The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1829-08-26
WHOLE NO. e943.
THE SEVEN SLEEPING CHRISTIANS.

just published he introduces one Of the dis.
courses with this story, for the purpose of call.
ing attention to the great concerns of eternity
and OF practical religion. His text is, 9 Cor,
~. lo-Ws look not at things aohich are seen,
dut at tile things a0hich are not seen.
There is an ancient fable told by the
Greek and Roman Churches, which, fable
as it is, may for its beauty and singularity
wei deserve to be remembered, that in one
OF the earliest prosecutions to which the
Christian world was exposed, seven Christ
ian youths sought concealment in lonely
cave, and there, by Gods appointment, fell
into deep and death-iike slumber. They
slept, the Legend runs, two hundred years,
I'LL the greater part of mankind had reeeiv-
ed the faith of the Gospel, and that Church,
which they had left a poor and afflicted
fathers, and queens" for her nursing moth.
ers." They then at length awoke, and
entering into their native Ephesus, SO al
tered now that its streets were altopether
unknown to them, they cautiously inquired
II there were any Christians in the CITY?
christians! !" was the answer, we are all
Christians here !" and they heard with a
thankful Joy the change which, since they
left the world, had taken place in the
opinions of its inhabitants. On one side
they were shown stately fabric adorned
with glded Gloss, and dedicated, as they
were told, to the worship of their crucified
Master; on another, schools for the public
exposition of those Gospels, of which, so
| short time before, the bare profession was
prescribed and deadly. But no fear was
now to be entertained of those miseries
which had encircled the cradle of Christi
anlty; no danger now of the rack, the lions,
or sword the Emperor and his projects
held the same faith with themselves, and
all the wealth of the east, and all the valor
and authority of the western world, were
exerted to protect and endow the profess
sors and teachers of their religion.
| But joyful as these tidings must, Mt first.
have been, their further inquiries are said
to have met with answers which very deep
iy surprised and panied them. They learn
ed that the greater part of those who call
ed themselves by the name of Christ, were
strangely regardless of the blessings which
Christ had bestowed, and of the obliea-
tons which He had laid on His followers.
They found that, as the world had become
Christian, Christianity itself had become
worldly; and, wearied and sorrowful they
besought OF God to lay them asleep again,
crying out to those who followed them,
You have shown US many heathens who
have given up their old idolatry without
gaming any thing better in it's room; many
who are of no religion at all and many with
whom the religion of Christ is no more than
CLOAK OF righteousness; but tchere, ,Uhere
are the Christians ?" And thus they return
ed 70 their cave; and there God had COM
passion on them, releasing them once for
all, from that world for whose reproof their
days had been heightened, and removing
their souls to the society of their ancient
friends and pastors, the martyrs and saints
OF an earlier and better generation.
AN HONEST LANDLORD. Last harvest a
wealthy farmer, who knew that the lease of
his poorest neighbor would expire on the
following Martinmas, went to the landlord
and stated that his poor neighbor did not
intend to keep his farm, and, if the landlord
was disposed to let it, he would willingly
become tacksman. The landlord who imag-
med that he could not have better tenant,
immediately set about the preliminary ar
engagements, and let the applicant his neigh
boris farm. When the report of this trans
action reached the poor man he went to
the landlord and inquired if it was true he
had let the farm over his head The land
lord said it was certainly true, but that he
ant did not intend to keep it. "Such a
thought" said the farmer, "never entered
my head; although am poor, have al
ways paid my rent cheerfully, and you
know have no other way to provide liv-
ing for myself and family" The landlord
told him to be comforted, and retired, but
soon returned, saying, alt is too true, I
have let your farm TO your wealthy neigh
Dor. However, find that, though he has
taken your small farm, he has not taken
his own, which is far more valuable. l
will, therefore, let you his farm, and under
such circumstances as will give you a
chance to exceed him in riches as you excel
him in candor." This pledge was honora-
bly, redeemed by the landlord; and last
Martinmas the wealthy farmer actually
took possession of his poor neighbours little
farm; while, at the same time, the poor
farmer entered to the extensive premises Of
his crest fallen rival, to the entire satisfac-
ton of the neighborhood thus affording
striking example that honesty brings it's
own reward. and duplicity it's own punish
ment.-Sterling Scotland Journal
ExTRAvAGANcE. The London Quarter
ly Review says-The prosperity of the last
thirty years has caused the most extrava-
giant notions and pretensions. The whole
community have departed from the simplic-
ity, foresight, and frugality of their fathers,
and INDUCED in notions respecting dress,
houses, furniture, living, education, &c.,
which no wealth can support. Many are
beginning to correct the evil, but the up
per classes are even now great deal too
lofty. AS it is hopeless for them TO think
of raising their fortune to their ideas, they
should bring down their ideas to the level
of their fortune. This is duty which pa
rents should practise themselves, and incul-
cate on their offspring. Such change
will increase happiness without impairing
reputation. lThis is excellent advice. and