,female ,scripture ,biography3 ,including an ,essay on ,what ,christianity ,has ,done for ,women4 ,by ,francis ,augustus ,cox1 ,a4,m4 ,it is a necessary charity to the 7female7 sex to acquaint them with their own value1 to animate them to some higher thoughts of themselves1 not to yield their suffrage to those injurious estimates the world hath made of them1 and from a supposed incapacity of noble things1 to neglect the pursuit of them1 from which ,god and nature have no more precluded the feminine than the masculine part of mankind4 ,the ,ladies' ,calling1 ,pref4 ,,vol4 ,i4 ,,boston3 ,,lincoln ,,edmands4 #ahca4 ,preface4 ,notwithstanding the variety of theological publications of a devotional class1 which are perpetually issuing from the press1 the author concurs in the opinion of those who think they can scarcely be too numerous4 ,it may reasonably be hoped1 that in proportion to the multiplication of works of this kind1 the almost incalculable diversities of taste will be suited2 and that those who may be disinclined to one style of writing1 or to a particular series of subjects1 may be allured by their predilections to the perusal of others4 ,amidst the general plenty1 however1 there is one department which experiences a degree of scarcity--a department to which these volumes properly belong4 ,pious families require a supply of religious reading1 adapted to occupy the intervals of business1 the hours of devotion1 and the time which is often and properly appropriated to domestic instruction in the evenings of the ,christian ,sabbath4 ,to have the minds of the young directed at such seasons1 not only to the truths of religion in general1 but the more attractive parts of ,scripture in particular1 seems highly important4 ,by a happy combination of amusement and instruction1 piety is divested of her formality1 and clothed with fascination3 the ear is caught1 and the heart gained2 while the narrative interests1 the best lessons become impressed even upon the gay and the trifling2 and he who1 when summoned to the social circle1 sat down with reluctance1 may rise up with regret4 ,whoever has been blessed with the advantages of a religious education1 and recurs to his own years of juvenile susceptibility1 cannot forget the strong impressions he received by these means2 and must have had frequent occasion to remark the tenaciousness with which they have lingered in his memory1 and sprung up amidst his recollections at every subsequent period4 ,in many cases they have proved the basis1 of future eminence in piety1 and blended delightfully with the gladdening retrospections of declining life4 ,in those instances1 where all the good effects which might be anticipated did not appear1 these early lessons have checked the impetuousity of passion1 neutralized the force of temptation1 and cherished the convictions of an incipient piety4 ,the writer of the following pages is aware of the just celebrity acquired by some of his predecessors in the same line of composition1 and he might have felt wholly deterred from pursuing his design1 by an apprehension of having been superseded by the elegant and comprehensive lectures of ,,hunter1 and the simple1 perspicuous1 and devotional biography of ,,robinson1 had he not remarked that their notices of the women in ,scripture formed but a small proportion of their respective works1 and that the present performance might be very properly considered as a continuation of their volumes1 particularly of those of the latter author4 ,it will be seen1 that some of the same characters which have been given in preceding writers1 appear in the ,female ,scripture ,biography2 but the reader may perhaps be conciliated to this seeming repetition1 by being reminded that they were necessarily retouched1 in order to complete the series2 while the writer satisfies himself with the reflection that1 whatever subjects are deduced from ,scripture1 are not only unexhausted1 but will forever remain inexhaustible4 ,the wells of salvation1 from which preceding ages have drawn1 still afford to us1 and will supply to far-distant generations1 the same spiritual1 copious1 and unfailing refreshment4 ,the ,introductory ,essay to the second volume1 respecting the influence of ,christianity on the condition of the female sex1 has been somewhat divested of that literary cast which it might have been expected to assume1 the better to accord with the general drift of the work4 ,the reader will1 it is confidently anticipated1 deem1 it no unacceptable addition4 ,contents of ,vol4 ,i4 ,preface ,eve--,chapter ,i ,superiority of man in the universe3 present degradation of reason3 the mere philosopher and the ,christian contrasted3 ,god seen in all his works3 creation of man3 his corporeal and mental constitution3 value of the soul3 ,adam in paradise3 alone3 supplied with a help meet3 ,revelation points out the true dignity of the female character3 one woman given to the man3 the fall3 aggravated and complex nature of the sin of ,eve3 consequences1 the loss of ,eden3 loss of the favour of ,god3 loss of life3 ruin of posterity3 remarks to obviate some difficulties attaching to this subject in general4 ,sarah--,chapter ,,ii ,abraham's departure from ,chaldea3 his faith3 its failure3 ,sarah and ,abraham agree to prevaricate3 the admonition which ,sarah attracted3 ,abraham's dismissal from the country of ,egypt3 beauty and dress3 importance of a proper education3 parental vanity3 source of real attraction3 ,sarah proposes to ,abraham to take ,hagar3 unhappy consequencies3 ,hagar's flight and return3 visit of three angels3 ,sarah's laughter at the subject of their commission3 her subsequent character3 general remarks3 birth of ,isaac3 ,ishmael's conduct1 and its consequences3 ,sarah's death4 ,hagar--,chapter ,,iii ,retrospective glance at the history3 ,hagar3 the wilderness3 angelic manifestation3 divine promises3 a view of their accomplishment3 ,hagar's piety3 her second banishment and distress3 another interposition3 ,providence illustrated4 ,lot's ,wife--,chapter ,,iv ,delusions to which the young in particular are exposed3 ,lot's erroneous choice3 sin brings punishment3 advantages of ,lot's wife3 her remarkable deliverance3 her guilt3 general causes of apostacy traced1 fear1 love of the world1 levity of mind1 pride3 doom of ,lot's wife4 ,rebekah--,chapter ,v ,section ,i4 ,progress of time3 patriarchal mode of living3 ,abraham's solicitude respecting the settlement of his son3 sends a servant to procure him a wife3 his arrival in the vicinity of ,nahor3 his meeting with ,rebekah3 her behaviour1 and then conversation3 the good qualities already discoverable in ,rebekah1 which render her worthy of imitation3 her industrious and domesticated habits3 unaffected simplicity3 modesty3 courtesy3 humanity4 ,section ,,ii4 ,the ,servant of ,abraham cordially received into the house of ,laban tells his story3 proposes to take ,rebekah3 consent of her family3 her readiness to go3 the interview with ,isaac3 ,rebekah becomes his wife3 their anxieties3 birth of ,jacob and ,esau3 ,isaac's death-bed1 and ,rebekah's unwarrantable proceedings3 her solicitude respecting her son's future conduct4 ,miriam--,chapter ,,vi4 ,proceedings of the new ,king of ,egypt3 birth of ,moses3 conduct of ,miriam3 preservation of ,moses3 escape of ,israel3 ,miram's zeal in celebrating the event3 her character formed by early advantages3 contrasted with ,michael3 she engages with ,aaron in a plot against ,moses3 ,god observes it and punishment of leprosy inflicted upon ,miriam3 her cure3 dies at ,kadesh3 general remarks on slander3 debasing nature of sin3 hope of escaping punishment fallacious3 danger of opposing ,christ3 exhortation to imitate the temper of ,moses4 ,naomi1 ,orpah1 and ,ruth--,chapter ,,vii4 ,section ,i4 ,history of domestic life most instructive3 book of ,ruth3 sketch of the ,family of ,elimelech while residing in ,moab3 reflections arising out of a view of their circumstances3 ,naomi's resolution to return1 and that of her daughters in-law to accompany her3 ,orpah soon quits her mother and sister3 her character1 and that of ,ruth3 requirements of religion3 arrival of ,naomi and ,ruth at ,bethlehem3 feelings of the former4 ,section ,,ii4 ,time of the return to ,bethlehem3 ,ruth offers to go and glean3 disposition indicated by this proposal3 she happens upon the field of ,boaz3 his kindness3 their conversation3 additional favours3 ,ruth's return home3 her mother-in-law's wish to connect her in marriage with ,boaz3 the measures she suggests1 and which her daughter adopts with ultimate success3 their marriage3 birth of a son3 concluding remarks4 ,deborah--,chapter ,,viii4 ,section ,i4 ,historical retrospect3 ,deborah sitting as a judge and prophetess under a palm-tree3 sends to ,barak to confront ,sisera3 accompanies him preparations for battle3 victorious result3 death of ,sisera3 reflections4 ,section ,,ii4 ,capacity of ,deborah as a poetess3 paraphrase of her remarkable song composed to celebrate the victory over ,sisera4 ,manoah's ,wife--,chapter ,,ix4 ,state of ,israel3 appearance of an angel to the wife of ,manoah3 she communicates the design of his visit to her husband3 second manifestation from heaven3 result of the interview3 reflection of ,manoah's wife stated and analyzed3 considerations deducible from the narrative3 to avoid precipitancy of judgment3 to avow our convictions at every suitable opportunity3 to feel assured that the providence of ,god does never really1 though it may apparently1 contradict his word4 ,hannah--,chapter ,x4 ,section ,i4 ,religion a source of peace3 account of ,elkanah and his two wives3 ,peninnah reproaches ,hannah3 sin of despising others for their infirmities3 the family at ,shiloh3 ,elkanah endeavours to console his wife3 her conduct and prayer3 ,eli's unjust imputation3 ,hannah's defence1 and her accuser's retraction3 return from ,shiloh3 birth of ,samuel3 his weaning4 ,section ,,ii4 ,samuel is devoted to the service of the sanctuary3 uniformity of character exemplified in ,hannah3 her song paraphrased3 five other children born to ,hannah3 view of her natural kindness and self-denying piety4 ,abigail--,chapter ,,xi4 ,many persons naturally capable of great attainments and elevated stations have lived and died unknown3 the dispensations of ,providence analogous in this respect to the arrangements of nature3 ,scripture account of ,nabal and ,abigail3 sources of incongruous marriages3 ambition3 wish to maintain the respectability of a family3 persuasion of friends3 early disappointments3 ,nabal's conduct to ,david3 ,abigail's interposition3 death of her husband3 she becomes ,david's wife4 ,the ,queen of ,sheba--,chapter ,,xii4 ,david's anxiety for his son3 its happy issue3 ,solomon's prayer and the answer of ,god3 ,solomon's riches and fame3 the queen of ,sheba's visit3 her country ascertained3 such solicitude for wisdom not common3 she proves ,solomon with hard questions1 her desire of knowledge worthy of imitation3 ,solomon's conduct3 his buildings3 the queen's congratulatory address3 reflections3 her presents to ,solomon1 and his to the queen of ,sheba1 ,christ's application of the subject4 ,the ,shunammite--,chapter ,,xiii4 ,section ,i4 ,characteristic difference between profane and sacred history3 the ,shunammite introduced3 her hospitality2 proposes to her husband to accommodate ,elisha with a chamber3 the gratitude manifested by the prophet in offering to speak for her to the king3 her reply expressive of contentment3 various considerations calculated to promote this disposition1 advantages of a daily and deep impression of the transitory nature of our possessions1 and of keeping another life in view4 ,section ,,ii4 ,elisha promises a son to the ,shunammite3 his birth3 his sudden death in consequence of being sun smitten3 ,she replies to the prophet her expression of profound submission to the will of ,god3 her subsequent impassioned appeal to ,elisha3 the child restored to life3 the ,shunammite's removal into ,philistra1 and return3 her successful application to the king for the restoration of her property4 ,esther--,chapter ,,xiv4 ,the feasts of the king of ,persia3 his queen ,vashti sent for her refusal to obey the summons3 her divorce3 plan to fill up the vacancy3 ,esther chosen queen3 ,morder detects a conspiracy declines paying homage to ,haman2 resentment of the latter1 who obtains a decree against the ,jews3 ,mordecai's grief1 and repeated applications to ,esther3 she goes in to the king1 is accepted3 invites the king and ,haman to a banquet3 mortification of the latter at ,mordecai's continued neglect3 orders a gallows to be built for the disrespectful ,jew3 the honour conferred by the king upon ,mordecai for his past zeal in his service3 ,haman's indignation3 is fetched to a second banquet3 ,esther tells her feelings and accuses ,haman3 his confusion and useless entreaties3 he is hung on his own gallows3 ,mordecai's advancement3 escape of the ,jews by the intercession of ,esther3 feast of ,purim4 ,female ,scripture ,biography4 ,eve4 ,chapter ,i4 ,superiority of ,man in the ,universe--,present ,degradation of ,reason--,the mere ,philosopher and the ,christian ,contrasted--,god seen in all his ,works--,creation of ,man--,his ,corporeal and ,mental ,constitution--,value of the ,soul--,adam in ,paradise--,alone--,supplied with a ,help ,meet--,revelation points out the ,true ,dignity of the ,female ,character--,one ,woman given to the ,man--,the ,fall--,aggravated and complex ,nature of the ,sin of ,eve--,consequences1 the ,loss of ,eden--,loss of the ,favour of ,god--,loss of ,life--,ruin of ,posterity--,remarks to obviate some ,difficulties attaching to this subject in general4 ,what a glorious pre-eminence in the creation1 has ,infinite ,wisdom assigned to the human species6 ,as the skilful architect finishes his performance by the most exquisite specimens of workmanship1 so the great ,builder of this varied frame1 after the formation of matter1 proceeded to impart life1 to communicate instinct1 and to inspire reason4 ,and ,god said1 ,let us make man in our image1 after our likeness2 and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea1 and over the fowl of the air1 and over the cattle1 and over all the earth1 and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth4 ,so ,god created man in his own image2 in the image of ,god created he him2 male and female created he them4 ,the superiority of man to matter1 however fair1 to life however pleasing1 to instinct however perfect1 appears in this1 that he only is capable of contemplating and admiring the works of ,god--he only has an eye that opens upon the heavens1 and a mind adapted to receive impressions from their diversified glories4 ,but even reason1 in its present state1 is so degraded1 that the wonders of creative wisdom are1 in a considerable degree1 overlooked or undervalued4 ,the heavens1 with all their stars1 and suns1 and systems1 exhibit few beauties to the great mass of inattentive spectators2 and the observance of them1 by day and by night1 excites no correspondent emotions4 ,all is a blank6 ,plunged into an abyss of cares and anxieties1 chained to the oar of constant1 unvarying labour2 and solicitous only to buy and sell1 and get gain1 to them the heavens declare the glory of ,god1 and the firmament showeth his handywork almost in vain6 ,nor can it escape observation1 that valuable as the discoveries of philosophy are1 the mere discoverer who converts his knowledge to no pious purpose1 is the most infatuated of human beings4 ,while he contemplates distances1 magnitudes1 and number--while he investigates the laws of motion1 and the phenomena of nature--while he points the telescope to gaze on fiery comets1 to pursue wandering planets in their orbits1 to detect hitherto undiscovered globes of matter in the fields of space1 merely to gratify curiosity or to acquire fame--the ,christian contemplates the scene with another eye1 and with far different sentiments4 ,he sees ,,god in all4 ,this1 says he1 is his creation--this the work of his fingers--these the productions of his skill--by his spirit he hath garnished the heavens--he hath appointed the sweet influences of the ,pleiades1 and looseth the bands of ,orion--he bringeth forth ,mazzaroth in his season1 and guides ,arcturus with his sons4 ,yonder sun was formed and fixed by his mighty power--that moon1 which walks forth in brightness1 and those stars1 which glitter on the robe of night1 were kindled by his energy1 and shine by his command4--,lift up your eyes on high1 and behold ,,who hath created these things1 that bringeth out their host by number2 he calleth them all by names4 ,the ,god of nature is the ,god of truth1 the ,god of revelation1 and the ,god of ,israel4 ,if the ,christian contemplate the firmament1 or look into the ,bible1 he sees the same ,being4 ,his operations are diverse1 but it is the same ,god4 ,if he go1 like ,isaac1 into the fields to meditate at the eventide1 he meets with ,god in every leaf1 in every stream1 and in every star2 if he enter into his closet to read the ,scriptures1 still he finds ,god in every page and in every truth2 or if he pray1 it is to his ,,father who seeth in secret4 ,he may change his place1 but he can never remove from this lovely presence4 ,nevertheless1 ,i am continually with thee4 ,hence nature shines with new glory in his eyes4 ,god in the sun1 conducts him by a delightful association of ideas1 and a frequent train of reflection1 to ,god in ,christ1 reconciling the world unto himself1 not imputing their trespasses unto them4 ,sidenote3 ,years before ,christ1 #djjd4 ,creation was the work of six days1 upon the third of which1 the earth was formed1 and clothed with vegetative fertility2 on the last the ,lord ,god formed ,,man of the dust of the ground1 and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life2 and man became a living soul4 ,it is for this reason that ,eternal ,wisdom is represented as rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth1 and her delights were with the sons of men4 ,the uninhabited part of the earth is surely worthy of divine complacency4 ,it forms a portion of that universe which the ,supreme ,architect at first pronounced to be very good4 ,the most retired places of this terrestrial globe1 those extensive deserts which were never printed by the human foot1 those dens and caves1 deep valleys and cloud-encircled mountains1 where silence and solitude have reigned from the beginning of time1 contain innumerable manifestations of wisdom1 power1 and goodness4 ,wisdom might rejoice in a thousand wonders that lie concealed within the bowels of the earth1 or in the caverns of the ocean1 a world of mineral productions which our utmost research fails to discover2 but the habitable part of the earth has ever excited the highest interest1 as the residence of his intelligent creature1 and the anticipated scene where the mediatorial work of his beloved ,son was to be accomplished4 ,man has been called an abridgment of the universe1 #a uniting in himself in the extremes of being2 in his body connected with the material1 in his soul with the spiritual world2--by his corporeal constitution a fit inhabitant of the earth2 by his intellectual faculties1 a suitable tenant of the skies4 ,the soul of man constitutes the perfection of his nature1 being destined to survive the dissolution of his body1 and capable of everlasting progression in knowledge and felicity4 ,and here a vast1 an illimitable field of observation presents itself to view2 but we must pass by it with only one practical remark4 ,the welfare of this immortal soul ought to become the object of our principal solicitude4 ,considering the extent of its capacities1 the indissoluble nature of its constituent principles1 the novel and interesting circumstances under which it will hereafter exist1 its total incompetency to provide for itself under those amazing vicissitudes which it is destined to undergo in a change of worlds1 and the unalterable perpetuity of its future condition1 how inconsiderate and how presumptuous must that individual be who neglects its interests1 and acts in constant hostility to the first great law of nature1 ,,self-,,preservation6 ,the protomartyr of the ,christian age evinced a wise anxiety when he exclaimed in his dying moments1 ,lord ,jesus1 receive my spirit4 ,he was aware that his body would soon be consigned by the fury of persecution to its native dust2 but this excited comparatively little concern4 ,to him it was of no importance whether his grave was with the rich or the poor1 whether his burying-place were an obscure or an illustrious spot3 he was anxious for the salvation of his soul4 ,unhappily1 mankind in general lavish all their cares upon the body1 to embellish or preserve it1 to pamper its appetites1 or to minister to its artificial necessities3 but what an infatuation is it1 to provide for that which perishes1 and to be careless of that which is immortal--to decorate the walls1 and to despise the furniture--to value the casket1 and to throw away the jewel6 ,the situation of ,adam in the garden of ,eden1 shows that his ,creator had adopted every proper expedient to promote his felicity4 ,the place selected for his residence was in the highest degree rich and fertile1 furnished with every suitable accommodation1 and well watered by a large river which ran through it1 and afterward divided itself into four considerable branches4 ,in being directed to dress and to keep the garden1 the goodness of ,god appears in providing him with an employment adapted to a state of primitive innocence1 and calculated by a proper occupation of his time to promote his happiness4 ,a slothful inactivity is not only incompatible with true enjoyment in our fallen state1 but would have been inconsistent with the bliss of original paradise2 and even when our nature shall have attained its greatest perfection in a future world1 an incessant exertion of our intellectual powers and moral capacities1 is represent as essential to the joy of heaven4 ,there his servants shall serve him4 ,when we think of ,paradise1 observes bishop ,horne1 we think of it as the seat of delight4 ,the name ,,eden authorizes us so to do4 ,it signifies ,,pleasure1 and the idea of pleasure is inseparable from that of a garden1 where man still seeks after lost happiness1 and where1 perhaps1 a good man finds the nearest resemblance of it which this world affords4 ,what is requisite1 exclaims a great and original genius1 to make a wise and a happy man1 but reflection and peace8 ,and both are the natural growth of a garden4 ,a garden to the virtuous is a paradise still extant1 a paradise unlost4 #b ,the culture of a garden1 as it was the first employment of man1 so it is that to which the most eminent persons in different ages have retired1 from the camp and the cabinet1 to pass the interval between a life of action and a removal hence4 ,when old ,dioclesian was invited from his retreat1 to resume the purple which he had laid down some years before1 ,ah1 said he1 could you but see those fruits and herbs of mine own raising at ,salona1 you would never talk to me of empire6 ,an accomplished statesman of our own country1 who spent the latter part of his life in this manner1 has so well described the advantages of it1 that it would be injustice to communicate his ideas in any words but his own4 ,no other sort of abode1 says he1 seems to contribute so much both to tranquillity of mind and indolence of body4 ,the sweetness of the air1 the pleasantness of the smell1 the verdure of plants1 the clearness and lightness of food1 the exercise of working or walking2 but above all1 the exemption from care and solicitude1 seem equally to favour and improve both contemplation and health1 the enjoyment of sense and imagination1 and thereby the quiet and ease both of body and mind4 ,a garden has been the inclination of kings1 and the choice of philosophers2 the common favourite of public and private men2 the pleasure of the greatest1 and the care of the meanest2 an employment and a possession for which no man is too high nor too low4 ,if we believe the ,scriptures1 we must allow that ,god ,almighty esteemed the life of man in a garden the happiest he could give him1 or else he would not have placed ,adam in that of ,eden4 #c ,traditions of this state of primeval felicity are current among all nations2 they are discoverable in the ,roman and ,grecian fables of the gardens of ,flora1 of ,alcinous1 and of the ,hesperides2 and in the pleasing fictions of the poets respecting the golden age4 ,thus the ,lord ,god formed the nature of man pure1 placed him in a garden of delights1 and poured around him rivers of joy4 ,the heavens and the earth1 the visible and invisible worlds1 animate and inanimate1 material and spiritual beings1 conspired to replenish his cup of bliss2 and1 as the perfection of his felicity1 ,god himself condescended to visit his creature4 ,human transgression has disturbed the peace of human life2 but man1 in his primeval state1 was exposed to no changes2 his cup had no bitterness1 his day no cloud1 his path no thorn2 the past had no regrets1 the present no guilt1 the future1 no terror2 the stream of mercy flowed into ,paradise with uninterrupted course1 and the beam of prosperity shone with unfading brightness and unsetting splendour4 ,in this exalted condition there was neither corporeal nor mental debility2 and the body and soul were not more closely connected in the constitution of their being1 than in the harmony of their friendship4 ,there was no opposition between the flesh and the spirit1 no internal warfare1 no unhappy disagreement2 the dictates of a pure mind were unreluctantly obeyed by the faculties of an uncorrupted body2 for it appears to have been the established order of ,infinite ,wisdom in the constitution of the universe1 that matter should be in subjection to spirit1 body to soul1 animals to rational creatures1 and man to ,god2 his understanding was clear1 his judgment correct1 his affections holy1 his will free1 his reason upright2 he desired only what was desirable1 he loved only what was lovely2 the whole moral machinery was in the most complete order1 the fine-toned instrument constructed by omniscient skill1 was in perfect tune6 ,but notwithstanding the diversified means of enjoyment with which ,adam was furnished1 his paradise was still incomplete2 one ingredient was wanting to his cup of joy4 ,although the place of his residence was1 us the greatest of poets describes it1 ,a happy rural seat of various view1-- although diversified with groves1 and lawns1 and level downs1 and flocks1 and irriguous valleys1 and umbrageous grots and caves of cool recess1 and murmuring waters1 and airs1 vernal airs-- while universal ,pan1 ,knit with the ,graces and the ,hours in dance1 ,led on th' eternal spring-- the favoured lord of this unrivalled dominion was ,,alone4 ,the inanimate creation spread before his view its unparalleled beauties1 and nature furnished a table to supply all his wants2 the animal world acknowledged his superiority1 and went to him to receive their names3 his ,maker condescended to hold communion with this excellent and intellectual creature1 admitting him to that sacred intercourse1 and imparting some of that divine knowledge which will no doubt constitute the future felicity of emparadised believers3 still he had no ,,companion1 no one to share his pleasures1 no one upon equal terms to whom he could communicate his sentiments4 ,endowed with a social nature1 he had at present no social means2 he seemed as if placed in that solitary point1 that fair1 but desolate region1 where he saw thousands of creatures below him and above him1 but none upon that pleasing level which conduces to a delightful and profitable familiarity4 ,this defect1 however1 scarcely existed before the goodness of his ,maker supplied it4 ,and the ,lord ,god said1 ,it is not good that the man should be alone2 ,i will make him a help meet for him4 ,the process by which this merciful intention was accomplished appears truly wonderful3 ,adam was put into a profound sleep1 and the ,lord ,god took out one of his ribs1 from which he made a woman1 and closed up the flesh4 ,what must have been the emotions of our great progenitor1 when1 upon awaking from his supernatural slumber1 this help meet was presented to him6 ,he had1 it seems1 an intuitive perception of the kind purpose for which this female companion of his future days was made2 or some immediate revelation disclosing both the manner of her formation1 and the reason of his being presented with this invaluable gift4 ,in the first transports of gratitude he exclaimed1 ,this is now bone of my bone1 and flesh of my flesh2 she shall be called woman 7or ,ishah17 because she was taken out of man4 ,this name was afterwards changed by him to ,havah1 or ,,eve2 assigning1 as a reason1 that she was the mother of all living4 ,this name we have placed at the head of the list of female characters in the present work2 and while her brief history is replete with instruction1 it possesses an additional interest1 from the consideration of her being the first woman4 ,we are conducted back to the infancy of time1 to the origin of human being1 to the cause of the present degradation of our race1 to an impressive exhibition of the evil of sin1 and to the dawn of redeeming mercy upon this world of transgressors4 ,in this history we shall perceive reasons both for humiliation and triumph2 we shall see human nature in ruins1 and provision made for its reparation2 we shall witness the effects of infernal agency1 the loss of primeval glory1 the power of female influence2 and1 above all1 the ,,infinite ,,goodness of our ,creator4 ,it very much enhances the dignity of the female character to reflect1 that of all created things the woman was selected as the only suitable companion of the first and fairest of men2 she was made expressly to contribute to his mental and social pleasures1 and not to be the slave of his will2 if the mother1 she was intended also as the instructor of his children2 his assistant1 at least1 in the delightful task of rearing the tender thought1 and teaching the young idea how to shoot3 she was qualified to counsel and co-operate with him in his daily occupations1 to aid in the investigation of those laws which regulated the new-made world1 to unite with him in acts of worship1 and to enliven1 as well as to participate1 his devotional hours4 ,revelation is the only system that assigns to woman her natural and proper elevation in the scale of being1 and inspires a consciousness of her real dignity4 ,the moment that an intelligent being is by any injurious treatment1 or by any prevailing error1 induced to form a degrading estimate of itself1 that moment it begins to approximate a state of meanness which was hitherto only imaginary4 ,let such an one be conscious of being held in no esteem1 or prized solely as the tool of servitude or the food of appetite1 and all majesty of character is lost2 all aim or wish to rise above the brute1 to aspire after a station or character1 to the occupation of which a tyrannic impiety has opposed an insurmountable barrier1 is gone2 and those great principles which confer a superiority upon the human kind1 and point to a noble pre-eminence1 cease to operate1 and expire for want of action4 ,this state of things is unnatural1 contrary to the original purpose of creation1 and in fact1 more dishonorable to the usurper than to the degraded sufferer4 ,in ,mahometan and ,pagan countries the rights of women have been sacrificed to the caprices of men2 and1 having plucked this fair flower of creation from its original and highly elevated situation1 its beauty has faded1 its glory been lost in the sacrilegious hands of its barbarian possessor4 ,abject slavery or base flattery have existed where woman has been displaced from her proper and original character1 and the most mischievous consequences have ensued4 #d ,the first woman is said to have been formed out of man2 hence1 as a part of himself1 it seems the law of creation1 that man should cherish the most affectionate sentiments for the woman3--,therefore1 says the inspired history1 shall a man leave his father and his mother1 and shall cleave unto his wife2 and they shall be one flesh4 ,it is observable1 that the woman was neither taken out of the head1 nor from the feet1 but from the side1 and near the heart6 ,if1 therefore1 on the one hand1 she ought not to assume pre-eminence1 on the other she is not to be trampled on and despised1 but received as an equal and a friend4 ,as the original arrangements of ,infinite ,wisdom were the most perfect in their respective kinds1 the appropriation of one woman only1 as the companion and wife of the first created man1 indicates both the will of the ,creator respecting marriage1 and the circumstances in which it is most likely to produce the greatest sum of domestic felicity4 ,man is neither to live alone1 nor to indulge that depravity of taste1 which1 by seeking enjoyment in diversity1 not only ensures disappointment1 but generates discord4 ,the advocates for celibacy and for plurality1 equally betray an ignorance of ,scripture and of human nature1 and can find few supporters1 except amongst the infidel or the barbarian classes of mankind4 ,they that will not connect their interests1 lest they should be unhappy by their partner's fault1 dream away their time without friendship1 without fondness1 and are driven to rid themselves of the day1 for which they have no use1 by childish amusement or vicious delights4 ,they act as beings under the constant sense of some known inferiority1 that fills their minds with rancor and their tongues with censure2 they are peevish at home1 and malevolent abroad2 and1 as the outlaws of human nature1 make it their business and their pleasure to disturb that society which debars them from its privileges4 ,to live without feeling or exciting sympathy1 to be fortunate without adding to the felicity of others1 or afflicted without tasting the balm of pity1 is a state more gloomy than solitude3 it is not retreat1 but exclusion from mankind4 ,marriage has many pains1 but celibacy has no pleasures4 #e ,the original law is enforced in the ,new ,testament by an infallible commentator3 ,have ye not read1 that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female1 and said1 ,for this cause shall a man leave father and mother1 and shall cleave to his wife2 and they twain shall be one flesh8 ,wherefore they are no more twain1 but one flesh4 ,what1 therefore1 ,god hath joined together1 let no man put asunder4 ,thus ,jesus ,christ sanctions marriage by his authority1 virtually interdicts polygamy1 and absolutely prohibits divorce4 ,as the bestowal of one woman upon one man1 at the creation of the human species1 was sufficiently indicative of the divine will1 so the near equality of the two sexes is a strong presumptive argument in favour of this division of society3 if a different proportion were better calculated to replenish the world with population1 the circumstances of ,adam seemed particularly to require such an arrangement2 or if it were calculated to promote human happiness1 the ,divine ,being1 who created ,eve for the very purpose of enhancing the bliss of our first parent1 would have superadded this to his paradisaical possessions4 ,the reverse1 however1 was obviously the case4 ,polygamy violates the constitution of nature1 and produces contests1 jealousies1 distracted affections1 a voluptuousness which dissolves the vigour of the intellectual and corporeal faculties1 neglect of children1 with other lamentable evils1 for which it furnishes no compensation4 ,whether1 says ,dr4 ,paley1 simultaneous polygamy was permitted by the law of ,moses1 seems doubtful2 but whether permitted or not1 it was certainly practised by the ,jewish patriarchs1 both before that law and under it4 ,the permission1 if there were any1 might be like that of divorce1 'for the hardness of their heart1' in condescension to their established indulgencies1 rather than from the general rectitude or propriety of the thing itself4 ,the state of manners in ,judea had probably undergone a reformation in this respect before the time of ,christ1 for in the ,new ,testament we meet with no trace or mention of any such practice being tolerated4 #f ,though man was created in the state we have been representing1 encircled with the divine favour1 rich in all the requisites of happiness1 and the tenant of a glorious palace1 a melancholy alteration soon occurred4 ,seduced by infernal temptation1 he forsook his ,god and forfeited his paradise2 and from the narrative of his fall in the book of ,genesis1 which immediately succeeds the account of his felicity1 we learn that the ,,woman was the first transgressor4 ,assuming the form of a serpent1 ,satan presented himself to ,eve1 and entered into familiar conversation with her4 ,to his artful inquiry respecting the divine interdiction of one of the trees of the garden1 she at first gave a very proper answer4 ,satan insinuated that the terms which ,god had prescribed1 were severe1 if not capricious3 but she replied in a manner indicative of her perfect acquiescence in the commandment1 her untainted purity of mind1 and such a sense of the beneficence of ,god1 as prevented even a momentary doubt of his wisdom or goodness1 in the denial of one tree in the midst of the garden4 ,the tempter1 in making a second attack1 became more positive4 ,in contradiction to the divine assurance1 he affirmed1 with unhesitating effrontery1 that they should not die1 even though they tasted the fruit of the interdicted tree2 but on the contrary1 that they should be as gods1 knowing good and evil4 ,by the very same representations do the ministers of satanic malice in every age seduce mankind1 suggesting that the commands of ,heaven are extremely rigid1 and flattering them that sin may be committed with impunity4 ,the fatal moment was come--she looked at the tree6--,ah6 thou mother of all living6 hadst thou looked at the command1 and turned away from the attractive plant and the beguiling serpent1 all would have been well--thine innocence had been uncorrupted1 thy posterity uncondemned6 ,but unhallowed curiosity prompted the fatal experiment--she wished to be wise-- ,her rash hand in evil hour1 ,forth reaching to the fruit1 she plucked1 she ate4 ,earth felt the wound2 and ,nature from her seat1 ,sighing through all her works1 gave signs of wo1 ,that all was lost6 ,it does not appear that any ill consequences resulted immediately from the criminal rashness of this sinner1 so that she was encouraged to go to her husband1 who1 seduced by a fairer tempter1 and one endeared to him by the tenderest ties1 complied with her request to share the violated tree4 ,motives of curiosity and pride excited her to sin1 and so far as appears from the history1 blind affection influenced him4 ,alas6 she who was given him as a help meet1 is changed into his seducer1 and from his comfort is become his snare6 ,that influence which she naturally possessed over her husband1 ought to have been exerted to prevent his compliance with any sinful intimation1 in case of an unexpected solicitation1 instead of which it was used to induce him to plunge into guilt and ruin4 ,we have a right to presume1 observes ,saurin1 that as no crime was ever connected with more melancholy results1 so none was ever more atrocious than hers4 ,the more we examine its nature1 the more base it appears1 and the more easy is it to exculpate religion from those reproaches which this statement has so often occasioned4 ,whatever tends to extenuate the guilt of other sins1 is an aggravation of this4 ,sometimes a confusion of the passions obscures all the powers of the soul2 a man who sins in this manner1 is frequently less deserving of abhorrence than of pity2 he acts from a sort of compulsion1 and protests against the crime1 even at the moment he is committing it4 ,eve possessed a dominion over those passions to which we are become enslaved2 she could easily calm their turbulence1 and they had no other influence over her1 than what was on her own part voluntary4 ,sometimes necessity inspires the design of acquiring by unlawful methods1 a supply which nature has rendered requisite1 and which cannot be legitimately obtained4 ,but1 what could be wanting to satisfy the insatiable cravings of this woman8 ,what could she need as an addition to her happiness8 ,she might be said to be 'crowned with glory and honour2' she had dominion over the works of the ,creator2 all things were put under her feet2 all sheep and oxen2 yea1 and the beasts of the field1 the fowl of the air1 and the fish of the sea1 and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas4 ,even her love of variety could not yet be satiated1 and this garden offered a thousand exquisite fruits which she had never tasted4 ,sometimes doubt blends itself with disobedience4 ,there are but few sins totally unaccompanied with unbelief2 some clouds always obscure our faith2 some veils of concealment overspread the existence of the ,creator4 ,among the previous pangs which sin occasions1 when we deliberate respecting the commission of it1 there always exist certain vague ideas in the mind1 such as these--perhaps no superior being concerns himself about it2 or1 perhaps no one has forbidden it2--but ,eve could not possibly doubt of the existence or the will of the ,creator4 ,she had herself heard this language from his mouth1 ',in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shall surely die4' ,sometimes our abuse of a favour proceeds from false ideas of its origin4 ,though every sinner be ungrateful1 yet every sinner is not a monster of ingratitude4 ,the first cause of our felicity is sometimes mingled with the second1 which is serviceable in procuring it4 ,our industry frequently seems to share with ,providence the glory of our condition1 and the nature of a blessing sometimes leads us to forget the acknowledgments due to our benefactor2 but ,eve enjoyed no good which did not in some respect proceed immediately from the bounty of ,god1 and which ought not to have induced her to glorify him4 ,sometimes a pure motive produces an impure action1 and the love of virtue itself sometimes occasions our removal from it2 but in the present case the action is aggravated by the motive4 ,pride1 vain-glory1 perhaps the desire of robbing ,god of his pre-eminence1 his omniscience1 or his jurisdiction over the creature1 his most sacred and incommunicable distinctions1 were the dispositions that actuated this woman4 ,can any imaginable pretext serve to palliate so atrocious a crime1 or excuse the woman who first committed it1 and the man who joined in the rebellion8 ,would they indeed have been less criminal1 if a seraph of glory had proposed to them the impious deed8 ,was not the faculty of reason which they had received from ,god1 sufficient to make them understand what revelation has taught us1 that if an angel from heaven were to proclaim any thing contrary to what ,god has commanded1 it ought to inspire us with no other sentiments than those of anathema and execration8 #g ,the general consequences of human transgression were3 #a4 ,the loss of ,eden1 and the subjection of our first parents to a mode of life both humiliating and painful4 ,ease was exchanged for toil1 honour for degradation1 peace for distraction and wo4 ,it is always painful to quit a favourite spot4 ,the heart lingers long behind1 and employs the pencil of memory to paint the absent scene4 ,adam and ,eve must have experienced inexpressible emotions when driven from their primeval residence1 where all the elements1 all the seasons1 and all beings had contributed to their enjoyment4 ,never1 never1 could they forget those landscapes on which the eye paused with rapture2 never1 never1 could they cease to remember its rich productions1 its often-frequented vales1 and hills1 and rivers1 and woods2 never1 never1 could they obliterate from their memory the bright sunshine of heavenly love that beamed upon them there--for by transgression they suffered4 #b4 ,the loss of their ,god4 ,the divine favour can alone constitute the real felicity of a creature2 this1 in its full manifestation1 is heaven--in its total absence1 is hell4 ,no place1 however loaded with blessings1 can constitute a desirable abode1 unless ,god be there4 ,the fairest ,eden without this manifestation must be a melancholy dungeon to an intelligent and immortal being4 ,it is this which was forfeited by original sin1 and which occasioned a flaming sword which turned every way1 to keep the way of the tree of life4 ,it would be inconsistent with the nature of ,god not to manifest displeasure against iniquity1 however high and dignified the being who commits it4 ,an angel must lose his crown1 if he dare to disobey that ,being who is glorious in holiness4 #c4 ,mankind incurred by sin the loss of life4--,and the ,lord ,god commanded the man1 saying1 ,of every tree in the garden thou mayest freely eat1 but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil thou shall not eat of it1 for in the day that thou eatest thereof1 thou shalt surely die4 ,this denunciation included an exposure not only to temporal1 but to eternal death1 as might be shown from the nature and demerit of sin1 the means which were afterwards employed to destroy its effects in the work of ,christ1 the repeated declarations of ,scripture1 and the peculiar energy of the original expression2 it is literally1 ,dying1 thou shalt die4 ,the weight of the condemnation rested on the sinner's head1 and in order to maintain the glory of his character1 the blessed ,god rendered his punishment as extraordinary as his former mercies1 and proportionate to his enormous guilt4--,thou wilt by no means clear the guilty4--,these shall go away into everlasting punishment4 #d4 ,the sin of ,adam and ,eve involved the ruin of their posterity4 ,as the first man and woman1 they stood in a peculiar relation to all who should hereafter be born1 the representatives of unnumbered millions1 whose future condition essentially depended on their character and circumstances4 ,had they continued innocent1 it cannot be doubted their children would have been placed in a far happier condition4 ,they would have inherited purity and a blessing for the ,father's sake1 instead of being shapen in iniquity4 ,as the streams become polluted when the fountain is poisoned1 or as the branches die when the root is destroyed1 so the race of men are become degraded1 accursed1 and condemned by their parent's sin4 ,they inherit a nature depraved by original transgression1 and disposed to every wicked indulgence4 ,instead of becoming more assimilated to ,god1 as man had flattered himself he should be by partaking of the forbidden fruit1 he became from that moment assimilated to the devil4 ,every dishonorable and hurtful passion took immediate possession of the breast1 and to this hour reigns in the carnal man with unrivalled influence4 ,whatever misery results from the gratification of these passions1 is solely attributable to the principle2 for man1 who is criminal by nature1 is still more so by inclination and practice4 ,the world is thrown into a state of anarchy4 ,the unbridled dominion of the passions disturbs the peace of the individual and the harmony of society4 ,sin makes a man at variance with himself1 with his neighbour1 and with the whole constitution of things4 ,he is restless as the ocean1 impelled by every contrary wind1 and tossed about by every sportive billow4 ,the desire of happiness exists2 but he is ignorant of the true means of it1 and is perpetually pursuing it by a method which only plunges him into greater misery4 ,to this cause must be attributed all the mental distresses and all the bodily afflictions of the individual--all the disturbances which prevent domestic enjoyment1 the bickerings and jealousies of families with their various alliances--all the animosities which agitate social life--all the intestine broils1 ambitious emulations1 endless contentions1 and opposing interests that distract a state--all the melancholy wars that convulse nations and desolate empires1 the record of which has stained the page of history in all ages--with every particular1 form1 and mode of evil1 discoverable in the world4 ,but sin extends its ravages beyond the present state4 ,it has not only strewed the whole path of life with tormenting thorns1 but enkindled everlasting burnings4 ,it has not only introduced disorder into the world1 disease into the body1 and distress into the condition of men1 but exposed them to the agonies of death and of hell4 ,it is sin which banishes every hope and excludes every ray of comfort from the realms of infernal despair4 ,justly1 then1 is it characterized by the apostle1 as exceeding sinful4 ,there were two respects in which the woman became more deeply affected by the curse than the man2 she not only participated1 as a fallen creature1 in the diversified calamities which1 from the moment of transgression1 were entailed upon humanity1 but suffered as a female in the conjugal and maternal relationships which she was destined hereafter to sustain4 ,her husband was to rule over her1 and in sorrow she was to bring forth children4 ,the yoke of subjection1 indeed1 in the one case1 and the pangs of childbirth in the other1 are alleviated by the benign influences of ,christianity1 whose supplies are intended to heal the wounds inflicted by the poisonous serpent2 but they nevertheless attach1 in greater or less degrees1 to the human constitution4 ,the reason of this marked difference in the dispensation of an avenging ,providence to the two principal parties concerned1 was obviously this2 the woman was first in the transgression1 and after listening to the deceptive counsel of her adversary1 tempted when she ought to have warned her husband4 ,it appears consonant to every principle of equity1 that the atrociousness of her guilt should be characterized by appropriate expressions of displeasure2 and that1 in the future condition of mankind1 all beings should recognize1 not only the general purity of the divine administration1 but its reference to the peculiarities of individual delinquency4 ,whatever mystery may at present involve the proceedings of ,infinite ,wisdom1 and however incapacitated we may be to discover in every given case1 or even in the majority of instances1 the distinct traces of a justice that holds the even balance1 and adjusts with nicety the proportions of sin and punishment1 of this we may feel perfectly assured1 that every one will eventually receive the things done in his body1 according to that he hath done1 whether it be good or bad4 ,it should be a matter of serious consideration to women to employ the influence which they possess1 as the gift of nature1 to wise1 holy1 and useful purposes4 ,let the young female especially see to it1 that her attractions are not dedicated to the service of sin1 but to that of virtue and of ,christ4 ,let her neither be tempted1 nor tempt others1 but close her ear against the voice of enticement1 and make a covenant with her tongue1 that it neither utter folly1 nor propagate slander4 ,let the daughters of ,eve imitate their mother in her state of unfallen rectitude1 when she shone in all the purity of innocence1 and in all the summer of her charms2 but let them avoid that course which tarnished her glory1 debased her nature1 and withered her paradise4 ,it is indisputable that society is materially affected by the character of women2 and in very important respects the moral state1 as well as the social comfort of the world1 is at their disposal4 ,let them beware of the delusions to which they are exposed1 and make virtuous use of the influence which is undoubtedly given them4 ,let them aim to be guides to piety1 not seducers to sin2 and1 instead of presenting to others the forbidden fruit1 refuse to taste1 or even to look at it3 so shall they regain the dignity they have lost1 be admitted to partake of the untainted spring of happiness1 and enjoy at once a peaceful conscience and an approving ,god4 ,the narrative which has here been briefly introduced1 stands in immediate connection with a subject which abounds in considerable difficulties1 and has produced1 unhappily1 many acrimonious controversies4 ,these it would be improper to detail2 but as our design is chiefly practical1 if some of those objections which occur to almost every mind1 can1 by a few words1 be in any degree obviated1 it will be worthy at least of a short digression4 #a4 ,it has been alleged that the first man might have been created immutable by a necessity of nature1 the consequence of which would have been his own perfect and unchanging happiness1 and that of all mankind4 ,the imagination seizes the transporting thought1 and in a moment converts every spot of this barren wilderness into the garden of ,eden4 ,does it1 however1 become us to prescribe rules to ,omniscience8 ,was the ,deity obliged to impose a miraculous constraint upon the human will1 and compel his creature to choose whatever is best with invariable determination and promptitude8 ,if a parent were to caution his child against a danger1 into which he afterward plunged himself by his inadvertence or perverseness1 would the child be justified in censuring the parent1 because1 in addition to advice1 he did not employ bonds and cords8 ,adam might have been created immutable by a necessity of nature4 ,true--but ,adam would then have been another being1 and not a man4 ,it might with similar propriety be asked1 why men were not created equal to angels1 or beasts to men8 ,this sentiment implies1 that it was not proper to create such a being as man at all1 an intimation sufficiently presumptuous4 ,adam possessed all the perfections essential to his nature1 and conducive to his felicity1 and all the motives to obedience1 which a reasonable creature could demand4 ,if he fell1 it was violating and not concurring with the principles of his nature4 ,and who was culpable for this violation8 ,it is true he was tempted1--but then he was forewarned4 ,he was tempted--so was the second ,adam1 the ,lord from heaven1 who effectually resisted the temptation4 #b4 ,some have supposed that the punishment was disproportioned to the offence4 ,a more attentive consideration of the subject1 however1 will demonstrate the contrary4 ,the compliance with the seductions of the tempter1 of which our first parents were guilty1 betrayed many lamentable symptoms of degeneracy4 ,pride1 ambition1 discontent1 unbelief1 presumption1 ingratitude1 and an undervaluation of the divine favour1 are all plainly discernible through the thin veil of an extenuating apology1 with which they vainly attempted to conceal their baseness4--,the woman1 whom thou gavest to be with me1 she gave me of the tree1 and ,i did eat4 ,and the woman said1 ,the serpent beguiled me1 and ,i did eat4 ,endowed as they were with knowledge1 it was a sin against the greatest light2 surrounded as they were with motives1 it was a sin against the greatest means2 warned as they were of danger and promised eternal blessedness1 it was a sin against the greatest reason2 and placed as they were at the head of a numerous posterity1 and in a sense the depositories and trustees of their happiness1 it was a sin against the greatest public good4 ,besides1 it was the first sin1 and consequently justice demanded such an expression of the divine displeasure as would tend to deter future transgressors1 and evince the purity of ,god to all holy intelligences4 ,when justice seized upon the delinquents1 and brought them to the equitable tribunal of ,heaven1 the whole intelligent universe may be considered as attentive spectators of the scene4 ,every eye was fixed--every ear open--every tongue silent--every harp suspended4 ,the great ,judge with whom a thousand years are as one day1 and one day as a thousand years1 saw1 as it were1 the unborn generations of men all present1 and tremblingly awaiting the verdict4 ,this was the solemn hour when the perfections of ,deity were to be most sublimely illustrated1 and ten thousand worlds were to learn in one eventful moment the character of their ,creator1 ,therefore the ,lord ,god sent him from the garden of ,eden4 ,the nature of sin in itself should also be considered4 ,it is no trifling affair4 ,from the habit of observing only its outward effects1 we overlook its rancorous principle4 ,the propensity to extenuate sin arises from ignorance of its vileness4 ,we judge of every thing by comparison1 and self-flattery always renders the comparison favorable to ourselves4 ,but small and large are terms which1 though we have chosen to adopt them1 do not properly belong to the subject4 ,the divine mind contemplates sin in its principle2 and the least transgression1 being a resistance of his command1 an insult to his authority1 an opposition to his truth1 a violation1 of general order1 a perversion and misuse of the noblest faculties1 whatever may be the force of the attack or the nature of the temptation1 is infinitely offensive to the blessed ,god4 ,it is an admission of that principle which1 could it possibly prevail1 would produce eternal discord1 universal rebellion1 and boundless misery4 #c4 ,if1 however1 we be accounted sinners in ,adam1 may it not be inferred that our guilt is incalculably inferior to his1 and that in all our actions resulting from this inherent depravity1 we are more pitiable than culpable8 ,by no means4--,it is sufficient to remark1 that though our original guilt be less than his1 not having been personally the perpetrators of the first crime1 our actual guilt is equal1 if not greater4 ,for it is obvious we sin with all the experience of the past to forewarn us2 we sin1 though we witness the deplorable effects of his fall1 and hear the denunciations of vengeance in the ,scriptures4 ,though it be true that sin originates in a depravity of heart1 which is the fatal inheritance of the whole human race1 will any one pretend that such a sentiment justifies its excesses8 ,the perpetration of iniquity in the course of our daily practice1 must not be confounded with the original tendency4 ,these excesses are in no sense chargeable upon the principle as its necessary and unavoidable result1 because thousands escape the pollutions that are in the world4 ,nor are we less obliged to love ,god in consequence of the fall1 though unhappily we are become more incapable and indisposed to it4 ,you ask1 why passions were implanted in human nature8 ,the reply is1 to extend the means of our happiness1 by rendering us more capable of glorifying and enjoying ,god4 ,if they have acquired a sinful bias1 the obligation to devote them to their original purpose is by no means diminished3 ,but their great ,author1 to whom we are responsible for every faculty1 requires that we should oppose their perverse propensities1 earnestly repent of the irregularities produced by their seducing influence1 and solicit the aid of his grace to conquer them4 ,when the apostle of the ,gentiles was reasoning before an unjust judge of righteousness1 temperance1 and judgment to come1 it is said1 ,felix trembled1 and answered4 ,go thy way for this time1 when ,i have a convenient season ,i will call for thee4 ,unhappy man6 ,hadst thou but obeyed ,paul instead of dismissing him1 hadst thou but yielded to thy kindling convictions1 confessed thy sins1 and sought salvation through the blood of that ,jesus whom ,paul preached1 the church of ,christ would have hailed thee as a brand plucked out of the burning4 ,every one is conscious that1 however corrupt his nature1 he is under no irresistible impulse1 no constraining necessity4 ,if he commit sin it is voluntarily4 ,sin is his choice and his pleasure4 ,he does not sin because he is necessitated to do it1 but because he loves it3 and however willing the carnal mind may be to avail itself of sophistical reasonings to quiet conscience1 every one must1 in the hour of dispassionate reflection1 feel himself implicated in the charge1 all have sinned4 ,listen to the case of a wretched prodigal4--,crime had reduced him to rags4 ,he had a home--but through perverseness he banished himself from all its comforts4 ,he had a father--but he undervalued his affection1 in a moment of folly demanded his patrimony1 and adventured abroad friendless and alone4 ,a few years brought him to the very gates of death4 ,o thoughtless sinner1 ,thou art the man6 ,thou hast forsaken ,god1 the ,father of mercies6 ,thou art perishing in ignorance and unbelief6 ,but this moral lunatic came to himself1 and resolved to return to his father2 ,i will arise and go to my father1 and will say unto him1 ,father1 ,i have sinned against heaven and before thee1 and am no more worthy to be called thy son2 make me as one of thy hired servants4 ,and he arose and came to his father4 ,but when he was yet a great way off1 his father saw him1 and had compassion1 and ran1 and fell on his neck1 and kissed him4 ,what a son6 what a father6 what a meeting6 what sighs of penitence6 what tears of fondness6 what looks of tenderness6 what words of peace6 ,how were resentment and grief drowned in a sea of love6 ,god of all comfort1 who art thyself this kind1 forgiving1 bountiful ,father1 grant of thine infinite mercy that every reader may prove himself this humble1 sincere1 and grateful penitent6 ,sarah ,chapter ,,ii4 ,abraham's ,departure from ,chaldea--,his ,faith--,its ,failure--,sarah and ,abraham agree to prevaricate--,the ,admiration which ,sarah attracted--,abraham's ,dismissal from the country of ,egypt--,beauty and ,dress--,importance of a proper ,education--,parental ,vanity--,source of real ,attraction--,sarah proposes to ,abraham to take ,hagar--,unhappy ,consequences--,hagar's ,flight and ,return--,visit of three ,angels--,sarah's laughter at the subject of their commission--,her subsequent ,character--,general ,remarks--,birth of ,isaac--,ishmael's ,conduct and its ,consequences--,sarah's ,death4 ,sidenote3 ,years before ,christ1 about #aibj-aiba4 ,at a very advanced period of life1 and in obedience to a divine injunction1 ,abraham went out from his country and his father's house1 not knowing whither he went4 ,by this cheerful1 prompt1 and pious submission to the mysterious will of ,heaven1 he has acquired a high distinction in the sacred records1 and presents a noble example for the imitation of all future ages4 ,here was no debate between a sense of duty and an inclination to sin--no disposition to question the wisdom or the goodness of the command--no effort to devise expedients for the purpose of procuring delay--and no unholy apprehensions respecting the possible or probable consequences of such a proceeding4 ,in this removal from ,chaldea1 the illustrious exile took with him his wife1 his nephew1 and all their substance that they had gathered1 and the souls that they had gotten in ,haran4 ,upon their arrival in ,canaan1 the divine declaration respecting his future possession of the country was renewed1 and he erected an altar to the ,lord in the plain of ,moreh4 ,the same act of devotion was performed at the next stage of his journey1 on a mountain to the east of ,bethel2 for no change of place could obliterate his sense of religious obligation4 ,this land of promise was soon afflicted with a grievous famine1 in consequence of which1 he was necessitated to provide for the subsistence of his family by removing into ,egypt4 ,this was a new trial to his faith2 for by what possible means could a land at present so impoverished1 become a place of plentiful subsistence to his posterity1 when multiplied as the sands upon the sea-shore8 ,driven even from this promised inheritance1 he did not1 however1 manifest a spirit of discontent or unbelief1 but hastened to seek a temporary asylum1 convinced that he to whose guidance he had committed himself and his beloved family1 could1 by the outstretched arm of his power1 not only overcome every obstacle which to human ignorance might seem insurmountable2 but by his concurrent wisdom render difficulties themselves subservient to the accomplishment of his purposes4 ,alas6 on his entering ,egypt he is seized with apprehension4 ,the faith which had hitherto been so conspicuous is mingled with distrust1 and he engages his beloved ,,sarah1 who is now introduced to our notice1 in an act of most unwarrantable duplicity4 ,the whole of this transaction is detailed with that perfect impartiality which characterizes the histories of the ,scriptures1 and which furnishes one very decisive evidence of their inspiration4 ,sarah is represented as very beautiful4 ,her husband was aware that this circumstance would attract the notice of the ,egyptians1 not only because of the contrast her person would exhibit to the swarthy complexions of their women1 but on account of their licentious character4 ,he dreaded their illicit attachment1 and the probable consequence that they might assassinate him in order to obtain his wife4 ,this idea of ,egyptian morals was no doubt correct1 but how deplorable6 ,they would not commit adultery2 but for the sake of gratifying a guilty passion1 were ready to perpetrate the abominable sin of murder6 ,and thus1 under the strange pretence of reverence for the matrimonial law1 they would have violated at once the dictates of humanity1 the principles of reason1 and the constitutions of heaven4 ,so common is it for transgressors to strain at a knat and swallow a camel2 and so uniform the course of guilt1 which never walks alone1 but draws with it a train of complicated iniquities6 ,the preliminaries being settled1 ,abraham and his family entered ,egypt4 ,she was to say1 when any inquiries were made1 that she was his sister1 hoping by this artifice to escape danger4 ,this1 it must be observed1 was not a direct falsehood3 it was such only by implication4 ,it was true that1 according to the ,jewish mode of reckoning1 ,sarah was the sister of ,abraham2 but their intention in circulating this statement was1 to conceal the whole truth of her being his wife4 ,notwithstanding the ingenuity which some learned men have displayed in attempting to vindicate this conduct1 we must without hesitation pronounce it base1 mean1 and prevaricating4 ,the purpose was to deceive1 and it was the more censurable for being so deliberately premeditated and so perseveringly practised4 ,there are cases in which persons have been overtaken in a fault1 impelled by some momentary passion1 excited by some brilliant temptation1 or betrayed by some unexpected coincidence of circumstances1 and of which they have deeply and almost immediately repented--a situation which cannot but excite our pity1 as well as our disapprobation2 but this was a transaction which it is impossible either to extenuate or justify4 ,let it be improved as a motive for self-examination1 and a beacon to warn us from similar misconduct4 ,o keep my soul1 and deliver me3 let me not be ashamed1 for ,i put my trust in thee4 ,let ,,integrity and ,,uprightness preserve me1 for ,i wait on thee4 ,prevarication of every kind partakes of the very essence of lying1 being not only subversive of social happiness1 by preventing all confidential intercourse amongst mankind1 but diametrically opposed to the commands of ,god4 ,every species of wilful deceit1 as the use of ambiguities in language for the purpose of misleading2 the adoption of expressions which we know to be understood by another in a different sense from what we really mean2 mental reservations2 a studied suppression of part of the truth1 as in the present example1 is unworthy the character of any person who professes to be an honest man1 much more of one who sustains the dignified character of a ,christian4 ,wherefore1 putting away lying1 speak every man truth with his neighbour4 ,in theory1 it seems an easy thing to adhere to truth2 but it is too frequently found difficult in practice4 ,when motives of interest are balanced against motives of duty1 it is well if the former do not sometimes preponderate4 ,are we always careful to state facts exactly as they exist2 to avoid all false colouring2 to swear even to our own hurt8 ,if so1 we need not fear investigation1 because nothing can be detected but an honourable1 undissembled mind4 ,when ,adam disobeyed the divine commandment1 and in consequence forfeited the bliss of primeval paradise1 he was seduced by his fair partner1 who had already listened to the wily suggestions of the serpent2 but ,abraham1 so far from being tempted by his wife1 appears to have been the sole contriver of this disingenuous artifice1 and employed all his influence to induce her to transgress4 ,in following him from his original residence into ,canaan1 and subsequently to ,egypt1 she obeyed the dictates of affection and of religion2 but when she suffered herself to be persuaded into a deceitful action1 she sacrificed the purity of her conscience4 ,it became her1 however painful the conflict1 to resist the temptation2 and1 when the claims of heaven were opposed to those of affection or human authority1 to obey ,god rather than man4 ,it appears that we are not only in danger of being misled by those who are our avowed enemies1 or by the pernicious example of the multitude who do evil1 but the nearest and dearest relatives may become snares to our feet2 and even those1 in whose piety and wisdom we should naturally confide1 may1 under the influence of temporary delusion1 incite us to do wrong4 ,our affections must not be implicitly trusted4 ,there is a point where submission to man becomes treason against heaven4 ,it were better to incur the displeasure even of the dearest friend and tenderest relative1 than of ,him who possesses supreme authority over conscience4 ,at the same time1 let a woman1 who thus ventures to disobey her husband1 do it with that caution which results solely from a conviction of paramount duty1 and from a well founded assurance that she is not mistaken4 ,it is no trifling occasion that will justify opposition to the will of him whom she is commanded to obey2 and if it be done in a proper spirit1 it will be done with a degree of reluctance1 and under an overwhelming sense of necessity4 ,let the spirit of meekness be prevalent4 ,nothing in the manner1 in which unwelcome opposition is maintained1 must indicate a proud resistance1 or an air of triumph4 ,it must not be litigious1 petulant1 unconciliating2 but the importance of those principles which occasion the difference1 must be apparent in the temper of mind they produce4 ,thus1 it will be possible to maintain the rights of conscience1 and not to violate the claims of duty3 the integrity of the heart will be indicated1 not by words only1 but by actions4--,it is natural to feel indignant against a conduct which we suspect to proceed from improper motives1 and a hostile spirit2 but we extenuate even the mistakes of those who differ most widely from ourselves1 provided we have sufficient evidence that their scruples result from conscientious feelings4 ,while1 therefore1 in our differences from others1 we are careful not to be actuated by mere frivolous pretences1 we must be equally solicitous not to be deterred from showing a firm consistence of conduct1 lest we should incur the charge of an affected singularity4 ,the fact was such as ,abraham had anticipated4 ,sarah was the object of universal admiration4 ,she attracted the attention even of ,pharaoh's courtiers1 who1 with the view of pleasing their master1 recommended her to the king4 ,supposing she had been the stranger's sister1 she was taken into his house4 ,alas6 what availed all this timid policy6 ,the very means which had been devised for the preservation of ,sarah from ,egyptian licentiousness1 nearly exposed her to all its dreaded consequences2 and ,abraham was duped by his own craftiness4 ,his wife was endangered1 his artifice detected1 and the household of ,pharaoh visited with divine chastisements on her account4 ,and1 in addition to the pain which both he and his beloved partner must have felt1 from the consciousness of having acted wrong1 they were dismissed from the country4 ,and ,pharaoh called ,abraham1 and said1 ,what is this that thou hast done unto me8 ,why didst thou not tell me that she was thy wife8 ,why saidst thou1 ,she is my sister8 ,so ,i might have taken her to me to wife3 now1 therefore1 behold thy wife1 take her and go thy way4 ,and ,pharaoh commanded his men concerning him2 and they sent him away1 and his wife1 and all that he had4 ,the beauty of ,sarah was obviously the occasion of her committing1 in concert with her husband1 the sin of equivocation1 and of the misfortunes which attended their ,egyptian journey4 ,if she had not been distinguished for a fair exterior1 she would have escaped the admiration of these strangers1 and the difficulties which she and ,abraham afterwards encountered4 ,solomon pronounces beauty to be vain2 and the history of the world will show1 that1 in innumerable instances1 as well as that of ,sarah1 it has betrayed its fair possessor into many snares4 ,experience1 however1 in this respect1 does not seem to teach wisdom2 for the wish to acquire the attraction which beauty confers1 seems to be no less prevalent in the present age1 than it was at the earliest period of the world4 ,how many hours of the day1 and how many days of the wasted year1 do some females devote to the improvement of their persons6 ,impossible as it has ever been1 and ever will be found1 to make one hair black or white1 to add one cubit to the stature1 to bend one untractable feature into the admired curve to which common consent attributes grace and loveliness2 the impossible transformation is nevertheless attempted4 ,the treasures of opulence are exhausted2 the more valuable possession of health is often sacrificed at the shrine of vanity3 and while the noble distinctions of cultivated intellect and solid piety are neglected1 the ostentatious decoration of exterior polish is sought with useless and guilty avidity4 ,the most effectual means of correcting this error1 is in early life to commence the important business of moral discipline by a solid education4 ,if a greater degree of attention be paid to showy1 than to substantial acquirements2 if young ladies be systematically prepared to shine and attract1 instead of being assiduously formed to be useful in the stations to which ,providence has assigned them2 it may be expected that they should become solicitous of courting admiration1 rather than of winning esteem4 ,they will necessarily be unfitted for domestic management1 and disqualified for the sober realities of life4 ,if the matrimonial connexion be founded upon no better pretensions1 and no superior reasons for attachment1 it is incapable of securing solid happiness4 ,it is1 in fact1 at the mercy of every breeze4 ,the wind of adversity may blow upon the fair flower1 wither its exterior charms1 and leave nothing but prickles and thorns4 ,a consciousness of insignificance on the one hand1 and a perception of it on the other1 will produce disappointment1 and generate dissatisfaction2 and it will be found1 too late perhaps1 that the mind1 instead of the face1 ought to have been principally regarded4 ,there is a species of parental vanity against which we would loudly appeal4 ,some persons are extremely anxious that their daughters should possess all the attractions of beauty2 and from their earliest infancy1 a concern for appearances is instilled into them1 as of the first importance4 ,if young persons1 so unhappily circumstanced1 should receive a wrong bias1 we cannot feel surprised2 and it will require a long course of salutary discipline1 combined with the inculcation of religious principles1 effectually to teach them that to see1 and to be seen1 are not the great purposes of human existence2 that they must live for nobler ends1 and secure the approbation of the wise and good by other accomplishments than a taste for the arrangement of a ribbon1 or the harmony of a tune4 ,unless they should be unfortunate enough to meet with none but flippant and vacant admirers1 to whose flattering nothings they are induced to listen1 they will find1 that persons of real worth are not to be attracted by tinsel decorations1 nor a butterfly exterior1 but that ,man has a relish more refined2 and will rather breathe the following sentiments1 as the appropriate language of a noble enthusiasm1 connected with rationality and religion2 ,souls are for social bliss designed-- ,give me a blessing fit to match my mind2 ,a kindred soul to double and to share my joys4 ,that which constitutes the source of attraction to well regulated minds1 does not depend upon the disposition of the features1 nor the colour of the skin4 ,it is possible to every kind of exterior form4 ,this beauty1 it has been well observed1 does not always consist in smiles1 but varies as expressions of meekness and kindness vary with their objects3 it is extremely forcible in the silent complaint of patient sufferance1 the tender solicitude of friendship1 and the glow of filial obedience2 and in tears1 whether of joy1 of pity1 or of grief1 it is almost irresistible4 ,this is the charm which captivates without the aid of nature1 and without which her utmost bounty is ineffectual4 ,but it cannot be assumed as a mask to conceal insensibility or malevolence3 it must be the effect of corresponding sentiments1 or it will impress upon the countenance a new and more disgusting deformity--,,affectation4 ,looks1 