The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1874-12-25


And on a pilgrimage TO the other life.
we 20, then. as traveller. journeying
slowly, always bearing in mind the end
we desire. We ought not 10 take the
way which seems most agreeable to us.
li II leads US astray, bat that one which
vii conduct us most directly and most
surely To our desired country. We
hope 10 enjoy riches, but rever,es will
,overwbelm US. We think we will con.
tract distinguished and agreeable
union, but we will find only discord
We aspire to honors, and il will only
procure us thorns. How many things
have persons desired which they wished
10 get rid OF almost as soon IA they pos
sessed them. Every temporal good has
ats mixture OF evil. and il is kind dis
lpensation Of Providence, intended TO de-
zach us from temporal things. "lf thou
hadst walked in the ways of God, thou
hadst surely dwelt in peace forever"
why do We think of gaining SO much
Tabor and uncasiness? Can we hope for
more than 10 become the Emperor's
,iavori'es? But how many dangers must
we brave, to enjoy this frail happiness?
What can the Emperor give us that does
mot cost us more than il is worth and
Whatever we get we will perhaps keep
mot, even during our life. Imagine
yourself to have reached the awful mo-
inent, when you are assured that YOU
'cai live no longer. Imagine yourself
10 have been brought before the Divine
tribunal, there TO be judged with the
'greatest eNactness OH all your life. aud
ITO render an account of your talents,
'Sraccs, works done or neglected. inspi-
'ratiohs, affections, and thoughts. The
best way Of guiding ourselves is 10 turn
10 the moment Of death, because, being
between the present and the future life.
we clearly see that temporal things there
tend and eternal ones begin. II YOU
: have not entirely lost your reason, YOU
|, viii not hesitate 10 abandon way which
affords but flecting aud deceiiful pleas
ures and to take one which will lead
iyou safely to the possession Of those in
Unite treasures which God has prepared
ioryou. When any one offers YOU ad-
ivice for the direction Of your affairs, ex-
ainine, in the first place, how he takes
care of his own. II he acquits himself
. badly, his advice will scarcely be advan-
jtageous 10 you. You cannot expect
sound advice with regard TO your situa-
: tion from him who evidently neglects
his own. Whilst under the cloak Of
ftriendship, they picture good 10 us m
: evil they wish TO persuade US that tho
n most favorable road to salvation is pre-
! cisely that which is most advantageous
. to them. They love us, but what sort Of
love Is that which may prove our ruin
!. They love us, but with an interested
r love. on account of the temp yral advan-
tages they expect from us, such as relief
! in their labors, the renown of friends,
!. increase Of riches. They regard us as
"A part Of friendship; and therefore a
person who cannot follow his own ad-
. vice cannot be the advisor Of their
4 dtrients. How many young persons
n would have chosen the way of saliva
ton had they not been led astray by
friends and would-be sages? As soon
a as they believe that one thinks Of serv-
ling God, they make grand display of
. the most plausible maxms. Take care
!, of yourseli, it is weighty aud momcn-
!, tous affair you are about: remember do
nothing rashly: be advised do not un-
dertake what YOU cannot carry out; you
/ must reflect a long time, unless you wish
j to nave cause Of repentance Beware
q of 4 discretion that IL carnal. sensual, d.
!. abohcal, and inimical to salvation.
NJ. X.
!. Jasper, Dee. 10th, 1874.