Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1899-03-30

knowing NlnlDgS tnfiIllessness h"u ~
the meantime, out of his own large
garden, mad the peas picked, and whiie
Mrs. Vining was there returned from q
visit to farmer client with an elegant
quarter of lamb. Tho peas and lamo
we're sent over to the Winnings house.
with such other accompaniments as
the ladies thought necessary, and the
dinner passed off pleasantly, and
Vining, being ignorant OF the PRO
vision made for his feast, plumed him
self on the good time they had dis !,
cussing the first lamb and pea dinner
of the season.
Through the courtesy of Mr. Joseph
Maxfield Ritter, grandson of Judge
John Fisher, have had the privilege
of examining diary that was kept by
Judge John Fisher for several years.
1t is in the handwriting of the Judge
who made entries at irregular periods
from 1907 to 1920, much of the matter
therein contained is too personal In its
character to be quoted. 1t establishes
the fact that tho Judge was heir to
some of the faults and frailties that
have afflicted humanity from the be
ginning of time, but it shows also that
he was man of deep religious feeling
and that he had the sentiments OF a
man OF honor.
make the following extracts
from his diary to show not only that
the life of Judge is sometimes beset
with the same difficulties as are often
the lot OF those who walk on less
exalted plane, but it gives an init
nation of the religious feeling OF
which l have spoken, and which is
the striking feature of his entries.
September 5, 1914. Monday A o'c. p. 10.
This is day of considerable Attic
ton TO me-my means OF supporting
my family have become so scanty, that
have not it in my power to provide
for them the necessaries of life. My
public compensation as q judge is
really so very triffle by reason OF the
depreciation of money, that with all
the management and economy 1 can
use, all my salary is expended before
the termination of two months after |
receive u quarters compensation.
| then become penniless for the other
| month before my salary is due. Those
who owe me for business heretofore
done in my late profession, will not or
cannot pay me. Today have no dinner
either for my poor little children or
| mysef-not particle of meat in the
house-nor any money to procure that
article with. Indeed il | had money,
| | doubt if | could get any, it has
become so scarce. 1t is not today, only,
that l go without dinner, but many
days Of late, | have been exceedingly
hungry and have had nothing where
with to make a dinner Of. Ny babes
| come in from school and ask for dinner
| and are told that there is to be none
they with heavy hearts and empty
stomachs leave the house for theii
school-sometimes, indeed, they car
get bread and milk, but that is moi
the case today, for we have no meal in
the house to make bread of. This /:
one of the effects of that most dis
tressing war we are now engaged il
with q. Britain-a war commenced b,
the present administration, merely be
cause it would secure the recollection
of James Madison. What distress
what privation, what public and pri
yate affection, what expense OF bloot
and treasure has this dreadful measure
of our rulers occasionedY How mucl
reflection, how great elaboration, wha
wisdom and foresight are necessary t,
the rulers of a nation and how mucl
ought they TO employ these great quail
ties before they commence so awfu
and SO solemn work, as war! Wha
responsibility rests upon them tenn
porally and here below? but no,
dreadful the account to render to Go
for beginning the work of obstruction
the terrible calamity of war merel
because it will continue the exaltatio
and promote the ambitious project
of an aspiring, but perhaps an undo
serving Individual? However, IN
present business is not to dwell upo
this disagreeable subject, but to thro'
myself on the tender merlces Of nj
God and Saviour and to thank hit
for the health and strength which ar
enjoyed by myself and my dear VIII
and children; TO thank him for tn
measure of grace he imparts to us
and that our lot is not cast into
worse condition than it is-that "
are all in full life where we my i'm
plore the mercy and grace of God c
his Christ and may make our calm
and election sure unto salvation
!; through the merits of the Mediator
and finally invoke of God, il our cor
dition should not be ameliorated her
below, that He may receive our soul
into mansions to which the suffering
of this world are not incident: an
where only complete and uninterrnpte
felicity can be enjoyed. o God ma
we love and adore thee forever ma
we never be unmindful of thy gres
goodness and loving kindness may OF
hearts be duly impressed with on
obligations to thee and o may W
pour out our spirits at the foot Of tn
= throne forever. And though we are
: present in state of privation we rel
on thy goodness and mercy for relief
! for thou hast vouchsafed to promis
that thou wilt withhold no goo
= thing from them that walk uprightly.
Almighty father receive our hear
l and make them to act in entire sui
lection to thy most holy will ma
they be regenerated by the efficacy ,
, thy divine spirit; and may we con
pute all things naught in compariso
with the love of Christ Jesus. MA
our lips not speak wickedness, nor OF
tongues utter deceit: till we die W
will not remove our integrity from ii
Our righteousness we hold fast an
will not let it GO: our hearts will M
+ reproach us so long as we live. Let OF
, enemy be as the wicked and he tn;
! riseth up against us, as the unrigh
: eous." y Merciful Being suffer us n,
u to despair of thy mercy, but altogetht
rely upon thee and We shall do wei
Blessed be thy holy name foreve
y thou giver of every good and perfe,
g gift--Amen. John Fisher.
! John Fisher married, when % yea
q of age, Lavinis Rodney the on
= daughter Of Thomas Rodney, who WI
q brother of Caesar Rodney, the sipne
" Thomas Rodney was the colonel OF tt