Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1847-07-01
MORAL AND LEGAL SUASION.

There are two ways in which God governs men.
ne one is government ofmUtives presented 10 the
mind In the way of moral suasion. the other a 90
vernment of law and force externally applied. The
one leads, the other drives where leading will not
do The one shows him the right way and entreats
him TO walk in it, and if he will not the other re-
strains and controls.
The nature of these two kinds of Government is
beautifully exhibited in the thirty second Psalm
There God makes proposition Of these two kinds
or government TO the wicked, and lets them choose
by which they will be governed Il will instruct
thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt 90
will guide thee with mine eye. BE We not as the
horse or as the mule, which have no understanding;
whose mouth must be held IN ,cM bit and bride,
lest they come near unto thee" Here he proposes
first 10 instruct and teach and thus lead them in
the way they should go, by motives addressed 10
the understanding. Here he proposes to have his
eye upon them, tenderly TO guide and encourage
II they yield TO instruction and suffer themselves to
be led, well and good but if they have no under
standing, and prove stubborn like the male or the
horse, then he must restrain, direct and control by
putting the bit and bride into his mouth. The re-
straints of the law must curb that which gentler
means could not. When the wrath of man becomes
troublesome and will not be stayed by motives
God will do TO man as he does to old Ocean when
he lays his hand upon his name and says thus far
shalt thou co. hut no farther ''Jhe wrath of man
shall praise him, the remainder of wrath will he re-
strain"
In the same manner az God has two WAYS to
govern men, so men have Two ways to govern each
other. The one by motives. the other by law, ap-
Piled by superior power. The one which proposes
motives to the understanding is the first to which
we must resort. We say first to them who deal in
strong drink 10 the injury ofsociety-I will instruct
thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt 90.
We treat them as men having understanding. We
reason with them. We try TO convince them by
argument that they are engaged in an unjust and
sinful business We appeal to their human feel
ngs-we appeal to their patriotic feelings
we appeal to their religious feelings. We try to
show them how they are violating faith between
man and man, between man and his country, be-
tween man and God We ring into their ears the
law OF the Iand-the law of God. "wounto him that
gveth his neghbor drink" We echo into their
consciences the cries Of orphans which arc worse
than orphans. and of widows that are more than
widows. We show them rs fruits of their bust
mess. homes which are not hOmeS-hlsbands which
are not husbands--yows recorded in heaven. tram
pied upon and br0ken-anections once warm. for
ever ended--hopes which lived as bright rs Il dew
drop on the bridal day, withered-hears broken
And what more} We tell of sgis that end not
aud of tears that always fall but can wiring no rner-
cy from the steeIcd heart of the dram-seller +
der!! Madness l!-All the fruits of his business
Nay. it is enough If these appeals 10 tie undert
standings. feelings, and consciencts of men will not
avail, must we give itup? Ifarguments like these
will not persuade. If facts like these will not con
vince, if truths like these will noinstruct and leach
men IN the way they should go, must we give it
up! Must we look quietly on while a few m
prucipled men are dealing damnation and death a
round them? Must the great mass Of society be
thrown Ill detencelessly among few who havo no
consciences, no feelings whose interest it is to sell
the peace Of families, the widows house, and the
Orphans bread, yea, even the souls of men for dol
lars and cenis?-Rev. Henry Habeqgh on HE Ii
ccnse Question.
! One Of the volunteers who was at the stormino
Of Vera Cruz, reports, that during the lombard
mcut, Gen. Scott, riding along the American line
and seeing some Of the soldiers raising their head:
above the embankment, 10 get a view Of the worl
Of destruction in the city, called out familiarity
"Better take care there i--Sone of you viii oe
your heads knocked off before you know itJ5
! "Hadnt you better take care of your own ks<,d
General 2" answered one ofthem "Oi fhgS mai,
Generals so easy now, it isn't much odds<s o,o =
them should get killed" replied the ei6 Ceasral
49, ------------------zl
When you see small waist. tb,nk hos. rnucI
health is wGsted "~