Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1868-12-01
The Miller and the Camel.

The Arabs repeat a fable of a miller, who
was one day awakened by having the nose of
camel thrust into the window of room where
he was sleeping 1t is very cold out here
said the camel, Il only want to get my nose
in The miller granted his request. After
awhile the camel asked that he might get his
neck ID, and then he gained permission to have
his forefeet IN the room, and so little by little,
crowded In his whole body. The miller found
his rude companion was now becoming exceed
lngly troublesome, for the room was not large
enough for both. When he complained to the
camel he received for answer, IF you do not
like 1T you may leave; as for myself shall stay
where [ am -
So 1t is with sin. 1t comes and knocks at
the heart and pleads for only little indulgence,
and so goes on, increasing the demand until it
becomes master in the soul. What then shall
the young do but guard against sin, beware of
Its very appearance, and above ALL pray for the
aid OF the Holy Spirit, that by His grace thew
may be enabled to keep their heart with all
diligence and to guard against the entrance of
anything that may defile or ruin the soul.
Never shirk your duties, however low and
mean they may seem to you. Remember that
to do as we'll as ever you can what happens to
be the only thing within your power to do, is
the best and surest preparation for higher
service Should things go against you never
give way to debilitating depression; but he hone
tul, brave, courageous, careful not to waste in
vain and unavaillng regret the power you will
need for endurance and endeavor Learn we'll
your business, whatever it may be; make the
best OF every opportunity for acquiring any sort
OF knowledge that may enlarge your acouain-
tance with business In general, and enable you
to take advantage of any offer or opening that
may come. Above all things, remember that
character as essential to success an life and that
character is the best which is real and thorough
true and genuine to the core--whch has no.
thing underlying it of the consciousness of secret
SIN; which Is as pure and unspotted as it is
thought to be, and the moral and manly virtues
OF which are based upon and inspired by a
religious faith-by that love and fear of God
which at once preserve from great trangres-
slons, and prompt to the cultivation of eyery
personal and social virtue.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF PRovIDENcE. "A
little error of the eye, misguidance of the
hand, slip of the foot, startling of horse,
sudden mist, or a great shower, or word I'M
desgnedly cast forth In an army has turned the
tide or victory from one side to another, aud
thereby disposed of empires aud whole nations
No Prince ever returns safe out of battle, but
may well remember how many blows and bullets
have gone by that might easily have gone
through him and what little, odd, unforeseen
chances OF death he has seen turned aside
which seemed In full, ready and direct career
to have been posting to him. All of which
passages, if we do not acknowledge TO have
been guided to their respective ends and effects
by the conduct of superior and Divine band,
we do, by the same assertion, cashier all Pro-
violence, strip the Almighty of his noblest pre-
rogative, and make God, not the governor, but
the mere spectator of the world-Dr. South.