Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1849-05-12
PRIDE.


Axuaesee rem . Sermon, By Permission.
Next to leaving man "without God II
the world" cut of from every source of Joy
and hope, proud heart embitter. his whole
life, in reference to the happiness earth is
appointed to convey. A proud man has q
high estimate Of himself, of his merits, and
Of the Difference due him; in which he will
find no one else acquiescing, far or near. He
may search the world over and not another
one shall be found, who values him, as he
values himself. And therefore every one he
meets, wrongs and Injuries him by detracting
from his merits by robbing him of virtues
and good qualities which he kno,rs he pos.
sesses; bowling not at his shrine casting no
incense upon the altar of his vanity; but pas
sing him by as one among thousand other
common men. And thus circumstanced, he
goes forth into the world, like Ishmael, with
his hand against every man, and every mans
hand against him. In every one he finds Il
foe, and chafed and bitter feelings, or open
strife and contention, are his daily portion,
clouding the whole life, over which the chris
tian grace of humility might have shed Il
holy calm and heavenly JOY? Oh that the
proud man could be taught 10 feel, that the
malignant spirit which tracks him through
out life, mingling gall with every cup Of Joy,
and embit,ering the most promising pleasures,
Us one born in his own bosom, and there nest
led and nourshed, till its Unsuitable appetite
hath drained dry the fountain of peace, and
its grim visage hath cast a pail upon every
Joy. And happy would it be for the rest of
the world, were the proud inan but one,
single individual to be at war with men, and
make himself constantly miserable. But
alas for human nature, he may find his fel-
low wherever he goes one who in his own
estimation is as richly endowed with good
qualities as himself: one who is just as en-
acting and who demands The same tribute
from all to his great eNcellences. And marx,
now, the unhappy consequences of the con-
tact OF such discordant elements. Peace of
mind, heavens most welcome guest in the
bosom of man, is rudely driven out, and it
becomes the arena for the widest storms of
VIC huiiidu PhSSio'S, uIuCi "HiSu 'hS uHii"P
py victim is torn and lacerated in spirit as
he was in body, who was possessed of devils,
and had his dwelling place in the ,ombs.
And when we remember that men are all
cast in the same mould; that this plague
spot in a greater or less degree, has tainted
us all. how universal must be the evil conse.
1uences resulting from this Indulgence of our
pride. Look out upon the strife and i'll will,
so prevalent in the human family. care not
where they are found, and discover the hid
den power that heaves and tosses the angry
waves of contention around us. Lay bare
the suriace,-lift out the extraneous circum-
stances-probe the fostering sore to the bot
tom and potent cause of mans ens,range-
ment from his fellow man, Of the heart sick
rnng discord, that prevails among children
Of the same father, and of the same house,
hold of faith; their inborn pride of heart. 1t
;s this that magnilies every insult and injury
fold; that finds an under current of i'll
will. anoi purpose of maligni,yin those who
have never harboured towards the unhappy
man an unki,,d thought. 1t is this thai
sharpen. hasty or harsh word, in the mo-
mentary heat Of hnotrn and tried trend, in
TO keen and cutting weapon. Ills this tina,
1chets the gentlest rebnke, lno matter how
well merited into pon,ed good. 1t is this
that gives its edge to the sneer and the iaunt,
and that mingles worm-wood ard gall with
liie's overilowing cup Of Joy. Oh unhappy
man that thysclf must MARI the harmony
and happiness God hath made thy portion.
Is this lie so long, that thou can'st abriC9e
its appointed years OF peace and of Joy, ana
give them up to strife and contention Are
there not sorrows enough incident 10 this ma
ture, groaning under the curse of sin and
death, that thou must needs multiply thy
share and deal them out with an unsparing
hand 10 all around!
Cease thus to ihwart the purposes of thy
creation. Go no longer forth TO sow thorns
and thistles in the fair garden, God hath ap-
pointed for this abode. But clothed in that
meek and lowiy spirit Of Him who for our
sakes was made a pattern of humility, be 1t
thy care to spread flowers in the pathway of
thy fellows, and peace and JOY upon the care
worn face of the sons Of sorrow and of want.
Be it thine to pour oil upon life's troubled
waters to lay the gentle hand of love upon
the chafed and fretted spirits of thy com
pauions and thy care. Be it thine TO find out
and bind up the bruised and broken hearts
tha, other mems violence has made TO bleed.
and by true sympathy, by words and deeds
of kindness, to share with them the burdens
ppessing them down to earth, thus fulfilling
the law of Christ, and showing thysel true
child of the high and lofty one, who while
he behodelh the proud afar off, dwelleih for
ever with him that is of a con,rle and hum
ble spirit.