davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-04-03
" BE Ye Transformed"

God never asks for a work which the
hand he gives us is not able to do. lie
never sends light which the eye he be-
slowed is not able to bear He never die
tated duty but he made that duty possible
10 those whom he addressed - BE We trans.
formed" (Romans xii 2) Be ye. 1t is
within your reach. You have it now at
your very hand. Now, what is your part
| think il is principally this the desire of
our heart is first, to be plastic in the Potter's
hand-in the Transformers hand. 1t comes
TO me as the best thing have TO tell the
people, and as the best thing have to tell
you-that we should have that full surren
der to Christ, that acquiescence in the re-
deeming purpose of Christ, that plastic atti
tude of the soul which says, " Here | am,
Just take me; my will sweetly acquiescent,
my heart opened, my thoughts ready for the
light, my hand calmly placed on the wheel
of Gods great transformation" How he
strives to make us plastic lie sometimes
comes to our home and says, Z" will see
what little loss can do" and he takes from
our knee the light OF our life. lie some
times comes 10 our work and says, " ! will
see what spiritual trial can do" and he
sends us out to the streets where the daugh-
ters of Jerusalem will not weep for them
selves, sometimes ne comes 10 us III prayer,
and he says TO us, That sin thou hast been
committing has for the time shut the door,
and the only way TO open it is confession OF
the SIM" So he goes on trying TO make US
plastic in his hand And then what does he
do 7 When he gets men TO accept his own
terms he says Now | am going TO put you
into the mold where | put them all, 1t is
the mold OF my own life and want to put
on it the polish OF my own image" | am SC
glad of this. lie does not ask me to preach
like Paul. Few could be ministers on thost
terms. lie does not ask us TO fight like
David we could not go TO the battlefield il
that armor. David's sling TO me is as diff
cult TO WELD as Goliaths sword was t.
David. lie says, " Here is limited brain
little heart, will with only certain com
pass All ! want is that they take the mole
from my form--that they take the polisl
and burnish from my image" Then, thougl
we have our different places here, when th
transformation is complete, so far as our ac
quiescence in his glorious grace is con
cerned, what is the result All the surpris
is taken out OF life, and we can say, Nov
we know what il is 10 live in the acceptabl
will of God" Heaven has come down I
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-04-03
Gods Working.

This is another of the common laws of
Gods working. He prepares different agen-
cies in different channels secretly. Each is
quietly fitted to another by unseen strategy.
The leader is fashioned for the people and
the people trained for the leader Unknown
to each other, men are set TO thinking of the
same thing. The same fire is kindied in
many hearts. The same resolves are created,
the same hopes cherished. Perhaps no man
knows the heart of his neighbor in the thing.
Each man may think he is alone in it. But
by-aud-by the time comes when things are
ripe for disclosure of Gods plans. The
leader appears, and suddenly finds that he
has a large following. The people rise, and
suddenly find that they have born leader.
Organization is easy Everybody seems TO
have mind for the work. The result is
great and sudden growth of Christs king
dom. Revivals of religion have illustrated
this law over and over. The history of
Christian missions is full of it. The aboli-
tion of American slavery illustrated it. How
we used to talk and pray on that subject
twenty years ago We thought it one of
the far distant events in our coming history.
Centuries hence, in some golden age, we
dreamed that some happy generation of our
successors would arise who would devise
some way OF putting an end to the atroclous
system. Nobody conceived it possible that
the end was so near, and would come so sud
denly. But God was fitting events to events
and men to men. Had our spiritual senses
been more alert we should have heard the
chariot-whcels and the tramping of steeds.
At last, when he was ready, the end came in
the twinkling of an eye. Such phenomena
suggest the possibility that the conversion
of the world may be nearer than we think.
Who knows? 1t would not be stranger
than some things which God has done if
men now living should see this world conse-
Grated to Jesus Christ.-Protessor Phelps IN
SundaN.. School Times.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-04-03
The Family Altar.

