The Ohio Democrat. [volume] (Canal Dover, Ohio) 1840-1900, 1844-03-21
CHAPTER III.

.. CHAPTER III. .,
Behold, your house is left unto you desolae Msih % "a
Seven long years had into the vast abyss of eer
nifty since Edward Clifford left the place of his nativity
and great many rumors surmises and may y-bes were
in circulation to his fate Some supposed he had
gone mad under the influence of love while others pre-
dicted that he was dead And no one seemed to take
more lively interest in those prognostics then the old
Judge as he was fully aware that it was through his
false notions and selfish disposition that drove Clifford
from his home, and his only tender amiable and afec
ionate child down 10 an untimely grave.
AS he sat one day meditating upon mis- past lie the
weekly newspaper of the town was handed him by one
of the domescs of the house. He Immediately unfold
ed it. and the first article that his eye caught immediate
ly under the editorial head, read as follows:
"There will be preaching this evening at the Metho-
dist Episcopal Church, by the Rev. E. CLFFoRD on
the second coming of our Saviour: general attend
ance is expected. s.. ~....,. t-. ... .r
Mr., Clifford is the same young man that left this
place s3me years since under circumstances best known
to himself Since he has been gone however the hand
OF fortune has smiled upon his abos BY strict perse-
verance and economy he has obtained collegiate ed
calon and being called upon he says to preach the gos
pei, he studied Divinity married woman OF his choice
and returned TO the land Of his birth" i
"Merciful Providence, exclaimed the old man as the
paper dropped from his hand"can it be possible that
the poor ofcast has reurned?" :i .'' 81
eyes he has returned; the very same person that ]
scoed at and refused to have him enter my door the
account of his poverty has returned and that too as
servant of God pointing out the errors of men, how
Iong to lneel at his feet and confess the injuries that
have done him." t..a... ,...-..s.f. .-...... ....
! Alter the sermon was over on that evening" (Which
was delivered in an eloquent and pathetic style, SO
much that it brought tears from the eyes of most Of
the assembly, call was made by the-preacher to any
that felt dsposedo turn their backs on the beggarly ele
ments ofthe world they shouldmake it manifest by COM
ing forward and seat themselves around the altar .
Surprising as it may seem, Judge Gilman was the
first out OF great number that approached the stand
yielding his hand to man that he had wronged and
his heart to an all wise and benevolent God mploring
| the pardon of both and he would sin no more
Although time has wrought a great many changes
since the event Of our story is still fresh in the minds
of many for they often see the modest and handsome
little Medora the adopted daughter Of the Rev. E.
Clifford, shewing flowers upon the graves OF her heart
broken mother and sorrow stricken grandfather
New Philadelphia, O.
OPINIONS limo case can man be juslyrewarded or
punished for his opinions they originate not in the will
but in the understanding; they are involuntary and not
criminal, When the mind perceives sufficient reason
or cause for believing proposition ii is evident it must
believe it would be absurd TO say one had seen su-
cent reason for believing statement and could not be-
ieve it, On the otherhand when the mind perceives
reason or cause for believing proposition untrue, the
mind must believe tuntrue, because it has been su-
cent reason for it.
The truth of these observations is evident from the
absurdiy that would follow the contrary supposition;
which would be to admit that the mind was capable Of
believing proposition to be false which at the same
ime concluded to be rue or dsbelieving what it had
reason to believe Heret is evident that belief of any
kind or unbeef any kind does not imply moral guilt
We must believe what our judgment tells us is true dis
believe what our judgment tells us is untrue and doubt
what our Judgment has not perceived sufficient reason
for believing to be either true or false sgass 10 e-
THERE'S no crime withouta breach of some moral
law but here thefeis no breach Of any moral law but
the fu6lment ofan mperiouslaw of nature, which i'm
pes US TO believe what we do not see reason for belle
vings-[ Boston Investigator. "a h iastst ss,,e, lg,
IiiFosroRs, Let aman keep to probability and he
Twin hardly ever impose on any. BY dealing in the
marvellous he tckles the imagination, and carries o.
way the judgments land Judgment once gone, wAa
shall save man from n follyl ss z p6,l ,,s,s,is
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