The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1854-10-14
Lords Prayer.

Lords Prayer.
This is an authentic prayer which Christ set
as model not as a form. 1t is set before Il c |
human family. 1t is the universal prayer
Beside its simplicity. its depth, its comprehen-
siveness, its majesty, there have gathered about
this transparent model extensive interests
For now near two thousand years. it has been
the prayer of all Christians. 1t was spoken by
Christ 1t was remembered and used by the
Apostles. Their disciples adopted it. 1t be
came universal prayer. It'll has lived 10th in
the pure and in the corrupt Church. While
the learned and cultured felt its significance.
and brcathed it forth as part of their daily
dev otion. the poorest laborcrs. the most igno-
rant Christian servants were also touched by
it. and comlorted. 1t was imbcdded int the
onglomeratc litursies Of the Church; and
while in magnificent cities and from the recess
sess of grand cathedrals it was uttered by gor-
gcous priests, amidst the smoke OF incense. and
chanting choirs it still retains its simplicity.
its depth. its spirituality. This sweet
PRAYER lay amidst the Romish rit-
nal like some little lake amidst mountains.
pilcd up about it, with rank luyurance, and
full of the pOmp Of the seasons. while the lake
lay TRANQUILITY rejecting heaven in its bosom.
But while cathe1rals listened to it. so did
caves and dcns of the earth whittier fled trem-
bling and prosecuted Christians from the wrath
This prayer has served its benignant purposes
in ali languages and under every sky. Would
YOU run eagerly to behold the spot where some
memorable battle was fought! Would you
turn aside and feel your heart stirred when
standing upon the spot where Milton wrote his
mighty epic? Would you feel the shadows of
old days lowering about you.wcre You to stand
in Luther's old church. or university room!
Would YOU rcverently stand, as | did. upon
.I,o ,l,oo .kor lana tb,n EIworl, niSSinn-
ary among the Stockbridge Indians, wrote his
mastery treatise upon the Will?
All these are mental states most natural to
noble natures that feel themselves spoken to
and rcbukcd for their iittlcncss in every spot
where some great heart has lived and spok
en- to and inspired to hcroism in every place
where great and imperishablc deeds have hap
pened. What then shall one feel in the pres
cnce of of this blessed prayer? 1t is the or Is
prayer. 1t has been the prayer of his uni,er-
sal Church! TWAS this that our mother taught
u.s. 1t was the sacred sentence of this prayer
that first OF cned our infantlpswith the language
of devotion. 1t is dear to our memory. 1t is
full of the m;stS and budding desires of child
hood 1t is pcrfumcd with parents love. 1t
is full Of suggestions of home. brother, and SIS
ter, and mother. 1t was frening prayer
When the sun had gone down, when shadows
stretched themselves forth more widely. when
the evening star hang silent over tue horizon,
when evening insects were full of chirpings.
and the bclated bat flung himself noisclessly
about for food, then in the hush of the day.
Bonded before 4 mothers knee, with little
hands innocently put together, aud held in
hers, with stamnlcrlng repetition wccchO with
our child's voice. the soft low voice OF mother
as she uttered with love and awe this divincst
prayer.
1t is therefore. a. sacred as use. as love, as
memory. as devotion as the hope of heaven,
and the love Of goodness can make it Nous
ing will wear it away. 1t is like the atmos-
phere. Stones crumblc under continual foot
steps, the hardest wood will wear under the
softest hands that do ply it for years but one
may rush through the air for ever and it can
not be chatcd or worn. 1t has recovering force
like tabled spiritual natures. when wounded.
with instant power to heal itself And Ike
that ethereal sunlit atmosphere is this divine
prayer, that remains fresh in everlasting youth:
no uttcring can make it tritc, no frequency
can wear it ont. no rcpctitions can tire the
soul of it. 1t begins life with us, it goes thro'
life dcarcr at every period and, when age be-
gins to shrivcr and trcmble among our decay
ing bOughs. this is that which like the damsel
of David. lies in our BOSOM and lends lis
warmth, and breaths another life into our de-
caying limbs.-Henry WIard B echcr.
CHARACTER VERSUS WEAITII.-One of the most
important lessons to be impressed upon bust
ness men, and especially upon young m,n who
are seeking their fortune, amid the intense
competitions city life. is sober estimate of
the value of character above wealth. 1t is ma
tural to men to create Fictitious distinctions in
society. In every form of political society, cx-
cept the republic, such distinctions exist by
birth or in permanent civil and ecclesiastical
by blood, or family, or title. or inherited rank.
But such distinctions are prccludcd in a rcpub-
lie, by its very constitution. Hence there re-
mains but one basis of social distinction name
ly wealth. In limited circles, indeed, there
may be an aristOcracy of talent. of education
and refinement, of literature or science. but in
society at large, srLdations Of social position
are measured by stock certificates rcnt-rOlls.
and bank-accounts. In the Old world patent
Of nobility holds good. though there is no in
come a. nnuatc to sustain it; and a pcnnilcss
count stands hi her in the soc al scale than the
untitled millionaire. Here the appearance of
wealth is the passport ION circle to circle.
Office is uncertain, and does not u,.''ays a;"ni-
fy the holder. 1t cannot be retained for 10.
much less transmitted to descendants Hence
wealth has gained an importance for beyond
that which belongs to it where it is used only
to keep up an estate, to display rank, to enjoy
life, to procure the advantages of education
and travel. Here it creates rank !; it gives So
cial position even, without antcccdent, respect
ability, or correct education and hence pride
and vanity, that in other countries have so ma
ny and various outlets, here crowd into this
one channel, and either fill it to its utmost lc-
vel. or agitate it with eddcs and contentious
waves. In this city. especially, the feeling is
that to be anybody or to do any,
thing one must have wealth. New York is as
full of idols as Athens was when it was easier
to find god there than a man nor do the OBJ
Jects worshipped in the cities differ except in
form. For what do men here worship if it be
not stocks and stones? With wealth in view
as the one great object in life. upon which eve
rythirg else depends, it is not strange that ma
ny grasp at the prize without any scruplc as to
the means.
In the upper circles of fashionable life no
questions are asked how one came by his no
ncy, if he only shows that he has money. or ap-
pears to have it. If he lives in fine house.
keeps good carriage, gives splendid parties,
no questions are asked as to whether ali this is |
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