THE VESSEL. TRANSLATED FROM THE GERMAN. And to draw us by the sweet violence of a subduing faith to these, his treasures of wisdom, strength and beauty, he makes out to us the evidence of three things: First-that he hath borne in himself our weaknesses and A POTTER, who had no rival in his art, formed out woes, and of course feels a quick sympathy for our sor- of the purest clay a vessel, which commanded the adrows, and a deep concern in our destinies. Second- miration of all judges; he took care of it, as of a cabithat these benevolent sympathies are armed with the || net piece of his art, and put in it his most precious strength of omnipotence, in our behalf. Third--that treasure-a speaking portrait of himself. these sympathies of his manhood, and this energy of his His neighbor, whom before he had brought up in his Godhead, are immutable; so that we can fear no change family and loved as a son, forgot his duty and the innuin the blessed Savior's willingness and ability to bring merable benefits which he had received from the pot"off conquerors, and more than conquerors," all who || ter's hand and in his house. He became furious with enlist under his banner, and cleave to him as the Captain || envy against him, and said, "I will destroy your joy." of their salvation. This last is the doctrine of the text. He found a by-way into the treasury of the potter, and How can the believer indulge a servile fear, when he robbed him of his fair vessel; but he could not break is taught thus to apprehend Christ? Entering his closet, it, for the potter had made it indestructible—it could be he bows down between the cross and the throne. There, destroyed only by the hand which formed it, and by no are pledged to him the sympathies of the humanity, and other. The villain did what he could-he spoiled it. the energies of the Divinity. He pleads with him who He took the treasure out of it, effaced the speaking not only occupies the throne, but with him who also features of the portrait, poured melted lead into the reposed in the manger—with him who not only com- work of art, and made it unfit for its noble end. The mands the winds and waves, but with him who also wept mischievous person rejoiced at the successful stratagem, over Jerusalem with him who not only will judge the and to make the triumph complete, set the vessel, in worlds, but with him who also felt the agonies of disso- this state of corruption, secretly back into the chamber lution, and bowed himself submissive unto death. of its owner. In the language of the context, then, consider him who is "the end" of the believer's "conversation"— Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever.|| Consider him in his states of humiliation and exaltation-of weakness and of power-of suffering and of triumph. Especially, when grief and temptation, with all their waves and billows go over thee, keep thy steadfast eye on him who has made the passage of this sea of sorrows before thee, that he might, as an experienced voyager along its stormy passes, keep thee from harm, guide thee in safety, and bring thee to the haven: "While he is intimately nigh, Who-who can violate thy rest? Finally if we would know what Jesus is, let us search the records of his life. From his condescension while on earth-from his tender solicitude for his followers, from the compassion with which his bosom overflowed towards the sick and the suffering, and from the prompt exercise of his power to relieve those who believingly and reverently sought his mercy, we are to judge of his present character. How many, and how wonderful were the examples of his charity! Whose hunger did he not relieve? Whose infirmities did he not bear? Whose sicknesses did he not heal? And has he divorced himself from pity? He bore his humanity to heaven, and has he left his sympathies behind? No. We have not an High Priest who cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities. He will still bear our weaknesses. He was already ascended when the apostle said, cast all your care upon him, for he careth for you. Blessed be his holy name, he still knows, as in the days of his flesh, "how to succor them that are tempted." The artist looked on the work of his hands with all the pain of a disappointed artist's joy, and hardly recognized it. He stood awhile in mute meditation, and then exclaimed, with the fullness of his good heart, "My neighbor has done this, but he shall not accomplish his design; for he, who has formed the vessel first, can also transform it." This was done. The artist separated first the coarse parts of the lead from the clay, because that without an entire separation, there could be no transformation and reformation of his vessel. After that he softened again the clay, and purified it carefully from the finest extraneous parts that were mixed with it; at last he formed with his inimitable hand a new vessel, which was not only equal, but far superior to the first, in beauty and worth. For now it was not only indestructible, as before, but also incorruptible; and it shone in its pristine glory among the first treasures of the master-the portrait also was fully restored. As soon as the vessel was done, and stood in full beauty there, he called all his friends together, and said, "We must make a feast; for