The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1854-07-01
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RELIGION AND POLiTICs.-The cclebrat-
cd Robert Hall, in his admirable article enti-
tied Christianity consistent with the love Of
Freedom uttcrs the following opinions which
are especially pertinent to the present state
of Affairs anon. rs:
Though Christianity does not assume any
immediate direction in the affairs of govern
ment, it inc,lratcs those duties and recon-
men'ls tina: spirit which will ever prompt us
TO cherish the principles of freedom. 1t
teaches us to check every selfish passion, TO
consider ourselves as part of a great commu
nifty, and to abound in all the fruits of an ac-
: tive henevolence. The particular operations
OF this principle will be regulated by circum-
stances as they arise, but our obligation to
cultivate it is clear
live are bound to protect a ncghbor or
even an cncmyfrom violence. to rive rai,ncnt
when he is naked. or food when he is hungry.
much more ought We (mi;istcr>) to do our
part toward the preservation of free gov
eminent on the only basis on which the en-
Joymcnt Of these blessings can surely rest
lie who breaks the letters Of slavery and de-
hvers nation from thral,lom. forms in NV
opinion the modest comment on the great law
of love, whilst he distributes the greatest
blessings which a man can receive from man
but next TO that is the merit of him who. in
times like Ike present, watches over the c,li-
flee Of public liberty, repairs its foundations
and Strengthens its cement when he bcho!ds
it hastenin. TO decay
HE WIDOWS LAMr.-Somc years ago
there dwell widow i'll lonely cottage on
the sca>horc. All around her the coast was
rugged and dangerous: ard many a time was
her heart melted by the 81 ght of wrecked fish
ing boats and coastins vessels, and the pitc-
Gus cry perslling human beings
One stormy night. when the bowling wind
was making her loneliness mere lonely, and
her mind was con Turing up what the next
morningslisht might DISCLOSE happy thought
occurred to her. Her cottage stood on an
elevated SPOT. and her window looked out up
on the sea might she not place her lamp BY
that window, that it might be beacon l,l,
to warn some POOR mariner off the coast :
She did so. And all her lie after during the
winter nights, her lamp burned at the win
dow; anil many a poor fisherman had cause
to bless God for the widows lamp; many
crew were saved from rcrishine.
That widow woman lid what She could"
and If all Delivers kept their li.ht burning as
brightly and steadily. NIGH. not many a soul
be warned to flee from the wrath to come >
Many Christians have not the power to do
much active service for Christ bat if they
would live as lights in the world. thew would
DO much II those who cannot preach to the
old or teach the young. would but walk wor
thy of Him who hath called them to his kinc-
dom and glory, how much more would the
hands Of ministers and teachers be strength
encl.
HE OLD TrNE.-A Young man had wan
dercd from his home. and far also from the
promises OF his childhood. His religion. cul-
ture seemed to have been in vain, so far as
related to the conversion Of lis heart, and the
sanctticaIon of his life to the service of God
lie was passing in steamer up the Hudson
liver, when standin. near the wheel-housc
he heard some one within whistiny a tune
with which he had been familiar from child
hood in his home in ENGLAND. It was a tupc
attached to sacred words in his memory, and
~ once with an Uncomfortable power the SOL
cmn verses rlshcd into his mind. and with
them all the rciiuiouS associations of his child.
hood. The effect upon him was ovcrwheln,-
ing and decisive. Powerful convictions of
sin followed; humble penitcnt he souch,
and obtained pardon at the hand of God
Called afterwards to the work of the ministry
he became faithful and successful preachc,
OF the gospel, and last spring, having finished
the work that was given him to DO and kep
the faith with peculiar Christian triumph. h,
conquered the last enemy, ana received the
crown OF lite. The bread thus cast ever,
"abbath upon the waters, will not fail to re-
turn, though DELAYED for many DAYS.
RESIGNATION AND FAITH-Bc silent an,
believe. Hold thy peace ard let thvsc!f b,
guided by the hand Of God. Suffer in pa
tiencc, and walk on in strong falkland tho
1t seems to thee that thou Gocst rothiro AM
art idle. beng SO dnmb and resigned vet il j.
ofinfntc fruit. The blinded beast that turn.
the wheel OF the mill, though it sceth not
neither knows what it does. vet it docth =
great work in grinding the corn.
HE LAST H"rE.-Thc Cambridge Chron.
'cie says the Rev. DR.. Bacon closed his late
Dudeian Lecture at Harvard University
with the following words:
"Glvc me. in the calm cold hour Of death
not abso'uton bestowed by pricstv hands.
nor beatlcum pronounced by priestly lips.
but thai strong and earnest faith in the cos-
pei which inspired apostles and martvr.which
gave strength to the church of the PILGRIMS.
and which still CLOVIS in the bosom of the
christian teacher in temperate or torrid clmes
in foreign lands and oceans isles"