Eastern times., 1850-11-07

three Thousand uOllars. This sum was dis
pensed somewhat ostentatiously. He liked the
reputation for benevolence it brought him -
But beyond this dispensation he never WENT
HIS o,cn, as he considered it, was held with a
clinging tenacity made more selfish by the fact
that he annually gave, all that even Heaven re-
quired him to give. No matter how strong or
touching the appeal, never did he go one far
thing beyond his tithe, never did he give dol
lar Of that which he looked upon as absolutely
his property.
Such was the condition and character of Mr..
Palmer, when the city of New York, in which
he lived, was threatened with commercial
crisis. Hundreds took the alarm, and COM
menced taking in sail while others lost,
through alarm, their ability to determine cor
rectly, any course of action. Among those
who calmly viewed the approaching storm,
was Mr.. Justin Palmer. He had large inter-
ests at stake; but he was not alarmed. He
felt that his feet were on rock.
During the twenty-,hree years that Mr.. Pal
mer had been in business, change of minis
tiers had twice taken place in the church to
which he belonged. The present incumbent
was Mr.. Orville, clear-seeing, deep, think
ing, pure-minded, conscientious man. He un-
stood the quality of Mr.. Palmer's mind far
better than Mr.. Palmer understood it, and did
not give him half the credit for benevoence
that he took to himself. 1t happened, one day,
that Mr.. Orville dined with the merchant.
After dinner, while they sat alone in The par
lor, the subject of the threatened collapse in
trade was referred to.
For my part, said Mr.. Palmer, do not
feel any alarm on this score. have great
deal at stake, to be sure, but am willing to
trust in Providence
Our only sure refuge and Defence replied
the minister TO be able to say, with the
Psalmist-'Though He slay me, yet will |
trust in Him. is indeed blessed privilege
Few attain so high state
MIR. Palmer saw that he was not understood.
Il don't even anticipate a reverse said he,
In c0nnQent manner.
Few can say that, replied the minister.
Because few have laid their worldly pros
perity on the same broad basis
The face of the minister showed that he did
not comprehend the merchants meaning. He
looked at his companion in silence.
My mode of doing business is peculiar,
\ IL
principle from most men. In word, have,
from the first, appropriated one-tenth of my
whole income to religious and benevolent pur-
poses, thus practically acknowledging that all
worldly goods are the Lords, and TO be used
as gifts from his hand. 1t is to this fact more
than to any superior business capacity, that
attribute my success in life; and, while
faithfully distribute this tenth of my income,
am in no fear for its diminution'
The minister, instead of expressing grati6-
cation at the announcement of this fact, and
asserting to the truth of Mr.. Palmer's conclu-
sion, sat silent, with his eyes upon the floor.
s. Is not my confidence well based = asked
the merchant, who was a little surprised at the
coldness of Mr.. Orville's manner
Il do not see, in the reason you give, any
guaranty for immunity
you don'tl'
NO
'Will God mock met There was some.
thing indignant in the way this was uttered.
The Lord regards the eternal good of his
creatures, and causes all natural things to sub
serve that purpose. If to retain your property
will best promote your spiritual welfare, yol
will be permitted to retain it: but if you neet
the reaction of its loss, be sure the loss will
come. God is spiritual and eternal being
and regards only spiritual and eternal ends
He does not give wealth to any one in consid-
Grafton of the charitable uses he may make O.
it; but, only, because such condition is bet
ter for him spiritually, than poverty. Many
are permitted to enjoy this worlds good for q
season, and afterwards made to feel the pres
sure of adversely; but the first condition was
not given as any reward of merit, nor was tht
other sent in anger as punishment; botf
were designed as aids to the soul in its rejec
tion of evil and elevation into good
These were higher truths than Mr.. Pal
mer had been in the habit of contemplating
and they sounded strangely and unpleasant
ly in his ears. They were not higher
truths than Mr.. OrviIIe had preached to hi:
congregation Sabbath after Sabbath; only
the merchants spiritual intelligence hat
ranged below them. Truth, whenever ennn
ciated, always makes its own impression,
is always seen at first glance, 10 be true
Afterwards it may be confirmed or rejected
according to the state Of him who hears it
What Mr.. Orville said, struck the mind o
Mr.. Palmer with the jarring force of unwel
come intelligence. Instantly, however, hi
sought reasons for discrediting the positions
assumed.
Il don't know, Mr.. Orville,' replied the
merchant, that it follows as consequence
that mans spiritual state determines his
external condition. The bounties of Heaven
are distributed in the earth through human
agencies: and it seems to me, that the bes
steward will have the largest stewardship
1t is because have acknowledged the Lore
as the proprietor of all earthly goods, ant
distributed, literally. Of what came inio my
hands, tina, have prospered in my basket
and store. At least, so have always beer
| willing to believe