The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1857-11-21
"Lead us not into Temptation"

The Philadelphia Presbyterian states that
the misguided course of Mr.. Porter, the de-
faulting Secretary of the American Sunday
School Union, was commenced twenty years
ago, during the Multicaulis fever. MIR. 2.
went into that speculation, and lost some ten
thousand dollars. Not being able to meet
the difficulty, or unwilling to part with his
property for that purpose, he used the name
OF the Union to raise the required amount,
probably intending to pay the note Ultimate
ly, when he should come into possession of
funds. But having taken the first wrong
step, he was led, by subsequent unfortunate
investments, to repeat it, until through the
accumulation of different transactions, and
paying heavy premiums to obtain money to
conceal his operations. the amount grew to
the enormous sum of nearly ninety thousand
dollars
What an instance of the peril attending
single wrong. What an echo of the scnti
mcnt, he that makcth haste to be rich. shall
not be innocent" What an enforcement of
the caution, Let him that thinkc,h he stand
eth take heed lest he fall" And how sug-
gcstivc of the prayer which the Saviour taught
his disciples - Lead us not into temptation.
First speculdionS, and then prculotions-how
often the two are linked together Hazard
Gus ventures. leading first to embarrassment,
then TO fraud, then to detection. loss OF char
acter, untold anguish Of mind. dcsolation Of
hearts and homes, and perhaps irrctrievablc
ruin. "Oh that men were wise, that they
understood this -Seclctuy
ArrLICTIoN-WH,r II TEACHES.-IIow
fast we learn in the day cf sorrow. 1t is as
if atll!ction woke our powers. and lent them
new quickncSS perception. We advance
more in knowledge of Scripture in single
day. than III Years before we learn "song> in
4 night" though such music was unknown
y deeper experience has taken us down into
the depths OF Scripture and shown us its hid
den wonders. Luther used to say. Were it
not for tribulation. should not understand
Scripture. And every sorrowiny saint res
ponds to this. As ha,ins ftl it: rs did Da-
vd. when he said BLESSED is the man whom
Thou cha>ttn,>t. and t,achc>t out of Thy law :
/, is good for ne th,., have been afflicted
that | nigh, learn Thy statutes" What
teaching. what training of TIE mind goes or
upon Il sick bed. or under the pressure of
Tflct Ai' ~. WiIIt great AID Wonucr0u>
things viii csci. some little trial whisper in
the ear of Il Soul that is 'lcarniug of the Fa-
,hcr ,"
In some cases this profit is almost untclt,
At least during tn continuance ot the pro
cess. We think We are learning nothing
Sorrow oNcrwhclm> Us. Disaster stunS We
become confused. nervous. agitatcd. or per
hap>. in>crSihlc. We seem to derive 40 ben
cit. Yet. ere long. We begin to feel the hlcS-
>cd result. Ma,uri;. of judgment. patience
in listening To the voice of God. a kccncr ap
petite for His Word. 4 quicker di>ccrnmcn,
ot lis meaning are soon realized a>
the gracious results Of cha>;,tmcnt. Til,
mind ha, unergonc a most thorough ti>ci
pl!nc. and II :, moreover. made W0ndroU'
progress in the knowledge of divine truth
E through the teaching OF the Holy Ghost
Eonnr