Delaware Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1843-1874, 1874-02-16

The following essay was read by Mr.. Edwin
Hirst, before the Teachers Association, al the
Elm street Baptist Chapel, on Thursday even
Ing, Feb. 9Th, 1874.
These meetings are held on tile first Thurs
day evening In each month. Mr.. William II /.
Gregg was appointed to prepare the next paper.
.TEACHlNG.'-Whe God called of Moses 10
be the leader of the Children Of israel, he began
at once to make excuses, asserting his utter un-
fitness In every respect to accomplish the mis-
sion assigned TO him, his last excuse being 40
my Lord, am not eloquent, neither heretofore
mol since thOu has spoken unto thy servant, but
am slow OF speech and OF slow tongue Ex. L.
10. God ovsrcame all of the objections OF No
ses, first, by working miracl,s 10 prove that be
would be with him In his mission, and
provided for his lack of speech by commission
ing Aaron the brother Of Moses 10 accompany
him, and bs his spokesman unto the people, FIX
L. l416.
When was informed of my appointment 10
perform the duty devolving upon ME this even
ing. | was very much surprised at the selec-
tion. Feeling as did, aad still do, my utter
uniitness for the position | ocrnpy before at
this time, having never before occupied such a
position; and, like Moses | felt that | could
truly say 40 my Lord, am not eloquent, neiih-
er heretofore, nor since thou has spoken unto
thy servant, hut am slow of speech, and Of a
slow tongue" | endeavored TO have the APP
pointment reconsidered, and have some one an
pointed who would be better fitted tor the task,
but without success and was consequently COM
PEELED, though reluctantly to accept the situa-
lion, reconcilsd however by the fact that duties
are ours, and results are Gods.
trust therefore, that you will bear with me
patiently, look upon my errors and defects with
charity, and consider with candor and kindress
| such thoughts as may be suggested, even though
1 lnf oil tn
are present. Teaching will be the subject fol
this evening, and. as make this announce
| ment, do not expect me to Jay down any formal
rules or plans for the preparation OF your scrip
ture lessons for the Sabbath, for the explaining
| by word of mouth of few passages of Gods
word, (Which is, it Is true a, very important
| u after and must be left for much abler minds
than uline to discuss,) for if you have such an
expectation, you will be disappointed.
therefore propose to pursue course some
what contrary TO my ordinary manner of con.
versation, and deal in some direct assertions as
to what we do teach, and the modes, times and
places Of ouI teaching; hoping In this manner
to be able with the assistance of the Holy Spirit
to impress upon our minds and hearts tue greal
importance Of teaching by our lives those thing'
which we profess 10 teach with our lips. Fol
saws Paul "Ye are our Epistle written iu OH
hearts, Known and read Of all meD,'2 Coz. 8.
We ERE all teachers, and are constantly employ
ed In teaching, either voluntarily or involuntari
ly, by our words and by our conduct; and man,
Of US wish at times that we could recall soui'
of our teaching, undo some of the work we hav'
done, but that is beyond our power wor
once spoken can never be recalled. An &c
once committed can never be undone, boil
may be repented OF, but in many cases, wba
remorse accompanies repeptapcep The follow
ing story Ia an Illustration Of thus point.
"CAN You UNpo."-T believe have writ
tan nothing for you,' said kindly Christial
man to a soldier In an army hospital, wssitn
away with fever. 'Shsll not write 10 you
friends since you are unable p
Il have no one to write to-
! Not oneS No mother living "
II No. was tile reply.
Il As / stood, the eyes grew softer and deeper
there was a swelling about the face and neck,
slight movement of the lip. Would he speak
waited, and then asked the old question
sCan do anything for youT
. Can you undor
What an utterancel Confes,.on-remoHs-