The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1892-05-13

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California and Australia are under
ground. Depend upon, it if no pruning,
no fruit; no climbing, no elevation; no
battle, no victory; no cross, no crown
Had there been no Nebuchadnezzar
there would have been no Daniel. Even
so it has been in all ages. The flames
that have flashed up from the stake have
been so many Examinations of Christian
triumphs. When God would make a
great light of truth and holiness in the
world he often takes great prosecutions
and with them strikes fire.
The devils hate is Gods glory. Had
it not been for the prosecutions of EN-
porer Vaierian, the world would not
have known of the courage ola Cyprian,
and if the tyranny of Diocletian had
never been known, the triumphant grace
would not have been seen which made
Macmillan, when sDItenced to death,
exclaim, "God be praised" Had not the
bandits of Piedmont pursued the Wal
denses through the valleys of the Alps,
and the infuriate decree put to massa-
ere the Albigenses of France, the world
would have had fewer illustrations of
Christian heroism. Be Joseph before
Pharaoh. Be Paul before Felix. Be
Daniel before Darius.
THE BEAUTY OF YOUTHFUL PURITY.
Again let the story of Daniel teach
us the beauty of that youthful charac-
ter which remains unblemished and up
right when away from home. Had
Daniel on arriving in Babylon plunged
into every excess his friends in Jeru-
salem would never have heard of it.
His dissipation and Remuneration of re-
hgion would not have cast one sorrow
on the family hearth where he had lived
OF the old family Bible which he used
to read. But, though far away from
home, he knew that Gods eye watched
him and that was enough. 1t is not
every young man who maintains the
same character when absent that was
maintained at home.
Frederick watching his fathers sheep
among the hills or thrashing rye in the
barn is far different from Frederick on
the Stock exchange. How often does
the kind, retiring spirit become bold
effrontery, and the accommodating self
sacrificing disposition once exhibited
among brothers and sisters becomes a
cold and uuresponsive selfishness, and
economy, wastefulness, and opened hand
ed charity, tight listed stinginess, and
the keeping Of good hours is changed
into midnight revelry.
probably address young men now
distant from their fathers house, and
others who, still under the parental
roof, look forward to time when they
will depart alone to conflict with the
world and among strangers be called to
build up characters for themselves.
Happy for you, oh, young man, if you
shall, like Joseph, be the same when
living with the wicked Pharaoh as with
piOus Jacob, or Daniel as pure in Baby
Ion as in Jerusalem. There is no pas
sage in mans life of more thrilling in
terest than the day in which he leaves
home and goes off to seek his fortune.
The novelty and romance connected
with the departure may keep the young
man from any poignant sorrow, but |
parents, who have seen the destruction |
among strangers of those who were con-
sidered promising youths, cannot help |
feeling that this step is full of momen-
.ous Importance. Before the youth left
nome all his conduct was under affec-
5ionate guardianship. Outbursts of
oily, carelessness and improperly of |
manner and looseness of speech were
Kindly reproved, and although the re-
jtraint seemed sometimes too severe,
yet hours of sober reflection have con-
yinced him that it was salutary and
righteous. But behold, how the scene
changes.
The father, through the interceding
If metropolitan friends, has secured the
ou a place in some bank or store or Of
ice. Schoolmates on the night before
lis departure come to take their fare
we'll of the young adventurer. That
morning he takes last walk around
he old place, and going past some loved
pot a sly tear may start, but no one
ees it. The trunk is on the carriage,
md after a warm goodby away they
peed over the hills. Set down amid ex-
elements and among companions not
as to their words or
leeds, temptations troop around the
tranger.
The morning comes, but no family
liar, and the Sabbath, but no real
uiet, and perhaps at the sanctuary the
aces are all strange and no one cares
whether he goes to church or whether
e does not go. Long winter evenings
rive and how shall they be spent? On
is way home from his place of business
e saw flaming placards announcing
are performances and that this was
the last night. At the door
{ his cherries boarding house no one
reefs him, and the evening meal is in
pid, for no one cares whether he eats
r does not eat. The room in the third
.ory that evening seems doleful and {
epelling. A book snatched up from
he stand proves to be dull, for no sister
there to look over with him. {
In despair he rushes out reckless as to
here he goes if only he can see some 1
ling that will make him stop thinking. !
hat night may be the turning point in /
is history. Once within the fatal circle {
sin and the soul has no power to re-