Is there no way, friend, in which you can
make the exercises at your family altar
little less stiff and formal Perhaps YOU
have too much of them. Long prayers are
never so long as at a family altar. 1t is a
place. above all Others where the petition
should be brief, sweet and cheerful. House
hold prayers should compass only the wants
of the household and its joys. For almost
all praying, so greatly are we blessed to-day,
should be plumed with bright feathers. The
family devotions should be preceded by
happy family greetings. The brisk and
cheerful "good morning" of Robert, and
little Mary's sweet kiss are the best prepara-
tions that the head of the family can have
for the family service. If mother joins in
the praying, all the better. The prayer of
motherhood has a charm and a sauctity, in
many instances, which the fathers petition
can never express. Father should pray, and
mother should pray, each in turn. We have
never known cold and awkward family
altar at which the wife and mother Joined
audibly in the devotions. Does your wife
pray at your family altar, husband Does
your mother pray, young man If not, why?
If you who read this article are a wife, suf-
fer the question from us; do you pray at the
family altar Do you not often feel it to be
duty, and even privilege, so to do ?
Would it not help your husband Would it
not help you? Does the Spirit know sex 2
Is he pleased with the false customs which
have grown up out of a false conception of
the relations of the sexes Are you not
baptized into Christ as truly as is your hus-
band Have you not entered with him into
duty, as truly as into grace What saith
the Scripture? There is neither Jew nor
- 4.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-04-03
Gems from Moody.

SOME men tell us they can't pray. Is
there any one here who can't say Lord,
help me ?" You haven't got TO make great
long prayer to get salvation
Look into the United States Senate, and
tell me that men don't need to be regener-
ated ! tell you this government cant
stand without righteousness
JESUS has taught us to pray, and he knew
how. He was in heaven when the prayers of
Daniel and Elijah, short as they were,
reached the throne of his Father Who could
teach like that
WHERE one man reads the Bible, one hun
dred men read you and me. The world is
stumbling over the church. A blind man
who was carrying "A lantern one dark night
was asked what he wanted of lantern
when he couldn't see. " ! carry it," said he
" so that people won't stumble over me-
So ought Christians TO carry the true light
in their lives, so that sinners won't stumble
over them.
lr is amazing what lille things sometime,
keep men from God. One man came to me
aud told me that his business was that OF
selling kind of soap which was advertised
to do remarkable work in taking out greas,
spots "The soap will do all that is claimed
for it" said he, "but the truth is, it ros III,
clothes, and if ! become Christian | mus
give up my business, and | can't afford t.
do it," Aud so in his case it was soap which
kept him out of the kingdom of God.
The quickest way to get darkness out o
the heart is to letin the light. What woulc
you think of the committee here, if the,
should set to work some morning to get th,
darkness out of the Tabernacle by force
You'd laugh at them. All they have to d,
is to just let The light in, and then the dark
ness will disappear. Darkness can't sta
where light is. This illustrates the case o
many sinners who are trying TO get the dark
ness out of their hearts. All there is to d
is to open them to the light, aud let tn
| light fill them"
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-04-03
Mans Age.

Few men die of age. Almost all die of
disappointment, passion, mental or bodily
toll, or accident. The passions kill men
sometimes, even suddenly. The common
expression, choked with passion, has little
exaggeration in it; for even though not sud
denly fatal, strong passions shorten life.
Strong-bodied men often die young-weak
men live longer than the strong for the
strong use their strength and the weak have
none to use. The latter take care of them
selves, the former do not As it is with the
body, so it is with mind and temper. The
strong are apt to break or, like the candle,
to run the weak to burn out. The inferior
animals which live, in general, regular and
temperate lives, have generally their pre-
scribed term of years. The horse lives
twenty-five years; the OK fifteen or twenty ;
the lion about twenty the dog ten or twelve {;
the rabbit eight; the guinea-pig six or seven
years. These numbers all bear a similar pro-
portion to the time the animal takes to grow
to its full size. But man, of the animals is
one that seldom comes up to this average.
lie ought TO live hundred years, according
to this physiological law, for five times
twenty are one hundred but instead of that,
he scarcely reaches, on the average, four times
his growing period; the cat six times and
the rabbit even eight times the standard of
measurement The reason is obvious-man
is not only most irregular and the most in
temperate, but the most laborious and hard
worked of all animals He is also the most
irritable of all animals and there is reason
to believe, though we can not tell what an
animal secretly feels, that more than any
other animal man chershes wrath TO keep
it warm and consumes himself with the fire
of his own secret reflections.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-04-03
An Example.