which do not correspond with the heart1 cannot be assumed without labour1 nor continued without pain3 the motive to relinquish them must1 therefore1 soon preponderate1 and the aspect and apparel of the visit will be laid by together3 the smiles and the languishments of art will vanish1 and the fierceness of rage1 or the gloom of discontent1 will either obscure or destroy all the elegance of symmetry and complexion4 ,the artificial aspect is1 indeed1 as wretched a substitute for the expression of sentiment1 as the smear of paint for the blushes of health3 it is not only equally transient1 and equally liable to detection2 but1 as paint leaves the countenance yet more withered and ghastly1 the passions burst out with more violence after restraint1 the features become more distorted1 and excite more determined aversion4 ,beauty1 therefore1 depends principally upon the mind1 and consequently may be influenced by education4 ,it has been remarked1 that the predominent passion may generally be discovered in the countenance2 because the muscles by which it is expressed1 being almost perpetually contracted1 lose their tone1 and never totally relax2 so that the expression remains when the passion is suspended3 thus1 an angry1 a disdainful1 a subtle1 and a suspicious temper1 is displayed in characters that are almost universally understood4 ,it is equally true of the pleasing and the softer passions1 that they leave their signatures upon the countenance when they cease to act4 ,the prevalence of these passions1 therefore1 produces a mechanical effect upon the aspect1 and gives a turn and cast to the features1 which make a more favourable and forcible impression upon the mind of others1 than any charm produced by mere external causes4 ,neither does the beauty which depends upon temper and sentiment1 equally endanger the possessor3 it is1 to use an eastern metaphor1 'like the towers of a city--not only an ornament1 but a defence3' if it excite desire1 it at once controls and refines it2 it represses with awe1 it softens with delicacy1 and it wins to imitation4 ,the love of reason and of virtue is mingled with the love of beauty2 because this beauty is little more than the emanation of intellectual excellence1 which is not an object of corporeal appetite4 ,as it excites a purer passion1 it also more forcibly engages to fidelity3 every man finds himself more powerfully restrained from giving pain to goodness than to beauty2 and every look of a countenance in which they are blended1 in which beauty is the expression of goodness1 is a silent reproach to the first irregular wish2 and the purpose immediately appears to be disingenuous and cruel1 by which the tender hope of ineffable affection would be disappointed1 the placid confidence of unsuspecting simplicity abused1 and the peace even of virtue endangered1 by the most sordid infidelity1 and the breach of the strongest obligations4 ,but the hope of the hypocrite must perish4--,when the factitious beauty has laid by her smiles2 when the lustre of her eyes1 and the bloom of her cheeks1 have lost their influence with their novelty2 what remains1 but a tyrant divested of power1 who will never be seen without a mixture of indignation and disdain8 ,the only desire which this object could gratify1 will be transferred to another1 not only without reluctance1 but with triumph4 ,let it1 therefore1 be remembered1 that none can be disciples of the ,,graces1 but in the school of ,,virtue2 and that those who wish to be ,,lovely1 must learn early to be ,,good4 ,in the next transaction1 ,sarah appears in a still more unfavourable light than in the former part of her history4 ,in whatever degree the circumstances in which she was placed may seem to extenuate the guilt of her conduct in ,egypt1 they can no longer be pleaded on her behalf4 ,she is not now overawed by the authority of her husband1 or seduced by an affection1 which would1 at all hazards1 endeavour to save his valuable life2 but becomes the voluntary tempter to a violation of divine institutions1 by which she not only manifested her unbelief1 but sacrifices to unworthy motives her domestic peace4 ,notwithstanding the divine assurance1 that the posterity of ,abraham should become a great nation1 and possess the land of ,canaan1 ,sarah begins to think that there is no probability of her becoming a mother4 ,ten years had elapsed1 and no child was born4 ,reflecting on her advanced period of life1 and incapable of an implicit reliance upon the power of ,god1 she requested ,abraham to take ,hagar1 her ,egyptian handmaid1 in order that she might obtain children by her4 ,it is scarcely possible to imagine a proposal more calculated to subvert the comfort of her family1 or more illustrative of an unbelieving spirit4 ,she could not rely upon the slow but certain operations of a superintending ,providence to fulfil those promises which had been given2 although a humble faith would have cherished confidence in his word4 ,he who has filled the volume of inspiration with exceeding great and precious promises1 will assuredly accomplish them1 notwithstanding every apparent impediment4 ,omnipotence marches forward with a steady1 undeviating step1 to its predestined purpose2 and that infinite wisdom which originally planned the future1 can never be frustrated or confused by any contingencies or vicissitudes2 for no possible event can occur which was not fully anticipated at the moment when the promise was given4 ,sarah was not only under the influence of distrust1 but of inordinate desire4 ,she was impatient for one of those prime domestic comforts which it was seen fit at present to deny her2 and because the time which had elapsed1 exceeded her calculations of probability1 she took upon herself to devise a plan to hasten the accomplishment of her wishes4 ,let us beware of an undue eagerness after the possession of any temporal enjoyment4 ,it will not only produce distrust1 but1 probably1 precipitate us into irregular means of gratifying our wishes4 ,inordinate desires commonly produce irregular endeavours4 ,if our wishes be not kept in submission to ,god's providence1 our pursuits will scarcely be kept under the restraints of his precepts4 ,it is truly surprising1 that the father of the faithful should listen to this insinuating request4 ,possibly he thought that1 as ,sarah was not distinctly mentioned in the promise1 ,hagar might become the parent of the promised seed2 and by this specious pretence1 being anxious for a son1 he was induced to comply4 ,we are easily persuaded1 when our own inclinations already concur with a proposal2 and even good men are very liable to misinterpret the intimations of ,providence1 whenever they consult their own feelings rather than the word of ,god4 ,it is remarked1 that ,abraham hearkened to the voice of ,,sarah4 ,this was his error4 ,there was another voice he should have heard4 ,if he had any doubts upon his mind1 or any suspicion that his present wife was not the predestined mother of the numerous posterity that were to people ,canaan1 he should at least have betook himself to prayer4 ,in a day of such remarkable revelations1 and in an affair of so much consequence1 he might reasonably have expected an express direction from heaven2 and he who had been already so privileged1 ought to have unbosomed his thoughts and explained his desires to the ,lord4 ,let such as sustain the closest connexion1 beware of becoming snares instead of helps to each other6 ,previous to a compliance with any important request that may lead to considerable consequences1 ,let us1 from whatever quarter it proceed1 or however justifiable it may appear1 promptly avail ourselves of that gracious throne1 which is always accessible to the humble petitioner4 ,we are liable to so many misconceptions1 exposed to the influence of so many prejudices1 and subject to the attacks of such a variety of temptations1 that our only security is in the exercise of a devotional spirit1 our only help is in the ,lord our ,god4 ,if any man lack wisdom1 let him repair to the fountain of intelligence1 and solicit those supplies from heaven which are not only freely dispensed1 but fully adequate to our diversified necessities4 ,the consequence of this unsanctioned proceeding1 was precisely what might have been expected4 ,elated with the honour of her situation1 ,sarah is despised by her ,egyptian handmaid4 ,she treats her with contempt and impertinence1 as if she were the peculiar favourite of ,heaven1 and hoping no doubt1 that the ample promises of ,god were to be fulfilled by her means4 ,knowing what human nature is1 we cannot wonder at this disposition1 culpable as it was4 ,nothing is more common than for persons1 when raised above the meanness of their birth1 and the inferiority of their former circumstances1 to be guilty of assuming airs of importance1 and to forget their most obvious duties3 and we would caution servants especially against such unwarrantable conduct4 ,if divine favours should be conferred upon them2 if by the grace of ,god they should be made partakers of that spiritual dignity which genuine religion confers1 and be thus placed upon a level with their masters or mistresses in the ,christian church1 let them remember that they are not exempted from a civil subserviency4 ,they are by no means elevated above their natural situation as servants1 because they become ,christians2 but all the peculiar claims of domestic duty remain4 ,an aspiring1 or a haughty spirit1 is unbecoming their newly acquired character1 and shows that they have very imperfectly learned of him who was meek and lowly of heart4 ,every person is respectable in his station1 exactly in proportion as it is properly occupied2 and real religion1 instead of disqualifying for subordinate situations1 is adapted to produce contentment1 and to dictate an exemplary and uniform correctness of conduct in whatever condition we may be placed by ,providence4 ,servants1 be obedient to them that are your masters1 according to the flesh1 with fear and trembling1 in singleness of your heart1 as unto ,christ3 not with eye-service1 as men-pleasers2 but as the servants of ,christ1 doing the will of ,god from the heart2 with good will doing service1 as to the ,lord1 and not to men3 knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth1 the same shall he receive of the ,lord1 whether he be bond or free4 ,let as many servants as are under the yoke1 count their own masters worthy of all honour1 that the name of ,god and his doctrine be not blasphemed4 ,and they that have believing masters1 let them not despise them1 because they are brethren2 but rather do them service1 because they are faithful and beloved1 partakers of the benefit4 ,if ,hagar behaved with impertinence and vanity1 ,sarah manifested a very censurable degree of resentment4 ,irritated by her handmaid's arrogance1 she appealed to ,abraham1 protesting that she could not endure such insolence1 and charging him with a secret connivance1 if not an encouragement of her provoking behaviour4 ,thus we perceive a specimen of what will generally prove the case in family dissensions--both were in the wrong4 ,hagar was aspiring and rude2 ,sarah passionate and severe4 ,if the former should have recollected her obligations1 the latter ought not to have forgotten her own foolishness in raising her above her natural level1 and placing her in circumstances of powerful temptation4 ,the one should have known her place2 the other have kept her temper4 ,let the modern mistress and servant take a lesson from this unhappy difference4 ,how many intestine commotions might be prevented1 if inferiors would not overstep the proper limits of their sphere2 and if superiors in station would be conciliating in spirit2 ,the beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water2 therefore leave off contention before it be meddled with4 ,abraham wisely avoided all interference in this affair2 and though his beloved ,sarah had appealed to him in very intemperate terms1 he gave a soft answer4 ,behold thy maid is in thy hand2 do to her as it pleaseth thee4 ,he refrained from all self-vindication1 to which he seemed called by the violent appeal of his wife2 but if he thought proper either to defend himself1 or to remonstrate with her1 he chose another occasion4 ,when the passions are inflamed1 the judgment is seldom sufficiently unbiassed to listen to reason or to consult propriety4 ,it has been questioned1 however1 whether in this instance he was not too submissive4 ,the ,egyptian maid seemed entitled to protection2 and1 instead of yielding to the rage of ,sarah1 he should have interposed his meditation1 and if necessary1 his authority1 to restore peace4 ,incapable of resisting the combined assaults of jealousy1 rage1 and revenge1 the poor foreigner is driven from the roof of ,abraham4 ,she fled into the wilderness with the view of returning to her native country1 but was suddenly arrested in her flight by an angelic messenger1 who admonished her to return to her mistress1 and pacify her by ready and unconditional submission4 ,he also predicted the character and habits of her future offspring1 mentioning the name by which he was to be called1 and consoling her in this season of tribulation by an assurance that the ,lord had heard her affliction4 ,she instantly retracted her steps2 and1 as no intimation is given to the contrary1 we may infer that the fugitive was restored to her situation in the family4 ,she was humble1 and ,sarah conciliated3 and as we hear nothing of her for some years1 they probably lived in tolerable harmony4 ,it was a merciful interposition to send her back to the family of ,abraham2 for a connexion with the people of ,god1 whatever may be their faults1 is far more desirable than the richest inheritance1 or the noblest alliance1 where religion is discarded or unknown4 ,sidenote3 ,years before ,christ #ahih ,as the birth of the ,egyptian's son was attended by no divine congratulations1 ,abraham is still permitted to pass thirteen years more in a state of suspense respecting the promised child2 when at the age of ninety-nine1 the covenant is renewed by another revelation4 ,on this remarkable occasion his wife received the name by which we have uniformly called her1 ,abraham being distinctly assured of her predestined privilege as the mother of the promised seed4 ,a similar change of name was conferred upon the patriarch4 ,hitherto he had been called ,abram1 a high1 or eminent father2 now he is to be ,abraham1 the father of a great multitude4 ,his beloved wife1 who had been called ,sarai1 my princess1 was in future to be distinguished by the name of ,sarah1 a princess1 denoting a more extensive honour4 ,if he were to become the ,father1 she was to be the ,mother1 of many nations4 ,having already witnessed the misconduct of ,abraham's wife on two memorable occasions1 it would be highly gratifying to hear1 in the next circumstance of her history1 that she acted worthy of her connexion with so illustrious a husband1 ,but alas6 we are still necessitated to derive instruction rather from a record of her faults than of her excellencies4 ,we must expect to witness a variety of these in every human character1 combined only with comparatively a small number of shining graces4 ,indeed we find1 in general1 but one very distinguishing good quality associated with those of a different complexion2 and if the plant of grace spring up and grow in the human character1 it is usually in a thicket of inferior principles and unholy propensities4 ,while1 therefore1 engaged in the cultivation of our hearts1 in keeping them with all diligence1 as the wise king of ,israel expresses it2 one very important duty we owe to ourselves is to watch the appearance of these irregularities1 and aim1 by unremitting attention1 united with fervent prayer1 to eradicate them from the moral soil4 ,in ,sarah we see as great a luxuriance of evil as can be imagined to blend with real piety1 without essentially deteriorating it4 ,sitting one day at the door of his tent to enjoy the refreshing shade1 #h ,abraham observed three strangers approaching1 whom he hastened to meet1 that he might offer them any temporary accommodation in his power4 ,this act of hospitality was conformable to the usage of the country2 but the peculiar generosity of ,abraham seems indicated in his running to meet them4 ,the invitation is immediately accepted2 and the good old man1 with the most obliging readiness1 offered water to wash their feet1 and bread to satisfy their hunger4 ,he hastened to ,sarah1 directing her to make some cakes of fine meal1 and bake them on the hearth2 and then went himself to the herd to choose a tender calf1 which he immediately proceeded to dress4 ,butter and milk1 the produce of their own pasture1 were of course supplied4 ,the venerable patriarch then took his respectful standing under the branches of a neighbouring tree1 which afforded a pleasant screen from the sultry sun4 ,what exquisite simplicity is discernible here6 what a subject for the painter6 what a theme for the poet6 what an example for the good6 ,three heavenly messengers at the humble table of one of the greatest men that ever inhabited this world--a patriarch--a prince--the father of the faithful--the friend of ,god--venerable for age--distinguished by his hospitality--still more eminent for faith6--their canopy the overarching sky--their shelter1 the wide-spreading tree--flocks and herds grazing around1 the indications of an industry which ,providence had blessed with remarkable success--and the plain of ,mamre spreading its luxuriance before their eyes6-- ,but we must hasten to the remarkable subject of their conversation4 ,at present the patriarch did not suspect the real character of his visiters2 who introduced their intended communication by asking1 ,where is ,sarah thy wife8 ,this must have excited great surprise2 for how could strangers know the affairs of his family1 and the particular name of his wife1 which had been so recently changed8 ,he informed them1 however1 that she was in the tent1 where1 according to the prevailing custom of the times1 she had her separate table4 ,one of the angels1 immediately personating ,jehovah himself1 if he were not1 as appears probable1 the very ,angel of the ,covenant1 gave this solemn assurance3 ,i will certainly return unto thee according to the time of life2 and1 lo1 ,sarah thy wife shall have a son6 ,sarah1 whom curiosity had brought to the door of the tent to listen to what passed1 overhearing this assurance1 and looking upon it as an impossible occurrence at her time of life1 laughed in derision4 ,she had long come to the conclusion that she should produce no son to ,abraham1 and1 therefore1 that all such expectations were chimerical and ridiculous4 ,this excessive incredulity--excessive1 because a distinct assurance of the fact had been already given to ,abraham upon the occasion of their change of names--was highly culpable2 but while we denounce it with merited severity1 let us examine our own hearts4 ,have we never acted in a similar manner8 ,have we never distrusted the providence of ,god or his promises8 ,who can plead exemption from a spirit of unbelief8 ,what surmises have agitated our bosoms1 when the events of life contradicted our expectations8 ,what despondency have we shown1 and what distrust1 when the movements ,omniscience were incomprehensible to our reason1 and opposed to our apparent interest8 ,if but one part only of the divine proceedings seemed incongruous1 we have dared to arraign the whole stupendous plan2 if but a momentary cloud arose upon our prospect1 we have begun to fancy that order was at an end1 that the sun had for ever disappeared1 that ,god had forgotten to be gracious1 and in anger shut up his tender mercies4 ,let us then aim to correct these irregularities of feeling1 and to dismiss these misinterpretations of providence4 ,sarah imagined that her contemptuous incredulity was only known to herself3 but the heavenly visiter instantly detected it1 and appealed to ,abraham on its impropriety4 ,possibly the reason of addressing ,abraham1 rather than calling the culprit herself to an account1 was to inflict the severer reproof4 ,ah6 how vainly do we strive to conceal the secret thoughts of the mind from the knowledge of ,god6 ,his eyes1 which run to and fro through the earth1 penetrate through every disguise1 and perfectly discern every inward motion as well as every outward action4 ,we live every moment--in the darkest midnight as well as at the brightest noon--in the full blaze of ,omniscience4 ,o ,lord1 thou hast searched me and known me3 thou knowest my down-sitting and mine up-rising2 thou understandest my thoughts afar off4 ,incapable of enduring this exposure1 the criminal now rushes from her concealment1 and boldly calls out1 ,i laughed not4 ,this was a direct falsehood1 dictated by apprehension2 and it was confronted by the instant retort of him who knew her heart3 ,nay1 but thou didst laugh4 ,it is possible that ,sarah had some mental reservation1 when she so flatly denied the assertion of the angel3 she might persuade herself that she did not absolutely laugh1 but only smiled1 or felt contempt2 but whatever mode she might have adopted to explain away her conscious guilt1 it was unavailable1 as every such unworthy subterfuge must always prove4 ,we cannot help remarking the danger of the least deviation from the path of rectitude4 ,one sin prepares the way for the commission of another2 one step over the edge and boundary of uprightness may lead us down a precipice1 and plunge us into a fatal series of crimes4 ,we have already seen an exemplification of this remark2 and it is more strikingly illustrated in the present transaction4 ,curiosity brought her to the door1 where she was soon betrayed into unbelief3 detection soon produced a fear of censure2 this dread produced a ridiculous attempt at concealment and self-justification2 and the pride of her heart issued in exciting her to a deliberate falsehood4 ,notwithstanding her incredulity1 however1 ,sarah shall bear a son1 to be the spring of innumerable blessings to her posterity4 ,thus infinite goodness overrules the perverseness of his people1 as well as the wrath of sinners1 ultimately to promote his own designs4 ,if1 on this occasion1 the daring transgressor had been smitten to the earth by an instantaneous judgment1 it must have been regarded as a proper expression of the divine displeasure4 ,her repeated provocations merited the severest chastisement1 and would undoubtedly have justified such a proceeding4 ,the thoughts of ,jehovah1 however1 are not as our thoughts1 nor his ways as our ways4 ,there is nothing vindictive in the character of the blessed ,god2 and if he have on certain occasions launched the thunderbolt upon the guilty heads of sinners1 the circumstances have shown that the atrocity of their iniquities has required a signal visitation4 ,how far punishment of this nature may be necessary in any particular case1 it is not for beings limited in their views as we are to decide1 but simply to rely on the wisdom of him1 who1 with a due intermixture of severity and mercy1 justice and grace1 conducts the affairs of the universe4 ,overawed by the angelic presence1 and mortified by an inward consciousness of her folly and sin1 ,sarah uttered not another word4 ,she could neither vindicate her incredulity1 nor extenuate her false assertion2 and though she proceeded to great lengths1 we are happy to find that she sufficiently restrained her intemperate passions to retire in silence4 ,from this moment we trust she assumed another character4 ,reflection restored her to her right mind4 ,she dismissed her criminal doubts1 and resigned herself to the divine disposal4 ,as the predestined period of her giving birth to the child of promise was approaching1 her faith produced the liveliest sensations of joy2 and both she and ,abraham exulted in the prospect of a son4 ,that this was the state of her mind1 we are assured from indisputable authority3 ,through faith ,sarah herself received strength to conceive seed1 and was delivered of a child when she was past age1 because she judged him faithful who had promised4 ,perhaps we may be disposed to say1 it was time she did believe4 ,after such remarkable manifestations1 and such reiterated promises to ,abraham1 it would have been passing strange had she continued incredulous4 ,surely there was enough to convince her1 that1 whatever difficulties nature might present1 grace had determined to overcome them1 and that every reasonable and every possible evidence of the intended miracle had been given4 ,but is it so unusual for mankind to resist the most convincing arguments1 and to disbelieve even the most obvious truth1 that the case of ,sarah ought to be regarded as so extraordinary8 ,have we not daily proof of a similar obstinacy and perverseness8 ,if it be observed that ,sarah possessed great advantages1 being connected with so excellent a man1 and so great a favourite of ,heaven as ,abraham1 and being visited by angelic messengers1 and instructed by celestial visions2 this may be admitted4 ,but do not those who reject the truth of ,christianity1 or disobey its precepts1 act a more criminal as well as unreasonable part1 inasmuch as they enjoy all the instruction and all the experience of past ages8 ,and is it not a more outrageous defiance of ,heaven to oppose the reality of its manifestations1 after successive centuries have demonstrated the truth of predictions once mysterious1 evinced the nature of facts once misunderstood1 dispersed the typical shadow which once enveloped the sublimest discoveries of infinite wisdom1 and poured upon a benighted world the full blaze of evangelical revelations8--,sarah doubted the possibility of an occurrence which was attended with striking difficulties1 and evidently miraculous2 but what censure do not they deserve who shut their eyes against the clearest light1 perplex with sophisms the most intelligible statements1 and endeavour1 by every exertion of a slanderous tongue and a malignant pen1 to subvert the basis of our religious hopes1 and to undermine a fabric which has stood the test of ages1 giving repose and refreshment to millions of heaven-bound pilgrims on their journey6 ,to draw the circle of reflection closer4--,if our inconsistencies were written in a book--if the instances of our unbelief amidst evidences1 of our failures in temper and spirit1 of our misimprovement of the peculiar advantages of our situation1 were recorded for the warning of others--is there any probability that we should acquire much honour by a comparison with the wife of ,abraham8 ,we do not indeed justify her faults1 but let us not overlook our own4 ,we have better means1 and brighter discoveries4 ,in these last days ,god hath spoken unto us by his ,son4 ,we are1 through faith1 become the children of ,abraham1 interested in the new covenant1 introduced into the family1 and admitted to the friendship of ,god4 ,we have seen the visions of patriarchal days1 the promises and blessings of the ancient dispensation1 the memorable and terrific descent of ,jehovah on ,sinai1 the prefigurations of the ,mosaic economy1 the personal glories1 the incarnate love1 the agonizing death1 the triumphant ascension of the ,son of ,god3 we enjoy means of instruction which no other age did or could possess4 ,and wherein consists our superiority to former saints1 even those whose imperfections are the most conspicuous8 ,surely1 the observation may be retorted upon many hearers and professors of the gospel1 in reference to their too frequent instances of inconsistency--it is time you did believe6 ,sidenote3 ,years before ,christ1 #ahig4 ,the birth of ,isaac1 the promised seed was attended with great rejoicings4 ,his very name1 signifying laughter1 was expressive of the happy occasion2 and ,sarah1 in the ecstacy of her mind1 exclaimed1 ,god hath made me to laugh1 so that all that hear me will laugh with me4 ,the birth of a child is naturally the subject of joy and congratulation2 but the introduction of ,isaac into the world1 who had been so long and repeatedly promised1 demanded and excited unusual satisfaction4 ,sarah1 who introduced him with a mother's joy1 nursed him herself with a mother's care4 ,she was ignorant of the cruel absurdity which modern refinement has invented1 of separating the tender offspring from its proper guardian and provider1 and thus not only exposing it to many inconveniences and hardships1 but nullifying the wise and kind arrangements of ,providence4 ,alas6 nature1 reason1 and religion1 must all be violated in compliance with fashion6 ,need we feel surprised that barbarity should produce alienation1 and that she who refuses to show tenderness1 should fail of receiving attachment8 ,is it at all astonishing1 that habits and sentiments foreign to domestic comfort should be acquired2 and that1 when proper discipline and personal superintendence are neglected1 the young plant should shoot into unsightly irregularities of spirit and character8 ,how soon may the brightest day be overcast with a cloud6 ,how liable are our best enjoyments to interruption6 ,the weaning of ,isaac was celebrated with great festivities2 upon which occasion this favourite child was recognized as ,abraham's heir4 ,this excited the displeasure of ,ishmael2 which the jealous eye of ,sarah observing1 she insisted upon the instantaneous expulsion of mother and son from the family4 ,we are sorry to witness any revival of the old spirit2 but1 in this world1 unholy passions cannot be totally eradicated4 ,we should hope1 however1 there was more reason1 as well as religion1 in her displeasure on this than on a former occasion4 ,the young man was1 probably1 ridiculing the whole ceremony1 and deriding the parents1 the child1 and the promise2 for passion and prejudice are never very discriminating in their censures4 ,ishmael was1 in fact1 of a wild1 ungovernable temper2 but we have no evidence that the provocation was sufficient to justify the proceeding of ,sarah1 in peremptorily demanding the expulsion of the mother and her child4 ,thus did ,abraham's concubinage continue to imbitter his domestic peace2 and the good old patriarch was again placed in a most difficult and perplexing situation4 ,whatever feelings may be supposed to have dictated the resolution of ,sarah1 it was coincident with the designs of ,god2 and ,abraham1 who had certainly sought divine direction1 was commanded to comply4 ,this would1 no doubt1 quiet the feverish anxiety of his mind2 for a consciousness of doing the will of ,god1 however contrary it may be to our natural inclinations1 is sufficient to smooth the roughest path of duty1 and to lighten the heaviest burden we may be called to sustain4 ,abraham1 in this1 as well as in various other instances1 displayed exemplary faith4 ,the bitter draught1 however1 was somewhat sweetened4 ,it was difficult to parental feelings to concur in so severe a measure2 but some gleam of futurity was afforded to enlighten the darksome but appointed path4 ,and ,god said unto ,abraham1 ,let it not be grievous in thy sight1 because of the lad1 and because of thy bond-woman3 in all that ,sarah hath said unto thee1 hearken unto her voice2 for in ,isaac shall thy seed be called4 ,and also of the son of the bond-woman will ,i make a nation1 because he is thy seed4 ,notwithstanding the faults to which we have found it necessary to advert1 ,sarah was unquestionably a great character4 ,she not only stands recorded in the ,new ,testament amongst those who were illustrious in ancient times for their faith1 but is exhibited as a pattern of domestic conduct4 ,her defects were but occasionally visible1 being commonly concealed amidst the brightness of her numerous excellencies4 ,her obedience to ,abraham is specified by the apostle as a laudable singularity1 which1 in connexion with other virtues1 he thus recommends3 ,likewise1 ye wives1 be in subjection to your own husbands2 that if any obey not the word1 they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives2 while they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear4--,whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair1 and of wearing of gold1 or of putting on of apparel2 but let it be the hidden man of the heart1 in that which is not corruptible1 even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit1 which is in the sight of ,god of great price4 ,for after this manner1 in the old time1 the holy women also1 who trusted in ,god1 adorned themselves1 being in subjection unto their own husbands1 even as ,sarah obeyed ,abraham1 calling him lord2 whose daughters ye are1 as long as ye do well1 and are not afraid with any amazement4 ,sidenote3 ,years before ,christ1 #ahei4 ,seven and thirty years after the birth of ,isaac and when ,sarah had attained the age of one hundred and twenty-seven1 we come to the conclusion of her mortal story4 ,her death1 and the respect paid to her memory1 are related with a circumstantial minuteness which is truly honourable to her character4 ,this affecting event occurred at ,kirjah-,arba1 or ,hebron1 in the plain of ,mamre1 where ,abraham came to bemoan his loss4 ,venerable man6 thine was no common mourning6 ,thou didst not merely sit upon the ground1 assuming the customary attitude of grief2 but thine were genuine sorrows6 ,what big tears of undissembled pain poured down thine aged cheeks6 ,how did affection recal the days1 and months1 and years of delightful union1 which time had strengthened1 but death had now dissolved6 ,and yet1 while nature demanded this tribute of fond remembrance1 religion had taught thee to moderate thy distress1 and to elevate thy hopes to a brighter world1 where holy friendship1 begun on earth1 shall be purified and perpetuated through everlasting ages6 ,the longevity of ancient times1 and especially of the antediluvians1 naturally excites surprise2 but what a dream is human life1 even at its most protracted period6 ,how soon do even centuries elapse6 ,how solemn the consideration1 that the flood of ages1 which has swept from the surface of this globe so many millions of our predecessors1 however firm may have been their health1 or numerous their years1 or eminent their characters1 is daily impelling us forward to the house appointed for all living4 ,their pilgrimage terminated1 and so must ours3 their earthly relations were dissolved1 and their places in society were vacated2 and soon the place which we occupy1 shall know us no more4 ,the stream flows on1 and we cannot arrest its course4 ,happy for us1 if it should appear that we are going to join the society of the blessed2 if1 possessing the faith of ,abraham1 we have reason to indulge the hope of being eventually transported to his bosom6 ,sitting in imagination at the grave of ,sarah1 and blending our sympathizing tears with those of her honoured husband1 what a lesson may we learn respecting the vanity of human life6 ,the flower whose exquisite beauty and attractive sweetness once excited so much desire1 is faded1 and mingled with common dust6 ,there lies a form1 which was so lovely and so beloved1 to furnish a repast for creeping worms6 ,how bereft of that spirit which once animated it6 ,how altered and defaced by the putrifying touch of mortality6 ,here the race of life terminates2 and to this loathsome dwelling1 the proudest1 the fairest1 the wealthiest1 the most celebrated1 and the most elevated of our race1 must sooner or later descend6 ,prepare to meet thy ,god6 ,we may take a momentary glance at another consideration4 ,in order to answer the great end of their being1 in order to be furnished with adequate means for the employment of their immortal faculties1 and for possessing that plenitude of felicity of which their sanctified natures are capable1 the saints of ,god must be removed out of the present world4 ,often do they exclaim1 ,i loath it2 ,i would not live alway3--,o that ,i had wings like a dove2 for then would ,i flee away and be at rest6 ,this prevailing wish accords with the purpose of ,heaven4 ,infinite benevolence cannot allow a spiritual and sanctified character always to be imprisoned within the narrow confines of flesh and blood4 ,it could never be satisfied to assign the objects of its affection so mean a portion as the pleasures and the possessions of this inferior state of existence4 ,they must die to be perfectly blest4 ,this earth will not do for a ,christian in the maturity of his character4 ,it is too vile1 and too transitory4 ,its gold is but dust--its applause1 a puff of noisy air--its sparkling pleasures1 but polluted cisterns--its richest gifts1 but bubbles1 which1 if they reflect the fairest colours of the rainbow1 break when they are grasped1 or dissolve as we approach them1 into mist and nothingness6 ,set your affection on things above3--the things which are seen are ,,temporal2 the things which are not seen are ,,eternal6 ,hagar4 ,chapter ,,iii4 ,retrospective ,glance at the ,history--,hagar--the ,wilderness--,angelic ,manifestation--,divine ,promises--a ,view of their ,accomplishment--,hagar's ,piety--her second ,banishment and ,distress--another ,interposition--,providence illustrated4 ,the contention between the wife of ,abraham and her ,egyptian handmaid1 has already been the subject of animadversion2 but although their histories are considerably blended1 some features in the character of the latter1 and some affecting circumstances of her life1 have been hitherto omitted1 which seem to claim a separate notice4 ,that retreat into ,egypt1 which was in some respects so dishonourable to the integrity1 both of ,abraham and ,sarah1 was overruled for good4 ,pharaoh showed great kindness to the patriarch1 on account of his fair companion1 who he had been led to suppose was his sister2 and according to the custom of the age1 and the high station of her admirer1 he presented him with sheep1 and oxen1 and he-asses1 and men-servants1 and maid-servants1 and she-asses1 and camels4 ,no doubt it was at this time ,hagar was introduced into this pious family1 and left her native country to accompany her mistress and master upon their return4 ,the handmaids were a sort of female slaves4 ,they were considered as the unalienable property of their mistresses1 who claimed the produce of their labour1 and even the children they bore4 #i ,sarah's impatience for offspring1 and the rash policy of her urging ,abraham to take this ,egyptian servant as a concubine1 have been already mentioned1 as well as the unhappy differences it occasioned in the family4 ,we have seen the pride of ,hagar1 the petulance of ,sarah1 and the consent of ,abraham that she should be banished from their dwelling4 ,let us follow the fugitive into the wilderness1 and observe the extraordinary result4 ,it was the evident intention of ,hagar to escape to her native country4 ,she went into the wilderness of ,shur1 which extended between ,canaan and ,egypt1 where she sat down for refreshment by a spring of water4 ,whatever degree of blame we may impute to her in this precipitate removal from the house of her pious master1 it is impossible not to pity her melancholy situation4 ,alone1 and unbefriended by any human being2 surrounded by a thousand perils in the desert which stretched its cheerless solitude before her2 expelled from a family where she had so long resided1 and where she enjoyed so many advantages2 uncertain of her future residence2 and in a condition which peculiarly claims our sympathy with the female sufferer2 her history cannot but excite inquiry1 and produce interest4 ,there was an eye that watched her movements and her tears4 ,in a short time she is addressed by an unknown voice1 which proved to be the voice of one of those ministering spirits that are employed to execute the designs of infinite goodness4 ,hagar1 said he1 ,sarah's maid1 whence earnest thou8 and whither wilt thou go8 ,the knowledge of her past history which this question indicated1 must have convinced the poor1 fugitive that this was some divine visitation2 and she immediately answered1 ,i flee from the face of my mistress ,sarah4 ,this was a simple1 direct1 ingenuous statement4 ,here was no concealment2 no prevarication respecting the whole truth2 and how much better was this than any attempt at evasion or dishonesty6 ,we are not1 indeed1 always obliged to disclose our circumstances to every inquirer2 but1 if we do1 our words ought to be the exact representation of the case3 for1 sooner or later1 integrity will be advantageous both to our character and our real interests4 ,the reply of ,hagar was1 moreover1 creditable to her temper1 ,sarah and her handmaid had parted under circumstances of mutual provocation2 and the latter had1 no doubt1 suffered very indignant treatment4 ,but she does not avail herself of this unexpected interview to enter upon her own justification1 or to produce a long and formal charge against her mistress4 ,the mere fact of her expulsion is stated without any comment4 ,it must indeed be admitted1 that her introduction into the family of ,abraham placed her in that inferior condition in which ,sarah possessed an indisputable right over her person2 and it must be also admitted1 that she had manifested a very unwarrantable vanity in despising her for barrenness2 yet1 judging from her dispassionate language to the angel1 we should infer that she was naturally of a more patient disposition than her mistress1 and is in this view worthy of the imitation of young women whom ,providence consigns to the same menial state4 ,how many would have been clamorous and peevish1 hasty in censuring their mistress1 and forward in vindicating themselves6 ,they would have obtruded the story of the fancied injuries they had sustained upon every occasion1 and wearied with the ridiculous recital1 every one who might be found willing or unwilling to hear their complaints4 ,but ,hagar1 simply and without any marks of irritation or resentment1 stated the reason of her being alone in the wilderness at the fountain of water4 ,if our idea be correct1 we have here a specimen of a no very unusual case4 ,some who have no claim to the distinction of religious persons1 which at present was the probable character of ,hagar1 frequently possess a mildness and amiableness of disposition which is peculiarly attractive2 while those who undoubtedly belong to the superior class of the pious and devout1 exhibit unhappy defects of temper and disposition4 ,the former resemble the flowers of the wilderness1 beautiful indeed1 and fragrant1 but wild2 the latter1 those of the cultivated garden1 blooming like the rose among thorns4 ,the loveliness of those who are otherwise far from ,god1 excites our admiration1 and wins our regard2 while the unsightly temper flaws of such as generally class with the servants of ,god are repulsive and disgusting4 ,in consequence of this1 the distinction between the two essentially different characters1 is not always sufficiently marked1 or very perceptible2 the excellence of the one elevating them almost to the dignity of saints1 and the defects of the other sinking them almost to the meanness of sinners4 ,but we should be cautious in passing our judgment1 lest we also be judged4 ,let us not undervalue the sterling worth of the genuine ,christian1 because it is blended with some obvious1 or even some glaring incongruities4 ,let us equally beware of attributing undue value to the good qualities of the worldling1 and thus annihilate the distinction between the natural and spiritual character4 ,it was happy for ,hagar that the angel was sent to arrest her progress4 ,after her explicit declaration of the reason of her flight1 she was directed to return to her mistress1 and submit herself4 ,this was1 perhaps1 a hard saying1 and a haughty spirit might easily have raised ingenious and perverse objections2 but we have additional evidence of this young woman's good disposition1 in her receiving the mandate with a silent obedience of spirit4 ,her best interests were likely to be more promoted by her returning into a pious family1 notwithstanding all its faults1 than in going to reside amongst the idolaters of her native country2 and thus1 when she knew not how to choose for herself1 the goodness of ,god was displayed in appointing the bounds of her habitation4 ,this command would prove to her1 and should teach us1 that whatever provocations or injuries we may have sustained1 these cannot justify a wrong proceeding2 and we should hasten to retrieve our error by retracing our steps4 ,this1 however1 was only the secondary purpose of the present remarkable manifestation4 ,words of astonishing import immediately followed4 ,hagar was promised a numerous offspring1 although the ,messiah was not to descend from her2 and the promise was pronounced in a manner so solemn1 so significant1 so overwhelming1 that her eyes were opened to see it was no other than the patriarch's ,god that assured her of a participation in the patriarch's blessing4 ,and the angel of the ,lord said unto her1 ,i will multiply thy seed exceedingly1 that it shall not be numbered for multitude4 ,and the angel of the ,lord said unto her1 ,behold1 thou art with child1 and shalt bear a son1 and shalt call his name ,ishmael2 because the ,lord hath heard thy affliction4 ,and he will be a wild man2 his hand will be against every man1 and every man's hand against him2 and he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren4 ,similar promises were afterward reiterated3 ,behold1 ,i have blessed him1 7,ishmael7 and will make him fruitful1 and will multiply him exceedingly2 twelve princes shall he beget1 and ,i will make him a great nation4--,and also of the son of the bond-woman will ,i make a nation1 because he is thy seed4--,i will make him a great nation4 ,these predictions have been minutely accomplished4 ,the posterity of ,ishmael may be traced in the ,ishmaelites1 the ,hagarenes1 the ,itureans1 and ,arabs2 especially the ,scenites and ,saracens1 the latter of whom erected one of the largest empires in the world4 ,to this day the ,arabs are not only a distinct people1 but possess the original character of their father1 fierce and unsettled1 living in a state of perpetual hostility against the rest of the world4 ,every attempt to subdue or extirpate them1 has proved abortive4 ,the ,egyptians and ,assyrians were equally unsuccessful1 and whatever partial dominion ,cyrus and the ,persians might obtain1 they could never penetrate the interior of the country1 or reduce them to tributary subjection4 ,in vain did ,alexander plan their destruction2 the hand of ,providence interposed to prevent it by his death4 ,the ,romans could never conquer ,arabia2 and they continued to molest their neighbours by incessant incursions4 ,under ,mohammed they became a mighty empire1 and though it was ultimately dissolved1 they still maintained their liberty in defiance of the ,tartars1 ,mamelukes1 and ,turks4 ,who1 inquires a great writer1 can fairly consider and lay all these particulars together1 and not perceive the hand of ,god in this whole affair1 from the beginning to the end8 ,the sacred historian saith1 that these prophecies concerning ,ishmael were delivered partly by the angel of the ,lord1 and partly by ,god himself3 and indeed1 who but ,god1 or one raised and commissioned by him1 could describe so particularly the genius and manners1 not only of a single person before he was born1 but of a whole race of people1 from the first founder of the race to the present time8 ,it was somewhat wonderful1 and not to be foreseen by human sagacity or prudence1 that a man's whole posterity should so nearly resemble him1 and retain the same inclinations1 the same habits1 the same customs throughout all ages4 ,the waters of the purest spring or fountain are soon changed and polluted in their course1 and the farther still they flow1 the more they are incorporated and lost in other waters4 ,how have the modern ,italians degenerated from the courage and virtues of the old ,romans8 ,how are the ,french and ,english polished and refined from the barbarianism of the ancient ,gauls and ,britons8 ,men and manners change with times2 but in all changes and revolutions1 the ,arabs have still continued the same with little or no alteration4 ,and yet it cannot be said of them1 as some barbarous nations1 that they have had no commerce or intercourse with the rest of mankind2 for by their conquests they overran a great part of the earth1 and for some centuries were masters of most of the learning that was then in the world2 but1 however1 they remained1 and still remain the same fierce1 savage1 intractable people1 like their great ancestor in every thing1 and different from most of the world besides4 ,ishmael was circumcised1 and so are his posterity to this day2 and as ,ishmael was circumcised when he was thirteen years old1 so were the ,arabs at the same age1 according to ,josephus4 ,he was born of ,hagar1 who was a concubine2 and they still indulge themselves in the use of mercenary wives and concubines4 ,he lived in tents in the wilderness1 shifting from place to place2 and so do his descendants1 particularly those therefore called ,scenites formerly1 and those called ,bedoweens at this day4 ,he was an archer in the wilderness1 and so are they4 ,he was to be the father of twelve princes1 or heads of tribes2 and they live in clans or tribes at this day4 ,he was a wild man1 his hand against every man1 and every man's hand against him2 and they live in the same state of war1 their hand against every man1 and every man's hand against them4 ,this1 ,i say1 is somewhat wonderful1 that the same people should retain the same dispositions for so many ages3 but it is still more wonderful1 that with these dispositions and this enmity to the whole world1 they should still subsist1 in spite of the world1 an independent and free people4 ,it cannot be pretended1 that no probable attempts were ever made to conquer them2 for the greatest conquerors in the world have almost all1 in their turns1 attempted it4 ,it cannot be pretended1 that the dryness or inaccessibleness of their country hath been their preservation2 for their country hath been often penetrated1 though never entirely subdued4 ,i know that ,diodorus ,siculus accounts for their preservation from the dryness of their country2 that they have wells digged in proper places known only to themselves1 and their enemies and invaders1 through ignorance of these places1 perish for want of water2 but this account is far from being an adequate and just representation of the case4 ,large armies have found the means of subsistence in their country2 none of their powerful invaders ever desisted on this account2 and therefore1 that they have not been conquered1 we must impute to some other cause4 ,when1 in all human probability1 they were upon the brink of ruin1 then they were signally and providentially delivered4 ,alexander was preparing an expedition against them1 when an inflammatory fever cut him off in the flower of his age4 ,pompey was in the career of his conquests1 when urgent affairs called him elsewhere4 lius ,gallus had penetrated far into the country1 when a fatal disease destroyed great numbers of his men1 and obliged him to return4 ,trajan besieged their capital city1 but was defeated by thunder and lightning1 whirlwinds1 and other prodigies1 and that as often as he renewed his assaults4 ,severus besieged the same city twice1 and was twice repelled from before it2 and the historian1 ,dion1 a man of rank and character1 though a heathen1 plainly ascribes the defeat of the two emperors to the interposition of a ,divine ,power4 ,we who know the prophecies1 may be more assured of the reality of a divine interposition2 and1 indeed1 otherwise how could a single nation stand out against the enmity of the whole world for any length of time1 and much more for near #djjj years together2 the great empires round them have all in their turn fallen to ruin1 while they have continued the same from the beginning1 and are likely to continue the same to the end3 and this1 in the natural course of human affairs1 was so highly improbable1 if not altogether impossible1 that as nothing but a ,divine ,prescience could have foreseen it1 so nothing but a ,divine ,power could have accomplished it4 #aj ,to return to ,hagar4 ,the effect of this angelic visitation was her conversion to the knowledge and love of ,god4 ,the advantages of her former situation in the family of ,abraham1 do not seem to have produced any remarkable change of character2 but in this the day of her affliction1 in this the sad hour of her retreat and solitude1 she is taught to pray4 ,so true is it1 that thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power6 ,how often have those means which to human apprehension seemed best calculated to produce a renovation of heart utterly failed1 while the ,spirit of ,god has successfully operated by methods and in situations the least expected to avail6 ,happy solitude that brings us into the society of ,god6 ,welcome affliction that subdues us to his will6 ,in the transports of holy affection1 ,hagar addressed ,jehovah by a phrase1 importing ,thou1 ,god1 seest me2 and intimated the unexpected but welcome nature of the discoveries she had made1 and of that influence which drew her after ,god in faith1 and hope1 and love3--,have ,i also here looked after him that seeth me8 ,as a memento of this wonderful interposition1 she named the spring of water by which she was sitting1 ,beer-lahai-roi1 that is1 ,the well of him that liveth and seeth me4 ,hagar1 in adopting this language1 expressed her grateful sense of the divine interposition4 ,she felt conscious that in her present circumstances she might have perished alone and unpitied2 or1 if she had survived1 and taken up her residence in ,egypt she would have remained destitute of the religious instruction already received1 and the future advantages of pious intercourse4 ,her gratitude was blended with a feeling of humility1 a consciousness of unworthiness4 ,what could be more surprising1 than that an angel should descend from the splendour of the divine presence1 to converse with a poor wanderer in the wilderness of ,shur1 and console her by such wonderful promises8 ,these benevolent spirits appear to have maintained a frequent intercourse with the best inhabitants of our globe in former ages1 and to have been intrusted with the holy ministration of attending the ,son of ,god in his incarnate state4 ,if1 since the completion of the canon of ,scripture1 the necessity of angelic visits be superseded1 we ought nevertheless to record the goodness of a superintending ,providence4 ,he who forms a just estimate of his mercies1 may surely fill the diary of every day with grateful notices1 and cannot take even a cursory retrospect of the years of past existence1 without recollecting some striking interpositions which should often renew his praise and thanksgiving4 ,have we not been sustained in weakness1 guided in perplexity1 healed in sickness1 supplied in poverty1 or defended in danger8 ,let not insensibility and forgetfulness add to the already large accumulations of our guilt4 ,the words of ,hagar ought also to be regarded as indicative of pious resignation of spirit amidst the adversities of life4 ,it is common in calamitous circumstances1 or in afflictions which seem immediately occasioned by others upon whom we may have been dependent1 or with whom we have been in any way connected1 to exclaim against the cruelty of our enemy1 or the malice of such as have been instrumental in producing our unhappiness2 but ,hagar utters no complaints against ,sarah1 who had driven her into the wilderness1 where she and her infant offspring might have perished4 ,this is instructive4 ,admitting that we are not mistaken in our views1 and that others may be really cruel2 if we consider affliction aright1 we shall leave the instrument to the judgment of ,god1 and be solicitous only of glorifying him1 by possessing our souls in patience4 ,joseph afterward was an illustrious specimen of this disposition4 ,now1 therefore1 said he to his brethren1 be not grieved nor angry with yourselves that ye sold me hither2 for ,god did send me before you to preserve life4 ,all second causes constitute but the machinery on which the great ,first ,cause operates4 ,if we look merely to them1 we shall find an endless source of disquietude3 if to him1 who regulates the whole system of means1 we cannot fail of obtaining satisfaction and peace of mind4 ,resignation is to be distinguished from a stoical indifference1 or a sullen insensibility1 occasioned by the conviction that1 as afflictions could not be avoided1 they must be borne2 that it is in vain to struggle or resist2 and that our weakness renders endurance necessary1 however irksome4 ,it consists rather in a pious acquiescence in the will of ,heaven1 arising from a persuasion that ,god knows what is really best for us2 and that his dispensations1 however painful or opposite to our wishes1 will prove conducive to our real benefit4 ,he uses the corrective rod1 not the destroying sword4 ,if he amputate the disordered member1 it is to save the life4 ,cheerful hope for the future seems also to breathe through the expressions of ,hagar1 in which she is worthy of our imitation4 ,past interpositions form a solid foundation for future confidence4 ,surely1 said ,david1 goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life4 ,disconsolate believer1 be assured that the pillar of cloud1 which has hitherto directed thy path1 shall accompany thee to the very borders of ,canaan6 ,fear not1 says ,jehovah1 for ,i am with thee2 be not dismayed1 for ,i am thy ,god3 ,i will strengthen thee2 yea1 ,i will help thee2 yea1 ,i will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness--,i will never leave thee1 nor forsake thee4 ,it is natural to wish to pry into futurity4 ,we are impatient to penetrate the clouds that envelope us1 and to discern the distant course which ,providence has prescribed for our feet4 ,curiosity combines with self-interest to urge this inquiry2 but the reproof which ,peter received is justly merited by ourselves3 ,what is that to thee8 ,follow thou me4 ,if we follow ,christ1 we have nothing to dread2 if we desert him1 we have nothing to hope4 ,futurity can be no source of alarm to him who is conscious of acting right4 ,it is filled with no ,gorgons1 and hydras1 and chimeras dire1 but to the distempered imagination of the guilty spirit2 and1 therefore1 if we would escape misery1 we must resist sin4 ,the language in question may be considered as expressive of self-dedication4 ,thou1 ,god1 seest me1 my wants1 my wishes1 my entire situation6 ,i have no will but thine2 no desire but what ,i readily submit that thou shalt gratify or disappoint according to thy pleasure4 ,if thou inflict chastisement1 ,i will cheerfully sustain it2 if thou afford prosperity1 ,i will humbly enjoy and improve it4 ,i will no longer live to myself2 ,i am not my own4 ,i agree to the transfer of all my powers1 talents1 and possessions to thy service4 ,my whole being shall henceforth be at thy disposal2 it shall become thy absolute and inalienable property3 this is a living sacrifice which ,i admit to be reasonable1 which ,i rejoice to believe is holy and acceptable4 ,in time past ,i have sown to the flesh2 let this suffice--another principle influences me--another motive shall evermore predominate4 ,a resolution of this nature must be dictated by the lowest opinion of ourselves1 and the highest idea of ,god3 and what is our proper situation1 but in the dust8 and where should we place ,god1 but on the throne8 ,to acknowledge this in theory1 and to abandon it in practice1 is to trifle both with ourselves and with him4 ,entire dedication to ,god is by no means incompatible with the duties of life4 ,it is possible to be diligent in business1 but fervent in spirit1 serving the ,lord4 ,we contend not for a voluntary seclusion from society1 seeking the retirements of the cloister or the retreats of the wilderness3 but we plead with you1 whatever situation you occupy1 to set ,god always before your eyes1 to act as in his sight1 and daily to realize the true character of saints as strangers and pilgrims on earth4 ,religion1 that flower of paradise1 was never intended to waste its sweetness on the desert air2 but to flourish in society1 and to diffuse its sacred perfumes in every walk of life4 ,this elevation of piety1 so far from poisoning the springs of human joy1 so far from imbittering the cordials of our cup1 will refine every enjoyment and purify every pleasure4 ,it will blunt the keen edge of sorrow1 and smooth the asperities of adversity4 ,it will bring down heaven to earth1 and render death itself a desirable passage to everlasting life4 ,let us accustom ourselves to contemplate the most eminent examples of this spirit1 that1 by daily imitating them1 we may1 through grace1 be progressively meetening for the participation of their inheritance4 ,if it were not ,hagar's immediate intention1 her language may at least be adopted to express a constant sense of the divine omniscience4 ,no idea is so calculated to animate us in the discharge of duty1 or to sustain us in submission to evil4 ,in the ancient ,olympic games1 how must the consciousness of twenty or thirty thousand witnesses of their efforts have stimulated the ,grecian combatants1 ranged as they were around them in an amphitheatre1 and consisting of the first magistrates of the kingdom6 ,but how much more impressive and awful is the persuasion that the great eye of the universe is upon us in our ,christian race2 that the ,king eternal1 immortal1 invisible1 watches every movement1 and beholds with approbation or kindles into wrath1 as we persevere or draw back to perdition6 ,he sees in solitude and in society1 in the crowded city and the distant wilderness4 ,on the one hand1 he witnesses the aversion and rebellion of the wicked2 on the other1 he gathers the tears of penitence into his bottle1 records the petitions of faith in his book1 and amidst the music of angels1 bends his listening ear to the sighs of the sorrowful4 ,let ,christians remember that they have a mighty struggle to sustain1 but their resources are inexhaustible4 ,they have to contend with the powers of darkness and the corruptions of nature4 ,in the issue of this contest heaven and hell are interested2 the one1 that you should fail2 the other1 that you should come off more than conquerors4 ,angels are waiting on the shores of immortality to see the final result1 and are already tuning their harps to sound your victory through the universe4 ,the ascended ,saviour addresses you from the skies3 ,be thou faithful unto death1 and ,i will give thee a crown of life4 ,in the preceding chapter1 the occasion of ,hagar's second banishment from the family of ,abraham was related4 ,during the festivities which were observed at the weaning of ,isaac1 her son indulged himself in profane mockery2 the consequence of which was1 that ,sarah insisted upon the instant expulsion of mother and child4 ,notwithstanding ,abraham's repugnance to this proceeding1 he was induced to it by divine a command4 ,early in the morning he dismissed ,hagar and her son1 with a bottle of water and some bread1 with which she hastened away into the wilderness of ,beersheba4 ,this scanty supply was soon exhausted1 and the unhappy fugitives became reduced to the greatest distress4 ,what could an unprotected female do in such melancholy circumstances1 but simply commit herself to the guidance of ,providence1 and pursue1 though she knew not whither1 her adventurous way8 ,past deliverances ought to inspire confidence in every season of suffering2 and we cannot but hope that her mind was long consoled1 by the recollection of the heavenly interposition which she had enjoyed sixteen years ago1 in her first banishment4 ,no resentful feelings1 no irritating language is recorded2 and doubtless ,abraham dismissed her with as much kindness as the peculiarity of the circumstances admitted4 ,but behold a most tragical scene4 ,in a few days the water is spent in the bottle4 ,poor ,hagar pants along the solitary desert1 turning hither and thither in search of some scanty supply4 ,not a drop of refreshment is to be found2 till at length1 arriving at some shrubs1 she sat down with her exhausted--and1 as she imagined1 her dying child1 beneath the welcome shade4 ,nothing but silence and solitude reigned around her4 ,the burning sun had scorched up every sign of vegetation4 ,she was driven from a pious family2 but she had no home1 no friend1 no helper6 ,officious kindness1 which often soothes the agonies of death1 was denied her4 ,none were at hand to soothe her mind1 or wipe away her tears2 and her maternal heart was rent by the distracting expectation of her son's dissolution4 ,at the very point of despair1 she left ,ishmael under a shrub1 and retired to some distance to avoid the sight of his expiring agonies4 ,who can imagine the pain of this excruciating moment1 or the bitterness of the tears she shed6 ,o what lamentations did she utter1 and perhaps what self-reproaches for her undervaluation of past mercies6 ,what regrets that she encouraged1 or probably did not suppress and correct1 the perverse spirit of her son6 ,while we pity her desperate condition1 we must not apologize for her sins4 ,after the remarkable assurances which the angel had given her on a former occasion1 it was criminal unbelief in ,hagar to sit down in despondency1 and conclude that she and her son must inevitably perish3 and yet this is but a specimen of the distrust which is too frequently manifested1 even by those who profess to rely upon the promises of ,god4 ,happy for us1 if1 in cases of far less extremity1 we have not been tempted to forget our mercies and relinquish our confidence6 ,the sighs of the lad were heard4 ,an angel again appeared to his desponding mother--,what aileth thee1 ,hagar8 ,fear not1 for ,god hath heard the voice of the lad where he is3 arise1 and lift up the lad1 and hold him in thine hand2 for ,i will make him a great nation4 ,at the instant of this address1 ,god is said to have opened her eyes1 and she saw a well of water1 whence she replenished the bottle1 and supplied her fainting son4 ,he revived1 and afterward settled in the wilderness of ,paran with his mother1 and probably maintained her by the use of the bow4 ,so wonderfully does the providence of ,god accomplish its predestined purposes6 ,this distressing circumstance in the life of ,hagar was a link in a great chain of events1 which were connected together by an invisible agency1 and held in the divine hands4 ,a superficial observer might see nothing in all that transpired but a curious concurrence of ordinary events4 ,the insolence of ,ishmael irritated the temper of ,sarah2 she procured his expulsion1 and that of his mother from her household2 retiring in disgrace1 she narrowly escaped destruction in the wilderness1 and afterward took up a casual residence in the vicinity4 ,but if we pay a proper attention to these events1 we shall view them with another eye4 ,every circumstance was connected with a vast providential plan1 and tended to illustrate the power and sovereignty of ,god in the accomplishment of his designs4 ,the folly of ,ishmael1 the conduct of ,sarah1 the compliance of ,abraham1 the various occurrences connected with the settlement in ,paran1 concurred to fulfil a divine prediction1 and thus to evince the superintendence of ,god over all human affairs4 ,surely the wrath of man shall praise thee1 and the remainder of wrath wilt thou restrain4 ,lot's ,wife4 ,chapter ,,iv4 ,delusions to which the ,young in particular are exposed--,lot's erroneous ,choice--,sin brings ,punishment--,advantages of ,lot's ,wife--,her remarkable ,deliverance--,her ,guilt--,general ,causes of ,apostacy traced1 ,fear1 ,love of the ,world1 ,levity of ,mind1 ,pride--,doom of ,lot's ,wife4 ,judge not1 said our ,saviour1 according to the appearance1 but judge righteous judgment4 ,this is a maxim which1 though originally uttered in vindication of his character against the reproaches of the ,jews1 is capable of a more extensive application4 ,captivated by the fascinating exterior of the world1 the prospect of temporal advantage1 and diversified enjoyment1 how many neglect to regulate their desires by those superior principles which ,revelation inculcates1 and which alone can secure substantial happiness6 ,the young1 especially suffer by this delusion4 ,lively in imagination1 but immature in judgment2 easily1 and therefore frequently deceived2 they are hurried into those premature determinations which cannot be corrected when they come to discover their mistakes4 ,it is to be deeply deplored1 when young persons1 through refusing to listen to the dictates of wisdom or the suggestions of experienced age1 precipitate themselves into misery1 and sacrifice to the fleeting possessions and pleasures of this life1 the higher interests of another existence4 ,deeming themselves privileged to disregard1 if not to ridicule religion1 by virtue of their age1 rank1 or talents2 and living as though they held their present being by no precarious tenure1 they trifle away their time in criminal indulgences1 and lose their own souls by a guilty procrastination4 ,to persons of this class1 ,solomon suggests a most important truth1 in the form of a sarcastic appeal--,rejoice1 ,o young man in thy youth1 and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth2 and walk in the ways of thine heart1 and in the sight of thine eyes2 but know thou1 that for all these things ,god will bring thee into judgment4 ,there are also young persons of another description1 who1 though partially influenced by such motives1 possess upon the whole a different character4 ,their inconsistencies1 although highly detrimental1 result rather from temporary illusion than from radical depravity4 ,the passions which through grace are habitually subjugated to the yoke of reason and religion1 acquire1 on some occasions1 a momentary ascendency2 and1 as the apostle describes it1 they do that which they allow not1 and that which they would1 they do not4 ,they are1 for a time1 inveigled by their senses--their eyes are dazzled1 and their minds perverted4 ,their mistakes both of judgment and of feeling1 connect themselves1 perhaps1 with a long series of disasters1 neither to be foreseen nor prevented4 ,sometimes the individual himself does not discover his error for a lapse of years2 continuing under the deception1 till the course of providential events awakens him from the dream of enjoyment1 and successive afflictions restore him to his right mind4 ,if at that unhappy moment1 when ,lot1 regarding temporal advantages only1 and forgetting his religious dangers1 lifted up his eyes and beheld all the plain of ,jordan1 that it was well watered every where1 before the ,lord destroyed ,sodom and ,gomorrah1 even as the garden of the ,lord1 like the land of ,egypt1 as thou comest unto ,zoar--if he could have anticipated the melancholy consequences of one false step1 surely he would not have chosen the plain of ,jordan for a residence1 or pitched his tent towards the city of ,sodom6 ,infinitely better had it been for him to have accompanied ,abraham to ,mamre1 or even to have lived in a retired and desolate wilderness4 ,the most exalted piety does not necessarily exempt the individual who possesses it from the trials of life2 but it prepares the mind for enduring and improving them4 ,in some instances1 it obviates those external calamities which befall an ungodly world1 supplying the means of escaping from many of the punishments and penalties which the wicked suffer2 but1 in all cases1 it prevents that anguish which arises from the secret conviction1 that the afflictions of life are the consequences of personal guilt and misconduct--sent1 it is true1 for their ultimate benefit2 but sent in judgment1 and expressive of displeasure4 ,sin is always pernicious4 ,it not only involves the impenitent in present sufferings and future wo1 but inflicts even on the people of ,god1 in proportion to the degree in which it prevails1 embarrassments and calamities4 ,if we direct our course by mere worldly considerations1 however fair the prospect may seem1 the luxuriant plain is likely to become overspread with confusion1 and deluged with misery4 ,in consequence of the fatal choice of ,lot1 he soon became a captive1 then a fugitive4 ,he lost his liberty1 his peace1 his possessions1 and finally his dearest connexion in life1 by one of those awful dispensations in which the hand of ,god is so visible1 the punishment of sin so striking1 and the lessons of divine justice so terrible4 ,we are admonished to remember ,lot's wife2 and truly1 her advantages1 her deliverance1 her guilt1 and her doom1 furnish so many subjects of instructive reflection4 ,the ,,advantages of ,lot's wife were considerable4 ,she was the nearest connection of a just or pious man2 who though he dwelt in ,sodom1 the very rendezvous of all the vices1 vexed his righteous soul from day to day1 with the unlawful deeds1 and filthy conversation of its wicked inhabitants4 ,obvious and lamentable as were the defects in the character of ,lot1 it must1 nevertheless1 be admitted that he was a man of eminent piety--a piety the more conspicuous1 from the circumstances in which he was placed4 ,his fellow citizens were inexpressibly depraved2 so much so1 that in all the annals of sacred and profane history1 we find no parallel example4 ,sodom was1 in fact1 one mass of pollution4 ,high and low1 rich and poor1 seem to have been infected with moral contamination2 and every day their excessive immoralities dared the vengeance of ,heaven4 ,lot stood alone and unsupported1 struggling against the torrent of iniquity that flowed down every street1 and inundated with its filthiness the adjacent cities of the plain4 ,society animates the desponding spirit amidst discouragements4 ,it inspires diligence1 quickens zeal1 and strengthens against resistance4 ,the example of the multitude often operates with pernicious influence in situations where the pious experience considerable co-operation2 and considering the weakness of human nature1 the force of temptation1 the numerous instances of defection which occur even within the pale of the ,christian church1 continuance in well doing is a just cause of congratulation under any circumstances4 ,but that this holy man should have remained steadfast and immoveable amidst the abominations of ,sodom1 is a proof of the confirmed stability and superior excellence of his religion4 ,neither promises nor threatenings1 neither ridicule nor flattery could divert him from his course4 ,he was neither to be cajoled nor coerced2 but set his face like a flint1 and pursued the narrow path of obedience to ,god with undeviating perseverance4 ,piety had1 in fact1 exalted him to a higher sphere1 and1 like the sun1 that pursues his circuit alike through the calm or the stormy day1 the obstructions which impiety seemed to throw in his path1 proved nothing but cloud and vapour before his resistless progress4 ,it must have been a singular privilege to have sustained the intimate relationship of a wife to one so excellent1 and at a period1 not only when immorality had acquired such an odious ascendency in the particular place of their residence1 but when there was little religion in the world4 ,his favoured partner had every opportunity of knowing his views upon the most important religious topics1 and especially of being informed or reminded of the great designs of eternal ,providence respecting the future mission of our ,saviour2 to which bright consummation of human happiness the saints of ,god1 in the remotest ages1 look forward with confident anticipation4 ,she had1 besides1 the best means of observing the influence of true religion upon the character4 ,she saw him in every position1 and witnessed his conduct every day4 ,if she were no stranger to many of his imperfections1 and these attach more or less to every one in the present state1 she could not fail of perceiving a mighty contrast between his general deportment and spirit1 and that of the guilty inhabitants of ,sodom4 ,he was not only unseduced by their example1 but detested their practices2 and bore a decided1 if it were an unavailing1 testimony against them4 ,she must have seen that his passions were under the regulation of principles to which they were perfect strangers2 and that his whole character was cast in a different mould4 ,his fellow-citizens1 indeed1 possessed the advantage of his public example and judicious reproofs1 although they were too base to receive any impression2 but she saw him at home1 and had the privilege of domestic intercourse4 ,there he presented his private and frequent devotions--there1 no doubt1 he erected the family altar1 and day by day offered the solemn sacrifices of prayer and praise4 ,upon that house the eye of ,god was fixed1 and there his blessing descended4 ,one voice in ,sodom1 discordant to the universal chorus of imprecation and blasphemy was harmonious in the ear of ,heaven--one hallowed flame ascended amidst the fires of lust--one drop of purity mingled with an ocean of wickedness6 ,whether the wife of ,lot were benefited by his example1 or properly observant of his actions1 or whether she were infected by the general contagion1 it is not possible to ascertain with certainty3 her subsequent conduct renders us suspicious of her