The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1831-1858, 1832-09-05
FAST SERMON

cerely 1erVent prayer OF righteous man.
from James Y. 16. The following is brief
extract. In considering the caamitous
sickness from whichwe hope and supplicate
to he preserved, he thus observes =
Some call it the blighting curse of Gsd.
will not call it so. Some call it fierce
demon let loose upon poor mortals and
some horrd monster Cutting itself with
prey. | give my assent to no such epithets.
1t is n wasting disorder, melancholy in its
character, but commissioned with the In
tentions of Gods omniscience. 1t is
Judgment on the earth. 1t is warning to
the people against sin and uncleanness.
1t is a trying but also n just providence.
These are the names by which I prefer to
describe it and in painting it TO the imagl-
nation, would draw it not with eyes angry
and bloodshot, and mouth breathing out
fumes from the hottomless Pit, but as an
angel, n mourning as well as a retributive
angel, hearing the sword of the Almighty
not in vain, bHs hiding its sad countenance
with one hand, while with the other it deals
the speedy blow.
have called it judgment on the earth,
and warning against sin and uncleanness.
And is it not reasonable and justi6able to
call it so, when we are told that it seizes
first and principally on the Incorporate and
unclean? How can the voice of God
speak more plainly against these forms of
unrighteousness, than in this mandate to
his destroying angel? In praying that the
disorder may not be sent among US, we
should call to mind this purpose of his mis-
sion. AMI remember the vices against which
it appears so evidently to be sent, and thus
strengthen our conviction of their fatal ma
ture and exceeding snfulness, and relouble
our efforts to root them out. How can we
expect that the disease will keep away,
when that which invites the disease is per-
mitted to remain? 1t is solemn truth
that every Incorporate and corrupt person,
that every keeper and every supporter of
the haunts of pTofigacy and riot is laborng
to bring the so much dreaded pestileme TO-
the place in which he dwells. Should the
punishment come, it will be called demon
and curse-when behold the demon and the
curse are even now among us and upon u.s.
Do we expect to sin on and sin on for ever,
without any notice taken, and without a
retributlon? While we pray, we should
mediate on these things with the purpose
| of acting accordingly, and then we NAV
hope that our prayer will be availing.
But the disease does not entirely confne
itself to the above described Victims
i Though it principally selects these, vet it
falls occasionally on the sober and pious,
and on innocent children. And ought we
| not to he taught by this, not to boast of our
virtue, not 10 be sure of exemption, not to
elevate ourselves in fancied security above
| the poor creatures whose vices are their
exposure? Humility will always accompa-
! ny sincere prayer. We are all exposed in
I some degree; and therefore it should be a
| primary consideration with US how we shall
| he prepared and surely no better prepara-
| ton will present. itself to the Christian than
that OF mercy and charity. While we are
reused to act against sin, it will be in a
temper of great pity for the sinner, and
with especial care that we do not fall into
sin, particularly the sin Of the Pharisee.
ourselves. vengeance is mine will re-
| pay, saith the Lord" Let us be careful
that we interfere not with the Supreme pre-
| rogative. 1t is the Lords to send abroad
his terrible and righteous judgments; it is
ours to be kind and charitable, humble and
! watchful.
LOOK TO THE TALENTS OF YOUR Chill
DREN. No discerning parent ever train
ed family of children. without perceiv-
ing greater or less difference in inter-
lectual attainments, even under the same
privileges. This is generally attributed
to defect in talent, but often ungener-
ously. The fault usually is in the parent
or teacher, who has not the diseernment
to perceive, nor patience to explore into
the depths of the mind, to search for treas
ure. The following anecdote may illus
trate the foregoing;
William Belderdyck, admired as the
first poet that modern Holland has produ-
ced, and not less distinguished by other
brilliant faculties'of his mind, did not, in
! his youth show any happy disposition to
study. His father, who formed an unfa-
vourable opinion Of his talents, was much
distressed, and frequently reproached him
in severe terms, for his inattention and
idleness; to which young Belderdyck did
not appear to pay much attention. In
l776, the father, with newspaper in
his hand, came to stimulate him, by
showing him an advertisement of prize
offered by the Society of Leyden, and de-
creed TO the author piece of poetry
signed with these wodrs SO An Author
only eighteen gears old" who was invited
to make himself known. You ought to
blush, idler,' said old Belderdyck to his
son; 'here is a boy only of your age.
and though so young, is the pride and
happiness of his parents; and you-.'
1T is l, myself answered young Will
liam, throwing himself into his fathers
arms"
There is not shrub, vine, plant or tree
to be found in our fields and forests that
is not susceptible of high degree of i'm
provement, if taken up late in the fall or
early in the Spring property trimmed and
transpanted into good rich soil near our
dwellings. Their change for the better
soon becomes apparent. Take for instance
young chestnut trees from the noun
tain, lop off as much Of their tops as you
leave Of their roots; set them out as you
would your apple trees not deeper in the
soil than they have stood. They have 8
rapid growth, and if well preserved will
spread aud bear very prolifically, produc
ing nut three times the size Of thos,
generally brought to market and of a bet
ter flavor. The hickory tree will do tn,
|. same. All will bear grating as well a
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