this vessel, which was spoiled, is formed anew." This feast was called the feast of perfect transformation. The joy was universal—the heavens and the earth exulted. Original. PROVIDENCE. PROVIDENCE. We live not in a fatherless world. True, it is a world of revolt, where sin has opened wide its scenes of woe, and humanity erects the signal of distress. Yet we are not forsaken. The forgotten father of our race still looks with love upon his fallen family. His right to reign is not impaired by our unwillingness to obey. Deny him a place in our affections we may, but we cannot banish him out of his own world. Whether compliant or listless, our cases come under his concern. The infinite perfections of the Creator are in continual exercise for the care of his creatures. Such is the doctrine of providence. "The Lord reigneth, let the earth rejoice!" 89 glory. How much, and in what way, it might have differed, furnish fruitful grounds for speculation. Still the whole phenomena of the visible universe are so far explained, or so self-explaining, as to furnish a beautiful illustration of the power and wisdom and presence of God. Moreover, (and this is the point from which we have digressed,) the mind, when not foully infidel, is anxious to reconcile every aspect and event of the natural world, with the favorite idea of a benign and perfect superintendency. Such anxieties are never disappointed. The whole cabinet of nature unfolds its harmonics to the eye, while the great Guardian and Governor of all, bestowing his needed care alike upon the mean and the magnificent, "Gives the clear lustre to an insect's wing, And wheels his throne amidst the rolling worlds." But shall man, who is the master-piece of creation in this lower world, lose his interest in the paternal concerns of his God? Shall his own multiplied thoughts exclude himself from the space he fills in the eye of Providence? All will answer, no. The mind may wander amid the fields of abstraction. It will find pleasant but passing entertainments. It cannot repose there. It has more to do with the sins and sorrows of life. But even here an ever-presiding power is at hand, pondering the paths of men-too wise to err, too good to do wrong. The subject of providence is worthy of our study. Nothing can contribute more to an enviable case of mind than the habitual observance of the Divine dispensations. The volume of providence, like that of nature, lies open before us. Each page is filled with fruitful themes. The lessons of life are written there by the finger of unerring Wisdom, though perchance in characters too obscure to be unriddled at a single conning. It is a text-book which the great Teacher will not interpret to an idle student. Hence, many wander in darkness, or dwell in discontent-yield to a spirit of ignorant repining, and "grope as the blind for the wall." Its patient perusal, however, will not fail to renew the spirit for its burdens, reconcile man to the cheerful entertainment of his numerous relations, and inspire a lofty veneration for the Father of our spirits.rience, in regard to nations and individuals, show the There is an instructive analogy between the ways and works of God. The same hand that hung the planets, and manages their motion, holds the direction and destiny of the animate world. Nothing in either is too complex to harmonize, or too diverse to combine. It is one of the presumptuous offices of a finite mind to arraign the unwelcome events of life for a hasty hearing at the bar of a sensual judgment. Providence is always dishonored by the verdict. There is a special providence in the affairs of men. It is not meant by this that there are no general laws applicable to human conduct. Observation and expe contrary. With remarkable uniformity, in every age and place, like causes lead to like results. There are just exceptions enough to this general truth to prove the doctrine of a special superintendence. For example, idleness begets want, diligence secures plenty, temperance promotes health, age brings infirmity. Yet many suffer want, who are not idlers-many enjoy plenty who lack industry-a man may be an invalid who is not guilty of excess-unseasonable infirmities may gather upon the frame before age has shed its snows upon the head. All these, and a thousand like Is it so in nature? Rarely, if ever. Even the unde- instances, may be regarded as special providences. vout philosopher will range her boundless fields, and They are messengers sent from the skies to speak to delve her deep recesses, studious to seek amidst her sub- us in monitory and instructive voices. A sudden sicklime and awful mysteries, proofs of a beneficent super-ness, a severe bereavement, a sad succession of unexintendence. Nor is the search in vain. From the pected adversities, often come to break the spell which vapor to the volcano, from the windfall to the earth-Linds the spirit to the world, and direct the mind to its quake, nature, under the eye of an infinite Manager, higher destiny. "Blind unbelief is sure to err, is found, even in these, to seek only so many modes of relief from greater evils. True, she once wrapped herself in a shroud of waters, not for natural reasons, but in obedience to the great Proprietor, to mourn the sin of fallen intelligences, and commemorate the penalties of his throne. He has since, in special cases, and for moral reasons, employed or suspended the laws of nature, to punish the incorrigible. Yet, as a retributive agency, nature is rarely used. It is true that even the physical condition of the earth would have been different from what it is, if man had not lost his original Vol. I.