The Litchfield County post., 1827-05-03
Ereellenf Rnles esr promoting harmOay amoMg
 the Mcm5sFs ofa Charch.

Erpsllent Rules ssr prOmstisg harmOay 0moag
 ths Mem6srs efa chNroh.
 I. To remember that we are all subject to failings and infrmities of some kind or other.
 2. To bear with. and not magnify, each others sinfrnlities.-Gat. VI. l. Il
 s. TO prsy one for another in our social meetings, and particularly in private.-JGmes, v. I6.
 4. To avoid going from house to house, for the purpose of hearing news, and interfering with other persons business.
 :. Always to turn deaf ear to every slanderOus report. and to lay no charge, brought against any person, until we'll fOun- ded.
 6. If a member he in fault, to tell him of it io pripate, before it is mentioned to others.
 '. To watch against a shyness of each other, and to put the best construction on any action that has the appearance of oppo- sition or resentment.
 8. To observe the just rule of Solomon, that is, to leave off contention, before 1t be meddled with.-ProU. xvii. IA.
 g. If member has offended, to consider how glorious, how God-like it is, to forgive, and how unlike Christian it is to revenge.- Epk. iv. 9.
 10. To remember that it is always grand artifce of the devil to promote distance and animosity amongst members of churches; and we should therefore watch against every thing that furthers his end.
 II. To consider how much more good we can do in the world at large, and in the church in particular when we are all united in love, than we can do when acting alone, and indul- ginga contrary spirit.
 1c Lastly, to consider the express in lunc- tions of Scripture, and the beautiful example of Christ, as to these important things.-Eph. iv. Sa. Pet. ii. 21. John, Xiii. 5, S5.
 Am. Sent.
 Norratiw.-" We had not risen from the breakfast table one morning, when female, rather young, and fashionably dressed, enter ed the room. After few common place civiltes, she turned to Mrs. Clifford, saying. Il called to tell you that MT. S-- is in town; he breaches to-day at -, and you must positively put on your things, and go with me to hear him.'' "Could consistent ly do so,'' replied her friend, "I should be very happy to accompany. you; but, excuse me if l say, that were this excellent man to see the dear little group by which I am sur rounded, he would be the first to forbid my leaving them to listen to his sermon."
 Perhaps the conscious recollection of some duty unperformed at home. just then stung the feelings of our far devotee; or it might he purely misguided zeal, which reddened on her cheek, as she retorted, somewhat sharp ly, When, like Marthas, the heart is care full and troubled abovt many things, it is easy to find pretext of duty to prevent our listen ing to the words of Jesus."
 Mrs. Clifford mildly answered, "I hope I am aware of this plausible deception, but in the present instance l am not conscious of merting the rebuke. You may remember, my dear Mrs. Hammond, that Martha was not censured for necessary attention to her ordinary and relative duties but for an undue anxiety, an ostentatious and i'll timed desire of providing things, more than hospitably gOod.' Perhaps, too, may remind you, that there subsists visible difference between her negecting to hear the words of the Redee- { mer, when he honoured her roof with his sa- cred presence, and my declining to attend the discourse of one of his servants, when such l anattendance would necessarily involve neg lect of duties,more strictly enjoined upon me-" "You have always great deal to say about duties, my dear," resumed the lady, 6 but if 1 read my bible aright, no duties are SO accep. table with God, as an aifectionate reception of his gospel, and desire to see his kingdom advanced in our own hearts, and in the world around us." She then magnanimously de- clared her resolution to persist in her attach ment to the word preached, although it continued to expose her to many domestic sacrifices, and involved her in several uettv l prosecutions"
 believe Mrs. Clifford could have ey;nced to her fair friend, that she had not " read her bible arlght:" but as spirit of recrinination certainly was not the temper by which she sought to maintain the honor of religion, she thought it better to drop the subject, than to expose her visitor to the imminent risk of losing her temper.
 A short silence therefore ensued. till MT. Clifford inquired of Mrs. Hammond. 'wheth CT she had yet had an opportunity of visiting the sick woman, whose case he recommend ed to her 7" No, really" she replied. :" nave not had one moment of leisure since you named her to me. On Monday was at the Bible society's meeting; Tuesday, went to hear MT. - preach; Wednesday, | di. ned at MT. Nelson's, where select number ofserlous friends were assembled to meet the Rev: Mr. H----; all Thursday. ! was occupied ln endeavormg to procure subscri- bers to our Dorcas Society; and to-day. shall hardly have time to swallow my dinner. on my return home, before the arrival of lady who has promised to go with me to hear a sermon for the benefit of our Sunday School"