Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1861-03-14
Costly, but Precious,

Costly, but Precious
Standing before a magnificent picture, not
long since, we were told that It had been pur.
chased for $1,000 At first mention Che
price seemed enormous; butgbau wo recalled
the fact that the peerless landscape before rs
had required moolb5 Of toll by the mos cell
.5rated artist Of tIo aud-th4t H. order TO
make tie necessary Studio, he bad doomed
himset 10 tho barlships 81 distant, danger
GUS c.mo--.nea Hc u.d not wonder that
millionaire should deem It but Just o bluer
away his own thousands lor the companions
ship oil such a picture in his Jnwiug-room.
There are sometimes rare and beautiful
wares brought into market, that are iuyoiced
at almost fabulous rates. The simple roa-
8on is, that they eos, 50 much to procure
That luxurious cimipc labeled $500, cost
terrible battles with Polar lee ana hurricanes.
The pearl that flashes on the brow OF the
bride is precious, because it was rescued from
the great deep at the risk OF Tho pear fishers
lie, as he was lifted into the boat half dead,
with the blood gushing from his nostlils. All
choicest things are c1oned the dearest.
SO it is in heavens inventories, toe. The
universe Of God has never witnessed aught
10 be rc,koned in comparison with the re
dompion Of guilty world. That mighty
ransom no such contemplate things as silver
and gold could wocno. Only Dy one prcc
could The world be redeemed lrom he'll, aud
taat wos lha ric1 ot Jcsus blood the pre-
.i0u blood oftho Lamb, Slain llom tho .ouu-
datiOl o. tic @orl.
AID 50 ist..Jtal best part o. a Cb.is-
t.an character tina 9lica was procured at
iho sores. cost. Patience Is o beautiful trait,
5at ID u Gat gY.a o..ealst by tAos- WhoWait
~ Iiios sunny side ID silver slippers. Il is
tie pgoiac Of dark nights, Oh tempest and
u days u adyer,ily, whose high noon is
gloomy as uiiluigh. Tor the trial Of our
faith wosNeth patience. Purity OF character
Is often costly too; more than once il has
been bou ylt in ths wicked city BY the bitter
price Of crust u bread eaten wish good
conscience in au attic, wen guilty con-
nivancc SoulI have been rewarded with
French satias aud hariot's sumptuous couch.
AS God rcckous jcweiry there is no brill
ilnt which flashes with such lustre Us tna tear
Of true penteuce. Yet God only knoweth
what heart pressure, rs in vice, what lend
ings aud wrugins ct soul, what crushiugs OF
pride and wrestlings in agony, may have been
neodful in order 10 press ont that jewel-drop
upon the check Of the stubborn sufferer. We
have sometimes me. person in social circles
who possessed a peculiar gcntleness aud do
cilty Of character. As VIC came to know her
better, we were charmed by her calm self.
poise, and her heroic submissiveness to God
under sudden shocks of calamity. We could
Mt but admire so beautiful character We
envied its possessor We coveted such a
spirit for ourselves. All we little knew at
what fearful price of severe chastisemcnt and
bitter disappointmont-of hopes desOated
and expectations crossed Of faith put to the
rack, and patience burned bright in seven
times heated furnaces thai meek lowell
ness of character had been gained. SO true
is it that he who would be rich toward God
mus! be willing TO toll hard aud bear sore
Affections in order to win the precious acqui
stions.
To be a complete, symmetrical Christian
all these graces OF patience, purity, meekncss
long suffering and godlinoss must be attained
We must pray for them, We must toll io
them, we must suffer for them. lie is
meager, halfripc, unfinished Christian witt
does not possess those peculiar graccs which
Col only sends to US through suffering, pri
walton aud trial. Let Us not draw back roa
the possession Of any spiritual treasure
through the dread Of paying dearly ios il
Pfec 'ons things are ARRAYS costly. The mer
chant withholls no extra labor or extra hour
Of thought over his cdge's, il thereby he ca
secure an extra return Of profits. The sculp
tor counts not long months wasted away whic
SEQ him with hammer aud chisel pursuing ID
imprisoned llercalos or Greek Slave
which his keen eye detects within the bloc
Of marble
What are hardshipS aal priya,ioas on Lat
rador ce.delds, or amid Grauadean noun
tains, to Frederick Church, as long as he
transferring those very ice )ergs to his canvas
aud rearing in the heart of the AIDES
new monumolt u his unporishabc fame
IL ta9 children Of tao light were always a