-12 It is a consoling idea that Providence invites our trust. In seasons of trial we are safe in no other hands. A darkness, drearier than that with which night mantles nature, is the portion of the distrusting. The experience of life is the test of its theories. Nothing is more severely tested than our views of providence; and when the test is fairly met, nothing proves more sweetly true. Even the present life reveals some of its reconciling aspects. The clouds that cover the sun render it more beautiful when they disperse. The zephyr that now regales and enlivens, would not have been half so soothing, had not the storm, which preceded it, purified || alloy? I found I could not cull the flowers, and avoid the air. So, suffering often proves salutary to the suf- the thorns which grow all along the path-way of childferer. The casual ills of life prepare us for its absent hood. I could not taste its joys, and forget that they enjoyments, and render them the more dear and price- were mingled. Traveling backward, and still backward less when they return. There are extremities of human in the dim light of the past, I finally lighted on a scene trial which require a deeper and steadier trust. A suc- of "Auld Lang Syne," so different from the train of cession of misfortunes and disappointments soon ex- serious musing with which I started, that I deemed it haust the self-supporting energies of the mind. Provi- sufficiently distinguished in its character from other dence is a prop upon which it may always lean-lean reminiscences, to afford some variety of ineident to with tranquil trust in direst trials. When common your readers. The occurrence is of such a nature as causes fail to produce kindred effects-when existing suits my singular caption, which I choose not from any effects can be traced to no kindred causes, a mind thus affectation of singularity, but from its appropriateness. fortified and furnished, may be brought to stand, but I lived till I was twelve or thirteen years old in blissnot to stagger. Though innocence be the victim of in-ful ignorance of the medicinal qualities of pepper. justice-though worth pine away in the silence of neglect-though there be no eye to pity the poor, and no heart to sympathize with the sorrowing-though the sky be covered with undeparting clouds, and the sun of life go down in darkness, there is yet a sleepless eye that surveys every part of this varied scene, and an un-frail companions. The season passed; and having unseen hand to harmonize all that seems inexplicable. The light of eternity will illumine the darkest page in the book of providence. In the glorious sequel, the sanctified from the earth will join with angels the general acknowledgment, "Great and marvelous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints!" ૨. Original. How unaccountable is the association of ideas! "From grave to gay-from lively to severe," they fly, until to trace the capricious journeyings of thought becomes impossible. Just now a peep into the manuscript of "Scenes of my childhood," sketched so vividly by my friend Gertrude, started my vagrant fancy on a voyage of discovery. Memory volunteered to pilot me, and we soon "weighed anchor and got to sea.' Present and future were speedily lost sight of, and as we went sounding along through the depths of the past, we fished up a multitude of long buried treasures. * Antumn's frosty nights had swept every ves tige of verdure from the trees, except here and there an evergreen, that reared its head in defiance of their blasting power; yet the hue of its robe was deepened into gloom, as if in sorrow for the loss of its beautiful but expectedly escaped the assaults of my old enemy-a severe cold-I became indescribably venturesome and reckless of exposure. At last, winter came, ushered in by his favorite herald-a snow storm. Emboldened, and my nature almost changed by continued impunity, I resolved to experiment what pleasure might be found in the rude and unfeminine sport of "snow-balling." The sequel, as you will see, convinced me that "the better part of valor is discretion;" and I resolved thenceforth to mind the exhortation, "Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed." The next morning all was changed. I could enjoy neither luxuries nor comforts. For a century, should I live, the sight of a snow-ball will scarcely fail to suggest to me the exceedingly unpleasant but instructive incident which I am now relating. During the day, among other friends who remembered us for good, was an old lady, whose knowledge of the properties of herbs was surpassed only by her zeal in recommending them to her sick "friends. Despite the horror of the regular physicians, and their ungracious refusal to "try it," she had succeeded in securing a general belief in the efficacy of pepper, in cases like mine. Now it so happened that, relish pepper as I might among the spices of the table, I abhorred it as a