Litchfield enquirer., 1856-03-13
A Word to the Borrowing.

q W0fd 10 the S0TroWmg.
 E The question | Why am I thus tried ?n is constantly being asked by one and another.-- Aflietion in the present tense is scarcely ever recognized as good as in the wrench of an operation, the nerves afe distracted, and the whole of the vital force is used up in ihere en- durance, so in afaictibn
 Often the soul reFolts and rebels under it its immediate effect seems to be to increase our spiritual maladies Persons often say, under severe trials, I used to think had some self control, some patience, some good temper thought had to good degree overcome self ishness and pride, but these harrassments and trials seem to upset all 1" And, accordingly, a person, when passing through periods of severe trial, often seems to be growing worse, to be becoming hard and irritable and unlovely. A writer has said it is not while the storm is lriv- ing the sea on the beach that we go out to look for treasures, but when the storm is laid, and the sun shines out clear, we find the jewels and precious stones which the sea has cast upon the beach. Often in the height of an af1liction all comfort is vain as medicaments in the fury of some diseases the soul must spend itself, the storm must pass. It may be months, it may be years, before the soul can come to hers elf enough to look back and say, It is good for me that I have been afflicted.' Nor is the good of ailliction often perceiyable as the result of one paroxysm, but rather as the aggregate of several The mechanic who would bring out the clouds and veins of precious wood, seems to harrass and tortureit in many ways and if the wood were sentient creature, it might well complain as the saw and plane and the rude fpumice stone pass successively over it, and each yarnish is scfaped and rubbed-nor till the last touch has been given, does one see the full re- suit. So of aiHictions some are like strokes of the axe aud hammer, splitting and rending the heart Of the soul-others are wearing and long continued, like the slow work of the file and the polshing-brush, and very seldom under the process does the soul recognize their use but after long years softened melody of spirit is produced as the result of all.
 One thing is remarkable of afictions, and that is that almost every soul feels itself stricken in the precise point where it is least able to bear. "Oh, were it anything but this could bear anything else ]" are the most frequent exclama- tlons Of the hour of sorrow. We could bear very composedly suppositious afiiction, an affliction so-called, against which our peculiar temperament so fortiics us that to us it is no afilict:on. But when Omniscience puts forth His hand and touches that vital point, known to God alone, where each is most sensitive, that is real afliction, and the soul shiyers under it. We would change our atfl;ction for this or that God secs that this and this only can serve His purpose.
 Could diamond speak when the lapidary is leisurey filing away it's glittcring particles, and vexing it with weary frictions and polishings, it might say, !" could bear a good hammer stroke, but, oh, Mis is wearing my very sonl away" Nevertheless, the artisan knows that it is not the hammer but the weary polish that the da- mond must have to make it glitter royalty at last in 9 diadem. Such are some of the most common, least valued of our afllictions-a slow, wearing, heart-eat;ng process--an affliction, oftcntimes known and recognized as such only by God who orders it. and who knows the pre- else moment when it is possible to let it cease.
 Then let the soul deeply engrave in it's be lief this answer to its oft-recurring question, " Why am thus tried r BscauseLis atqicti1n and no other co4ld sare Aee. The Great Father is an economist in all His lavish profnsion of riches, but of nothing is he more saving than of the sorrows of His beloved not one tear too much--not one sigh, not one uneasincss nor anxiety too many, is the lot of the meancst of His chosen a ~ se