The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1861-03-20
i" Tius I'm Sod and Keep Your Pow.
der DrY.o

1HuSt IN 6Ou ANA heep kVuE EOW-
der Dry.
This was the exhortation of Oliver Crom-
well TO his soldiers on the eve of battle.
We know not with what spirit this exhor-
tatlon was given, but it may be safely said
that il contains as sound theological and mo-
raj teaching as can be found in any Of our
theological schools or seminaries.
II inculcates the simple exercise OF faith
in c0nnexion with appropriate works. These
soldiers we're exhorted to trust in God as he
who upholds and prospers every good and
Just cause. and as an appropriate means IN
the exercise Of this trust, IN order to obtain
q Victory, they were admonshed to keep
their powder dry.
The doctrine Of faith in conexion with APP
propria,e works, is not more clearly revealed
IN the Bible, Than in this exhortatiOn of Oliver
Cromwell.
II these soldiers had been exhorted to trust
in God, regardless of the condition Of their
ammunition and firearms, they would not,
probably, have gained any thing BY conflict
with the enemy. For certainly, wet powder
would have been very unsuitable instrument
OF warfare with hope OF success.
We once heard Of an eminently pious old
gentleman, who on the occasion ol his fences
having taken fire. went on his bended knees
determined TO pray the fire out. While he
was thus engaged and the flames were raging
iurlously, an eminent clergyman, his neigh-
Dor, came along and addressed his praying
friend
"Brother d., your faith without works il
dead God will not hear your prayer while
y0a neglect or refuse to use appropriate
means go therefore while you pray and sep
arate the burning rails from those that are moi
burning; this is the proper means to exln.
guish the fire."
This clergyman might have said to his
praying friend the language Of Oliver Crom-
well, Trust in God aud keep your powder
dry"
When a mechanic enters upon his trade he
must use due diligence, industry. and econ.
omy. be obliging aud promptin the luliilment
Of all his promises; for II he would obtain
patronage aud success in business, he mnst
"keep his powder dry"
When the farmer sows his seed in the hope
II seed. time snd harvest, he must prepare
his sol carefully, protect it with good fences
from tile dcprcdations oi desonrlns animals
gather i INTO lis barn 10 good time aud in
good order; Tor II he wozd expect a good
crop. aud enjoy the fruits Of his labors, he
must keep his powder dry"
When a Young man enters college for the
purpose oi acquiring knowledge, he must use
III the powers Of mind that God had given
him, 90 without appropriate effort Oh hi,
part, all tie teachers III the Universe car
not make scholar oi him; II, therefore, b,
would be proficient in learning, he mus
keep his powder dry"
The merchant, the LAWYER. and the physi
clan, who would be eminent in their seyera
callings, must use due diligence and appro
PIRATE means to be such. They must stud,
carefully the laws Vt trade. the Laws d iii,
country. aud The laws which govern tie bod,
IN health and disease; III fine. ii they wpul,
be wise, respected. and useful in their ds,
aud generation, they must "krep their pow
der dfy.'
The man who is called upnn to exercise
his beue,olence aud charity, must not turn
away the petitioner with good will and goo,
wishes alone, for gnod will and good sishe'
without the contribution Of appropriate aid
ne,el clothed the naked; II. therefore, i, i
iihis heart % exercise these graces, lie mus
keep his powder dry"
Most Of the failures Of success in business
and 10 the various pursuits Of life are owing
10 the exercise Of faith IN the honesty aud in
tegrity Of their calling without making prop.
er eAort. or using the nece.sar, means nt sue
cess tn III such eases they do not "keeE
Their powder wv
tod has established law IN the moral
the physical. and DE spiritual world, thai
certain causes will produce certain effects
and that certain means will accomplish Ger
tain ends. and without the proper application
OF these principles, no object or end can bt
accomplished IN The economy of his govern
ment.
This law "ispcrfcct" IN its operation. ant
inevitable ~ its consequences.
The farmer who will not SOW, shali moi
reap. The iradesman, the merchat,. and III,
professional man who will mi mase the prop,
pr efforts. and use tie appropriate means tt
advance the interest ol his calling. cannot
aud wall not flourish and prosper
The soul that desires 10 be delivered from
the dominion aud power of SIN, and yet re.us.
4. IL believe ID God. and use tile appointed
means d grace, cannot and will not be con.
yerted.
Al these, no matter IN what pursuit they
may be engaged, IL they would consult tbeiI
best interests, both Tor time aud eternity
must. 10 the language Of OIi,ere CromSeIl
Trust in God and keep thsif pp~ der dry"
Farm AND WoRKs.
.s---s.s.s.sse@s-
BOOKS or THE BIBLE.