Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1853-06-16
Short Sermons on Short Texts.
f" THE LITTLE FOXES THAT #Po1Ls THE

THE LITTLE FOXES THAT polls THE VINES"
One of the most philosa bhical and beau,i-
ful essayisls of the present. century, very lust
ly remarks, that happines& is made up Of in
fnitesimals, and trinkles little drops adown
contentment's path, WHIP grief and misery
come in torrents. II is Equally true that The
neglect of these little thitIes causes unhappi-
ness, unthrilt, and soon 6fsngs on misfortune
and ruin. We are awa& on the look out for
lions in the way, and seREtraps for them, and
If need be, fight them and meanw while the
foxes, the little foxes, $et in and spoil the
vines which bear the l4bst tender and deli.
cious fruit. We are find of making great
achievements, ofsurmd1nting great obstacles.
and forget thousand Bite faults which need
correcting, and which will surely destroy the
harmony and beauty &character, unless they
are discovered and captured. These little
foxes are often bewitNhing creatures: SO in
nocent IN their gam1 1bls and play, SO funny
and winning 10 ei$aooks, so graceful and
easy IN their moveH& &nts, who can help ad-
miriDg thsm First&we regard them with
suspicion, then toleAfe them, then cherish
them, and then thew true 10 the nature of
deceit, play the traiN to our confidence
Ihey steal upon us aawares, and steal from
us not only the plea prcs of the present, but
they Kill the root frd&h which our pleasures
spring. When We bnsider ourselves most
secure, and relax on bur watch, these little
foxes are always re&dy to slip in. Some
times we notice theh; but they are really
too small 10 do mush harm, we think, and
SO we suffer them pluck leaf here and
there from the vines NE are cullvating, little
supposlng that everyaeaf which is torn from
lis place weakens Il hold Of the tendrils,
and blights the ten4er grapes. When we
endeavor to govern#our lives by principle,
these little foxes tell &s that a slight depart
ure is of no consequence, that we should al.
low ourselves trif1ng4 4berties now and then !;
and they point us toEthe bending, twining
vine, as an example Hvorthy OF imitation. --
When we resolve t&labor with our might
for some wise purpose, and TO make every
moment tell tor our Nnprovement, these lit
tie foxes tell us that I've must take an hour
occasionally for dive&ion, which is all very
well, were IT not fcrE EIe fact that there are
leglOns OF these anIm@s who have each some
new channel of amueement to open to us !;
and as consequenceEOur first resolution is
lost sight of. Well dkl Solomon say, Take
us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the
vines
However much these foxes diminish the
sum OF individual happiness, and lure the
mind away from its best interests, they are
perhaps more dangerous in the social circle.
They are continually Peseniing apologies for
the neglect of mutual DUTY, tempting the af-
faciinns toward forbidden objects, and then
pleading false excuses 81 extenuotion of crime.
Upon many hearth-sfone has the cheerful
blaze of kindly interestsmouIdered and died.
because these little foxes were not TAKEN
How many n vine Of domestic happiness.
planted in a rich and gsnial soil, which threw
up healthy, vigorous shoots, sent forth broad
and profuse leaves, bfpssomed in good time
with promise Of an abtIhdant fruit, has with
cred ere the grapes were rpened, and its
crisp and faded leaves3been scattered far and
wide long before the oStumn frosts, because
the little foxes were not taken and DESTROYED.
AS the most delicate and beautiful flowers
grow on fral stem, and the most delicious
fruits require constantsand careful culture, SO
the most perfect happiness is the result Of
succession of almost imperceptible causes
bloom which pre- re.suHposes the most care
ful watchtuness-a frGi which must be cul-
tivated with unceasing sattention. Ii is these
tender fruits that ihea little foxes attack
They take that which not enriches them.
though il makes the Aoser poor indeed. -
They destroy our choicest vines in the leaf,
the bud, the bloom or half formed fruit, and
make the gardens Of opr hearts desolate.
Then let us take th$ foxes, the little foxes
that spoil the vines. bet US watch for them
morning and EVENING" in hours OF business
and hours of leisure, when we are sad. and
when we are merry.k Let US drive them
from our gardens, our homes, and our hearts,
and cherish more eneerly the vines upon
which hang our hopes kf happiness. - Coun-
t,y Gentlemen.