Miss Charlotte NJ. NJ. Tucker G" A. l.. O.
i. who is now a volunteer missionary in
India, in requesting funds writes 1t has
often occurred to me that many true SER
wants Of God are not sufficiently ingenious
in finding out ways to increase their means
of giving. When in Israel's tabernacle
brass was required for a laver the women
gave their metal mirrors What a sacrifice
of vanity was there A Mohammedan wo-
man here has lately devoted the Jewels
which adorned her head-one hundred and
twenty rupees in value--to swell the sub
scriptiou for Turkey. Is there here no ex-
ample for us z Many a Christian lady could
sacrifice the gold chain and jewelled ring,
and 50 realize the delight of laying her gems
at the feet Of the Lord Why should the
table of the Christian gentleman be loaded
with superiluous plate, when it might afford
to him the privilege of laying up treasures
in heaven o. il my brethren and sisters
in Christ saw what | see-the struggle so
interesting so momentous, between darkness
and light, and realize the honor of being pei
mitted, however feebly, to fight under the
banner of the cross, they would feel more
inclined to throw themselves into the ranks
of the combatants than to grudge the trihing
sacrifices which can be made by them while
STAYING at home"
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-04-03
The Children.

To one who makes study of children,
the different ways in which they find con-
tent are very interesting. One child will
find in a single toy amusement for a long
time, while another demands a constant sue
cession of playthings aud then is restless aud
unsatisfed We have been told many times
that child's mind is like piece of blank
white paper, but any observing mother can
readily trace in her child the prevailing tone
and character of her own moral, intellectual
and physical condition previous to its birth
and this wellkuown fact can but furnish
food for careful reflection to every prospec-
tive mother. The love which every child
brings with il is in itself the strongest indi-
cation of the needs of the child. Love is like
sunshine; without it there can be no harmo-
nious growth or development. As well ex
pect fruit tree to bear delicious fruit in a
cellar, as expect a child to grow up into
symmetrical manhood or womanhood with
out love. As invariably we appropriate the
sunnest nook i'll the garden to the nursery,
the sunniest room in the house to the nurs-
ery so must the warmest and sunniest
apartments of the heart be given to the lit.
tie ones. Nurtured in an atmosphere of
love, their various powers expand Ill uncon
scous but harmonious beauty "Love hath
its seat in reason and is judicous.' We
prune our trees, we cut back our vines aud
our roses, we pinch off the excess of buds on
our floral pets, having in view ali the time
the highest development of the plant; to let
it have its own luxuriant way would often
be to cultivate its ruin. And in the same
way we watch our children, checking pro-
pensity here that may lead to vice, killing
in the bud a trait that may develop bitter
fruit by-and-by; cutting off branches that
mar the symmetry of the whole, aud watch
ing continually to keep the thing straight,
till it is firmly rooted in the soil, and can
bear the east winds without bending. And
yet it is folly to shut children away from
the knowledge that sin and death, with all
their train of woes, are in the world. This
knowledge can be kept from them but a lit
tie while at longest. As it comes to them
in the natural course of things, such anti
dotes can be given with it as shall prevent
any untoward effect. pure child, like
ray of sunshine, can go anywhere without
contracting taint. Though choice OF asso-
Citations is essential to wholesome develop
ment, yet normal and healthful child may
come in contact with great deal Of rough
ness and vice without being injured by it,
This can only be, however, when the child
carries with it continually the atmosphere
of pure, elevated, Christian home The
intuitions of child thus nurtured will
make it shrink from the taint of vice and
keep it pure.-New York Tribune.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-04-03
Clleerfulness.

We all advise cheeriulness, and we all ad-
mire ESPECIALLY in other people-but we
do not always attain to it ourselves. OF
course, there are circumstances under which
cheerfulness is simply mpossible-with a
raging toothache, for instance, or when you
have Just upset the ink OH the new carpet,
or have been caught in a violent shower
without an umbrella, and with your best
suit. To be admonished TO be cheerful at
such times is adding aggravation to mis-
fortune, and might exhaust the patience of
Job himself. But there are many very small
aunoyances too insignificant to be classified
or remembered, and yet whose daily occur
renee may be and must be expected, over
which we have no right to lose our cheer
funess for "a moment. There is no doubt
that the happiness of many home, the
charm OF many IA fireside, has been clouded
and dispelled 10y this want of cheeriulness
in the elders of the family group. Little
veXations were sufficient TO chase the smile
from the fathers face, or cloud the mothers
brow with annoyance, and so the home
gatherings grew irksome TO the children,
and the bond of sympathy was forever
broken. Let us cultivate, therefore, cheer
ful spirit, and like all efforts in the right
direction, we shall find that we cannot I'M
prove ourselves without improving others
that the reflex of our cheerfulness will shine
out in the tempers of those around us, and
brighten the darkest days.-Seiected.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-04-03
A Little Life in the Olden Time.

