Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1851-10-14
SUNDAY READING,
"GOD WILLS IT"

"God wills it" was the watchword ofthose
Christian warriors, who, burning with the
fire Of religious enthusiasm, rushed to the
fields of Palestine to obtain possession Of the
Holy Land from out the hands Of the inf
dels. At the enthusiastic preaching Of Peter
the Hermit, as he journeyed from province
to province, under favor Of His Holiness, Ur-
ban the Second, the chivalry of Europe was
aroused, and, under the banner of the cross,
a mighty army was soon moving toward the
land Of "hallowed affection"
God wills it." was the war-cry of the
Christian army, when, on the plains Of Jul
dea, they met the Moslem hosts in battle.
Like magic, the sound spread from rank to
rank, and inspired their hearts to daring
deeds Of desperation. The chivalrous knight
heard the cry, and clutched his shield with
phrensied grasp. The Moslem warriors fell
like rain beneath the strokes of their well
tempered blades; and, after lingering toll and
pain, the Crusaders beheld, with inexpressible
Joy, the FURNISHED crescent fall from above
the giittering towers of the Holy City. The
banner Of the cross proudly waved its broad
folds over the walls Of Jerusalem, as the ar
dent devotees bowedin solemn devotion over
the holy sepulcher, while the plantive notes
of the Tie Deum were waited to heaven on
the soft breeze from fair OIivet's brow.
"God wills it" are words which afford to
the afflicted heart the most soothing e~onsoIa-
ton. Behold a ten9er-hearted mother, as.
with mournful look, she wends her way to
the new-made grave of her first born. The
breezes hum in moanful symphonies through
the dropping willows-tender branchlets-
but she needs not the plantive sounds. Gray
evening oyerhangs the beauteous landscape
with its somber drapery, yet she knows it not
Her soul is lost in lamentation-she Weeps
: she groans, and signs under the cruel hanc
of affliction, and knows no solace, till, as watt
, ed on the floating air, a sweet, melodiou
voice seems speaking iii her ear, God will
u it." Her countenance glows with beamin!
G Joy, and she quits the lonely spot with Ugh
and cheerful step.
Hath affection twinedher bewitching chat
around thy heart, and, in a cruel momen
g vile deception shown its hideous form, to dis
if sipate the sweets of love ?-sigh not, but i
n the lone hours of solitude and retirement sa
to thyself "God wills it" and be content.
, Hast thou long worshiped at the shrine
1 mammon, and, in a bitter hour, hath misfo
= tune come and left you penniless? learn II
4 to. fix thy hopes on the glittering dust
20 earth, or hang thy happiness on thy we
Is filed Golfers. Art thou ambitious, and do
thou lust for the plaudits of thy fellow:
id would'st thou win the warriors %laurels,
wear the victor's c%oronial wreath Z? remembe
IT. unthinking mortal, that man is an heir
disappointment and a~fHiction; and, if tho
could'st arrive at the acme Of fame, and ia
% in the effulgent rays Of the meridian sun
human glory, that misfortune is following
thy course. Be wise from thence, for it is t
will of God that man shall feel the bitter pal
of humbled pride.
Ike Then, sorrowing Christian, look up !
Does the cause of thy Master languish? ]
10 wicked men succor and persecute? He
not their vile blasphemy. Despair not,
@ God wills it." Labor on in. your no
work of humanity. Perevere in your he
enly course. Yours will be a rich and s.
reward. Notwithstanding all the ills q
woes to which mankind are heir, a peace
ely rest is yet in store. Thick clouds may /
elr er DER the way, and hide the future fir
9 q view, yet the mild beacon light of Tr
will shed forth its cheering rays, to GU
Lao the traveller safely to a bHssful home. CHI
the Master, says, yet a little while, and
shall see me-" How cheering the promi
laC- How SOOTHING the tb0uphtt