The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1864-04-15

"Thatll do-bclay thsre. We're all
sfcard o. our best friend till we make up our
minds to como nigh Him. It's with Him
jest - It Is with tho deep SEQ wo were talkin'
about leetle while senco. The landsluan's
orfully tarri6ed st tho idee Of IL; but when
he's made his fust vy'ge and gifts experience,
he comes to know that It's the shoals aud tho
breakers he's rightfally to be afeard of. and
to look at tho biz ocean where eye can't see
shore nor lead find bottom as his best friend.
And Of he can only keep to that when the
winds blow and tho waves roll, he knows
he's safe as long us bis ship holds together.
And the ship that sails on that sca-His sea
-al'ays does hold. For He's promised,
when thou goest through the watsr.aoods
they shall not overflow thee.
81 wish I could feel that way, Deacon
Allen" ' ~ n
"Well, Deacon, what sort of company do
you find this young man 2" exclaimed o
hearty voice through the companion-way,
and the next moment Mr.. Reeve stood on
deck between the two. "Do you think you
can trust the sloop 10 tho rest OF Us. Hodge.
while you 20 below and have some supper r.
eve were tslkin' about Q Power with
whom we can trust everything" said the
Deacon, soberly. .s.'
Just at this Instant Mr.. Peavey came up,
followed BY Deacon Townsend.
EYES," said Mr.. Hodge, "Deacon Allen
has seen some very bad weather In his time,
and he's been giving mo very interesting
account Of It," .,r-.. -..,.-
There Is great antipathy In the Puritan
mind to the appearance Of feeling ashamed
of serious subjects. So that when Mr.. Hodge
made this representation Of tho staple Of his
conversation with the Deacon, that good man
ntaueously felt called upon to correct
tho impression that bis voyages were all they
had talked about. So far 90 he was con-
scious, this motive alone, and not the stimu-
lsting presence Of Deacon from the other
Meeting, was the actuating ono In what hs
proceeded to say. ...af...s T
"And in regard to those vy'gcs, wo woro
thinkin' how impossible 1t 10 for man to
feel safe and happy, on the sca or land. with.
out the comfort Of sure hope 10 Hin who
is over US wherever we be-" r. IL
II was some time after sundown, and the
sky from its hollowsweep OF burned-out gold,
threw just light enough upon the group for
them 70 SEQ each Others faces. AL but
Deacon Townsends wore look Of curious,
nnwonted interest as Deacon Allen said this,
and bis had the expression Of listening with.
out meaning II.
"Well, Deacon Allen" said Mr.. Reovc.
"I'm very glad you're giving Mr.. Hodge 9
good talking to: he's o hard boy, and /
cap " do nnv thin0 for himO
"There amt nobody that kin do any.
thing for anybody olse," continued Deacon
Allen, solcmniy. "Each Of US has his own
rcck MIN to mako up whilo timo lasts. and
when times over each has his own reck'nin
to settle. ........
Every true" said Mr.. Roevo. "but We
can help each other TO sot about It," Dca.
con Towpsond's lips moved. but ho kept 81.
lent. ......
"Jes' so. wo kin do as tho .PoStlo Poll
did. and when We soc our acquaintance
keerlees, tell 'em to work cout their own
salvation with fear and tremblin'."
"For It Is God who worketh in you both
to will and to do Of His good pleasure. "
spoke for the first time tho solemn voice OF
Deacon Townsend.
TWAS known to neither of the three junior
artrers that this toxt, In tho mutual adapta-
tion Of its two clauses, had been the ground
work Of many doctrinal sermon from tho
pulpit Of each Of tho two meetings Of Mus
keogue. and that tho diversity Of its construc-
ton contained the whole marrow Of the con-
troycrsary between Old and Now School. |
Had they known It, the slight change in
Deacon Aliens tone would bavo been cx.
planned to them as he replied, still seemingly |
directing his language to them. a...,l ~
Exactly. He works in Nc to will and to
do whenever wo turn our hearts tow'rds Him.
His grace is q FREQ gift, open to all; for lie
will have all men to DO saved, whenever they
will call upon Him." | g-0l
"Who,n He hath predestinated, them Ho
also called" said Deacon Townsend, with
sober emphasis.
"Deacon Townsend tells US kcrrectly-his
words arc tho very Scripter," rejoined Dca-
con Allen; restraining all impetuosity In his
tone with an effort which mono who did not
know the two good men and their mutual
relations would have noticed "Ef single
man on US ever hes right thought or o
right desire, it's because tho Lord forcknowed
It from the beginnin', an put 1t intew a
natur' otherways corrupt. II
{. So It's tho more reason that we should
al'ays hold ourselves ready to labor with
Him, soein' that He's ever ready Himself
and our unwillin ness shouldn't be shamed.
And IT'S our dooty also " wais bis ap-
p'inted tine" ru Y.sI
(which Is any timo. Ho says distinctly
that lie is nigh at hand unto all them that
calls upon Him In truth.
"But tliere 10 somo that Ho has gin over
to judicial blindness. .. tuIl
"Thut Is the falt o'sich, then"
Hitherto the conversation Of both the Des.
cons had been directed to tho three young
mon though at each other. Il now selected
its direct objects. - -
"But esen tho New School hold to the
election of mon, Deacon Allen, notwith.
,tandin' they put their own construction
upon It." .''I ..
'"They put the construction Of tho Scriptor
upon il, loanin' rayther tew that than tsw
Tho Catechism," answcrod Deacon Allen In a
warmer tone. which made even Mr.. Peavey
,ssume an appearance Of intense interest
rom the timo being.
"'Taint often, Deacon Allen, that you
md hev the chance TO compare notes on
:hcse subjecs, 90 I'd like Jest 70 put one
oetls question to you: don't you believe
What tho Scripter says upon Prsdestins-
ion."
"waal. them who knows me hain't no
ioubt O. that, ! guess"
Precisely. Don's the Scriptcr assure us
u Al -. - - ..->I - sfarfad 6rai T' |
at does. sartinly." :. u,