The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1840-08-29
From the Congregational Msgasiae.
THE GOODNESS OF GOD,


There is diffused over the material and
the intellectual world, aiwonderful. and in:
describe variety, the evident design Of
which is to produce happiness to man.
We perceive this variety in what are com.
monty called the elements. In the light;
from the first ray at break of dawn. to the
full blaze of perfect noon. We behold it
in the alterations Of the seasons; from the
oppressive heat Of summer, to the piercing
cold of winter, in the appearance ofsthe
transient and ever.varing clouds. from the
dense black mass, charged with the bolt
Of heaven; to those tinged with The hues
Of gold, of silver, of crimson, and of
those unnamed beautiful colors, which art
Jsbors, il vain to initiate, and to the light
fleecy troops, which, like embattled ar
mics, move slowly beneath the azure cano-
Nv of heaven. We behold this variety in
the; numerous species, orders, and classes
Of the precious things which the earth
produces, from the massy rock, to that
fossil star, the sparkling diamond. If we
turn our attention also to animated nature,
and glance at the feathered tribes that Peo.
pleth open frmament Of heaven, decked
as they are with almost every variety OF
color, and endued as they are with diff
ferent degrees-of strength, from the Con-
dor of the Andes, sweeping on its prey,
to the humming bird, with aplumage, the
beauty of which mocks the painters skill
the very same character prevails. We
behold it.. moreover, in the creatures
which are confined to the surface of this
globe; from the enormous elephant, down
to the most minute Of those creeping things,
which creep on the face Of the earth: in
shegreat and wide sea also, where heVla-
than sports, and where are creatures in.
Vulnerable. both small and great All in
iieavep, ON earth, and in ocean, teens
with variety. The same is perceivable in
the human frame. In the feebleness Of
infancy, the vivacity of childhood, the
g;1ddiness of youth, the contemplaiiveness
of manhood; in the venerable sage, and
in the old man, borne down with weight
of years, and filed with vain and ground
less apprehensions. We mark it in the
human mind. How various its powers!
How diversified its capacities in different
individuals. One has the genius of a
Milton, or a Newton; another is raised
only few grades above the idiot. onels
sq0f imagination all compactj" another
has judgment, as his master faculty;
thfrd excels in tracing events to their
causes; and actions to their principles,
and in chasing and arranging his ideas
with admirable facility; and he ranks with
those who are designated philosophers; a
fourth combines almostall these excelien-
cies, and appears equal to the acquisition
of any art or science he deems worthy Of
his attention, and to the accomplishment
Of any object he chooses 10 undertake.
And as allwithoutis is varied, so we our
selves are ever undergoing a change
The knowledge which we have to-day diff
fers in some respects from that which we
enjoyed yesterday; and with our know
ledge. in short period Of time, our very
character undergoes mutation. In few
years.. we appear to ourselves, and to
those who, after considerable lapse Of
time. renew their intercourse with us, dif.
fsreIt beings from what we were in child
hood, in youth, or in early manhood: and
in cid age we look around US, we are
ready to exclaim, where is the world
was born in! Who is there that ever takes
the trouble TO watch the movements OF
his own mind, who does not perceive that
be lies down on his couch every evening,
with views, OF feeling; or sentiments diff
fefent in some respects, minute, perhaps,
and only discoverable by careful attention.;
but yet different from any he had before
experienced! And do we Motif we make
the inquiry, every morning find that we
rise with emotions, purposes, and inten-