The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1876-05-17

grandness of which wss equaled by that OF
his own grand mission, chose four out OF
the twelve who were fishermen. "And 1t
is observable" says awriteT, THAT It was
our Ssviour's will that these four fish
ermen should -hsXe-a priority
of nomination in the catalogue
of bis twelve apostles; as, namely, first,
St Peter. St.-Andrew,= ST. James and st.
John, and the rest in their order" When
he went up into the mount, and chose
only three to bear HE company at the
TRANSPORTATION, these three were fisher
men. II seems, too, that all the apostles
became fishermen later, for Jesus found
them fishing after His resurrection. The
same writer says that these four were
never rebuked for their calling, as were
the scribes and money changers. They
were "men of mild and sweet and
psscesbls spirits, IS indeed most sng-
lers srs." 1t has been insisted that Moses,
the meek man, and the prophet Amos,
were both anglers. And further, the
ancient ecclesiastical canons which rigidly
forbid much that we deem innocent and
harmless, allowed angling to clergy
men ''as being a harmless recres-
restion," inviting TO contemplation
and quietness. 1t is claimed that
Belus, the inventor of cody and
virtuous recreation, was the inventor of
angling, and this old fable has moral
which time but enforces.
e. 49, 49,
dunn between labor and what Is not labor;
neither exacting too much on the one side
nor deaenerating into vacancy on the
other. II involves earnestness, and
is attended with enthusiasm, win
ming unconsciously the whole atten-
ton, and with ineffabel grace frees
The burdened mind of its cares
and sDxietits. and yet wiihsl taxes
neither the mind nor the body to the ex
tent of precluding the appropriation of
the soothing name OF recreation"
Hence, those who have been initiated into
the joys of the "gentler craft" whether
statesmen, priests, scholars, lawyers or
artisans, evince such enthusiasm in its
commentator aud such earnestness in its
pursuit, that the cold and calculating
world often regales itself by indulging in
ingorsnt criticism and meaningless strict
ures upon madness on so ''trivisl a sub
jet" as they are pleased to characterize it.
Thompson, Burns, Scott, christopher
NORTH Words worth, DIR. Bethune, Daniel
Webster and host of such would escape
from their books or the turmoil of the Ser
ate chamber and follow the silver threads
OF the mountain streams, listening TO their
music, older than that of the harp, winning
health, forgetting care, burying trouble
and holding converse with nature
in her sweetest moods. In behalf of this
it was that "Psley left his charming home
and Davy his tests and crucibles, Chsntry
his models end cbisel-work-esch and all
to rejoice and renovste themselves" The
fishing-rod is verify a magic wand which
has the secret OF healing in its power!
Washington Irving would commend this
sport, and, were commentator needed,
his would be passport. But We
submit that this act which is q
''cheerer of spirits, diverter of sad
ness, a cslmer of unguiet thoughts,
a moderator of passions, procurer OF con-
tentedness, and which begets habits of
peace and patience in those that profess
and practice it," needs the commentator
of none to that end. Good old Izask
Walton would have the blessings OF ST.
PETERS master "upon all that are lovers of
virtue; and dare trust in his providence;
and be quiet, and go a-angling." So say
we. az nH.