Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1844-12-13
What is Providence.
by MISS sEDGwIcK.

uuut IN UEIuCnCes
By MISS sEDewrcK.
Take. for example. young girl, bread
dellcateiy in town, shut up in a nursery in
her childhood lin boarding school thro'
her youth, never accustimed either to air
or exercise, two things that The lau Of God
makes essential to health. She marries !:
her strength is inadequate 10 the demands
upon it. Her beauty fades early. She
languishes through her hard offices of Civ
ing birth TO children. sucking and watching
over them, and dies early. "What strange
Providence. that mother should be taken,
in the midst of life, from her children. -
Was it Providence? No! Providence
has assigned her three score years and ten;
term long enough 10 rear her children,
and TO see her children's children; but she
did not obey the laws on which life de-
ponds, and Of course she lost it.
A father, too, is cut off in the midst Of
his days. He is useful and distinguished
citizen, and eminent in his profession. A
general buz rises, on every side, Of "What
a striking Providence" This man has
been in the habit of Studying half the
night, of passing his days in his Office and
the courts, of eating luxurious dinners, and
drinking various wines. He has every
day violated the laws on which health de-
Ponds. Did Providence cut him off,
The evil rarely ends here. The diseases
Of the father are often transmitted and
feeble mother rarely leaves behind her Wig
orous children.
1t has been customary in some of our
cities, for young ladies TO walk in thin
shoes and delicate stockings in mid win.
ter. A healthy blosoming young girl, thus
dressed in violation of Heavens laws. pays
the penalty; a cheched circulation, cold,
fever, and death. ''What sad Provi-
dence!" e8claim her friends. Was it Prov
idence. Or her own folly
A beautiful young bride goes, night after
night. to parties made in honor of her mar.
riage. She lsas slightly soar throat, per.
haps, and the weather is inclement;; bu,
she must wear her neck and arms bare
Tor whoever saw bride in close evening
dress? She is consequently seized witt
an Inflammation of the lungs, and the grave
receives her before her bridal days are O.
ver-"Whal Providence!" exclaims thu
world. "Cut off in the midst of happi
ness and hope!' Alas, did she not Gu
the thread Of life herself!
A girl in the country exposed to on,
ctangeful climate, gets new bonnet in
stead of getting flannel garment. A
rheumatism is the consequence. Should
the girl set down TRANQUILITY with the ides
that Providence had sent the rheumatism
upon her. or should she charge j. OH hei
F vanity. and avoid the folly in future?
Look, my young friends, at the mass o
diseases that are incurred by intemperanc.
in eating or drinking, or in study, or in bu
slness; also being caused often by neglec
Of exercise, cleanliness, pure air, by indis
Greet dressing, tight lacing, &C., and all i.
quietly imputed to Providence! Is there
not impiety as we'll as ignorance in this
Were the physical laws strictly observed
from generation to generation, there woult
. be an end to the fright(ul diseases that GU
; life short, and of the long list Of maladie.
. that make life torment of trial. 1t is the
opinion of those who best understand the
physical system, and this wonderful ma
chine. the body, this goodIy temple, would
. gradually decay, and men you'd die as j
falling asleep.