Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-05-17
From the Charleston Courier, May 9.

From the Charleston Courier, May9.
We have fallen upon troublous times.
While some hearts are bleeding under be-
reavements caused by the present strife, 9TH
ers are aching with anxiety for the objects of
their love who are girded for the battle. and
prepared to go forth to the field of blood.
First Obliged to part with Injuries comforts
were afterwards removed from beyond our
reach, and now we must be content with
homely neccssaries Homesteads have been
abandoned and the inmates Obliged to take
refuge from the spoiler under the roofs of
strangers. Those who counted their possess
Sions by thousands have been reduced to want.
and many contemplate with disquieted minds
the probability OF being deprived of those
means whereby they maintain wife and child.
We are now experiencing some of the evils
Of war, andw feel that they are the most ter
rible of the rods which God stretches out over
people in punishment Of their wickedncss.
We must not overlook the vital fact that our
transgreSsions, and obStinacy, and ingratimde
have caused the Judge of all the earth to in
tict upon Us this, the heaviest of all calami-
ties. 1t is true that all are not guilty to the
same extent; many are free from the more
henous miqmties, and in comparison with
atroclOus offenders appear righteous and holy.
But none OF Us are unaccused by conscience.
and the smallest transgresSion kindles the
wrath OF Heaven and deserves eternal punish
ment. Mere temporary evils. such rs affect
the body-no matter how numerous and how
grleyOus-cannot atone for the most indffrr-
ent msdemeanor or Delinquency; for every
sin Is an insult and indignity offered to Jeho-
van, an open expression Of contempt. for His
authority, breach on his honor Every in
fraction Of the divine law is an act of rebel
hon' winch, unless repented of and forgiven,
ule Almighty Sovereign must punish with fit
ting retrbution.
When we consider the manner and enor-
NIFTY OF our transgressions, we are obliged to
acknowledge that our sutteringS have thus far
been hght-that there is no proportion be-
tween our crimes and the strokes of the afflict-
ing rod And this knowledge should cause us
to apprehend yet many direful calamities, if
we continue to provoke God to anger bv
breaking His holy commandments and refls-
ing to amend our ways. 1t is made the
bounden duty Of all to confess and forsake our
sins. We must break in pieces the idols we
are worshipping in the stead of God: we must
sever the bonds that bind US to vicious habits:
we must weep bitter tears over our trans
gresSlons and shortcomings, and beseech God.
with strong cries and groans, to blot out our
lhiqulues, and grant us grace whereby we
may walk before Him in the exercise of a live
ly taith--in the practice of every virtue-in
the performance Of every duty.
We are disposed to murmur at the evils we
are called upon to bear. 1t seems hard, ac-
cording to our foolish way of thinking. that
IN the prosecution Of purpose so noble and
just as the one which has forced us into the
present contest we should be required to en-
dure so many privations, hardships and woes
If we will consider the iniquities and sins
which have lighted the fire OF Gods anger:
their number, their blackness. their wanton-
neSS-we will be Smitten with dumbness, and
our mHrmurlng will appear to us as it really
lS-one of the most enormous of our great
transgreSsions. Instead of charging God with
harShneSs and cruelty, and wickedy calling
IN question his justice and loving kindness.
trembling under Il sense of our guilt, we
would fail PROSTATE in the dust. bewail our of
fences and deprccatc sevcrer chastiscment
frotound and hearty conviction will fill orr
hearts with adoring gratitude to God for not
having meted out to us the full measure oftbe
punishment we deserve, and make us ashamed
OF our complaints, and we shall be resigned
to whatever evils He shall see proper to visit
upon us.