having been1 if not a practitioner of atrocious crimes1 at least in love with the world1 and destitute of real religion4 ,some of the best of men have suffered this severe affliction4 ,the chosen companions of their pilgrimage have been strangers to their religious feelings1 and could cherish no kindred sympathies4 ,instead of proving help meets1 they have been hinderances2 instead of assisting1 they have retarded their journey4 ,in some cases1 this must be imputed to themselves1 as their own fault4 ,they have been misled by their passions2 and1 in consequence of entering into temptation1 they have plunged themselves into inevitable wretchedness4 ,this is a sin which1 we should hope1 is not often committed2 and1 as a means of prevention1 we would enforce a contrary conduct by all the authority which can attach to the language of an inspired adviser4 ,paul exhorts us to marry only in the ,lord2 and he sustains his admonitions by irresistible argument3 ,be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers2 for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness8 and what communion hath light with darkness8 and what concord hath ,christ with ,belial8 or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel8 ,there is one case1 in which we must rather pity than censure this incongruous association4 ,previous to that essential change of character which is introductory to the kingdom of heaven1 and which the ,new ,testament represents as being brought out of darkness into marvellous light1 the woman and the man have1 perhaps1 become equally yoked in unbelief4 ,at the period of their early matrimonial connection1 no dissimilarity in point of religious principle existed4 ,both were lovers of pleasure more than lovers of ,god2 and unhappily1 neither of them felt the importance of securing permanent and solid enjoyment1 by constructing it on the basis of genuine religion4 ,resembling others in the same period of youth and illusion1 they embarked on the smooth and inviting surface1 unaware of what storms awaited them1 or what dangers lurked in the perilous sea of life4 ,it was1 morning--the scene was new--the prospect gay--and their fair horizon seemed to encircle an earthly paradise6 ,they knew not it was a painted landscape1 and that pure and undefiled religion alone could effectually prepare them for the disappointment4 ,since that period1 one of this happy pair has become a follower of ,god1 the other remains a servant of sin--the one has discovered the paramount importance of the interest of eternity1 the other has not yet learned the necessity of salvation1 or the value of the soul4 ,now is fulfilled the prediction of ,christ1 ,i came not to send peace1 but a sword4 ,for ,i am come to set a man at variance against his father1 and the daughter against her mother1 and the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law2 and a man's foes shall be those of his own household4 ,let those who are thus united together by the conjugal tie1 although dissimilar in character1 be excited to a consideration of their respective duties4 ,the religious party should pursue a system of conciliation and kindness1 as best calculated to exemplify the excellence of religion1 and win the disobedient yoke-fellow2 and the irreligious husband or wife should study the virtuous peculiarities1 and worthy example1 of the pious partner3 the one being anxious to exhibit the genuine effect of religion--the other to examine with impartiality1 and an unprejudiced attention1 the operation of grace4 ,another circumstance to which our attention is directed1 in the history of ,lot's wife1 is her ,,deliverance from the miraculous conflagration of ,sodom4 ,the angelic messengers who were sent to ,lot1 conducted him and his family from the scene of danger4 ,they first distinctly predicted the destruction of the city1 on account of its extreme iniquity1 and intimated that they were commissioned to execute this awful purpose of eternal justice4 ,they then inquired about his relations1 commanding him to bring them out of the place2 but1 with a spirit of infatuation too common to the impenitent1 the earnest solicitations of ,lot were utterly rejected1 and even ridiculed4 ,up1 said he1 get you out of this place1 for the ,lord will destroy this city6 ,but he seemed as one that mocked unto his sons-in-law4 ,on the ensuing morning1 at a very early hour1 the two commissioned angels urged ,lot to use all possible despatch in his departure1 and to take with him his wife and daughters4 ,the predestined moment was at hand2 the windows of heaven were opening1 and the burning tempest ready to descend4 ,and while he lingered1 the men laid hold upon his hand1 and upon the hand of his wife1 and upon the hand of his two daughters2 the ,lord being merciful unto him2 and they brought him forth1 and set him without the city4 ,and it came to pass1 when they had brought them forth abroad1 that he said1 ,escape for thy life2 look not behind thee1 neither stay thou in all the plain2 escape to the mountain1 lest thou be consumed4 ,this narrative intimates with sufficient plainness that ,lot's wife and daughters were spared for his sake2 and that it was nothing but the impenitent obstinacy of his other family connexions1 that prevented their escape4 ,they would not listen1 even though he lingered1 probably1 to persuade them to accompany his flight2 they must1 therefore1 perish4 ,it appears that his wife and daughters also were reluctant1 as the angels were obliged to take them each by the hand1 and conduct them into the plain2 but1 for the sake of ,lot1 they were happily compelled to flee4 ,if this woman had not been the wife1 and these the daughters of a good man1 they would have shared the tremendous fate of the other inhabitants of the city2 their near connection with him1 unquestionably saved their otherwise unprotected lives4 ,humiliating as the sentiment may be to the enemies of religion1 it is clearly deducible from this affecting narrative1 and strikingly confirmed by other scriptural accounts1 that righteous persons are the salt of the earth2 the means1 not only of preserving it from becoming an entire mass of corruption1 but of averting the judgments of ,heaven from others2 and especially of preserving those from awful calamity1 who are more immediately connected with them by the ties of consanguinity or friendship4 ,the escape of ,lot's wife and daughters1 on this disastrous occasion1 was an illustration of the promise which had but a short time before been made to ,abraham1 when he was permitted to commune with ,jehovah respecting the destruction of this city4 ,having been informed of the divine determinations1 ,abraham1 deeply affected with the condition of his wicked neighbours1 but feeling a peculiar concern for his nephew1 drew near with holy boldness to inquire whether the righteous and the wicked were to be involved in the same common catastrophe2 and whether1 if fifty righteous persons could be found1 the city might not be spared8 ,to this he obtained full consent3 upon which he ventured to limit the pious number1 for whose sake all the inhabitants should be spared1 to forty-five--then to forty--to thirty--to twenty--and to ten2 ,and the ,lord said1 ,i will not destroy it for ten's sake4 ,here it is observable1 that the patriarch did not request the preservation of the wicked for their own sake1 or because of any supposed severity in the predicted punishment1 but solely for the sake of the righteous who might be discovered in the place4 ,value your connexion1 then1 with the people of ,god4 ,to be born of pious parents1 or to be situated amidst religious advantages1 is an unspeakable favour4 ,the church of ,christ1 especially1 is a privileged spot--there celestial mercy takes her favourite walks--thither she conveys her choicest blessings--and to that sacred enclosure from the world1 she extends her most powerful protection4 ,how many families1 besides the house of ,obed-edom1 have been blessed because of the ark of ,god6 ,sidenote3 ,years before ,christ1 #ahig4 ,the inspired history1 in the next place1 particularly points out the ,,guilt of ,lot's wife4 ,as soon as this favoured family had reached the suburbs1 and at a moment when the rising sun shed his unclouded radiance over the devoted scene1 and1 consequently1 indicated no approaching storm1 the mighty tragedy commenced4 ,down came the burning sulphureous deluge upon ,sodom1 ,gomorrah1 ,admah1 and ,zeboim2 which1 mingling with the bituminous soil of the valley1 and blazing with inconceivable intensity1 spread sudden1 awful1 and universal desolation4 ,from this horrible moment1 the site of these ancient cities became converted into a lake1 which1 from its bituminous quality1 is termed the lake ,asphaltites1 and sometimes the ,dead ,sea1 from the idea that no creature can exist in its waters4 #aa ,during this miraculous tempest1 the wife of ,lot1 who was now flying to ,zoar1 ,,looked ,,back ,,from ,,behind ,,him2 and in consequence1 suffered an instantaneous judgment1 which we shall presently have occasion to notice4 ,and was this the whole amount of her criminality8 ,was it a mere glance of the eye1 for which she is become an object of execration1 and a warning to all ages8 ,was this the single action for which she suffered8--,have we not been led to suppose1 that apostacy is rather a course of conduct1 than the perpetration of any particular crime1 however atrocious8 ,and yet does not the wife of ,lot appear to have been punished as an apostate8 ,beware of forming a hasty judgment1 and recollect that1 in some cases1 a single action is an infallible criterion of a most impious character4 ,it is the last in a series of crimes1 although1 perhaps1 the only discovered iniquity4 ,the rest have been concealed by circumstances1 or by artifice2 and1 like the apex and point of a rock piercing the surface of the deep1 which indicates its immense magnitude and elevation above the bottom of the ocean1 one considerable act of baseness indicates the real existence of an immense accumulation of secret iniquity4 ,such was the character of ,judas1 and probably of ,lot's wife4 ,the recorded action in question indicated1 in fact1 a very complicated crime4 ,it was a direct disobedience to an express and solemn command2 and whether the command respected a mere look1 or a mighty undertaking1 the principle which influenced the conduct1 was equally censurable4 ,we must abstain from whatever is interdicted1 whether it respect the tasting of fruit1 as in the case of ,eve1 or the looking back to relinquished possessions1 as in the example of ,lot's wife4 ,unbelief was also a probable concomitant in this transgression4 ,she might doubt the reality of the threatened destruction1 or be influenced by a spirit of unhallowed curiosity3 or1 if she heard the descending tempest1 some dread of being overtaken by it might induce her to look back4 ,but1 above all1 our ,lord1 in commenting upon her conduct1 intimates that her heart lingered after the possessions she had left1 and her look implied a wish to return to their enjoyment4 ,the case of this woman is peculiarly affecting1 from other considerations4 ,it has been already stated1 she had peculiar advantages1 being the wife of a righteous man--she had thus far escaped the pollutions of ,sodom1 and avoided its destiny--she had obeyed the voice of the celestial messenger1 and was led forth under a heavenly ministration--she was in the company of the pious--participated the deliverance of her husband1 and was on the point of having completely escaped--,sodom was left behind--,zoar was at hand--the raging storm was desolating the devoted cities1 while the bright sun of the morning lighted the fugitives on their way4 ,before1 all was smiling6 ,behind1 all was tempestuous6--,salvation1 if they persevered6 ,perdition1 if they retreated or looked back6--,it is written in the book of ,god--may it be written indelibly on every heart--,if any man draw back1 my soul shall have no pleasure in him4 ,it will conduce to the purposes of instruction1 if we generalize this subject1 by briefly stating a few of the most usual causes of apostacy from ,god2 some of which are strictly applicable to the history of ,lot's wife4 ,sometimes it originates in fear2 and though every period could furnish instances1 we must expect to find them principally in times of persecution4 ,many1 under the awful apprehension of excruciating torments1 and some even from very inferior reasons of alarm1 have signed their recantation of principles which they had long professed to venerate2 but few have imitated the noble heroism of a ,,cranmer1 who publicly denounced his own recantation1 and resolutely thrust the hand that signed it first into the fire1 on the day of his martyrdom1 calling it1 this unworthy right hand6 ,but in all ages a love of the world may be justly considered as a much more prevalent occasion of apostacy than fear4 ,demas1 and the wife of ,lot1 live again in a thousand wretched examples4 ,it may be acknowledged difficult to point out in all cases with perfect exactitude1 the precise line of demarkation between a proper and an inordinate pursuit of worldly good1 and thus to detect the first commencement of an avaricious temper1 the embryo germ of an apostate disposition2 but at least no difficulty should remain with the individual himself in deciding upon his own actual state1 even though he be not guilty of flagrant immoralities1 if conscious that his heart is in his covetousness--if the love of gain have usurped the dominion of his soul1 and dethroned the love of ,god--if he gladly embrace every opportunity of promoting his worldly interest1 and obey but slowly and reluctantly the calls of duty4 ,let him apprehend that he is drifting along to ruin--let him fear1 and fear justly1 that the pleasant gale of success to which he has expanded all his powers1 is only bearing him upon the rocks of eternal destruction4 ,be not deceived1 though they appear covered with flowers of surpassing beauty1 and exquisite fragrance4 ,love not the world1 neither the things that are in the world4 ,if any man love the world1 the love of the ,father is not in him4 ,levity of mind is a frequent occasion of apostacy4 ,it predisposes the unhappy individual to the ruinous influence of vicious society and injurious publications4 ,these1 most fatally adapted to their purpose1 soon induce the unwary to neglect1 and finally to despise all religious institutions4 ,the apostle ,paul intimates that some are tossed to and fro1 and carried about with every wind of doctrine1 like clouds which1 possessing no solidity1 are driven in every direction through the atmosphere4 ,persons of this description are easily persuaded by a plausible reasoner1 that his opinions are true1 and with equal facility submit to the next artful sophist1 who avows even contrary sentiments4 ,the natural effect of this inconstancy will be1 a disregard of ,,all truth1 and a ready admission of every sceptical principle4 ,when the mind is in such a state of fluctuation and uncertainty1 or rather the willing slave of every tyrant1 it is well prepared for vice3 it will admit a criminal thought1 as well as a sentimental error1 and the same plausibility which could successfully insinuate a sceptical principle1 can excite to an immoral practice4 ,in the circles of gay dissipation1 every remaining scruple is easily dissipated2 the poison of evil communications is voraciously swallowed1 and good morals are corrupted4 ,such a disposition is closely allied to pride1 which often goes before1 destruction1 and a haughty spirit before a fall4 ,praised by their companions as persons of distinguished genius1 or admired for a natural wit1 they sacrifice every thing to flattery4 ,they have been stimulated to believe that the possession of religion is a decisive proof of intellectual inferiority2 or at least1 that a punctilious observance of its practices1 or a fervent attachment to its peculiar doctrines1 is enthusiastic4 ,they listen to the artful seducer1 who assures them that their principles are too evidently drawn from the lessons of the nursery1 and that it is time to shake off--their own penetration1 indeed1 will lead them to discard--the mere prejudices of an illiberal education4 ,it is not improbable they may meet with some advocate of deistical principles or libertine conduct1 who zealously instils into them the maxim of the well-known ,earl of ,shaftesbury1 that whoever is searching for truth1 should examine if they cannot find out something that may be justly laughed at2 and if they can be persuaded as he was1 not to think on the subject of religion1 without endeavouring to put himself in as good a humour as possible1 it is not unlikely they may adopt what he calls a natural suspicion1 that the holy records themselves were no other than the pure invention and artificial compliment of an interested party1 in behalf of the richest corporation and most profitable monopoly which could be erected in the world4 ,in the scriptural statement of the fall of man1 it appears that pride and sensuality were the first dispositions which polluted the human mind in paradise1 and their contaminating influence has descended upon the whole human race4 ,from these two springs the torrent of corruption originated1 and has never ceased to pursue its course and widen its channel through the successive ages of time4 ,when the woman saw that the tree was good for food1 and that it was pleasant to the eyes1 and a tree to be desired to make one wise1 she took of the fruit thereof1 and did eat2 and gave also unto her husband with her1 and he did eat4 ,the ,,doom of ,lot's wife is one of the most memorable in the records of either profane or sacred history4 ,it is said1 that she became a pillar of salt1 or a nitro-sulphureous pillar2 the singularity and severity of her punishment being thus proportioned to the atrocity of her crime4 ,when we recollect that ,jehovah afterward proclaimed himself to ,moses as the ,lord1 the ,lord ,god1 merciful and gracious1 long-suffering1 and abundant in goodness and truth2 keeping mercy for thousands1 forgiving iniquity1 and transgression1 and sin2 that he is frequently celebrated by the inspired writers1 as ready to pardon1 slow to anger1 of great kindness1 plenteous in mercy1 full of compassion2 that he is represented by the apostle ,john as love itself2 and that infinite benignity is essential to his nature1 and characteristic of his dispensations--we cannot but tremble at the sight of such a visitation4 ,inexpressibly awful as the overthrow of ,sodom1 ,gomorrah1 ,admah1 and ,zeboim appears1 there is an additional feature of horror in the destruction of this woman4 ,our imagination is bewildered amidst the general ruin of multitudes2 while1 by the contemplation of an individual instance1 appointed to a separate and peculiar punishment1 we become excited to deeper feeling4 ,from the very constitution of our nature1 we view the doom of numbers with a diminished impression2 we have not time to select and meditate upon the peculiarities of individual agonies1 and regard them only in one vast heterogeneous mass1 consigned to one common portion of suffering3 but the emotion is widely different1 and incalculably more poignant1 when a solitary example is presented to us1 alike distinguished for guilt and for punishment4 ,in the present case1 too1 the degree of sensibility excited into action is necessarily more acute1 from the very circumstance forbidding us to pity1 and demanding an unmingled overwhelming sense of omnipotent justice4 ,nor is this a censurable1 but a necessary feeling1 indicative of a proper coincidence of mind with the perfect will of ,heaven3 it is allied to the sentiments attributed to purer spirits1 who1 when they witness the seven angels distributing the seven last plagues in which is filled up the wrath of ,god1 are represented as standing on the sea of glass1 having the harps of ,god4--,and they sing the song of ,moses the servant of ,god1 and the song of the ,lamb1 saying1 great and marvellous are thy works1 ,lord ,god ,almighty2 just and true are thy ways1 thou ,king of saints4 ,who shall not fear thee1 ,o ,lord1 and glorify thy name8 for thou only art holy1 for all nations shall come and worship before thee3 for thy ,,judgments are made manifest4 ,in the same spirit1 the heavens1 the holy apostles and prophets1 are called upon to rejoice over ,babylon in the hour of her destruction2 and a great voice of much people is heard in heaven1 saying1 ,alleluia2 salvation and glory1 and honour1 and power1 unto the ,lord our ,god2 for true and righteous are his ,,judgments4 ,and again they said1 ,alleluia4 ,and her smoke rose up for ever and ever4 ,the justice of ,god displayed even in the awful form which it assumes in the punishment of the wife of ,lot1 is1 in fact1 only a modification of goodness1 and therefore a proper reason both for angelic and human celebration4 ,the love of order is no less essential to a holy being than the love of mercy2 and therefore it is compatible with the most perfect goodness1 in its association with justice1 to punish transgressors either on their own account or for the sake of others--either for the purpose of individual correction or of general warning4 ,it would be a far less display of goodness to suffer men to persevere in sin without any control1 than to arrest them by some powerful stroke4 ,in the former case1 they not only plunge into ruin themselves1 but draw others1 by their fatal and malignant attraction1 into perdition3 in the latter1 a salutary precaution is given to such as lie within the reach of their mischievous influence4 ,whatever has a tendency to prevent sin is a benevolent exercise of power2 because sin is the source of individual and universal misery3 if it had never entered into this world1 man would still have been happy2 and when1 in the merciful appointments of ,heaven1 the guilt which now stains the moral creation shall be purified away by the efficacy of the blood of ,christ1 paradise will be restored1 and the long-renowned tabernacle of ,god again descend to be with men4 ,to this glorious consummation of human felicity1 all the dispensations of ,providence point2 and to produce it1 all his judgments are inflicted3 the promises and the threatenings have each a similar design1 and will ultimately promote the same general object4 ,the tempest and the tornado have their peculiar uses1 as well as the small rain that descends upon the tender herb4 ,mercy and truth meet together--righteousness and peace kiss each other4 ,in turning our eyes1 then1 towards the plain of ,sodom1 we must combine a sentiment of holy reverence with trembling horror4 ,the destiny of the atrocious sinner was intended to produce salutary apprehensions in her surviving relatives1 and in all her posterity4 ,upon that accursed plain ,eternal ,justice erected a monument of infinite displeasure2 but the hand which raised the pillar of salt1 at the same time inscribed upon it1 in characters too large and legible to be mistaken1 ,,fear ,,god1 ,,and ,,keep ,,his ,,commandments4 ,the terrific nature of this judgment was enhanced by the instantaneous manner in which it occurred4 ,no sooner did the wife of ,lot look back1 than she was converted into a pillar of salt1 #ab--this moment in the midst of life1 and apparently escaping from the scene of danger--the next1 a monument of wrath6 ,what a transition from happiness to misery6 ,what a descent from the summit of hope to the depths of despair6 ,mercy had almost conducted her to ,zoar--,guilt transported her to the abyss of wo6 ,she had even tasted the cup of blessing2 but1 dashing it from her lips in the spirit of daring rebellion1 she was made to drink the wine-cup of fury4 ,it elucidates the divine condescension and forbearance1 when the wicked1 instead of being withered at a touch1 are allowed time for reflection4-- ,the ordinary dispensations of ,providence are characterized by a merciful tardiness3 the daring transgressor is addressed by reiterated appeals1 and perhaps placed under a course of moral discipline3 he is not smit by the thunder1 or blasted by the lightning2 but a series of smaller precursory punishments precedes a great catastrophe3 his way is hedged up2 reproofs1 remonstrances1 losses1 afflictions1 bereavements1 constitute so many obstructions thrown across the path to perdition2 and if he perish1 it is necessary to force his way through them with a daring and infatuated heroism3 voices from heaven and earth precede the infliction of merited vengeance1 saying with loud and harmonious exclamations1 ,let the wicked forsake his way1 and the unrighteous man his thoughts2 and let him return unto the ,lord1 and he will have mercy upon him2 and to our ,god1 for he will abundantly pardon4 ,but in the present melancholy instance1 the wife of ,lot was cut off as in a moment3 she was ripe for the sickle1 and justice delayed not to gather her into the storehouse of wrath2 she cumbered the ground by her impieties1 and was worthy of no additional cultivation4 ,here we behold an awful specimen of the obstinacy of sinners1 the effect of disobedience1 and the determination of ,god1 in a visible and striking manner1 to vindicate his holy name4 ,reader6 flatter not yourself that the circumstance of having hitherto escaped remarkable judgment is any real indemnification against future punishment3 do not imagine that the supreme ,god is unobservant1 because he is not vindictive2 that it is possible to elude his eye1 because you have not yet been slain by his sword4 ,the delay1 which is intended as a benefit1 may1 and often does1 by perversion1 aggravate the sinner's doom3 and indeed it is one of the most lamentable proofs of human degeneracy1 that the very circumstance in which the goodness of ,god is singularly apparent1 and which ought to lead to repentance1 is made the occasion of more atrocious crime and more resolute perseverance4 ,but delay is no evidence of indifference2 and if justice have hitherto slept1 it is to be apprehended it will rise with recruited vigour4 ,while you go on still in your trespasses1 be assured the glittering sword is drawing from its scabbard--it is even whetting to the final stroke6 ,rebekah4 ,chapter ,v4 ,section ,i4 ,progress of ,time--,patriarchal mode of ,living--,abraham's ,solicitude respecting the ,settlement of his ,son--sends his ,servant to procure him a ,wife--his ,arrival in the ,vicinity of ,nahor--his ,meeting with ,rebekah--her ,behaviour1 and their ,conversation--the ,good ,qualities already discoverable in ,rebekah1 which render her ,worthy of ,imitation--her industrious and domesticated ,habits--,unaffected ,simplicity--,modesty--,courtesy--,human ity4 ,rapid1 irresistible1 and certain is the progress of time4 ,the few incidents of which human life consists1 transpire in quick succession2 the few years of which it is composed1 even in cases of the greatest longevity1 soon elapse3 the cradle and the grave seem placed very near each other2 and scarcely does the voice of congratulation cease at our birth1 before it is succeeded by the lamentations of sorrow at our funeral4 ,there is a wide difference1 however1 in the actual impression1 between passing through the details of existence in daily and hourly engagements1 which1 from their variety1 produce an illusion of slowness and a vague idea of almost interminable continuance1 and looking at expended years after their termination1 or at successive lives in the perspective of history4 ,in the latter case1 events appear crowded together1 the intervening spaces are riot distinctly perceptible1 and the distance is diminished4 ,if the life of an ,abraham1 an ,isaac1 or a ,jacob1 had been presented to us in the form of a daily journal of occurrences1 how easily might it have been expanded into a volume equal in dimensions to the whole inspired record2 and how distant would each eventful period of their respective lives have appeared6 how vast would have seemed the space between them if minuter circumstances had been formally detailed in the order of months1 and days1 and hours6 ,even a single year assumes a considerable magnitude when viewed as three hundred and sixty-five days1 each day and night as four-and-twenty hours1 each hour as sixty successive minutes1 and each minute or hour as occupied with its appropriate and necessary engagements3 but when we ascend that elevated spot to which history conducts us1 and look back upon the long track of time1 and through the course of revolving centuries1 we reflect at once on those images of ,scripture with which our imagination has been so often arrested1 and see that the motion of the weaver's shuttle scarcely represents the swiftness of our days2 the passing shadows that fly across the plain1 imperfectly display the nothingness of fleeting years2 the little time in which the vapour appeareth1 is but faintly expressive of the manner in which life vanisheth away4 ,it is almost impossible to observe the small number of pages which relate all that is really worth recording1 of hundreds and even thousands of years1 without being deeply affected4 ,a few chapters suffice to state the principal circumstances relating to the creation1 destruction1 and renewal of the world2 and a single book contains1 in addition to this information1 the lives of patriarchs the most distinguished1 and the account of ages the most eventful and extraordinary4 ,solemn consideration--one generation passeth away1 and another cometh6 ,we have been led into these reflections chiefly by observing how rapidly the inspired writer passes from one event to another in the life of ,abraham1 though many years intervened2 and especially by noticing the immediate connexion in which the death and burial of ,sarah are placed with the marriage of ,isaac3 so nearly allied1 so few are the intermediate steps between the most joyful and the most painful events of human existence6 ,a marriage to-day--a funeral to-morrow6 ,this hour congratulated--the next lamented6 ,great and marvellous are thy works1 ,o ,lord ,god ,almighty3 just and true are thy ways1 thou ,king of saints4 ,the family histories of the patriarchs are rendered peculiarly attractive by the simplicity of their manners1 and their pastoral mode of living4 ,we are transported into ages1 around which antiquity throws a powerful charm1 and revelation an extraordinary lustre4 ,what are scenes of blood1 and acclamations of triumph1 in comparison with the private history of a man of peace1 and a man of piety8 what are heroic deeds to virtuous achievements8 and what the most splendid page of secular history to the beautiful and interesting account of the various transactions relating to the union of ,isaac and ,rebekah8 ,these are so intimately blended together1 that the present chapter must embrace at least a brief notice of them1 in order to form an adequate idea of the heroine of this inimitable ,scripture narrative4 ,sidenote3 ,years before ,christ1 #ahef ,abraham had now attained the venerable age of one hundred and forty years2 his beloved ,sarah was no more2 and after weeping over her grave1 and negociating for the entire possession of the field of ,ephron in ,machpelah1 where she was interred1 as a family burying-place1 his thoughts were forcibly attracted towards the day of his own dissolution4 ,the ,lord had blessed him in all things1 but his affections were detached from earthly possessions1 and permanently fixed upon his unchangeable inheritance in the skies4 ,he desired a better country1 that is1 a heavenly2 wherefore ,god was not ashamed to be called his ,god1 for he had prepared for him a city4 ,previous to his departure1 ,abraham felt solicitous respecting the adjustment of his temporal affairs1 and particularly the settlement and marriage of his beloved son4 ,actuated not merely by the common anxiety of a parent1 who knows that the credit and happiness of his family depend on the propriety of the connection which he may form2 but contemplating with the eye of faith his future posterity1 the patriarch called his eldest and confidential servant4 ,this was ,eliezer of ,damascus1 the steward of his house2 and1 in case of his death1 the manager of his affairs4 ,he was1 unquestionably1 under that divine direction1 which in this as in every other concern of life1 he anxiously sought4 ,it is pleasing to witness the result which was so evidently connected with the prudence and piety of his proceedings1 and which points us to the never-failing promise1 ,in all thy ways acknowledge him1 and lie shall direct thy paths1 ,isaac is not1 indeed1 distinctly mentioned1 but he was no stranger to prayer2 and having attained his fortieth year1 he had doubtless felt a laudable anxiety to enter into the honourable state of matrimony1 expressed his desires to ,god1 and after concerting the proper measures with his father1 patiently waited the will of ,providence4 ,abraham explained his views to ,eliezer1 and exacted a solemn oath respecting the punctual fulfilment of his commission1 in which some of the characteristic principles of this illustrious saint were conspicuous4 ,in the selection of a wife for his son1 he seems uninfluenced by worldly policy4 ,he wishes him to connect him with virtue rather than wealth2 knowing that the latter is not only uncertain1 but unnecessary to the purposes of real happiness4 ,it has been often said1 there are few happy matches2 but the cause of this fact is seldom traced or regarded4 ,if our calculations be founded solely upon a reference to temporal interests1 if the importance of a connexion be measured merely by the probable amount of gold it may produce1 or the degree of worldly influence it is likely to confer1 we may add another item to the sum of probabilities--that of disappointment4 ,the inconsistencies into which this strange match-making infatuation has betrayed some of the greatest and best of men1 is truly deplorable2 and if it do not incur immediate calamity1 it certainly excites the divine displeasure4 ,god requires to be honoured in this1 no less than in every other transaction4 ,abraham also evinced his characteristic aversion of idolatry4 ,he desired his servant not to seek a wife for ,isaac in ,chaldea1 but to proceed to ,haran in ,mesopotamia1 to the house of ,nahor his brother4 ,he was particular in requiring him to swear by the ,lord1 the ,god of heaven and the ,god of the earth1 that he would not take his son a wife of the daughters of the ,canaanites1 among whom he resided4 ,the danger of his posterity becoming blended with idolaters1 and contracting their habits1 induced him to use this solemn precaution2 although his faith realized the peopling of this country1 by his descendants4 ,his servant put his hand upon his thigh1 in confirmation of the agreement1 #ac and immediately prepared for his journey4 ,the distance from ,hebron1 the present residence of ,abraham1 to ,haran1 was about seventeen days' journey2 and the servant must have travelled about four hundred and sixty miles4 ,servants may learn1 from this example1 the kind of conduct which adorns their station4 ,they should be punctual in the discharge of their duties1 and readily comply with the directions they receive4 ,eliezer felt himself bound to comply with his master's injunctions1 and not only proceeded on his distant expedition without reluctance and murmuring1 but with that despatch which proves his whole heart was engaged in his duty4 ,if any should plead1 that it was1 no doubt1 a privilege to have such a master1 and any one would have been happy in such a situation1 let them be reminded that this is a very questionable position2 for it is common for servants to disregard the authority1 or undervalue the character of the best masters and mistresses2 but their duty is not to be measured by the virtue or even the kindness1 of their domestic superiors1 the apostle expressly ordaining obedience not only to the good and gentle1 but also to the froward4 ,upon ,eliezer's arrival in the vicinity of the city of ,nahor1 he made his camels kneel down by a well1 intending to supply them as soon as possible with water4 ,the whole retinue was1 no doubt1 sufficiently weary with the journey4 ,it was evening1 and about the customary hour when the women of the country came out to fetch a supply of water4 ,this faithful and pious servant was aware of this circumstance1 but1 previous to the arrival of any of these strangers1 he betook himself to solemn and effectual prayer4 ,his words are remarkable3 ,o ,lord ,god of my master ,abraham1 ,i pray thee send me good speed this day1 and show kindness unto my master ,abraham4 ,behold1 ,i stand here by the well of water1 and the daughters of the men of the city come out to draw water3 and let it come to pass1 that the damsel to whom ,i shall say1 ,let down thy pitcher ,i pray thee1 that ,i may drink2 and she shall say1 ,drink1 and ,i will give thy camels drink also2 let the same be she that thou hast appointed for thy servant ,isaac2 and thereby shall ,i know that thou hast showed kindness unto my master6 ,while the words of supplication were still upon the tongue of this worthy servant1 behold a damsel of singular beauty approaches the well6 ,it is1 in fact1 ,rebekah1 who was born to ,bethuel1 son of ,milcah1 the wife of ,nahor2 and whom an invisible but all-wise ,providence had sent at this precise moment1 and by this happy concurrence of circumstances1 introduced to the travelling stranger4 ,beautiful1 young1 and artless2 bearing a pitcher upon her shoulder1 which she hastened to the well to fill for the necessary supply of the family2 we cannot imagine a more finished picture of loveliness1 or one to which the ,miltonian description of ,eve1 as first beheld by her admiring partner1 is more justly applicable3 ,adorn'd ,with what all earth or heaven could bestow ,to make her amiable2 on she came ,led by her heav'nly ,maker1 though unseen4 ,grace was in all her steps1 heav'n in her eye1 ,in every gesture1 dignity and love4 ,she speedily descended to the reservoir of water1 and filled her pitcher4 #ad ,the servant was attracted by her remarkable appearance1 for she seemed like the lily among thorns2 but1 at present1 remained silent4 ,intent upon her proper business1 she did not indulge an idle curiosity1 and waste her time1 by stopping to make inquiries respecting the stranger1 and his train of camels1 which were reclining near the well2 nor would she have been detained a moment1 had not a motive of kindness prompted her to listen to his solicitations for help4 ,he1 at length1 hastened to meet her1 and requested to drink a little of the water with which she had just replenished her pitcher4 ,this was granted with the utmost readiness2 she let down the vessel from her shoulder1 and desired him to take whatever he pleased4 ,after this1 she kindly offered to supply all his train of camels2 and1 regardless of the trouble which such officious hospitality occasioned1 she did not even wait for a reply1 but ran to fill the trough1 by repeated draughts of water4 ,all this time1 the man1 who1 by the way might have rendered this lovely young woman some assistance1 stood gazing in silent astonishment4 ,there was so striking a coincidence between her conduct1 and the wishes he had been expressing1 that he could not help connecting them together4 ,wondering at her1 he held his peace1 to wit whether the ,lord had made his journey prosperous or not4 ,it seems strange that he should have felt even a momentary hesitation upon the subject1 but it exemplifies the frequent state of our minds respecting anticipated blessings4 ,we seek them with an importunity which procures their communication1 but1 when actually bestowed1 we scarcely believe them to be in our possession1 and are too reluctant to recognize the divine bounty4 ,but what has been sought with eagerness ought to be acknowledged with promptitude4 ,as soon as the camels had been supplied1 the good man presented ,rebekah with a suitable token of his thankfulness4 ,it consisted of a golden ear-ring1 of half a shekel weight1 and two bracelets for her hands1 of ten shekels weight of gold4 ,these were1 probably1 the costly ornaments which ,abraham had commissioned his servant to bestow upon the future wife of his son2 and which1 as he had now seen the accomplishment of his prayer1 he no longer hesitated to give this interesting young woman4 ,availing himself of the present favourable opportunity of entering into some conversation with her1 he inquired whose daughter she might be1 and whether she thought her father could afford him and his attendants2 and camels1 sufficient accommodation8 ,in the east this was so common an act of hospitality1 that the question did not appear strange1 or the request obtrusive4 ,it was1 besides1 dictated by a strong suspicion1 if not a full assurance1 that he had attained the object of his journey4 ,she gave a prompt and kind answer3 ,i am the daughter of ,bethuel1 the son of ,milcah1 which she bare unto ,naoh4 ,she said1 moreover1 unto him1 we have both straw and provender enough1 and room to lodge in1 ,the man bowed in thankfulness to her1 but in more expressive praise and gratitude to ,,god4 ,his heart was full1 and his tongue could no longer remain silent4 ,blessed1 said he1 be the ,lord ,god of my master ,abraham1 who hath not left destitute my master of his mercy and his truth4 ,i1 being in the way1 the ,lord led me to the house of my master's brethren4 ,this was the language of faith--he recognizes the divine mercy and truth which had promised to multiply and extend the family of ,abraham4 ,it was the voice of gratitude--for he remembers the way in which ,god had conducted him1 and sees the concurrence of ,providence in all that had transpired4 ,it contained also a delicate intimation to the young women1 not only that he came from her venerable relative1 but had some important business with her family4 ,rebekah made all possible haste back1 and soon circulated through the family the joyful intelligence of this arrival4 ,in reviewing what has been hitherto related of this charming story1 and the circumstances of the first interview between the servant of ,abraham and the future wife of ,isaac1 we beg to present to our young female readers1 a more distinct statement and recommendation of the good qualities discoverable in ,rebekah4 #a4 ,observe her industrious and domesticated habits4 ,she was high-born1 and had great connections--she possessed a commanding beauty of person and fascination of manners--but yet she did not indulge in indolence1 or in frivolous pursuits4 ,at that period luxury and refinement had not corrupted simplicity of manners1 the affairs of a family were usually under the more direct inspection and management of its principal members1 and custom did not prescribe an avoidance of all careful1 nor even of all laborious1 interference in domestic concerns4 ,but there was a cheerfulness and an assiduity in the whole deportment of ,rebekah1 that proved it not merely custom1 but a sense of duty that influenced her4 ,she was attentive to her proper business1 neither omitting nor performing it negligently4 ,it is very unbecoming to see young persons resisting the wishes of their kind parents1 who having had a better experience than themselves1 are desirous of training them to domestic usefulness4 ,ill do they requite parental affection1 which has devoted1 perhaps1 a considerable portion of hard-earned profits to their education in useful branches of knowledge1 or to their acquirement of polite accomplishments3 by refusing to assist in family arrangements1 or to submit to that wise after-discipline1 by which they may be prepared to occupy important situations in future life4 ,it is not the proper business of a woman to shine1 to court admiration1 or to display superficial acquirements2 nor1 on the other hand1 does either reason or religion reduce her to the inferior situation of a domestic drudge2 but her education is ill bestowed1 and perversely misapplied1 if it unfit her for the appropriate duties of her station1 if it make her proud and petulent1 if it raise her above her sphere1 and if it indispose her to a proper care for the things of the world1 how she may please her husband4 ,in modern times it would be unjust to impute the entire blame to the young women themselves2 much is attributable to the system which has been adopted in their education4 ,nothing indeed can justify1 and few things can be said in extenuation of the guilt of an arrogant disposition1 unyielding to the wishes of tender though perhaps less educated parents2 but it is to be regretted1 that the useful is often far less regarded in public seminaries than the ornamental2 and that1 while the exterior is polished1 the mind remains comparatively uncultivated4 ,we shall not be understood to require a total exclusion of elegant instruction1 or polite accomplishments2 but let the understanding be well directed1 the memory amply stored1 the judgment constantly exercised1 the hands usefully employed1 the temper carefully watched and disciplined--above all1 let religion and the fear of ,god be the basis of the whole fabric1 that our daughters may be as corner-stones1 polished after the similitude of a palace4--,by daughters families are united and connected to their mutual strength1 as the part of a building are by the corner-stones2 and when they are graceful and beautiful1 both in body and mind1 they are then polished after the similitude of a nice and curious structure4 ,when we see our daughters well established1 and stayed with wisdom and discretion1 as corner-stones are fastened in the building2 when we see them by faith united to ,christ as the chief corner-stone1 adorned with the graces of ,god's ,spirit1 which are the polishing of that which is naturally rough1 and become women professing godliness2 when we see them purified and consecrated to ,god as living temples1 we think ourselves happy in them4 #ae #b4 ,we see in ,rebekah's interview with the servant of ,abraham1 a pattern of unaffected simplicity4 ,it is this which throws an inexpressible charm over the narrative4 ,we see nothing but nature2 not a particle of false delicacy or finesse4 ,there is no study1 no aim to please1 no acting a part to court esteem1 no suspicions about her1 and no concealments2 but1 in every word and motion1 the most perfect artlessness4 ,when unadorned she approaches the well to draw the evening supply of water1 she seems adorned the most4 ,let young ladies beware of affectation4 ,it is one of the most disgusting qualities that can attach to female character4 ,it will never win esteem1 but will excite ridicule4 ,there is reason to believe that it is frequently produced in a gradual and almost imperceptible manner1 but it takes the deeper root1 and extends the wider influence in consequence of a slow growth4 ,it is not always easy to make the individual herself sensible of possessing it1 but the surest way of preventing its baneful influence1 is to guard against whatever has a tendency to produce it4 ,be yourself--simple and natural4 ,the art of pleasing is--to please without art4 ,aim not to shine in borrowed feathers1 or to acquire the peculiarities of another1 especially when they are obviously incongruous with your own native character2 and avoid thinking of yourself as of a person of great consequence in every circle1 for this is a most infallible means of really becoming of no consequence at all4 ,the only sufficient security against affectation of every kind1 is ,christian humility4 ,an inspired writer admonishes us to be clothed with it2 and1 where this is wanting1 every attempt to conceal deformities of character will resemble only the thinnest veil1 which may be seen through by the most careless observer4 ,this recommendation may possibly appear to some rather antiquated and obsolete2 we shall1 nevertheless1 persist in it1 as of essential importance2 and support it by quoting the reference of the apostle to him who has best exemplified the principle1 and whose ,spirit alone can effectually impress it upon the heart3 ,let nothing be done through strife or vain glory1 but in lowliness of mind1 let each esteem other better than themselves4 ,look not every man on his own things1 but every man also on the things of others4 ,let this mind be in you which was also in ,christ ,jesus2 who1 being in the form of ,god1 thought it not robbery to be equal with ,god2 but made himself of no reputation1 and took upon him the form of a servant1 and was made in the likeness of men2 and being found in fashion as a man1 he humbled himself1 and became obedient unto death1 even the death of the cross4 #c4 ,the modesty of ,rebekah was conspicuous4 ,vain is the effort to obtain admiration1 without this quality4 ,confining the term to the general behaviour of females in society1 which is its most common application1 it may be considered as opposed to obstrusiveness1 and as contradistinguished from bashfulness4 ,rebekah waited till the servant of ,abraham addressed her1 before she paid any attention to him2 and when he put the questions which have been related1 she readily gave him an answer4 ,forwardness is so unbecoming the female character1 so opposite to all real delicacy of mind1 that no intermixture of other qualities can render it tolerable4 ,if it be associated with rare and brilliant powers1 or very eminent acquirements1 it is calculated to excite envy and hatred1 because it never fails to produce an overbearing conduct4 ,but whatever another's consciousness of mental inferiority may be1 this unhallowed temper will produce determined resistance4 ,the very worm that crawls upon the earth will resent the giant's tread4 ,if1 on the contrary1 it be united to shallowness of capacity1 it will render its unhappy possessor utterly contemptible notwithstanding other exterior attractions which might otherwise command attention4 ,it is1 in this case1 the effect of egregious ignorance2 and so far from extorting respect1 it only serves to expose that inbecility1 which1 but for this strange mode of attempt at concealment1 might have remained1 in a considerable measure1 undetected4 ,genuine modesty is also distinguishable from extreme bashfulness4 ,as the usages of civilized society do1 by no means1 banish females from social intercourse1 it is requisite in avoiding forwardness to retain a certain degree of self-possession4 ,boldness and excessive timidity are the two extremes to be avoided4 ,the latter is irksome1 both to the individual herself1 and to others with whom she may be called to associate4 ,it produces an unnatural character1 and1 perhaps1 may be classed with affectation4 ,it is to be feared1 that many who blush at the merest trifles1 and are confounded at maintaining the least interchange of sentiment1 are too little ashamed of sin1 and too unacquainted with the state of their own hearts4 ,the young need not be mortified at any deformity but vice1 nor afraid even of confessing ignorance1 or making inquiries1 so long as they show a proper solicitude for improvement4 ,it is1 in fact1 a consciousness of ignorance that leads to the acquisition of knowledge4 ,it inspires the desire of information1 and stimulates to the use of every means of acquiring it2 but a vain and conceited mind is really ignorant1 and is likely to remain so1 while it presumes upon wisdom4 #d4 ,courtesy was another conspicuous feature in the character of ,rebekah4 ,the stranger had no sooner requested a little supply of water1 than she lets down the pitcher from her shoulder1 and manifests the most obliging disposition to render him service4 ,her whole proceeding evinces good humour and affability in the highest degree1 and the law of kindness is in her tongue4 ,josephus relates that there were other young females with her1 who were asked for water1 but refused2 and that ,rebekah reproved them for their churlishness4 ,her civilities were connected essentially with her promotion1 though she had no selfish purpose in view3 they resulted solely from a pure and disinterested generosity of spirit4 ,let young women remember that an unfeeling and disobliging temper is unworthy of their character1 and opposite to their real interest4 ,it is at once a neglect of duty1 and a certain forfeiture of esteem4 ,courteousness is peculiarly suited to their age and sex1 and particularly expected of them4 ,nor should the exercise of this disposition be restricted merely to their superiors or equals2 it ought to characterize their behaviour to their dependents and inferiors4 ,if young people display affability only when in company with others1 who move in the same1 or in a more elevated sphere of life than themselves1 but assume consequence1 and betray an arrogant spirit amongst their servants2 we cannot but suspect that their good qualities are only apparent1 and their motives selfish4 ,the true character of every person is to be learned at home1 and at times when no exterior influences operate to make persons different from themselves4 ,then the mask is taken off1 meretricious ornaments are dispensed with1 and consequently native qualities appear4 ,tyrannical conduct may compel obedience1 but an amiable spirit alone can command affection1 and render servitude pleasant4 ,there are1 indeed1 great constitutional differences2 but it is no apology for petulance to say1 it is natural to us1 or that we were born irritable4 ,our constitutional imperfections ought to be carefully watched1 and resolutely corrected4 ,irregularities of temper are capable of being subdued by the vigorous efforts of religious principle4 ,it is possible1 by careful and constant discipline1 to subdue the most untamed spirit2 and is equally politic1 because it renders its possessor disagreeable to others1 and miserable in herself4 ,it is on many accounts not only wicked1 but foolish1 to conduct yourselves with provoking superciliousness towards inferiors4 ,courtesy is easily practised1 and the reverse dangerous to your own peace and comfort4 ,besides1 it is scarcely possible to think of a human being so utterly contemptible1 that his esteem is not worth possessing1 or so morose that he may not be conciliated by kindness3 and in a world in which we are liable to such reverses1 and exposed to such reproaches1 the friendship of the meanest person may be advantageous4 ,hence1 it is well remarked by ,dr4 ,barrow1 the great ,pompey1 the glorious triumpher over nations1 and admired darling of fortune1 was at last beholden to a slave for the composing his ashes1 and celebrating his funeral obsequies4 ,the honour of the greatest men depends on the estimation of the least3 and the good-will of the meanest peasant is a brighter ornament to the fortune1 a greater accession to the grandeur of a prince1 than the most radiant gem in his royal diadem4 ,however1 the spite and enmity of one 7and him the most weak otherwise and contemptible7 person1 may happen to spoil the content of our whole life1 and deprive us of the most comfortable enjoyments thereof2 may divert our thoughts from our delightful employments1 to a solicitous care of self-preservation and defence2 may discompose our minds with vexatious passions2 may1 by false reports1 odious suggestions1 and slanderous defamations1 blast our credit1 raise a storm of general hatred1 and conjure up thousands of enemies against us2 may1 by insidious practices1 supplant and undermine us1 prejudice our welfare1 endanger our estate1 and involve us in a bottomless gulf of trouble4 #e4 ,we may take occasion1 from ,rebekah's kindness1 to commend another quality for which she was distinguished--humanity to animals4 ,abraham's servant merely requested some water to quench his own thirst2 but she felt for the dumb creatures that attended him1 who could only express their wants by signs4 ,she offered to supply his camels1 and hastened to fill the troughs1 that they might drink4 ,how kind1 how considerate was this6 ,there are few persons of a really amiable temper1 who do not cherish an attachment to animals2 still we should distinguish between a proper attention to their necessities and comforts1 and that excessive caressing fondness which is unbecoming a rational being4 ,but in what language shall we sufficiently denounce cruelty to animals8 ,are they not the creatures of ,god2 and endowed with capacities both of pain and pleasure8 ,why should we inflict unnecessary pain1 even upon the meanest reptile8 ,who has given us authority to do so8 ,by what argument1 or by what sophistry1 shall we seek a justification of such conduct8 ,why should we abridge the short span of existence allotted to the inferior creation1 especially when we recollect that the spirit of a beast goeth downward2 and that1 being destitute of immortality1 the whole period of their enjoyment is limited to the short date of their life on earth8 ,it is the mark of a debased mind to seek amusement from the writhings of defenceless creatures1 to sport even with the agonies of a fly4 ,parents and guardians of youth should particularly guard against the encouragement of a principle of cruelty1 by allowing this practice4 ,children should not be suffered to indulge in such abuses1 but should rather be taught to set a proper value upon the life and liberty of an animal4 ,the subsequent maltreatment of the lower creation1 many of the outrageous passions that in maturer life disgrace the uneducated part of society1 and even the cold insensibility to the necessities of others1 which so often obtains in the higher circles1 may be traced to this early commencement4 ,the future tyrant is formed in the hours of sportive cruelty2 and he who in infancy practices on a fly1 may in maturity domineer over an empire4 ,it is important to trace evil passions and principles to their origin1 to watch their developement and first operations1 and1 at the earliest possible period1 to implant corrective sentiments in the youthful mind4 ,solomon represents it as characteristic of a righteous man1 that he is merciful to his beast2 and if it be censurable to assail the meanest insect which is not positively noxious1 how much more to abuse those animals which contribute to our domestic comfort and security8 ,this may be done1 not only by beating1 goading1 and over-driving the laborious ox1 or the swift-paced horse1 by whom we cultivate our fields1 or pursue our commercial concerns2 but by stinting them of food1 supplying them with insufficient or inferior provender1 or leaving them to careless or peculating hands4 ,jacob was a specimen of kindness to animals--,balaam of brutality4 ,the ,mosaic law wisely and mercifully provided for the ox which trod out the corn1 an enactment worthy of the supreme legislator1 and coincident with the feelings of every humane heart4 ,,section ,,ii4 ,the ,servant of ,abraham cordially received into the ,house of ,laban--tells his ,story--proposes to take ,rebekah--,consent of her ,family--her ,readiness to go--the ,interview with ,isaac--,rebekah become his ,wife--their ,anxieties--,birth of ,jacob and ,esau--,isaac's ,death-bed1 and ,rebekah's unwarrantable ,proceedings--her ,solicitude respecting her ,son's future ,conduct4 ,we left the good old servant of ,abraham at the well of water--we listened to his grateful acknowledgments to ,heaven for prospering his journey--and we saw the interesting daughter of ,bethuel run home to inform her friends of the extraordinary circumstance that had occurred4 ,she had met a stranger--he had accepted her assistance1 and presented her with costly ornaments--he had requested the customary rites of hospitality--he had been praying like a servant of the most high ,god--he had even intimated that he was travelling to fulfil some special commission of his master and their relative1 the venerable ,abraham6 ,every heart welcomed the tidings1 and mutual congratulation circulated through the family4 ,laban1 the brother of ,rebekah1 whoso mercenary spirit viewed with peculiar satisfaction the ear-ring and bracelets which had been presented to his sister1 hastened immediately to the well1 and gave the messenger of ,abraham a warm invitation to his home3 ,come in1 said he1 thou blessed of the ,lord2 wherefore standest thou without8 for ,i have prepared the house and room for the camels4 ,if we were quite certain that this pious language was dictated by a proportionable purity of motive1 we should be highly gratified with it2 but1 alas6 how common is it to use words of customary congratulation without meaning1 and to sacrifice sincerity to politeness6 ,the man accepted the invitation2 his camels were soon ungirded and supplied with provender1 water was furnished to wash his feet and those of his men1 and the table spread with a plentiful supply of provision for their refreshment4 ,we need not be surprised1 however1 that he refuses to eat till he has introduced the important business upon which he came6 the good man's heart is overflowing1 and he prefers the discharge of his duty before his necessary food4 ,o that all our obedience to ,god were characterized by a similar zeal and fidelity6 ,speak on1 said ,laban3 upon which1 with admirable skill and perfect ingenuousness1 he recounts a series of simple facts1 interweaving his narrative with such touching arguments as proved irresistible3 he stated without the vanity of a superior domestic who was actually the steward of the family1 that he was ,abraham's servant2 and then proceeds to mention1 not his own exploits1 or merit1 or influence1 but the opulence and prosperity of his master2 his becoming great and rich in flocks and herds1 and silver and gold1 and men-servants and maid-servants1 and camels and asses1 he devoutly ascribes to the ,lord3 but at the same time gives the fact a prominence in his discourse well calculated to conciliate the persons he addressed1 and prepare them for his subsequent statements4 ,he now proceeds to mention ,isaac1 taking care to intimate the weighty considerations1 that he was the son of the illustrious patriarch whom he served1 by ,sarah his beloved wife2 born at an advanced period of their lives1 and therefore young1 as well as the child of promise1 and heir of all the wealth which his master possessed4 ,he then explicitly refers to the solemn oath by which he had been bound to seek a wife for his son2 not amongst the idolatrous ,canaanites near his own residence1 but amongst his kindred in ,haran4 ,dear is the name of kindred1 especially when families are separated at such distances of time and space from each other1 that they scarcely expect to meet again in an unbroken circle1 and renew the embraces of friendship4 ,it is then the tenderest sensibilities are excited1 the fondest remembrances renewed1 and the heart becomes accessible to every endearing impression6 ,eliezer1 having now gained the ear and won the regard of the listening circle1 next adverts to the conversation which had passed previously to the commencement of his journey2 in which he exhibits to great advantage the faith of his master ,abraham1 and the particular direction of his wishes1 ,by repeating the story of his interview with ,rebekah at the well1 in connexion with the command to seek a wife for ,isaac among the kindred of the family1 he points at once to the object he had in view1 and appeals to their piety in estimating the movements of ,providence4 ,they must consider whether all these concurring circumstances were not evidences of a divine interposition1 and whether some important consequences were not likely to result from the proposed connexion3 ,and now1 if you will deal kindly and truly with my master1 tell me2 if not1 tell me2 that ,i may turn to the right hand or to the left4 ,in all this the very spirit of his master is conspicuous in the servant2 he had not lived with ,abraham in vain2 a similar fear of ,god was before his eyes1 and the same solicitude to fulfil the duties of his station2 he could not eat1 he could not drink1 till he had disburdened his full heart1 and ascertained the probability of success in his important mission4 ,every servant may here take a lesson of fidelity to his master on earth1 and every servant of ,christ especially1 who sustains the ministerial character1 may see a fine specimen of the ardour1 energy1 and affection with which it becomes him to execute his high commission4 ,this delicate service upon which ,abraham's servant was sent to ,nahor1 was honourably discharged2 but how much more he that winneth souls is wise6 ,what could the friends of ,rebekah say to the appeal they had heard8 ,laban and ,bethuel were overwhelmed4 ,there was a mysterious singularity in the whole train of circumstances1 calculated to impress the most indifferent and superficial mind1 and they bowed to the interposing wisdom of the ,supreme ,disposer4 ,as soon as the solemn feeling produced by such an extraordinary narrative was sufficiently regulated to permit them to speak1 they joined in expressions of devout acknowledgment and submissive consent2 ,the thing proceedeth from the ,lord2 we cannot speak unto thee bad or good4 ,behold1 ,rebekah is before thee2 take her and go1 and let her be thy master's son's wife1 as the ,lord hath spoken4 ,this was a moment of exquisite satisfaction2 but whence did it originate8 ,not surely so much in worldly as in religious considerations4 ,the period was arrived1 that anxious period to the parent1 for the marriage of his lovely ,rebekah2 and now he was satisfied with the disposal of her to a distant relation4 ,a worldly mind would have rejoiced indeed in the outward suitability of the match1 but especially in the flattering prospect of great possessions which it presented4 ,these inferior views too generally and too exclusively influence matrimonial alliances2 the hearts both of the young and the aged are captivated by the splendours of life1 as if they necessarily secured the possession of real happiness1 or as if they could compensate for the absence of those mental and moral qualities which can alone constitute the basis of substantial comfort4 ,but in the present instance1 whatever pleasure might be lawfully derived from the assurances which were given of the opulence of ,abraham1 and from the endearing circumstance of the already existing relationship between the two families1 it was the perception of a ,providence1 superintending and guiding the whole arrangement1 that occasioned these most delightful feelings2 it was not an idolatrous1 but a pious connexion1 and ,god had given the most striking indications of his will4 ,let parents remember1 that with whatever temporal prosperities they may connect their beloved daughters1 there is no security for permanent happiness without real religion2 and let children consider1 that if the fear of ,god do not possess their own breasts1 and influence their matrimonial choice1 the delirium of pleasure will soon be past1 and a sense of inexpressible vacuity be left behind4 ,the world is a gay deceiver1 and life a fleeting dream2 the mists of illusion which gather over the morning of existence1 gradually disappear as the day advances2 and this imagined scene of enchantment1 this fairy-land of pleasure subsides into the reality of a thorny wilderness4 ,the only preparation for such a change1 is a piety which seeks its happiness on high1 and knows that no earthly condition can form a paradise without the presence of the blessed ,god4 ,the faithful servant1 having adored the divine goodness for thus evidently prospering his way1 gave suitable presents to this happy family2 jewels of silver1 and jewels of gold1 and raiment1 were presented to the young and beautiful bride elect1 and precious things to her mother and brother3 after this he could eat1 necessary food being sweetened by temporal and spiritual blessings4 ,the next morning1 faithful to his commission1 and eager to return1 he presses for a dismission1 to which we need not wonder that the brother and mother object1 requiring him to remain at least ten days3 still he urges his request1 and pleads that the ,lord had prospered his way3 but how natural is their reluctance to part in a moment from so dear a daughter1 never perhaps to see her face again6 ,they at length agree to defer the decision of the affair to herself3 ,rebekah1 with all the frankness so remarkable in her whole deportment1 instantly replied1 ,i will go4 ,it may appear mysterious1 that when her parents pleaded only for a few days1 when modesty would even seem to have dictated a little delay2 and when filial tenderness must have powerfully resisted so sudden and immediate a departure1 that she should express so prompt a compliance1 without even stipulating for a single day4 ,something perhaps may be justly imputed to the times1 but far more to the religious state of her own mind2 a sense of duty overwhelmed a feeling of reluctance1 together with every inferior consideration4 ,she was doubtless in the habit of daily intercourse with ,god1 and in fervent prayer had sought divine direction3 she saw an overruling providence--,god was in the affair--his finger1 visible to the eye of faith1 pointed out the way in which she should go1 and with unhesitating obedience she confessed her readiness to part with all the felicities of home to seek a distant alliance1 at the voice of that sovereign ,power to whom she committed her future destiny4 ,flattering as the scene before her must have appeared to a mere worldly eye1 the sacrifices she made at this moment of compliance were certainly most considerable4 ,what could have led to such an answer1 when standing between the tears1 the tenderness1 the entreaties of parental and fraternal affection1 and the urgency of a mere stranger1 the servant too of her future house--but a faith which overcame the world1 and dictated her holy resolution8 ,heaven appointed her journey1 and nature pleaded in vain4 ,to every reader we recommend the noble principle which actuated this young heroine4 ,let inclination bow to a sense of duty--let ,god be obeyed rather than man--let not only authority be resisted1 but even the fondest endearments sacrificed to the divine requirements4 ,apply this principle to a higher occasion1 and remember that the ,son of ,god has declared1 ,if any man come to me1 and hate not his father1 and mother1 and wife1 and children1 and brethren1 and sisters1 yea1 and his own life also1 he cannot be my disciple2 and whosoever doth not bear his cross and come after me1 cannot be my disciple4 ,how tender1 how affectionate is the parting scene6 ,how the heart speaks in every word6 ,the whole group seems placed before our eyes2 and we witness the tears that flow1 the sighs that heave each bosom2 we seem to hear the faltering yet fond accent1 in which the dear forsaken family pronounce the last benediction1 ,thou art our sister2 be thou the mother of thousands of millions1 and let thy seed possess the gate of those which hate them4 ,behold ,rebekah1 quitting the scene of her infancy and youth2 ,painful was the sacrifice1 but pleasant the service3 a thousand objects would revive the remembrance of past occupations and occurrences2 a thousand circumstances rush into her memory2 her susceptible mind would often retrace the scenes once so familiar1 now to be abandoned for ever2 affection would often recal the names of ,bethuel and ,laban1 and filial tenderness would weep at the thought of maternal anxiety4 ,she was about to commit her happiness to the disposal of another--to form another connexion--to seek another home--the young plant was removed by ,providence to take root in a new soil and situation4 ,this is always a moment of trial1 and in the usual manner of estimating life1 an experiment of doubtful issue2 but he who commits his way to the ,lord1 and leans not to his own understanding1 but at the call of duty1 in the spirit of prayer1 dissolves or forms connections1 may reasonably hope for the blessing which maketh rich in all the essentials of happiness4 ,young people6 venture not upon a single step without a previous application for guidance to the throne of grace1 lest by inconsideration and rashness you forfeit the favours you might have secured by piety4 ,at your eventful period of life the transactions of one day are likely to affect the welfare many succeeding years2 and if you would reap a future harvest of joy1 you must sow in present tears and prayers4 ,no incident of the journey is mentioned till the cavalcade was nearly arrived at ,hebron2 they then saw a person walking in a thoughtful attitude2 and ,rebekah1 suspecting probably that he might be one of the household establishment of ,abraham1 inquired of the servant1 ,what man is this that walketh in the field to meet us8 ,the servant informed her that it was his young master1 the son of ,abraham2 he was come into the field for the purposes of meditation and prayer4 ,she instantly took a veil and covered herself1 alighting from the camel4 ,this was done in compliance with the usages of the times1 as a part of the ceremonial belonging to the presentation of a bride to her intended husband3 the eastern brides are generally veiled in a particular manner upon such occasions4 ,this custom seems at once expressive of female modesty and subjection4 ,isaac appears to have avoided addressing her when he perceives the veil1 but taking the servant aside1 he learns from his mouth the long and pleasing tale of every circumstance in his journey2 he participates the general feeling1 and with emotions of gratitude and gladness conducts his ,rebekah into the tent of ,sarah1 whose loss he had so deeply regretted1 that now for the first time1 he was comforted respecting it4 ,after the customary mode1 ,rebekah became his wife1 and he loved her4 #af ,peace be to that dwelling1 the residence of a dutiful son and a tender husband--a kind1 generous1 open-hearted1 pious wife6 ,dear were the ties of nature which united them1 but still dearer the bonds of religion6 ,it was a day they never could forget--it was a friendship that could never be dissolved6 ,what could be wanting to complete their bliss8 ,approving friends1 reciprocal attachment1 concurring providences1 smiling heaven1 sanctioned the proceeding4 ,at present their cup was full to the brim--not a bitter ingredient mingled in the portion4 ,but while we congratulate their situation1 let us imitate their example2 and if we would participate a similar felicity1 cherish a similar spirit3 we may be fully assured that real piety will sweeten the pleasures and possessions of life2 it may even prevent1 and will certainly sanctify1 disappointments4 ,we are1 however1 easily misled2 looking only at the outward appearance1 7and in general little more can be known of the history of families17 it is common to fancy the prosperous1 and persons of the greatest connections1 really possessed of the most abundant share of happiness4 ,in some cases every earthly good seems to be the allotted portion1 and we are ready to imagine that sorrow has found no means of access1 no door of admission3 but a very slight knowledge of the world is sufficient to ascertain that there is a crook in every lot1 and that this world is not the destined abode of unmingled enjoyment4 ,this remark is exemplified in the history of ,isaac and ,rebekah4 ,twenty years elapsed1 and they had no children3 this must have been a severe affliction1 not only because at that period a general hope of being connected with the ,messiah led all pious persons to be solicitous of a family1 but because ,isaac was the son of promise1 the multiplication of his seed was distinctly recorded1 and he had formed his matrimonial connection in the fear of ,god4 ,as he partook of the trial1 he seems to have been endowed with the spirit of his illustrious father2 though he lived childless1 he did not cherish despondency1 but entreated the ,lord for his wife1 which was the only effectual means of procuring the blessing4 ,sidenote3 ,years before ,christ1 #ahcf4 ,his prayer was heard2 but this new favour was attended with unusual anxieties1 which proved signs of future events4 ,she ultimately bore twins1 of which the elder was destined to serve the younger4 ,as names were usually given in reference to the circumstances attending the birth of children1 so ,esau signified red1 in allusion to his colour1 and ,jacob signified the supplanter4 ,esau1 and his posterity the ,edomites1 were of a sanguinary disposition1 and peculiarly hostile to ,israel2 ,jacob supplanted his brother in the birthright2 ,esau was a cunning hunter1 a man of the field2 ,jacob1 a a plain man1 dwelling in tents4 ,from the earliest period of their lives we may trace the existence of those partialities in the two parents which have so frequently disquieted the otherwise most harmonious families4 ,the ,scriptures assign a particular cause for the fondness which ,isaac cherished for ,esau1 which seems a most lamentable weakness in so venerable a man3 it arose from his eating of his venison2 for he was given to the indulgence of his appetite4 ,surely when we observe how the greatest of men have been guilty of some of the most unaccountable littleness1 it should awaken us to holy jealousy over ourselves1 and induce us to establish a system of constant1 laborious1 and impartial self-inspection4 ,the occasion of ,rebekah's partiality is not distinctly recorded2 it might possibly have originated in his being more domestic1 and attentive to herself4 #ag ,the usual effects resulted from these partialities3 ,isaac was blind to the sins of his son1 who soon pursued a course of conduct that occasioned both his parents the deepest grief2 while ,rebekah's fondness