medicine; though not perhaps with that perfect pepper-phobia (I never studied Greek or Latin) which I should now feel from the power of association. Imagine my feelings, then, when she announced it to my mother, as a sovereign remedy for colds. My bewildered parent, thinking that, at the worst, "it could do no harm," and that "possibly it might do good," sent off and procured a quantity of the genuine African Cayenne. A syrup was prepared, and well mixed with it was a tea-spoonfull of this hottest of all hot things. "When taken," said the prescription, "pour boiling water in it, and when cool enough, drink." So there it stood, steaming and cooling by turns, And now, to dismiss my worn figure, whither do you suppose memory strayed? First, of course, (for thither would Gertrude's "Reminiscences" naturally guide me,) to the graves of my buried friends, where, roving among cypress shades, I felt for a season as she felt at the sepulchre of her beloved parents; for I, too, have friends whose dust is on earth, and whose spirits are in heaven-friends, "Whose harp and song Will murmur long, In rising tone or lingering trill- Sink lowly down, Or wave and shine on Zion's hill.' Around their graves, which their Savior has blessed, my fancy threw a halo of light; and after lingering awhile, memory wandered on in search of other scenes. What stages of human life furnish pleasure without "Frae morning sun till night;" and you may be sure that the scorching power of the medicine destroyed, as the rage of termagency does the THE RECLAIMED. comforts of home, all the savoriness and sweetness of the syrup. At last (to omit the detail of horrors which, to my childish fancy, were like those of Waterloo) the afterpiece came; viz., the test of its efficacy. I will not specify, only to assure my readers that it was well for the reputation of my doctress, that this was my first trial. My conclusion is, that none can apprehend the burning glories of pepper, except the initiated and experienced. I have tried it, and can testify that it hath the power, beyond most things, to turn comedy into tragedy. It exceeds, in this respect, the stiletto and bowieknife. From the tears shed upon the above occasion, a stranger might have supposed that some rude hand had severed every precious tie of friendship in this life, and had left me, like Logan, alone in the world. In vain did I seek to cool my burning lips with ice. Like the martyr chained, I found I must suffer. All around were unable or unwilling to afford relief. Equal success attending the application of all the various remedies, I was compelled to attempt to play the philosopher, and leave it to time to cool my torment. Frightened, no doubt, by so warm an assault, my cough gave up the contest, leaving me unable to decide which was most trying to human nature, the disease or its remedy. FANNY. Original. THE RECLAIMED. "And the Lord turned and looked upon Peter," St. Luke. O, FOR that look that pierc'd the heart And, O, for chasten'd Fancy's plume, See, in the high priest's hall of state, Throng round the hero of the scene, He stood majestic and alone, Compassion mantling in his breastHe who had fill'd th' eternal throne, Humbly endur'd the scoffer's jest; And tho' one look had struck them dead, He gave a pitying glance instead! And was there one who saw that eye And ev'ry beating pulse rebound, Yes, there was one-one who had learn'd From his own lips the notes of loveOne who with zeal intense had burn'd, His origin divine to proveOne who had sworn with him to dieFor him to heave his latest sigh! O, Peter! was it fear or shame, Or both, that through thy bosom ran, But though thou didst forsake thy Lord, Thy solemn pledge with him to die- He bent a look of shining light O'er the dark workings of thy soul, Where passion, shame, and fear unite To hold their earth-born, base control- That look, made up of sorrow, love, The kindling eyes of Peter met, Sweetly descended, like the dew Robes the lone flow'r in beauty new- 91 And beam on us that glance of love, That we may firmly fix'd remain Upon the rock that naught can move— That we, thro' fear, and death, and shame, May glory only in thy name! E. F. W. "FAINT indecision brings its own delays, Whole days are lost lamenting over days, Are you in earnest? seize this very minute, What you can do, or think you can, begin it: Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it.” 92 Original. PRINCIPLE IN ACTION. PRINCIPLE IN ACTION. BY REV. T. A. GOODWIN, the companions of his youth. They looked not beyond the present; regarded none but themselves; acted from interest, and have long since been doomed to oblivion. Scripture history furnishes another illustrative examSOME persons seek their own happiness in common ple in the case of Moses. Born a slave, he was raised with that of others; but some seek it to the detriment|| heir to the throne of Egypt. But being early taught of others. The former are benevolent-the latter are the excellency of piety, when of mature judgment, he selfish. The former are governed by sacred principle-chose rather to suffer affliction in the discharge of duty, the latter by sordid interest. The former are allied to than to enjoy for a season the pleasures within his grasp. angels-the latter to evil spirits. Long since has