True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1855-11-07
"ThOu Grownest the Year with thy
Goodness"

The different seasons have again per
formed their appropriate course, while
nature, in unison, has combined to fulfil
the appointed commands of the Creator
The farmer has been exceedingly blessed
with the abundance of the earth during
the past year, and with grateful hear
for the exuberance of his crops he may
now exclaim, "Thou crownest the veal
with thy goodness. How beautiful it i:
TO observe the varied seasons as they pass
before us, and how strikingly apparent tc
the mind of the Christian husbandman is
the wisdom and goodness of God as is
manifested in all bis woudrous works,
Time and again, peihaps until the autumn
OF his life, he has been permitted to no.
tice the changes incident 10 the operations
of nature, that he may be impressed with
the perishable condition of every thing
connected with this transitory world
Bleak Winter embraces the earth with
cold and relentless grasp, and maintains
his supremacy for length of time with
rigidily sufficient to absorb the vitality
of nature, and hush into stiffness the
brealhings of her genial spirit. The trees
make bare their branches in token of sub
mission to his irrevocable will, the chrys-
tal brooks become paralysed at his touch,
and the joyful melody of their gentle
murmurings is sienced when he passes
by, while nature ceases TO put forth lis
wonted energies, withers and dies. And
vet, with a kindness worthy of more
mercilul Ruler, he spreads over all a soft
white mantle, elabOrately wrought by his
own command, that he may hide frCm
view the effects of his ruthless hand, and,
in a measure, moderate the rigor of his
visitation. But, nevertheless, with tenn
pesluous winds. and bowling blasts, he
continues 10 expend his fury upon the un-
conscious and death-stricken earth, and
thus vainly endeavors to resuscitate the
sad work of his inexorable hands. For
a grea, and strong wind may be abroad,
but the Lord is not in the wind an earth
quake may shake the nations, but the
Lord is not in the earthquake; after the
earthquake, may come the fire, but the
Lord is not in the fire. He is in the still
small voice. Hence it is, Divine wisdom
has ordained that wild and genial Spring
shall breathe into the bosom of nature
her awakening influence in due season,
and with carols of song from the feather
ed warblers, shall usher in her beneficent
Creators inscrutible will. The trees
clolhe themselves in living green at the
sound of her voice, and the earth bedecks
herself in her most gorgeous apparel at
her bidding, while he husbandman is
beguiled once more to perform his accus-
toned duties by the blandness of her
her smiles. Oh, h'ppy is the man who
can appreciate the goodness of the AL
mighty in all these things, and can per-
ceive with an unsce,tical eye, the bene-
fits designed for the welfare of mankind.
Surely none can fail 10 acknowledge the
existence of Supreme Being, if they
will attentivcly mark the harmony con-
nected with the almoit imperceptlble in
PRODUCTION of one season to another. Let
us notice, for a moment, the gradual
transit from Spring 10 Summer, from the
soothing bamy air tc the sultry enerva-
ting heat, from the growing wheat and
sprouling corn, to the golden harvest and
maturing grain, that We may feel how In
and unworthy we are to be the
recipients of the bourdless favors so Law
ishly bestowed upon Us. And, moreover
with what merciful kindness have we
been preserved from the overpowering
heat of the solar sun during Summers
ardent reign, and how has the protecting
arm of the Almighty been extended over
us, while "the voice Of thy thunder was
in the heavens" and the lightnings
lighted the egrlh." Consider the forbear-
ance which he has exercised towards US,
and we shall feel the force of the obliga-
tions incumbent upon us TO prepare the
way of the Eord, for the time hasteneth
when we shall be unable to warn the un-
believer of his inevitable end.
And now the sober season of Autumn,
in contemplative mood, unfolds his rich
treasures, and pours them into the lap of
the husbandman, at the same time "the
pastures are clothed with Aocks {; the val
lies are covered over with corn; and
"the little hills rejoice on every side"
This is the terminating period to which
the farmer has been looking with an anx-
ious eye, fearing that Providence might
so order, in bis Infinite wisdom, to short.
ell the abundance Of his hand, and there
by bring distress upon the nations of the