Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1879-11-24
PRAYER AND THANKSGIVING.

In the account, in the Herald, of the
marvellous escape of the Arizona from
destruction by striking an iceberg while
at full speed. it was stated that cler-
gyman suggested to the passengers the
propriety of bowling in prayer with
thanksgiving to God for SO marked de-
liverence from peril, and that all instant
ly and instinctively responded, falling
on their knees, and that after they rose
all as spontaneously united in singing
the doxoIogy, "Praise God from whom
all blessings fow." In recording the
fact, the Providence Journal makes the
following remarks;
lone incident which occurred, natu.
rally, inevitably under the circumstances,
on board the Arizona, appears to US to
be worth more than a volume of essays
in theological reviews in regard to the
efficiency, the spontaneousncss. the nat,
ural law of prayer. Immediately the
passengers were led to believe that they
were, at any rate for the time being,
safe, they Joined in prayer-a prayer Of
thanksgiving, Did any one doubt at
that moment the appropriateness of the
act? Was there any question as to
whether such prayers would be heard
Was there an Indifferent hearer? Did
not the sudden shock and the supposed
safety lead at once, without argument,
to the thought of an Almighty Being?
Doubtless there were plenty of intellect
ual unbelievers in that ships cabin the
unexpected glimpse they caught Of the
future life, if it did not affect the head,
awakened the heart. Theology has its
uses, but one may know very little about
it and still be religious. That man
should give thanks to God because of es-
cape from great and imminent danger is
not, indeed, proof of religious character,
but it tends to show that all are uncon-
sciously or consciously living in the be-
lief of Supreme Director of human
events If such be the fact, then either
by himself, or as informed by those in
whom he has confidence, every reasona-
BILE creature will endeavor to ascertain
what his relations to the Deity are. II
prayer is confession of dependence, it
is hardly worth while to wait for a sink
ing ship before we satisfy ourselves what
that independence is, and whether we
are living as it demands. If there is a
dominating law, and are we conforming
ourselves to its requirements %
ScoLDING.-With some, scolding is
chronic, says lions Herald. Life il
one long fret The flesh is feverish. the
nerves unstrung, the spirit perturbec
and in state of unrest. The physica
condition and the material surrounding
may have a strong tendency to disturb
our equanimity and to exasperate GU
feelings but we are apt to bear il
mind that the scolding never did any
body any good, and withal grows to b
very uncomfortable to the party who IN
dulges in it. Inappropriate to anybody
scoldlng appears most hateful in pa
rents. Set to be dispensers of kindnes
and love to those with whom they ar
more especially associated, it is horribl
/, to see gall distilled instead of charity
: Scolding turns household into a pan
\ demonium, and church into an inqui
:" sition. Bear in mind that kindness an
gentle speech are great deal easier
practice than their opposites. VIII
: practice the worse thing when harder
: Arrest yourself in the indulgence Of thi
: bad habit right here. Begin now, an
put yourself under bonds to be gooc
natured.
e | may faint and be weary, but m
God cannot. | may alter and huctuat.