Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1869-04-08
The wonders Of Life.

Rev. Day X. Lee, q Universalist min
lister of New York, preached on Sabbath
last on 1.-The wonders of Life" He tool
his text from ST. John iX., s. In refer
ring to the blind man whose sight wal
restored, the story of that mirr Gle, hi
said, was retold in the simplest words tt
bring the scene and its characters before
his hearers and make them see and fee
| it. The chapter was so natural it seem
ed modern, and so full of divine anG
human life that it convinced every en-
lightened mind of its inspiration. Tht
preacher mentioned the wonders of life
brought out of the blind begger's hear
and revealed to him, and passed to speak
of the wonders of all intellectual and
moral life, and the goodness of God now
and forever unfolding them. The blind
man represented all. The miracle was
an acted promise of greater wonders to
come upon others. First, the wonders
of intellectual life and what they will be
forever. "Of every man we may ask.
Is not this he that sat and begged?"
Here is child sitting on the carpet, and
how helpless, how blind to all thought
and knowledge, to God and heaven!
Contrast it with the author, astrshomer,
orator, poet, prophet or Christ-what
distance between them! Would the dis
tance between you and angels. be greater?
What . little beggar it is! 1t begs for a
rattle or candy stick; yet what wonders
of life are folded in that heart, like pet
ais in lilly bud or oaks in acorns! 1t
may become an author. DefOe was once
q little beggar like that and what could
his mother guess ofhis future? Yet his
eyes were opened and he wrote . book
which, made his name immortal. tmay
become a scientist. Humboldt was once
the same, remarkably dull even at. if-
teen, and giving no promise of greatness.
But his eyes were opened, truth came
pouring in rivers on his mind; he sailed
to every pert of science gathering rich
est freight, he became king of science,
receiving tribute fromSa hundred prov
inces, and from the dome of his tower
ing 'Kosmos'' he stepped into heaven
to explore its wonders and master ITS
lights. 1t may become a'heIo and de-
liverer. So was Washington, whose
life was itself Q shining world. 1t may
write psalms, like David, and express
the deyotiops of the human race. Sec
ondly, the wonders of spiritual life. The
work of Jesus were symbols OF spiritual
brought before him blinded and beg
SdASo ny olhy OAb q germ Va eooihSco ~
mained unblighted in her heart. Jesus
ibreathed upon it, and it sprang forth to
virtuous life, beholdipg the divine and
holy, following him in loving devotion,
seeing the gates of heaven open clear
down to earth, rising to a. new glory
forever, and sharing all thought and
joy. There was once poor tinker whol
begged as often as he mended kettles,
and was morally blinded and unbeliev-
ing. " ho could have thonght Of making
even a man of him? Yet the Lord touch.
ed the eyes Of his soul, and he wrote
the story OF, the Pilgrim, which has
charmed and blessed q million hearts.
We have seen similar wonders in our
day. Such progress of life and such a
growth could be com pared to nothing SO
we'll as q tropical forest grewn from
angle seed or plantation of lilies from
q bud. 1t gives a theme of hope that
should rouse us and prompt our best en-
deavors. 1t shows what powers of mind
are possible to all, what attainmentsl
may crown those who begin without
promise. If a great author, scientist,
hero, deliverer can rise from the heart
Of a little begging child what may not
we become by help Of God and our best
-a7a7t uilf.J ,s7o U