The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1850-04-16

surrounds us when we cast aside the word OF III
spired truth, and depend upon the uncertain teach
ngs of darkened reason-when we forget
-" The divinity that strs within us;
-" that points out an hereafter,
"And intimates eternity to man.
and look only to the brief and little interests that
attach to our present state. The brightest llHs-
trations OF fortitude that endures without COM
plant, ofa heroism that triumphs over all obstTue
ton, investing humanity with dignity more than
earthly, have been found in those whose faith had
based itself upon the word of God, and whose
gaze was fixed, not upon the fading gories ofths
world, but upon that exalted and enduring scene.
Where senph gather Immortality from lifss fair tree"
The eye Of sense can discover in many dispen-
sation of ofProvidence naught but shadows, clouds,
and darkness )" but the eye Of faith, piercing
through the gloom, discerns far beyond the all
guiding hand, and relies for safety and for succor
upon him who dwells in the ineffable brightness
What though the dispensation be shrouded In
mysterious darkness? What though the infinite
designs exceed our highest thougllt-sShall NOR
tai man be more just than God :" Shall we charge
the Almighty with injustice, because he hath not
made us his counselors? There will come day
when God will vindicate his own administration
when the results of his present operations shall
us
its nober sta:e shall be freed from the shackles of
ignorance and prejudice and error which encrcle
it here-when truth will assert her high preroga-
tive-when the light of eternity shall shine upon
all his works-a then shall every heart acknowl-
edge his justice, his wisdom, and his goodness
WI en- the sensual shall have sunk into its own
corruption, and the spiritual shall have ascended
to its Immortality, then shall the Just One re-
ceive universal homage, and the righteousness Of
God shall be the spendor Of his throne
If we consider the relation in which we stand
to our great Creator, it will be the dictate of
reason as it is the doctrine of revelation, that
we should yield implicit submission to his will.
If there is any good use to which adversely may
be made subservient, it is the part of wisdom to-,
find it out. A repining fretfulness over misfor-
tune never lightened the burden nor brought
comfort to the complaining spirit; but an hum.
BILE and pious acknowledgment of the will of
God, and meek submission to his chastenings,
have often brought tranquility to the troubled
heart, and lighted with the ray of celestial hope
the otherwise impenetrable gloom.
1t is permitted the Christian to regard every.
affective dispensation either as part of the dis
cipline by which he is fitted for Heaven, or as.
visitation of mercy sent him in Disguise. The
restraints which are exercised over human pas.
sion may be painful; nevertheless they arens-
cessary and good. The heavens may be elo&hr
ed with blackness, yet they TEEN with fertilhis
rains. The thunderstorm may be terrific to-
the eye, yet it may purify the noxious air In
the whole economy of nature has God institu-
ted such analogies, that we may learn to trust
him in the darkest hours, and under the severest
trials of our faith. Deprived of such comfort
as this trust in God inspires, many grief weha
too intolerable to be borne
| "a night, that glooms us In the noon.tide ray,
And wraps our thought at banquets, in the shroud."
Another important lesson which the late
mournful event is well calculated to teach us,
is the ailty and vanity of man. Death ought
to be at all times impressive; but when he has
selected "a shining mark" and his victim is ia.
ken from among the luminaries of land-when
the eye of genius is dimmed, and the voice Of
the eloquent orator is hushed in everlasting ST.
lence, and the wisdom of the prudent counsel
lor has perished- then with what force came
the words Of inspiratisn--" Let not the wise
man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty
man glory in his might, let not the rich man,
glory in his riches"
However melancholy it may be to witness;
the instability Of all human good, the impoten--
cy ofman to resist the progress Of decay and.
the power of death-to behold the bright intel.
lectual light extingushcd in the darkness of the
grave, and the overthrow ofhigh hope, and no.
bic aspirations it is we'll that we should pause
and linger upon tie painful subject, for though
the countenance may be made sad, yet heheart
may be made better. "The busy scenes in
which we live naturally takes up our thoughts
and attention, and it is with difficulty that they
are called offto the contemplation of truths that
are speculative, and which we consider as stand.
ing at Il distance from u.s. The senses, imagit
nation, H.nd passions are perpetually crowding
the mild with objects of their own, and amidst
the noise and tumult of these, the still voice Of
reason is not easily heard" But when great
calamity has overtaken us, when we stand in
the presence Of death, and learn that no human
skill could avert the blow, no human love pro:
cure even postponement of the doom, the
united voice of reason and inspiration loudly
cry, It'll, is the end of all-lct the living Law i
to his heart" How powerful corrective Is
this to the natural pride of man. If in the hour
of prosperity he forgets that he is mortal, and
imagines that his mountain stands strong, lei
him consider the day of adversely which shall
surely come; for "God hath set the one owe,
against the other" Let him not look alone Al