The Madisonian., 1840-01-21

is virtually degraded into sluggish and Ep-
curean deity. From this sluniber OF the re-
hecuons, which is apt TO creep, at times. upon
the most pious and devout, il is the Office Of
| vlo'ent and sudden disease to awake us and
II we could trace no further than this the adj
vantages OF occasional suffering, we should be
warranted ia concluding that il is good for
man to be thus afflicted
DEPENDENCE IN SICKNESS.
! Violent diseases show us our dependence
upon one another. Man, unaided by his fel-
low-Inan, is the most weak and helpless of
animals. Placed beyond the reach Of the
kind, watchlul and sympathetic aid Of others,
his first maady would be his last and the
lord Of this lower world would sink under the
first blow which should str Ike his brittle lene-
ment. Take the most proud and fiery spirit
which ever animated muscular and gigantic
frame, one who dsdains to be obliged, and
spurns alike the control and the assistance of
others. Stretch him on the bed Of sickness,
languishing, faint, and motionless. Where
now is that surly independence, that irritable
haughtiness Of soul Nay, where now is
that resistless strength Of limb. that mighty
bone, and lofty step! Has il come to this
that child may lead so untractable spirit
that child may contend with that withered
arm ?
1t is a common remark that death is uni
versal leveer, The same is true, in its de-
gree, of sickness. When we are reduced
TO such weakness that we cannot help our
selves, we find that many, whom we despised,
can essentially help US We find that the
meanest of our species can lay us under obi-
cation which we can never discharge. We
find ourselves at the mercy Of those on whom,
if we have ever bestowed thought, we have
been accustomed to look down with pity or
contempt. But from a sick bed it is impos-
sible to look down on any one. On the con-
trary, appeal to you who have ever suffered,
whether YOU have not sometimes gazed with
grateful admiration at the patient, condescend
ing, united Offices of aifeclionate fidelity and
tender watchfulness, which have at once en-
nobled in your esteem and endeared to your
affections the humblest of your species.
| But it is the tendency Of sickness not only
TO reduce our extravagant self-estimation, by
exhibiting our solitary helplessness. but, by
leading our friends to perform for US immune
rable and nameless offices Of affection, it con-
firms and fastens forever those tender Ties
which bind us to each other Often, indeed,
|
ed new strength TO the attachments of con-
sanguinity, and new delcacy to the bonds of
| friendship Often, in the chamber of the
sick, stern temper has been melted to for
giveness, Indifference has ripened into love,
aversion has changed into regard, and regard
mellowed into attachment.
SICKNESS TEACHES US THE VALUE OF HEALTH
In the present state Of refined and luxu-
rious society, there are two large and ncreas-
| ing descriptions of men, to whom 1t Is OF no
little importance TO understand the real value
| of health. The first is the numerous class
of imaginary invalids, who, though subject
! only 10 the unavoidable infirmiles of mortal
ity, create to themselves host of fanced ills
and waste really healthful life in perpetual
apprehensions, ungrate(ul complaints, idle
imprecations,. and uninterrupted discomfort II
is well known that such men never felt the
severity Of serious and painful illness. A
single rude and violent attack of real disorder
would soon shake off this cluster of uneasi-
ness, and pu. to flight the cowardly tribe Of
imaginary woes. 1t would be good for these
men to be afflicted indeed. There is, how
ever, precise opposite class composed Of
the presumptuous, thoughlless, and adventu
tious, nor adversely wise. Ignorant of the
value of blessing which to youth is so com
mon, they delight rashly to expose it, and in
sensibly to waste it away. After experience
has counseled, friendship entreated, and au-
thoriiy commanded in vain disease comes at
last and closes the presumpuous game; and
teaches them that health, strength, and life,
though they may be possessed without graft
tude, cannot be sported with without loss, or
won back again by dcxtcrity or courage.
|, is the distinguishing mark of habitual
piety TO be grateful for the most common and
ordinary blessings. There is no man so sens-
BILE and vile as not to feel glow of thankful
ness for distinguishing favors or wonderful
interposllons But sickness discovers the
value of the usual and customary degree of
health and reminds the convalesccnt that he
has scarcely thanked God for a blessing, in
the place of which nothing can be substituted
and for whose recovery every thing but inno
cence may justly be surrendered.
FAMILY PRAYER.--ln binding family to-
gether in peace and love, there is no human
influence like that of domestic prayer. Uniting
them in common object, it unites their SYM
palhes and desires. Raising their hearts to
heaven, it brings them altogether in the pre-
sence of God. The family altar is one to
which they repair from the cares and tolls of
life. Reminding them Of the rest reserved in
heaven, it unites them in efforts of faith and
obedience for its attainmenls. Earth has no
hoier spot than house thus sanctifed by
prayer: where the voice Of supplication and
thanksgiving consecrates every day; where the
Word Of God is devoutly read, and young and
old unite to show forth His praise. II may be
humble, bu, it is holy, and therefore heavenly.