that if there be any oppor- 
 tunity for making amends for past transgressions, we may readily 
 and thankfully embrace it. 
 
 The design of this Essay is to advocate the highest degree of 
 piety in the denomination called Christians, and who are rather 
 inclined to be proud that they are called by no lesser name than 
 His, who is the Head both of the visible and the invisible church, 
 which He bought and purchased with liis blood. The idea struck 
 the writer, not long since, that if we take Christ's name, par 
 excellence, and boast of being untrammelled by party names and 
 creeds and opinions of men, or bodies of men, — submitting to no 
 authority less than Jesus and his immediate followers, — those who 
 learned their religion either from Him or by the direct influence 
 of the Holy Spirit, — that we ought, in order to be consistent, be 
 the most pious and godly people, both collectively and individually, 
 of any denomination of professing Christians ; — our position abso- 
 lutely demands it. 
 
 Shall we here inquire. Are we among the foremost in every 
 good work according to our means ? We are not a wealthy de- 
 nomination, and cannot, therefore, give so largely as some others 
 to the popular efforts for evangelizing the world. Do we endeavor 
 to do good privately, according to our means and abilities, in the 
 various ways that occasionally offer for the benefit, temporally and 
 spiritually, of our fellow-men ? Are we less conformed to the 
 world in our style, dress and manner of Hving, according to our 
 abihties to indulge ourselves, than any other class of professing 
 Christians ? Are we more ready to deny ourselves certain grati- 
 fications, in order that we may be more able to help the poor, 
 whether of our own people or belonging to other sects, or who 
 belong to no rehgious society ? Are we more pious, more prayer- 
 
121 
 
 ful, more wholly devoted to God and his service and the good of 
 the world, than those of other sects ? Do we truly imitate Christ 
 and obey his precepts, practising Love, Charity, Brotherly Kind- 
 ness, Patience, Temperance, Meekness, Godhness, more than any 
 other denomination, — really imitate Christ and practise these 
 Christian graces ? 
 
 It might be highly improper to argue or intimate that we were 
 not so pious as some other denominations. This is not the point 
 we wish to discuss. We want to estabhsh the principle that, tak- 
 ing the high ground which we do in our name, as a body we 
 should endeavor to make it honorable, — ^honorable in the sight of 
 God, that he could look upon us with delight, and acknowledge us 
 to be consistent followers and disciples of his Son. It is written, 
 Be ye holy as I am holy. Be ye holy in all manner of conversa- 
 tion. Be ye perfect as your Father which is in heaven is perfect, 
 &c. One has said, she saw not how any one could take the name 
 of Christian, without trying to be like Christ in life and character. 
 Do we think enough of the importance of imitating Christ ? Our 
 object here is to awaken attention to this momentous subject, that 
 those who read these questions may ponder them deeply, and be 
 led, if they are not as pious as they might wish to be at the hour 
 of death, to seek for more piety, — more of the divine influence to 
 mould their hearts into a likeness to Christ's. 
 
 In the course of the writer's experience, she has found some of 
 the most pious people in all the denominations ; and, unfortu- 
 nately, also, some belonging to all those denominations who were 
 yet lacking in this high degree of piety which she is advocating. 
 
 Among CathoUcs, Episcopahans, Presbyterians, Methodists, 
 Friends, Baptists, and in the Christian denomination, the writer 
 has found some of the excellent of the earth. It is not joining 
 with, or belonging to any society, that makes a person truly pious. 
 It ia the operation of the Holy Spirit on the heart, when it is 
 
122 
 
 sought for and cherished by the individual, which makes him or 
 her godly ; and as God is no respecter of persons, he is ready to 
 bestow this gift on those who ask him, in all nations and in all 
 societies. 
 
