Meigs County telegraph. [volume] (Pomeroy [Ohio]) 1848-1859, 1859-10-04
The Rod.

"Well, he is a spoilt child; but th'
world will take upithe rod against him
and make up for the want of early cor
reclion." So we heard one speak Of {
petted boy, and thought the remark only
TOO true. We start in life full of faults
and peculiarities. which have been amia
Bile weaknesses in the eyes Of the family
circle, but upon entering the career of ma
ture life find e'must change in almos
every particular. This lesson is no
learned in day, and in proportion as Tie
will is unbroken, and the passions un
checked, SO is the severity of the world;
discipline. .a -as
The youth of violent temper learns self
control by finding his business standing
ana posftiUh III society, depending upoi
lis Improvement in this respect. He wht
has grown self-conceitcd and oracular il
the midst Of an admiring home circle, be-
comes humbled at the indifference, anc
even contempt, Of his fellow-men. Thu;
violent attachments become subdued, anC
exuberant enthusiasm cooled by the re-
bufs of a cold, calculating world. One
fault after another is cured by the smartin2
of the worlds rod, until d self-willed
head strong youth is whipped into wha
he ought to be. Roughness Of character
becomes softened by constant attriton, SC
that he who has seen and felt the world
and been moulded by unbending circum
stances, looks with pity on one just start
ing in life. This process of improvement
Is much more observable with the Chris
tian than with the worldly man. He is
taught of God, and in proportion as he
grows in grace, and gets near to heaven,
SO often will his situation become painful
He mourns his faults and deficiencies, and
prayers for strength to improve. His
prayer cannot be answered withou. Sc
ries of circumstances, which in regular
succession effect the desired, change Of
character. To the old Christian, Tie
sight Of one just starting in Heavenly
life is full Of sympathy and interest He
knows the young beginner must be held
under the rod, and be smitten many times,
ere his fierce passions, strong will, self
sufficiency, and ambition change to the
forbearance, long suffering, and humility
of the gospel. The precious stone mus,
be polished and fitted for the Redeemer' e
crown. Nothing will be done 10 harm its
value or dim its lustr, and yet it may be
roughly handled, and submitted to many
a strange process ere the work is done.
Who, in mere worldly sense, would
say, "Let me remain an ignorant, impo-
.liIic youth, unable TO deal with men, and
powelless to guide my affairs, rather thar
submit to the worlds rude jostle?" No
one; all desire to know the world, and learn
the way to success. If such is the feeling
Of the wording, how much more cheer,
fully should the Christian bow to the
heavenly Teacher, who does not willingly
afflict, but is full of loving kindness and
tender mercy. 1t is momentous step to
decide for Christ against the world and
Satan combined. But God will, "witl
every temptation, provide way of es,
cape.' "There is 70 royal road to learn.
ing" either IN heavenly or earthly knowl-
edge. Each Christian must walk in the
narrow beaten path of tribulation. Some
will need more chastisement than others.
but "all must be taught of Coo" to lealn
how 10 live, or how to die. Submit then
to the heavenly Teacher, and learn to look
each adverse circumstance, each bitter dis
appointment, calmly in the face, as les
son you peculiarly need, which must be
learned, without which the soul may never
see Heaven. This view of'lfe will brigh.
ten the sad hours of sickness and sorrow,
and give the Christian a constant motive
for contentment. TO the true Christian,
life's lessons ale solemn, and often hard
to learn, but yielding the peaceable fruits
Of righteousness.