The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1858-04-17
The Minnesotian,. Revival Sermon.


In these days, when public corruption
seems on the increase; and public men, U. S.
Senators, Congressman, State Legislators,
and newspaper presses sell themselves for
brides, and their principles for Office and pat
ronage and the whole foundation of gov
ernmental virtue and integrity is rotten and
crum bling-it is consoling that there is an
awakened spirit to religious exercises devel-
oping In the broadcast m1sses-which will
yet, We hope, have reflex action upon our
public men, and restore some degree Of hon.
esty and virtue to the high places of the ma.
ton. But while nightly meetings, and bu-
siness mems daily prayer gatherings and the
anxious bench, and the stirring sermon, con-
tribute to leaven society ny from its moral
heayiness, people should be careful that their
religion does not all evaporate in the public
exhibition of its awakening infuences-but
that the spirit of its teachings should enter
into their daily Lille, compelling every class of
society to recognize the brotherhood Of man
to indulge in fraternal ofices-tO bear
and forbear with one another in the details
of business-the banker to abate something
of his five per cent. a month-the debtor to
be more prompt and earnest to meet his OBJ
ligations-with the social amenities of life
better cultivated-less pride Of cast-and
less of the selfishness which cares not for
others happiness whilst the world wags we'll
with us-all of us keeping our "eyes open" to
seek daily opportunities for exercising benev-
olence-doing kindly offices-loving our
neighbors by helping them with good word,
or friendly smile, or an overt act of assist
ance, though ever so small. The following
extract from one of our exchange papers H.
Illustrates our meaning and the practical re-
ligion which should more prevail amongst us
all; and with this, We arrive at the "lastly"
of our sermon:
"EYEs OPEN."-" Our minister said in his
sermon, last evening"" said Mrs. Beech, the
wife of a prosperous wholesale dry goods
merchant on Market street, as she busted her
mantel of porcelain and marble, on Monday,
" that be who wanted to do good must keep
constant lookout for opportunities; that
God does not find our work, and bring it
ready fitted and prepared to the hand, but
we are to walk through it as Christ and the
apostles did, with eyes open looking for the
sick and suffering, the poor and the OPP
pressed"
"NOw 1 am certain continued the lady,
CHI o rt1 <bo
of the mantel, 81 should like to do something
good every day; one feels SO much better
when they 60 to rest at night, and I'll just
keep my eyes open to-day and see if l come
across any opportunities that under ordinary
circumstances I should let slip"
Half an hour later Mrs Beech was in her
nursery, with the washerwoman who had
come for tn, clothes. 81 wish, Mrs. Sim
mons" said she, as she heaped the soiled lin
en- in the basket, " that you would get Tom
my's aprons ready for me by Wednesday; we
are going out OF town to remain until Satur-
day, and shall want good supply OH hand
for such a careless little scamp"
"Well, I'll try, ma'am," said the washer
woman; "I've got behind hand good deal
since Sammy's had the whooping- cough; but
now he's better, must try to make up for
lost time"
"Has he had the whooping- cough2 Poor
little fellow! how old is he?' questioned the
lady.
"He was three, last April, ma'am"
Sand Tommy is FOUR unused the lady.
" Look here, Mrs. Simmons, won't you just
open the lower drawer of that bureau, and
take out those four green worslcd desses in
the corner? Toms outgroWn them, you see,
since last winter, but they are almost as good
as new. Now if you want them tor little
Sammy, they'll do nicely, thil!l."
"Want them, Mrs 3 ,cl answered the
washerwoman with tears s.ar-inz TO her din,
eyes" havn't any words 20 hank you or
tell what treasure they'll be. Why they'll
keep the little fellow as war.n as a toast all
winter"
"Well, I'll place them on the top of the
Clothes said the lady, smiling to herself, at
the thought. "My eyes have been open once
to-day"
Not long afterwards, Mrs. Beech was on
her way to market-for she was notable
neutrality-suspicious. she met boy who had
lived short time in her family, the year be-
fore, to do brands, wait on the door, &c.
He was bright, good-hearted boy, and had
been a great favorite with the family, and
Mrs. Beech had always felt int. csted in him;
but this morning she was in quite hurry
and would have passed Kim with cordial
but hasty, How are you, my boy? Do
come and see u.s." had it not struck her that
Joseph's face did not wear its usual happy
expression. She paused as the memory of
last nights sermon flashed through her mind
and asked-"I Is there anything the matter
with you, Joseph? You do not look as hap
by as You used to-"
The boy looked up moment, with half
doubling, half confding expression, into the
lady's face; the latter triumphed. "Mr. An
derson's moved out of town." he said push
ing back his worn but neatly brushed cap
from his hair, $50 I've lost my place; then,
little Mary is sick, and that makes it very
bad just now"
$50 it does,' answered Mrs. Beech, her
sympathles warmly enlisted. "But never
mind, Joseph remember only night before
last, my brother said he would want new
errand-boy in few days, for his store, and
he would give good one two dollars week.
Now I'll see him to-day, and get the situa-
ton for you if you like"
The boys whole face frightened up. ooh!
shall be so glad Of it, Mrs. Beech"
"And see here, Joseph, Pm going to Mar
ket, and perhaps we can find something nice
for little Mary" The lady remembered that
Josephs mother, though poor seamstress,
was proud woman, and felt this would be
delicate way Of presenting gift.
So si,, -tszd rc1ie delicate pears and
or .:pss, esd {. H;cc chicken to make some
br oh foc Masy, who she learned was ill with
fever, before she proceeded to do her own
marketing. But it was pity that the lady
did not see Joseph as he sprang into the
chamber where little Mary lay moaning
YEARLY on her bed, while her mother sat bu-