involved herself and her favourite child in the greatest criminality4 ,sidenote3 ,years before ,christ1 #agej4 ,having attained an advanced period of life1 and becoming conscious of increasing infirmities1 ,isaac took measures to convey the patriarchal benediction and the blessings of the covenant to his posterity4 ,with this view he called his eldest son1 and in accents of fondness requested him to go and procure him that savoury kind of food to which he was so partial2 after which he expressed his intention of pronouncing the blessing1 and thus securing for him1 as he imagined1 the mercies of the ,abrahamic covenant4 ,overhearing this conversation1 ,rebekah thinks of her favourite son1 and instantly devises a plan to supersede his elder brother4 ,this was1 indeed1 conformable to the determination of ,providence2 but is no justification of her sinful policy4 ,if it were even her intention to accomplish the divine promises1 the plea would not vindicate her doing evil1 that good might come4 ,her object being to countervail the design of her husband1 she instantly commences a system of manoeuvring to carry her point4 ,we must consider her now as under a particular temptation1 and evidently acting inconsistently with the natural ingenuousness of her character1 no less than with the principles of her religion4 ,the proper course would have been that of persuasion1 entreaty1 or remonstrance2 but under the apprehension that ,isaac's extravagant attachment to his darling child would render this unavailable1 she deviates at once from the path of rectitude to gain her purpose4 ,it is most unfortunate when the heads of families are influenced by opposite wishes1 and refuse a fair1 candid exposition of their own views to each other4 ,confidence is the basis of friendship1 and in no case should be cherished with more assiduous care than in domestic life4 ,active in the execution of a scheme she had so promptly devised1 ,rebekah states to ,jacob all that had passed between his father and his elder brother2 proposing1 or rather commanding him to go to the flock with all possible despatch1 and fetch two kids of the goats2 and ,i1 says she1 will make them savoury meat for thy father1 such as he loveth2 and thou shall bring it to thy father1 that he may eat1 and that he may bless thee before his death4 ,jacob hesitates--not1 however1 as we could have wished1 at the execution of the plan2 but solely because he is apprehensive of its failing1 and producing unhappy consequences4 ,jacob was pacified by his mother's offer to run all hazards1 and incur the whole responsibility of the transaction4 ,she reiterates her request with all the fervour that a better cause should have inspired2 and has not long to wait in a state of irksome suspense1 before the favourite of her excessive affection returns with the kids4 ,not a moment is to be lost--every thing is put in requisition--the savoury meat is soon prepared4 ,the hunter's speed is outstripped by management and artifice--in vain he toils over the lengthening field4 ,jacob is introduced1 by his mother1 into ,isaac's apartment1 clothed in the goodly raiment of ,esau1 covered on the more exposed parts of the body with the skins of the kids1 to make him resemble his hairy brother2 and presents the food with due formality and dissembling eagerness to the blind old patriarch4 ,some suspicions1 however1 are awakened--,who is it8--,i am ,esau1 thy first-born4--,how can this be--how quickly thou hast returned8--,the young man blushes and trembles--but he must either confess or persevere--there was no alternative--the mother's eyes probably intimated that he must persist in his deception4 ,awful to relate6 he ascribes his good success1 personating ,esau1 to the ,lord4 ,isaac pursues other measures to obtain satisfaction4 ,his voice appears altered1 and he begs to feel his son--the falsehood silences1 but does not satisfy him4 ,at length1 he is persuaded--he blesses him1 and eats the venison4 ,though the dupe of atrocious artifice1 ,isaac is1 nevertheless1 under supernatural direction1 and was afterwards unable to revoke his benediction4 ,but what did ,rebekah gain by this detestable contrivance8 ,she saw1 indeed1 her favourite son inheriting the blessing2 but this would have descended upon him without her interference1 according to the predeterminations of ,providence4 ,she saw also a just recrimination upon her deceit on the part of observant ,heaven4 ,the original dislike of the two brothers was kindled into a raging flame4 ,esau burned with indignation at being thus cajoled1 and resolved to avail himself of the day of mourning for his father1 to satiate his resentment in his brother's blood3 and ,rebekah1 to save both their lives1 was obliged to send her guilty1 but favourite son1 to a distance4 ,thus were the latter days of both the parents imbittered by their indiscreet and criminal partialities6 ,after the departure of ,jacob1 the fond mother becomes not merely solicitous for his safety1 but anxious respecting his future conduct4 ,she reflects on the temptation to form an idolatrous alliance to which he might become exposed1 unchecked by parental authority1 and under circumstances which would naturally induce him to seek a shelter from the storm of adversity in the bosom of conjugal endearment4 ,if the language of ,rebekah1 upon this occasion1 be tinctured with impatience1 we cannot but feel gratified to see it founded upon religious sentiment4 ,and ,rebekah said to ,isaac1 ,i am weary of my life1 because of the daughters of ,heth3 if ,jacob take a wife of the daughters of ,heth1 such as these which are of the daughters of the land1 what good shall my life do to me8 ,we are unwilling to part with ,rebekah precisely at this point of her history2 but here it is that the sacred narrative drops her name4 ,it is written1 however1 we doubt not1 on the imperishable pages of another volume1 which is emphatically styled1 the ,lamb's book of life4 ,this abrupt termination suggests1 amongst other considerations1 the truth of the narrative4 ,if it had been the purpose of the writer to exhibit the subject of his story to the admiration of posterity1 or to display his own powers1 rather than to represent fact or record instructive biography1 he would have carefully avoided whatever tended to diminish the interest of the whole1 and give it an unfinished appearance4 ,by concealing some of the more unsightly parts of the picture1 and by rendering prominent others of a more attractive character1 he might have contrived to accomplish an effect1 though at the expense of truth and reality4 ,but the sentiments and prepossessions of the writer disappear from the narrative of ,scripture4 ,there is no effort to conceal any facts which may be supposed to weaken the general impression1 or to introduce explanatory or encomiastic statements which may be thought to strengthen and enhance it4 ,in every page1 in every sentence1 it is apparent that the great object is instruction1 and not amusement4 ,the historian has no private views--no partialities--no misconceptions--the pen of inspiration is dipped in the fountain of truth1 and holy men of ,god spake as they were moved by the ,holy ,ghost4 ,let the sad inconsistencies which disgrace the closing part of ,rebekah's history1 awaken every reader to a just sense of the importance of a persevering uniformity of character4 ,it is of great consequence1 that we adorn the religion we profess1 and that our light shine more and more--that we grow in grace as we advance in years1 and that we do not resemble the changing wind or the inconstant wave4 ,let us improve the failure and irregularity of others to the purpose of self-examination2 and1 while we neither extenuate nor aggravate their faults1 aim to avoid them4 ,we have enough to encourage1 yet sufficient to caution us1 ,a life of unblemished piety is almost as rare an occurrence1 as a day of unclouded brightness2 but many such adorn the annals of the church1 and the grace of ,god is fully competent to multiply their number4 ,miriam4 ,chapter ,,vi4 ,proceedings of the new ,king of ,egypt--,birth of ,moses--,conduct of ,miriam--,preservation of ,moses--,escape of ,israel--,miriam's ,zeal in celebrating the ,event--her ,character formed by early advantages--,contrasted with ,michal--she engages with ,aaron in a ,plot against ,moses--,god observes it--,trial--,punishment of ,leprosy inflicted upon ,miriam--her ,cure--dies at ,kadesh--general ,remarks on ,slander--debasing ,nature of ,sin--,hope of escaping ,punishment fallacious--,danger of opposing ,christ--,exhortation to imitate the ,temper of ,moses4 ,the family of ,amram was distinguished by a very striking peculiarity4 ,all the three younger branches of which it consisted1 ,aaron1 ,moses1 and ,miriam1 because eminent in ancient ,israel4 ,their history is considerably intermingled2 but the latter1 from the design of this work1 will claim our chief attention4 ,sidenote3 ,years before ,christ #aega4 ,sixty-four years had elapsed from the death of ,joseph1 when the new king over ,egypt1 influenced by an ill-founded jealousy of the ,israelites1 adopted one of those measures to which weak and wicked princes are sometimes excited by an unhappy combination of bad counsel1 and mean-spirited perverseness4 ,instead of regarding this people1 who had been prodigiously multiplied by a series of unexampled prosperities1 as the most valuable portion of his subjects1 and the best security to his crown2 this ,pharaoh was jealous of their strength1 and determined to weaken it by a course of systematic oppression4 ,this he called dealing wisely with them2 whereas it would have been infinitely wiser1 even upon principles of mere political prudence1 to say nothing of justice and humanity1 to have conciliated by kind treatment1 rather than have exasperated by barbarous exactions1 six hundred thousand of his subjects6 ,his plan was1 in the first place1 to set over them taskmasters1 to afflict them with extraordinary burdens2 but1 to his extreme mortification1 the more they afflicted them1 the more they multiplied and grew4 ,still his obstinacy did not permit the least relaxation of that rigorous discipline he had imposed3 although1 while he imbittered their lives1 he failed of promoting his own interest4 ,disappointment exasperated his malignity2 and he issued orders to certain ,hebrew women1 of whom ,shiphrah and ,puah are named as the principal in their office1 to destroy every male child that should be born4 ,they ventured1 however1 to disobey this mandate2 the fear of ,god not allowing them to commit murder1 though enjoined to do so by royal authority4 ,the king called them to an account for their disobedience1 and charged all his people1 saying1 ,every son that is born ye shall cast into the river1 and every daughter ye shall save alive4 ,when we have such an awful display of the excess of human passions1 that fearful band of banditti that is for ever disturbing the peace of society1 it should inspire us with holy solicitude to suppress the first emotions of sin in our hearts1 and to aspire after the dignity and the bliss of dominion over ourselves4 ,alas6 how many who have been victorious over foreign powers1 could never achieve this nobler conquest of internal depravity6 ,the command of ,pharaoh to his too tractable slaves1 introduces us to the story of the birth and preservation of ,moses4 ,his mother--unenviable name in this sad season of calamity6--his weeping mother1 by a thousand schemes1 such as maternal fondness and ingenuity would naturally devise to save the little darling of her heart1 contrived to conceal this goodly child for the space of three months2 but finding it impossible to hide him any longer1 she took him--and with what feelings1 say1 ye tender-hearted mothers6--to the river ,nile4 --,a dealing parent lives ,in many lives2 through many a nerve she feels2 ,from child to child the quick affections spread1 ,for ever wand'ring1 yet for ever fix'd4 ,nor does division weaken1 nor the force ,of constant operation e'er exhaust ,parental love4 ,all other passions change ,with changing circumstances2 rise or fall1 ,dependent on their object2 claim returns2 ,live on reciprocation1 and expire1 ,unfed by hope4 ,a mother's fondness reigns1 ,without a rival1 and without an end4 ,h4 ,,more4 ,miriam1 an interesting actor upon this occasion1 accompanied her mother4 ,willing to adopt every possible expedient1 even at this last extremity1 the afflicted parent had prepared a little boat of bulrushes1 which grew plentifully on the bank2 and1 making it water-proof by the use of pitch and tar1 she put the child into it1 committed it to the uncertain elements1 and retired from the heart-rending scene4 ,poor ,miriam1 his sister1 supposed to be at this time about ten or twelve years of age1 was placed at a distance to watch the event4 ,dear little sentinel6 what heart can refuse to pity thy sad employment6 who does not sympathize with thy sorrow1 and begin to mourn with thee for thy anticipated bereavement6 ,imagination listens to strains which seem to strike upon the ear of distant ages3 ,the flags and sea-weeds will awhile sustain ,their precious load1 but it must sink ere long2 ,sweet bade1 farewell6 ,yet think not ,i will leave thee4 ,no1 ,i will watch thee1 till the greedy waves ,devour thy little bark4 ,the dispensations of ,providence are indeed considerably diversified2 but at what an early period does affliction familiarize itself1 even with the happiest family6 ,behold ,moses1 in his cradle of bulrushes1 exposed to the waters and the crocodiles of the ,nile6 ,behold his little sister at some distance1 participating the cares of her mother1 and already at the outset of life deluged with a storm of grief4 ,she had learned to love the babe--she had fondled it1 and felt the kindlings of sisterly affection--and at an age just sufficiently advanced to realize something of the nature and extent of her loss1 the new-born infant is torn from her heart by the hands of sanguinary violence4 ,it was because he was a ,hebrew child4 ,his danger1 and the distress of ,miriam and her mother1 arose from their belonging to the persecuted ,israelites2 but with all their disadvantages in this unfriendly world1 let the children of pious parents rejoice1 even amidst their tribulations and reproaches1 in being connected with the people of ,god4 ,it is an honour which1 however at present overlooked1 will hereafter be fully appreciated1 both by those who have desired and those who have despised it6 ,at this juncture1 the daughter of ,pharaoh1 to whom ,josephus has given the name of ,thurmutis1 came down with her maidens to the river-side2 and perceiving the frame of bulrushes1 sent her servant to fetch it4 ,upon opening it the little stranger wept4 ,her heart was touched with compassion1 and she said1 ,this is one of the ,hebrew children4 ,miriam1 all observant and alert1 seized the happy moment1 introduced herself1 or perhaps she was called by the royal lady2 but dexterously contrived to propose her going to call a ,hebrew nurse to nourish and rear it as her adopted child4 ,divinely influenced by him who has all hearts in his hands1 and moves them by his secret touch1 she consents2 and who should the well-instructed young messenger bring1 but the babe's own mother6 ,pharaoh's daughter intrusted the adopted stranger to her care1 and pays her for a service which she would willingly have rendered even at the hazard of her life4 ,the child grew1 and1 from the expression of the sacred historian1 appears to have become a favourite with this illustrious princess4 ,and she called his name ,moses2 and she said1 ,because ,i drew him out of the water4 ,such is the story1 which needs none of the ,rabbinical embellishments to make it additionally interesting or wonderful4 ,miriam is next introduced to us upon an occasion the most remarkable that ever occurred in the history of the world4 ,miracle after miracle had been performed by the instrumentality of ,moses1 ere the infatuated king of ,egypt could be persuaded to dismiss the children of ,israel2 and no sooner had he given his consent to their removal1 than taking an immense army he pursued them to their encampment1 which was by the sea1 beside ,pihahiroth1 before ,baal-,zephon4 ,the terrified fugitives complained to their leader1 who presented fervent supplications to ,heaven for their deliverance4 ,the ear of mercy heard2 he was commanded to take his rod1 and stretch it over the waters1 upon the assurance that they should instantly divide1 and present a dry channel1 over which they might safely pass4 ,awed by a divine ,sidenote3 ,years before ,christ1 #adia4 power the retiring waves became a wall of defence on either side1 while the pillar of a cloud guided their adventurous march4 ,during the night1 the ,egyptian and ,israelitish armies were kept asunder1 in consequence of the cloud affording a miraculous light to the one1 and shedding disastrous darkness upon the other4 ,pharaoh1 obdurate and furious1 led on his troops into the new-formed channel2 and already by anticipation seized in the grasp of his mighty malice1 the prey which he intended to tear and devour4 ,and it came to pass1 that in the morning-watch the ,lord looked upon the host of the ,egyptians through the pillar of fire and of the cloud1 and troubled the host of the ,egyptians1 and took off their chariot-wheels1 that they drave heavily3 so that the ,egyptians said1 ,let us flee from the face of ,israel3 for the ,lord fighteth for them against the ,egyptians4 ,and the ,lord said unto ,moses1 ,stretch out thine hand over the sea1 that the waters may come again upon the ,egyptians1 upon their ,chariots1 and upon their horsemen4 ,and ,moses stretched forth his hand over the sea1 and the sea returned to his strength when the morning appeared2 and the ,egyptians fled against it2 and the ,lord overthrew the ,egyptians in the midst of the sea4 ,and the waters returned1 and covered the chariots1 and horsemen1 and all the host of ,pharaoh that came into the sea after them2 there remained not so much as one of them4 ,what a scene did the light of morning exhibit to ,israel6 ,pharaoh's chariots1 his chosen captains1 and all his host1 had perished2 the depths had covered them1 they sank into the bottom as a stone4 ,but1 as if the waters refused to harbour even the bodies of these enemies of the people of ,god1 they were no sooner drowned than thrown1 by the indignant billows1 upon the sea-shore4 ,see their ranks broken1 their persons disfigured1 their glory for ever extinguished6 ,their unburied and unpitied remains proclaim how fearful a thing it is to fall into the hands of ,god1 and how dangerous it is to venture upon touching his people1 which is1 in effect1 touching the apple of his eye4 ,anxious to celebrate so miraculous a victory1 a victory achieved without a battle1 and by the special interposal of an omnipotent arm1 ,moses composed that celebrated song of thanksgiving which is recorded in the fifteenth chapter of the book of ,exodus4 ,it is remarkable1 not only on account of its intrinsic excellency1 but as being composed six hundred and forty-seven years before the birth of ,homer1 the best of heathen poets1 and1 therefore1 the most ancient piece of poetical composition in the world4 ,it is characterized by the beauty and boldness of its imagery1 the strength of its language1 and the piety of its sentiments4 ,if brought into comparison with the finest specimens of human genius that have since delighted mankind1 its superiority must instantly be established4 ,according to the practice of the age1 ,miriam1 with whom we are particularly concerned at present1 appeared at the head of the women to congratulate ,israel upon this splendid event1 in responsive strains and dances4 ,she was anxious only to aid the universal joy1 and express in every possible manner her accordance of sentiment with that of her two illustrious brothers1 ,moses and ,aaron1 and the thousands of ,israel4 ,happy was it for ,miriam1 that1 instead of leading the unhallowed and prostituted festivities of heathen gods1 she was educated in the ,jews' religion2 and1 from infancy to maturer years1 had been taught to sing the praises of the great ,i ,,am6 ,nor did she merely mingle her undistinguishable notes of joy with her country-women and her nation2 but1 from the ardour of her zeal1 and the general superiority of her character1 she took the lead in these devotional raptures4 ,her early advantages1 and her pious connexions1 had contributed essentially to the formation of her future character4 ,they not only contributed to impress a holy bias upon her mind1 but to prepare and mould her into that characteristic pre-eminence1 by which she occupied so conspicuous a station among the ,israelites1 and was ranked with their two illustrious leaders4 #ah ,what might not be anticipated from the singular concurrence of such means in her favour8 ,she was the sister of a man who refused the honours of a court1 and perhaps of a crown1 to incur a voluntary degradation with the afflicted people of ,god2 and with him she enjoyed a familiar and incessant intercourse4 ,she had1 besides1 received her earliest lessons in the school of adversity1 and was become an eminent proficient in sacred knowledge4 ,let us duly appreciate1 but be cautious of overrating1 the advantage of religious education4 ,it did not necessarily follow1 from the means which ,providence so amply and so graciously dispensed to ,miriam1 that she should become a truly religious person1 much less that she should acquire such distinction in ,israel2 but while we gratefully admit1 that good instruction is calculated to effect the best results1 and will commonly produce them1 it does not infallibly secure the end2 nor can it at any time prove available1 independently of the blessing of ,god4 ,with the use of that system of means which is established in the providential arrangements of ,heaven1 his concurring sanction may be expected2 although1 to show the impotency of mere means1 and to fulfil the secret purposes of the divine government1 they are sometimes totally inefficient4 ,it was the privilege of ,miriam to be born an ,israelite1 and to have pious relatives2 and it is our advantage to live in an age1 and to be born in a country1 blessed with the pure light of the ,christian revelation4 ,but religion is personal in its nature2 and unless our advantages be improved1 it is in vain that we have possessed them4 ,providence may give us ,abraham for our father1 and impenitence may incur perdition for our portion6 ,it was to the most distinguished1 and to the most boasting of the ,jewish fraternity1 that ,jesus ,christ afterward declared1 ,i know you1 that ye have not the love of ,god in you4 ,the conduct of ,miriam1 on the triumphal occasion already mentioned1 exhibits a striking contrast to that of ,michal1 the daughter of ,saul1 when at a subsequent period1 the ark of ,god was brought from the house of ,obed-edom into the city of ,david4 ,harps1 psalteries1 timbrels1 cornets1 cymbals1 and all kinds of musical instruments1 were put in requisition upon that interesting day2 and ,david disarraying himself of the dress of royalty1 and substituting the lighter linen vestment of the priest1 danced before the ark in a devout ecstacy4 ,but ,michal1 instead of uniting in the shouts of universal gladness1 and extolling her husband's humility and zeal1 addressed him in this taunting language1 ,how glorious was the king of ,israel to-day1 who uncovered himself to-day in the eyes of the handmaids of his servants1 as one of the vain fellows shamelessly uncovereth himself6 ,from ,david's vindication of his behaviour1 and from the punishment inflicted on this inconsiderate woman1 we perceive how little capable irreligious characters are of estimating the nature and value of those extraordinary acts of piety1 for which eminent saints have been always distinguished2 and how displeasing to ,god is their proneness to vilify those whom they ought rather to admire4 ,in the present instance1 however1 ,miriam inspires the song1 and leads the dance1 vying with the other sex in expressions of praise1 and recognizing with equal joy an interposing ,providence4 ,while ,moses exclaims1 ,i will sing unto the ,lord2 ,miriam1 with no tardy zeal1 utters the responsive and animating strain1 ,sing ye to the ,lord1 for he hath triumphed gloriously1 the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea4 ,union in religious exercises is conducive to holy pleasure1 and no sight can he more gratifying than that of brethren and sisters engaging with heart and voice in the praises of ,god4 ,within the small circle of a single family1 what a considerable portion of happiness--such as the world cannot possibly supply--is dispensed1 when every heart is in tune to devotion1 and no discordant sympathies blend with the universal feeling of pious delight4 ,it resembles a young plantation1 which the gentle gales of the south bend in the same direction--all under the same divine influence1 all tending to the same point4 ,but never had witnessing spirits before beheld such a scene on earth1 as that of a whole nation assembled to celebrate the praises of ,jehovah--never till the day of deliverance from the ,red ,sea1 had they before listened to such acclamations as those of all the tribes and tongues of the thousands of ,israel united in one general1 instantaneous1 and harmonious song4 ,now a world1 which having been characterized by its apostacy1 was marked by signs of displeasure--a world from which only a few notes of holy praise1 a few strains of sincere devotion1 had ascended to heaven from individual saints during the long course of more than two thousand five hundred years--seemed beginning to redeem its character2 and rise to the dignity of serving ,god6 ,if blessed spirits were not permitted to break silence1 and mingle their congratulations with man1 as they did when incarnate mercy descended to ,bethlehem1 who can doubt the reality of their sympathy and satisfaction1 when the songs of ,moses and ,miriam were thus emulating the song of the ,lamb8 ,faith travels onward to a future and still happier day1 when every redeemed individual1 from amongst men1 shall be permitted to utter his voice in the great chorus of eternity1 in which the millions of the human race1 who have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the ,lamb1 shall unite with the unfallen universe in the praises of ,heaven4 ,by the visions of the apocalypse1 we are admitted to a view of the employments of that celestial state1 and the very prospect of it is highly calculated to kindle a warm devotion4 ,how truly trifling do all the pursuits of time appear to the exercises and enjoyments of happy beings around the throne1 who1 elevated above this mortal sphere1 behold the unveiled glories of ,god and the ,lamb1 and drink immortal bliss from the fountain of living waters4 ,the many angels round about the throne1 and the living creatures and elders1 whose number is ten thousand times ten thousand1 and thousands of thousands1 are represented as uniting in the same immortal song1 adoring the same ,lord1 and celebrating the same redemption4 ,it is thus--exhilarating anticipation6--the devotions of time will expand into the songs of eternity2 thus the services of earth issue in the raptures of heaven6 ,the course of the history of ,israel at length introduces us to a very different1 but perhaps a no less instructive scene4 ,miriam must not only be contemplated in a new1 but unpleasing light4 ,hitherto she had been the coadjutor of her brother ,moses1 but now becomes his opponent1 pursuing a line of conduct1 in consequence of indulging a guilty passion1 which usually produces the most deplorable effects1 and which we cannot but lament should have been so conspicuous in this illustrious woman4 ,the circumstance alluded to is recorded1 with the characteristic fidelity of the inspired historians1 in the twelfth chapter of the book of ,numbers4 ,wrath is cruel1 and anger is outrageous2 but who is able to stand before ,envy8 ,to this latter principle must be attributed the plot in which both ,aaron and ,miriam engaged to diminish the reputation of ,moses4 ,this was not indeed the ostensible reason1 but it was their real design2 and occasioned the severe1 but just chastisement which was immediately inflicted4 ,seldom do any of the baser passions act without combining and blending themselves with hypocritical pretences1 in order to conceal from view their own hateful deformity4 ,this will be found particularly the case1 when they prevail in persons who have acquired respectability and influence1 and who are not given over to total blindness and hardness of heart4 ,artifice may sometimes conduce to success1 but it usually betrays character4 ,aaron and ,miriam spake against ,moses1 but not to him4 ,if they had observed any thing objectionable in his administration of public affairs1 it would have been candid1 fair1 and kind1 to have taken a private opportunity for expostulation or inquiry4 ,not only was he extremely accessible1 but they were his relatives1 and in habits of daily intimacy and communication4 ,they knew him well1 and saw him often4 ,such a conduct would have done them honour1 and although their surmises had proved incorrect1 ,moses would have applauded their ingenuousness4 ,but1 alas6 these dear relatives1 and otherwise good and great characters1 had become envious of their brother2 and acting conformably to the invariable meanness of such a spirit1 they secretly circulated reports in the camp tending to disparage his excellence1 for the purpose of advancing their own pretensions to popular estimation4 ,their arrogance is sufficiently apparent from their words1 ,hath the ,lord indeed spoken ,,only by ,moses8 ,hath he not spoken ,,also by us6 ,can this be ,aaron8 ,can that be ,miriam8 ,the one the brother--the other the sister of ,moses8 ,persons too1 venerable for their years1 and for their office1 and only next in honour to the great legislator and leader of ,israel8 ,it may have comported with the ambition of a ,pagan to exclaim1 ,i had rather be the first man in a village1 than the second in a kingdom2 but is such language befitting the lips of saints and prophets of the true ,god8 ,was not ,aaron the person that sought the intercession of his brother when he had committed idolatry8 ,was he not consecrated a high priest unto ,god8 ,was not ,miriam his elder sister1 who acted so conspicuous a part in his early preservation1 watching his bulrush-cradle when exposed to the waves and the monsters of the ,nile8 ,was it not ,miriam that accompanied him in his prosperities1 that hailed his increasing glory1 that aided his triumphant songs when the ,egyptian army was submerged in the ,red ,sea8 and can ,miriam be envious8 ,strange infatuation6 ,but1 perhaps1 we are really censuring ourselves4 ,listen to the unbiassed voice of conscience4 ,does it not thunder in your ears1 ,thou art the man8 ,art thou insensible to its powerful and just remonstrances1 ,wherein thou judgest another1 thou condemnest thyself2 for thou that judgest doeth the same things8 ,o beware of this mean1 creeping1 reptile spirit6 ,persons in eminent stations may1 in a certain degree1 expect to suffer from the wiles of envy3 ,but to suffer from those of their own household1 and from persons on whose friendship they have had the greatest reason to rely1 must be peculiarly afflictive4 ,if it be possible to add one drop to the bitterness of such a portion1 it is by being envied1 and consequently depreciated1 by those who are associated in the same sacred office4 ,a remark upon this subject cannot be misplaced1 the history seems rather to claim it4 ,a mortal creature cannot be invested with a more important commission than that of the ministry of the word4 ,so highly did the apostle of the ,gentiles appreciate his work1 that1 gifted as he was in every requisite to discharge it with honour and success1 he exclaimed1 ,unto me1 who am less than the least of all saints1 is this grace given1 that ,i should preach amongst the ,gentiles the unsearchable riches of ,christ4 ,but if each heavenly ambassador be really convinced that he and his brethren are intrusted with an office at once so dignified in its nature1 so useful in its design1 so extensive in its duties1 that no one can adequately fulfil for himself what would be sufficient to expend the energies of an angel2 and that the combined exertions of all the preachers that ever have1 or ever will1 minister in holy things1 cannot wholly occupy the sphere of possible usefulness1 were every power of the mind1 and every moment of time1 made tributary to the service--if this were duly considered1 surely instead of envying1 depreciating1 and thwarting each other1 perfect love must prevail1 and mutual assistance be incessantly rendered4 ,the world is sufficiently disposed to reproach the servants of the sanctuary2 they should not undervalue each other4 ,nothing can exceed1 and no words can express1 the littleness of attempting to construct our own fame upon the ruins of others2 and when this temper exists1 as it sometimes unquestionably does1 amongst those who teach humility1 it is singularly detestable4 ,ministers of the divine word should be guardians of each other's reputation1 aware that the honour1 and in some degree the success of it depends upon the character of its publishers and representatives4 ,miriam and ,aaron should have been the last1 while1 such is human nature1 they were the first1 to envy ,moses6 ,mark the origin of those depreciating reports which they contrived to put in circulation4 ,they had taken some offence respecting ,zipporah1 his wife1 who is called the ,ethiopian woman4 ,the precise occasion of this offence cannot1 and need not1 be ascertained4 ,some have supposed it was on account of his having married her2 but as this had taken place forty years before1 and1 being perfectly legal1 could have furnished no just ground of crimination1 the probability is1 that some recent occurrence1 grounded perhaps on personal and long cherished antipathy1 produced a difference4 ,some private contention might have existed2 that ungovernable member1 the tongue1 had inflamed resentments2 and a revengeful spirit fastened the blame upon ,moses1 whose only offence was1 probably1 some meek and pacifying word4 ,but what connexion subsisted between the marriage of ,moses with an ,ethiopian woman1 and the pretentious of ,aaron and ,miriam to an equality with their illustrious brother8 ,truly1 none at all4 ,their conduct is a striking display1 not only of the virulence of envy1 but of the progress and resentful nature of anger4 ,it always wanders from its subject1 and ranges around for new materials upon which to operate4 ,it possesses the perverse capacity of converting every thing into an element of mischief1 of inventing circumstances and envenoming objections4 ,it seeks to enlist others into its services1 and to bring every thing into a confederacy against the peace of its object4 ,it is limited by no bounds1 and restrained by no considerations2 it will often1 like the exasperated judge of ,israel1 pull down ruin upon his own head1 for the sake of destroying others4 ,the present contention began about ,zipporah1 but it ended in ,moses himself4 ,it was1 perhaps1 at first1 a common-place strife2 but at length it assumed the shape of a settled hostility4 ,it was but a spark1 and if angry passions had not blown it1 soon it might have gone out2 imprudence and revenge raised and extended it into a vast conflagration4 ,family quarrels are1 of all other dissentions1 the most to be deprecated4 ,we should be careful to prevent them1 and if they occur1 take effectual and speedy measures for their extinction4 ,let us not be tenacious of our own opinions1 or determined upon practising our own plans4 ,it becomes the ,christian1 both for his own sake and for the interest of religion1 to make every possible sacrifice to peace4 ,pour the oil of gentleness upon the stormy billows of strife3 ever remembering that a brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city1 and their contentions are like the bars of a castle4 ,one expression in this narrative merits particular notice4 ,let the envious detractor tremble at the words1 the ,lord heard it4 ,it requires not the tone of thunder to penetrate the ear of ,god3 his omniscience perceives the secret whisperings of slander1 and even the inaudible and unexpressed surmises of a perverted mind4 ,moses may have been ignorant of the industrious malignity of his brother and ,miriam1 or disregardful of any intimations on the subject2 for a person of integrity is unwilling to believe1 without very compulsory evidence1 the dishonesty of others2 or1 if it cannot be discredited1 he will patiently pursue that course which will eventually place injured innocence in the point of complete vindication4 ,in this he resembled the great ,exemplar of every virtue of whom he was an eminent antitype1 and of whom it is recorded1 that when he was reviled1 he reviled not again1 but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously4 ,but whether ,moses did or did not hear1 or1 hearing1 disregarded the detractions of his nearest relatives1 ,god observed them1 and instantly came down to express his displeasure4 ,the two delinquents were summoned to the door of the tabernacle of the congregation1 with their much-injured brother3 the glory of the ,shekinah appeared1 and the solemn voice of the divine majesty issued from the cloud of his presence4 ,the superiority of ,moses was proclaimed1 and an unanswerable question proposed to them1 ,wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant ,moses8 ,as an indication of anger1 the symbolic cloud instantly removed from the tabernacle2 and ,miriam1 the most forward1 and perhaps the first in this transgression1 became leprous1 white as snow4 ,aaron was shocked at the sight1 and had immediate recourse to the man he had before so defamed1 humbly requesting him to pass over the sin they had perpetrated1 and entreating his powerful intercession with ,god on behalf of their afflicted sister4 ,moses1 obeying at once the impulse of humanity1 piety1 and fraternal attachment1 pleaded for her restoration4 ,he was graciously heard4 ,miriam was excluded from the camp only seven days1 during which the journeyings of ,israel were suspended1 to express the displeasure of ,god at their concurrence in her transgression1 and to show the kind intermixture of mercy with judgment in the divine proceedings4 ,after this1 the people removed from ,hazeroth1 and pitched in the wilderness of ,paran4 ,sidenote3 ,years before ,christ1 about #adea4 ,with this instructive story the history of ,miriam closes1 excepting the brief notice of her death at ,the encampment at ,kadesh1 where she was buried4 ,josephus relates1 that after interring her with great solemnity1 the people mourned for her a month4 ,this occurred in the fortieth year after the departure from ,egypt1 ,eusebius says1 that in his time her sepulchre was still to be seen at ,kadesh4 ,whether the imputation be true or false1 that women are particularly addicted to the vice of slander1 it cannot be deemed unsuitable to suggest a caution upon this subject4 ,character is a sacred thing1 and it is unworthy of you to trifle with it4 ,to sit in judgment upon others1 and to pronounce a hasty verdict upon actions which may be carelessly misrepresented1 or words1 if not intentionally1 yet heedlessly misquoted1 without affording an opportunity to the condemned individual to speak for himself1 is unjust in the extreme4 ,but how many excellent persons are made the butt of ridicule1 or tossed about as the playthings of a gossipping spirit1 which1 incapable of a direct charge1 gratifies its malignity by infusing calumnies into the too listening ear of prejudice4 ,an idle report is1 by this means1 magnified and circulated to an incalculable extent2 or the infirmities of excellent characters animadverted upon1 for no other purpose than to fill up the waste moments of a ceremonious visit4 ,women should assume their proper rank1 by aspiring to the dignity of rational intercourse2 and not degrade themselves1 and disquiet society1 by engaging in petty warfare against the reputation of others4 ,let what is termed religious conversation turn rather upon things than persons2 otherwise men in public station1 perhaps of equal though dissimilar excellence1 will be in danger of undue praise or excessive depreciation4 ,the favourite preacher will be unmercifully extolled1 and the unpopular one as cruelly degraded4 ,a clashing of opinion will be likely to produce rivalries1 and invigorate partialities2 till1 probably1 the effect of their respective labours is lost upon these fair but injudicious critics4 ,let young women1 especially1 take the hint1 and set a watch upon the door of their lips4 ,beware of indiscriminate censure1 or extravagant applause4 ,regard the ministers of the word as the servants of ,god4 ,receive instruction from their lips with all humility1 pray for their increasing wisdom1 and tenderly cherish their good name4 ,if a ,moses1 with all his excellencies1 seem to you to assume1 or in any respect to commit an error1 do not be the first to publish it abroad in the camp1 or to aggravate1 by misrepresentation1 a failing which is blended with such acknowledged worth4 ,remember1 it is as likely that you should be mistaken in your judgment1 as that he should be faulty in spirit or conduct2 and that if your detractions be not visited with an outward token of displeasure1 resembling the loathsome deformity of ,miriam1 which required a veil1 they render you most unlovely in the sight of ,god and man4 ,the tongue is a fire1 a world of iniquity3 so is the tongue amongst our members1 that it defileth the whole body1 and setteth on fire the course of nature1 and it is set on fire of hell4 ,for every kind of beast1 and of birds1 and of serpents1 and things in the sea1 is tamed1 and hath been tamed of mankind3 but the tongue can no man tame2 it is an unruly evil1 full of deadly poison4 ,the situation of ,miriam during her exclusion from the camp suggest an observation on the debasing nature of sin4 ,when engaged in the exercises of religion1 and taking the lead in the celebration of the overthrow of the ,egyptian army by the interposing providence of ,god1 she appears the glory of her sex and the ornament of her country2 but from the moment she indulges a guilty passion1 her honour is tarnished1 her dignity degraded1 and her pre-eminence lost2 the moral defilement she has contracted is marked by an external deformity1 and issues in a degrading separation4 ,miriam is deeply conscious of her guilt1 and confounded at its bitter consequences3 she feels that she is a sufferer because she was a sinner2 and would no doubt have made any sacrifice could it have been possible to regain the forfeited paradise of peace and innocency4 ,but we have here a specimen of the inevitable consequence of sin4 ,it does not indeed generally incur immediate and temporal punishment2 but it degrades the perpetrator of it in the eyes of ,god1 in the opinion of others1 7especially the wise and good17 and in his own sight3 it lowers him in the scale of being1 at once diminishing his reputation and contracting his means of usefulness4 ,if the face of ,miriam recovered its beauty1 and the eyes of ,israel could discern no external blemishes1 it is questionable whether a scar would not ever after be discernible upon her character3 and even should her indulgent friends have forgotten1 and ,god have graciously forgiven her past iniquities1 ,miriam1 as a true penitent1 would scarcely ever forgive herself3 the very consciousness of pardoning mercy would often renew the sensations of penitence2 and moments of holy joy would ever after be bedewed with tears of humiliation4 ,from this example it is further obvious1 that the hope of escaping the divine displeasure on account of sin1 under the notion of being the professed people of ,god1 is altogether delusive2 sin is detestable in the eyes of perfect purity wherever it exists1 and can neither escape detection nor elude chastisement4 ,its perpetration by his own people is rather a reason for more signal and exemplary chastisement1 than for any kind of exemption from it2 because the motive to obedience arising from gratitude and other sources is proportionably stronger2 and because a contrary proceeding would tend to disparage the divine government1 by affording a plausible pretence to the doctrine of salvation in sin1 and not from it4 ,the eminence of ,miriam rendered her disgrace the more requisite as a punishment1 and the more salutary as an example3 the leprosy in her face was a practical lesson1 which every ,israelite could not fail of understanding1 and probably would not soon or easily forget4 ,it is1 besides1 not only the necessary tendency of sin to procure its own punishment1 but such is the appointment of ,god3 it constitutes an essential part of the great system of his moral government to unite them together2 and no mortal power can disconnect them4 ,sooner or later every transgressor must be humbled2 he must fall--by judgment1 or by penitence--before the sword of excision1 or into the arms of mercy4 ,happy for us if external visitations produce internal prostration of spirit2 if1 instead of stiffening ourselves into resistance1 we bend to the inflictions of parental chastisement2 and if present and temporary sufferings excite a feeling which will supersede the necessity of future and more awful visitations4 ,if1 again1 ,miriam were so severely visited for speaking against ,moses1 how fatal will prove the consequences of resisting ,christ6 ,the secret whisperings of envy and ambition against the servant of ,god1 occasioned a public and awful punishment3 what tremendous wrath may not they expect who reproach or disregard his beloved ,son6 ,if they escaped not1 who refused him that spake on earth1 much more shall not we escape if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven4 ,this remarkable manifestation to ,miriam1 ,aaron1 and ,moses1 may remind us of that period which is hastening on the rapid wings of time1 when the descending ,judge of the universe will come in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory1 the glory of the ,father and all the holy angels1 to summon every class1 and all the generations of mankind1 to his tribunal1 and pronounce their final1 irreversible1 everlasting doom3 then1 like ,moses1 his servants will be vindicated from every charge1 honoured by witnessing celestials1 admitted through the gates into the city of the ,new ,jerusalem1 be emparadised forever in the embraces of their ,god4 ,then1 like ,miriam and ,aaron1 a guilty race1 which has plotted against the righteous1 and opposed by their impenitence1 if not their actual persecutions1 the prosperity of his cause and people1 will be driven1 not into temporary exile and disgrace1 but into ever-during darkness4 ,these shall go away into everlasting punishment1 but the righteous into life eternal4 ,the pride of ,miriam was intelligibly marked upon her smitten countenance2 and the sin of transgressors will be written by the finger of ,god in appropriate and conspicuous characters upon their immortal destinies4 ,thus will the perfections of the ,deity for ever blaze in the flames of perdition1 and irradiate the temple of glory6 ,finally1 imitate the conduct of ,moses1 who1 on this occasion1 so nobly displayed a conduct which the ,redeemer of the world thus inculcated as an essential part of his religion3 ,pray for them that despitefully use you and persecute you4 ,his intercession for ,miriam1 who had so cruelly injured him1 was prompt and ardent2 instead of resenting her calumnies1 or triumphing in her merited affliction1 he prayed for her recovery6 ,here we see the very spirit of the ,gospel under the law6 a ,christian in the habit of a ,jew6 ,superior to the age in which he lived1 he seemed in character and temper to have anticipated a far distant period of evangelical illumination2 to have caught1 so to speak1 by ascending the summits of faith and hope1 some of the yet unrisen splendour of the ,sun of ,righteousness2 to have been in a sense the disciple1 as he was the most illustrious antitype of ,christ1 even centuries previous to his incarnation6 ,the cross is indeed the centre of union and the point of attraction to all ages and nations4 ,there the antediluvian and patriarchal saints associate with those of later times1 imbibing one spirit1 coalescing upon one principle1 meeting in one sacred spot1 conjoined in one fraternal band6 ,the wise and the good of a former dispensation looked forward with anticipating pleasure to the great event1 which we are permitted to contemplate with retrospective joy4 ,hail1 happy hour6 when we shall meet with all the redeemed in one glorious assembly2 not as at present1 by faith1 on mount ,calvary1 but in reality1 on mount ,zion--in a world where the imperfections of ,christians shall be removed1 and their excellencies completed--where ,miriam shall not envy ,moses1 nor ,moses be exhibited in contrast with ,miriam6 ,naomi1 ,orpah1 and ,ruth4 ,chapter ,,viii4 ,,section ,i4 ,history of ,domestic ,life most instructive--,book of ,ruth--,sketch of the ,family of ,elimelech while residing in ,moab--,reflections arising out of a ,view of their ,circumstances--,naomi's ,resolution to return1 and that of her ,daughters-in-law to accompany her--,orpah soon quits her ,mother and ,sister--,her ,character1 and that of ,ruth--,requirements of ,religion-- ,arrival of ,naomi and ,ruth at ,bethlehem--feelings of the ,former4 ,domestic life furnishes the most attractive and the most instructive species of history4 ,if it do not present an equal diversity of incident with the narratives of rising or falling empires1 in whose mighty concerns every passion of human nature is interested1 it possesses the superior advantage of coming home to men's business and bosoms4 ,the scene of general history is frequently placed in a region which1 to the great proportion of mankind1 is inaccessible2 and however we may admire its principal actors1 they seldom furnish examples capable of being exhibited for imitation4 ,the sphere in which they moved is so totally different1 so far remote from that in which our duty usually lies1 that the knowledge of their achievements can conduce but little1 to the great purposes of practical improvement4 ,the story of private life possesses a very different character2 we are at once introduced to our own sphere2 and although it may relate to a class in society either very much inferior or superior in point of station to ourselves1 it necessarily brings into review relations which we all sustain1 situations we have all to occupy1 and duties we have all to discharge4 ,whether1 therefore1 a princess or a peasant be the principal actor1 the central point round which every circumstance revolves1 and from which it derives interest and distinction1 it claims and will repay our serious attention4 ,independently of these general considerations1 the history of ,ruth1 in connection with that of ,naomi and ,orpah1 has been always regarded as singularly interesting3 it is a most pathetic tale1 illustrative of the operation of the tenderest of the domestic affections1 in unison with genuine religion3 it exhibits the most artless simplicity of manners1 the most virtuous sensibilities1 and the most affecting interpositions of ,providence4 ,it is at once romantic and true1 sublime and simple1 marvellous and natural3 it constitutes1 moreover1 a connecting link in the great chain of providence1 and an important incident in the history of redemption4 ,the sacred book1 which derives its name from ,,ruth1 was in all probability written by ,samuel3 this is the concurrent opinion of ,jews and ,christians4 ,it may be considered as supplementary to the book of ,judges1 an introductory to the history of ,david1 whose descent from ,judah through ,pharez is distinctly traced in the genealogy of ,boaz4 ,according to ,jewish tradition1 ,ruth was of the royal race of ,moab1 a nation descended from ,lot1 and settled on the borders of the salt sea in the confines of ,judah4 ,she married ,mahlon1 the son of ,elimelech1 who lived in ,moab in consequence of a famine which prevailed in ,judea4 ,after his death1 relying on the promises made to the tribe of ,judah1 to which her husband belonged1 she became a proselyte2 and thus the ,holy ,spirit1 by recording the adoption of a ,gentile woman into that family from which the ,messiah was to descend1 might intend to intimate the comprehensive design of the ,christian dispensation4 ,it must be remarked also1 that in the estimation of the ,jews it was disgraceful to ,david to have derived his birth from a ,moabitess2 and ,shimei1 in his revilings against him1 is supposed by the ,jews to have tauntingly reflected on his descent from ,ruth4 ,this book1 therefore1 contains an intrinsic proof of its own verity1 inasmuch as it records a circumstance so little flattering to the sovereign of ,israel #ai2 and it is scarcely necessary to appeal to its admission into the canon of ,scripture for a testimony of its authentic character2 or to mention that the evangelists1 in describing our ,saviour's descent1 follow its genealogical accounts4 #bj ,sidenote3 ,years before ,christ1 about #ahah ,this book commences with a statement of the calamitous situation of ,israel in consequence of a famine1 one of those messengers of divine displeasure sometimes commissioned to scourge a guilty land1 and chastise them into obedience4 ,elimelech1 a resident in ,bethlehem-,judah1 was compelled1 probably with many others1 to quit his beloved home1 and seek a temporary subsistence in the country of ,moab1 which1 although favoured at this time with the blessings of temporal prosperity and abundance1 was destitute of those religious means1 without which1 in the view of a good man1 ,eden would lose its charms1 and life its value4 ,he took with him his wife ,naomi and his two sons ,mahlon and ,chilion2 and1 under the guidance of that ,providence which once tamed the lions and restrained the fires of ,chaldea1 found an asylum in the bosom of ,israel's enemies4 ,in this exile1 a family so ancient and reputable sunk into such degradation excites our compassion2 still more so1 when in tracing their adventurous history1 we find them assaulted by new forms of sorrow and calamity4 ,elimelech dies1 and ,naomi is left with her two sons4 ,the young men afterward marry1 the one ,orpah1 the other ,ruth1 both natives of ,moab4 ,it seems as though the disconsolate widow were beginning to dry up her tears1 and to rebuild her fallen house by those matrimonial alliances which tended to naturalize them in the country2 but whether the use of these idolatrous materials was displeasing to ,god1 or whether it was deemed requisite to detach the mind of ,naomi1 by repeated afflictions1 from a soil in which her affections were becoming too deeply rooted1 her two sons also died in a few years1 and the three females were left to grapple with adversity alone4 ,the original state and character of the young women is uncertain1 but they became proselytes to the ,jewish religion4 ,they might have become so previously to their union with their now departed husbands1 whom1 if the sacred narrative had been more detailed and minute1 we might possibly have had occasion to applaud for their pious discrimination1 rather than to censure or suspect for impropriety of conduct2 at least1 under all the circumstances1 we are by no means justified in severe animadversions upon their choice4 ,but1 whatever might have been their intentions1 the ,supreme ,disposer was working with a wise but mysterious secrecy1 to promote his designs which were linked with a succession of events extending to far distant generations4 ,poor ,naomi6 how desolate thy condition6 how deep thy depression6 ,wave after wave rolls over thy defenceless head6 ,and yet1 where is the human being to whom no comforts are left8 ,thy daughters remain1 and even if they had been removed1 thy pious spirit would not have sorrowed over their graves1 as one that has no hope6 ,thy religion has supplied thee with sources of consolation unknown to the world1 and indestructible by calamity1 time1 or death--,the eternal ,god is thy refuge1 and underneath are the everlasting arms4 ,the rapid changes in this family cannot fail to remind us of the instability of earthly possessions and enjoyments2 nor ought we to forget the wisdom and the goodness of that divine superintendence1 which holds all these changes in subserviency to his will4 ,how impressive is the language of inspiration1 we all do fade as a leaf2--and how illustrative of the present tragical history6 ,when the sun of summer beams upon the growing landscape1 and1 ascending some eminence1 you survey the valleys covered over with corn1 the hills adorned with verdure1 the trees bending their abundant foliage to the gale1 the flowers in yellow meads of asphodel and amaranthine bowers1 perfuming the air with their odours1 you seem for a moment to inhabit regions of enchantment and perpetual beauty4 ,a month or two intervenes--you reascend your former elevation1 once more to feast the senses--to admire and adore the ,dispenser of these blessings--but ,o how faded6 ,the bright beams of the sun are shrouded in a wintry cloud--the corn has disappeared--the flocks retire--the trees are bereft of their foliage--the flowers lie scattered on the ground4 ,such1 such is human life2 thus we and our families fade6 to-day in vigour--to-morrow in dust6 ,where are generations past8 where are our ancestors8 where our immediate predecessors8 where our early associates1 and many of the individuals that have enlivened our social hours in maturer life8 ,like the leaves which cluster on the ground in autumn1 and almost obstruct the path of the traveller1 they seem to have dropped in quick succession1 and to lie in faded heaps on the road that leads into eternity4 ,and1 alas6 with an indifference too nearly resembling that which is apparent in the unheeding passenger1 who tramples autumnal foliage beneath his feet1 we tread on the graves of departed ages1 and neglect to imitate the example of the pious dead4 ,pause and reflect1 we all do fade4 ,whatever our circumstances or connections1 the inevitable dominion of death extends over all4 ,the leaves may occupy a higher or a lower station on the tree1 they may be suspended on the loftiest or the lowliest branches--but they all drop off2 and we may be rich or poor1 learned or illiterate1 young or old1 the house of the grave is appointed for all living4 ,providence in mercy permits the union of families long to remain unbroken2 and1 at length1 in mercy too--whatever the suggestions of despondency--dissolves it4 ,the parent expires1 and the children follow2 till1 perhaps1 the name only survives1 like a tree bared to the storm of winter thrown down by the blast1 and at length rotting into dust4 ,mournfully fascinating1 however1 and instructing as these considerations appear1 they must not divert us longer from the narrative4 ,naomi1 at the distance of ten years1 cherished a constant anxiety respecting what passed in ,israel2 and1 weaned by repeated trials1 if not still more so by ,moabitish idolatry1 from her present situation1 she heard with pleasure1 that the ,lord had visited his people1 in giving them bread3 upon which she determined to return1 and take her two daughters-in-law with her into ,judea4 ,this secondary kindred often proves a source of the most unhappy jealousies and animosities in domestic life1 but the harmony in which these women lived1 and with which they concerted measures for their removal1 indicated at least the goodness of all their dispositions4 ,they were1 besides1 in equal distress4 ,affliction1 in almost every form1 is beneficial in its tendency2 and nothing is more calculated to strengthen mutual attachment than common calamity4 ,how often is distress1 similar to this1 aggravated by unkindness6 ,moroseness on the one part1 and undutifulness on the other1 excite the mother-in-law against the daughter-in-law1 and the daughter-in-law against the mother-in-law2 whereas reason1 religion1 and even self-love1 require a different conduct4 ,the poverty of ,naomi was no objection to ,orpah and ,ruth to accompany her in her departure from ,moab2 but at once1 abandoning every minor or selfish consideration1 they prepared to attend her unprotected way4 ,they would not suffer her to drink alone of the bitter cup1 but resolved to encourage her by sharing it4 ,a bitter cup indeed it was4 ,who can imagine1 without a painful sympathy1 the situation of three friendless women1 each a widow1 and quitting a country where they left behind so many sad recollections6 ,there they had lost the dearest of earthly connections1 who1 had they been preserved to this hour1 would have soothed their sorrows1 sustained their spirits1 and accompanied their journey6 ,the voice of parental and conjugal tenderness was silent in the grave6 ,their natural timidity had no shelter--their tears were wiped away by no kind hand--their steps were supported by no sustaining arm--the world was a barren wilderness before them--they seemed to be alone1 as after a ship-wreck--and they had no immediate refuge but in themselves1 and--for there was still another hope1 an observant friend1 a helper to the needy in his distress--in ,,god6 ,having proceeded a short distance1 ,naomi1 overwhelmed with a sense of the disinterested kindness of her daughters-in-law1 even more than with her own affliction1 begged them to leave her1 and return to their respective homes4 ,she adverts to their past amiable and affectionate conduct2 and severe as parting would prove to her maternal heart1 she wished them still to be happy in the ,sand of their nativity4 ,commending them to the benediction of the ,god of ,israel1 and expressing her desire for their happiness in the formation of future connections1 she kissed them in token of a long and last farewell4 ,what fondness and what agony blended in that embrace6 ,what a separation6 ,it was no moment for words2 the lovely daughters could only weep6 ,a thousand past endearments recurred to their memory1 a thousand uncertainties springing from the bosom of futurity1 presented themselves to their minds4 ,they had cherished a mutual esteem--they were blended into one in feeling1 in interest1 in all that can render life desirable4 ,their dark path had hitherto been enlightened by the beam of affection2--and was the sun to set upon their day for ever8 ,alas6 what a land of mourning is this6 what heart-rending separations are we called to experience on earth2 and what an hour of parting from the tenderest of connexions will soon arrive1 when1 death interposing his authority to break the ties of nature and of friendship1 we must bid adieu to those who would indeed gladly accompany us1 but must survive to walk alone in the wilderness4 ,we are1 however1 attributing too much to this formidable power4 ,he may break the ties of nature--but he cannot dissolve the union of ,christian friendship4 ,the pious shall meet again in a region uninfested by malignity1 and where the long annals of everlasting ages shall record no day of separation1 and no instance of death4 ,it was kind1 it was disinterested1 it was maternal1 in ,naomi to propose this parting2 but they were not to be persuaded4 ,as soon as tears permitted utterance1 they exclaimed1 ,surely we will return with thee unto thy people4--,we have taken our resolution1 and cannot depart from it4 ,to go with thee is indeed a trial--but to go from thee is incalculably worse4 ,thou shall not be forsaken4 ,we will be inseparable4 ,naomi remonstrated1 and kindly repeated her commands4 ,she called them daughters1 an appellation they had well merited by their ardent and unabated attachment1 earnestly entreating them to turn again2 and intimating that they could not reasonably entertain a hope of her having sons whom they might marry1 and therefore they could not accompany her without detriment to themselves4 ,she was afflicted at the idea of their being widows in the days of their youth2 and especially that1 for her sake1 they should continue in so solitary a condition1 voluntarily resigning to her comfort the joys of connubial love4 ,again they wept--but from this moment1 ,orpah and ,ruth take a different course4 ,the former fails in her resolution1 embraces her mother-in-law1 and returns2 the latter cleaves to her1 and remains the solitary example of unconquerable affection1 the heroine of the future narrative4 ,in the character of ,orpah1 we perceive an exemplification of that imperfect obedience which characterizes those who have been induced to pay some degree of attention to the gospel of ,christ1 but who have been influenced by certain subordinate motives to retrace their steps4 ,she contemplated future poverty with alarm1 and cannot be exculpated from a charge of secretly preferring the service of ,chemosh1 the ,moabitish god1 to the service of ,jehovah4 ,her affection for ,naomi had1 perhaps1 induced her hitherto to dissemble2 and though she persevered to a considerable extent1 when the final resolution was to be taken1 she paused--hesitated --trembled--and drew back4 ,she could not part with all for this service4 ,in the days of ,christ1 many treated him with respect1 listened to his words1 admired1 and like the young ruler1 even wished to become his follower1 but excited the best hopes only to disappoint them4 ,happy1 thrice happy1 they who take up the cross1 and follow him through much tribulation2 nobly resisting the allurements of the world1 the demands of earthly friendship1 and even the interdictions of human authority1 for the sake of ,christ and his gospel6 ,the martyr's crown awaits them1 for they display the martyr's spirit4 ,at a superficial glance1 the address of ,naomi to ,ruth1 upon this occasion1 seems altogether extraordinary2 ,behold1 thy sister-in-law is gone back unto her people1 and unto her gods2 return thou after thy sister-in-law4 ,did she then really wish to urge this young widow to imitate the conduct of her sister1 not only in returning to her relations1 but to the service of the gods of ,moab8 ,whatever opinion she entertained of her daughter-in-law's piety1 could she really be desirous of placing her in circumstances of such temptation and danger8 ,this supposition would be at least uncharitable1 and contradicts probability4 ,it was rather a trial of her sincerity in religion1 and an evidence of her determination to use no compulsory measures1 not even maternal influence1 to coerce her conscience4 ,her language was1 besides1 premonitory and warning1 similar to the permission given to ,balaam1 who though apparently admonished to go and curse ,israel1 was really interdicted4 ,ruth received the appeal in a manner worthy of her character1 and the most satisfactory to ,naomi4 ,entreat me not to leave thee1 or to return from following after thee2 for whither thou goest ,i will go1 and where thou lodgest1 ,i will lodge2 thy people shall be my people1 and thy ,god my ,god4 ,where thou diest will ,i die1 and there will ,i be buried3 the ,lord do so to me and more also1 if aught but death part thee and me4 ,if the pious origin of this attachment were not sufficiently apparent1 we should be tempted to call it romantic2 but founded as it was in religion1 we must contemplate it as a rare specimen of a perfection in friendship1 scarcely ever attained in the cold and chilling atmosphere of this world4 ,nothing could have so ripened and matured it1 but the beamings of heavenly love1 which rendered even an unfriendly soil productive of so choice a fruit4 ,notwithstanding the indigent circumstances of ,naomi1 her daughter-in-law persisted in accompanying her1 and thus voluntarily chose affliction with the people of ,god in preference to hereditary affluence and distinction4 ,with deliberate resolution1 and persevering consistency1 she adhered to her purpose1 calculating upon all the inconveniences that might result1 but not fearing them4 ,she turned her back upon the glory of the world1 neither dreading its frowns nor soliciting its patronage4 ,she knew that she could live happily without human applause1 but not without divine approbation4 ,her early prejudices were subdued by principle1 and she felt no hesitation in discarding the gods of ,moab to procure the love of the ,god of ,israel4 ,in fact she did choose the path of true honour and renown4 ,the servant of ,god is the greatest character in the universe1 and will eventually be exalted to a situation which will fully and for ever disclose the perfect nothingness of terrestrial glory1 and the shadowy nature of all that mortals have been deluded to imagine substantial4 ,this part of the history may serve to suggest the beneficial inquiry1 whether we habitually cherish an equal zeal for our religion1 with that which this young ,moabitess manifested8 ,it would be easy to descant upon the superiority of our advantages1 and to urge our increased responsibility2 but do we equal her in the firmness of our faith1 and the steadfastness of our profession8 ,it may not be a question1 whether we are likely to be called to similar or equal trials2 but the most important consideration is1 whether through the grace of ,god we stand prepared for whatever trials await us in the path of duty2 and whether1 with fewer difficulties and greater advantages1 we at least display an equal decision of character8 ,we have ,sabbaths--do we keep them8 ,we have ,bibles--do we read them8 ,we have religious and social opportunities--do we improve them8 ,we have pious friends--do we1 like ,ruth1 cleave to them8 ,do we come out from the world1 and are we separate1 saying to the church of ,christ1 and adhering to our purpose1 ,we will go with you1 for we have heard that ,god is with you8 ,association is a test of character4 ,the companion exhibits the man4 ,candour and sincerity may be recommended from this example1 as the best policy4 ,we should not be ashamed of our religion3 an open avowal1 like that of ,ruth1 which prevented any farther importunity to return to the idolatries of ,moab1 is calculated to prevent a thousand perplexities into which the wavering1 the timid1 and the dissembling1 inevitably fall4 ,persons of this description fail in every respect4 ,they dissatisfy both parties1 sacrifice their own peace of mind1 and incur all the pains1 without securing any of the pleasures of genuine piety4 ,hesitating between a sense of duty and an inclination to sin1 trembling amidst conflicting attractions and opposing interests1 they never attain to dignity of character or repose of spirit4 ,they lie at the mercy of every foe1 of every passion1 of every change4 ,without the pilotage of principle1 they know not what course to take1 and are every moment in danger of a fatal wreck4 ,he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea1 driven with the wind and tossed6 444 ,a double-minded man is unstable in all his ways4 ,it is unquestionably a duty devolving on all who believe in ,christ1 to confess him2 and to this candid avowal he has himself attached1 not only the purest felicities on earth1 but the honour of a public acknowledgment of their persons and services before assembled ages in the day of judgment1 together with a final admission into the paradise of his presence4 ,it is indeed criminal to profess attachment to him when we do not feel it1 and it is also highly improper to cherish such an attachment without daring to avow it4 ,if the former must be characterized as hypocrisy1 the latter cannot be exculpated from the charge of sinful timidity2 if the one be presumptuous boldness1 the other is unholy fear4 ,to avow our principles1 on all suitable occasions1 with unshrinking firmness1 is essential to integrity1 and distinctly claimed by religion4 ,the worldly motives which influenced some of the chief rulers in the days of our ,lord1 if not to disavow1 at least to withhold their public concurrence with his doctrines1 are mentioned in the gospel to their everlasting dishonour4 ,they are not exhibited as specimens of violent hostility1 but of that spirit of neutrality which resulted from political feelings1 and which1 being no less deemed a real enmity1 will receive its appropriate condemnation4 ,nevertheless1 among the chief rulers also many believed on him2 but because of the ,pharisees they did not confess him1 lest they should be put out of the synagogue4 ,for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of ,god4 ,this kind of preference seems to be the result of strange infatuation1 the origin of which demands a serious inquiry4 ,in part1 it may be accounted for from the impression which sensible and near objects produce on the mind1 in comparison with those which are less obvious and more distant4 ,visible things attract attention1 while those which are invisible1 being placed beyond the sphere of sense1 remain unnoticed4 ,an object which is really greater1 appears less when it is more remote4 ,eternity seems1 in human estimation1 extremely distant2 its crown of glory afar off2 all the possessions of the ,new ,jerusalem disappear from view1 when covered with the mists of futurity4 ,we are easily affected by loud applauses1 gay scenes1 and temporal good4 ,the secret whispers of an approving conscience are less audible1 the smiles of ,god less perceptible to a depraved and earthly mind4 ,in addition to which1 temporal inconveniences or dangers are frequently connected with a conduct which secures the approbation of ,god2 a criminal apprehension of which produces indifference and distaste for religion4 ,when the choice lies between shame1 poverty1 affliction1 the sacrifice of worldly interest1 and even death itself in the one balance--and temporal distinction1 affluence1 ease1 advancement1 in the other--many will hesitate1 with ,agrippa1 few determine1 with ,moses4 ,in the present history one was taken1 the other left4 ,the experiment has been since sufficiently tried upon a large scale1 and proofs are perpetually accumulating1 that the temper and conduct of ,orpah were coincident with those of the great majority in the world4 ,the narrative of the journey to the place of ,naomi's early residence1 is comprised in one short sentence2 ,so they two went until they came to ,bethlehem4 ,we are left in ignorance of those circumstances which curiosity would wish to explore in so remarkable a removal4 ,who can doubt1 that in a distance of at least one hundred and twenty miles over mountains and rivers1 these female travellers1 unprotected1 friendless1 on foot1 and seeking day by day a precarious assistance from the wild luxuriancy of nature1 or the occasional hospitality of the stranger1 must have encountered repeated perils1 and often deemed themselves irretrievably lost4 ,but there was an eye that watched them1 of whose observance they were not ignorant2 an arm that protected them1 on whose powerful support they leaned by faith1 and leaned not in vain4 ,he can never be destitute who has ,god for his father2 he can never be lost1 in whatever region he wanders1 who has ,god for his guide6 ,in the adventurous journey of life take his proffered aid1 ye children of adversity6 repose in his goodness1 having committed your way to him1 ye widowed mourners6 while ,god is on his throne1 ye cannot inhabit a fatherless world1 ye cannot be destitute of efficient aid6 ,a ,father of the fatherless1 and a ,judge of the widows1 is ,god in his holy habitation4 ,in a small town1 like ,bethlehem1 the arrival of these strangers would naturally awaken inquiry4 ,after an absence of ten years1 the inhabitants probably never expected to see ,naomi again4 ,such is the vicissitude of human affairs1 that within a few years many strange mutations occur1 even in places of no great extent4 ,of her former friends or acquaintances1 some were1 no doubt1 consigned to the grave2 and her own appearance and circumstances were so altered since her departure1 that the voice of friendship1 the congratulation of love1 seems to have subsided into the idle language of wonderment1 ,is this ,naomi8 ,it is--but the mention of her name is a caustic to the wounds of her heart4 ,the endearments attached to that beloved and significant appellation are fled with departed time1 and ,bethlehem no longer beholds her in a situation to command respect1 to excite envy1 or to purchase attention4 ,her husband1 her children1 are no more6--one1 one only comfort remains--one friend1 one solace in adversity--one ray of light in the dark hour6 ,amidst universal desertion1 ,,ruth has not forsaken her2 but is become her joy in sorrow1 her companion in solitude1 her prop in decrepit age6 ,can we wonder that she wishes to discard a name which awakened such recollections1 and only recalled the dream of happiness8 ,call me not ,naomi1--call me ,mara2 for the ,almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me4 ,i went out full1 and the ,lord hath brought me home again empty2 why then call ye me ,naomi1 seeing the ,lord hath testified against me1 and the ,almighty hath afflicted me8 ,there is something in these words which charity requires us to excuse4 ,if1 under the peculiar circumstances in which she was at present placed1 the name of ,,naomi1 which signifies pleasant1 distracted her1 and she wished rather to adopt that of ,mara1 importing