The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1890-03-19
DAILY WALK WITH GOD.

We lately met with the following from
the excellent Bishop Hall of Norwich. the
author of the ''Meditations," in letter VI
his to Lord Denny. 1t furnishes beauti-
full example to initiate.
"Every day is little life, and our whole
life is but day repeated: Whence it is
that old Jacob numbered his life by days;
and Moses desires to be taught this point
of holy arithmetic, to number, not i bis II;
dare lose day are danger ously prcdigal;
those that dare misspend it, desperate. Wee
can teach others by ourselves. Let me tell
your Lordship how I would pass my
days, whether common, or sacred. When
sleep is rather driven away than leaves
me, would ever awake with God. Ny
frat thoughts are for him. Il
NV heart be easily seasoned
with his presence, it will savor oil
him all day after. While my body is dress.
ing, not with an etteminute curiosity, nor
itself to her ensuing task, bethinkiDg. what
is to be done. and in what order, and mar
shaling as it may my hours with my work.
That done, after some meditation, walk up
to my masters and companions, my books;
and sitting amongst them with the best con.
tentment dare not reach forth my hand
to touch any of them till have first looked
up TO heaven and craved favor from Him to
whom all my studies are daily referred;
without whom I can neither profit nor Ia
Dor. After this, without any overgreat yari-
ETY., call forth those which may best tit my
occasions. Ere can have sat unto weari-
ness, my family having overcome all house
hold distractions, invites me to our COM
mon devotions, not without some short
preparation. These heartily performed
send me up with more strong
apd cheerful appetite to my former
work, which l find made easy to me by in
termission and variety. One while mine
ewes are busted, another while my hand end
sometimes my mind takes the burden from
them both. One hour is spent III teXtual div
inity: another in controversy; history re-
lieves them both. When the mind is weary
of other labors, it begins 10 undertake her
own; sometimes it meditates and winds up
for future use; sometimes it lays forth her
conceits for present discourse, sometimes
for itself, often for others. Neither know l
whether 1t works or plays in these thoughts.
work more use; only the decay of weak
body. makes me think these delights insensi.
bly laborious. Before my meals and after, |
let myself loose from: all thoughts and would
forget thatI studied; company, discourse,
recreations are now seasonable and wei
come. I rise not Immediately from my
trencher to my books, but after some inter
mission. After my latter meal, my
thoughts are slight; only my memory may
be charged with the task of recalling OF
what may have been committed to her Gus
tody during the day. And my, heart is
busy in examining my hands and mouth
and all other senses Of that days behavior.
The evening is come. No trsdesman doth
more carefully take in his wares, clear his
shop board, and shut his windows, than
I would shut up my thoughts and
clear nv mind. That student will be
miserable which, like q camel, lies down
Under his burden. All this done, calling
together my family, we end the day with
God. ,,.,
The same sun arises on this day and ell
lightens it: yet because that Son Of Right
eousness arose upon it, and gave new life
unto the world in it, and drew the strength
of Gods moral precept INTO it, therefore
Justly do we sing with the Psalmist; This
IS the day which the Lord has made Now
T forget the world, and deal with my
wonted thoughts as great men USE who at
some time Of theft privacy forbid the access
of all suitots. Frazier, meditation, reading
hearing, bleaching, singing, good con-
ferences, are tho business Of this day, which
dare not bestow on any work which Is not
heavenly. I hate superstition on the ope
side and looseness Oh the other; but find
it hare, TO offend in too much devotion, easy
in profaneness. Tho week is sanctitled by
this day. and according to my care Of this,
is my blessing on the rest"