The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1840-10-20
Moral amd eligIOms.
"y HY WILL BE DON E.

This was part Of the PRAYER which our Lord taught
bis disciples 1t is beautiful, not only for its sim
plioty, but for it's conciseness and comprehensive,
ness of meaning. 1t contains thoughts enough, il
expanded, to fill volumes. We shall content, our.
selves with considering briefly what is the temper
of mind which this prayer presupposes, and the
propriey of it's use.
Like many otE,or passages Of the New Testame nl
il seems express in few words, all that is ne.
eessary to constitute the sincere devoted Christian
The spirit which prompts il, is spirit of true pety.
II is the natural sentiment ola heart regenerated
by divine grace, and willing to trust its all in the
hands Of God l: expresses feeling of confidence
in the goodness Of God and his perfect Justice. II
10 an expression of eif-consecratlon, humble ODE
dence, and meek submission to his will in all
things. 1t exhibits a willingness to be what he
would have us be, and to suffer patiently what he,
in his righteous providence, may appoint 1t is
virtually saying that time our talents our prop
erty, and all that we have his disposal to be
used as he shall direct. In times of prosperity, it
10 not difficult to offer this prayer. When every
Thing around us wears The smile of joy, and seems
to be conducive to our happiness, we feel as if il
was his will to make us happy and rejoice but
when adversely comes, and and dsappoint
ment roll in upon the soul like the waves of the
troubled sea, then is the time act the christian
Then can the true disciple Of Christ alone utter tins
prayer from the heart He alone at such time
can wipe away the falling tear, and exolaim with
a smile-"My Father ordered all. Thy will. O
God, be done"
The rropriety of using this prayer will he evil
dent, when we consider, LIST, The character of the
being to whom 1T is addressed, and Cd, The char.
acter of the supplant.
1t is addressed to no other than God himself
1t is offered TO Him who seeth the future as the
past-whose eye scanneth eternity glance, and
VINO orders all the events OF all times with the
strictest justice. 1t is addressed to Him who
'I'aid Eternity's foundation stone, and saw
Life and existence ont of Three begin
Who guides the circuit of the endless wears,
And sits on high, and makes Creations top
His footstool and beholds below him all
All nought, all less than nousht, and vanitv"
Such is the character of Him to whom this is
addressed. And by whom is it offered II is of.
Tered by short-sghed dependent mortality an
ephemeraI insect, who struts brief hour Of exist
snoe mere; and then disappears. Yesterday, and
he was not. To-day he exists, and tomorrow is
forgotten. lie opens his eyes upon the objects
around him. and discovers evident indications of a
of light into his gloomy, bewildered soul. and
shows him that there is God an eternity, a heav. |
On and hell; and it teaches him the way TO secure
he one and avoid the other. Beyond this all is |
iark-shrouded in uncertainty. How natural it is |
Tor such an one to desire some support on which |
No mny lean with confidence and trust How nat
1ra that in viewing his own weakness. he sbould
want some friend to be his guide and counse,lor
God Is such friend. He invites him 10 coma and
cast his all upon Him, and to saw, "Tbv vv;,, be
done.' He requires vile worm o the dust n ~.
the right of Infinite wisdom to ,,,.
10 any thing more reasonable? Should we not 20.
Ioee that the government ofthe universe i, p,ac.a
in such hands Shall not the Judge of all tbs
sarth do right, And who are we that we should
presume to dictate laws to the Almighty Alas
Proud man. II is only through the forbearance of
Sod that you not in condition a thousand
lines worse than you are. Cease to murmur
hon, and learn TO adore the goodness OF Him from
whom you have received every thing that Won
have, and TO whom you indebted for every
thing that you Do we feel the hand cf af1ic.
ION pressing heavily upon uss We have the
premise that our light Affections shall work out for