bitterness1 her impatience must not be interpreted in the worst sense4 ,after long absence1 it is natural to anticipate a return home1 and a rush of joy pervades even unfeeling minds1 when the spire of their native village1 the smoke of their native hamlet1 especially the roof of their native cottage1 first strikes upon the sight4 ,friends1 family1 neighbours1 early scenes and pleasures1 recur with a force which gives the air of enchantment to the long-lost scene4 ,but every feeling of this nature was1 in the case of ,naomi1 checked by different associations2 the darkness of the sepulchre converted this day into midnight1 and this lovely spot into a desolate wilderness6 ,there is1 moreover1 something in ,naomi's remonstrance1 which sympathy would lead as to pity1 and experience1 in some degree1 to blame4 ,she commits an evident mistake in attributing the dispensations she had suffered1 to a testimony against her on the part of the supreme ,disposer4 ,viewing past events through the discolouring medium of present affliction1 and incapable of perceiving their secret and concurrent design1 she forms a conclusion1 which is rather the effect of temporary depression of mind1 than of a settled conviction of judgment4 ,we cannot doubt1 indeed that the impression was evanescent2 but it seems allied to that of the impatient patriarch1 who exclaimed1 ,all these things are against me4 ,that eminent servant of ,god enjoyed the privilege of living to a period in which the divine purposes were fully developed1 and of seeing that what he deemed hostile circumstances1 were really conducive to the most wise and felicitous results4 ,had ,jacob departed during the interval1 and while the mysterious plan was yet unaccomplished1 his grey hairs would have gone down with sorrow to the grave1 and the cloud of mystery would have been suspended over his dying hour4 ,such is the usual lot of the righteous4 ,life1 in general1 does not afford a space sufficiently ample1 a period sufficiently protracted1 for the complete execution of the great purposes of ,infinite ,goodness with regard to our real interests2 and we murmur1 because we cannot penetrate his arrangements4 ,patience1 however1 should be supported by the consideration that either in this1 or in a future state of existence1 the day of satisfactory explanation will arrive4 ,but there is a sentiment pervading the whole of this appeal1 which1 notwithstanding its partial defects1 piety must warmly approve4 ,every thing is imputed to the ,lord4 ,naomi sees his hand in whatever occurrence she has witnessed4 ,to him she imputes the fulness of her prosperity1 and the emptiness of her adversity4 ,in every change1 in every place1 she beholds and bows1 to the ,,almighty4 ,when this is happily the prevailing sentiment1 the storm of angry passions will soon subside1 the murmurings of discontent cease1 and the clear shining of comfort break forth from behind the cloud4 ,the ,lord ,god omnipotent reigneth4 ,this is enough6 ,angels and blessed spirits shall not monopolize the strain of gratitude and acknowledgment4 ,mortal voices shall join immortal harps1 saying1 ,,hallelujah6 ,,section ,,ii4 ,time of the ,return to ,bethlehem--,ruth offers to go and glean--,dispositions indicated by this proposal--she happens upon the ,field of ,boaz--his ,kindness--their ,conversation--additional ,favours--,ruth's return ,home--,her ,mother-in-law's wish to connect her in ,marriage with ,boaz--the ,measures she suggests1 and which her daughter adopts with ultimate ,success--their ,marriage--,birth of a ,son--concluding ,remarks1 ,tales of fictitious wo1 and of splendid distress1 may alone be capable of fascinating those who recline on the lap of luxury1 and who seek amusement1 without soliciting instruction2 but1 among persons who possess any taste for genuine simplicity1 any delight in the sacred employment of tracing the operations of infinite wisdom in the works of ,providence1 any desire for their own mental and spiritual improvement1 and who have not yet learned of dissipated folly to despise ,the short and simple annals of the poor2 the remaining circumstances of the narrative introduced into the preceding chapter1 cannot fail of exciting interest4 ,that ,god1 who promised ,noah1 that while the earth remaineth1 seed-time and harvest1 and cold and heat1 and summer and winter1 and day and night1 shall not cease2 and who visits the earth and waters it1 greatly enriching it with the river of ,god which is full of water1 and prepares them corn when he has so provided for it2 having at this period dispensed fertility to the fields of ,bethlehem1 the humble travellers from ,moab chose1 or rather1 were appointed by a superior influence to return in the season of barley-harvest4 ,this was probably at the commencement of the month of ,may4 #ba ,but whither shall the wretched fugitives turn for assistance and support8 ,it was indeed a time of plenty1 but they were in extreme poverty4 ,golden harvests waved around them1 but having no fields to reap1 they were sorrowful amidst universal gladness1 and depended upon precarious means of subsistence4 ,ruth proposed to her mother-in-law to allow her to go and glean in any field where she could obtain the permission of the proprietor2 to which ,naomi readily consented4 ,as a ,moabite1 she was probably ignorant1 that what she regarded as a favour1 was bestowed upon the needy as a right by the ,god of ,israel4 ,when thou cuttest down thine harvest in thy field1 and hast forgot a sheaf in the field1 thou shall not go again to fetch it3 it shall be for the stranger1 for the fatherless1 and for the widow2 that the ,lord thy ,god may bless thee in all the work of thine hands4 ,this law is more than once repeated1 and ,ruth had a peculiar claim upon the liberality of its provisions1 as uniting all the three species of wretchedness in her individual case4 ,she was indeed a stranger1 an orphan1 and a widow4 ,the proposal of ,ruth upon this occasion is1 in many respects1 illustrative of her estimable character4 ,it furnishes a specimen of that respectful treatment which is due from the younger relative1 to those whom venerable age and long experience have rendered their superiors4 ,she would do nothing without ,naomi2 but consults her wishes1 and seeks her concurrence in attempting to procure subsistence by means which she deemed the best adapted to their present poverty4 ,a churlish temper would have submitted with extreme reluctance1 and many taunting reproaches to what might easily have been represented as the drudgery and degradation of the gleaner's field2 but this excellent daughter-in-law displayed a spirit most worthy of imitation4 ,her reflecting kindness may be recommended to the notice of the inconsiderate and unfeeling4 ,offering herself to the laborious but necessary service1 she is far from hinting any wish that ,naomi should either accompany her to the field1 or take measures to spare her1 by seeking the aid of her richer relations1 or the casual contributions of others4 ,she wished to extend her support to the wearied and decaying nature of her beloved relative1 and to use every possible exertion to alleviate her anxieties1 to minister to her comfort1 and to assist her infirmity4 ,let me now go to the field4 ,amiable1 generous1 kindhearted woman6 ,thou wert anxious to procure for thy poor1 afflicted1 aged mother1 all the repose which her advanced life seemed to require1 to wipe away the tear from her dimmed eye and farrowed cheek1 and as far as possible1 to dissipate the clouds that hovered about the setting beam of her earthly existence6 ,if there be one scene of domestic life pre-eminently attractive1 it is that of a lovely daughter manifesting a promptitude and zeal to alleviate the sorrows1 and to aid the weekness of a parent1 by those nameless and numberless assiduities which bespeak a genuine affection4 ,her own works praise her1 and the mere flatterer's tongue is awed into respectful silence4 ,how deplorable is it to witness the impatience of some young persons who think every little exertion an insufferable effort1 a trouble1 and a fatigue2 and who forget the maternal fondness which cherished their infancy1 the wakefulness that guarded their sickness1 the love that never slept4 ,as ,ruth was characterized by a virtuous sensibility1 the proposal she made distinguished her also as active and industrious4 ,although her mother-in-law was advanced in years1 she being in the vigour of her days1 determined to devote her health and strength to procure subsistence4 ,she did not waste her time in complaining1 or sit down in a state of inactive despondency2 but was alive to the duties of her lowly station4 ,the poorest individual1 who cheerfully fulfils his obligations1 and exerts himself by an honest industry to maintain himself and his family1 is inexpressibly more respectable in a wise man's estimation1 than pampered luxury lolling on the couch of indulgence1 and dreaming away existence in slothfulness and pomp4 ,real worth unquestionably consists in the proper occupation of that sphere1 whatever it may be1 which ,providence has assigned us3 and that person who is not slothful in business1 but fervent in spirit1 serving the ,lord1 secures the esteem of the good1 and what is infinitely more important1 the approbation of ,god4 ,idleness is no less a perversion of the designs of nature1 than detrimental to our personal happiness4 ,it not only renders its unhappy devotees useless to society1 but burthensome to themselves4 ,all beings1 through every gradation of existence1 from the toiling emmet to the flaming angel1 are formed for activity and exertion4 ,nor ought we1 who are privileged to live under the ,christian dispensation1 to forget1 that ,jesus ,christ himself1 by his humble appearance and lowly occupation1 as the ,son of a carpenter1 has elevated honest industry to a just and honourable distinction4 ,accidentally1 so far as related to herself1 ,ruth went and gleaned in the field of ,boaz2 but she was guided by an invisible hand4 ,this proprietor was a man of great opulence1 and a relative of ,naomi4 ,coming from ,bethlehem to his reapers1 and having exchanged their mutual salutations according to the pious custom of the times1 #bb he inquired of the superintendent1 or steward1 the name of the young woman he observed gleaning amongst the sheaves4 ,ruth1 it appears1 attracted his particular notice4 ,even a superficial reader might be struck with the astonishing providential coincidences in this story2 and nothing but the most perverse infidelity can refuse to admit1 that the ,god who had conducted this interesting widow from ,moab to ,bethlehem1 and from ,bethlehem into the field of the reapers1 guided the steps and awakened the solicitude of ,boaz on this occasion4 ,and the servant that was set over the reapers answered and said1 ,it is the ,moabitish damsel that came back with ,naomi out of the country of ,moab4 ,and she said1 ,i pray you let me glean and gather after the reapers among the sheaves2 so she came1 and hath continued even from the morning until now1 that she tarried a little in the house4 ,the rich are frequently reluctant to acknowledge their poor connections1 and in the great majority of instances1 a discovery like this would rather have averted than conciliated the regards of an affluent proprietor from the humble individual he found to be the daughter-in-law of his indigent relative4 ,superior1 however1 to unwarrantable prejudices and ridiculous vanity1 ,boaz listened to the tale and immediately addressed her in affectionate terms4 ,it is by no means improbable1 that a blush of shame crimsoned his cheek1 from the recollection of his past negligence in suffering ,naomi to pine away in solitary sadness and penury1 when it was in his power to have afforded her relief4 ,reasons might have existed to justify this delay1 though they must have been very imperious to furnish even a plausible pretence for such indifference2 but the best construction we can put upon his conduct is to suppose1 that1 like many worthy and benevolent men1 he was dilatory in the execution of measures which he might have planned to discover and relieve the necessities of his kindred4 ,the law of love was in his heart2 he hastened to make reparation1 and kindly enjoined her to glean in no other field1 to keep fast by his own female servants1 and to drink whenever she chose out of the vessels which were replenished from time to time for his reapers4 ,he further issued orders to the young men employed in his service1 to show every kindness1 and to observe the utmost decorum towards her1 upon pain of his displeasure4 ,it is observable1 that ,boaz addressed her by the tender epithet of daughter1 adopting the language while he displayed the affection of a parental protector4 ,ruth had forsaken every ,moabitish friend and relative1 to share the fortunes of ,naomi4 ,her birth-place1 her home1 her connections1 all were relinquished for the privileges of her new relationship and adopted country1 although to her eye nothing was presented but poverty and want4 ,but her loss was gain2 in ,naomi she found a mother--in ,boaz a father--in ,bethlehem a home--in ,judaism the religion of heaven1 and the way to ,god4 ,and shall they be eventually losers1 who forsake all things for ,christ and his gospel8 ,listen1 ye youthful readers of either sex1 and be wise--,every one that hath forsaken houses1 or brethren1 or sisters1 or father1 or mother1 or wife1 or children1 or lands1 for my name's sake1 shall receive a hundred-fold1 and shall inherit everlasting life4 ,the reply of ,ruth is singularly expressive of her characteristic modesty1 humility1 and goodness1 ,the wealthy proprietor of the field had unexpectedly discovered in one word the history of this stranger3 but she was wholly ignorant of the string that had been touched1 and with artlessness replies1 ,why have ,i found grace in thine eyes1 that thou shouldest take knowledge of me1 seeing ,i am a stranger8 ,this is equally the language of astonishment and gratitude4 ,little did she imagine the mighty consequences of this casual interview1 or the real origin of this extraordinary kindness4 ,her susceptible and affectionate heart would have acknowledged the smallest favour1 while some1 and unhappily too often1 the most dependent and the most indulged of the children of indigence seem scarcely thankful for the greatest obligations4 ,it ought not to prevent our charity1 but it may well excite our surprise1 to find that needy persons are sometimes disposed to claim as a right what is bestowed as a boon4 ,boaz intimated that the principal circumstances of her past life had come to his knowledge1 and conveyed the most delicate commendation into her modest ear4 ,he said1 that he was aware of her whole behaviour to ,naomi1 with the sacrifice she had made of her native land and connections1 and pronounced upon her an affectionate1 solemn1 and pious benediction3 ,the ,lord recompense thy work1 and a full reward be given thee of the ,lord ,god of ,israel1 under whose wings thou art come to trust4 ,to the same refuge from painful convictions and impending judgments may every reader instantly repair1 embracing1 by a devout faith1 that glorious ,light of the world1 and ,saviour of men1 who was prefigured1 in all the splendours of his love1 by that miraculous brightness which shone between the wings of the cherubim in the ancient temple1 and pointed the ,jewish worshipper to ,god manifest in the flesh4 ,virtually disclaiming the praise which the opulent stranger had conferred1 and far from imagining that she deserved1 or had reason to expect any reward of ,god for conduct which she considered as no other than what a proper sense of duty demanded1 ,ruth thought herself honoured in the notice which she had received1 respectfully acknowledged the condescension1 and solicited its continuance4 ,let me find favour in thy sight1 my lord2 for that thou hast comforted me1 and for that thou hast spoken friendly unto thine handmaid1 though ,i be not like unto one of thine handmaidens4 ,boaz repeats every kind assurance1 invites her to share the rural repast1 to eat of the bread1 and dip her morsel in the vinegar2 and with his own hand plentifully supplies her with parched corn4 ,the sentiments of this excellent woman for the comparatively trifling kindness of her kinsman1 may serve to reprove our cold returns1 our disproportionate gratitude to the ,supreme ,benefactor1 who daily loads us with temporal benefits1 and constantly replenishes the cup of spiritual blessing2 he1 indeed1 comforts us2 in his word he speaks friendly to us2 and we have1 individually1 abundant reason to confess1 ,i am not worthy of the least of all the mercies and of all the truth which the ,lord has showed unto his servant4 ,the rural repast being ended1 and ,ruth having withdrawn into the field to pursue the humble labour of gleaning1 which necessity and affection for an aged parent alike concurred to prompt1 ,boaz enjoined his reapers not only to allow her to glean1 and to glean among the sheaves1 but to let fall some of the handfuls on purpose for her1 and leave them that she may glean them1 and rebuke her not4 ,her real thankfulness and amiable diffidence procured her these additional favours1 and seem to have inspired the noble benefactor with a feeling which was afterward matured into love and consolidated in marriage4 ,let the poor beware of that cold indifference in the reception of benefits which freezes up the stream of benevolence1 and chills the heart of the most liberal friend2 let them equally avoid that forwardness which seems to demand1 rather than to solicit kindness4 ,boaz1 on this occasion1 enjoyed a ,double feast2 with condescending familiarity he partook the frugal meal with his labourers1 encouraging them by his presence and piety2 with pleasure he fed the hungry stranger1 cheerfully dispensing a portion of what he thankfully received from the ,lord of all1 whose bounty had enriched his possessions1 and thus enjoying the luxury of doing good3 this was indeed to his benevolent spirit1 a feast which all the wealth of a ,croesus could not otherwise have procured4 ,boaz may be exhibited as a specimen of that prudential charity which should always regulate our distributions4 ,he might have supplied ,ruth at once from his ample repository of grain1 or from the sheaves of the golden harvest2 but he chose1 on the contrary1 to encourage her industry1 though he kindly mitigated her toil4 ,indiscriminate gifts may rather favour idleness than relieve necessity2 and it is as much a duty to see to the mode of distributing help to the needy1 as to render them the requisite aid3 besides which1 the poor are more likely to value and to use properly what has been industriously acquired1 than what is lavishly1 however1 as to its principle1 benevolently communicated4 ,alleviate the toil of the necessitous1 but do not prevent their useful employment of time and means4 ,industry is the law of the universe2 and the ,supreme ,disposer of human affairs has appointed that in the sweat of his face man should eat bread till he return unto the ground4 ,to ,ruth this was one of the happiest evenings of a life which had been chequered with vicissitude1 and of late particularly beclouded with1 sorrow4 ,how different were the feelings with which she returned to the cottage of her mother-in-law from those which afflicted her bosom when she quitted it in the early part of this memorable day4 ,distressed and friendless she had gone forth2 not knowing whither she went1 anxious only to procure some scanty subsistence for the day to satisfy the cravings of appetite1 and to sustain the weakness of her dear and aged relative2 but she returned laden with the spoils of the harvest field1 an ephah of barley2 she had been noticed by a very liberal proprietor of the soil1 and invited to continue gleaning in his field4 ,with what heartfelt satisfaction did she present the fruits of her first-day's exertion at the feet of ,naomi1 and sit down to share that kind of comfort to which ,solomon has so strikingly alluded--,better is a dinner of herbs where love is1 than a stalled ox1 and hatred therewith4 ,what family in ,bethlehem was so truly blessed as these two poor women8 ,where1 in the whole city1 was concentrated so many sweet enjoyments1 so many pure unsophisticated pleasures as met beneath this dwelling8 ,who would not rather turn into that lowly door1 and listen to the inspired record of the conversation which took place between1 its pious inmates1 than hear the music which shakes the lordly roof1 or witness the unmeaning gayety that riots in its apartments8--,the good matron inquired where she had been gleaning2 and seeing the ample supply she had procured1 eagerly demanded where she had wrought3 but unable1 in the exultation and overflowings of her gratitude to wait for an answer1 she pours forth her benedictions upon the unknown benefactor3 ,blessed be he that did take knowledge of thee6 ,her daughter informed her it was ,,boaz2 a name welcome to her ear1 and calculated to kindle a hope in a bosom long filled with distracting griefs3 she was reminded of former favours3 she remembered his constant friendship to her family1 and uttered an instantaneous supplication to ,heaven for blessings upon his head4 ,unable herself to requite his kindness1 she well knew who could recompense it1 and therefore prayed1 ,blessed be he of the ,lord1 who hath not left off his kindness to the living and to the dead6 ,such is the commerce between the benevolent rich and the pious poor2 the former bestows subsistence1 the latter blessings4 ,how miserable1 how deservedly miserable is an incommunicative selfishness6 ,happy the man who can say with ,job1 ,when the ear heard me then it blessed me2 and when the eye saw me it gave witness to me3 because ,i delivered the poor that cried1 and the fatherless1 and him that had none to help him4 ,the blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon me1 and ,i caused the widow's heart to sing for joy4 ,i was a father to the poor4 ,with what astonishment must ,ruth have heard1 ,the man is near of kin unto us1 one of our next kinsmen6 but she did not arrogantly assume her right to what she had received1 or1 presuming upon the dignity of her relationship1 propose to make immediate application for that support which he was so well able to afford3 this would have been the first thought of an ordinary or a selfish mind4 ,on the contrary1 she expatiates1 with a satisfaction which heartfelt gratitude and pre-eminent goodness alone could have inspired1 upon the marked attention of ,boaz--,he said unto me also1 ,thou shall keep fast by my young men until they have ended all my harvest4 ,naomi advised her to accept this bounty1 lest1 by gleaning in any other field she might seem to undervalue the permission1 or to cherish an offensive dependency of spirit4 ,with her characteristic meekness1 ,ruth assented1 continuing to pursue her mean occupation during the weeks of harvest1 and returning every evening to share with ,naomi her humble cot and her scanty fare4 ,during all this time1 the mind of the affectionate mother-in-law was meditating a plan to promote the future happiness of her daughter4 ,past the period of marriage herself1 she knew that ,ruth might yet adorn1 as well as obtain an accession of comfort from such a connection4 ,if the young woman were satisfied with her obscurity1 and content to provide a precarious subsistence for herself and her venerable relative by the labour of her hands1 ,naomi was superior to that selfishness which would rather have aimed to retain her in perpetual subserviency to her convenience1 than seek to augment her joys1 advance her interests1 and raise her to her proper sphere of usefulness4 ,having made every possible sacrifice to her and her religion1 she deemed it the part of maternal kindness to avail herself of the existing laws respecting matrimony1 to connect her with the noble minded ,boaz4 ,this solicitude she took the first opportunity of expressing1 and directed her to measures1 which1 if they appear extraordinary to us1 might not have been unseemly or unusual at that period and in that country4 ,a few years are sufficient to operate a complete revolution in existing customs2 it cannot therefore be surprising1 that the manners of another quarter of the globe1 at the distance of more than thirty centuries1 should essentially differ from our own4 ,to judge of their propriety by our standard is manifestly absurd2 and to make great allowances for the state of society is1 in cases of extreme variation1 obviously necessary4 ,after all1 the conduct of ,naomi may not be capable of entire vindication2 though we are certain it proceeded from a sentiment of pure affection1 and was connected with important results in the order of ,providence3 it is1 moreover1 recorded without the slightest hint of disapprobation4 ,ruth was directed by her mother-in-law to repair with the utmost secrecy to the threshing-floor2 and1 when ,boaz1 conformably to the simple manners of the age1 retired to rest among the heaps of corn1 to place herself at his feet4 ,when be spoke1 she was to answer frankly1 and await the intimation of his will4 ,she did so3 ,boaz made the inquiry1 and promised all that a sense of her virtues and a knowledge of her rights dictated4 ,the law authorized the present application on her part at the instigation of ,naomi1 in order that the possessions of the family might not be alienated4 ,kinsmen were required to intermarry1 and in case of refusal the near relative was treated with the utmost public indignity4 ,boaz perfectly understood this legal claim2 and1 notwithstanding his evident partiality to ,ruth1 ingenuously informed her1 ,there is a kinsman nearer than ,i4 ,if he performed the kinsman's part1 law and piety required acquiescence2 if not1 he solemnly avowed his own resolution to do so4 ,ruth departed before it was light1 and carried the intelligence home4 ,boaz availed himself of the earliest opportunity in the morning to bring the affair to a decision2 he went up to the gate1 stopped the relative to whom he had alluded as he was passing by1 and appealed to ten of the elders of the city4 ,he at first agreed to the redemption of some family inheritance which belonged to ,naomi2 but1 upon intimation that if he purchased the land he must marry ,ruth1 he declined it1 giving full permission to his relative to enter into this contract4 ,the mutual regard subsisting between ,boaz and ,ruth rendered this a most welcome circumstance1 and the former immediately called upon the elders and all the people who were assembled on the occasion1 to hear witness to this1 as a fair1 public1 and honourable transaction4 ,so ,boaz took ,ruth1 and she was his wife4 ,in some cases1 where the matrimonial connection has been founded upon a dereliction of principle1 and formed in defiance of the suggestions of common prudence1 of parental kindness1 and even of the interdictions of ,heaven itself1 we feel compelled to express our grief1 rather than offer our congratulations2 but where1 as in the present instance1 the voice of nature harmonized with that of reason1 conscience1 and ,god1 who can hesitate to approve the union1 and to anticipate that delightful result which has been so well expressed in poetic numbers8 ,hail1 wedded love6 by gracious ,heaven design'd1 ,at once the source and glory of mankind6 ',tis this can toil1 and grief1 and pain assuage1 ,secure our youth1 and dignify our age2 ',tis this fair fame and guiltless pleasure brings1 ,and shakes rich plenty from its brooding wings2 ,gilds duty's roughest path with friendship's ray1 ,and strews with roses sweet the narrow way4 ,if1 in all the circumstances that lead to this union1 the interpositions of ,providence be not always1 perhaps not frequently1 so marked1 incontrovertible1 and striking1 as in the history under consideration1 let it never be forgotten1 that such a wise and good superintendence really exists1 and may1 in every instance1 be traced in some degree by the devout observer4 ,if our ways be committed to the ,lord1 he will direct our paths4 ,amidst the ardour of youth1 we are not always capable of discerning what is really obvious1 or of fully believing what is infallibly true3 but years teach wisdom2 the developements of futurity often throw light upon the mysteries of the past2 in the coolness and quiet of the eventide of life1 and even before that period1 how commonly do good men acknowledge the kindness of those once distressing dispensations that thwarted their juvenile susceptibility4 ,in the adverse1 as well as the prosperous events of the life of ,ruth1 she could perceive that all things worked together for her good2 and no reflecting ,christian will hesitate to appropriate the same sentiment to himself4 ,a plan was laid in the divine mind1 in the execution of which she often acted unconsciously3 the birth1 the education1 the original circumstances and residence1 the removal1 the final elevation of ,ruth1 were all essential parts of the scheme1 links in the chain of mercy2 and the same may be affirmed respecting the life of every pious individual4 ,one circumstance demands particular notice4 ,neither in ,boaz nor in ,ruth can we discern the least symptom of precipitation2 they suffered ,providence to work its own way1 to accomplish1 without any obstruction from their unholy haste and heedlessness1 its own purposes2 in neither of them is discernible the least trace of a wish to seek their own gratification irrespectively of the will of ,omniscience2 they were in a sense passive1 resigning themselves wholly to the disposal of ,god2 they did not force a passage through intervening impediments with an indecent and impious resolution of spirit1 as if they could not1 or would not be happy excepting in their own way1 but waited patiently for the ,lord4 ,young persons sometimes attempt to outstrip ,providence1 and dare to chide its lingerings1 or to murmur at its decisions2 they set up for separate empire1 and imagine they can create their own paradise2 a conduct which ultimately proves as fatal to their comfort as it is now to their respectability4 ,it is an advantage for young people of both sexes1 which cannot be too highly appreciated1 to have judicious1 and especially parental advisers4 ,let them not impute their kind suggestions to the frigidity of age when they do not keep pace with their own warm feelings1 but consider that they are likely to know more of the world1 and to deserve their attention after amassing a stock of experience4 ,why should their good advice1 or even their urgent importunity1 be deemed officious or be treated with contempt8 ,if mistaken1 they are not1 or ought not to be1 peremptory4 ,if not obliged to follow their opinion1 young persons are certainly required1 by every motive of duty1 and even of self-interest1 to hear it4 ,were it admitted that ,ruth erred in some degree from her excessive obsequiousness to ,naomi1 yet her general spirit and temper merit the strongest encomium1 the deepest study1 and the closet imitation4 ,tragical as was the commencement of this history1 its termination presents a very different aspect4 ,we beheld the family of ,elimelech sinking fast in human apprehension into oblivion1 and his name beginning to cease in ,israel2 we now witness its restoration and prosperity3 it has emerged from its obscurity into splendour1 and shines with imperishable glory on the page of inspiration4 ,the aged tree1 which time had well nigh lopped of every branch1 sprouts out afresh1 and shoots forth with new vigour and luxuriancy4 ,we should learn never to despair of ,providence1 never to relinquish hope1 never to imagine that any thing is too hard for the ,lord4 ,time1 and change1 and death1 whatever revolutions they may occasion in general society or in individual families1 not only cannot prevent1 but1 by their diversified operations1 shall conduce to accomplish the purposes of ,heaven4 ,time and change1 exclaimed ,job1 are against me4 ,true2 but they cannot countervail ,omniscience4 ,we naturally congratulate our favourites upon their prosperity2 and the interest we must feel in the history of ,ruth swells into the highest satisfaction upon reading the closing part of the narrative4 ,we hear of the birth of ,obed1 who derives additional importance from the illustrious line of his descent4 ,a few generations conduct immediately to the ,,messiah4 ,all the neighbourhood celebrates the event1 and we have equal reason to hail and proclaim it3 ,and the women said unto ,naomi1 ,blessed be the ,lord1 which hath not left thee this day without a kinsman1 that his name may be famous in ,israel2 and he shall be unto thee a restorer of thy life and a nourisher of thine old age3 for thy daughter-in-law1 which loveth thee1 which is better to thee than seven sons1 hath borne him4 ,and ,naomi took the child and laid it in her bosom1 and became nurse unto it4 ,and the women her neighbours gave it a name1 saying1 ,there is a son born to ,naomi2 and they called his name ,obed3 ,,he ,,is ,,the ,,father ,,of ,,jesse1 ,,the ,,father ,,of ,,david4 ,ordinary minds avoid1 as much as possible1 recurring to past periods of indigence and inferiority of station4 ,any reference to such circumstances is deemed offensive1 by people of the world who have been elevated from low situations to opulence and rank1 and whose arrogant nothingness proves they have descended in moral worth and real respectability exactly in proportion as they have risen in temporal distinction4 ,but every thing we know of ,ruth tends to convince us that1 if a detailed account of her private life had been given1 it would have been highly honourable to her sensibility and her piety4 ,how often1 and with what feelings1 would she pace the field where1 in the situation of a humble gleaner1 she first met with ,boaz4 ,with what emotions would she trace and retrace her own eventful story6 ,and especially1 with what devout gratitude would she call to mind the days of her idolatry in ,moab1 and the happy era of her spiritual emancipation6 ,in her own past character1 in her infatuated sister's defection1 what motives to praise would arise1 and what tears of mingled pain and pleasure would she shed6 ,and shall not we1 who have tasted that the ,lord is gracious1 cherish a sense of our obligations to redeeming mercy1 and remember all the way which the ,lord our ,god hath led us these years in the wilderness1 to humble us and to prove us1 to know what was in our hearts1 whether we would keep his commandments or no8 ,sweet are the recollections of piety1 and acceptable the offerings of a grateful mind6 ,how inferior to these the trees of ,lebanon in sacrifice1 or all the spicy mountains of ,arabia in a blaze6 ,from what depths of sin1 what delusions of mind1 and what danger of soul1 has ,god in ,christ delivered us6 ,once far off1 we are now brought nigh--sometimes darkness1 now light in the ,lord--you hath he quickened1 who were dead in trespasses and sins4 ,but far more exalted pleasures of memory and retrospection await the ,christian in a future world4 ,having ascended above this cloudy spot into the glory of the divine presence1 it will be his pleasing and privileged employment to retrace the events of past existence1 when nothing but a remembrance of the struggles and conflicts of this mortal state will remain1 to enhance the raptures of eternal victory4 ,what is crooked will then be made straight1 what is perplexing will become plain1 what is unknown will be revealed4 ,amidst the songs of heaven it will heighten our blessedness to recollect the sorrows of earth as past--clothed in the robe of salvation and triumph1 it will be grateful to recall the time when we wore the armour and strove in the field--arrived in port1 it will be inexpressibly delightful to recur to the storm as then for ever gone by6 ,deborah4 ,chapter ,,viii4 ,,section ,i4 ,historical retrospect--,deborah sitting as a ,judge and ,prophetess under a ,palm-tree--,sends to ,barak to ,confront ,sisera--,accompanies him-- ,preparations for ,battle--,victorious ,result--,death of ,sisera--,reflections4 ,after the death of ,joshua1 which occurred in the hundred and tenth year of his age1 and in the two thousand five hundred and seventy-eighth of the world1 the people of ,israel were in a very fluctuating1 unsettled condition1 having no regularly appointed governor2 and the book of ,judges1 supposed to have been written by ,samuel1 exhibits a striking picture of the disorders incident to such a state of civil disorganization4 ,let every soul1 then1 be subject unto the higher powers2 remembering that1 as rulers are not a terror to good works1 but to the evil1 while we are properly submissive to their authority1 we should be grateful to ,god for their appointment4 ,although the ,israelites1 who had been commanded to extirpate the nations of ,canaan1 pursued their conquests for some time1 they gradually relapsed into a neglectful inactivity1 permitting the inhabitants of the land to remain in tributary subjection4 ,whatever personal objections they might feel1 and whatever apparent contrariety there might have been between their views of strict justice and the explicit directions of ,heaven1 they were bound to execute the divine will with a prompt unhesitating compliance4 ,if general rules of conduct were not perfectly superseded by the paramount authority of an express direction from ,god1 the great principle of positive institutions would he annulled1 and the prejudices1 passions1 and misconceptions of a fallible creature1 might1 in certain cases1 interfere with the acts of supreme legislation4 ,though1 to strengthen the principle of obedience1 and1 as far as possible1 to render a reasonable service1 it may often be proper to inquire why-- such is our present incapacity1 or so profound and vast the mysteries of divine administration1 that in general our inquiries must be limited to the great question1 what--is enjoined8 ,his conduct does not require our vindication1 while his commands claim our obedience4 ,nor does a rebellious spirit merely incur censure2 it inevitably exposes to punishment4 ,the people upon whom ,israel neglected to execute the purposes of ,infinite ,justice1 became1 according to prophetic intimations1 snares and traps to seduce them to idolatry1 and scourges in their sides1 and thorns in their eyes4 ,they were in subjection eight years to ,cushan1 king of ,mesopotamia1 till judges1 of whom ,othniel was the first1 and ,samuel the last1 were raised up for their deliverance4 ,after the signal interference of ,heaven on their behalf1 in the successes of their first judge1 which terminated in a peace of forty years1 the children of ,israel did evil again in the sight of the ,lord1 and the ,lord strengthened ,eglon1 the king of ,moab2 against ,israel1 by whom they were enslaved eighteen years4 ,after which1 ,ehud1 a ,benjamite1 became their deliverer1 by assassinating the king of ,moab1 and another peaceful interval of eighty years elapsed3 but such was the strange perversity of this extraordinary nation1 that they abused their prosperity1 and again apostatized from ,god4 ,nor will it be difficult or unprofitable to trace in ourselves some striking points of resemblance to them1 and in the divine conduct that same character of love and forbearance which marks his dispensations to his church in all the successive ages of time1 ,they were disobedient1 and rebelled against thee1 and cast thy law behind their backs1 and slew thy prophets which testified against them to turn them to thee2 and they wrought great provocations4 ,therefore thou deliveredst them into the hand of their enemies1 who vexed them3 and in the time of their trouble1 when they cried unto thee1 thou hearedst them from heaven2 and according to thy manifold mercies thou gavest them saviours who saved them out of the hand of their enemies4 ,but after they had rest1 they did evil again before thee2 therefore leftest thou them in the hand of their enemies1 so that they had the dominion over them2 yet when they returned and cried unto thee1 thou hearedst them from heaven1 and many times didst thou deliver them according to thy mercies2 and testifiedst against them1 that thou mightest bring them again unto thy law3 yet they dealt proudly1 and hearkened not unto thy commandments1 but sinned against thy judgments1 7which1 if a man do1 he shall live in them17 and withdrew the shoulder1 and hardened their neck1 and would not hear3 yet many years didst thou forbear them1 and testifiedst against them by thy spirit in thy prophets3 yet would they not give ear2 therefore gavest thou them into the hand of the people of the lands4 ,nevertheless1 for thy great mercies' sake1 thou didst not utterly consume them1 nor forsake them2 for thou art a gracious and merciful ,god4 ,jabin1 king of ,canaan1 was raised up by ,providence to disturb that long period of national tranquillity already adverted to1 during which the religious character of ,israel had so much degenerated3 and it must be admitted to evince the unfailing regard of their divine ,protector1 rather to inflict corrective chastisement upon his people1 than to suffer them to proceed with unchecked eagerness in a course fatally injurious to their real interests4 ,in every individual concern shall we not gratefully confess1 that whom the ,lord loveth--he chasteneth1 and scourgeth every son whom he1 receiveth8 ,sidenote3 ,year before ,christ1 #ahje to #abce ,jabin is said to have reigned in ,hazor1 a place situated1 according to ,josephus1 in the tribe of ,naphtali1 on the lake ,semechon4 ,joshua had reduced this place to ashes1 and slew its former sovereign2 but1 probably1 the present prince had availed himself of the criminal indolence of the ,israelites to rebuild it4 ,the captain of ,jabin's army was ,sisera1 who was truly formidable2 having1 according to the inspired historian1 nine hundred chariots of iron4 ,this1 for a petty prince of ,canaan1 was a most extraordinary force1 by which ,israel was kept under tyrannical domination for twenty years4 ,ardent cries were presented to ,heaven in these critical circumstances2 and he whose ears are ever open to the cries of the distressed1 interposed by raising up an illustrious female to accomplish the plans of mercy4 ,and ,,deborah1 a prophetess1 the wife of ,lapidoth1 she judged ,israel at that time4 ,as no prophet is mentioned in ,israel during their defection1 this was a signal testimony of the divine favour upon their repentance2 and while observing that out of the millions of ,israel a woman was chosen to execute the great purposes of ,heaven1 we cannot but admire the inscrutable wisdom that appoints all persons to their stations1 qualifies all agents for their particular instrumentality1 and regulates all the movements of this lower world4 ,not a sparrow falls to the ground1 nor an angel wings his flight1 but in subserviency to the arrangements of an omniscient mind4 ,deborah was a judge1 as well as a prophetess2 and a ruler over some1 if not all their tribes4 ,some have supposed1 that judges among the ancient ,israelites resembled the ,archons among the ,athenians1 and the ,dictators among the ,romans4 ,the office was not hereditary1 but conferred for life2 and seems to have been considerably allied1 although somewhat inferior1 to royal authority4 ,we are struck with the simplicity of the age in which this prophetess and judge of ,israel is represented as sitting under a palm-tree1 to discharge her public and eminently important duties4 ,it was between ,rama and ,bethel1 in mount ,ephraim4 ,the subject is curious and interesting2 we may1 therefore1 enter into some particulars4 ,the palm1 or date-tree1 is a native of ,africa and the ,east1 where it grows to the height of fifty or sixty1 and occasionally a hundred feet4 ,a cluster of branches issues from the top of it1 eight or nine feet long1 bending towards the earth1 and extending all round in the form of an umbrella4 ,the trunk is upright1 and full of cavities1 the vestiges of its decayed leaves1 having a flat surface within1 adapted to the human foot1 and forming a kind of natural ladder1 by which a person may easily ascend to the top4 ,the lower part produces a number of stalks or suckers1 which diffuse the tree considerably1 and form a kind of bushy forest4 ,this illustrates the scriptural term in the history of ,deborah4 ,she dwelt under the palm-tree2 or1 as it might be rendered1 in a forest of palms4 ,this tree was very common in ,palestine4 ,it abounded along the banks of ,jordan1 and particularly about ,engeddi and ,jericho2 the latter place is designated1 in ,scripture1 the city of palms4 ,the extensive importance of the date-tree1 says ,dr4 ,clarke1 is one of the most curious objects to which a traveller can direct his attention4 ,a considerable part of the inhabitants of ,egypt1 of ,arabia1 and ,persia1 subsist almost entirely upon its fruit4 ,they boast also of its medicinal virtues4 ,their camels feed upon the date stone4 ,from the leaves they make couches1 baskets1 bags1 mats1 and brushes2 from the branches1 cages for their poultry1 and fences for their gardens2 from the fibres of the boughs1 thread1 ropes1 and rigging2 from the sap is prepared a spirituous liquor3 and the body of the tree furnishes fuel3 it is even said1 that from one variety of the palm-tree1 the ,phoenix farinifera1 meal has been extracted1 which is found among the fibres of the trunk1 and has been used for food4 #bc ,in the ,east1 it is very common for persons to live in tents1 either entirely or during some of the most sultry seasons of the year4 ,this was the patriarchal mode1 and persons of considerable distinction are accustomed to pitch them for occasional residence4 ,mr4 ,harmer quotes ,dr4 ,pococke as speaking of a pleasant place not far from ,aleppo1 where he met an ,aga1 who had a great entertainment there1 accompanied with music under tents4 ,maillet mentions tents as things of course1 in an account he gives of an ,egyptian officer's taking the air with his lady in the neighbourhood of ,cairo2 and ,chardin says1 that ,tahmasp1 the ,persian monarch1 used to spend the winter at ,casbin1 and to retire in the summer three or four leagues into the country1 where he lived in tents at the foot of ,mount ,alouvent1 in a place abounding with cool springs and pleasant shades2 and that his successors lived after the same manner until the time of ,abas the ,great1 who removed his court to ,ispahan4 #bd ,it is sufficiently probable1 therefore1 that ,deborah pitched her tent during a considerable period of the year1 under some remarkable palm-tree which stood either alone1 or in a forest of palms4 ,there1 for the purpose of convenient shelter in a sultry climate1 and with primitive simplicity of mind and manners1 she received the children of ,israel who came to her for judgment1 investigating their causes1 and by her integrity and wisdom1 promoting the happiness of her illustrious nation4 ,the homage which mere external pomp compels is lighter than vanity1 compared with that stirling solidity of character which no less ministers to the general good than to the individual's own reputation4 ,he who rules over others1 should aim to be enthroned in their affections2 and they whom ,providence calls to obey1 should readily cherish1 and1 on all suitable occasions1 express feelings of respect for their appointed rulers4 ,as the supreme magistrate of ,israel1 ,deborah sent to ,barak1 of whom we know only that he was the son of ,abinoam1 and resided in ,kedesh-,naphtali1 requiring him to take ten thousand men of the tribes of ,naphtali and ,zebukin into the neighbourhood of mount ,tabor2 and1 as a prophetess under supernatural influence of immediate inspiration1 she assured him of the most perfect success against the hostile prepartions of ,sisera4 ,he was not only warranted to anticipate a decisive victory1 but also the destruction of this celebrated general1 of whom it was expressly affirmed that he should be delivered into his hand4 ,it is not necessary to inquire by what particular means this divine intimation of success was communicated to the prophetess of ,israel1 whither by an audible voice1 a nocturnal vision1 an angelic messenger1 or a secret impression2 suffice it to know1 that the great ,disposer of human destiny has often adopted some and all of these methods to disclose the scenes of futurity to the mind1 in proof that he is not only the ruler of nations1 but the guardian of his church4 ,though he permit the rod to smite his people1 it shall he broken in pieces whenever it has accomplished its work4 ,on the present occasion1 it was revealed to ,deborah1 that in the ensuing conflict ,israel should certainly be victorious2 and this disclosure of the event might be kindly intended to revive the desponding feelings of the pious part of the community under circumstances of painful depression4 ,we are not authorized to anticipate1 in our individual or national calamities1 such a miraculous discovery1 nor ought we to repine at the concealment of future events2 but of this we may rest assured1 if indeed the people of ,god1 and the called according to his purpose1 the hostility of our worst enemies cannot eventually injure us--the ,captain of our salvation will conduct1 us to triumph--and the standard of victory shall be planted upon the graves of our foes4 ,barak1 it seems1 started some objection to the message of ,deborah1 alleging1 ,if thou wilt go with me1 then ,i will go2 but if thou wilt not go with me1 then ,i will not go4 ,this extraordinary reply may1 perhaps1 be explained1 by supposing it to be the language of that modesty which has so often characterized the greatest of men2 and which1 it must be admitted1 is no less admirable than their most splendid achievements4 ,thus when the angel of the ,lord appeared to ,moses1 announcing a divine commission to go to ,pharaoh1 and bring the children of ,israel out of ,egyptian servitude1 he replied1 ,who am ,i1 that ,i should go unto ,pharaoh8 and1 during a long-continued conference1 he stated a variety of difficulties1 and manifested a degree of reluctance that excites astonishment4 ,we are ready to charge him with an infatuation bordering upon insolence and presumption2 nor1 upon a first perusal1 should we wonder to find him smitten to the earth for his strange hesitation and timidity2 but a closer inspection of the narrative will convince us1 that his reluctance1 and apparent refusal1 ought not to be attributed to any unwillingness to engage in the service of ,god1 with a view of promoting his glory in the earth1 but to a consciousness of his personal unworthiness4 ,his objection was less to the work1 than to himself2 he did not so much tremble because that was arduous1 as because he was1 in his own apprehension1 unfit4 ,this was a feeling1 however1 which1 under the circumstances of his call1 we cannot vindicate2 for1 to say the least1 it was excessive4 ,whatever estimate ,moses in the one case1 or ,barak in the other1 might have formed of themselves1 the divine will ought to have been considered the only rule of action4 ,we must never shrink from the course to which ,providence calls us--allowing ,god1 who cannot err1 to choose his own instruments2 and feeling that he who commands can enable us to perform the most arduous duties4 ,animated by a zeal which nothing could repress1 ,deborah instantly complied with the condition upon which ,barak proposed to engage in the war4 ,in language expressive of an unconquerable heroism1 a masculine energy of character and a devoted patriotism of spirit1 she sent him word1 ,i will surely go with thee2 but accompanied this message with an intimation1 that the honour of this exploit would in part at least attach to a woman1 whom ,providence had selected to execute the purposes of heaven upon ,sisera4 ,the little army being collected1 the general and the prophetess hastened to the field of battle1 anxious to revenge the wrongs of their insulted country1 and to emancipate her enslaved provinces4 ,a patriotism inspired her breast1 and probably by this time animated his1 which was kindled by a fire from heaven1 which roused into vigorous action all the respective talents1 and energies of their nature2 and which1 urging them forward to righteous war1 a war against impiety and oppression1 undertaken in the fear1 and to promote the glory1 of ,god1 excited them to march to an anticipated victory4 ,under these circumstances1 it is as much to the honour of ,barak1 that he wished for the presence of the prophetess4 ,heroes are seldom anxious for the observant eye of piety to watch their movements1 and to penetrate their camps4 ,alas6 those whom we admire as the defenders of our country1 we weep over as the corrupters of our morals2 and too often the page which celebrates their prowess1 is stained with the record of their rapacity4 ,but1 however unwelcome an attendant1 let them remember that an omniscient eye witnesses both their private transactions1 and their public career4 ,it is no less honourable to the character of this illustrious heroine and female head of ,israel1 that so far from cherishing any petty jealousies of ,barak1 and aiming at a monopoly of the reputation likely to result from the present undertaking1 she assigned to him the post of honour1 and contented herself with becoming his adviser4 ,the superiority of her mind induced her to seek an inferiority of station2 anxious only to ensure success1 not to gain applause2 to be approved of ,god1 not to be altered of man4 ,happy would it be for us all in our respective stations1 whether elevated by opulence or depressed by poverty1 were we constantly influenced by a similar principle4 ,then should we be stimulated to the noblest duties1 and fulfil the solemn injunction of our ,god and ,saviour1 ,occupy till ,i come4 ,sisera1 the captain of the ,canaanitish army1 having been informed of the movements of ,israel1 gathered together all his nine hundred chariots of iron1 and encamped between ,harosheth and the river ,kishon4 ,this hostile force1 stretching along the circumjacent valley of mount ,tabor1 must have presented a formidable appearance2 and it would not have been surprising1 if even veteran troops1 whose scared bosoms proclaimed their unretreating hardihood in battle1 had been appalled to meet so mighty a preparation with only ten thousand men4 ,but the spirit of a weak woman1 when sustained by the living ,god1 shall brave every danger4 ,faith shall triumph over fear1 and the sword shall follow and fulfil prophetic inspirations4 ,up1 said ,deborah to ,barak1 for this is the day in which the ,lord hath delivered ,sisera into thine hand2 is not the ,lord gone out before thee8 ,if from this spirited appeal1 it might be unjust to the military character of ,barak1 to cherish a suspicion that he manifested some degree of reluctance to attack the army of ,sisera1 overawed by his numerical superiority1 we cannot help perceiving the wisdom and promptitude which actuated the conduct of ,deborah4 ,she had an eye to discern1 and a courage to seize1 an important crisis4 ,but what most claims our admiration is1 an incessant reference to ,providence1 which marks all her words and actions4 ,nothing of that boastful language1 which indicates an arrogant mind escaped her lips4 ,she evinced no self-adulation1 and no undue dependence upon human resources4 ,how many in similar circumstances1 would have vushed forward to disproportionate battle with a blind impetuosity1 trusting to chance1 for the result3 or1 inspired alone by personal hatred against the foe1 and a thirst for renown1 would have hastened to conquer or to die6 ,from our earliest days we have been taught to admire the heroes of classical story1 and have followed with acclamations the conquerors of later ages1 who seem to have rivalled the fame of a ,themistocles or a ,leonidas1 and to have reacted the tragical sublimities of ,salamis and ,thermopyl2 but1 in the present history1 we see piety clad in the armour of heroism--the achievements of military valour ascribed solely to the higher cause of a divine superintendence--,the ,,lord hath delivered ,sisera into thine hand2 is not the ,,lord gone out before thee8 ,without detracting however from the military genius of ,barak1 or ascribing an undue pre-eminence to ,deborah1 it may be readily believed1 that so disproportionate a force as that of the ,israelites at first acted1 and very properly acted1 on the defensive1 till a favourable conjunction of circumstances occurred2 and1 perhaps1 some miraculous sign1 or some divine inspiration on the mind of the prophetess1 suggested the moment of attack4 #be ,it is in fact impossible to determine with any precision where human skill ceased to operate1 and where divine interposition commenced2 and so imperfect is our present acquaintance with the laws by which spirit and matter are connected1 that our speculations will certainly be fruitless1 and may therefore be pronounced unwise4 ,let us be grateful1 that the fact of divine operation on the human mind is fully ascertained1 and by every sincere ,christian pleasingly experienced2 and that1 though all the ,lord's people are not prophets1 the language of kind encouragement can never be expunged from the sacred page1 ,if ye being evil know how to give good gifts unto your children1 how much more shall your heavenly ,father give ,,the ,,holt ,,spirit to them that ask him8 ,in obedience to the orders of ,deborah1 ,barak immediately put his little band of intrepid warriors in motion4 ,the result was such1 as under these circumstances might1 however astonishing1 have been reasonably expected2 for if ,god be for us1 who can be against us8 ,the mighty hosts of ,canaan1 amounting1 according to the estimate of ,josephus1 to three hundred thousand foot1 and ten thousand horse1 vanished before the valiant arm of ,israel1 nerved as it was by an energy from heaven4 ,barak poured the irresistible torrent of war upon his presumptuous foes1 and swept them away4 ,josephus states1 that when they were come to a close fight1 there came down from heaven a great storm1 with a vast quantity of rain and hail2 and the wind blew the rain in the face of the ,canaanites1 and so darkened their eyes1 that their arrows and slings were of no advantage to them2 nor would the coldness of the air permit the soldiers1 to make use of their swords2 while this storm did not so much incommode the ,israelites1 because it came in their backs4 ,they also took such courage upon the apprehension that ,god was assisting them1 that they fell upon the very midst of their enemies1 and slew a great number of them4 ,so that some of them fell by the ,israelites1 some fell by their own horses1 which were put into disorder1 and not a few were killed by their own chariots4 ,scarcely does the history of the world furnish an example of so complete a victory1 accompanied by so utter an annihilation of the enemy4 ,curiosity might wish to trace the various movements of that memorable day1 the plan of battle1 the occasion of defeat1 the exploits of individual heroes1 and a thousand other circumstances1 with which fancy often decorates the head of the hero1 and amplifies the page of the historian2 but with a majestic simplicity so eminently characteristic of the sacred narrative1 it is stated that the ,lord discomfited ,sisera1 and all his chariots1 and all his host1 with the edge of the sword1 before ,barak2 so that ,sisera lighted down off his chariot1 and fled away on his feet4 ,but ,barak pursued after the chariots1 and after the host1 unto ,harosheth of the ,gentiles3 and all the host of ,sisera fell upon the edge of the sword2 and there was not a man left4 ,who will compare with this simple record the language of ,csar1 though so often celebrated1 ,veni1 vidi1 vici--,i came1 ,i saw1 ,i conquered2 words at least as remarkable for egotism as for laconic force3 or who would represent the battle of ,zela1 and the defeat of the ,pharnaces as worthy of being named in connection with the memorable victory of ,tabor4 ,sisera1 defeated1 dispirited1 and alone1 fled to the tent of ,jael1 the wife of ,heber the ,kenite1 a family which was at this time at peace with the king of ,canaan4 ,it was an additional reason to hope for security from the enemy's pursuit1 that the custom of the country interdicted intrusion of all strangers into the woman's apartment4 ,jael moreover went forth to invite this defeated general under her protection1 and encouraged him to expect every attention that humanity could dictate in this moment of extremity4 ,no wonder he resigned himself with a fearless confidence to her care1 and prepared to seek in balmy sleep an oblivion of all his distractions4 ,she furnishes him with a refreshing draught of milk1 though he only requested water2 covers him with a mantle1 and undertakes to guard him from all unwelcome intrusion1 by standing at the door of the tent1 to answer the interrogatories of any inquisitive stranger4 ,but no sooner did he drop into a sound sleep1 than1 seizing upon the first weapons that her situation afforded1 a nail and a hammer1 and approaching softly to the unconscious general1 she drove the nail into his temple1 and transfixed him to the ground4 ,hastening from her tent1 in the transport of success1 to meet ,barak1 who was in eager pursuit1 she conducted1 him to the corpse of his prostrate foe4 ,so ,god subdued on that day1 ,jabin1 the king of ,canaan1 before the children of ,israel4 ,let us dismiss ,jael1 for the present1 from our meditations1 and offer a reflection or two on the fate of ,sisera4 ,i4 ,no event recorded upon the page of history is more calculated to impress upon our minds the assertion of ,solomon1 than that to which we have just given our attention3 ,the race is not to the swift1 nor the battle to the strong 444 for man also knoweth not his time1 as the fishes that are taken in an evil net1 and as the birds that are caught in the snare2 so ere the sons of men snared in an evil time1 when it falleth suddenly upon them4 ,nothing could have been more improbable1 according to human calculations1 than the result of this extraordinary battle4 ,who that had seen the far-stretching troops of the king of ,canaan overspreading1 like a vast inundation1 the vicinity of ,kishon and ,harosheth1 whose polished armour glittered along the valley to the rising sun1 accustomed to victory1 breathing revenge1 and headed by the most distinguished general of the age--who that had viewed their prodigious forces1 consisting of infantry and cavalry1 in contrast with the diminutive strength and contemptible numbers of the ,israelitish army1 but must have considered the attack as the feeble effort of an unaccountable infatuation8 ,but though ,,he who sitteth upon the circle of the earth1 could have interposed at once to crush the foe by the thunder of his power1 ten thousand men of ,israel were appointed to execute his purpose against the devoted ,canaanites1 to show that it is his will to work by human means2--he required the employment of only ten thousand1 to prove that all human skill and success is mere instrumentality1 and that the honour of victory is to be attributed to the ,god of battles4 #b4 ,the enemies of ,god and his people shall perish ingloriously4 ,this is not the only instance4 ,pharaoh makes ready his own chariot1 and takes with him all the chariots of ,egypt1 in eager pursuit of ,israel1 just escaped from his relentless oppression4 ,in the pride of his strength he proclaims1 ,i will pursue1 ,i will overtake1 ,i will divide the spoil1 my lust shall be satisfied upon them--,i will draw my sword1 my hand shall destroy them2 but there was an arm of superior might that seized the unresisting elements1 and launched them upon the rash adventurer and his guilty myriads4 ,thou didst blow with thy wind1 the sea covered them2 they sank as lead in the mighty waters4 ,who is like unto thee1 ,o ,lord1 among the gods8--,sennacherib1 king of ,assyria1 sends ,tartan1 and ,rabsaris1 and ,rabshakeh1 with a great host against ,jerusalem1 in the reign of ,hezekiah4 ,mark their insolent blasphemy3 ,hearken not unto ,hezekiah when he persuadeth you1 saying1 ,the ,lord will deliver us4 ,hath any of the gods of the nations delivered at all his land out of the hand of the king of ,assyria8 ,where are the gods of ,hamath and of ,arpad8 where are the gods of ,sepharvaim1 ,hena1 and ,ivah8 have they delivered ,samaria out of mine hand8 ,who are they among all the gods of the countries that have delivered their country out of mine hand1 that the ,lord should deliver ,jerusalem out of mine hand8 ,a letter was afterward sent to the king to the same effect1 commencing with this blasphemous sentence1 ,let not thy ,god1 in whom thou trustest1 deceive thee4 ,hezekiah instantly repairs to the temple1 opens his letter in the immediate presence of the ,eternal1 and supplicates his great name for that interference in the present extremity1 which would deliver his people1 and promote his own glory4 ,his prayer is heard4 ,from the heaven of heavens an angelic envoy is despatched to the ,assyrian encampment1 and with the flaming sword of almighty indignation1 smites a hundred and eighty-five thousand of the boasting foe2 and when they arose early in the morning1 behold they were all dead corpses4 ,herod ventures upon the dangerous experiment of persecuting the church of ,god3 he dares1 with an untrembling hand1 to put ,james to the sword1 and ultimately imprison ,peter for the same horrid purpose3 but he who sitteth in the heavens held the presumptuous criminal in utter derision1 despatched an angel to break off the chains by which his servant was bound1 and laid his finger upon the royal rebel to extinguish his glory and his pride for ever2 he was eaten of worms1 and gave up the ghost4 ,ah6 the immortality of the soul elevates it above mortal power1 and the utmost that a persecutor can do is1 by a painful stroke1 to put a ,christian into speedier possession of his promised blessedness4 ,a tyrant is mortal1 his empire expires with his life2 and were he to employ the whole course of his life in tormenting a martyr1 and in trying to impair his felicity1 he would resemble an idiot throwing stones at the lightning1 while in an indivisible moment1 and with as inconceivable rapidity1 it caught his eye as it passed from the east to the west4 ,thou dull stupid man1 who art not stricken with the idea of a ,god1 whose will is self-efficient1 and who alone can act immediately on an immaterial soul1 come and behold some sensible proofs of that infinite power1 of which metaphysical proofs can give thee no idea6 ,and thou1 proud insolent man6 go aboard the last-built vessel1 put out to sea1 set the most vigilant watch1 surround thyself with the most formidable instruments3 what art thou1 when ,god uttereth his voice8' ,what art thou1 when the 'noise' resounds8 ,what art thou1 when torrents of rain seem to threaten a second deluge1 and to make the globe which thou inhabitest one rolling sea8 ,what art thou when lightnings emit their terrible flashes8 ,what art thou when the 'winds' come roaring 'out of their treasures8' ,what art thou then8 ,verily1 thou art no less than thou wast in thy palace4 ,thou art no less than when thou wast sitting at a delicious table4 ,thou art no less than thou wast when every thing contributed to thy pleasure4 ,thou art no less than when at the head of thine army1 thou wast the terror of nations1 shaking the earth with the stunning noise of thy warlike instruments3 for1 at thy festal board1 within thy palace1 among thy pleasures1 at the head of thine armies1 thou wast nothing before the ,king of nations4 ,as an immaterial and immortal creature1 thou art subject to his immediate power2 but1 to humble and to confound thee1 he must manifest himself to thee in sensible objects4 ,behold him1 then1 in this formidable situation3 try thy power against his3 silence 'the noise of the multitude of waters3' fasten the vessel that 'reeleth like a drunken man2' smooth the foaming waves that 'mount thee up to heaven2' fill up the horrible gulfs whither thou goest 'down to the bottoms of the mountains2' dissipate the lightning that flasheth in thy face2 hush the bellowing thunders2 confine the winds in their caverns2 assuage the anguish of thy soul1 and prevent its melting and exhaling with fear4 ,how diminutive is man6 ,how many ways hath ,god to confound his pride6 ,he uttereth his voice1 and there is a noise of a multitude of waters in the heavens4 ,he causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth4 ,he maketh lightnings with rain1 and bringeth forth the wind out of his treasures4 ,who would 'not fear thee1 ,o ,king of nations8 ,it is necessary1 however1 to remark1 that we are not authorized always to expect the strict exercise of retributive justice in the present state4 ,some remarkable visitations have1 in all periods1 roused the attention of an astonished world1 and powerfully appealed to the understanding of men1 in vindication of the character1 and in proof of the existence1 of a superintending ,providence4 ,tyrants have been hurled from their thrones1 empires uprooted from their foundations1 and the poor set on high from oppression2 but these dispensations have not been regular1 nor can they be calculated upon as certain1 or in general1 perhaps1 as probable4 ,they have been sufficiently numerous to indicate an observant though invisible eye fixed upon human affairs2 but not so frequent as to supersede the ,christian's anticipations of a day of final and impartial judgment4 ,the present may indeed be considered rather as a time of permitted1 confusion1 the period of moral chaos1 in which the elements of a new creation exists1 but in a disorganized state2 in which the principles of depraved human nature are permitted to develope themselves1 and human passions are suffered to act in an ample field of exertion with comparatively little control1 and for the purpose of ultimately promoting the glory of ,god4 ,hereafter the morning stars will sing together1 and all the sons of ,god again shout for joy1 when all things that offend shall be gathered out of his kingdom1 when sinners shall be everlastingly degraded1 ,christ for ever exalted1 the most mysterious dispensations shine with transparent brightness in the light of eternity1 and the unfading paradise of the saints bloom amidst the wrecks of time4 #c4 ,boast not thyself of to-morrow1 for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth4 ,little did ,sisera imagine the fatal reverses he was destined to suffer1 when in all the pride of fancied superiority1 sustained by the recollection of the successes of twenty years1 he made his arrangements for the battle with ,barak and ,deborah4 ,what a contrast between the moment of confident preparation1 and that of disgraceful retreat6 ,what a mighty and unexpected contrast between the high-spirited general at the head of his army1 and the trembling fugitive hiding himself in a tent1 and slain by a woman4 ,let us apply the reflection to ourselves4 ,how often do we form our schemes1 and calculate on temporal prosperities1 without any due regard to the will of ,providence1 or any proper consideration of the uncertainty of life4 ,we live without ,god in the world1 an omniscient ,deity has no existence in our minds1 and we inquire ,who will show us any good8 as if ,god were not the chief good1 or could not supply our happiness4 ,alas6 how often have we boasted of to-morrow by neglecting1 in a religious sense1 the most important business of to-day4 ,it is not easy to imagine a more dangerous state of mind1 than that of a person1 whose resolutions of repentance and amendment all respect futurity1 because he makes these very resolutions an excuse for his negligences1 and even considers them as an expiation of the guilt of his procrastinating temper4 ,it is indeed an affecting thought1 that so thick a mist surrounds us1 we are not only unacquainted with the events of ,,years to come1 we do not know what a ,,day may bring forth4 ,it may produce a change in our circumstances--our faculties--our friendships--our hopes4--,an hour--a moment1 may waft us from time into eternity6 ,now1 then1 is the accepted time1 behold1 ,,now is the day of salvation4--,seek the ,lord while he may be found1 call ye upon him while he is near4 #d4 ,mount ,,tabor has been repeatedly mentioned as the place where ,deborah directed that the forces of ,zebulon and ,naphtali should be concentrated1 and its immediate vicinity as the scene of the celebrated contest between ,barak and ,sisera2 but though it may appear a digression from the present subject1 it would be scarcely pardonable to omit a reference to that still more wonderful circumstance1 the transfiguration of ,jesus ,christ1 which probability and tradition concur in assigning to the same remarkable spot4 ,three of his disciples1 ,peter1 ,james1 and ,john1 accompanied him to this mountain1 where two bright spirits from among the glorified saints1 ,moses and ,elias1 descended to join their society4 ,delightful pledge of that inseparable union which will one day take place upon the summits of immortality1 when the general assembly and church of the first-born shall associate together in the realms of bliss6 ,o happy1 happy company1 ,where men and heavenly spirits greet1 ,and those whom death hath severed meet1 ,and hold again communion sweet2 ,o happy1 happy company6 ,what though death at present divides them1 and while some of this glorious family have reached their destined habitation1 others are left on earth to struggle with the calamities of life2 the separation is but temporary1 and will serve to heighten the raptures of union1 when they shall come from the east and from the west1 from the north and from the south1 and sit down with ,abraham1 and ,isaac1 and ,jacob1 in the kingdom of ,god4 ,and what will constitute the heaven of believers8 ,doubtless the vision of the ,lamb1 converse with ,jesus1 and perpetual intercourse with saints of all nations and ages4 ,moses and ,elias descended from the raptures of immortality to talk with ,jesus on the mount1 and the same divine communion will form a considerable portion of our felicity in the invisible world4 ,to be for ever near him1 and to see him as he is--to converse of the things of his kingdom--to learn from his own lips the purpose of all his most inscrutable dispensations to the church and to each believer1 the reason of every sorrow1 and the nature of its connection with our ultimate happiness--to hold fellowship with all his redeemed1 holy patriarchs1 distinguished apostles1 and victorious martyrs--to be encircled with all his family1 emparadised in his embraces1 and united to all who love him in bonds of indissoluble affection2 no sea to separate1 no discord to agitate1 no enemies to infest the unbroken circle of friendship--this will be joy unspeakable and full of glory4 ,not the delight of ,moses1 when conversing with ,god in the burning bush1 at the door of the tabernacle1 or in mount ,sinai--not the transports of ,david1 when his enchanted spirit waked the lyre of praise and gratitude--not the bliss of the three favoured disciples1 even on this mount of transfiguration1 can be compared with this perfect happiness4 ,all the little streams of felicity which flow to the church of ,god in the desert1 will then be collected into one vast ocean1 in which the tears and sorrows of time will be eternally lost4 ,the pleasures of a moment which now solace us by the way1 will be exchanged for the permanent joys of that celestial inheritance1 in which the ,lamb1 which is in the midst of the throne1 shall lead us1 and feed us by fountains of living waters2 and ,god shall wipe away all tears from our eyes4 ,by the anticipations of faith1 we are come unto mount ,sion1 and unto the city of the living ,god1 the heavenly ,jerusalem1 and to an innumerable company of angels1 to the general assembly and church of the firstborn which are written in heaven1 and to ,god the ,judge of all1 and to the spirits of just men made perfect1 and to ,jesus the ,mediator of the new covenant4 ,section ,,ii4 ,capacity of ,deborah as a ,poetess--,paraphrase of her remarkable ,song1 composed to celebrate the victory over ,sisera4 ,on a favoured few1 says an elegant writer1 has been conferred the combined glory of acting nobly and writing well2 of serving their own day and generation with credit to themselves and advantage to their country1 and of transmitting useful information to regions remote and generations unborn4 ,on the list of those illustrious few1 stands1 with distinguished honour1 the name of ,deborah1 the judge1 the prophetess1 the sweet singer of ,israel2 and it is with exultation we observe the most dignified1 arduous1 and important stations of human life filled with reputation by a woman2 a woman who first with resolution and intrepidity saved her country in the hour of danger and distress1 and ruled it with wisdom and equity1 and then recorded her own achievements in strains which must be held in admiration so long as good taste and love of virtue exist in the world4 ,sidenote3 ,years before ,christ1 #abhe4 ,the remarkable victory we have just related and remarked upon1 is celebrated by ,deborah in a poem1 which claims our attention as one of the most ancient in the world1 having been composed upwards of four hundred years before the birth of ,homer1 and which is characterized by unusual pathos and sublimity4 ,many passages in it