| wonder whether the little girls of these
days would like to live as little girls did a
hundred years ago. The daughters of Sir
William Johnston, rich and wise man, who
lived on the banks of the Mohawk river, in
very elegant style, were brought up in a
very simple way All the year round they
wore the same kind of dress, chintz wrap
per opening in front TO show green silk
petticoat In winter they wore over this a
scarlet cloth MANTLE which went quite down
TO their feet. They wore, summer and win
ter, large hat called calash, 10 shield
them from the sun and wind. Their long
hair was done into a single braid, and tied
behind by ribbon. Every morning they
rose early, read their Bibles and their PRAYER
books, and tended their flowers, and took
breakfast. After this they sat for several
hours, engaged in fine sewing and embroi-
derry. When this was laid aside they were
allowed 10 read either Rollins Ancient His
tOrH or one OF the sentimental romances of
the period. Dinner divided the day After
dinner they took long walk, if it were
summertime, or if winter, went for ride
in the sledge, aud then after more sewing
and reading, went very early TO bed. Mrs
Grant, IA friend OF the Sohuylers, in her recol
lections of her childhood and youth, tells us
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-04-03
March Winds.

There is something at once sad and joy
full about March. Only nonIinally has win.
ter departed. Spring comes slowly, almost
to our northern latitudes.
To-day blue-bird pirouetted on the boughs,
and sang his little carol of delight. To-
morrow there may be snow, sitting into
every cranay and crevice, the raw, chill
wind cutting you as with la,hes of whip,
and the cold keen AS it was in December.
Still, the clouds have begun TO look lighter,
and there is an airy grace about their shape,
and charm in their whiteness, which
speaks TO our hearts of bithe days coming
apace. The pathetic part of March is the
fact that it so dreaded in homes where there
are invalids Often they who have gone
through the winter with comparative ease
and comfort succumb to the clamorous
blast of this month, and many a household
has reason TO fear lest it have mission of
sorrow TO their circle.-Chrisiidn at Work.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-04-03
Ghe gomr Ghrlf.
THE BRIDAL VEIL

ny ALICE CAREY.
We are married, they say, and you think yo have won NJ
Well take this white veil from my head, and look mt
Here's matter to vcS you and matter to gricyeyou,
Here's doubt 10 dlsrust you and faith to belae YOU
am all as you see, common earth common dey
Be wary, and mould me TO roses, not ruei
An shake out the hlmy thing, fold after fold,
And see II you have me to keep and to hold
Look close on my heartsee the worst Of iis shining
II Is not yours to-day for the yesterdays Winning
The past is not mne-t am too proud TO borrw-
You must grow to new nights II love you tomorrow
We're married. I'm plighted to hold up yourpraises,
As the turf at your feet does its handful Of dhslesi
That way lies my honor-my pathway Of prize
But mark you, II greener grass grow either sde,
] shall know It, and keeping In body with ydi,
Shall walk in my spirit with feet on the dew
We're married o. pray that our love do not fail
have wings naiiened down and hid under my veil;
They are subtle as light-you can never undo Them,
And swift In their fllght-you can never pursue hem,
And spite of all clasping and spite Of all bands,
! can slip like shadow, dream, from your hands.
Nay, call me not cruel, and fear not to take M,
am yours for my lifetime, to be what you make me
To wear my white veil for a sign or a cover,
As you shall be proven my lord or my lover;
cover for peace that il dead or a token
Of bliss that can never be written or spoken.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-04-03
Seleff MisfeHany.
AN APRIL SONG.

