The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1842-06-28
IT'S ALL FOR THE BEST.

A pious captain was accustomed, whatever
affective providence might befall him. to express
himself as perfectly satisfied, 1t would be in one
way or another to his advantage. 1t happened just
previous 10 important voyage lie was contemp>
lating, he had his leg broken by fall, so hat he
was prevented from embarking An intimate
friend-a stranger to the resources and conso la
lions Of piety-knowing the usual method by which
he resolved his difficulties asked him if he thought
that was for the best? To whom the moro than
heroic, the Christian navigator promptly replied,he
had no doubt Of it. Even TO the view of a world
ling whose vision is so narrow lie can grasp moth.
ing beyond the boundaries of time, the result prov
cd the position be correct. The vessel sailed al
The appointed time. The second in command
took the place of the captain. Prosperous breezes
sped the away from port; but, as in the affec
ting instance Of the President steamer, not one ev.
returned 10 give an accoun, Of the disaster that
must have occurred. In a moment they may have
sunk like lead in the mighty deep, or stranded on
some inhospitabe shore, they may havo lived and
died the slaves OF savages, have been instantly
dispatched by their barbarous hands. II was all
for the best.
Such invariably, we are taught, is the character
Of Divine Providence towards the pious. 1t often
arch Jacob exclaimed, as his trials thickenod upon
him, GAN these things against me-" Yet the
unseen hand Of God turned them all to his profit.
His darling Joseph, instead of having been devour
ed by some wild beast, was sold into Egypt by his
envious brothers; Wherc G I'd after supporting him
in the DUNGEON at length placed him at the right
hand Of Pharaoh by which MEANS during a pro-
tracted famine, he not only saved Egypt over which
l. r. N
hold. We are also referred by scripture to the
more remarkable instance Of lob. At first he seem
ed TO be mark for all the arrows Satan could
direct Only his life was kept out of his hands
His effects, his herds and locks, were taken. His
ten children, by whirldwind from the wilder
ness were chrushed together in the house where
they were feasng. The wife OF his bosom
babe him curse his God and die His health as
we'll as his wealth took to themselves wings and
fed away. And his friends that should hav cheer
ed his broken heart upbraded him with Haunting
reflections, and hesilated not to prefer against HIM
the odious charge of hypocrisy. But the thick
cloud that seemed to threaten his very life, began
to dissipate The storm of adversely abated. Its
lightnings ceased TO seattle his soul. Health, and
wealth, and children, and friends, not only return
ed, but returned in far exceeding that Of
his former prosperity. should there, however, be
no relief as 10 this world-should death alone
prove the closing of trial still it is all for the
best.
Affection, by the grace Of God, is the furnace OF
the soul, &c purge away its dross and make it as
the gold which has been thoroughly refined. Irk
some as it is 10 flesh and blood, and for the timo
being exceedingly grevous, it nevertheless after.
ward yields the peaceable fruits Of righteousness
The modification Of the carna affections proves
the renewal aud inauguration of the spiritual appe-
utes Otten the result OF The process is so happy
as more than 10 reconcile the suffering subject to
the severity Of its mode. lie counts it all ioy IN
being thought worthy of chastsement and sings f
the judgment that deals the blow, because of the
mercy by which it is tempered. And what is
death but gain Death, besides forever termina.
ting the SORROWS ofthe saint, introduces hun into
larger sphere Of celestial bliss than he had other.
wise received. His light affections, which are bu,
for moment, in the beautiful and consong Ian.
guage of insp ration, work out for him far more
exceeding and eternal weight of glory. What
more then the and daughters OF affection
ask, if they only improve the dispensations Of the
Lord "All things work together for good to