the Being brought up at court, his prospects of worldly envoice of the world pronounced on their comparative joyments were great. A prince's estate was his. He merits, by honoring the memory of those who have had but to reach forth to obtain the honors of regal been governed by principle, and consigning to obloquy dignity. Yet as he walked forth from the king's palathose over whom interest has had the mastery. True, ces and gardens, he saw his less fortunate brethren in the latter have won applause for a season; but it was affliction, and was moved with compassion towards the applause of worthless sycophants. Esteemed by them. Had interest prompted his actions, such excurthe ignoble, they supposed they had acquired an earthly sions from the royal premises would have only increasimmortality, and had erected monuments which would ed the consciousness of his superiority, and enkindled perpetuate their fame; but, alas! posterity has despoil-in his breast an insufferable haughtiness. But his maged their monuments, and written on every front, "Thou nanimous heart yielded to the influence of sympathy, art weighed in the balance, and art found wanting." and he sought rather how they might be benefited by While on the other hand, many who have sacrificed his assistance, than how they should contribute to his interest at the shrine of principle, have enjoyed an en- emolument. His heart was set upon their deliverance, tirely different destiny. For awhile they may have and he labored to accomplish it. Like most choices suffered loss by their choice, secured the derision of from principle, it was to human appearance at a great their cotemporaries, and perhaps been consigned to dis- sacrifice. He was to bid adieu to the favor of kings if honorable tombs. But posterity has regarded them in he espoused the cause of slaves; yet he shrunk not, their proper light, and each succeeding age has prized but undaunted, he maintained their cause and sustained them more highly than the former; so that their laurels his principle. As a consequence, he was denied the instead of withering, have gathered new tints, and the privilege of approaching the throne, and frequenting monuments of their fame have acquired increased sta- the pleasant resorts of his childhood; while his princely bility. associates forsook him, and counted him unworthy of It was principle that governed Abraham during his their regard. But he willingly exchanged the palace pilgrimage, and bade him obey the voice of God. He for the tent, and the company of kings and nobles for determined, that whatever duty required at his hand that of slaves. He endured the privations of the camp, should be cheerfully performed. Having thus resolved, rather than enjoy the felicities of the court. But farhe soon heard a voice, which he readily recognized as ther-he enjoyed the guidance of God by day and night; coming from Jehovah, saying, "Get thee out of thy conversed with him as friend to friend; led his people country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's from bondage to rest, and received in future the divine house." Here must have been a conflict between prin- testimonials of Heaven's regard. And when his days ciple and interest; the one suggesting the pleasures of were ended, and task completed, he fell asleep on Pisearly associations, and the pains of severing the tender gah's top, having angels as his attendants instead of ligaments which bound him to "his country, his kin-unprincipled sycophants; and on that favored mount dred, and his father's house;" the other promising noth- received a burial from angels' hands, rather than be ening but a pilgrim's lot in a distant land. The endear-tombed by slaves in some polluted pyramid. Had the ing scenes of childhood, the filial affection of a dutiful son, the prospect of being wealthy and honorable in his native country, were all to be overcome; but God had spoken, and a sense of duty, the offspring of principle, led him to count all these things as worthless, and resign himself into his omnipotent hand. And thus he The same sacred history informs us of Daniel's firmleft his "father's house," and sojourned many years a ness to his principle, though doomed to the lions' den. lonely alien, trusting that all things would ultimately And of the unwavering resolution of those who refused result in the glory of Him whom he served. And as a to bow before the golden image set up by King Nebuconsequence, though to his associates he seemed to act chadnezzar. Were they firm in vain? History asthe part of a madman, he was protected by the strong ||sures us, the lions lost their power, and the fire its heat, arm of Omnipotence, made the father of many nations, the source of an infinite blessing to the world, and is still regarded as one of the few, worthy to be had in everlasting remembrance. How different the fate of prospect of worldly honor influenced him, he might have escaped, for a season, the persecution of the haughty Egyptians, and have still been acknowledged as heir to the throne. But would he have escaped the destruction which overspread the country? so that they received no damage. And who can read the history of Mordecai without admiring his refusal to bow before the haughty Haman, although contrary to apparent interest? |