Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1838-06-28
.MISCELLANY.
SERMON ON ~HsTRY.

6- We were requisite yme time ago 10
publish the following sermon by the Rev
Bishop MEADE on the Duty of Industry, ,
bu! we're not able TO procure copy OF :, I'M
Ii! about two weeks since. The same SUBJ
ject has been treated recently with great a
billy from one OF the puIpits in this place.
We cheerfuliy lend the aid of our press in
the incubation Of duty so important to So
ciely and the best interests of man.
In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread
until thou return unto the ground
[Gen. iii. l9.
Man was evidently formed, in body
and mind. for action. He disUbeys the
law OF his nature, that is, the will of God
and fails in the perfection of his being,
when be is not diligently Employed
This is true not merely since the fall and
:he curse. The garden of Eden, bloom.
ing in flowers, and Astounding in fruits,
and free from thorns and thistles, must
nevertheless be kept and dressed by the
hand of man. 1.-The Lord God took the
man and put him into the garden to
dress and keep it." 1t was doubtless an
occupation in which he delighted to en-
gage, always succeeding to the utmost of
his wishes, increasing by the hand of
diligence even the beauties and bounties
ofPrevidence; ever admiring and adoring
the goodness and greatness Of the Mas
ter, whose garden he was tending, and
when wearied nature sought repose, he
sweetly sank to rest in the arms of God.
No one can consider the nature of man
without perceiyiBg that diligent action
is necessary TO his true enjoyment. So
it was in Eden. So doubtless it will be
in heaven, where it may prove to be no
fiction tina; wings will be added to in>
crease the rapidity of our motion, as well
as willing hearts, to urge them to their
utmost speed.
But our text speaks Of this as toll
an agony drawing sweat from the brow
"a curse inflicted on man for sin-the
very earth being cursed, so that hard la.
Dor is required to keep down the thorns
and briers which it brings forth, and to
draw from it the needfu food. And
what il it should be present curse p
Perhaps 1T may avert future and heav.
ier one, and thereby become blessing
Shall we receive good al the hand of God
and not evil also? Shall living mar
complain, a man for the punishment Of
his sins. when that very punishment i.
not only deserved, but is salutary?-
Doubtless after mans sin. this was the
best use to be made OF him and the earth
on which he stood-the objects at once
of Heavens Pity and displeasure. AL
though the culture Of the earth and the
exercise of mans faculties of soul ant
body, in various ways, were attended
with many sorrows, pains. aud trials
from which he was free in Paradise; We
doubtless all these difficulties were gra.
ciousIy adapted to bis fallen state, ant
necessary for his probation and restora
ton. Alife Of ease and prosperity would
have sealed his ruin and closed the doc
of hope forever. Let us not there fore, fo
a moment. seek to escape any appoint
meDt of wise and gracious Providence
The cup which our Father has given u
TO drink, shall we not drink it2 Yea
aud much rather than any cup OF earihl,
ease and delight mingled by the hand o
man.
1 Let us consider the true import of on
text-"In the sweat of thy brow shal
thou eat thy bread"
If mistake not, we must understan,
these words as expressing much NOR
than their literal meaning. They con
tain general dcscriI.ti Of the state o
man after the fall state requiring bin