Sweet April when you try with your sunshine your sky
Your wind breathing low and your birds that sing together
Your misty blue that nlls the hoows Of the hills.
You can mnkca day Of most enchanting weather.
But on this lovely morning YOU have for your adornlng
The presence Of my only love, my darling, my dear
So have need to try with your sunshine and your sky
To make this day the day Of all the year.
Yet. April, do best, with soft wind from the vest
with sunlight the sprnglng grass and tender blue
above
Let your singing birds sing loudly and your flowers look up
proudly
SO may You serve the lady Of my lovel
o month Of chaneefn mlcnyour days may be serene
Oryour sobbng east wind may he bringing rainy weather
Each sa welcome day, for It takes me nearer May,
When my onlylovc and shall be togetheri
--Scribner Tor ApriL
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-04-03
HumOrsOne Waits.

-.;....l H.. -. 800, ,,.t,,, 1;,,o.
sii''s 'li',n l',' -
.S PG 'iAS at ua9 G' "i H. Srt ooIiar
-. t. ao,,. ,ho ,,.;u
oLN"N iaooish ~ n fhll-oGu ' sory oay' one "Ia
49, MAJ .i,' IJ,r.i i'3 S,,'S, oo
VI '0u' '''''" "s Pi"U07
lHEhE are TWO things that uouoie up
man with startling rapldlty the misery oil
al. u,i'asy oonsoien'' "'i 'iie "'ipA'u in'e'-
%. Vi i'io'
IENAs TOOK out one hundred ana seventy
patents last year. one Tor lassolng oook
agent at a Thousand yarus Is saiu 10 oe es-
peclaIIy ingenious
" IHE line must be drawn somewhere ex-
planned a Dan6ury woman, the other nlght,
when her husband got sawed across the neck
with the clothes-lne
Il WANT to die in harness." says Alexan-
der Stephens. 1t viii be a little difficult to
tiud harness small enough for the purpose,
but 1t shall be done.-BgVdi0 ErPreSS'
The experienced editor can always tell at
sight the man who comes in with his first
attempt at original poetry He walks on
tiptoe, and looks as though he had Just
passed counterfeit bill or strangled a baby
"MA!" screamed young Matilda Spilkins,
the other morning, when she got the paper:
d" Ma, Silver Bill has Just passed the House"
Has he, my dear ?" replied Mrs. Spilkins
from upstairs "Why didn'tyou ask him in?"
Tur DESIGNER of the new silver dollar is
an Englishman, and the Philadelphia Times
saws he wanted to make our bird look slim
and shrunken, as it were-so as to harmonic
with the present appearance of the British
Lion.
Ran lncl is simnlv a man with his hands
in his pockets and his nine in his mouth.
looking on to see how it is coming out.
Good luck is man of pluck, with his sleeves
rolled up, and working to make it come
out right
WurN Won see woman balancing herself
ON one foot kicking the other wildly ont be-
hind her and skilfnllv swoon mn in her hand
a fantail train. don't be alarmed; she isn't
going to have fit-she is about to cross
twelve-inch gutter
opvnrcrn 70 savsp dollars " remarkad
.To,as as he passed a fashionahle tailor,s
go and raad the above statewant nronni.
nantly disnIoved ON an oyercoat, :, That's
notbing am reduced IN a much smaller
snm than that mvsef"
Urxpv Sr,x,rv is believed nv the Liver.
nooI Weycurv In be egotistical' A fellow
ni,'hasa a,,o has been for son,a years dodging
cannibaIs and inventine schemes 10 keen his
n,rticnIar .rara rihs ont of their dinner.not
has nerhans n triae of A right to he egotis-
ticaI GrooIic
40, .....-s..
n's i'N P'Pei I"9I, ,'stnIy u.sIy "ts
NAV he safe enough IN catch bntterav at
the Soutb End b1t when Won 90 TO grab a
u.,s,, ,on want IN catch il a1 the north.
essterly end shifting westerly toward the
bsad > Norr;s,o,rn USrod
~. .,,.,.-..s.,1., -, ,,,u. s+ou,oa .ho
lnL hewIp"Peis r. nav noT d;,oS say ~ An" .ne
QUESTION o. ''io n%i NauVIo'sV ouv'' :" h .''' H.
ea ool1u1i 'I'e teS. h, See b,l hiSa onr ,mr
iaNoiI.e az t.e s'"'u' ou. I"' h",0"a oaa
IN. "'I H. rnt',s,' 80 y; ana tha hrass