The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1831-1858, 1832-06-13
THE TWO FISHERS OF MEN.

Whitney, one of the pillars of the churc
IN Connecticut, was IN the practice of Fl
ting young men for the ministry; and it s
happened on one occasion, that two of thes
pupils finished their theological studie
about the same time, and went forth int
the world 10 enter on the duties of thei
profession.
They were very different in their temper
and their talents. Isaac was man of learn
ing and ability; hut exceedingly meek an
modest withal. Ezekiel was person Of in
terror attainnents; but full of self.confi
dence, noise, and fury. The former wa
mild and gentle, charitable and forgiving
the latter was harsh and overhearing, Sc
we're and relentless. The one was content
ed, If he could iDin souls to heaven; thu
other was determined to drire them there
With these differences in talents and Ills
positions, they set forth upon their ministry
They travelled and preached. They were
instant in season, and out of season.
AMER having completed a MISSION of two oil
three yeats, they returned to their old mas
ter-Rev. Mr.. Whitney. =
swell. Isaar," said the old man, How
have yon succeeded"
"Beyond my expectations" said the mod
est disciple and his countenance brighten
ed as he spoke. My efforts have been ev-
cry where met with kindness, and a dispo-
sition on the part of my hearers TO profit by
them"
You have made some converts, then,
suppose,
"lndeed. | hope no person has been made
worse by my preaching and think have
reason to believe that many have turned
from the error OF their ways 10 the wisdom
of the just ~
am glad to hear it, Isaac; am glad
with all my heart" said the old man, as he
grasped anew the hand of his meek and
humble disciple" And now, Ezekiel"
saiu he, let me hear what success YOU
have had"
An, sir" said Ezekiel, with II sigh"
have had no success at ALL"
None at all! am sorry to hear IT,"
SO am | sorry to tell it-hut it is none
the less true for all that. All my efforts
have been like pearls cast before swine.n
"You have not been idle, of course 2"
eide! no, have preached indication.
bly,; have labored day and night in re.
proving and rebuking sin and its perpetra-
tors and abettors Never, for a moment
have | spared either the one O. the other
neither have opened my mouth but to warn
the wicked Of their wickedness and folly.
and to point them to the awful consequent
ces of their enlargement from God, and
their perseverance in the paths of niduity.
have set the whole terrors of the law he
fore them in their most frightful shape-I
have pictured in the most glowing coors
the miseries OF the eProbate-I have -"
"No doubt Of it-no doubt of it :" inter
rupted the old man. THAT you have album
dance of zeal and warmth and fire, and all
that, have not the least doubt. Ezekiel.
But with all these, how happens it that you
have had no better SUGGEST"
81 don't know, I'm sure" said Ezekiel,
with an air of despondency.
swell, will tell you. Both you and
Isaac have set out to be fishers Of men,
In fishing, as in all other employments, some
little skill is required to insure success
Isaac has succeeded beyond his expecta-
ton /; and, have no doubt, is much the bet
ter fisherman of the two"
MAY be so," replied Ezekiel, with a
mortified air; "but I'm sure I've tried hard
enough"
"Granted but will show the difference
Isaac takes small hair line, with neat
little hook ; and makes use of long slen.
der pole, that will bend every way with the
greatest ease. He approaches the stream
without noise, covers his hook with an at
tractive bait, and carefully dips it in the
water; he moves i; gently and skifulIy t.
and fro, raises and lowers it alternately
and performs such other maneuvres as ju
dicious anglers best understand. The fish
are attracted they draw around in greu
numbers; they take the bait one after an.
other; they are dexterously drawn out and
there is the great secret of your friend
lsaac's success.
Nov ! will give you picture of youl
own fishing. You take a stout ten foot pole
you fasten thereon a cod line and to the
cod line you attach an enormous hook armed
with frightful barb that no bait can cover
Thus prepared, you put upon your hook
live scorpion. / must certainly take then
now say you. Accordingly, you rush tt
the bank of the stream throw in your hool
with violence, and frighten all the fish,
Not successful according to your expecta
tons, you become still more rash and VIC
lent. You draw out your hook in rage
| put on another scorpion. and dash it in agaiI
with all your might. Now say you, lite
bite, or starve and perish The poor timi,
fish flee from you in dismay; and this
friend Ezekiel, is the cause of your want o
success"
The whole number of Temperance Socioie
in the United States is three thousand
Upwards Of two hundred vessels sail from
our ports without Ardent Spirits for use anon
| the crews.
More than one thousand distilleries hav
been stopped.
Three thousand merchants have given up tn
traffic in Ardent Spirits.
| The whole number Of persons pledged [
total abstinence from Ardent Spirits in the U
States is three hundred thousand.
Upwards Of one hundred nnkeepeis hav
declined selling Ardent Spirits.
ALARMING FACTS,
SHOWING HOW MUCH REMAINS TO BE DONE.
/ There are in our cities and large towns
about one grog shop to every twelve families.
There are about five hundred murders com
mtted yearly in the United States that pro
coed directly from intemperance.
The annual loss 10 the country by the use q
Ardent Spirits is nnety-four millions four hun
bred and twenty five thousand dollars.
The preceding information is derived from
work recently published under the authority
the New York State Temperance Society. an
is worthy Of the serious consideration of all re