are confessedly obscure1 which will not be deemed surprising1 when it is recollected how imperfectly we are acquainted1 in this distant period1 with the various circumstances1 incidents1 and localities of the memorable event it celebrates1 and even with the original language in which it was written4 ,dr4 ,lowth #bf very properly divides this poem into three parts2 first1 the exordium3 next1 a recital of the circumstances which preceded1 and of those which accompanied the victory2 lastly1 a fuller description of the concluding event1 the death of ,sisera1 and the disappointed hopes of his mother2 which is embellished with the choisest flowers of poetry4 ,it is proposed in the present chapter to furnish an extended paraphrase of this fine specimen of ancient poetry1 for the purpose chiefly of illustrating its meaning4 ,its various beauties as a composition can scarcely fail of striking the most superficial reader4 ,it occupies the fifth chapter of the book of ,judges4 ,,pg ,editor's note3 ,in the original book1 the text and paraphrase were displayed side-by-side4 ,in this case1 for each verse1 the paraphrase follows in brackets4 #a4 ,then sang ,deborah1 and ,barak the son of ,abinoam1 on that day1 saying1 ,deeply impressed with a grateful sense of that remarkable interposition of ,providence for the deliverance of ,israel from the long tyranny of their inveterate enemies1 which ,deborah and ,barak saw accomplished by their own instrumentality1 the one directing by her wisdom1 what the other performed by his valor1 they sang a sacred ode on the very same day2 a day so wonderful for its dangers1 anxieties1 and triumphs4 ,it was to this effect4 #b4 ,praise ye the ,lord for the avenging of ,israel1 when the people willingly offered themselves4 ,give thanks1 ye tribes of ,israel1 to the ,god of battles1 who has smitten the daring foe1 and thus avenged our wrongs4 ,the hearts of all men are in his hands1 and instead of internal dissention enfeebling our energies1 he has graciously disposed the people of ,zebulon and ,naphtali to offer their zealous services in the war2 a war which patriotism and piety have1 under the blessing of ,heaven1 conducted to a glorious termination4 #c4 ,hear1 ,o ye kings2 give ear1 ,o ye princes2 ,i1 even ,i1 will sing unto the ,lord2 ,i will sing praise to the ,lord ,god of ,israel ,let the voice of praise1 uttered from the thousands of ,israel1 resound to distant nations1 so that ,gentile princes and potentates may hear of the miracles of mercy wrought for the covenanted people of ,god4 ,ye idolatrous rulers of the world1 reject forever your gods of wood and stone1 for ,i am called to celebrate the majesty of ,jehovah1 who has triumphed over them2 and will sing to the honour of him1 who1 though no local divinity1 has chosen the children of ,israel as his peculiar people4 #d4 ,lord1 when thou wentest out of ,seir1 when thou marchedst out of the field of ,edom1 the earth trembled1 and the heavens dropped1 the clouds also dropped water4 #e4 ,the mountains melted from before the ,lord2 even that ,sinai from before the ,lord ,god of ,israel4 ,this illustrious day revives the recollection of those ancient interpositions of the strong arm of ,omnipotence for our ancestors1 which have often excited the our admiration1 and of which this appears like the continuation of a miraculous series4 ,o ,god6 what a period was that1 when ,israel marched round the confines of ,idumea1 and the majesty of thy protecting presence was displayed before the enemy1 in the pillar of cloud by day1 and of fire by night4 ,edom refused a passage through their land1 but so terrible were thy signs1 that the trembling earth1 the tempestuated heavens--all nature seemed to avenge the cause of thine insulted people2 and the surrounding nations were smitten with terror1 as when mount ,sinai herself quaked1 and for a time disappeared amidst the tremendous glory of the divine presence4 ,these wonders do not surpass what we have witnessed to-day1 and which prove that none shall oppress thy people with impunity4 #bg #f4 ,in the days of ,shamgar1 the son of ,anath1 in the days of ,jael1 the highways were unoccupied1 and the travellers walked through byways4 #g4 ,the inhabitants of the villages ceased1 they ceased in ,israel1 until that ,i1 ,deborah1 arose1 that ,i arose a mother in ,israel ,turn your weeping eyes to the recent miseries of our country ,shamgar1 indeed1 who succeeded ,ehud as judge1 effected something for ,israel1 and ,jael shall never be forgotten for her heroism and her useful exertions1 although in a private station2 but alas6 the long tyranny of our oppressors continued to produce the most disastrous effects--trade perished1 for no caravans of merchants dared to occupy the public ways1 infested as they were with an armed banditti1 the life of the unoffending traveller became endangered1 and the dejected inhabitants of the country were afraid to venture abroad1 except as thieves1 stealing through the most unfrequented paths1 and even there the most dreadful outrages were committed2 until ,i ,deborah1 arose1 and notwithstanding the weakness of my sex1 and the desperate situation of affairs1 became the happy instrument of benefiting ,israel1 by the restoration of public justice1 general security1 and national glory4 #h4 ,they chose new gods2 then was war in the gates2 was there a shield or spear seen among forty thousand in ,israel8 ,but trace our former miseries to their source4 ,israel relapsed into idolatry1 and ,god punished them with the scourge of war4 ,the insulting foe pressed to the very gates of our fortified cities--the means of defence were utterly neglected in consequence of general despondency1 and no adequate supply of arms could be furnished to repel the infuriated enemy4 #i4 ,my heart is toward the governors of ,israel1 that offered themselves willingly among the people4 ,bless ye the ,lord4 ,my warmest affections are due to the chiefs of ,israel1 who1 in the hour of calamity and apprehension1 did not shrink from danger1 nor tremble at death2 but1 in the true spirit of patriotism1 accompanied the people to battle1 placed themselves at their head1 flew at my first mandate to defend the common cause1 and animated our warriors by their noble enthusiasm4 ,let them unite in this anthem of praise to ,jehovah1 who had the best opportunities of knowing1 that nothing but his gracious interposition could have procured such unparalleled success4 #aj4 ,speak ye that ride on white asses1 ye that sit in judgment1 and walk by the way4 ,rejoice1 ye nobles and judges of the land1 who have the honorable distinction of riding upon white asses1 #bh the most valuable animal of the kind1 and therefore appropriated to persons of your rank2 shout for joy1 because now there is no impediment to the exercise of your high offices2 and ye1 merchants1 assist in the song1 for no obstruction remains to commercial intercourse2 the ways are clear1 communications open1 and your marauding foes shall alarm you no more4 #aa4 ,they that are delivered from the noise of archers in the places of drawing water1 there shall they rehearse the righteous acts of the ,lord1 even the righteous acts towards the inhabitants of his villages in ,israel2 then shall the people of the ,lord go down to the gates4 ,ye shepherds1 who a short time since scarcely dared to drive your flocks to the watering places1 and ye maidens1 who were afraid to go and draw for your daily supply1 or went in silence lest the smallest noise should rouse your ever-watchful enemies1 #bi now sing with a loud voice1 and without the least apprehension1 and unite with the husbandmen and vine-dressers1 in extolling that miraculous mercy which has restored to your most unprotected habitations the blessings of peace and security4 ,the gates of our cities shall no longer be shut for fear of the enemy1 and the people may again repair to these seats of justice and judgment4 #cj #ab4 ,awake1 awake1 ,deborah6 awake1 awake1 utter a song6 arise1 ,barak1 and lead thy captivity captive1 thou son of ,abinoam6 ,let not my exhausted powers drop the exulting strain2 but rather1 ,o ,deborah1 kindle with fresh enthusiasm upon every new view of the glorious subject6 ,exert thy utmost powers of praise1 upon this inexhaustible theme6 ,and thou1 companion and instrument of victory1 ,barak1 arise6 exhibit the captive foe who once led ,israel captive6 let the spoils of triumphant war be shown1 and thou and thy father's name shall be had in everlasting remembrance6 #ac4 ,then he made him that remaineth have dominion over the nobles among the people2 the ,lord made me have dominion over the mighty4 ,alas6 to what a wretched state was ,israel reduced3 but even this remnant of former greatness1 this weak and dispirited handful1 ,god employed to crush the power of ,canaan and the presumption of her nobles and1 be it spoken to his glory1 the ,lord made even me1 a feeble woman1 the conqueror of formidable armies1 and the saviour of a sinking state4 #ad4 ,out of ,ephraim was there a root of them against ,amalek1 after thee1 ,benjamin1 among thy people out of ,machii1 came down governors1 and out of ,zebulun1 they that handle the pen of the writer4 ,those noble warriors who hastened to the conflict with so much courage1 and conquered with so much glory1 have not only rendered themselves1 but their tribes1 for ever illustrious1 ,ephraim originated the expedition1 who had1 on a former occasion1 discomfited ,amalek1 and now manifested an heroic zeal against them and the confederates of ,jabin1 ,benjamin caught the holy infection of hatred against the enemies of the ,lord1 and first rushed to the fierce encounter1 ,machir1 the half tribe of ,manasseh1 despatched her great men with their forces1 and ,zebulon sent her sons more famed indeed1 as a commercial tribe1 for handling the pen than the sword1 but who readily came forward to aid the common cause4 #ae4 ,and the princes of ,issachar were with ,deborah1 even ,issachar and also ,barak2 he was sent on foot into the valley4 ,for the divisions of ,reuben there were great thoughts of heart4 ,the chiefs of ,issachar repaired to ,deborah and ,barak in ,mount ,tabor1 and with them the strength of their tribe4 ,they descended into the valley as foot soldiers1 with ,barak1 and trembled not at the chariots and cavalry of ,sisera4 ,but alas6 for ,reuben1 whose internal dissentions issued in a shameful neutrality1 a circumstance deeply perplexing and vexatious to their brethren4 #af4 ,why abodest thou among the sheepfolds1 to hear the bleatings of the flocks8 ,for the divisions of ,reuben there were great searchings of heart4 ,why didst thou obey the dictates of a selfish spirit and a carnal policy1 and while engrossed with thy flocks and herds1 refusedst to listen to the cries of thy brethren in distress1 and the loud calls of ,deborah and ,barak8 ,alas1 for the dissentions of ,reuben6 ,what painful thoughts1 what dreadful anxieties were occasioned by such unaccountable and unpatriotic conduct6 #ag4 ,gilead abode beyond ,jordan1 and why did ,dan remain in ships8 ,asher continued on the sea-shore1 and abode in his breaches4 ,influenced by a similar temper1 ,gilead1 or ,gad1 remained inactive1 in their possessions beyond ,jordan1 as though1 happy themselves1 they were insensible to the miseries of others1 and why didst thou1 ,o ,dan1 regarding only thy merchandise and thy gainful navigation1 continue motionless in the day of our calamity6 ,and see how ,asher imitated the base example1 abiding within the ruined walls of his cities1 and in his bays and havens6 #ah4 ,zebulun and ,naphtah were a people that jeoparded their lives unto the death in the high places of the field4 ,but ,zebulon and ,naphtah have acquired immortal renown1 by cheerfully hazarding their lives and their all1 when they assembled in the heights of ,tabor1 and impetuously rushed upon the foe in the valley where ,kishon flows4 #ca #ai4 ,the kings came and fought1 then fought the kings of ,canaan in ,taanach1 by the waters of ,megiddo they took no gain of money4 ,dire was the strife and vast the struggle when the confederate kings of ,canaan fought in ,taanach1 and near ,megiddo1 to which places in the tribe of ,issachar their mighty forces extended4 ,they pressed eagerly and freely to the war1 but how were their vain hopes disappointed when they returned without spoils4 #bj4 ,they fought from heaven1 the stars in their courses fought against ,sisera4 ,the awful contest was decided by the ,god of heaven4 ,his angels1 his elements--all nature aided our righteous cause2 and the stars of the firmament lighted our midnight pursuit1 and shone disastrously upon the fugitive enemy4 #ba4 ,the river of ,kishon swept them away1 that ancient river1 the river ,kishon4 ,o my soul1 thou hast trodden down strength6 ,the river ,kishon rising1 as if elated with joy at the opportunity1 and overflowing its banks1 swept thousands away2 that river1 celebrated in ancient times1 and the witness of former conflicts4 ,o ,deborah1 thou art indeed thrice happy in becoming the favoured instrument of exciting this glorious war1 and thus eventually of crushing a most formidable confederacy6 #bb4 ,then were the horse-hoofs broken by means of the prancings1 the prancings of then mighty ones4 ,the war-horse1 urged in his rapid flight over the flinty soil1 cut his hoofs to pieces2 or entangled amidst the overflowings of ,kishon1 pranced1 and foamed1 and perished4 #cb #bc4 ,curse ye ,meroz1 said the angel of the ,lord2 curse ye bitterly the inhabitants thereof1 because they came not to the help of the ,lord1 the help of the ,lord against the mighty4 ,the angel1 who preceded our hosts as the sword of an irresistible ,providence1 denounced a curse upon the city of ,meroz1 and commanded us to cherish a holy indignation against its lukewarm inhabitants1 who1 instead of resisting the giant armies of ,canaan1 remained as uninterested or timid spectators of the dreadful battle4 #bd4 ,blessed above women shall ,jael1 the wife be of ,heber the ,kenite1 be2 blessed shall she be above women in the tent4 ,but feminine heroism shall exhibited in honourable contrast with such shameful neutrality4 ,let the benediction of heaven rest upon the head of ,jael1 the wife of ,heber the ,kenite1 above all other women6 ,blessed shall she be above all other female1 heads of families who remained at home1 having with masculine-courage completed in her tent1 what was so happily begun in the field4 #be4 ,he asked water1 and she gave him milk2 she brought forth butter in a lordly dish4 ,sisera1 famished and fainting1 requested water to allay his thirst2 she opened a leathern bottle1 and with feigned respect presented him with butter-milk2 yes1 she poured him out butter-milk in a vessel of copper1 such as nobles use4 #cc #bf4 ,she put her hand to the nail1 and her right hand to the workmen's hammer2 and with the hammer she smote ,sisera2 she smote off his head1 when she had pierced and stricken through his temples4 ,lulled into a fatal security by her deceptive homage1 he slept--to wake no more6 ,she seized a nail of her tent1 and a hammer1 approached in cautious silence the sleeping adversary of ,israel1 and1 animated by an irresistible impulse of patriotic zeal1 she drove it through his temples1 and cut off his head4 #bg4 ,at her feet he bowed1 he fell1 he lay down2 at her feet he bowed1 he fell3 where he bowed1 there he fell down dead4 ,thus fell the great instrument of ,canaanitish oppression at the feet of a woman2 thus ingloriously he perished #cd #bh4 ,the mother of ,sisera looked out at a window and cried through the lattice1 ,why is his chariot so long in coming8 ,why tarry the wheels of his chariots8 ,o day of triumph6 ,methinks the mother of ,sisera1 anticipating the fruits of victory1 and the final subjection of all ,israel to their oppressor's yoke1 stood at her window1 chiding the tardy moments1 and impatiently exclaiming from behind the lattice-work1 ,why is the chariot of our victorious general so long in returning8 ,whence this painful delay8 ,hasten1 ye fleet animals that draw his chariots1 and restore him to our embraces6 #bi4 ,her wise ladies answered her1 yea1 she returned answer to herself1 #cj4 ,have they not sped8 have they not divided the prey2 to every man a damsel or two1 to ,sisera a prey of divers colours1 a prey of divers colours of needle work1 of divers colours of needle work on both sides1 meet for the necks of them that take the spoil8 ,her maids of honour1 who were scarcely less eager than herself to see the laurelled conqueror1 answered her2 yea1 chiding for a moment her own impatient expressions1 as if they indicated a doubt of success1 she said within herself1 ,have they not succeeded in discovering the enemy8--,doubtless they have1 ,have they not enriched them selves with immense booty1 and apportioned an ,israelitish damsel two to our brave warriors8--,yes1 yes1 this must occasion some delay1 and let them enjoy the reward of their valour4 ,as for ,sisera1 the most beautiful captives are his portion1 and shall be the slaves of his will2 the most elegant dresses1 curiously interwoven and wrought with the needle1 such as may well be deemed worthy of heroes1 shall grace his triumph and heighten his renown4 #ca4 ,so let all thine enemies perish1 ,o ,lord let them that love him be as the sun when he goeth forth in his might4 ,but who can describe their utter disappointment6 ,so shamefully1 so totally1 let all the enemies of thy people1 and all the opponents of thy dominion in the earth perish1 ,o ,lord1 from before thy face forever6 ,but let all those who are animated with a sacred zeal for thy glory resemble the morning sun as he advances rapidly to his meridian splendour2 let them increase in usefulness1 influence1 and esteem1 the honour of human nature1 and the lights of the world4 ,manoah's ,wife4 ,chapter ,,ix ,state of ,israel--,appearance of an ,angel to the ,wife of ,manoah--,she communicates the ,design of his ,visit to her ,husband--,second ,manifestation from ,heaven--,result of the ,interview--,reflection of ,manoah's ,wife stated and analyzed--,considerations deducible from the ,narrative--to avoid ,precipitancy of ,judgment--to avow our ,convictions at every suitable ,opportunity--to feel assured that the ,providence of ,god does never really1 though it may apparently1 contradict his word4 ,obscurity of station or of birth has no tendency to prelude the favour of ,god4 ,in this respect1 he seeth not as a man seeth1 but1 in the past dispensations of his mercy1 appears to have preferred the lowly as objects of high and distinguishing manifestations4 ,this is the case in the ,christian era1 and to the present hour the stream of celestial goodness pursues its silent and chosen course1 chiefly down the vales of poverty and wretchedness4 ,we see from the histories of ,scripture1 that in seasons of national defection1 there have existed pleasing instances of individual piety4 ,amidst universal darkness1 some stars of considerable magnitude have shed a light1 though comparatively feeble1 athwart the moral hemisphere4 ,god has never totally suspended his intercourse with man1 even in the worst of times1 nor suffered the series of his communications to be entirely broken4 ,if1 during certain disastrous periods1 truth has been eclipsed1 it has not been extinguished3 the watchful eye of ,providence has never been removed from the earth1 nor has the divine hand ceased to interpose in terrestrial affairs4 ,sidenote3 ,years before ,christ1 about #aaef4 ,the history of ,manoah and his wife is introduced by an allusion to the state of ,israel4 ,this people1 in consequence of returning to the commission of those sins for which they were so notorious1 were delivered up to their oppressors forty years4 ,the ,philistines were1 in fact1 very inconsiderable1 in comparison to the ,israelites1 having only five cities of any importance2 yet they were the appointed scourge in the divine hand to chastise his people4 ,thus he imparts power to the weak1 or enfeebles the energy of the strong1 to accomplish his omniscient purposes4 ,on a certain occasion1 an angel of the ,lord appeared to the wife of ,manoah with most welcome tidings4 ,she was a sufferer from the same cause which tried the faith and patience of so many of the illustrious females of patriarchal age3 and1 to alleviate those painful anxieties which good people at that period were accustomed to cherish for a family1 but especially to evince the unceasing regard of ,heaven to the interests of ,israel1 the commissioned spirit announced to her the conception of a son2 and giving her at the same time some directions respecting her own mode of living1 and the devotement of the future ,samson as a ,nazarite from the womb1 assured her that be should become the deliverer of ,israel from ,philistine subjection4 ,it does not seem as if she were commanded to tell her husband2 nevertheless1 she immediately hastens to disclose to him every circumstance that had transpired4 ,to whom could she so properly confide this important secret8 who1 excepting herself1 could be so deeply interested2 or who so worthy of sharing her utmost confidence8 ,between relatives so dear1 and so closely allied1 there should be few or no concealments4 ,on every subject they are entitled to reciprocal confidence1 which is the life of friendship and the soul of love3 and whither it be for advice or for congratulation1 the husband should share the feelings1 the sympathies1 the unreserved affections of the wife1 and the wife those of her husband4 ,these tender relatives may derive advantage especially from reciprocal communications on religious topics1 and points of pious experience4 ,by this means1 they may sweeten and sanctify domestic enjoyments2 by this renew and purify the flame of affection4 ,the simplicity and veracity of the wife of ,manoah appear in her address to him4 ,then the woman came and told her husband1 saying1 ,a man of ,god came unto me1 and his countenance was like the countenance of an angel of ,god1 very terrible2 but ,i asked him not whence he was1 neither told he me his name4 ,but he said unto me1 ,behold1 thou shalt conceive and bear a son2 and now drink no wine1 nor strong drink1 neither eat any unclean thing2 for the child shall be a ,nazarite to ,god1 from the womb to the day of his death4 ,the injunction respecting her own abstinence was no arbitrary requirement1 but was founded in nature and reason4 ,the temper of the mind1 is materially affected by the state of the body1 and both may concur in communicating permanent impressions from the mother to her offspring1 which often affect the comfort of existence4 ,the condition to which her child was thus devoted requires a brief historical elucidation4 ,the term ,nazarite signifies separated2 and is commonly applied to persons who make a vow to live in a more holy manner than others1 either during a certain specified number of years1 or ever after the pledge is given1 without recantation or change4 ,the ,nazarite abstained from every kind of intoxicating liquor1 from wine and strong drink1 from vinegar of wine1 or vinegar of strong drink1 and from grapes1 whether moist or dried2 he was to let his hair grow1 and upon no pretext whatever to approach a dead body1 though it were to render funeral honours to a father or mother4 ,if1 during the period of a vow1 the ,nazarite neglected any of these injunctions1 the whole ceremony was to recommence4 ,the least admissible time for this consecration was1 according to some of the ,jewish ,rabbins1 thirty days2 and the perpetual ,nazarite whose hair had been allowed to grow for many years1 might cut it once4 ,at the expiration of the appointed term1 various sacrifices were to be offered1 a particular enumeration of which is given in the sixth chapter of the book of ,numbers4 ,after this1 the priest shaved the head of the ,nazarite at the door of the tabernacle1 and burnt his hair on the fire of the altar4 ,if the person died previous to the expiration of his vow1 his son was required to fulfil the time1 and offer the same sacrifices4 ,perpetual ,nazarites1 like ,samson1 were consecrated by their parents2 but there is a peculiarity attaching to him above all others of whom we read1 being devoted even before his birth4 ,similar rites were observed amongst the heathen1 especially the ,egyptians1 the ,greeks1 and the ,romans1 the origin of which is unquestionably to be referred to the ,jewish law4 #ce ,as soon as ,manoah was informed by his wife of the visit she had received1 and the delightful promises she had heard1 he entreated ,god to permit the return of the messenger1 whom he supposed to have been a prophet4 ,when1 says ,bishop ,hall1 ,i see the strength of ,manoah's faith1 ,i marvel not that he had a ,samson to his son3 he saw not the messenger1 he beard not the errand1 he examined not the circumstances2 yet now he takes thought1 not whether he should have a son1 but how he shall order the son which he must have2 and sues to ,god1 not for the son which as yet he had not1 but for the direction of governing him1 when he should be4 ,zachary had the same message1 and craving a sign1 lost that voice wherewith he craved it4 ,manoah seeks no sign for the promise1 but counsel for himself2 and yet that angel spake to ,zachary himself1 this only to the wife of ,manoah2 that in the temple like a glorious spirit1 this in the house or field1 like some prophet or traveller2 that to a priest1 this to a woman4 ,all good men have not equal measures of faith2 the bodies of men have not more differences of stature1 than their graces4 ,credulity to men is faulty and dangerous1 but1 in the matters of ,god1 is the greatest virtue of a ,christian4 ,happy are they that have not seen1 yet believed4 ,true faith takes all for granted1 yea1 for performed1 which is once promised4 ,he that before sent his angel unasked1 will much more send him again upon entreaty2 those heavenly messengers are ready1 both to obey their ,maker1 and to relieve his children4 ,never any man prayed for direction in his duties to ,god and was repulsed2 rather will ,god send an angel from heaven to instruct us1 than our good desires shall be frustrated4 ,upon his reappearance1 the angel did not present himself to ,manoah1 though he came in answer to his supplications2 but to his wife as she sat alone in the field4 ,she immediately hastened to her husband1 who gladly returned with her to the spot2 and hearing from her own lips1 that it was the same remarkable visitor she had so recently seen1 he expressed his faith in the promise1 and his solicitude for the child4 ,his wife concurred in every desire2 and his inquiry was1 in fact1 equally her own4 ,how shall we order the child1 and how shall we do unto him8 ,the angel repeated his former injunctions1 which this pious female was ready to observe4 ,good people commence their plans1 and offer their prayers1 in behalf of children1 even before their birth2 feeling the weight of that responsibility which the parental relationship incurs1 and knowing well the early trials and dangers that await their little ones4 ,the tears and concerns that attend the period of parental anticipation1 mingle with the transports which accompany their nativity1 and stimulate their future exertions to train them up in the ways of religion4 ,how gladly do they make considerable sacrifices of time and property to this object2 and how richly are the maternal pangs repaid1 when true wisdom guides the steps of their youthful charge into paths of pleasantness and peace6 ,the mercies of ,providence are ill requited1 when the parents never inquire1 like ,manoah and his wife1 ,how shall we order the child8 ,if incapable of properly cultivating the infant mind themselves1 either on account of their own ignorance1 from their too abundant occupation1 or from an unprincipled disregard to the best interests of the little immortals intrusted to their care2 it is a happiness for the present generation1 that so many benevolent institutions exist1 which invite the poor and the neglected to their parental guidance4 ,but let parents1 and especially ,christian parents1 consider it one of their first duties1 one of their noblest privileges1 to implant the good seed of knowledge in their hearts1 which in its future developements1 may not only expand their faculties and dignify their characters1 but render them the ornaments' of society1 the comfort of their parents1 the guides and examples of posterity1 and the objects of divine approbation4 ,hitherto these two favoured individuals had no idea of the being they were addressing1 but still supposing him to be an ordinary prophet1 ,manoah1 in the true spirit of eastern hospitality1 requested permission to dress a kid for his refreshment4 ,he was1 besides1 animated with a sense of gratitude for the joyful news he communicated4 ,the angel declined his offer1 assuring him1 though he remained with him a little while1 he should not take any food2 but that if he designed to offer a burnt-offering1 he ought to be careful not to imitate the prevailing enormity of sacrificing to strange gods1 but to worship ,god4 ,manoah now became anxious to know the stranger's name1 that he might have an opportunity of hereafter expressing his gratitude and affection1 by informing him of the birth of his predicted offspring1 and making suitable acknowledgments for his kindness4 ,this request was refused2 and he was assured it was a secret1 and must remain concealed4 ,this was a sufficient reply to ,manoah and his wife1 who did not presume1 with an impertinent eagerness1 to press the question4 ,many secret things belong to ,god2 and it is the province of true piety to repress curiosity1 where it is not authorized1 or would be useless4 ,all impatience1 we should often take wing1 and pursue our adventurous flight through all the regions of possible knowledge1 and beyond the limits of ,scriptural revelation2 but1 ,why askest thou8--,what is that to thee8--,truth is disclosed in all its essentials--regard thy duty1 and listen to thy ,saviour--follow me4 ,many expositors have concurred in rendering the words of the angel thus1 ,why askest thou after my name1 seeing it is ,,wonderful8 and for an explanation of the epithet1 they refer to the sublime description of ,isaiah1 ,his name shall be called ,,wonderful1 ,counsellor1 the mighty ,god1 the everlasting ,father1 the ,prince of ,peace4 ,if this be correct1 the ministering spirit1 concealing his glory in the form of a man1 was no other than the ,angel of the covenant1 the ,wisdom1 the ,word1 and the ,son of ,god4 ,if1 after his resurrection from the dead1 and immediately previous to his reascension to the glories of eternity1 when invested with the character of the ,conqueror of death and hell1 he appeared to two of his disciples on the way to ,emmaus whom he had so recently left1 without their suspecting who it was1 for their eyes were holden1 that they should not know him8 it cannot be deemed an improbable circumstance in itself1 that on this occasion he should have been divested of all his splendid peculiarities1 to fulfil so interesting a mission to these worthy ,danites1 to authorize so unusual a sacrifice1 and to accomplish so glorious a mode of disappearance4 ,manoah now proceeded to present an offering to the ,lord1 presenting1 as was customary1 a meat-offering with his burnt-offering4 ,he was not indeed a priest1 nor was this the place2 but it was not requisite to go to the tabernacle in ,shiloh1 when his divine visiter had already dispensed them from the circumstantials1 by sanctioning the sacrifice here4 ,audit came to pass1 when the flame went up towards heaven from off the altar1 that the angel of the ,lord ascended in the flame of the altar2 and ,manoah and his wife looked on it1 and fell on their faces to the ground4 ,this was1 at once1 a proof of the full acceptance of their sacrifice2 and irresistibly convinced them1 they had been conversing with a divine personage4 ,and ,manoah said unto his wife1 ,we shall surely die1 because we have seen ,god4 ,but his wife said unto him1 ,,if ,,the ,,lord ,,were ,,pleased ,,to ,,kill ,,us1 ,,he ,,would ,,not ,,have ,,received ,a ,,burnt-,,offering ,,and ,a ,,meat-,,offering ,,at ,,our ,,hands2 ,,neither ,,would ,,he ,,have ,,showed ,,us ,,all ,,these ,,things1 ,,nor ,,would1 ,,as ,,at ,,this ,,time1 ,,have ,,told ,,us ,,such ,,things ,,as ,,these4 ,considering all the circumstances1 this was very remarkable language1 and merits attention2 not only as illustrative of the character of this excellent woman1 but as furnishing a principle of sound and legitimate reasoning in the concerns of religion4 ,at first1 being overawed by the majestic manifestation1 both these pious people fell prostrate in the dust4 ,a reverential awe pervaded their bosoms1 at a sight so wonderful and so unexpected4 ,the sentiments they felt were1 doubtless1 allied to those which dictated the exclamation of ,jacob1 ,how dreadful is this place6 this is none other than the house of ,god1 and this is the gate of heaven3 or the humble tone of ,isaiah1 ,wo is me1 for ,i am undone2 because ,i am a man of unclean lips1 and ,i dwell among a people of unclean lips2 for mine eyes have seen the ,king1 the ,lord of ,hosts4 ,but if the divine appearance in mercy proved so terrific and overwhelming to pious persons in those extraordinary times2 how tremendous will the second appearance of ,christ in judgment be to his enemies1 with the glory of his ,father1 and all the holy angels6 ,if the splendour of his grace confound a mortal eye2 what must be the lightning of his indignation1 how intolerable the flaming fire of his displeasure6 ,on this occasion1 ,manoah appears the weaker believer4 ,he thought of nothing but death2 he expresses his confidence of perishing1 and assigns a reason1 which1 however weak1 is sufficiently accounted for by the extreme terror of his mind1 and the universal prejudice of that age3 ,we shall surely die1 for we have seen ,god4 ,even good men are sometimes tempted to listen to the suggestions of nature1 rather than to the assurances of revelation2 and to dread as an evil1 what in their better moments is anticipated as a good4 ,if death were the extinction of being1 it might excite alarm2 but1 if it be only the means of our purification1 and the preparatory process to fit the spiritual character for the felicities of a higher existence1 it should1 and often does1 awaken pleasure4 ,if1 even while the shroud is worn by the body1 the spirit is clothed with the garments of salvation1 and that shroud will soon be exchanged for the white robe of purity and heaven2 what is there to prevent our adopting the words of an apostle1 ,i have a desire to depart1 and to be with ,christ1 which is far better8 ,if the apprehensions of ,manoah had been really well founded1 and himself and his beloved partner had yielded ,up their spirits on that memorable spot2 who can say it would have proved an undesirable exchange8 ,as the servants of the living ,god1 they were prepared for all events1 and for either world4 ,their union could never have been dissolved1 and the sphere of their spiritual discoveries would have been amply enlarged4 ,to see ,god is the antidote1 and not the occasion1 of death2 the hope1 and not the terror1 of the believer4 ,it is not difficult1 however1 to ascertain the reason why this prejudice so early and so extensively influenced the pious in primitive times4 ,it arose from a consciousness of guilt1 and a dread of merited punishment4 ,as a sinner1 man must necessarily tremble at the thought of his approaching ,god1 or at the communication of any message from his throne3 when ,god opens his mouth1 he naturally fears the sentence2 when tidings arrive from the invisible world1 he dreads their purport1 and conscience suggests that even the most favourable manifestations may be blended with tokens of displeasure4 ,every approach of the ,deity is liable to excite confusion to a guilty world2 and a sense of demerit may lead us not only to expect a war-rant for execution when a reprieve is coming2 but at first1 like ,manoah1 to mistake and misinterpret the sign4 ,the wife of this good man entertained no such fears4 ,with a faith which penetrated the divine intentions1 at least in part1 and which elevated her not only above the prejudices of the age1 but gave her a decided superiority over her trembling partner1 she suggested a far different conclusion1 and intimated the reason on which it was founded4 ,her conclusions1 the very opposite to his--so different are the degrees of grace in different characters--were deduced from three considerations4 ,each of these1 in her view1 was a decisive evidence against his suggestion1 and a consoling reflection in this extraordinary and ambiguous moment4 ,the first was1 the acceptance of their sacrifices4 ,if1 said she1 the ,lord be pleased to kill us1 he would not have received a burnt-offering and a meat-offering at our hands4 ,the law which prescribed the presentation of sacrifices1 expressly represented them as a sweet savour unto the ,lord2 which implied not only an approbation of the offering1 which was indeed of divine appointment1 and could not therefore be rejected1 but complacency in the worshipper4 ,the person could not be disowned1 while the presentation was acknowledged4 ,if this sentiment needed any corroboration1 the history of ,cain and ,abel would have furnished it4 ,the acceptance and rejection of each was evinced by the divine treatment of their respective offerings4 ,the ,lord had respect unto ,abel1 and to his offering3 but unto ,cain1 and to his offering1 he had not respect4 ,when ,god entered into a solemn covenant with ,abram1 a smoking furnace and a burning lamp passed between the divided pieces of the sacrifice1 and consumed them4 ,at the dedication of the tabernacle1 when the glory of the ,lord appeared unto all the people1 there came a fire out from before the ,lord1 and consumed upon the altar the burnt-offering and the fat2 which when all the people saw1 they shouted and fell on their4 faces4 ,the dedication of the temple was signalized by a similar manifestation4 ,now1 when ,solomon had made an end of praying1 the fire came down from heaven1 and consumed the burnt-offering1 and the sacrifices2 and the glory of the ,lord filled the house6 ,the same principle is fully-recognized by ,david1 in the following supplications3 ,the ,lord hear thee in the day of trouble1 the name of the ,god of ,jacob defend thee3 ,send thee help from the sanctuary1 and strengthen thee out of ,zion3 ,remember all thy burnt-offerings1 and accept thy burnt-sacrifice4 ,the argument1 therefore1 of ,manoah's wife was pious1 legitimate1 and conclusive3 if we were to be destroyed1 our services could not be approved4 ,the people of ,god too frequently resemble ,manoah2 but their doubts and fears would soon subside1 could they be persuaded to adopt the reasoning of his wife4 ,past experience is a solid basis for future expectations4 ,a succession of spiritual mercies is a pledge of kind intention1 and of continued favour4 ,in periods of despondency1 recur to days of religious prosperity and happiness1 when the candle of the ,lord shone upon you1 and spiritual enjoyments were dispensed in the use of means4 ,have you not good evidence1 that your sacrifices have been received--your prayers heard1 your dedication to ,god accepted8 ,have the spirit and efficacy of his promise evaporated in the lapse of time1 ,i will never leave you1 nor forsake you8 or have you no reason to say with holy anticipation1 ,surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life1 and ,i will dwell in the house of the ,lord for ever8 ,feeble1 imperfect1 and disproportionate to our obligations1 as all our offerings must be1 they are acceptable to ,god by ,jesus ,christ4 ,he has presented a sacrifice1 once for all1 upon the cross1 to which this subject naturally directs our attention1 which constitutes the foundation of human hope1 and secures a welcome reception1 and gives an available power to all the future offerings of faith4 ,the figurative nature of the ancient dispensations renders it not improbable1 that these humble ,israelites perceived1 in the memorable transactions they witnessed1 some typical representation of the work of redemption1 some glimpses of the great atonement1 and of the principle upon which what they offered was accepted4 ,this event was not intended merely to astonish or overawe1 but to instruct2 and the wife of ,manoah presents a noble example of that profound attention1 which it becomes us to pay to all the revelations of ,heaven4 ,if1 in particular1 the angels desire to look into the mysteries of redeeming love1 and consider the sabbath of eternity well employed in this research2 mortals surely1 who are more nearly interested1 cannot devote the less sacred hours of time to a more important inquiry4 ,nor should they be satisfied with superficial1 or indeed with any attainments in spiritual wisdom1 which is so unfathomable in its depths1 and illimitable in its extent4 ,the second consideration1 which led to the inference in their own favour drawn by ,manoah's wife1 was the wonders which the angel had shown them4 ,these were of a nature1 in her belief1 to justify her conclusion1 that ,god did by no means purpose their ruin1 but the reverse4 ,it appears from the general expression1 that the angel did wondrously1 in connection with the mention of all these things1 that some other manifestations1 probably of a hieroglyphic or typical nature1 were given antecedently1 or as an immediate preparation to his miraculous ascent in the flame of the altar4 ,this at least is certain1 making a general application of the statement1 that we are not only authorized to conclude from the privileges we enjoy1 but from the spiritual discoveries we have made1 that ,god is our ,father and our ,friend4 ,he would not have pointed out our danger1 and exhibited our remedy1 if he had designed our ruin4 ,were we appointed to perish in our guilt1 the ,physician of souls would never have been commissioned to visit us4 ,to be shown1 by ,scriptural statement1 by ministerial instruction1 and by providential guidance1 the way to heaven1 is no indication of an appointment to destruction4 ,have you not discovered the evil of sin1 the value of the soul1 and the excellency of ,christ8 ,have you not felt the sorrows of repentance1 and the joys of faith8 ,have you not touched the outstretched sceptre1 submitted to the chastising rod1 and gloried in the cross8 ,god does not impart a fixed aversion to all iniquity1 an intense desire after holiness1 habitual delight in his word1 and desire after his presence and glory2 he does not impress a sense of the infinite excellence of the ,saviour1 and a readiness to sacrifice every thing to his will1 and for his sake1 excepting to holy souls1 which are born1 not after the flesh1 but after the ,spirit4 ,the wife of ,manoah adverted to a third source of consolation1 at the period of this miraculous disappearance4 ,she refers to what they were told4 ,the assurances they had received of the birth of a son1 rendered it impossible they should die4 ,she had received very minute directions1 both respecting her offspring and herself1 who was to be consecrated as a ,nazarite1 and to rise up as the deliverer of his country from the yoke of ,philistia4 ,possibly1 during the preparation of the sacrifice1 the inquisitive spirit of this thoughtful woman induced her to seek a conversation1 which the celestial messenger was not unwilling to encourage1 and during which they might have received some further instructions4 ,our fears are apt to betray us into absurdities1 and confuse the memory2 so that good men1 like ,manoah1 speak or act inconsistently with themselves1 and their own more deliberate convictions4 ,happy they who are blessed with an intelligent awl pious companion1 whose kind suggestions may detect their errors1 refresh their recollections1 quell their fears1 and comfort their desponding hours6 ,thus two are better than one1 because they have a good reward for their labour4 ,for1 if they fall1 the one will lift up his fellow3 but wo to him that is alone when he falleth2 for he hath not another to help him4 ,obvious but important considerations are deducible from this narrative1 which seem capable of an application to the general concerns of life1 as well as to the inquiries of religion4 #a4 ,we should avoid precipitancy of judgment4 ,the wife of ,manoah1 in this view1 appears in advantageous contrast to her hasty husband4 ,she did not suffer herself to be hurried into a discouraging inference1 without reviewing the circumstances of the case1 and allowing time for reflection4 ,in the common affairs of life1 an inconsiderate eagerness1 either to escape from danger or to possess good1 is often itself productive of the disappointment it dreads2 while a proper deliberation prepares the mind either for failure or success3 and1 in the pursuit of moral and religions inquiries1 the same precipitancy is calculated to plunge into error1 which1 if it do not always endanger our salvation1 may disturb our peace4 ,jesus ,christ has expressly exhorted us to close and deliberate investigation1 intimating that our labour will be repaid by discovery2 for searching the ,scriptures1 and acquiring a knowledge of him respecting whom they testify1 and whom to know is life eternal1 are inseparably connected4 ,on another occasion1 when describing the true hearer of his word1 he suggests a comparison equally and beautifully illustrative of the necessity of a diligent use of the means of instruction1 and that serious1 profound1 and careful inquiry1 which is calculated to prevent an implicit submission to the opinion of others1 or taking our religion upon trust4 ,whosoever cometh to me1 and heareth my sayings1 and doeth them1 ,i will show you to whom he is like4 ,he is like a man which built a house1 and digged deep1 and laid the foundation on a rock2 and when the flood arose1 the stream beat vehemently upon that house1 and could not shake it1 for it was founded upon a rock4 #b4 ,it is wise1 and may be useful1 on all proper occasions1 to avow our convictions4 ,selfishness and timidity may concur to suggest a different proceeding3 but religion requires that we act upon principles superior to those of worldly policy4 ,manoah had every reason to be grateful to his wife1 for the distinct and prompt avowal of her sentiments2 which1 though contradictory to his1 were adapted to rouse him from his despondency and stupor4 ,she was1 no doubt1 ready to sympathize with his distress2 but duty to ,god1 attachment to her husband1 a consciousness of knowing the truth1 and even a proper respect to herself1 prompted a statement of her disagreement with his opinions4 ,when religion claims our services1 we must not withhold the offering of our lips1 or the labour of our hands1 through fear of danger or hope of gain4 ,when truth demands that we should speak1 or ,providence that we should act1 it would be criminal--it would be disgraceful1 to continue silent or inactive4 ,to generalize and apply these remarks to the circumstances in which ,christianity has placed us--it is required not only to believe in ,christ1 but explicitly to avow our sentiments of attachment to his ,gospel by a public profession1 whether we meet with the concurrence1 or suffer the opposition1 of our dearest friends4 ,timidity is natural to the female mind2 but religion requires even the youngest and the weakest of the sex1 not to suffer even natural delicacy to degenerate1 by excessive indulgence1 into criminal shame4 ,it does more1 it enables women to become heroes and martyrs6 ,inflamed with the love it inspires1 they have learned to see no lions1 to fear no dangers1 to feel no pains in the path of duty2 not only evincing patience1 but expressing joy4 ,jesus ,christ was not ashamed to call us brethren1 to assume our nature1 to fill our humble station1 to suffer our sorrows1 or to die for us an ignominious death2 he is not ashamed to own his connection with us now he is in the highest heavens1 or to be engaged in preparing a mansion1 in his ,father's house1 for our final reception4 ,shall we be ashamed of him1 or of his cause8 ,shall we tremble to avow our attachment1 if we feel it8 ,this would expose us to the censure of our own consciences1 to the reproach of a dishonourable1 hesitating1 indecisive conduct2 and1 above all1 to the ,saviour's final malediction1 as the ,judge of mankind4 ,it is the design of ,christ to establish an interest in the world2 and this is to be maintained1 not by fear1 but by firmness3 not by temporal compliances1 but by holy resistance2 not by sloth1 inactivity1 and shrinking into a corner1 but by putting on the whole armour of ,god4 ,not to be for ,christ is to be against him--neutrality is enmity--a refusal to enlist under his banners is disloyalty1 rebellion1 and treason6 #c4 ,the providence of ,god does never really1 though it may apparently and to human apprehension1 contradict his word or discredit his character4 ,the present manifestation of the angel in flame and terror1 did not subvert the confidence which the wife of ,manoah felt in his past declarations1 nor excite despondency respecting future events4 ,the fears of her husband did not shake her faith in the promises of ,god1 nor did the incomprehensible nature of the mystery blind her perceptions of the concealed mercy4 ,we are very inadequate judges of the divine conduct4 ,it is neither possible1 nor proper1 that we should know the mighty plan of his operations2 and it can never be a sufficient reason1 even under the most disastrous circumstances1 for questioning the goodness or wisdom of his dispensations that we cannot comprehend them4 ,the designs of ,god are very imperfectly unravelled in the present world4 ,we can see but to a short distance1 nor is it necessary that we should4 ,some light from the sacred page beams across the path of life2 but if we cannot at present attain all we may wish to know1 let us be contented to wait for the manifestations of eternity4 ,in the mean time we may rest assured1 that whatever is thought contradictory in the dispensations of ,providence to the written word1 is but seemingly so4 ,it is so merely because we cannot now see the connecting links1 the unbroken chain of events1 which1 when the clouds that obscure this earthly atmosphere shall be finally dispersed1 will become distinctly and for ever visible4 ,hannah4 ,chapter ,x4 ,section ,i4 ,religion a ,source of ,peace--,account of ,elkanah and his two ,wives--,peninnah reproaches ,hannah--,sin of despising others for their ,infirmities--the ,family at ,shiloh--,elkanah endeavours to console his ,wife--her ,conduct and ,prayer--,eli's unjust ,imputation--,hannah's ,defence1 and her ,accuser's ,retractation--,return from ,shiloh--,birth of ,samuel--his ,weaning4 ,where there is piety1 says an excellent commentator1 'tis pity but there should be unity4 ,there is1 however1 too frequent occasion to deplore the dissentions of families1 whose religious profession induces us to expect the prevalence of peace and harmony4 ,nevertheless1 these inconsistencies are so far from being justly chargeable upon religion1 that they furnish the most decisive evidence of its value4 ,it is in consequence of a departure from its genuine spirit1 and a compliance with the suggestion of evil principles and passions1 that individuals are rendered miserable and families distracted4 ,the renewal of that right spirit which it inculcates1 is the direct means of restoring personal comfort and domestic tranquillity4 ,the ,psalmist represents the law of the ,lord as perfect3 it is the only solid-basis of human felicity2 and every hope that is differently founded1 must prove1 inevitably prove1 a shadowy super-structure4 ,a deviation from the order and appointments of ,heaven is a proportionate departure from happiness2 for this order and these appointments do not result from caprice1 but a perfect combination of goodness and wisdom4 ,the divine system of legislation is formed with a merciful regard to our best interests1 and an entire knowledge of our nature4 ,its arrangements are not arbitrary1 but kind2 and obedience is no less essential to our real welfare1 both present and eternal1 than it is expressive of a just regard to our obligations4 ,in opposing the requirements of ,god1 man is an enemy to himself2 his resistance is not only culpable1 but ruinous4 ,these observations are fully exemplified in the history of ,hannah1 and the family of which she was the female head4 ,her husband1 whose name was ,elkanah1 resided at a place in the tribe of ,ephraim1 called ,ramathaim-zophim4 ,he is mentioned as having descended from ,zuph an ,ephrathite1 or inhabitant of ,bethlehem-,judah1 which is ,ephratah1 probably with the view of showing his connection with ,david4 ,as persons have sometimes conferred distinction upon places1 so places have occasionally dignified persons4 ,who would not have thought it an honour to be born at ,bethlehem1 whence the light of the world first proceeded1 and where such wonderful events were to be afterward transacted8 ,and yet it is but an adventitious honour1 which will soon fade1 if it be not sustained by personal character and real excellence4 ,elkanah had two wives2 ,hannah1 the subject of this history1 and ,peninnah4 ,here we trace the origin of the infelicity of this religious household4 ,it is strange that the experience of past ages1 the incongruity of such a practice in itself1 and the unauthorized nature of such a proceeding1 should not have prevented him from forming two matrimonial connections at the same time4 ,if polygamy were not expressly interdicted by a law1 but rather tolerated in an age of imperfect revelation1 like the plan of divorce to which our ,saviour alludes1 for the hardness of their hearts2 it had plainly no foundation in reason1 no sanction from ,heaven2 and not only no good consequences attached to it1 but it was commonly attended with calamitous results4 ,every recorded instance of it proves its extreme inexpediency4 ,it seldom failed to involve the comfort of all parties1 and must be regarded as a proof of weakness1 if not absolutely of a criminal indulgence of passion1 even when adopted under the most plausible pretences4 ,if the ,creator had at first perceived that a plurality of wives was conducive to human felicity1 he would have bestowed more than one upon man in his paradisiacal state4 ,infinite wisdom must have known what was really best2 and the inspired narrative shows that infinite goodness pursued every conceivable method of completing the enjoyment of him who was placed1 both in point of capacity and authority1 at the summit of creation4 ,there is a marked difference between the two women whom ,elkanah had espoused4 ,in most cases of contention1 considerable blame attaches to all the parties concerned4 ,we hear of provocations and insults on the one hand1 of recriminations and resentments on the other4 ,whoever originates the dispute1 an irreconcilcable spirit in both usually perpetuates it4 ,hannah1 reproached as she was by ,peninnah for her barrenness1 does not seem to have returned railing for railing4 ,the haughty behaviour1 indeed1 of her rival1 made her the more deeply sensible of her affliction1 and fretted her almost into despondency4 ,day after day1 she was ridiculed for what implied no blame1 and admitted of no remedy4 ,with how much greater reason might she have retorted upon ,peninnah her malignant temper and provoking tongue6 ,what was her natural infirmity1 in comparison with the slanderer's moral defilement6 ,how misplaced the censures of the one6 ,how admirable the patience of the other6 ,this disagreement presents a fair occasion of remarking upon a practice too much tolerated in society1 for which young persons especially cannot be too strongly reprehended4 ,it is the cruel conduct of despising others for their natural imperfections1 turning their blameless deformities into ridicule1 and speaking ill of them for defects which ought rather to excite the deepest commiseration4 ,perhaps the persons who suffer this unmerited contempt1 possess qualities of a mental and moral description1 which ought to conciliate the esteem and excite the imitation of the fair and graceful slanderer4 ,perhaps they have a cultivated mind and a pious spirit1 while she has nothing but a pretty countenance or an attractive form4 ,but how ill is wisdom compensated by beauty1 and how disgraceful is it to despise the work of ,god's hands6 ,if the object of offensive remark should happen to be endowed with neither wisdom nor symmetry1 is it becoming of you1 my reader1 to institute an arbitrary standard of gracefulness1 and despise every one who has not attained it6 ,is it for you to aggravate as a crime1 what reason teaches is1 at worst1 a misfortune8 ,is it for you to calumniate those who have given you no personal offence2 who are1 notwithstanding their disadvantages1 good members of society2 and if in some respects defective1 may not be vicious8 ,but if the latter were the case1 if they exhibited a combination of exterior deformity and interior depravity1 they would not then be the proper objects of ridicule4 ,the former peculiarity would still merit pity1 and indeed forbid observance2 the latter would require more serious treatment4 ,in many instances1 perhaps in the majority1 young persons are guilty of this misconduct through inadvertency4 ,they have been stimulated to it by others1 or they have never been impressed with a sense of its impropriety4 ,it has been the result of thoughtlessness1 rather than of malignity4 ,it was not their design to injure1 but to seek amusement4 ,let parents and tutors1 therefore1 explain the evil of such practices2 let such as read these pages meditate upon its enormity1 and be solicitous of cultivating those benign and benevolent feelings which peculiarly adorn their early age1 and are inculcated by the religion and the example of ,christ4 ,to return to the family of ,elkanah4 ,this worthy man did not allow domestic dissentions to interrupt his religious duties4 ,he went up to the worship of the ,lord in ,shiloh at the yearly festivals1 according to the appointments of the law4 ,unto the place which the ,lord your ,god shall choose out of all your tribes to put his name there1 even unto his habitation shall ye seek1 and thither thou shall come2 and thither ye shall bring your burnt-offerings1 and your sacrifices1 and your tithes and heave-offerings of your hand1 and your vows1 and your free-will-offerings1 and the firstlings of your herds and of your flocks4 ,and there ye shall eat before the ,lord your ,god1 and ye shall rejoice in all that ye put your hand unto1 you and your households1 wherein the ,lord thy ,god hath blessed thee4 ,in the services of religion1 it becomes us to ascend above all temporal considerations1 and regard exclusively the will of ,god4 ,elkanah1 however1 even at the solemn and public festival1 unhappily gave a worthy or double portion to ,hannah1 which was the ancient mode of expressing peculiar affection4 ,this was likely to inflame1 rather than to extinguish strife2 and though done1 no doubt1 with the kind attention of alleviating the sorrows of his best beloved partner1 was a sad display of weakness1 and a miserable profanation of the worship of ,god4 ,peninnah had children1 ,hannah the affections of her husband2 the former persecutes1 and the other weeps4 ,who would not have indulged the pleasing hope1 that the worship of ,god1 that cement of society1 that healing remedy for the disorders of the moral world1 would have quieted contention2 and that the flames of animosity would not have mingled with the hallowed fires of sacrifice6 ,it was well meant in ,elkanah to bring all his household together to the tabernacle in ,shiloh-- ,religion should extinguish strife1 ,and make a calm of human life4 ,if we cannot be reconciled at the altar1 it is an indication of rooted antipathy1 and will neutralize the effect of our entreaties for divine forgiveness4 ,if ,i regard iniquity in my heart1 the ,lord1 said ,david1 will not hear me4 ,the salutary effect of ,elkanah's measure was prevented by the continuance of discord4 ,year after year this mischievous spirit prevailed4 ,elkanah was unable to conciliate ,peninnah1 or to sooth ,hannah4 ,the good man was rendered wretched1 both by the temper of the one and the tears of the other3 the latter1 however1 was the most intolerable4 ,hannah1 said he1 why weepest thou8 why eatest thou not8 and why is thy heart grieved8 ,am not ,i better to thee than ten sons8 ,there is something soothing and gentle in this remonstrance1 which bespeaks the affection of ,elkanah1 and exhibits his pacific character in an advantageous light4 ,he does not directly interpose to settle the point of domestic difference by the stern dictation of authority1 but with a kind hand endeavours to wipe away the falling tears of his disconsolate wife4 ,nothing is more difficult than properly to administer reproof1 except it be properly to receive it4 ,elkanah seems1 on this occasion1 to have managed it with extreme delicacy1 and with happy success4 ,he kindly insinuated1 that she ought to feel consolation in her husband's regard2 and that a becoming submission to ,providence is at all times our duty4 ,she might have suffered not only the affliction which she so deeply deplored1 but the still greater distress of her partner's aversion4 ,if he had been alienated1 or even if his regard had been only diminished1 there would have existed a more plausible pretence for incessant grief2 but although ,peninnah was blest with children1 ,hannah was best beloved4 ,would the latter have been willing to exchange advantages8 would she have descended from a pre-eminence so justly valued1 for the sake of a family8 ,doubtless it was her wish to unite these comforts2 to retain the love of ,elkanah1 and to rival the children of ,peninnah4 ,but it is our duty1 and would prove eminently conducive to our happiness1 to improve the blessings we enjoy1 rather than to cherish undue solicitude for what ,providence does not see fit to confer4 ,there does1 by no means1 exist that inequality in the distribution of divine favours1 which our impatience tempts us to imagine4 ,one thing is set over against another2 comforts are associated with crosses3 and if we were in a situation1 or possessed a capacity1 to estimate with exactness the proportion of good and evil in the individual condition of mankind1 it is more than probable we should find the balances by which these proportions are determined most accurately poised4 ,we may safely1 and ought unhesitatingly1 to trust the hands in which they are placed1 and the power that regulates their distribution4 ,if the language of ,elkanah may be considered as honourable to his general spirit1 the silent obedience of ,hannah was no less illustrative of her extraordinary excellence4 ,how many tempera would have been exasperated by such an appeal2 and instead of drying up the tears of grief1 and proceeding to partake food1 would have instantly retorted both upon the intercessor and the rival6 ,she might have demanded why her husband1 instead of asking her to conceal her sorrows1 did not rather reprove the provoking conduct of ,peninnah1 and silence her exasperating tongue8 ,availing herself of the decided preference shown her1 she might have aimed at making her husband a party in the dispute2 and1 by his means1 have triumphed over her adversary4 ,but ,hannah was influenced by far different sentiments4 ,to her husband's remonstrances she appears to have returned no answer3 nor was it a sullen silence2 for she took food1 interrupted no longer the festivities of the occasion1 but1 painful as the struggle must have been1 heroically concealed her own feelings till the termination of the public solemnities4 ,after they had eaten in ,shiloh1 and after they had drunk1 ,hannah continued in bitterness of soul1 and rose up to withdraw4 ,but whither did she go8 ,whither1 under circumstances like these1 was it natural for her to fly8 ,perhaps into solitude to bemoan her sad situation1 to pour out her unrestrained tears1 to anathematize her insulting rival1 to plot revenge1 to curse the day of her birth4 ,the stream of grief and complaint might be expected to flow1 in the secret hour1 with accelerated force and rapidity1 proportioned to the restraint which publicity had imposed4 ,she did not1 however1 yield to this influence1 or retire for such a purpose4 ,perhaps she withdrew to seek the counsel of a friend1 or solicit the prompt interference of others who pitied her sufferings1 to check ,peninnah1 or to stimulate ,elkanah to stronger measures4 ,such a proceeding was not unlikely2 it was not1 however1 the one she adopted4 ,perhaps1 then1 it may be supposed1 she went home to wait for some favourable opportunity of urging her husband to discard ,peninnah1 and of exasperating his prejudices against her4 ,it was indeed natural for her to pursue either or of all these courses2 but she chose a different one4 ,the pious mourner has another and a better resource4 ,if she look around her for comfort in vain1 she can look above4 ,she may be pressed on every side--difficulties and distresses accumulating in every direction--foes behind1 and seas of trouble before--but the opening into heaven is free2 the ear of mercy is not shut2 the way of access to ,god never can be closed6 ,and she vowed a vow1 and said1 ,o ,lord of hosts1 if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid1 and remember me1 and not forget thine handmaid1 but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man-child1 then ,i will give him unto the ,lord all the days of his life1 and there shall no razor come upon his head4 ,this solemn address to ,heaven exemplifies some of the essential qualities of genuine prayer4 ,it is marked by reverence and godly fear2 for she appeals to the ,lord of hosts1 whose prerogative it is to marshal the celestial armies1 and to regulate with undeviating skill and irresistible influence the affairs of this lower world3 it displays profound humility2 for she repeats the simple and self-abasing term1 thine handmaid3 it expresses submission and dependence of spirit2 for she refers with implicit obedience to the determinations of the divine will1 as comprising whatever is best calculated to promote her real interests1 though without presumption1 she solicits ,omnipotent interference to remove her affliction1 if it should comport with the arrangements1 and seem proper to the wisdom of ,god2 it manifests an importunity which will always operate with more or less intenseness in every genuine prayer4 ,her solemn vow1 her judicious repetitions1 her whole phraseology1 evince this prevailing disposition4 ,she kindles with holy fervour1 and seems to stretch forth her eager hand to take the blessing which she cannot persuade herself will be refused4 ,she is fully aware that power and goodness combine in perfect proportions to influence the dispensations of the ,god whom she addresses1 and pleads with success1 because she pleads with fervour4 ,nor is ,hannah the first or the last witness to the apostolic assurance3 the effectual fervent prayer of the righteous availeth much4 ,it is not indeed insinuated1 that importunity in soliciting favours is invariably successful4 ,unquestionably1 many considerations of propriety1 necessity1 and adaptation1 must be understood to enter into the account4 ,the spirit of dictation must not blend with that of earnestness1 nor must we deem ourselves qualified to determine the time1 the manner1 or the proportion of divine communications2 but1 so far as relates to the spirit of prayer1 importunity is materially connected with success1 and coldness with failure3 the former advances1 and the latter negatives our supplications1 even while we present them4 ,there are cases of extraordinary ardour1 which can be measured by no common standard2 moments of outgoing after ,god1 seasons of inexpressible sensibility1 when the mind possesses an invincible persuasion of success1 which is at once the dictate of the ,holy ,spirit1 and the certain indication of acceptance4 ,faith discerns the blessing1 with a distinctness hitherto unknown1 and love burns with a vigour hitherto unfelt4 ,a certain persuasion pervades the soul that its entreaties cannot fail1 that the contemplated good is its destined portion2 and amidst the deepest1 the most unusual impression of unworthiness1 its assurance is sustained by a vivid remembrance of the promises1 and an overwhelming consciousness of personal interest in them3 all obstacles seem to remove1 or to vanish at the first touch2 every thing yields before the pursuit of zeal1 distance disappears1 time dwindles into a moment1 and the mind at once enters upon a paradise of possession4 ,in the very midst of discouragements1 the supplicant becomes a hero1 and triumphs by a prevailing power1 analogous to that of a great conqueror1 whose very consciousness of superiority wins an otherwise doubtful battle1 and gives him a victory even by anticipation4 ,amidst the provocations of her rival1 and the soothings of her husband1 ,hannah could only weep and fast3 but at the footstool of mercy1 she wrestles like ,jacob1 and prevails like ,israel4 ,she rises above herself1 no longer the despised and desponding mourner1 but the accepted and the triumphant suppliant4 ,thus devotion not only sanctifies1 but ennobles character4 ,it awakens all the energies of our nature1 directs them to their proper object1 and supplies an ample sphere for their exercise4 ,it produces extraordinary elevation1 and creates a heaven in the exercise of faith1 and in the sphere of duty4 ,it cannot excite surprise1 that a mere spectator1 even though he be a pious spectator1 should1 on such occasions as these1 mistake the outward indications of inward feeling4 ,objections will sometimes arise in persons of cooler temperament or more constitutional apathy to the enthusiasm of younger and more ardent ,christians1 founded altogether in misapprehension1 not like those of the world1 in impious dislike4 ,that the latter should miscal the holy ecstacies of religion enthusiastic and rhapsodical1 we do not wonder2 since they cannot understand them by that medium through which alone they become comprehensible1 the medium of experience3 nor need we feel much astonishment at the occasional mistakes of the former1 when it is recollected1 that the external indications of the passions are often equivocal4 ,this was the case with ,hannah4 ,eli1 the venerable priest1 was sitting upon a seat by a post of the temple2 and either from want of charity1 or a defect of eyesight1 he pronounced a precipitate judgment upon this good woman1 whom he strangely imagined to have been in a state of intoxication4 ,hannah1 it appears1 spake in her heart2 only her lips moved1 but her voice was not heard4 ,this excited the unjust suspicions of ,eli1 who immediately charged her with gross immorality4 ,how long said he1 wilt thou be drunken8 ,put away thy wine from thee4 ,it may be admitted1 as an extenuation of this rude attack1 that the good priest was jealous for the honour of his ,god1 whose temple he supposed was suffering profanation by indecent conduct3 and that1 instead of turning tale-bearer and whisperer1 he openly expressed his sentiments to the party concerned1 affording an opportunity for acknowledgment or explanation4 ,still his precipitancy cannot be justified4 ,it was his duty to have obtained better evidence1 before he ventured upon such a crimination2 or1 at least1 to have been more ceremonious and considerate4 ,reproof may be well merited2 but1 in order that its end be answered1 it should be properly administered4 ,gentleness and mercy should blend their benign influences with justice4 ,we are ourselves liable to error1 and have no right to assume the tone of severity1 or the air of triumph1 when required to notice blameable conduct4 ,if we should be mistaken1 either in the general fact1 or in the circumstances1 upon some of which we may have dwelt with unkind severity1 the reproof will not only affect us by a strong and most unwelcome reaction1 but in many instances furnish the transgressor with means of defending himself in what was actually wrong1 and thus nullify our testimony1 and harden his mind4 ,admirable1 indeed1 was the reply of ,hannah4 ,no1 my lord1 said she1 ,i am a woman of sorrowful spirit1 ,i have drunk neither wine nor strong drink1 but have poured out my soul before the ,lord4 ,count not thine handmaid for a daughter of ,belial2 for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief have ,i spoken hitherto4 ,nothing could be a more complete vindication of herself than this respectful1 dispassionate1 and dignified language4 ,she merely disclaims the unjust imputation of her accuser1 and explains the true cause of her emotions4 ,if she had been resentful and clamorous1 the suspicion of ,eli would rather have been confirmed than removed2 but her innocence shone forth as the noon-day1 unclouded by irritability or violence4 ,there is usually a marked difference between innocence and guilt1 in the mode of treating accusations3 the latter boisterous and impatient2 the former gentle1 calm1 and moderate1 comparatively careless of misrepresentations1 and often silent2 the latter adopts any artifice to shun the light1 the former affords every facility to investigation4 ,if a character be free from the stain of guilt1 it will not shrink from those proceedings which tend to hold it up to the light1 and which of course only exhibit its perfect transparency4 ,eli1 perceiving his mistake1 disdains to persist in it4 ,like a man of integrity and piety1 he corrects himself at once1 dismisses her with a blessing1 and prays for her success4 ,this was making the best possible reparation1 and it was done with a promptness which evinced its sincerity4 ,the good man was as ready to express his approbation1 when convinced of ,hannah's innocence1 as he had been to censure her conduct1 when he imagined it to be culpable4 ,in this transaction1 we perceive him practising one of the most difficult of duties2 and if the wife of ,elkanah be worthy of imitation for a respectful and modest defence against a false accusation1 the pious priest of the ,lord is no less so for retracting a hasty judgment1 and instantly exchanging frowns for smiles1 reproof for applause1 cursing for blessing4 ,in most cases1 the offending party is the last to be reconciled2 and mistake is frequently adhered to with an obstinacy1 and defended with a pertinacity1 proportioned to the haste with which it has been adopted4 ,look inward4 ,what is the present state of your minds respecting the errors you have committed1 or the wrong steps you have taken1 and of which you are deeply conscious8 ,have you adopted any measures to give satisfaction to an injured party1 or1 are you disposed to that concession which you know your past improprieties require8 ,to trifle with the character of another is cruel--to persist in misrepresentation is wicked4 ,can you expect pardon of ,god1 while living in the indulgence of an unforgiving spirit towards your fellow-creatures8 ,justice requires1 and ,christianity insists1 upon reparation4 ,o listen to their united voice6 ,hasten to wipe off the stain which your carelessness1 or your malignity1 has flung upon the white robe of innocence6 ,hasten to dry up the tears which you have caused the sufferer to shed3 hasten to heal the wound you have foolishly1 perhaps wickedly1 inflicted4 ,this duty1 remember1 is not superseded even by the ill conduct of the person you have made your foe4 ,if1 instead of submitting to your unkindness1 or bearing your mistake with the meekness of ,hannah1 you have been loudly denounced--if you have been represented as a calumniator1 and railing has been rendered for railing--if the injured person have even taken advantage of your error to reproach you in turn1 and circulated a thousand mis-statements to your disadvantage1 you are still under the greatest obligations to correct and apologize for your original error4 ,never can you be justified in the eyes of impartial men2 never can you stand upon the high ground of an unblemished reputation1 and become invulnerable to attack2 never can you obtain the divine approbation1 till you have adopted this measure4 ,neither conscience1 reason1 nor religion1 will admit that the aspersions of another justify your slanders4 ,his persistance is no reason against your concession4 ,restored to tranquillity and happiness1 ,hannah withdrew from the temple1 and her countenance was no more sad4 ,her innocence was apparent to the priest1 her petition heard in heaven4 ,she went up weeping1 she returned rejoicing4 ,devotion had pacified her troubled breast1 and since committing her way to the ,lord1 the tide had ebbed1 the sky had cleared4 ,she knew that her request would be granted1 or1 if denied1 that she should see occasion ultimately to feel perfect acquiescence and satisfaction in the determinations of ,providence4 ,she1 therefore1 wiped away her tears1 and dismissed her anxiety4 ,such is the relief afforded by humble prayer4 ,how often has sorrow been transformed into joy by religious exercises6 ,from the dark vale of life1 where the winds blow and the rains descend1 how often has the pious mourner ascended to that sacred mount of communion with ,god1 the closet1 or to the holy hill of ,zion1 and dwelt in the sunshine of heaven6 ,agitated