Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1867-04-02
NUMBER XII.
Moral and Religious.
For the Staunton Spectator.
A Meeting for Prayer in a Mountain.

cnflStlan QenOmlnatlOn as season or hunllla-
tion and prayer. At the hour appointed, an
interesting congregation convened, which was
composed mainly of youth of a school
which had suspended exercises for the time be-
ing. The religious exercises were led by the
Teacher. After prayer, and singing hymns ap-
propriate to the occasion, the touching words
of sainted Father to his son, were commented
upon "And thou Solomon, my son, know thou
the God of thy Father and serve him with
perfect heart and with willing mind for the
Lord searcheth all hearts, and understandeth
all the imaginations of the thoughts; if thou
seek him he will be found of thee; but if thou
tOrsake him, he will cast thee off forever" /
Chron. 2S; 9.
In our efforts, my young friends, to improve
this appropriate scriptural admonition, let us
guard against dependency. 1t may have a
tendency to discourage u.s. when we see COM
paratively few, who are willing to cease from
their work, or worldly recreations, and devote
this hour to prayer. Though we are few in
numbers, and mostly children and youth, yet
our wants are many. For our encouragement,
let us remember the Redeemer's promise to be
where two or three are met in His name. 1t
is sweet to reflect, that all over our land wor-
shipping assemblies have convened, and our
prayers will mingle with theirs, and in due time
we shall share the blessings promised in answer
to importunate prayer IF you would share the
blessings, serve the Lord with willing minds
and perfect hearts. Perfect heart indicates a
right intention and we should remember that
God searches the heart, and we cannot render
him acceptable service without the aid of the
Holy spirit, given according to promise in an
swer to prayer. We are admonished to serve
the Lord with willing minds This is found ex-
ceedingy hard to do. Somehow our minds are
averse to the service of God, yet are greatly de-
lighted in those things which render us liable
to the miseries of this life, death itself and the
pains of He'll forever. How depraved our hearts
must be, when they render our minds unwilling
to do that service, which God will reward with
feelings Of joy, and pleasures evermore; but
make us exceedingly willing to spend our lives
in the service whose wages is death.
1t was this view of our depraved nature that
led the learned and eloquent Apostle to ex-
claim, 20 wretched man that I am, who shall
deliver me from the body of this death" But
the provision made for the souls relief, was so
clearly discerned by him, that almost in the
same instant he exultingly speaks, Thanks be
to God who giveth us the victory through our
Lord Jesus Christ.
How very guarded we should be in our
thoughts, since we must render an account to
God as our future judge, who is acquainted with
all our ways and understands our thoughts afar
off, for the Lord understandeth all the imagi-
nations of the thoughts. %
Let us observe, too, with prayerful attention,
the alternative placed before every youth, and
choose the course that wisdom suggests eff
thou seek him. he will be found of thee but if
thou forsake him, he will cast thee off forever
More than yourselves, beloved youth, are in
terested in the decision you make, which is to
lead you to seek God, or forsake him. The
power OF choice is left with you, and upon you
and those interested in your welfare, will fall
the consequences.
A certain number of steps may lead you to
Bar-Room or to the prayer meeting-physical
effort subject to your Wills may lead you to the
assembly OF those who make a mock of sin, or
to the congregation of the righteous Now,
under God, it depends upon the use you make
of the power of choice, whether you are cast
off forever, or be found of him and become wise
unto salvation.
Your mourning country would enjoin upon
each one OF you the counsels Of the man after
God own heart, for you are all that is left to
her, worth possessing upon which to place a
comforting hope.
The pious youth of the land, are the hope of
the country. Her hopes of happiness and fu-
ture prosperity are in proportion to the prepar-
alton Of youth, who turn their attention to per-
sonal piety.
Classic history informs us of mother who
could show no pearls, or golden ornaments up
on her person, with which to dazzle the gaze of
beholders. Though she thus appeared be-
reaved and forsaken, she was cheerful and hope
full, and was not heard lamenting the loss of
pearls or gold. Being asked respecting her
jewels, she pointed to her sons, These are my
jewels. Our bereaved country has exchanged
her goodly ornaments for emblems of mourning.
still she may be hopeful, so long as she can
point to you as her jewels. None but pious
youth are jewels of precious worth. Read the
history OF Gods judgment upon the world,
and you will find the acts of sinful youth, the
prominent cause.
The crowning act that drew fire from heaven
upon the cities of the plain was perpetrated by
sinful youth.
Living parents and friends would repeat
these counsels to you, upon you they place their
fond affections, and their earnest desires are
that you may be found of God-live happy and
useful lives, and be comfort and blessing to
them in their declining years
There is nothing that should grieve thought
tul parent more than seeing his sons pursuing
course of life that will lead to their being for
saken of God. Fond parents, throughout our
wOrshipping assemblies to day, will brush awav
the rising tear, as they sing
For you, the public prayer is made.
o join the public prayer
For you, the secret tear is shed,
.! shed yourselves q tear
Redeemed ones, too, whose sons are vet on
earth, exposed to all the wiles of the tempter
would repeat these counsels yet more earnestly,
were they permitted to send US message from
beyond the gates of pearl, and walls of Jasper.
1t would be this: 'Seek the Lord, and be found
OF him; serve him with perfect hearts and will
ling minds, for if you forsake him, you can new
er reach these peaceful abodes-he will cast you
off forever, for these heavenly gates forever BAR
pollution guilt and shame w. T.. P.
Monterey, March l6, 1867.
A WORD TO LITTLE BoYs.-Who is respect
ed? 1t is the boy who conducts himself well,
who is honest, diligent, and obedient in ali
things. 1t is the boy who is making an effort
continually to respect his father, and to obey
him in whatever he may direct to be done. 1t
is the boy who is kind to other little boys, who
respects age, and who never gets into difficulties
and quarrels with his companions 1t is the
boy who leaves no effort untried to improve
himself in knowledge and wisdom every day,
who is busy and active in endeavoring to do a
good act towards Others Show me boy who
obeys his parents, who is diligent, who always
has friendly disposition and who applies HIM
self diligently to get wisdom, and to do good
towards others, and if he is not respected and
beloved by everybody, then there is no such
thing as truth in the world Remember this,
little boys and you will be respected by others,
and you will grow up and become useful men,
EMPLOYMENT man who does not labor
somewhere is worse than useless-he is very
dangerous member of society. He becomes