Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1844-01-11

From fhs Chariessoa CoErIer.
THE LORDS PRAYER.

We can be more simple, more beauti
ful, more profound. than this prayer; a
once familiar, yet elevsting,--endearing
still suhIimel
And here let US drop word on prayer
| The proper uses OF prayer are no; to seek
change 10 the DEGREES OF Heaven, but
TO place ourselves in unison with them
Our Master has eaid, "Ask and il shall be
given; seek and ye shall find; knock and
it shall be opened unto you" Is not this
one OF thu laws of His Crtationl The un.
blest mo sci has no cheering influence.
We remember when we were boy, and
had Committed any act that we consid r.
I'd sinful, VIZ couli not say our prayer,
but with psieful misgIvlngs.
Does no, this shew the conservatiug
effect ofprayer1 But after this explsna,o.
~ depression, let US proceed To consider
The separate beauties of this sublime, yet
simple and natura, investigation.
"Our father who art in Heaven. -
What name could connect with so many
treasured associ atoms, or lift the soul up
in higher sourcel All the kindness and
care Of an earthly parn is called into ac-
ton to give a living value 20 that endear-
ing name, and when these are rlpen. in .
TO action, we are reminded that the Faith.
err We are addressing, (though around,
about and within us, )siill holds His High
est Sea. of Glory in Heaven. Is n t this
calculated at once to inspire US with love,
and fill us with humility TO make us SEN
slbe of our own weakness and imperf.c-
ton, and of His exceeding condescsnsions.
"Halowed be thy Name. We are
here reminded that the name of our Gre
ator should never be used on profnne &C.
casions-that it is q name 10 be approach
ed with reference, ana for no other than
useful, honorable, and pious purposes;--
that it should be constantly associated
with filal love in our minds, never on our
tongues but with revereEtial Difference.
''Th- Kingcom come. "--Throuehou,
the scri pturss we are assured that a day
is approaching. when all power, on earth,
as in heaven, shall be merged in the great
and good Creator Of all things. How ap-
propriate, then, when addressing Him, TO
express our wishes for the arrival OF that
glorious day?
''Thy will be done on Earth as It is in
Heaven. And here let us inquire how
the will OF God is done in Heaven; that is,
as far ms our feeble perceptions can carry
US. Do we moi see His Sun giving light,
and life, and beauty 10 externsl nature?
Do we not feel its internal influences in
the mir that we breathe. the fond tina, we
eat, the streams that we refresh ourselves
with, the flowers and fruits that regulate
our seasons, the very sounds that virbra,e,
on our ears? Do we not ser the planets
revolving each in its sphere and doing
zach its defined duties spreading rays of
light and giving examples of harmony?
Do we not see comets sweeping through
immensely, spreading His blessings and
obeying His laws. WHO is blessed forever
more, with a certainty and direciness that
is perfect Are not these the visible i'm
ages, the evi fences OF chat Kingdom
which is unsern, but eternal in the Hea
vens1" And do not they all say, "Go
thou and do likewise"
GIVE us this day our daily Bread. -
To whom could we So naturally look up
and off-r this petition with such certainty
Of success when done in sincerity, as to
Him. who though we may forget Him, ne.
yer for moment forg Is us. "The cat.
tie On thousand bills are Nine" saith
the Lard; and it is ,hr'' His vivifving in
Hnences that the plains aud f. Ids leem
with grain, and the orchards ale lordnd
with odorous and grateful fruits. The
SEA and the air ass, are full of his houn
ties. How provi ent is our gr' at Great r!
How fitting that we should acknow edgA
the hand that bestows So many blessings
"Forgive us our trespasses. as we for.
give those who tr-spass against US. Let
us here remember who it is that re ,ches
us this that il is HIM who daily. hourly.
momently iorgives our msdoinps. and
overlooks our alterations i,om duty, and
for our own happiness calls upon us TO ex-
tend the same, or similar measure OF
benevolence, and good feeling to our er.
ring brethren. Alas! il our Creator mea-
sured TO us His forgiveness, or His boun.
ties, by our own standard, we should be
miserable indeedl
"Lpai US not into temptation, but deliver
us from evil. Are we not highly favor.
ed TO D. permitted thus TO look to him as
our shirld. and our defence, who guides
our footsteps by day and guards our pillow
by night. Who holdes his nlis over US,
When ten thousand dangers. of which we
are unconscious, surround usl Who tenn
pers the atmosphere, which we breathe,
10 our necessities, and fills the earth with
his abundance
"For thine is the Kingdom, and the
power, and the glory, forever. Amen
Whist beaut flh ascrip'ion. and how
richly in accordance with all that we see
an f.. |, and know! Not that our pr is s
ere grf tAful to our Creator in any other
sense than tina, they tend to elevate us
above earthly desires and feelings, and
draw US nearer 10 Him. To this rich
and harmonious conclusion, let US breathe
a hearty, lervent Amen! P.
A HEAVY DEALER.--"l1as Mr.. Breed