no longer with conflicting elements1 and mysterious events1 the clouds have appeared far1 far below2 while the omnipotent hand has been seen engaged in regulating their movements1 directing their course1 and preparing to disperse them in every direction4 ,it is obvious that no combination of happy circumstances1 no human power1 no earthly friendship1 could have afforded substantial consolation to ,hannah1 if she had not repaired to the mercy-seat4 ,already had her affectionate husband attempted1 in vain1 to sooth her grief4 ,he had renewed his love1 wiped off her tears1 kindly remonstrated and reasoned with her4--,hannah6 am not ,i better to thee than ten sons8 ,ah6 what avails it6 ,elkanah can sympathize1 but he cannot relieve--he can reason1 but he cannot remove the cause of her sorrows--he cannot turn the course of nature1 or renew the springs of existence--he cannot change weakness for strength1 or convert barrenness into fertility3 but he who has all resources in his hands1 all elements and worlds at his disposal1 can2 and1 at the voice of prayer1 will accomplish the holy desires of the mind4 ,see1 ,christians1 your best resource1 your ultimate appeal1 your distinguished privilege6 ,god sitteth upon the throne of his holiness4 ,henceforward1 the sacred narrative omits the name of ,peninnah1 and there is nothing in her history to induce a wish to penetrate the concealing veil4 ,she was1 in fact1 originally introduced to notice for the purpose of illustrating the more valuable qualities of ,hannah1 whose excellence continues to shine with indiminished lustre to the end of her days4 ,it is indeed profitable1 as a warning1 to contemplate specimens of moral deformity as well as examples of moral worth2 but we naturally hasten from the offensive1 to the pleasing and attractive forms of female character4 ,peninnah perishes unregretted from the page--,hannah continues to adorn it1 and obtains an everlasting remembrance4 ,on the day fixed for the return of this pious family1 it is stated that they rose early in the morning1 and worshipped before the ,lord4 ,it is deplorable1 that so many of our thoughtless race should live from day to day1 and from year to year1 in a state of perfect estrangement from the duties of devotion4 ,whirled about in the circle of dissipation1 or busied with the cares of the world1 they forget ,god their ,maker2 and1 though the constant recipients of mercies which flow to them in uninterrupted succession1 they never acknowledge1 they can scarcely be said to know the ,giver4 ,the most important transactions1 schemes1 and journeys1 are undertaken without once committing themselves to the guidance or protection of that ,providence which is observant of their steps1 and supplies them1 notwithstanding their ingratitude4 ,how pleasantly do they proceed1 who1 like the family of ,elkanah1 first solemnly present themselves before the ,lord1 and commence every business and every day with an act of worship6 ,it is true they are not exempted from misfortune1 or rendered invulnerable to the attacks of evil2 but they are well prepared for1 and will be graciously sustained in every vicissitude4 ,sidenote3 ,years before ,christ1 #aaee4 ,the predestined hour having arrived1 a son was born to ,hannah1 whom she named ,samuel2 because1 said she1 ,i have asked him of the ,lord4 ,sometimes1 what has been sought with importunity1 is received with coldness1 or enjoyed with ingratitude4 ,no sooner is the blessing bestowed1 no sooner is the tear of agony dried up1 than every pledge is forgotten1 and the mind relapses into thankless indifference4 ,the sun shines1 and our impressions pass away with the storm4 ,but ,hannah adopted a measure well calculated to excite every member of the family1 and his mother in particular1 to a perpetual recurrence to the goodness of ,providence4 ,she was resolved upon an expedient1 by which the flame of gratitude might be kept incessantly burning in her breast4 ,could she ever look upon ,samuel without recollecting he was asked of ,god8 ,could she ever repeat the name of her beloved first-born1 without thinking of the ,hearer of prayer8 ,amidst the ecstasies of maternal love1 when she witnessed the infant sportings1 and traced the expanding faculties of her ,samuel1 how often would she remember the stirrings of her spirit1 and the sad days of her reproach4 ,once she had scarcely indulged the hope of being a mother1 much less the mother of so remarkable a child4 ,once she wept in bitterness of soul1 now she shed tears of parental transport4 ,assiduity in the discharge of maternal duties is the next distinguishing excellence of ,hannah to which our attention is invited4 ,the sensibilities of her character seemed to have remarkably qualified her for the new station she was called to occupy after the birth of her child4 ,providence has so wisely and so kindly ordered the connection subsisting between the parent and the offspring1 and has rendered human nature1 even in its depraved state1 so susceptible of fine impressions and feelings1 that the moment this relationship commences1 a sort of new character is superinduced4 ,when a dependant little being is presented1 a careful and protecting disposition is generally displayed2 the arm of support is readily held forth to the weakness of infancy1 and the most inconsiderate and volatile of women are1 by a natural instinct--a certain powerful1 indefinable transformation--converted to sober habits and necessary attentiveness--,who can withhold his admiration of this singular economy1 or refuse to admit the interference of an invisible and wonderworking ,god6 ,if this be the effect in ordinary instances1 it is easy to imagine that the wife of ,elkanah proved an exemplary instance of diligence and goodness when she became a mother4 ,for such an honourable situation she was peculiarly qualified by her gentleness and piety4 ,the precious gift1 for which she had been so solicitous1 was nursed with fondness1 and eventually presented with all a mother's1 with all a ,christian's joy1 to the ,lord in ,shiloh4 ,at the next anniversary festival1 ,elkanah went up to fulfil a vow he had made1 and to renew the dedication of himself and his family to the divine service4 ,hannah accompanied him in spirit1 but was prevented from a personal attendance by her little lovely dependant3 she intimated to her husband the propriety of her remaining at home1 pledging herself to undertake the pleasing journey when the child was weaned4 ,then1 said she1 ,i will bring him1 that he may appear before the ,lord1 and there abide for ever4 ,it is no honour to religion for its professors to neglect the duties of civil life under the pretence of superior sanctity3 in vain do those who disregard their families apologize for their misconduct by pleading their diligence in pious services4 ,religion not only requires a punctuality of observance in reference to its more public engagements1 but demands an unremitted attention to those of a more private1 social1 and domestic nature3 these ought not indeed to be viewed apart1 in a separate and disunited form1 but as constituting a beautiful whole4 ,religion1 in fact1 consists both in diligence and devotion1 in the occupation of our stations in society1 as well as in fulfilling the services of the sanctuary2 in nursing and educating the child1 as well as in presenting the sacrifice1 or keeping the holy festival of saints4 ,elkanah fully concurred with the arrangements of ,hannah4 ,happy is it for that family where the domestic hearth is cheered by love and the altar by piety4 ,happy they1 whose affection1 planted in religion1 resembles a flourishing tree that spreads its shade over the united household4 ,hannah consulted her husband1 and stated the reasons of the plan she had devised--,elkanah listened to the representations of his wife1 and instantly assented4 ,do1 said he1 what seemeth thee good2 tarry until thou hast weaned him2 only the ,lord establish his word4 ,so the woman abode1 and gave her son suck until she weaned him4 ,how beautiful is the allusion of the royal psalmist to this important period in the history of infancy3 ,lord1 my heart is not haughty1 nor mine eyes lofty1 neither do ,i exercise myself in great matters1 or in things too high for me4 ,surely ,i have behaved and quieted myself as a child that1 is weaned of his mother3 my soul is even as a weaned child4 ,it costs1 indeed1 a severe struggle to alienate the little offspring from the breast from which it has drawn the means of subsistence1 and1 for a short time1 uneasiness and fretfulness may be the result2 but when the days of weaning are accomplished1 the long-valued provision is regarded with total indifference4 ,strong is the conflict and sharp the encounter between a sense of duty and an inclination to sin1 when the world presents those fascinating pleasures which are so adapted to the appetites of nature2 but having obtained the victory--having1 through the grace of ,god1 triumphed over the enticement1 a real ,christian will contemplate the glories of this world which once enchanted him1 with an indifferent eye1 and seek more substantial blessings4 ,what naturally afforded satisfaction1 will1 in a renewed state of mind1 excite aversion or be treated with neglect4 ,the propensity being conquered1 will never1 or but partially return1 and if not absolutely exterminated1 it can never again acquire an ascendancy4 ,the soul is become1 in reference to the fleeting honours and possessions of time1 like a weaned child4 ,it is at once our duty and felicity to aim at this detachment of affection from the vanities of life1 to cherish a holy disinclination toils allurements1 and to seek our bliss in the unfading good which ,scripture recommends and ,heaven dispenses4 ,an interest in the love of ,god1 by faith in the ,redeemer1 is the supreme enjoyment to which we are encouraged to aspire1 and which alone can fill the capacities and consummate the blessedness of intelligent and immortal creatures4 ,pitiable is the situation of those who are still attached1 with childish fondness1 to what cannot promote their spiritual growth1 and befits not their advancing maturity4 ,let ,israel1 then1 hope in the ,lord from henceforth and for ever4 ,section ,,ii4 ,samuel is devoted to the ,service of the ,sanctuary--,uniformity of ,character exemplified in ,hannah--her ,song paraphrased--five other ,children born to ,hannah--,view of her natural ,kindness and self-denying ,piety4 ,as soon as the time proposed by ,hannah had elapsed1 she thought of fulfilling her vow1 and hastened to ,shiloh4 ,in the days of her distress she had pledged herself to devote her child to the service of ,god2 in the days of her prosperity she does not forget the obligation4 ,never1 so far as we can discover1 was a more perfect example of female excellence and persevering religion3 in adversity and in prosperity1 in sorrow and in joy1 the light of her piety shone with undiminishing splendour4 ,she had virtues appropriate to every season1 and conspicuous in every situation3 in affliction she cannot be reproached with impatience1 nor in success with ingratitude4 ,when ,samuel was weaned1 she took him with her1 with three bullocks1 an ephah of flour1 and a bottle of wine1 determining to leave him with the priest1 for the purpose of being trained up to the service of the tabernacle4 ,it was an equal honour to the pupil and the tutor1 the one to have such a priest as ,eli1 the other to have such a child as ,samuel4 ,with all the dignity of innocence and all the pleasure of devotion1 she presented the little stranger to ,eli1 reminding him of the occasion when she first pledged herself to consecrate the child she requested to the work of the sanctuary1 and explaining a vow of which he was previously ignorant4 ,it is true that ,god and her own soul were the only witnesses and hearers of this vow2 but she did not deem it the less obligatory though it was made in secret1 nor was her upright mind the less anxious for its punctual fulfilment3 ,and they slew a bullock1 and brought the child to ,eli4 ,and she said1 ,o my lord1 as thy soul liveth1 my lord1 ,i am the woman that stood by thee here1 praying unto the ,lord4 ,for this child ,i prayed2 and the ,lord hath given me my petition which ,i asked of him3 therefore also ,i have lent him to the ,lord3 as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the ,lord4 ,there is an exquisite delicacy in this language4 ,the allusion to her former appearance in the house of ,god is as cursory as could be devised to enable the good priest to recognize her4 ,eli is reminded of her former prayers2 but not a syllable is uttered tending to criminate or to reflect upon his past precipitancy and misrepresentation4 ,she tells a simple story1 in a candid and respectful manner4 ,the points of deepest interest are introduced1 and her darling child is devoted forever1 and with unreluctant zeal1 to the ,god of her salvation4 ,let the impatient and revengeful study the example of ,hannah1 who did not allow herself to utter an angry word1 or even to cherish a resentful feeling against ,eli1 when he preferred against her an inconsiderate and aggravating accusation2 much less did she indulge a spirit of malignity4 ,how many would have felt an invincible aversion1 even though his frank acknowledgment had compelled them to a momentary reconciliation2 and1 viewing his character ever after through the medium of prejudice1 would have magnified every feeling1 and flung their public reproaches1 or circulated their secret whispers and surmises against this venerable minister of the tabernacle4 ,it becomes the people of ,god to be careful of the reputation of their brethren1 and aim to wipe off the aspersions with which the world is apt to depreciate their characters1 rather than to unite in the clamours of defamation4 ,men in official situations are placed upon a pinnacle which renders them conspicuous1 and envy is always ready to shoot at them its envenomed darts4 ,they have their faults indeed1 but let charity cover them3 they may have also their counterbalancing excellencies--let piety observe and imitate them4 ,should the criminal conduct of such persons belie their general profession1 dishonour the religion they profess1 and render it necessary to displace them1 we ought to tremble for ourselves1 and not triumph in their fall4 ,who would be qualified to cast the first stone1 if his offences were all detected1 exposed1 and treated with merciless severity8 ,the practice of dedicating children to ,god1 is1 we perceive1 sanctioned by the usage of high antiquity2 but1 what is far better1 it is conformable to reason and ,scripture4 ,sometimes1 indeed1 it is accompanied with much absurdity and superstition2 but1 when properly attended to1 it secures many advantages4 ,prayer1 at all times important1 is peculiarly effectual when offered in so solemn a manner3 and if1 in ordinary cases1 it procure the blessings of ,heaven1 a well-founded hope may be excited1 that the interesting little object of such a service will reap some substantial benefits4 ,it tends besides to purify the domestic affections1 and to regulate their exercise4 ,the child which is bestowed in answer to prayer1 and by prayer is1 at the very dawn of existence1 consecrated to ,god1 and committed to the future care and guidance of his providence1 is regarded with a new kind of feeling even by its parents2 their fondness receives a peculiar tone and character from their piety2 the motive to seek its spiritual interest is strengthened by their holy vows2 and they cannot but feel an additional motive to impart early instruction1 to cultivate its expanding faculties1 and form the young immortal both for its present and ultimate destination4 ,devote1 then1 ye mothers of ,israel1 devote your babes to piety and ,god6 ,hesitate not to incur the solemn responsibility which a vow implies in reference to your tender offspring3 it is the most immediate method of making them your future comforts in this life1 and your companions in a better4 ,your solicitude will at least afford you personal satisfaction2 you will inherit the delightful consciousness of having done your duty3 you may be happily instrumental in producing early impressions1 and preparing them for their future crown4 ,then1 should they depart from the world before you1 to be forever with the ,lord1 they will rise from their thrones of light to hail your approach1 and mingle their thanksgivings and praises with yours in the songs of eternity4 ,uniformity of character is a high attainment1 of which ,scripture history presents some pleasing specimens1 though perhaps it affords more numerous instances of irregularity4 ,the early life of some is nothing but the record of crime and folly1 when the passions were indulged in unbridled licentiousness1 and the moral creation groaned beneath the burden of their vices2 but afterward retrieving their errors1 they have become examples of sobriety1 kindness1 and religion4 ,others shone1 forth at first with preeminent brightness1 attracting the eyes of an extensive community to their juvenile excellence1 and holding forth the best promises of futurity2 but their goodness has proved like the morning cloud1 and like the early dew1 that passeth away2 the eyes of parental tenderness1 that once glistened with rapture and admiration1 are suffused with tears2 the church of ,god1 that once hailed their zeal1 is filled with regrets to witness its faded ardours and its altered nature4 ,how is the gold become dim1 and the fine gold changed8 ,there is another1 a sort of intermediate class1 who have rather a doubtful complexion1 some of whose actions indicate piety1 others the reverse3 at a distance they may be admired1 but1 upon a closer inspection1 their principles are questionable1 and1 as our acquaintance with them increases1 our respect irresistibly diminishes4 ,candour itself1 which would put the most favourable construction upon them1 is compelled to see new spots and blemishes in proportion as we perceive more distinctly their entire character4 ,the illustrious female1 however1 before us1 exhibits a singular contrast to all these diversities4 ,from the first to the last mention of her name in the page of ,scripture1 she challenges unmitigated admiration2 she is uniform in every character3 adversity and prosperity find her the same woman3 she does not murmur in the one1 she is not vain in the other4 ,there is but a single variety in her character1 arising from its progressive excellence4 ,she is not the same1 only because she is better2 our veneration keeps pace with our knowledge4 ,her character does not1 like that of many others1 suffer by investigation2 it does not resemble an object seen at some distance through a mist1 which is magnified into unnatural dimensions1 so that the illusion vanishes when you come near2 but is like a tower seen afar off under a clear sky1 swelling in majesty at every step of approximation4 ,we are now brought to the close of ,hannah's history2 it is even more splendid than its commencement4 ,we have traced her through the various characters of a persecuted wife1 a weeping suppliant1 a misrepresented worshipper1 a joyful mother1 and a grateful saint1 fulfilling her vows and devoting her first-born to the service of ,god4 ,in some respects the latter must have proved a trying occasion1 a duty of difficult execution2 and we could have forgiven1 we could have sympathized with the tears of a mother who was placed in the situation of violating her vows or giving up her darling2 we could have pitied her struggles1 while we commended their successful issue1 in leaving her ,samuel behind her at ,shiloh4 ,but she assumes a higher tone and spirit3 the mother is absorbed in the saint2 and1 at the moment when we expected the language of parting regret and anxiety1 behold1 she bursts into a song of praise1 and soars to the heights of prophecy4 ,this holy effusion is somewhat analogous to that of the mother of our ,lord1 which we shall hereafter have occasion to illustrate4 ,in the mean time the hymn of ,hannah claims our examination4 ,it is called a prayer1 because it was addressed to ,god as an act of worship1 and because the acknowledgment and celebration of divine mercies constitute an important branch of devotion4 ,my heart rejoiceth in the ,lord2 mine horn is exalted in the ,lord3 my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies3 because ,i rejoice in thy salvation4 ,a vain mother might have celebrated her son1 and1 if she had expressed a general sense of divine goodness in his bestowment1 would have dwelt with satisfaction upon his premature indications of greatness4 ,inordinate attachment to the gift is apt to obliterate from the mind a grateful recollection of the giver2 and to this forgetfulness we are liable to be seduced by our affections4 ,but ,hannah cannot taste of the stream without being led to the fountain2 she cannot receive mercies without viewing the hand that bestows them2 nor be so enraptured with the blessing as to sink the ,creator in the creature4 ,in fact1 ,samuel is unnamed4 ,his beauty1 his pliability--whatever he really possessed1 or whatever the fond eye of a mother fancied he possessed--all was forgotten1 lost1 and annihilated in ,god4 ,every valued blessing--her child1 her husband1 her possessions2--the whole creation vanished into nothingness before the thought of the eternal ,,all6 ,the horn is an emblem of power and pre-eminence1 and ,hannah speaks of its exaltation4 ,she had been degraded and despised for the childless condition1 and had suffered reproach from the daughters of ,israel1 in particular from ,peninnah2 but she had now1 through the mercy of ,god1 risen to distinction1 and obtained the object of her warmest solicitude4 ,the lips which before moved in secret whispers or inarticulate prayer1 are now taught to praise6 ,the horn was also an instrument of music1 and was lifted up to be sounded in the sacred chorus4 ,in the days of ,david we read of the sons of ,heman1 who were to lift up the horn2 and this pious woman perhaps borrowed the allusion to represent the ardour of her worship and the triumph that inspired her tongue4 ,if1 with her solemn praises1 ,hannah blended a momentary recollection of the unkindness with which she had been treated1 it was solely to express her thankfulness for deliverance1 and not to produce a charge against her enemies4 ,her mouth was enlarged1 indeed1 but not to utter the language of retaliation1 not in passionate exclamations or in threatening words1 but to memorialize the goodness of the ,lord4 ,nor was this her only source of joy4 ,temporal interposition served but to remind her of spiritual blessings2 and1 while her spirit exulted in the birth of ,samuel1 she looked forward to a more auspicious day1 and rejoiced in the salvation which should hereafter be accomplished by the incarnation of the ,redeemer4 ,winged with holy rapture1 she now ascends far above all earthly interests and concerns2 and quiting the subject1 to which she had made but a transient allusion1 though of the deepest personal importance1 she meditates alone on infinite perfection3 ,there is none holy as the ,lord3 for there is none besides thee3 neither is there any rock like our ,god4 ,talk no more so exceeding proudly2 let not arrogancy come out of your mouth2 for the ,lord is a ,god of knowledge1 and by him actions are weighed4 ,the attributes of the ,divine ,being excite in the bosoms of the wicked unmingled dread4 ,every manifestation of his character is an appeal against their impieties1 and hence they desire not the knowledge of his ways4 ,in a state of innocence the presence of the blessed ,god enhanced the felicities of ,paradise1 and nothing but the estrangement which sin has occasioned could have so altered the views and perverted the inclinations of mankind as to render the best of beings an object of terror2 but in proportion to the renewal of the mind will be the return of that feeling of complacency which was cherished by unfallen man1 and is felt by sinless immortals4 ,in all the principal events of her own life1 and in the general regulation of human affairs1 ,hannah perceived a display of those perfections which she now celebrates2 the perfections of holiness1 power1 omniscience1 and justice4 ,nothing is better calculated to suppress the arrogance of man than the contemplation of these divine excellencies1 which are so many rays of one ineffable glory2 distinct yet blended2 separate1 yet harmonious in their operations4 ,the history of pagan nations supplies ample proof that the spirituality of the divine essence1 which implies the existence and exercise of these attributes1 is too high an idea for a creature sunk under the dominion of his senses3 he cannot ascend to the conception of infinite purity and wisdom3 ,god is not known1 and cannot be discovered as the searcher of hearts1 and the righteous dispenser of good and evil1 life and death3 he cannot realize his unlimited dominion1 nor imagine the pervading presence of that all-seeing eye which looks through the universe1 penetrates every concealment1 and observes1 with leisurely and perfect survey1 every movement of the soul4 ,it is the province of revelation to disclose these great facts1 and the privilege of piety to triumph in them4 ,the bows of the mighty men are broken1 and they that stumbled are girded with strength4 ,they that were full have hired out themselves for bread2 and they that were hungry ceased3 so that the barren hath borne seven3 and she that hath many children hath waxed feeble4 ,the dispensations of ,providence illustrate his perfections4 ,often1 indeed1 they do not accord with human plans or expectations1 but they are nevertheless marked with wisdom and equity4 ,in accomplishing the mighty purposes of omnipotence the strong are sometimes weakened1 and the feeble supplied with power2 the wealthy are impoverished1 and the poor enriched2 the childless blessed with families1 and those whose tables are surrounded with a smiling offspring made to weep over their fading health and glory4 ,for1 ,the ,lord killeth1 and maketh alive2 he bringeth down to the grave1 and bringeth up4 ,the ,lord maketh poor1 and maketh rich3 he bringeth low1 and lifteth up4 ,he raiseth up the poor out of the dust1 and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill1 to set them among princes1 and to make them inherit the throne of glory3 for the pillars of the earth are the ,lord's1 and he hath set the world upon them4 ,these changes are frequently ascribed1 by unthinking mortals1 to mere chance1 or at least to the uncontrolled operation of second causes4 ,hannah ascribes them to the ,lord4 ,her faith discerned an invisible hand1 and rejoiced in an omniscient superintendance4 ,whatever confusion appears to the eye of sense to prevail in the world1 religion has access behind the scenes1 observes the finger that touches the prime spring of this vast machine of providence1 and sees nothing but harmonious movements1 concurrent designs1 merciful and intelligible plans1 perfect and universal order4 ,the perspective of human affairs is to such an one complete2 he is placed by the fear of ,god in the very point of observance2 he looks to the distant results1 to the termination of the series1 and every object1 to his renewed sight1 appears in just and proportionate dimensions4 ,unless seen from this point1 every thing will be out of place and contradictory2 and human arrogance will naturally arraign as irregular1 imperfect1 or unwise1 what genuine piety will acknowledge to be best4 ,he will keep the feet of his saints1 and the wicked shall be silent in darkness2 for by strength shall no man prevail4 ,the adversaries of the ,lord shall be broken to pieces2 out of heaven shall he thunder upon them3 the ,lord shall judge the ends of the earth2 and he shall give strength unto his king1 and exalt the horn of his anointed4 ,there is a progressive energy in this sacred song4 ,hannah warms into enthusiasm as she proceeds1 till1 under the influence of a heavenly inspiration1 she assumes the language of prophecy1 and becomes wrapt into future times4 ,at the opening1 she expressed her gratitude for personal blessings2 hence she is led to celebrate the perfections of ,jehovah3 then she proclaims the interference of his providence in the vicissitudes of this lower world3 and finally1 proceeds to contrast the destinies of the righteous and wicked1 as resulting from the manifestation of the ,messiah to rule over all nations by a spiritual and everlasting dominion4 ,in that name which is above every name1 in the hallowed name of the ,,anointed ,,one1 the song of ,hannah terminates4 ,what greater honour could be conferred on a woman than to be gifted with that spirit of prophecy which first announced the approaching ,redeemer1 to whom all the prophets gave witness8 ,she speaks of his authority as a ,king1 his administration as a ,judge1 his work as a ,priest and ,prophet1 prefigured by that oil which was poured upon the most eminent of mankind1 who were types of the distinguished ,personage who was to come1 and who is therefore designated as the ,lord's ,anointed4 ,how great his influence6 he will keep the feet of his saints6 ,how terrible his power6 the adversaries of the ,lord shall be broken in pieces3 out of heaven shall he thunder upon them4 ,preposterous indeed is the hope of his enemies1 that they shall evade the destruction of his iron rod2 while pleasing and well-founded is the expectation of his saints1 who bow with unreluctant submission1 with grateful acceptance1 to his golden sceptre4 ,almost twelve hundred years were yet until when ,hannah uttered this prediction of the ,messiah2 and yet her faith1 overleaping the ages of intervening time1 beheld his glory1 and triumphed in his salvation4 ,no darkness could blind her perceptions1 nothing could repress her love3 she lived as it were1 in advance1 and1 like many of her illustrious predecessors and of her posterity1 believed in ,christ to the saving of her soul4 ,these ages are passed away1 and many more are numbered since the actual manifestation of the ,son of ,god in human nature4 ,we are partakers of his day2 we live in the light of his glory3 from the ages of prediction1 we are advanced to those of accomplishment2 from the time of shadows to the era of reality4 ,and have we improved upon the past1 in the strength of our faith or in the warmth of our attachment to the ,lord of glory8 ,would a fair comparison of our state of mind with that of early saints1 in far distant ages1 prove advantageous or unfavourable to our character8 ,is our piety proportionate to our privileges8 ,does the intensity of our love equal the clearness of our discoveries8 ,these are salutary questions1 and questions of practical importance4 ,let us aim to be able to put them often to our consciences without a blush4 ,very little more information is communicated respecting ,hannah3 her history is merged in that of her distinguished son4 ,we have1 however1 a beautiful picture of her maternal character1 a record of the blessing which the aged priest pronounced upon the family1 and an account of five other children which ,providence gave them3 ,samuel ministered before the ,lord1 being a child girded with a linen ephod4 ,moreover his mother made him a little coat1 and brought it to him from year to year1 when she came up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice4 ,and ,eli blessed ,elkanah and his wife1 and said1 ,the ,lord give thee seed of this woman1 for the loan which is lent to the ,lord4 ,and they went unto their own home4 ,and the ,lord visited ,hannah1 so that she conceived and bare three sons and two daughters4 ,the good mother and the eminent saint are delightfully blended in the wife of ,elkanah1 and the influence of each is obvious in ,samuel4 ,eli seems to have beheld him with unusual affection4 ,he had been early trained to gentleness1 docility1 and goodness4 ,discipline at home commenced from his first infancy1 and continuing to the moment of his removal to ,shiloh1 prepared him for the course of life to which he was so soon introduced4 ,too often the petulance and frowardness of children indicate the defective nature of their education3 indulgence has permitted the wild plant to shoot forth its branches with irregular luxuriancy1 and it has become both unsightly and enfeebled for want of being properly pruned4 ,to suffer the propensities and passions of children to go unrestrained is the extreme of cruelty1 being the most direct means of rendering them burdens to society and tormentors to themselves4 ,hannah1 with admirable firmness1 relinquished her youthful charge to the care of ,eli at the call of duty1 and with no less admirable affection and prudence1 continued to maintain that kind of intercourse which tends to promote mutual love4 ,a passionate mother would have urged her husband to remove to ,shiloh1 for the sake of having her little darling perpetually under her eye2 a prudent one chose to remain at ,ramah1 only bringing her present at the annual festivals4 ,true love knows when to separate1 and is ready to make necessary sacrifices to the good of a valued child4 ,he was in excellent hands1 training to a noble work1 under a venerable priest1 and in conformity to a solemn vow4 ,providence was not unobservant of his mother's heroism and piety1 and she is amply repaid1 not only by his superior excellence1 but by her own increasing family4 ,one child is lent to the ,lord1 five are given4 ,she possessed with gratitude1 she resigned with magnanimity1 and she is recompensed by multiplication4 ,let children never forget the debt they owe to maternal tenderness1 a debt which the devoted affection and kindness of a whole life can scarcely discharge4 ,let the fond parent who nursed your infancy1 corrected your frowardness1 sowed the seeds of knowledge and piety in your heart1 watched1 wept1 and prayed over you1 be ever dear1 ever respected1 and loved4 ,she who has sustained your weakness1 may live to need support from your strength2 she who hold you up in the helplessness of infancy1 may require your supporting arm1 and deserves your sympathizing aid in the years of her decrepitude4 ,young persons need to be reminded1 however1 that even the impiety of parents is no sufficient reason for disrespecting them as parents2 and if you possess the inestimable treasure of religion1 it will be best evinced in soothing the cares1 ministering to the necessities1 and setting an example of every duty before the eyes of those who are still so unhappy as to be destitute of it4 ,but you who are born of the children of ,god1 and who have been nourished and educated under the wing of parental piety1 can never be too thankful to the ,god of your salvation1 and at some future period may have to adopt the poet's elevated strain3 ,my boast is not that ,i deduce my birth ,from loins enthroned1 and rulers of the earth2 ,but higher far my proud pretensions rise-- ,the son of parents pass'd into the skies4 ,cowper4 ,abigail4 ,chapter ,,xi4 ,many persons naturally capable of great ,attainments and elevated ,stations have lived and died unknown--the ,dispensations of ,providence analogous in this respect to the ,arrangements of ,nature--,scripture ,account of ,nabal and ,abigail--,sources of ,incongruous ,marriages--,ambition--,wish to maintain the ,respectability of a ,family--,persuasion of ,friends--early ,disappointments--,nabal's ,conduct to ,david--,abigail's ,interposition--,death of her ,husband--,she becomes ,david's ,wife4 ,millions of the human race1 naturally capable of great attainments and mighty exploits1 had they been differently circumstanced1 or had their mental and moral energies been properly cultivated1 have died as they have lived1 in a state of obscurity4 ,unknown to the rest of mankind even by name1 they have scarcely wandered from the precincts of their native village1 or the cottage that gave them birth2 but1 like the wild flowers of the untrodden wilderness1 have sprung up1 and bloomed1 and perished upon the same spot4 ,successive generations have occupied the identical sphere of their ancestors1 living in the same unenvied seclusion1 and at last carried to the same undistinguished grave4 ,whoever has had an opportunity of knowing the state of society and the character of man in retirement1 must be aware that the amazing disparity subsisting between the extremes of rusticity and of polished life arises far less from original disproportions of capacity than from the accidental circumstances which attach to the two conditions4 ,education has a tendency to remove these differences1 to elevate the inferior classes of society from their degradation1 to raise them in the scale of being and to unite man to man3 but still more important effects result from religion1 which1 by fixing the thoughts on holy and heavenly objects1 and firing the breast with incessant ardour in the pursuit of them1 advances the character to a dignity otherwise unattainable4 ,how much humble piety has bloomed in the by-paths of life far from the crowded highway of the world1 amidst the recesses of privacy6 ,how often has the beauty of holiness adorned the most misshapen1 or otherwise unattractive exterior6 ,how many great and pious individuals have occupied the vale of poverty1 the objects of divine approbation and of angelic joy2 who1 under different circumstances1 might have been ornaments of the political world1 or lights in the church of ,god2 and will be pillars for ever in the celestial temple6 ,these dispensations of ,providence are analogous to certain arrangements in nature4 ,how many showers descend1 and how many vegetable productions grow in barren wildernesses6 ,it is not till after ages of research that a few species and varieties have been discovered2 and it may be questioned whether an equal1 if not a far greater number1 still exist in the unfrequented solitudes of creation1 which science may not visit for centuries yet to come3 and of those which are at present known1 a few only of their qualities1 and the uses for which they were formed1 have been ascertained4 ,to pronounce a condemnatory sentence upon that wisdom which assigned them their places1 merely on account of our incapacity to discover their precise destination1 would be presumptuous and impious in the extreme2 nor would it be less so to contemn the unsearchable mysteries of ,providence1 whose arrangements surpass the comprehension and confound the inquiries of man4 ,some of those lights shining in a dark place have1 however1 been occasionally brought into view by unexpected circumstances2 and more than one is exhibited through the medium of the inspired word4 ,they would have for ever remained in concealment1 and their names have perished1 excepting from the book of ,god's remembrance1 but for some apparent casualty4 ,a history of incidents would furnish a most delightful record of ,providence1 showing its secret1 but certain operations1 and its connecting1 though1 to superficial observers1 invisible links4 ,one of these1 in the life of ,david1 presents the brief1 but interesting account of ,,abigail1 who1 like ,job in ,uz1 ,joseph in ,egypt1 and ,daniel in ,chaldea1 exhibited a specimen of solitary excellence1 which at length emerged from obscurity1 and1 by means of her connection with one of the most eminent of mankind1 shone in an appropriate sphere4 ,sidenote3 ,years before ,christ1 about #ajeh4 ,she is thus introduced to our notice1 in the scriptural narrative1 at a time when the son of ,jesse was hunted like a partridge upon the mountains by his royal persecutor4 ,and ,david arose1 and went down to the wilderness of ,paran4 ,and there was a man in ,maon1 whose possessions were in ,carmel3 and the man was very great1 and he had three thousand sheep and a thousand goats3 and he was shearing his sheep in ,carmel4 ,now the name of the man was ,nabal2 and the name of his wife1 ,abigail3 and she was a woman of good understanding1 and of a beautiful countenance3 but the man was churlish and evil in his doings2 and he was of the house of ,caleb4 ,the contrast which the characters of ,nabal and ,abigail exhibit1 may well excite astonishment1 that persons so dissimilar should have become united by the tender ties of matrimony1 and may lead us to inquire a little into the sources of some incongruities of this kind1 which not unfrequently make their appearance in society4 ,how is it1 that adaptation to each other1 in point of mental and moral qualities especially1 which seems so great a prerequisite to happiness1 should seldom form the basis of an union voluntarily contracted1 and incapable of dissolution--an union of the closest nature1 and an union for life8 ,frequently an ill-assorted connection arises from an ambitious motive2 one party is wealthy1 the other aspiring4 ,attracted by the gilded bait1 it is seized too eagerly to admit of prudential considerations respecting the possibility of concealed mischief1 from which1 like the fish once caught by the hook1 it is too late to be disentangled4 ,it cannot be asserted that ,abigail was induced to marry her churlish husband from such a motive1 though it will not be deemed improbable by those whose experience of the world convinces them that even persons like her1 of good understanding1 beauty1 and piety1 are sometimes guilty of similar improprieties4 ,riches are1 on many accounts1 attractive to those whose immaturity of judgment is dazzled by the glare of life1 and who are consequently too apt to associate in their conceptions things which1 in reality1 have no connection--splendour and happiness4 ,the mind is naturally gratified by a sense of elevation above the usual level of mankind1 as persons ascending in an air-balloon become elevated1 even amidst their dangers1 in consequence of attaining a height impossible to others1 and attracting the idle gaze of spectators on the ground4 ,it is supposed also1 that wealth will furnish some covert from the storms of adversity1 if not a perfect security against them2 and1 forgetting that it tends to multiply and extend our wants in a ten-fold proportion to the means of supplying them1 the sheep and the goats of a ,nabal are viewed with ardent but mistaken fondness4 ,it is difficult to convince the young of their errors upon this subject2 nevertheless1 we forewarn them that the experiment is hazardous1 the prospect delusory1 the possessions of life uncertain1 and utterly incapable of compensating for the absence of moral qualities and social suitabilities2 above all1 we proclaim the criminality of cherishing an avaricious disposition1 and the practical falsehood of giving it the name of love4 ,a young woman acting upon this principle literally fulfils the common representation of the case1 by throwing herself away1 and1 in one rash moment1 forfeits her reputation and her happiness4 ,this unsuitability of connexion in married life sometimes originates in a mutual1 but foolish wish to maintain the respectability of the family4 ,in such instances both are wealthy1 and join their fortunes as a sort of compromise to the opinion of the world and their own pride1 for the sake of maintaining their rank4 ,it is true1 an equality1 or some fair proportion in point of fortune1 as society is constituted1 seems in itself desirable1 and1 if it can be accomplished1 is as legitimate an object of pursuit as similarity of age or of mind2 but the practice of making this an absolute prerequisite1 of sacrificing to it the affections of the heart1 and1 qualifications of far greater importance1 of rendering the want of it a sufficient ground of refusing a matrimonial alliance1 though age1 temper1 religion1 and every commendable quality1 may be placed in the other scale1 and of deeming the possession of it enough when other great requisites are absent1 is both foolish and wicked4 ,no reason can exist1 in such a case1 why an ,abigail--a woman of good understanding1 should connect herself with a ,nabal--a man churlish and evil in his doings4 ,occasionally the same evil arises from the persuasion of others1 especially of those who are entitled to respect1 and who sometimes1 very improperly1 interpose authority instead of suggesting advice4 ,the parties immediately concerned would by no means1 if left to themselves1 select each other as companions for life1 but marry merely to satisfy their friends4 ,it can never be regarded as otherwise than extreme cruelty in those who compel their children to gratify their predilections1 instead of allowing them their own choice4 ,as this is a connexion1 the happiness of which so essentially depends upon the affections1 and as no argument can force the heart into an attachment from which it naturally1 or perhaps capriciously revolts1 and as moreover1 the comfort of existence results from the state of the mind far more than from any external circumstances whatever2 reason and religion prescribe1 that1 after due caution and admonition1 persons should be permitted to determine ultimately for themselves1 without being subjected to the miserable alternative of accepting parental choice or forfeiting parental fondness4 ,incongruous connexions may also originate in one or both of the parties having suffered previous disappointment4 ,young persons under the pang occasioned by the failure of a romantic attachment1 foolishly resolve no more to consult affection1 or even to allow it any share in the determination of their choice4 ,they imagine it needless any longer to expect happiness1 because they cannot possess the individual they supposed alone capable of promoting it1 and repair to marriage merely as a refuge from solitude or from reproach4 ,in such cases1 they deem it of comparatively trifling consequence with whom they connect themselves1 refusing to admit it possible that they should ever more obtain peace of mind4 ,nothing1 however1 can be more delusive than such a feeling4 ,the immaturity of the judgment at the early age of first attachments1 renders it probable that they may not1 in reality1 have made the best selection1 and that their preferences were determined rather by casual circumstances and accidental impressions1 than any knowledge of character or any perception of solid qualities4 ,if the comfort of life depended upon the success of early predilections1 it is probable few would be happy2 but ,providence has wisely ordered it otherwise1 by constituting it independent of arbitrary associations4 ,let not the young1 therefore1 precipitate themselves into improper connexions--into connexions not founded on principle1 and not cemented by love1 through indulging the notion that the gratification of a first romantic attachment is essential to happiness1 and that if disappointed1 it is of no importance whether they become united to a gentle ,isaac or a churlish ,nabal2 because1 in reality1 the prize is yet to be won1 the jewel is yet attainable1 and ,providence may have kindly frustrated a present wish1 to bestow ultimately a more substantial benefit4 ,the way of man is not in himself2 it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps4 ,our utmost efforts cannot arrest or accelerate the wheel of destiny1 which is turned by a secret and invisible power1 that raises or depresses1 subserves or frustrates our purposes1 irresistibly indeed1 but not arbitrarily2 making all things work together for good to them that love ,god4 ,the history before us represents ,david as still a wanderer from wilderness to wilderness1 and reduced to great extremity4 ,hearing of the extraordinary festivities observed upon the occasion of ,nabal's shearing his sheep1 from which he inferred his opulence1 ten messengers were sent to him to solicit1 in the most respectful manner1 a supply of provisions4 ,it was intimated1 that ,david had not availed himself of the power which the ,arab emirs are accustomed to assume1 of seizing whatever they need1 but on the contrary1 had afforded protection1 instead of exercising violence4 #cf ,nabal not only refused to comply with the request1 but returned an insulting answer1 which the young men carried to their master4 ,david felt the utmost indignation1 and instantly prepared to resent the affront4 ,the persecutions of ,saul being no more than he expected1 were borne with a fortitude1 and requited by a forbearance which cannot but excite our admiration2 but the unlooked-for barbarity of ,nabal took him by surprise1 and threw him into a rage4 ,we cannot justify his hostile preparations1 nor look without regret upon his rash proceeding1 in taking four hundred of his armed followers to destroy ,nabal4 ,how unlike ,david1 the man after ,god's own heart1 who had been so long trained in the school of affliction1 and so often manifested a very different spirit6 ,alas1 bow easily are the best of men led into temptation2 and how necessary is it to exercise vigilance1 not only over our easy besetting sins1 but over what we deem the least vulnerable points of our character6 ,neglecting the requisite precautions1 we may be taken even on the strongest side1 and at the most unexpected moment4 ,one of the servants informed ,abigail of what had occurred1 stating the message of ,david1 and the behaviour of her husband2 and1 at the same time1 representing the civility with which the former had conducted himself towards the shepherds4 ,a person of less understanding might have said1 ,let these rival chiefs settle the matter between themselves2 my husband had an undoubted right to do what he pleased with his own1 and he has the means of defending himself from a vindictive stranger4 ,but ,abigail wisely listened to the information communicated by the servant1 and instantly adopted a plan1 which seemed indeed the only one calculated to avert the threatened blow4 ,she took two hundred loaves1 and two bottles of wine1 and five sheep ready dressed1 and five measures of parched corn1 and a hundred clusters of raisins1 and two hundred cakes of figs1 which she hastened to present to ,david4 ,this was excellent management4 ,had she repaired to her husband1 and endeavoured to pacify his turbulent spirit by remonstrance1 reason1 or entreaty1 the probability is she would have met with a repulse1 and disabled herself from any further interference4 ,had she merely sent the supply with which the asses were laden1 the indignant son of ,jesse might1 very possibly1 have returned it as insufficient1 or pressed on with his armed men to compel ,nabal to make reparation for the affront he had ventured to offer4 ,this skilful negotiator1 however1 goes herself to settle the contention which had so suddenly arisen2 and never1 surely1 was a better arranged or more successful expedition4 ,the moment ,abigail perceived ,david1 she alighted from her ass1 and1 falling prostrate at his feet1 addressed him in language well calculated to accomplish her wishes4 ,every thing was in perfect contrast with the behaviour of ,nabal--her suppliant posture--the respectful term she chooses1 calling him lord--the appropriation of her husband's fault to herself--the apology she offers for him1 by representing his conduct as resulting rather from a momentary impulse than any settled malignity1 as the general failing of his nature1 not the effect of any personal malevolence--the ignorance she professes of the request which ,david had sent1 insinuating that otherwise he would have received a very different return--her apparent assurance of success1 delicately intimating the happy circumstance of his being restrained from shedding blood in a momentary fit of passion--her offer of the magnificent present she had prepared--her congratulation upon his achievements--her confident anticipations of his future triumphs1 and final establishment in the kingdom--her reference to ,providence--her suggestion1 that it would hereafter prove a source of satisfaction that he had been prevented from committing an act which1 whatever were the provocation1 must be painful to recollect1 and which must rather afflict his conscience than grace his laurels--all these topics were well introduced1 and urged with a tone of eloquence that proved irresistible4 ,david takes the present1 thanks ,abigail for her interposition1 and dismisses her1 with the assurance that he had hearkened to her voice1 and accepted her person4 ,upon her return she found ,nabal in a state of intoxication1 totally disregardful of danger1 and ignorant of the ruin from which his prudent wife had procured his deliverance4 ,thus do multitudes sport upon the brink of everlasting destruction1 heedless of the justice they have provoked1 and solicitous only of consuming those hours1 and days1 and years1 in indulgence1 which ought to be devoted to repentance4 ,let the lovers of pleasure reflect on three short maxims1 ,he that will not fear1 shall feel1 the wrath of ,heaven--,he that lives in the kingdom of ,sense shall die in the kingdom of ,sorrow--,he shall never truly enjoy his present hour who never thinks on his last4 #cg ,abigail properly resolved to defer any conversation with ,nabal till the morning1 when she disclosed the whole affair4 ,the surprise was so great that his heart died within him1 and he became as a stone4 ,ten days afterward he was smitten by the hand of ,god1 and descended without honour into the grave4 ,no one could esteem him while living1 and no one regretted him when dead4 ,the news of this event having been conveyed to ,david1 he expressed his grateful sense of the divine goodness in keeping him from the execution of his rash project1 and in thus vindicating his cause by a signal interference4 ,as he had been deeply impressed with the personal charms and good understanding of ,abigail1 and as no obstacle seemed to exist to prevent their union1 he took the first opportunity of proposing to marry her2 to which1 with becoming expressions of humility and modesty1 she consented4 ,it was a fair suit1 says ,bishop ,hall1 to change a ,david for a ,nabal2 to become ,david's queen1 instead of ,nabal's drudge6 ,she1 that learned humility under so hard a tutor1 abaseth herself no less when ,david offers to advance her3 ',let thine handmaid be a servant to wash the feet of the servants of my lord4' ,none are so fit to be great as those that can stoop lowest4 ,how could ,david be more happy in a wife8 ,he finds at once piety1 wisdom1 humility1 faithfulness1 wealth1 beauty4 ,how could ,abigail be more happy in a husband1 than in the prophet1 the champion1 the anointed of ,god8 ,those marriages are well made1 wherein virtues are matched and happiness is mutual4 ,the ,queen of ,sheba4 ,chapter ,,xii4 ,david's ,anxiety for his ,son--its happy ,issue--,solomon's ,prayer1 and the ,answer of ,god--,solomon's ,riches and ,fame--the ,queen of ,sheba's visit--her ,country ascertained--such ,solicitude for ,wisdom not common--,she proves ,solomon with hard ,questions--her ,desire of ,knowledge worthy of ,imitation--,solomon's ,conduct--his ,buildings--the ,queen's congratulatory ,address--,reflections--her ,presents to ,solomon1 and his to the ,queen of ,sheba--,christ's ,application of the ,subject4 ,the pious solicitude of ,david1 the king of ,israel1 in his last hours1 for his son and successor1 is thus recorded in the closing chapter of the first book of ,chronicles3 ,give unto ,solomon my son a perfect heart1 to keep thy commandments1 thy testimonies1 and thy statutes4 ,with this prayer he connected suitable and impressive advice1 ,thou ,solomon my son1 know thou the ,god of thy father1 and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind2 for the ,lord searcheth all hearts1 and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts3 if thou seek him1 he will be found of thee2 but if thou forsake him1 he will cast thee off forever4 ,parental piety does not always influence1 as it ought1 those who by their domestic privileges are most favourably situated for witnessing it3 to all human appearance1 the language of kind remonstrance or entreaty has been often useless1 the petitions of fervent desire have failed1 and the tears of pure affection have flowed in vain4 ,the present instance1 however1 furnishes a pleasing exception to this remark2 for upon ,solomon's accession to the throne1 he appointed a solemn festival at ,gibeon before the tabernacle of ,moses2 and during the night1 in which the ,god of ,israel desired that he would ask what he should bestow upon him1 he presented a petition1 no less distinguished by its singularity in such circumstances1 than by its excellence and success4 ,and ,solomon said unto ,god1 ,thou hast showed great mercy unto ,david my father1 and hast made me to reign in his stead4 ,now1 ,o ,lord ,god1 let thy promise unto ,david my father1 be established2 for thou hast made me king over a people like the dust of the earth in multitude4 ,give me now ,,wisdom and ,,knowledge1 that ,i may go out and come in before this people2 for who can judge this thy people that is so great8 ,and ,god said to ,solomon1 ,because this was in thine heart1 and thou hast not asked riches1 wealth1 or honour1 nor the life of thine enemies1 neither yet hast asked long life2 but hast asked wisdom and knowledge1 that thou mayest judge my people over whom ,i have made thee king2 ,,wisdom ,,and ,,knowledge is ,,granted ,,unto ,,thee2 and ,i will give thee ,,riches1 and ,,wealth1 and ,,honour1 such as none of the kings have had that have been before thee1 neither shall there any after thee have the like4 ,the inspired description of ,solomon's magnificence may justly excite astonishment--a magnificence which extended to all his drinking vessels1 which were of gold2 and all the vessels of the house of the forest of ,lebanon were of pure gold2 none were of silver3 ,it was nothing accounted of in the days of ,solomon4 ,it is natural to imagine1 that the fame of so remarkable a prince1 concurring with the comparative ease with which gold and silver were procurable1 would contribute to establish that taste for splendour which has ever distinguished the potentates of the ,east4 ,it is stated by ,sir ,j4 ,chardin1 that the plate of the king of ,persia is of pure gold1 originally made by ,shah ,abbas1 the most glorious of the princes of the ,sefi royal family2 who1 for this purpose1 melted seven thousand two hundred marks1 or nearly thirty six thousand ,english troy ounces of the purest gold4 ,but ,solomon1 according to the testimony of ,scripture1 was the most opulent prince that ever sat upon a throne4 ,his annual revenues were six hundred and sixty-six talents of gold1 exclusive of the supply he received from the customs and from tributary nations4 ,a talent weighed three thousand shekels1 and a shekel two hundred and nineteen grains4 ,the king employed a navy1 which1 with the assistance of ,tyrian vessels and navigators1 who were esteemed the most skilful in the world1 fetched gold and silver1 ivory1 apes1 and peacocks1 from ,ophir1 by the way of the red sea4 ,this voyage occupied three years4 ,in comparing the extremes of human society1 the riches of a ,solomon with the poverty of a ,bartimeus1 it becomes us to recognize the hand of a mysterious though wise ,providence4 ,he who fixed the stars of the firmament in their proper places1 determines1 independently of all human control1 the orders of society and the sphere of the individual2 and it is no less consolatory than obvious1 that the equitable rule by which a final judgment of our character is to be determined1 will measure the extent of our responsibility1 by an impartial estimate of our situation1 our opportunities1 and our respective talents4 ,attracted by the celebrity of ,solomon1 the ,,queen ,,of ,,sheba came to ,jerusalem1 with a train and presents suited to his dignity and her own4 ,although the sovereigns of neighbouring nations paid similar visits of ceremony and of curiosity1 yet this illustrious woman is particularly noticed in the sacred page1 on account perhaps of her sex1 her inquisitiveness1 the remoteness of her situation1 the magnificence of her equipage and offerings2 but especially the piety of her views1 and the impressive language of her devout admiration4 ,the date of this interview with the king of ,israel may be referred1 with sufficient accuracy1 to the year of the world three thousand and twelve1 or nine hundred and ninety-two before the ,christian era4 ,this was subsequent to the completion of the temple and of the royal houses4 ,a variety of opinions have prevailed respecting the kingdom of ,sheba2 and some have supposed1 though without sufficient reason1 that this is the name of the queen herself1 and not of her country or capital4 ,the probability is1 that ,sheba1 situated in the southern part of ,arabia ,felix1 and on the eastern coast of the ,red ,sea1 is intended4 ,moses speaks of ,sheba1 the son ,joktan1 a descendant of ,eber1 and more remotely of ,shem2 and ancient authors represent his descendants1 the ,sabeans1 as peopling this district of ,arabia1 the metropolis of whose kingdom was denominated ,sheba or ,saba4 ,it appears from authentic testimony1 that they were accustomed to female government2 and ,bochart proves1 by numerous citations1 that the kingdom of ,sheba was called by the ,jews the country of the ,south1 which explains the phraseology of our ,lord in the twelfth chapter of ,matthew4 ,the geographical accuracy of this statement is further corroborated1 by comparing the description which the inspired historian records of the gifts presented by this queen to ,solomon1 with the language of ,pliny and ,herodotus3 the former of whom says1 that odoriferous woods were in use only in this country1 and that the ,sabean consumed them in dressing their food2 and the latter1 that the ,arabians took a thousand talents of frankincense every year to ,darius4 ,we deem it proper to avoid involving ourselves in a labyrinth of geographical difficulties1 and have therefore simply stated the result of our inquiries2 which however may furnish us with1 at least1 one serious reflection4 ,how transitory and how contemptible is human glory6 ,it is not peculiar to the poor and the destitute to be forgotten1 to have their dwellings and their names perish amidst the desolations of time2 such is nearly the fate of one of the most remarkable sovereigns of antiquity1 whose visit to the greatest potentate of the eastern world is so celebrated in ,scripture4 ,what mean our trifling cares--our incessant solicitude about temporal possessions and worldly distinctions8 ,the house we now inhabit will soon be demolished and swept away by the flood of time--the name by which we are distinguished1 and the annals of our short period of temporal existence1 will soon be scarcely remembered by our successor--all our glory will be covered with the darkness of death6 ,shall we not1 therefore1 aim to secure an incorruptible inheritance in the skies1 and an unfading pre-eminence in the records of eternity8 ,the righteous shall be had in everlasting remembrance4 ,the design of the queen of ,sheba1 in repairing to ,jerusalem1 was not merely to pay a visit of ceremony4 ,she heard of his fame concerning the name of the ,lord1 and she came to prove him with hard questions4 ,the report1 not only of the riches1 splendour1 and wisdom of ,solomon1 but also of the miraculous interferences of the ,god of ,israel on behalf of his people1 and of his peculiar favour to this monarch1 had reached the distant residence of this ,arabian queen2 and so deep was the interest it excited in her bosom1 that she determined to undertake a journey1 long and hazardous as it might be1 for the sake of investigating these extraordinary facts4 ,it is evident she attached a considerable degree of credibility to the representations she had received2 and relying no longer upon subordinate means of information1 she resolved upon a course of diligent inquiry4 ,when and where shall we discover a similar zeal to acquire a knowledge of the glorious ,gospel of the blessed ,god8 ,how often have ,christian ministers occasion to adopt the prophetic strain1 ,who hath believed our report1 and to whom is the arm of the ,lord revealed8 ,how often do all the personal excellencies1 the moral glories of him who is described as a greater than ,solomon1 fail to attract mankind8 ,satisfied with mere report--few apply to the sacred ,scriptures as the immediate and purest means of instruction in the truth as it is in ,jesus1 after the long-recorded example of the ancient ,bereans1 who received the word 7of ,paul and ,silas7 with all readiness of mind1 and searched the ,scriptures daily1 whether those things were so4 ,bishop ,hall very pertinently remarks1 ,no doubt many1 from all coasts1 came to learn and wonder1 none with so much note as this noble daughter of ,cham2 who herself deserves the next wonder to him whom she came to hear and admire3 that a woman1 a princess1 a rich and great queen1 should travel from the remotest south1 from ,sheba1 a region famous for the greatest delicacies of nature1 to learn wisdom1 is a matchless example4 ,we know merchants that venture to either ,indies for wealth2 others we know daily to cross the seas for wanton curiosity2 some few philosophers we have known to have gone far for learning2 and among princes1 it is no unusual thing to send their ambassadors to far distant kingdoms1 for transaction of business either of state or commerce3 but that a royal lady should in person undertake and overcome so tedious a journey1 only to observe and inquire into the mysteries of nature1 art1 religion1 is a thing past both parallel and imitation4 ,why do we think any labour great1 or any way long1 to hear a greater than ,solomon8 ,how justly shall the queen of the ,south rise up in judgment1 and condemn us1 who may hear wisdom crying in our streets1 and neglect her8 ,among princely cares1 the ardent search of truth can seldom be enumerated1 though it be a most honourable and beneficial employment4 ,those whom ,providence has placed in an elevated situation are usually too much occupied with themselves1 their pleasures1 their pomp1 and their ambitious projects1 to listen to the dictates1 or to search out the mysteries of wisdom4 ,the concerns of an extensive empire furnish a plausible pretext for neglecting the great interest of piety1 which a deceived heart is ready to plead in extenuation of a conduct condemned alike by reason1 conscience1 and revelation4 ,but let the rulers of nations observe ,david1 ,solomon1 and others of the kings of ,israel2 the splendour of whose earthly glory was eclipsed by the superior brightness of their heavenly wisdom2 and whose names are written upon1 the sacred page1 not so much1 because they were men of rank1 as because they were men of ,god4 ,the command of ,jesus ,christ is of prime importance and of universal obligation1 ,seek ,,first the kingdom of ,god and his righteousness2 and unless it can be demonstrated that he has made one code of laws for the prince and another for the peasant1 or that his precepts possess an accommodating flexibility suited to the prejudices and passions of mankind1 no exception can be for a moment admitted4 ,as there is no royal road to the heights of human science1 but all who attain them must ascend by assiduous and persevering application1 so there is none to the summit of celestial felicity2 but persons of every class1 rank1 sex1 and age1 must follow ,christ in the same unsmoothed path of repentance and self-denial4 ,hence1 such is the bewitching influence of worldly splendour1 so numerous and so powerful the attractions of opulence1 that we have daily and hourly proofs of the apostle's statement3 ,not many wise men after the flesh1 not many mighty1 not many noble1 are called2 but ,god hath chosen the weak things of the world1 to confound the things which are mighty2 and base things of the world1 and things which are despised1 hath ,god chosen1 yea1 and things which are not1 to bring to nought things that are2 that no flesh should glory in his presence4 ,but happily the long scroll of history is here and there embellished with a name1 which combines the glory that confers pre-eminence in the present world1 with the grace that secures everlasting distinction in the next4 ,sidenote3 ,years before ,christ1 about #hib4 ,this celebrated princess is said to have visited ,solomon1 to prove him with hard questions1 by which have generally been understood enigmatical puzzles4 ,some of these are to be found in sacred writ1 of which the riddle which ,samson proposed to the young men of ,timnath1 is a very ancient and curious specimen4 ,it appears from the writings of the ancients1 that the ,greeks and all the ,eastern nations1 were singularly attached to enigmas4 ,plutarch1 in his ,feast of the ,seven ,sages1 introduces the following questions proposed by ,amasis1 the king of ,egypt1 to the king of ,ethiopia3 ,what is the most ancient thing--what the most beautiful--what the largest--what the wisest--what the most common--what the most useful--what the most hurtful--what the strongest--and what the most easy8 ,to which the king of ,ethiopia replied1 ,the most ancient thing is time--the most beautiful is light--the largest is the world--the wisest is truth--the most common is death--the most useful is ,god--the most hurtful is the devil--the strongest is fortune--and the most easy1 to follow one's own inclination4 ,in the book of ,proverbs1 we find several series of this description1 which originally might have been answers to questions of a similar nature4 ,among others1 we have this very curious and beautiful statement3 ,there be four things which are little upon the earth1 but they are exceeding wise2 the ants are a people not strong1 yet they prepare their meat in the summer2 the conies are but a feeble folk1 yet make they their houses in the rocks2 the locusts have no king1 yet go they forth all of them by bands2 the spider taketh hold with her hands1 and is in kings' palaces4 ,to the same class may be referred the following paragraph in the third chapter of ,ecclesiastes3 ,to every thing there is a season1 and a time to every purpose under the heaven3 a 'time to be born1 and a time to die2 a time to plant1 and a time to pluck up that which is planted2 a time to kill1 and a time to heal3 a time to break down1 and a time to build up2 a time to weep1 and a time to laugh2 a time to mourn1 and a time to dance2 a time to cast away stones1 and a time to gather stones together2 a time to embrace1 and a time to refrain from embracing2 a time to get1 and a time to lose2 a time to keep1 and a time to cast away2 a time to rend1 and a time to sew2 a time to keep silence1 and a time to speak2 a time to love1 and a time to hate2 a time of war1 and a time of peace4 ,enigmatical questions and answers may easily degenerate into mere childish amusement3 but it is due to the celebrity of the queen of ,sheba1 to suppose that her inquiries were principally directed to the great purpose of information4 ,she was indeed curious to prove ,solomon1 to ascertain whether his reputation for wisdom were the result of mere courtly panegyric and flattering report1 or whether it really originated in a supernatural endowment--but still more anxious to acquire knowledge concerning the name of the ,lord4 ,while1 therefore1 she discovered a laudable desire of information upon subjects connected with the improvement of her mind1 in general knowledge1 and in political wisdom2 she aspired after a more intimate acquaintance with that heavenly truth1 which had hitherto been almost exclusively communicated to the descendants of ,abraham4 ,in this she may be exhibited as a pattern for the particular imitation of her own sex4 ,no exterior accomplishments1 no personal attractions can reconcile an intelligent observer to an ignorant mind2 while such an one would be easily persuaded to dispense with external beauty1 for the sake of mental and moral worth4 ,he would prize the jewel1 and overlook the inferiority of the casket4 ,curiosity is one of the most powerful principles of our nature1 and may be indulged where it is not perverted4 ,let a woman assiduously cultivate1 in early life especially1 her mental faculties1 and cherish an inquisitive spirit upon all the subjects of knowledge within the reach of her pursuit1 still under the constant regulation of modesty and her sister graces2 and let her never for a moment imagine1 that knowledge is inimical either to her personal happiness and influence1 or to her domestic duties4 ,so far1 indeed1 as an intemperate persuit of learning disqualifies a woman for the sphere which ,providence has allotted her1 so far as she is rendered proud1 pedantic1 unsocial1 assuming1 and negligent of the proper business of every day in her family1 it is to be discouraged2 not from the consideration that knowledge is an evil1 but the misuse of it4 ,its legitimate tendency is to improve the female character--to polish off the asperities and roughnesses occasioned by the indulgence of pride--to teach her the proper duties of her station1 and the best means of discharging them--to elevate her into the interesting and intelligent companion of social and domestic life--to constitute her the best instructor of her children1 at that early period when the first buddings of intellect are discernible1 the first tendencies of the mind begin to be developed1 and the character for time1 perhaps for eternity1 is to be formed4 ,it is then under the hand of maternal tenderness the model of the future man or woman is to be made2 for it is seldom1 even in the most unhappy cases of apostacy1 that traces of this early formation are by any circumstances totally obliterated4 ,but while we plead for the cultivation of the youthful mind1 by a diligent use of all the advantages which are afforded to impart knowledge1 be it remembered1 that the wisdom which is from above must not only be sought--but sought first1 as of paramount importance4 ,with all our conscious superiority in other respects1 if destitute of the knowledge of the only true ,god1 and ,jesus ,christ whom he hath sent1 we shall prove but as a sounding brass1 and as a tinkling cymbal4 ,our boasted attainments1 as enhancing our responsibility1 will minister to our final condemnation2 and while imagining we have been defective in nothing1 we shall feel the everlasting remorse connected with the conviction of having forgotten or despised the ,,one thing ,,needful4-- ',tis ,religion that can give ,sweetest pleasures while we live2 ',tis ,religion can supply ,choicest comforts when we die4 ,solomon conducted himself to the queen of ,sheba in a manner highly worthy of his wisdom1 and instructive to those who are distinguished from others by any natural or acquired superiority4 ,he was neither reserved nor impatient1 but suffered her to commune with him of all that was in her heart4 ,and ,solomon told her all her questions2 there was not any thing hid from the king1 which he told her not4 ,it ill becomes those who can teach1 to be supercilious and uncommunicative4 ,as the rich are required to supply the necessities of the poor with a judicious liberality1 being expressly appointed as the trustees of ,providence1 and dispensers of its bounty2 and as those who withhold1 when it is in the power of their hands to give1 are unfaithful stewards2 so1 persons qualified to be the instructors of others1 or who assume a station which presupposes such a qualification1 ought to exert their talents and employ their time for the benefit of the uninformed4 ,is not this a lesson for the ministers of the sanctuary8 ,for what purpose is heavenly treasure committed to earthen vessels8 ,is it not for distribution8 ,are they not made rich in spiritual gifts1 graces1 and knowledge1 that1 instead of monopolizing their spiritual possessions1 they may aim to supply and enrich an impoverished world8 ,the true ministerial spirit breathes in the language of ,peter to the lame man1 who was laid daily at the gate of the temple1 ,silver and gold have ,i none1 but such as ,i have give ,i thee2 in the name of ,jesus ,christ of ,nazareth1 rise up and walk4 ,every thing her eyes beheld at ,jerusalem produced1 in the queen of ,sheba1 surprise and admiration4 ,accustomed as all the eastern nations were to splendour1 she had never before witnessed such an universal and surpassing magnificence4 ,solomon's wisdom--his house--his luxurious table--his servants--his ministers--the temple1 and the devotional manner of his attendance upon its services1 struck her with overwhelming astonishment4 ,when she had seen all these1 there was no more spirit in her4 ,it is easy to imagine that the ,,temple1 a structure which has been admired in every age for its unparalleled glory1 and for which such minute directions were given by ,jehovah himself1 must have attracted particular notice2 especially when it is considered1 that the science of architecture was1 at that period1 in a very infantine state1 compared to its subsequent progress amongst the ,greeks and ,romans1 and that temples were a species of building probably unknown to the queen of ,sheba4 ,it is notorious that the ,persians1 who worshipped the sun1 erected no temple1 from a persuasion it would be derogatory to his glory who had the whole world for his habitation2 and hence the magi exhorted ,xerxes to destroy all the temples in his expedition to ,greece4 ,the ,bithynians worshipped on the mountains1 the ancient ,germans in the woods2 and ,diogenes1 ,zeno1 and the ,stoics1 expressly condemned the erection of such edifices4 ,the ,arabians rendered homage to the sun1 stars1 and planets2 and their religion resembled the ancient ,chaldean