True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1856-04-02
From the National Tntelligencer.
A Sermon Delivered Before the House
Of Representatives.

Of Representatives.
Religious Services in the CapitOl.-
REV. DANIEL WALDO, the recently elect.
ed Chaplain of Congress, who oficiated
on Sabbath morning, is a Congregational
list minister from the town of Geddis,
near Syracuse, New York, in the district
represented by the Hon. Mr.. GRANGER,
who introduced his name into the list of
nominees for chaplain 10 the House of
Representatives. In an interview with
This venerable man we learned that he was
a native of the State of Connecticut, and
is now in the Oath year of his age; that
he was soldier in lac war of the Revo.
luton, for which service he now receives
a pension that he was personally ac-
qnainled with General Washington; that
he was taken prisoner at York Island, and
was confined with several hundred others
in the fatal "Sugar-ho use prison." in
New York, because the Jersey prison.
ship" was too full to hold them, and, af-
ter suffering the cruelties which carried
so many out of existence, lie barely es-
capped with his life that after the war he
entered Yale College, and is now the ol-
dest graduate oflhat venerated institution,
that the late Hon. Jeremiah Mason, Of
Massachusetts,, was his classmate, and for
two years his roommate; that he has
now been in the ministry more that sew
eniy years. He has the appearance and
bearing Of a gentleman of about seventy
five years of age, and speaks with a clear
distinct u,lerance. This is accounted 70,
by the fact lha, he has never been sick
and now reads from six to twelve hours
each day, and, as he said, without feeling
his eyes to tire. We are not surprised tc
learn that the Rev. DR.. Sprague, of AL.
bany, is preparing for the press history
Of his life; nor are we surprised that
such man should preach the able dis.
course which he delivered on Sabbath
morning, and which no one can thought
fully read without being prr6tted. His
lexl was from James, chapter l, v. 49,
"Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let
every man be swiftlV hear, slow 10 speak
slow TO wrath"
After some appropriate Introductory re
marks, the reverend gentleman proceed
ed with his discourse as follows:
| propose, first, to explain the precept
of the text.
, 10 be swift TO hear implies giving al
undivided attention 10 what is said to IL
individually in a. private conversation o
in public assemblies convened for inslruc
! lion. 1t is the perfect reverse of absenc
of mind when our friends converse wit
Us. Being swift 10 hear is to listen pa
lienlly to the reproofs and advceo( friend
and enemies, SO as to weigh the justice
correctness, and utility of both. AS t
public assemblies, Solomon's advice mus
b be strictly followed: Keep thy foot whe
4 thou goest into the house Of God, and b
r more ready TO hear than 10 offer the sac
e rfce of fools llis to incline The ea
d as the prophet said: "Hear, and your sol
: shall live" Like The Psalmisb resolve
j. IL will hear what the Lord will speak.
e TO be swift to hear is TO listen 50 as
o understand the wisdom or folly of all th
g is said in public or private, BY friend {
foe. TO be slow to speak is not an il
= junction to cultivate a,aiammering, draw
ling, and whining elocuiion but it in
Il plies using words discreetly to conve
our thoughts, and never to make up It
want of sense with multiplicity of word
J. II is TO use few words to vindicale ou
o. selves, and still fewer 10 reyile our en-
~ mics. Do as David said: Il will kel
- - my mouth with bride while the vic
ed is before me /; and not do as he did
of his haste, II said in my haste all men a
" liars" His extreme affliction was no e
t, cuse for his haste. TO be slow to spet
n regards rather the quality than the guam
p iy Of the words; The wisdom more th
n the swiflness Of The tongue. Slow spec
o. is always with grace seasoned with sal
Ut pieiy combined with sancti6ed wit.
a. TO DO slow 10 wrath is 10 be ney
;. transported with passion, but to have o
anger under The control of our judgmeI
U; According TO the direction Of Paul, {"
r. angry and sin moi let not the sun go do'
nd upon your wrath, neither give place to +!
devil. But be long suffering, forbeari