 Some bodies of Christians profess to take care of their own 
 poor. It is said that we never see a member of the society of 
 Friends begging. A great deal may be done in a private manner 
 for the poor of a society, without their being able to say, " We 
 take care of all our poor.'' ^ Yet were there a systematic effort 
 made, and all the members of a society were willing to live plainly 
 and dress plainly, that they might be able to give more, this might 
 more easily be done. It may be observed here, that were a whole 
 society to renounce the love of show and finery and making an 
 appearance, there would be no self-denial about the matter. A 
 sister of charity feels no shame in walking the most fashionable 
 street with her close-fitting bonnet and plain dress. She walks 
 as dignified as a queen, with her mind bent on her mission, know- 
 ing it is something which meets the approving smile of heaven. 
 A member of the society of Friends feels no shame in wearing 
 an old-fashioned garment. 
 
 By thus systematizing these matters there is no longer any 
 sacrifice of individual feeling, or but little. However, let us say 
 here that we do not advocate any color or style ; only simplicity 
 and the absence of great expense. There is no more mere merit 
 in wearing a drab satin or velvet dress than a blue or a red one. 
 Indeed, for young persons we would advocate their wearing pretty 
 colors, and all the colors with which God clothes the fields in 
 beautiful array. But let unnecessary expense be avoided, that 
 some poorer person may not feel that she cannot go to church be- 
 cause she has not something sufficiently nice to wear in the seat 
 beside you, or in a seat in your vicinity. 
 
 If a large portion of a denomination adopt any plan, the others 
 
123 
 
 are ready to fall in "with it ; and if it be reallj a good plan, even 
 other societies may adopt it. In one society, there is considera- 
 ble said on the subject of perfect holiness at this time. It would 
 be out of place here to say much on this subject ; but it would be 
 well for us all to try to be as holy as we can, and try to prove 
 in ourselves, if Jesus has not power, by means of the Holy Spirit, 
 to keep us from being under the power and dominion of sin, 
 even in this Ufe. Yea, let us prove this point, and be willing to 
 yield ourselves a " willing sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto 
 God," — " that we may be transformed by the renewing of our 
 mind, that we may prove what is the acceptable and perfect will 
 of God." When we come to fully understand this subject, we 
 find there is nothing more in it than many of us have always be- 
 lieved. We have heard plain people say, many years ago, " a 
 person may have as much religion in his heart as he is willing to 
 live for." Perhaps it should be said, " as he is willing to exer- 
 cise." But we hardly meant to say so much on this subject. On 
 some points we feel the necessity of speaking carefully. 
 
 When the writer was in New Orleans she heard some persons 
 speaking of a reHgious society which took care of their own people, 
 or put them in a way to help themselves. Some encomiums of 
 praise were bestowed on this society for pursuing the good plans, 
 and it was said they called themselves Christians, and took no 
 other name. On visiting their place of worship the following 
 Sunday, we observed the name " Christian Chapel," in large gilt 
 letters, over the door; but after entering and sitting a little 
 while, we found they were what is known at the North as Disci- 
 ples, or Campbellites, though there were some among them who 
 had been connected, in other cities, with our Christian denomina- 
 tion. 
 
 We leave the above without any remarks. And now, to conclude, 
 shall we say, Let us try to be the most pious people, each and 
 
124 
 
 all of us, that any one can meet with ; — not because we have not 
 got wealth and influence, and that we may at least have great 
 piety to boast of, — no, not to boast of, — ^but to sustain us and en- 
 able us to be what we profess to be, — Christians indeed and in 
 truth. There is no knowing what good we might accomplish hero 
 in our land, if we would all be a very godly people. We might 
 be the means of stirring up those who have greater means of sup- 
 porting missions, and thus our influence might extend throughout 
 the habitable globe ; and even if we did not receive all the credit 
 that might belong to us from men, no matter, — God would know 
 all about it, and in his own way and time give us our reward. 
 
 How nice it would be to live only to God, and try to please 
 him alone, and endeavor to do a great many good things without 
 letting any one else but He and Jesus know any thing about 
 them. When, when shall we arrive at Christian perfection,— 
 that perfect manner of life that the apostles have recommended in 
 every chapter of their writings ? Are we not too apt to think 
 these writings above our ability to practise them ? We forget 
 that they were addressed to men and women like ourselves. We 
 conclude with the language of Jude : — " Now to him who is able 
 to keep us from falling^ and to present us faultless before the 
 presence of his glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God 
 our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now 
 and forever Amen.'' 
 
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