The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1841-06-01
VII oral am Reli lou 9 I.

PULPIT ELOQUEN E.
In the May number of the Knickerbocker, the
following specimen ofpulpt eloquence, is given
from sermon delivered not many months since, by
the Rev. J. N. Mafit. ~ 49,
fIe commenced with the text--sI have been
young, and now l am old; yet j have never seen
the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread
In his pictures of youth and age, and fthe sole
consolaton-tthe one hing neediul"--which could
sustain both, he broke forth in the following sublime
emblem: "a
''My friends, as look down from this advan-
tageous eminence, upon the different mortal ages
that appear before me,-upon cheeks painted with
the rosy blossoms of childhood, and lips red client
with the fragrance ofspring--when contrast them
with the corrugated lineaments and snow sprinkIed
temples of age, my mind labors with a fearful com.
parison. contrast the full veins and fair monI-
ded features of childhood with the thin and shriv
eled aspects of declining years, and liken to the
scenes we meet with tho broad ocean of exist
ence. In our better days, we leave the land of
pleasant youth in fairy bark; the sunshine laughs
on the pennon, and trembles on the sail the swee:
winds refresh our noistrels from tho howery Shore
the waves dance in brightness beneath our keel;
the skies smile above US, the sea around us, and
the land behind US as il receeds; and before track
Time wears on,-and the shore fades to the view
The bark and its mates are alone upon the ocean n.
The sky becomes cloGded, --the invisible winds
sweep with hollow murmur along the deep--the
sun sinks like a Of blood over the waters
which rise and tumble in mad confusion through
the wide radius OF the clouds like gloomy
curtains, arelfting from afar. The sails are rent,
broken cordage streams and whistles to the temp
est; the waves like molten mountains break upon
the half submurged and shuddering deck; masts
are rent TO spliniors, the seaman is washed from
the wheel Cries of terror and anguish 'mingle
with the remorseIess dash of pillows and the how
ing thunder and storm. The foundered boat sinks
as she plunges-the deck is breaking. God of mer.
cy!-Who shall appear for tho rescue Whcrefolels
the arms that are mighty to save7--Men and breth
ren-aid is near at hand-T Through the riffs of The
tempest, beaming over the tumumous waters
moves Pavilionsof golden light The midnight
is waning; gushes of radiance sparkle in tho foam:
atowering form smiles on the eyes of the despairng
~oyagcrs encrced with the halo OF glory i is the
Savior Of man, --t is the ark of the covenant! LII
moves onward--the waves rush back on either
hand,-and over track OF calm expanse tho ark is
borne. Who steps from its side and walks over
the deep as upon land? tits the great Captain of
our saivaton-the Mighty TO save He rescues ,l,e
drowning from death; the hopeless from gloom |
de stills The fury of the tempest; and fr the spr,
of mourning, he gives the song ofieioicing and the
garments of praise. Ark Of the Convenant !-roIl |
this way! We are sinking in the deep waters, and
there is none to deiver Letthe prayer be offered
and il will save US ALL s2i et }tr@- 49,