The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1843-04-25
Moral and Religious.
RELIGION THE BEsTAND Only

REI4IGIO N II III ID ES Il A N ID y My
SUrpoRr IN CASES OF REAL STRESS.
There are no principles but those OF religion to be
depended on in Of real stress; and these
bic to encounter the emergencies; and 10 hear
us up under all the changes and chances to which
life is subject.
Consider then what virtue the very principle Of re-
ligon has and how wonderfully it is conducive to this
end that there is God, powcrfu,a wise and good
Being who first made the world and continues to
govern it; by whose goodness all things ale designed
and by whose providence all things are conducted
to bring about the greatest and best ends The sor-
rowful and pensive wretch that was giving away to
his misfortunes, and mournfuly sinking under them,
the moment this doctrine comes to his aid bushes all
his plaints-and thus speaks comfort to his soul,
--.It is the Lord let him do what seemeth him good
without his directionI know that evil can befall
ne,--wihout his his permission, that no power can
hurt me sit is impossible Being wise should
mistake my happiness, one SO good contradict it.
If he has denied me riches and other advantages
perhaps he the gratifying Of my wishes would un
do me, and by my of them be perverted to
my ruin If lie has denied me the request Of child
in his providence has thought fit to take them
from mellow can l say whether lie has not dealt
kindly with and only taken that away which he fore
saw would imbitter and shorten my days?-It does
so 10 thousands where the dsobedience Of thank
less child has brought down the parents gray hairs
with sorrow to the grave. Has he visited with
sickness, poverty, or other disappontments ?-can
say but these blessings in disguise $50 many diff
ferent expressions Of care and to dsentange
my thoughts from this world, and fix them upon
other-another, better world beyond this!''-This
L.. r. ~rl
the unfortunate and the persuasion Of Provi-
dence reconciles him TO the evils he has suffered
this prospect Of future life gives him strength de-
spse them land esteem the light Affections of this life,
they are, not worthy to be compared to what is
served for him hereafter.
Things great small by comparson-and he
who looks no farther than this world and balances
the account Of his joys and sulferngs from that
sideration, finds all his enlarged and at the
close Of them will be apt to look hack, and the
sad ref cotton upon the whole, the Patriarch did
to Pharaoh, "That few and evil had been the days
Of his pilgrimage' But let him lift up his eyes to-
wards heaven and steadasty behold the life and inn
mortality Of future he then wipes away all
from his eyes forever: like the exied captive,
big wththe hopes that he is returning home he feels
not the weight Of his chains counts the days of his
captivity; but looks forward with rapture towards the
country where his heart is fed before.
These are the aids which religion offers towards
the regulation of our spirit under the evils Of hfc
but like great cordials they seldom used but on
great occurrences. In the lesser evils of life
10 stand unguarded-and our peace and contentment
overthrown, and happiness broke in upon, by
little Impotence Of spirit, under the and unto
ward accidents meet with. These stand unprov-
ded for,and we neglect them do the sghtcr in
dispositions ofthe body-whch think not worth
treating seriously, and SO leave them to nature. In
good habits of the body, this may do,-and would
gladly believe, there such good habits of the
per, such complexional and health Of heart,
as may often save the patient much medicine. We
still to consider, that however such good frames
Of mind arc got, they are worth preserving by all
rues:-Patience and contentment, which like the
treasures hid in the field Cor which sold all he
had to purchase-is Of that price, that it cannot be
had at too great purchaser since without it the best
condition of life cannot make us happy; and with it,
is impossible that we should be miserable even in
the worst ierne's Sermon