superstition4 ,the illustrious visitor of ,solomon must1 therefore1 have been confounded at an architectural magnificence so superior to any thing she had ever before witnessed4 ,the inspired historian also mentions the house of the forest of ,lebanon2 his own palace1 which occupied thirteen years in building2 a house for ,pharaoh's daughter whom he married2 with other expensive erections4 ,all these were of costly stones1 7according to the measures of hewed stones1 sawed with saws17 within and without1 even from the foundation unto the coping1 and so on the outside towards the great court4 ,and the foundation was of costly stones1 even great stones2 stones of ten cubits1 and stones of eight cubits4 ,and above were costly stones1 7after the measures of hewed stones7 and cedars4 ,josephus gives the following amplified description of these buildings3 ,this house 7the king's palace7 was a large and curious building1 and was supported by many pillars1 which ,solomon built to contain a multitude for hearing causes1 and taking cognizance of suits4 ,it was sufficiently capacious to contain a great body of men1 who would come together to have their causes determined4 ,it was a hundred cubits long1 and fifty broad1 and thirty high1 supported by quadrangular pillars1 which were all of cedar1 but its roof was according to the ,corinthian order1 with folding doors1 and their adjoining pillars of equal magnitude1 each fluted with three cavities2 which building was at once firm and very ornamental4 ,there was also another house so ordered1 that its entire breadth was placed in the middle2 it was quadrangular1 and its breadth was thirty cubits1 having a temple over against it1 raised upon massy pillars2 in which temple there was a large and very glorious room1 wherein the king sat in judgment4 ,to this was joined another house1 that was built for his queen4 ,there were other smaller edifices for diet1 and for sleep1 after public matters were over2 and these were all floored with boards of cedar4 ,some of these ,solomon built with stones of ten cubits1 and wainscotted the walls with other stones that were sawed1 and were of great value1 such as are dug out of the earth for the ornaments of temples1 and to make fine prospects in royal palaces1 and which make the mines whence they are dug famous4 ,now the contexture of the curious workmanship of these stones was in three rows1 but the fourth row would make one admire its sculptures1 whereby were represented trees1 and all sorts of plants1 with the shades that arose from their branches1 and leaves that hung down from them4 ,those trees and plants covered the stone that was beneath them1 and their leaves were wrought so prodigiously thin and subtle1 that you would think they were in motion3 but the other part up to the roof was plastered over1 and1 as it were1 embroidered with colours and pictures4 ,he moreover built other edifices for pleasure2 as also very long cloisters1 and those situate in an agreeable place of the palace2 and among them a most glorious dining-room1 for feastings and compotations1 and full of gold1 and such other furniture as so fine a room ought to have for the conveniency of the guests1 and where all the vessels were made of gold4 ,now it is very hard to reckon up the magnitude and the variety of the royal apartments2 how many rooms there were of the largest sort2 how many of a bigness inferior to those2 and how many that were subterraneous and invisible2 the curiosity of those that enjoyed the fresh air2 and the groves for the most delightful prospect1 for the avoiding the heat1 and covering of their bodies4 ,and to say all in brief1 ,solomon made the whole building entirely of white stone1 and cedar wood1 and gold1 and silver4 ,he also adorned the roofs and walls with stones set in gold1 and beautified them thereby in the same manner as he had beautified the temple of ,god with the like stones4 ,he also made himself a throne of prodigious bigness1 of ivory1 constructed as a seat of justice1 and having six steps to it2 on every one of which stood1 on each end of the step1 two lions1 two other lions standing above also2 but at the sitting-place of the throne1 hands came out and received the king2 and when he sat backward1 he rested on half a bullock1 that looked towards his back1 but still all was fastened together with gold4 #ch ,if human happiness were uniformly proportionate to the degree of elevation in the scale of society1 and the extent of worldly riches1 some plausible pretence might be framed for that eager ambition which characterizes so large a part of mankind2 but1 if ,solomon may be congratulated as remarkably happy1 this arose not from his being unusually rich1 but pre-eminently wise4 ,in vain does any one expect substantial enjoyment1 who despises or neglects religion2 while he who possesses it can never be miserable4 ,having nothing1 he yet possesses all things4 ,if it be not our condition1 but the state of our mind1 that constitutes the blessedness of life1 exterior circumstances can neither confer nor deprive us of real peace4 ,the contentment which godliness imparts1 is great gain2 because it renders its possessor1 in a high degree1 independent of the vicissitudes that agitate this terrestrial scene1 raises him above the tempests of this transitory state of existence to a higher sphere1 and admits him into the very precincts of heaven4 ,if ,solomon had been endowed with wealth1 but remained destitute of wisdom1 we should have looked down upon his earthly splendour as a fading dream1 or as the tinsel decoration of a littleness which1 by this means1 became the more contemptible2 had he been possessed of wisdom without wealth1 we should still have regarded him as the first of our species1 and rich in all the requisites of real felicity4 ,having recovered from the ecstacy which the first impression of ,solomon's wisdom and magnificence produced1 the queen of ,sheba said to the king1 ,it was a true report1 that ,i beard in mine own land of thy acts and of thy wisdom4 ,howbeit1 ,i believed not the words1 until ,i came1 and mine eyes had seen it2 and1 behold1 the half was not told me2 thy wisdom and prosperity exceedeth the fame which ,i heard4 ,happy are thy men1 happy are these thy servants which stand continually before thee1 and that hear thy wisdom1 ,blessed be the ,lord thy ,god which delighteth in thee1 to set thee on the throne of ,israel2 because the ,lord loved ,israel for ever1 therefore made he thee king to do judgment and justice4 ,many reflections occur upon reading this noble panegyric4 ,nothing is so conducive to the true glory of a monarch1 and the real interests of his people1 as an entire self-devotement to the proper business of government4 ,he who avoids the splendid course of ambition1 to cultivate the arts of peace1 and to promote1 by judicious regulations1 the internal welfare of his dominions1 may not always glitter upon the page of history2 but will live in the hearts of his people1 and be embalmed in their grateful recollections4 ,he will have the satisfaction1 when commanded by ,providence to lay aside his crown1 to leave to his subjects what is infinitely better than extended empire1 an example worthy of their imitation4 ,it becomes us to recognize a superintending providence in the appointment of rulers to their stations--to remember that promotion cometh neither from the east1 nor from the west1 nor from the south2 but ,god is judge1 he putteth down one1 and setteth up another--and that the gift of a good king is a mark of favour1 and ought to excite a people's gratitude4 ,it was because the ,lord loved ,israel forever1 that ,solomon was placed upon the throne4 ,confining our attention solely to second causes1 and the limited horizon of the political theatre1 we may frequently perceive nothing but confusion--the struggles of ambition--the uproar of passion--the ravings of impiety--the clash of arms--the subversion of thrones--the desolation of provinces--the flow of human blood--and an interminable series of changes1 both unexpected and mysterious2--but when the light of ,scripture breaks upon the dark and troubled scene1 it discloses the footsteps of ,deity walking in the midst of the storm1 regulating all human affairs1 and rendering every occurrence subservient to his own omniscient purposes4 ,with these discordant elements he is moulding future events1 and preparing to exhibit to the admiration of the intelligent universe1 a new heaven and a new earth1 wherein dwelleth righteousness4 ,comparing1 further1 the situation of the servants and courtiers of ,solomon1 with that of others in ,pagan countries1 we cannot help uniting in the congratulations of his noble visiter1 and remarking the advantage of religious connexions in general4 ,wicked association is the bane of human society1 and fatally conducive to the confirmation of evil habits and principles1 or to the excitement of them4 ,such persons1 therefore1 as are connected with the people of ,god1 who have pious parents or friends1 or who are servants in religious families1 cannot be too grateful to ,providence1 or too solicitous of improving their advantages4 ,let them be attentive to the instructions they receive1 and anxious to understand and join in the devotions which are offered on the domestic altar4 ,but this congratulatory strain of the queen of ,sheba may be applied to the ,christian age1 and to a greater than ,solomon4 ,jesus ,christ is king in ,zion1 and happy are his servants which stand continually before him1 to hear his wisdom2 happy they who have the glorious ,gospel in their possession1 and1 by means of the evangelical historians of the ,new ,testament1 witness the actions and hear the words of this divine ,instructor6 ,the intelligence that distinguished the king of ,israel was but a single beam of light from the ,sun of ,righteousness1 by whom all spiritual knowledge is communicated to the world--who is the fountain of all wisdom1 and whose glory will for ever irradiate and beautify a redeemed universe4 ,when believers ascend above this inferior state of existence into the presence of ,god and the ,lamb1 notwithstanding all the communications of inspired penmen in the sacred page--owing to the imperfection of human language1 and the circumstances of man1 which1 in some cases1 render further instructions impossible1 in others improper--such will be their discoveries of the glory of ,jesus ,christ1 that the language of the queen of ,sheba will prove peculiarly descriptive of their feelings1 behold1 the half was not told me4 ,and even here experienced piety exclaims1 whom having not seen we love2 in whom1 though now we see him not1 yet believing1 we rejoice with ,,joy ,,unspeakable ,,and ,,full ,,of ,,glory4 ,the queen of ,sheba did not return to her country till she had given ,solomon a hundred and twenty talents of gold1 besides a great quantity of spices and precious stones2 a present1 for which the king made suitable acknowledgments1 by giving her all her desire2 whatsoever she asked1 besides that which ,solomon gave her of his royal bounty4 ,harmer remarks1 this appears strange to us2 but is perfectly agreeable to modern ,eastern usages1 which are allowed to be derived from remote antiquity4 ,a reciprocal giving and receiving royal gifts has nothing in it strange2 but the supposition of the sacred historian1 that this ,arabian queen asked for some things she saw in the possession of king ,solomon1 is what surprises us4 ,however1 the practice is very common to this day in the ,east--it is not there looked upon as any degradation to dignity1 or any mark of rapacious meanness4 ,irwin's publication #ci affords many instances of such a custom1 among very considerable people1 both in ,arabia and ,egypt1 though not equal in power to the queen that visited king ,solomon4 ,they demanded from time to time1 such things as they saw1 and which happened to please them2 arms1 vestments1 c4 ,what the things were that so struck the queen of ,sheba1 as that she asked for them1 and which ,solomon did not before apprehend would be particularly pleasing to her1 the sacred historian has not told us1 nor can we pretend to guess4 ,many other travellers have mentioned this custom1 and shown that the great people of that country not only expect presents1 but will directly1 and without circumlocutions1 ask for what they have a mind to have1 and expect that their requisitions should be readily complied with2 while1 with us1 it would be looked on as extremely mean1 and very degrading to an exalted character4 #dj ,this reciprocation of presents may be considered as illustrative of that homage which it becomes every heart to render to the ,son of ,god1 and of those divine communications of grace with which he will ever enrich the believer4 ,we cannot indeed enhance his glory by the most splendid liberalities1 or the most costly offerings2 but he solemnly requires1 and graciously deigns to accept our penitence and our obedience4 ,the sacrifices of ,god are a broken spirit2 a broken and a contrite heart1 ,o ,god1 thou wilt not despise4 ,whatever be the present state of the world1 it is pleasing to reflect that an omnipotent ,providence is hastening the triumphs of ,christ2 and to this wise and glorious ,king of ,israel1 all the tribes of the earth shall ultimately present their best offerings and their united affections4 ,the kings of ,tarshish and of the ,isles1 shall bring presents2 the kings of ,sheba and ,seba shall offer gifts4 ,yea1 all kings shall fall down before him2 all nations shall serve him4 ,but what shall be said to those who refuse submission to the authority of ,jesus ,christ1 and reject the blessings of his salvation8 ,how pungent was his address to the ,jewish nation1 and how applicable to such characters in the present age6 ,the queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation1 and shall condemn it3 for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of ,solomon2 and1 behold1 a greater than ,solomon is here4 ,the queen of ,sheba only had access to the wisdom of ,solomon--but you have access to the wisdom ,christ--she came from a very distant region--but the word is nigh thee1 even in thy mouth and in thy heart2 that is1 the word of faith which we preach--she came uninvited1 and upon the hazard of a favourable reception--but you are requested and urged to come to ,jesus1 and partake of the provisions which cover the well-spread table of his grace4 ,his supplies are spiritual1 and therefore invaluable4 ,he does not promise gold1 but dispenses grace and glory4--,he confers not the fading honours and transient distinctions of this life1 but the joys of salvation1 the blessedness of heaven1 the riches of ,,eternity6 ,the ,shunammite ,chapter ,,xiii4 ,section ,i4 ,characteristic ,difference between profane and sacred ,history--the ,shunammite introduced--her ,hospitality--,proposes to her ,husband to accommodate ,elisha with a ,chamber--the ,gratitude manifested by the ,prophet in offering to speak for her to the ,king--her ,reply expressive of ,contentment--various ,considerations calculated to promote this ,disposition--,advantages of a daily and deep ,impression of the transitory ,nature of our ,possessions1 and of keeping another ,life in view4 ,how strikingly different is the course of profane and sacred history6 ,the former1 searching out the most prominent characters that figure upon the stage of life1 exhibits them in pompous language1 and1 by emblazoning their actions with the lustre of high-wrought description and extravagant panegyric1 conceals from view those moral blemishes which a nearer inspection1 through the medium of a more dispassionate narrative1 would discover in all their enormity4 ,hence the ,alexanders and ,csars of the world1 whose mighty ambition1 in marching to take possession of unoffending empires1 has trampled on the rights of man1 the fruits of industry1 and the comforts of domestic life1 and whose laurels are died with the blood of humanity1 have nevertheless had their names transmitted with loud applause from age to age4 ,high station1 noble birth1 great talents1 or marvellous exploits1 though associated with daring crime1 constitute a sufficient passport to the historic page1 which too often extols where it ought to censure3 and instructs us to venerate a name which should rather be execrated4 ,sacred history pursues a different course4 ,it records1 indeed1 the actions of the unworthy as well as of the pious2 not that we should be roused to rapturous admiration of their achievements1 but1 by tracing the dreadful outline of their characters1 and the fatal consequences of their guilt1 be incited to avoid their vices4 ,in general1 those individuals whom civil history overlooks1 are found in the inspired records1 while the mighty and the noble remain unnoticed4 ,some few instances1 indeed1 of the lives of great men1 in point of station and rank1 furnish exceptions to this observation2 but they are introduced1 not because they were great1 but because they were pious2 or1 if impious1 because they stood connected with the church of ,god4 ,scripture does not so much furnish the history of the world as the history of the church and of human nature4 ,it aims to instruct1 not to amuse or astonish2 and that1 by the exhibition of characters remarkable in any respect for their efforts to oppose or to promote the purposes of eternal wisdom1 or for the exhibition1 in a private sphere1 of those principles1 the knowledge of whose diversified operations might prove useful to posterity4 ,shunem1 or ,sunam1 a city of the tribe ,issachar1 would have been scarcely noticed or known but for the residence of an opulent female1 who is ,herself rendered forever illustrious in consequence of her friendship for the prophet ,elisha1 and the eminence of her religion3 but1 though a great woman1 her name is omitted in the narrative--of so little importance are those distinctions upon which mankind value themselves so highly6 ,she is simply designated the ,shunammite1 after the name of her city4 ,sidenote3 ,years before ,christ1 about #hce ,the inspired narrator notices1 in the first place1 the warmth of her hospitality1 and its unabating continuance to ,elisha4 ,on a certain occasion1 when he went to ,shunem1 she urged him to visit her1 which issued in such a mutual esteem1 that as oft as he passed by1 he turned in thither to eat bread4 ,among the ancients1 and in a simple state of society1 where the accommodations of modern travelling were unknown1 the entertainment of strangers was considered as one of the first of duties4 ,in all the ,arab villages this necessary practice prevails4 ,the sheikh1 or principal person1 generally invites strangers to his house1 furnishes them with eggs1 butter1 curds1 honey1 olives1 and fruit1 when there is not sufficient time to dress meat3 and1 if they choose to remain during the night1 they are treated with the utmost kindness4 ,the ,arabs value themselves highly upon their hospitality4 ,how often1 says one of their poets1 when echo gave me notice of a stranger's approach1 have ,i stirred my fire that it might give a clear blaze4 ,i flew to him as to a prey1 through fear that my neighbours should get possession of him before me4 #da ,the ,scriptures furnish many examples of this duty4 ,abraham1 in entertaining three strangers1 is said to have entertained angels unawares2 ,lot received two angels into his house1 who appeared as strangers in the streets of ,sodom3 ,job affirms of himself1 ,the stranger did not lodge in the street2 ,i opened my doors to the traveller2 a good widow1 in the apostolic age1 is described as washing the saints' feet1 relieving the afflicted1 and lodging strangers2 and ,gaius is represented as receiving ,christian ministers into his house as his own children4 ,although a considerable difference of circumstances exists in more civilized countries1 and in this age1 so as to render such an extensive hospitality impossible1 as well as in many cases unsafe2 yet no change of custom and no lapse of time can preclude the duty itself1 or diminish the force of the apostolic admonition1 be not forgetful to entertain strangers1 for thereby some have entertained angels unawares4 ,if an indiscriminate admission of strangers into the domestic circle might1 in our case1 be productive of great inconveniences1 benevolence requires that those acts of kindness should be shown to others which comport with our means and opportunities1 and that we should aim at such moderation in our usual expenditure as shall enable us to discharge the obligations of ,christian charity4 ,how1 otherwise1 can we do unto others as we would that others should do unto us8 ,the wheel of ,providence is perpetually revolving1 and who knows but that he who is now at the summit of worldly prosperity1 or in the full enjoyment of an easy competence1 may soon be brought down to the level of the needy2 and1 though he may be in a condition to confer kindness to-day1 may have to solicit it to-morrow8 ,who can be insensible to the privilege of the ,saviour's final benediction1 ,come1 ye blessed of my ,father1 inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world3 for ,i was an hungered1 and ye gave me meat2 ,i was thirsty1 and ye gave me drink2 ,i was a stranger1 and ye took me in2 naked1 and ye clothed me2 ,i was sick1 and ye visited me2 ,i was in prison1 and ye came unto me4 ,the ,shunammite did not entertain a stranger merely1 but a prophet2 and1 from the conversation of ,elisha1 doubtless derived that spiritual edification which induced her to solicit his future friendship4 ,others came1 departed1 and were forgotten2 but religion in each heart converted these strangers into friends1 and cemented a holy union1 which neither time1 nor change1 nor death1 could dissolve4 ,it is to be lamented1 that the converse even of holy men in ,christian families is not always tinged with that piety which renders it as a sweet savour1 and too frequently the ministers of the sanctuary fail to enforce the admonitions of the pulpit and fix the sacred impressions of the sabbath by a conversation becoming the ,gospel of ,christ4 ,what fine opportunities do they possess of winning souls to ,christ1 or building up the saints in their most holy faith1 by the very nature of their office1 and the extensive private intercourse to which it admits them6 ,it would be well for all to cultivate that sort of spiritual adroitness for which some are truly remarkable1 who can1 with the utmost facility1 glide from general topics of discourse to religious communications1 which are so piously1 and yet so delicately managed1 that the most hostile are in some degree conciliated1 and even pleased4 ,the apostle of the ,gentiles thus exhorts ,timothy1 ,be thou an example of the believers in word1 in conversation1 in charity1 in spirit1 in faith1 in purity4 ,this excellent ,shunammite proposed to her husband to accommodate ,elisha with a little chamber appropriated to his own use1 with which he seems readily to have complied4 ,this is much to the honour of both2 to the one for her proposal1 to the other for his compliance4 ,it is a happy circumstance where those who have joined hands are united in heart1 and1 avoiding the spirit of domination1 are equally anxious to fulfil the respective duties of their domestic character4 ,the ground of her solicitation1 was that of his being a holy man of ,god1 which1 it is to be feared1 would prove a very decisive objection to such a measure in many families1 who wish to conceal their gay and licentious habits from such observance4 ,the suggestion of this pious lady to her husband respecting the accommodation of their agreeable visiter1 may remind us of the duty of women1 'to avail themselves of the opportunities with which providence favours them in married life1 to give such useful hints to their husbands as their benevolence will naturally dictate4 ,the multiplicity of engagements in which the husband is involved1 in the prosecution of his daily concerns1 often precludes those thoughts which might issue in plans of public utility or more private kindness2 while the wife has leisure for this very important purpose4 ,and to the honour of the female sex let it be recorded1 that the poor and the destitute are indebted to the ladies of ,britain for originating1 and in many cases carrying into execution1 some of the noblest schemes of ,christian charity4 ,separate buildings1 resembling the prophet's chamber1 are frequently attached to houses in the ,east1 sometimes rising a story higher than the house1 at other times consisting of one or two rooms and a terrace3 others are built over the porch or gateway1 having most of the conveniences belonging to the house itself3 they communicate by a door1 into the gallery of the house1 which the master of the family opens or shuts at his pleasure2 besides another door1 which opens from a private staircase immediately into the porch or street1 without giving the least disturbance to the house4 ,these back-houses are called olee or oleah1 and in them strangers are usually lodged and entertained4 ,the little chamber built by the ,shunammite for ,elisha was probably of this description4 ,to this he had free access1 without interfering with the family1 or being interrupted by them in his devotions1 and from it he might privately retire whenever he pleased4 #db ,the peculiar simplicity of the furniture in the prophet's chamber cannot fail of striking attention3 it consisted of a bed1 a table1 a stool1 and a candlestick4 ,this scanty fitting up of his room is by no means to be attributed to disrespect or negligence3 it is rather to be considered as characteristic of the simplicity of the times4 ,the intention certainly was to accommodate ,elisha in a manner expressive of reverence and esteem4 ,the original term1 unhappily rendered stool in our ,english version1 signifies one of the most honourable kind of seats usually placed in an apartment1 and is sometimes translated throne4 ,in ancient times1 the nations of the ,east were not so universally addicted as they are at present to sitting on the ground upon mats or carpets1 but accustomed themselves to raised seats or chairs1 which were sometimes sufficiently elevated to require a footstool4 ,the candlestick is likewise to be considered as a mark of respect1 if not of magnificence1 and its particular use was to keep a light burning the whole night4 ,dr4 ,chandler mentions a lamp being placed in his room for this purpose in the house of a ,jew1 who was vice-consul for the ,english nation1 at the place where he landed when about to visit the ruins of ,asia ,minor4#dc ,in general1 however1 the prophets chose to live in the plainest manner3 they built their houses with their own hands1 and wore a coarse dress of a dark brown colour4 ,instead of availing themselves of the opportunities with which they were often presented of acquiring riches1 or of frequenting the luxurious tables of the great1 they sometimes refused the most valuable presents4 ,of this we have a remarkable specimen when ,elisha declined the gifts of ,naaman1 and inflicted a dreadful punishment upon ,gehazi for his contrivance to secure them4 ,if the mean attire and mode of living which distinguished the ancient prophets cannot be viewed in the light of an authoritative example to future ages1 and if something may be reasonably conceded to the practices of different nations1 this may be received as an axiom1 that those whom ,providence has appointed to the sacred office ought to avoid all unnecessary show in their appearance1 and all ambitious aspiring after the vain splendours of life2 for the fashion of this world passeth away4 ,on the other hand1 it is the duty1 and should be considered as the privilege of pious individuals1 to whom ,providence has dispensed riches or competence1 to minister to the necessities of the poor servants of ,god1 who1 while devoting their lives to promote their spiritual comfort1 and that of their families1 have neither time nor means to rescue themselves from a state of dependence and poverty4 ,if they have been partakers of their spiritual things1 their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things4 ,elisha was not insensible to all this kindness1 but1 on the contrary1 feeling anxious to devise some means of requiting it1 he intimated1 during one of his visits1 his wish to render his hostess any service in his power1 and proposed what he thought might be the most acceptable2 ,behold1 said he1 thou hast been careful for us with all this care2 what is to be done for thee8 wouldst thou be spoken for to the king1 or to the captain of the host8 ,it is gratifying to find that ,elisha possessed so much influence at court1 and that ,jehoram1 though an impious prince1 honoured the man of ,god4 ,but1 perhaps1 the king of ,israel was more influenced in his attachment by the miracle which the prophet had lately performed in his favour1 and the victory he had promised to him and his royal friends ,jehoshaphat and the king of ,edom1 than by any proper regard to his person or his office4 ,the answer of this ,shunammite to the prophet's proposal was brief1 but expressive3 it indicated a mind full of contentment1 and actuated in all its liberal devices by the purest motives4 ,i dwell1 said she1 among mine own people2 q4 d4 ,i am satisfied with my lot--,i am happy in the circle in which ,i move--,i have no wish to emerge from obscurity1 persuaded that though ,i or my family might gain in point of distinction or wealth by your kind interference1 we should lose a considerable portion of that real comfort which1 in our estimation1 is better than the greatest of earthly possessions4 ,the sentiment of this pious lady is to be distinguished from the opinion which has prevailed in some parts of the world1 that the perfection of religion consists in a total retirement from the intercourse of life to the cell of the monk or the cave of the hermit1 and in passing the days and nights of existence in mere speculative contemplation4 ,that separation from the world which the word of ,god enjoins1 is a separation of spirit1 a withdrawment of the affections from its criminal pursuits and guilty indulgences4 ,it does not interdict all intercourse with mankind1 or censure a diligent pursuit of business1 but inculcates purity of character1 and teaches us so to act in the particular sphere assigned us by the arrangements of ,providence1 that our good works1 may be seen1 and our light may shine before men4 ,religion is not an abstract principle1 or a mere speculation2 it is operative3 ,god is its source and end1 but society its proper sphere of action4 ,in circumstances of perplexity and trial its real nature is best developed1 as conquering the irregularity of desire1 pacifying the turbulence of passion1 purifying all the principles of the corrupt heart1 and forming men into the future associates of angels and saints in light4 ,the ,shunammite did not retire from her people1 her family1 or her friends2 but dwelt amongst them1 exemplifying those virtues which adorn domestic and social life1 and securing1 as we may infer from her expressions1 that general esteem which such exalted goodness is calculated to procure4 ,she discharged scrupulously and zealously the appropriate duties of her situation1 and shone in the orbit allotted to her by ,him whose infinite wisdom disposes all the arrangements of the natural and moral worlds1 with conspicuous brightness and useful influence4 ,moreover1 the language in question presents us with one of the finest specimens of contentment in the records of history4 ,it may be affirmed without hesitation1 that nothing can secure the exercise of this temper1 in the present constitution of the human mind1 but genuine religion4 ,in cases where no such principle exists1 dissatisfaction imbitters the cup of our earthly portion1 and all those ambitious feelings which agitate and distress the life of man1 acquire an uncontrolled ascendency4 ,the discourse of ,pyrrhus with ,cineas is only a transcript of the impatient ambition of the generality of mankind4 ,if it please ,heaven that we conquer the ,romans1 said the philosopher1 what use1 sir1 shall we make of our victory8--,cineas1 replied the king1 your question answers itself4 ,when the ,romans are once subdued1 there is no town1 whether ,greek or ,barbarian1 in all the country1 that will dare to oppose us2 but we shall immediately be masters of all ,italy1 whose greatness1 power1 and importance1 no man knows better than you4 ,cineas1 after a short pause1 continued1 ,but after we have conquered ,italy1 what shall we do next1 sir8 ,pyrrhus1 not yet perceiving his drift1 replied1 ,there is ,sicily very near1 and stretches out her arms to receive us2 a fruitful and populous island1 and easy to be taken3 for ,agathocles was no sooner gone1 than faction and anarchy prevailed among her cities1 and every thing is kept in confusion by her turbulent demagogues4--,what you say1 my prince1 said ,cineas1 is very probable2 but is the taking of ,sicily to conclude our expeditions8--,far from it1 answered ,pyrrhus1 for if ,heaven grant us success in this1 that success shall only be the prelude to greater things4 ,who can forbear ,libya and ,carthage1 then within reach1 which ,agathocles1 even when he fled in a clandestine manner from ,syracuse1 and crossed the sea with a few ships only1 had almost made himself master of8 ,and when we have made such conquests1 who can pretend to say that any of our enemies1 who are now so insolent1 will think of resisting us8 ,to be sure1 said ,cineas1 they will not2 for it is clear that so much power will enable you to recover ,macedonia1 and to establish yourself uncontested sovereign of ,greece4 ,but when we have conquered all1 what are we to do then8--,why then1 my friend4 said ,pyrrhus1 laughing1 we will take our ease1 and drink1 and be merry4 ,cineas1 having brought him thus far1 replied1 ,and what hinders us from drinking and taking our ease ,,now1 when we have already those things in our hands at which we propose to arrive through seas of blood1 through infinite toils and dangers1 through innumerable calamities1 which we must both cause and suffer8 #dd ,one motive to contentment1 which probably influenced the ,shunammite1 and which is calculated to inspire a similar feeling in every situation1 arose from the conviction1 that happiness is much more equally diffused than we commonly imagine4 ,whatever may be the diversities of human condition1 and however preferable the situation of some above others may seem1 to an inexperienced or careless observer1 looking only at the exterior of society1 ,providence has so wisely adjusted its various inequalities1 that it becomes extremely difficult to determine who possesses the most happy lot4 ,wherever particular advantages exist1 they are balanced by proportionate evils1 and the reverse3 the golden cup often contains a bitter potion1 while sweet is the draught and refreshing the supply1 that is brought in a broken pitcher4 ,the poor are apt to suppose1 that opulence furnishes an inexhaustible fund of enjoyment2 and that luxurious tables1 sumptuous palaces1 and a splendid retinue1 confer a never-failing enjoyment2 forgetting that riches create a thousand artificial wants1 a thousand fantastic desires1 which it is utterly impossible to supply4 ,the wealthy look with pity upon the indigent1 as condemned to an irksome and perpetual drudgery1 and destitute of all means of enjoying life2 a pity they might well spare1 did they know that labour sweetens rest1 and that unpampered appetite has none of those loathings which luxury superinduces4 ,riches and poverty are not then1 according to the miscalculations of mankind1 terms of synonymous import with happiness and misery4 ,the most exalted have many afflictions1 the most depressed many comforts4 ,the shafts of envy fly over the lowly cottage1 and smite the towers of greatness2 and while the peasant sleeps soundly in his humble cottage1 ,uneasy lies the head that wears a crown4 ,it has been well remarked by ,bishop ,hopkins1 that there is scarcely any condition in the world so low1 but may satisfy our wants2 and there is no condition so high1 as can satisfy our desires4 ,if we live according to the law of nature and reason1 we shall never be poor2 but if we live according to fond opinion and fancy1 we shall never be rich4 ,the diversities of our temporal condition1 therefore1 illustrate the remark which ,solomon has connected with very important advice2 ,in the day of prosperity be joyful1 but in the day of adversity consider2 ,god also hath set the one over against the other1 to the end that man should find nothing after him4 ,independently of these considerations1 it may be questioned whether that change after which so many eagerly aspire1 would really conduce to their happiness4 ,the probability is1 that any material alteration of circumstances is unfavourable to enjoyment1 and that our respective destinies are so wisely arranged1 that each one is1 upon the whole1 most likely to secure the greatest proportion of temporal felicity in the sphere originally assigned him1 than in any other4 ,his habits1 his views1 his friendships1 are all fixed by his position and place in society1 and all his mental faculties have been trained1 so to speak1 to this very spot4 ,any removal or change would be hazardous and more likely to impair than consummate his happiness4 ,after the growth of years1 the tree cannot be transplanted into another soil and air without long exhibiting symptoms of languishing1 and sometimes a total decay4 ,another reflection calculated to promote a contented spirit is1 that if we were capable of tracing the tendencies1 connexions1 and ultimate results of all things as they are seen1 by the eye of ,omniscience1 and established by omnipotent power1 we should perceive as much reason to be thankful for what is denied us1 as for what is bestowed4 ,the fancied good which we are so eager to obtain would1 in many cases1 be a real evil in possession4 ,our prejudices and passion prevent our forming a proper judgment1 and were not our heavenly ,father influenced by a truly parental solicitude for his people1 the most fatal mischiefs would arise4 ,providence has two ways of punishing a repining or an impatient temper2 the one is by counteracting it1 by placing the imaginary good beyond the reach of attainment1 and forcing back the wandering heart to its home and its ,god1 by disappointing its expectations of happiness in earthly possessions4 ,such refusals1 or rather obstructions to temporal success1 are indications of the purest regard1 as parents1 severely kind1 take away from their froward children those destructive weapons which had attracted them by their glittering appearance4 ,another1 and a more dreadful mode of inflicting necessary chastisement1 is1 by complying with their wishes1 and making them feel the insufficiency of what they desired to render them happy4 ,they forsook the fountain of living waters1 and the cisterns they resolved to possess1 prove to be broken and empty4 ,in this case1 they suffer the double penalty of dissatisfaction in the imaginary good for which they had sacrificed so much1 and of deep remorse for a misconduct which has incurred the divine displeasure4 ,it is said of ,israel1 he gave them their request1 but sent leanness into their soul4 ,in considering the denials of ,providence1 it should not be forgotten1 that what is in part an evil1 may be a good upon the whole2 the amputation of a disordered or fractured limb1 as it necessarily produces great personal suffering1 is in part an evil2 but1 inasmuch as it saves life1 it is1 on the whole1 an important good4 ,on the other hand1 that which as in part good1 may1 on the whole1 be an evil2 the rich cargo with which a vessel is freighted may be considered in itself a good1 but if it be retained to the destruction of the vessel tossed by a tempestuous ocean1 and struck upon a sunken rock1 it is1 on the whole1 a dreadful evil2 and yet1 in the vast concerns of the soul and eternity1 what multitudes act upon this fatal principle--clinging to their treasures1 though they sink them into perdition6 ,it is obvious1 therefore1 that in order to understand the dispensations of ,heaven1 it is necessary to know the circumstances of each particular case1 which the very limited extent of our present knowledge and capacities renders utterly impossible2 and it cannot be doubted1 that if we were acquainted with the whole subject1 the most afflictive events of life1 no less than the most pleasing1 would be seen to form essential parts of that great system of mercy1 by which the universal ,disposer is promoting the ultimate and perfect felicity of all his children4 ,but let patience have her perfect work1 for eternity will discover these mysteries of time4 ,now we see through a glass darkly1 but then face to face2 now ,i know in part1 but then shall ,i know even as also ,i am known4 ,a third consideration1 which1 doubtless1 influenced this contented ,shunammite1 was1 the vanity of the world4 ,the wise have always admitted1 that the three principal objects of human desire1 pleasures1 riches1 and honours1 when weighed in the balances of truth1 are found wanting1 and that1 although the misplaced eagerness of mankind attributes to them a thousand charms1 they are in reality1 but airy nothings4 ,as bubbles blown into the air1 says ,bishop ,hopkins1 will represent a great variety of orient and glittering colours1 not 7as some suppose7 that there are any such really there1 but only they appear so to us1 through a false reflection of light cast upon them2 so truly this world1 this earth on which we live1 is nothing else but a great bubble blown up by the breath of ,god in the midst of the air1 where it now hangs4 ,it sparkles with ten thousand glories2 not that they are so in themselves1 but only they seem so to us through the false light by which we look upon them4 ,if we come to grasp it1 like a thin film1 it breaks1 and leaves nothing but wind and disappointment in our hands2 as histories report of the fruits that grow near the ,dead ,sea1 where once ,sodom and ,gomorrah stood1 they appear very fair and beautiful to the eye1 but1 if they be crushed1 turn straight to smoke and ashes4 ,if1 from general reflections1 we descend to the particular details of life1 it will still be found1 that while we eagerly pursue any worldly enjoyments1 we are but running after a shadow2 and as shadows vanish1 and are swallowed up in the greater shade of night1 so when the night of death shall cast its thick shade about us1 and wrap us up in deep and substantial darkness1 all these vain shadows will then disappear and vanish quite out of sight4 ,the vanity of the world arises from the instability and mutation of human affairs1 as well as from the comparative insignificance of all its best enjoyments4 ,we say1 ,what a large estate does that distinguished personage possess6--vain word and false--he is only a tenant for a day--to-morrow he will become the inhabitant of a sepulchre6 ,what a mansion is yonder6--what a lovely family6 what prospects in business6 what admirable connexions6 what charming society6 ,o what an edifice of human happiness is here6--,the ,providence of ,god blows upon the four corners of the house1 and it falls6 ,here we have no continuing city--no fixed1 unalterable enjoyments--no permanent rest4 ,mutation is inscribed in characters clear and legible to the eye of reason1 upon all terrestrial things2 and so uncertain are our property1 our health1 our enjoyments1 our friendships1 our ,,all upon earth1 that1 as the thistle-down is scattered by the gentlest breeze1 these light and fair possessions may be wafted away by the first wind that rises1 or the first touch of unexpected adversity4 ,the impressive language of ,scripture corroborates and illustrates these representations4 ,man that is born of a woman is of few days1 and full of trouble4 ,he cometh forth like a flower1 and is cut down3 he fleeth also as a shadow1 and continueth not4 444 ,lord1 make me to know mine end1 and the measure of my days what it is1 that ,i may know how frail ,i am4 ,behold1 thou hast made my days as a hand-breadth1 and mine age is as nothing before thee3 verily1 every man at his best state is altogether vanity4 ,surely every man walketh in a vain show3 surely they are disquieted in vain2 he heapeth up riches1 and knoweth not who shall gather them4 444 ,we spend our years as a tale that is told4 444 ,my days are like a shadow that declineth2 and ,i am withered like grass1 444 ,as foreman1 his days are as grass1 as a flower of the field1 so he flourisheth2 for the wind passeth over it1 and it is gone2 and the place thereof shall know it no more4 444 ,man is like to vanity2 his days are as a shadow that passeth away4 444 ,i have seen all the works that are done under the sun2 and1 behold1 all is vanity and vexation of spirit4 444 ,what hath man of all his labour1 and of the vexation of his heart1 wherein he hath laboured under the sun8 ,for all his days are sorrows1 and his travail grief1 yea1 his heart taketh not rest in the night4 ,this is also vanity4 444 ,who knoweth what is good for man in this life1 all the days of his vain life which he spendeth as a shadow6 for who can tell a man what shall be after him under the sun8 444 ,vanity of vanities1 saith the preacher1 all is vanity4 444 ,go to now1 ye that say1 ,to-day or to-morrow we will go into such a city1 and continue there a year1 and buy and sell and get gain2 whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow4 ,for what is your life8 ,it is even a vapour1 that appeareth for a little time1 and than vanisheth away4 ,a fourth reason for contentment1 and which we cannot doubt influenced the pious woman of ,shunem1 is to be derived from a view of that future happiness which infinite goodness has provided for the children of ,god4 ,in the early period to which we are now adverting1 life and immortality were not so distinctly brought to light as they are in the ,christian dispensation by the ,gospel2 but from the day of the first promise of a ,saviour1 the believing mind perceived the grand purposes for which he was to descend into the world1 and enjoyed some pleasing anticipations of that paradise1 which it was his prerogative to confer upon one of his fellow-sufferers on the cross4 ,if1 as we believe1 the ,shunammite were acquainted with the existence1 and1 in some degree1 with the glory of a future state2 if with ,job she felt convinced1 that though worms destroy this body1 yet in her flesh she should see ,god2 if she knew any thing of that inexpressible charm which attaches to the blessedness of a better country1 arising from its unfading permanence1--the language of contentment which she uttered1 was but the natural expression of a feeling which such discoveries were calculated to excite4 ,it was sufficient1 in her apprehension1 to all the purposes of real happiness1 to pass the time of her sojourning1 among her own people1 without seeking those distinctions which constitute only the vain decorations of a scene that passeth away4 ,nor did her principles merely promote satisfaction with her lot3 they fortified her against the assault of temptation1 a temptation presented in the least exceptionable form1 and recommended by the sanctity of a prophet1 who deliberately proposed to her an interference with the king1 or the captain of the host1 for her temporal advancement4 ,her words express an unalterable resolution of mind3 ,i dwell amongst mine own people4 ,every thing earthly possesses a character of insignificance from its transitoriness1 while every heavenly object becomes inviting on account of its durability4 ,a single hour may precipitate us from the highest worldly elevation--the proudest laurel that ever decked the brow of the proudest hero quickly fades2 and he who sits out upon a journey of discovery to find the extent of human enjoyments1 will soon see an ,,end of all perfection4 ,but religion has laurels which never fade2 crowns of glory which pass to no envious successor4 ,religion does not lay her foundations in the sand1 but erecting her temple upon the shores of eternity1 bids us enter in1 to go no more out4 ,an apostle states1 that godliness hath the promise of the life which now is1 and of that which is to come2 intimating the certainty of the existence of a future state1 the nature of its felicities1 and the essential connection between the pursuit and the ultimate possession of it4 ,the value of this promise respecting the life to come1 is not a little enhanced by its being accomplished precisely at that critical moment when every earthly hope expires1 and every human joy departs4 ,godliness has1 indeed1 the promise of the life which now is2 but1 if it had not1 the life which now is will soon terminate3 the successive generations of mankind are hastening to the grave2 our breath will soon cease--our possessions must soon be left--our days soon covered with the shadows of the last evening--all we fondly called our own scattered to the winds2--but at such a moment of desolation1 the religion of ,jesus points to regions of deathless felicity4 ,his voice seems to sound across the gulf of death1 in accents soft and sweet as the harps of angels1 ,i am the resurrection and the life4 ,and the life to come is no other than the perfection of the ,christian's life which now is--a life of love--a life of peace1 purity1 and praise--a life of incessant activity in the service of the blessed ,god4 ,hence his present spiritual life1 is a kind of pledge and promise of his eternal life2 the pantings and breathings of a holy mind after that world1 are proofs that it is his home2 and the believer in ,christ becomes assured1 that as he advances in spiritual attainments here1 he is making so many approaches1 hastening by so many steps1 to the perfection and joy of eternity4 ,a few brief observations on the advantages resulting from a daily and deep impression of the transitory nature of terrestrial possessions1 and keeping the scenes of another life in constant view1 shall close the present section4 #a4 ,this will tend to moderate our earthly attachments4 ,affections were not implanted in our nature to be suppressed and extinguished4 ,we may love1 but we must not love inordinately4 ,love must be proportioned to the value of the object1 and must be regulated by scriptural principles1 otherwise we shall commit offence1 and suffer injury4 ,there is a remedy1 and but one effectual remedy1 for the errors of the heart4 ,it is suggested by an apostle3 ,set your affection on things above1 not on things on the earth4 #b4 ,a due impression of the present1 and a just conception of the future1 will conduce to the purification of our moral principles4 ,intermixture with the world1 its business and concerns1 and those solicitudes which occupy the attention in reference to transactions merely temporal1 tend to vitiate the mind4 ,in the pursuits of traffic we seem to live1 as if we were destined to live here always4 ,the interests of a moment engross and captivate the passions1 and kindle ardours which burn with incessant vigour4 ,the mind is brought close to present objects1 in consequence of which they assume an unnatural magnitude1 filling the whole sphere of vision1 and excluding external realities from view4 ,the effect of this is depraving3 it contracts the soul1 misdirects its energies1 and blunts the edge of its spiritual sensibility4 #c4 ,the sentiment we are wishing to inculcate will furnish us with consolation amidst adversities1 and reconcile the spirit to bereaving dispensations4 ,the present is a probationary state2 and although the particular mode of suffering be unknown1 afflictions are not unexpected by ,christians4 ,but whatever is transitory is tolerable-- ----the darkest day1 ,live till to-morrow1 will have pass'd away4 ,as their own condition is subject to vicissitude1 they know also the uncertainty of every other1 and realize the possibility of separation from their nearest and dearest connections4 ,the severity of disappointment is here diminished2 for what cannot be retained1 or is precarious1 or ought to be resigned1 is dispensed with1 if not without a sigh or tear1 at least without a resentment against the smiting hand of ,providence4 #d4 ,this comparative view of our two states of being1 and this just estimate of their proportionate importance1 will prepare us for our own dissolution4 ,the feeling that we have no fixed1 no permanent abode on earth1 will familiarize the mind with the consideration1 that it is appointed unto men once to die4 ,if1 when a fatal disease attacked the constitution1 we thought for the first time of our removal from the present scene1 the effect would be unspeakably painful1 and hence arises the despondency which often pervades the mind of such as have moved only in circles of gayety and dissipation2 but a ,christian frequently meditates upon the final hour4 ,while looking at this or that valued possession1 he reflects1 ,i must soon leave it3 the loan will1 in a short period1 be reclaimed4 ,nor is this all4 ,the prospect before him is exhilarating4 ,to die is gain4 ,if the death of a man resembled that of a beast1 if the termination of life were the extinction of being1 the prospect would be inexpressibly alarming3 but the religion of ,jesus confers a victory over every fear by revealing immortality4 ,a ,christian knows there is something worth dying for2 and this animates him to walk with a firm step down the valley of the shadow of death4 ,he is guided through a darkness impervious to reason4 ,a beam from the excellent glory lights him ,,home6 ,section ,,ii4 ,elisha promises a ,son to the ,shunammite--his ,birth--his sudden ,death1 in consequence of facing sun-smitten--she repairs to the ,prophet--her expression of profound ,submission to the ,will of ,god--her subsequent impassioned ,appeal to ,elisha--the ,child restored to ,life--the ,shunammite's ,removal into ,philistia1 and ,return--her successful ,application to the ,king for the ,restoration of her ,property4 ,defeated in his benevolent intentions by the unambitious spirit of the ,shunammite1 ,elisha consulted his confidential servant ,gehazi1 through whom the former communication had been made1 respecting what could be done for her benefit4 ,sincere as her refusal had been1 he found it impossible to satisfy himself without some further attempt to express his gratitude2 and upon the suggestion of ,gehazi that she had no child1 the prophet directed that she should be again called into his presence4 ,and he said1 ,about this season1 according to the time of life1 thou shall embrace a son4 ,it is not improbable1 that although ,elisha addicted himself to great retirement1 ,gehazi might be in the habit of familiar intercourse with this pious family1 by which means perhaps he found that they were anxious upon this point2 at least1 if that spirit of perfect contentment which breathed in the language on which we have already offered some observations1 influenced them on this as well as on other occasions1 they no doubt had intimated1 in a moment of unreserved intercourse1 that a child would prove a most acceptable gift of ,providence4 ,the brevity of the sacred history precludes that detail of circumstances attending any particular transaction which it sometimes seems necessary to suppose4 ,in the present case1 it is not to be presumed that ,elisha would have ventured1 immediately1 upon the mere suggestion of ,gehazi1 to give so important a promise to the ,shunammite as that which is here recorded1 without first consulting the will of ,heaven1 or receiving some divine intimation of an event which no human being could foresee1 much less make the subject of a solemn prediction4 ,upon his announcing so unexpected a mercy1 she manifested that sort of incredulity which extreme astonishment blended with joy is calculated at the first moment to produce2 and the well-known effect of which accounts for what1 under other circumstances1 would appear like disrespectful language3 ,nay1 my lord1 thou man of ,god1 do not lie unto thine handmaid4 ,she was too much acquainted with ,elisha's character to intend to charge him with deliberate falsehood2 but her feelings were suddenly overpowered1 and consequently1 she was at no leisure to weigh her words4 ,the prophet's prediction was completely verified2 and she had a son1 at that season that ,elisha had said unto her1 according to the time of life1--,lo6 children are a heritage of the ,lord2 and the fruit of the womb is his reward4 ,in reviewing the scriptural account of remote ages1 we cannot fail to be struck with several instances of the extreme anxiety of good women for the possession of children2 an anxiety which requires some other reason than the general causes to be assigned for domestic and social congratulations common upon such occasions4 ,sarah1 for example1 the wife of ,abraham1 was induced by this desire to practise a piece of wretched and criminal policy1 in giving ,hagar1 her ,egyptian handmaid1 to her husband4 ,rachel1 the beloved wife of ,jacob1 was so impatient of her own barrenness1 and so envious of her sister1 that she exclaimed1 ,give me children1 or else ,i die4 ,the fact was1 that they were influenced by the promises of ,god to ,abraham1 whose posterity were to inherit the most invaluable blessings1 and from whom the ,messiah himself was to descend in the fulness of time4 ,as in him all the families of the earth were to be blessed1 who can be surprised that the most distant probability or possibility of introducing him1 who was to be born of a woman1 into the world1 should excite an ardent wish in every pious woman to become a mother8 ,and here it must be admitted1 that whatever reproach the first transgressor might have cast upon the female sex by her misconduct1 it is forever wiped away by the enviable distinction of becoming instrumental to a ,saviour's birth4 ,the time hastened in which the ,shunammite was to be subjected to a species of trial different from that with which she had been hitherto exercised4 ,the congratulations of her connections on the birth of her child were scarcely expressed1 and her earthly happiness consummated1 when she was destined to suffer acutely by the death of her little favourite4 ,those who have never felt a similar deprivation are necessarily disqualified from forming any adequate idea of the bitterness of parental grief1 when the objects of their fondest solicitude are suddenly snatched from the grasp of their affections4 ,it is difficult to say in what period of youthful history this stroke is severest1 or when it is most tolerable2 because every point of age has its peculiar attractions1 and parental love will always imagine that to be the most afflicting in which the event occurs4 ,happy those who can adopt the language of one of the sweetest epitaphs that ever adorned a monument6-- ,liv'd--to wake each tender passion1 ,and delightful hopes inspire2 ,died--to try our resignation1 ,and direct our wishes higher3-- ,rest1 sweet babe1 in gentle slumbers1 ,till the resurrection morn2 ,then arise to join the numbers1 ,that its triumphs shall adorn4 ,though1 thy presence so endearing1 ,we thy absence now deplore2 ,at the ,saviour's bright appearing1 ,we shall meet to part no more4 ,thus to thee1 ,o ,lord1 submitting1 ,we the tender pledge resign2 ,and1 thy mercies ne'er forgetting1 ,own that all we have is thine4 #de ,it is not unusual for the providence of ,god to deprive us of those objects we had too exclusively and too fondly called our own1 and the long enjoyment of which we had confidently anticipated4 ,this is no capricious proceeding3 it is marked by wisdom and goodness1 since our real happiness depends on the regulation of those passions which1 but for such dispensations1 would rove with unhallowed eccentricity from the chief good4 ,it is necessary that we should be trained in the school of adversity2 and that by a course of corrective discipline1 nicely adapted to each particular case1 our characters should be gradually matured for a nobler existence4 ,the manner in which the calamity to which we have referred overtook the ,shunammite1 is thus detailed by the faithful pen of inspiration4 ,and when the child was grown1 it fell on a day that he went out to his father to the reapers4 ,and he said unto his father1 ,my head1 my head6 ,and he said to a lad1 ,carry him to his mother4 ,and when he had taken him and brought him to his mother1 he sat on her knees till noon1 and then died4 ,from this brief statement it is evident that this child was smitten by the sun1 in consequence of exposing himself in the harvest field to the intensity of the season4 ,in northern climates it is difficult to realize the danger2 but in the torrid zone great precaution is necessary to avoid such calamities4 ,observing the effects of the sun's rays1 ,apollo is represented1 in heathen mythology1 as holding a bow1 and shooting his arrows upon the earth4 ,pay sacred reverence to ,apollo's song1 ,lest watchful the far-shooting god emit ,his fatal arrows4 ,,prior',s ,callimachus4 ,the heat in some parts of ,judea has often proved fatal1 even at a very early period of the year4 ,in a battle fought by king ,baldwin ,,iv4 near ,tiberias in ,galilee1 as many are said to have died in both armies by the heat as by the sword2 and an ecclesiastic of eminence1 although carried in a litter1 expired under mount ,tabor1 near the river ,kishon1 in consequence of the excessive heat4 ,shunem was in the neighbourhood of ,tabor4 #df ,as soon as the ,shunammite found that her son was dead1 she took him to the prophet's chamber1 and laying him on his bed1 shut the door and departed4 ,the only reason of this proceeding probably was1 its being the most retired part of the house1 and therefore the best suited to such a melancholy occasion4 ,but who can express the yearnings of her maternal tenderness1 when she left behind her this precious1 but now insensible clay6 ,that tongue which had so often pleased her by its innocent prattle1 so often uttered ----the fond name ,that wakes affection to a flame1 was now silent in death2 and those artless and attractive smiles1 which to a mother's heart were more lovely than the looks of the morning1 were subsided into the fixed and motionless aspect of one whose spirit has ceased to animate the body4 ,an impatient temper might have invented many reasons for discontent1 on this affecting occasion4 ,it might have reproached the father for permitting the child to accompany him1 at this sultry season1 into the harvest field--the child for an infantine eagerness to go--or herself for indiscreetly allowing of so dangerous a gratification4 ,a comparison of the happier lot of other families might have been drawn1 whose children went out on the same day1 and returned unsmitten by the infectious atmosphere1 or the burning sun2 and by aggravating the painful peculiarity of her own affliction1 she might thus have driven the barbed arrow still deeper in her bosom1 and censured1 at least by implication1 the ,supreme ,disposer4 ,but we have to admire a conduct which bespeaks the fullest conviction that it was a providence and not a casuality that occasioned the death of her beloved offspring1 and evinces the most entire acquiescence in the mournful event4 ,while our attention is confined solely to second causes1 the mind will be involved in a labyrinth of difficulties1 in judging of the changes and trials incident to the present life2 but when our faith ascends above this low and limited scene1 to contemplate the arrangements of an universal ,providence1 the deepest mysteries become unravelled1 and the greatest seeming inconsistencies in a considerable degree reconciled4 ,or1 if we cannot develope the whole plan1 and ascertain the reason of every movement of almighty ,wisdom1 we at least acquire a spirit of submission and obedience4 ,some persons are so overwhelmed by their sorrows as to be totally disqualified for their duties3 but1 although the world may applaud this acute sensibility1 religion condemns it4 ,as the effect of mere passion1 it has nothing in it which can secure the approbation of ,god2 on the contrary1 it is offensive to him1 who1 while he permits us to weep1 does not allow us to despond1 and who often sees it best to humble a refractory spirit by a repetition of chastisement4 ,this excellent ,shunammite1 after making the necessary arrangements for her poor departed son in the prophet's chamber1 instead of sitting down to indulge her own melancholy feelings1 or court the compassion of her domestics and friends1 despatched a messenger to her husband1 to request that a servant might be sent to her with one of the asses1 for the purpose of going to pay a visit to the man of ,god4 ,as she had not told him the motive of this sudden determination1 he remonstrated1 because it was neither new moon nor sabbath1 that is1 neither the usual time of secular or sacred journeys4 #dg ,he was1 however1 easily satisfied when she intimated that she had a good reason for wishing to pay this visit4 ,she said1 ,it shall be well4 ,see1 says pious ,matthew ,henry1 how this husband and wife vied respects2 she was so dutiful to him that she would not go till she had acquainted him with her journey1 and he so loving to her that he would not oppose it1 though she did not think it fit to acquaint him with her business4 ,equipped according to the eastern mode of travelling1 the ,shunammite mounted an ass1 and ordered the man appointed to attend her and goad on the animal1 to make all possible haste to mount ,carmel4 ,as soon as ,elisha saw her coming1 he sent ,gehazi to salute her with these inquiries3 ,is it well with thee8 ,is it well with thy husband8 ,is it well with the child8 ,as she came at so unexpected a moment1 and with such evident haste1 the prophet was naturally apprehensive that some calamity had befallen her1 and1 as he felt a deep interest in all her concerns1 first inquired respecting what he well knew lay near her heart1 the welfare of her family4 ,her reply was short1 but remarkable3 ,,it ,,is ,,well4 ,some have considered this merely as an evasive answer1 made for the purpose of avoiding conversation with ,gehazi1 with whom she did not wish to enter into the particulars of her present situation4 ,this1 however1 is an improbable interpretation1 because it would by no means comport with the general integrity of her character1 nor with the respect which was due1 and which we know she cherished1 for the prophet4 ,this was doubtless the message with which ,gehazi returned to his master1 who1 from his ignorance of her precise circumstances1 could not1 till her own subsequent explanation1 comprehend the elevated sentiments implied in such a general reply4 ,a pious mind in similar circumstances would not hesitate to affirm1 ,it is well--well with the living--well with the dead--well with those who1 notwithstanding all their bereavements1 are under the care of ,heaven and enjoy the smiles of ,god--well with those whose disembodied spirits1 escaped from the imprisonment of time1 have ascended to the unfettered freedom1 the unbounded felicity1 of eternity4 ,in this view the ,shunammite recognized the sovereignty of ,god2 his indisputable right to dispose of her and her affairs as he pleased4 ,shall the clay say to him that formed it1 ,what doest thou8 ,the unbending temper of infidelity will1 perhaps1 receive this as a hard saying2 but it is affirmed in the inspired page1 and must ever be admitted by him who is in his right mind4 ,uncontrollable power1 acting irrespectively of wisdom or goodness1 would be indeed a terrific idea1 and must issue in a state of universal anarchy2 but the perfection of that ,infinite ,being who sitteth upon the circle of the earth1 secures the righteous exercise of the most irresistible authority2 and of this we may ever be assured1 that although his arm is omnipotent1 it is never unmerciful4 ,the ,shunammite intended also to express her confidence in the goodness of ,god1 however disguised by the afflictive nature of his dispensations4 ,in a proper state of mind it will not be requisite1 in order to produce resignation1 that we should comprehend the whole design of every sorrow4 ,we should bow to the mysteriousness of the event2 and the patience of our endurance will not depend on the full developement and explanation of the mystery4 ,whether events accord with our wishes or oppose them1 ,it is ,,the ,,lord will strike us into silence and submission4 ,upon this subject the declarations of the ,scriptures are most encouraging4 ,they affirm1 that he doth not willingly afflict or grieve the children of men--that their own benefit requires the chastisement1 of whatever description it may be--that not a needless sigh heaves the human bosom1 or an unnecessary tear is made to flow--and that all things work together for good to them that love ,god1 to them that are the called according to his purpose4 ,it cannot be doubted1 that the all-wise ,disposer could1 if he had pleased1 have prevented a single cloud from rising to darken the ,christian's day1 and by the interdictions of his ,providence1 as formerly by the blood sprinkled upon the door-posts of ,israel in ,egypt1 have secured his people from the visitation of all the messengers of wo2 but he knows that affliction is conducive to our real welfare1 that it is a means of improving our character1 and of preparing us for that state of perfect enjoyment where it shall be no longer necessary2 and that it furnishes occasion for the exercise of those graces which adorn the ,christian's character1 and glorify his ,god4 ,we should endeavour1 to use the words of a profound writer1 not to be distressed about any thing1 but to take every event for the best4 ,i apprehend this to be a duty1 and the neglect of it to be a sin3 for in truth1 the reason why sin is sin1 is merely because it is contrary to the will of ,god4 ,if1 therefore1 the essence of sin consists in having a will contradictory to the known will of ,god1 it seems clear to me1 that when he discovers his will to us by events1 we sin if we do not conform ourselves to it4 ,again1 ,our own will1 though it should obtain all it can wish1 would never be contented2 but we are contented from the very instant that we renounce it4 ,we never can be contented with it1 #dh nor otherwise than contented without it4 ,it is highly proper to investigate the causes of our sorrows1 to inquire how far they are occasioned by any thing sinful in ourselves4 ,it becomes us to be humble and penitent before ,god1 when we discover that our own misconduct has rendered it necessary for him who is slow to anger to inflict chastisement4 ,it is to be feared that while we abhor the blasphemy of uttering the language of complaint1 and of saying1 like ,jonah1 ,i do well to be angry1 we often do not suspect the criminality of cherishing hard thoughts of ,providence1 doubting the propriety or repining at the continuance of afflictive dispensations4 ,there exists1 perhaps1 a secret suspicion of his goodness1 a latent spirit of revolt1 which we dare not express1 or which we flatter ourselves1 because we give it another name1 that we do not cherish4 ,the people of ,god sometimes receive affliction with a gaze of wonder1 as if it were the most unlikely of all occurrences4 ,we feel no surprise when it attacks others1 but live in the true spirit of the poet's representation1 ,all men think all men mortal but themselves4 ,in general terms we even acknowledge that we are not exempted2 and yet1 when actually visited by personal or relative troubles1 we seem like a traveller suddenly overtaken by a thunderstorm2 all is confusion and alarm3 our faith1 and hope1 and joy1 take wing1 and leave us solitary and sad4 ,in our alarm we forget ,god1 think it strange1 brood with a melancholy1 but guilty pleasure1 over our sufferings1 and act as if we thought that ,god had forgotten to be gracious4 ,but let them that suffer according to the will of ,god1 commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing1 as unto a faithful ,creator4 ,four things1 observes ,melancthon1 ought to be well impressed upon our minds respecting afflictions4 #a4 ,they are appointed4 ,we do not suffer affliction by chance1 but by the determinate counsel and permission of ,god4 #b4 ,by means of affliction ,god punishes his people2 not that he may destroy them1 but to recall them to repentance and the exercise of faith2 for afflictions are not indications of displeasure1 but of kindness--',he willeth not the death of a sinner4' #c4 ,god requires us to submit to his afflictive dispensations1 and to expend our indignation and impatience upon our own sins2 and1 since he determines to afflict his church in the present state1 submission tends to glorify his name4 #d4 ,resignation1 however1 is not all2 he requires faith and prayer1 that we may both seek and expect divine assistance4 ,thus he admonishes us1 ',call upon me in the day of trouble1 ,i will answer thee1 and thou shalt glorify me4' ,these four considerations are applicable to all our afflictions1 and are calculated1 if properly regarded1 to produce that truly ,christian patience1 which essentially differs from mere philosophical endurance4 #di ,as soon as the ,shunammite came to ,elisha1 she fell at his feet and embraced them4 ,gehazi attempted to thrust her away1 but the prophet told him to desist1 intimating that he perceived she was in some deep affliction with which he was unacquainted4 ,then bursting out in the abrupt language of impassioned grief1 she exclaimed1 ,did ,i desire a son of my lord8 ,did ,i not say1 ,do not deceive me8 ,if these words wear a complaining aspect1 we must make allowance for the strength of maternal feelings2 perhaps1 too1 notwithstanding her characteristic equanimity of temper1 and the elevated piety of her mind1 she was betrayed1 in this instance1 into some degree of impatience4 ,it is remarkable1 that some of the most eminent of saints have failed1 in particular periods of their lives1 in the exercise of those very dispositions for which they are particularly celebrated4 ,that faithful page1 which delineates the characters of men with perfect impartiality1 represents ,moses1 distinguished for his meekness1 as in a state of violent irritation when he saw the idolatry of ,israel2 in consequence of which he broke the two tables of stone to pieces on which the finger of ,god had inscribed his own laws--,job1 to whom sacred and profane history have assigned extraordinary patience1 in language the most emphatical1 cursed his day--,peter1 whose courage and ardent zeal in the service of his ,divine ,master were apparent on every other occasion1 not only trembled before the simple intimation of a servant-maid that he was one of his friends1 but denied him with oaths and curses4 ,such is the inconsistency of human character6 ,such are the shades that darken the brightest names4 ,such the salutary warnings that preceding ages transmit to those who have to follow the long train of heaven-bound travellers to a better existence6 ,let us turn our eyes for a moment from these specimens of mortal excellence to ,him who was holy1 harmless1 undefiled1 separate from sinners2 and who has left us an example1 that we should follow his steps3 who did no sin1 neither was guile found in his mouth 444 who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree1 that we1 being dead to sins1 should live unto righteousness4 ,compassionating the distressed ,shunammite1 ,elisha immediately adopted measures to afford her effectual consolation4 ,he commanded ,gehazi to hasten to the chamber appropriated to his use1 and lay his staff upon the face of the child4 ,he was to avoid the usual compliments upon meeting friends or strangers1 in order that not a moment might be lost4 #ej ,the bereaved mother1 in the mean time refused to quit the prophet1 to whom she was so much attached1 and in whom she cherished such unbounded confidence2 and he1 affected by her sufferings1 arose and accompanied her home4 ,gehazi fulfilled his commission2 but finding no symptoms of life1 he returned to inform his master1 whom he met on the way4 ,and when ,elisha was come into the house1 behold1 the child was dead1 and laid upon his bed4 ,he went in1 therefore1 and shut the door upon them twain1 and prayed unto the ,lord4 ,and he went up1 and lay upon the child1 and put his mouth upon his mouth1 and his eyes upon his eyes1 and his hands upon his hands1 and he stretched himself upon the child2 and the flesh of the child waxed warm4 ,then he returned and walked in the house to and fro2 and went up and stretched himself upon him2 and the child sneezed seven times1 and the child opened his eyes4 ,and he called ,gehazi1 and said1 ,call this ,shunammite4 ,so he called her4 ,and when she was come in unto him1 he said1 ,take up thy son4 ,then she went in1 and fell at his feet1 and bowed herself to the ground1 and took up her son1 and went out4 ,it is observable1 that the attempt to reanimate the child by despatching the servant to place the prophet's staff upon its face utterly failed1 possibly because this act was done out of human conceit1 not out of instinct from ,god4 #ea ,elisha1 however1 came1 prayed unto the ,lord1 and succeeded in effecting a miraculous restoration of the departed child4 ,the grateful mother may be classed among those who1 through faith1 received their dead raised to life again4 ,how animating the prospect of that moment when almighty power will be displayed in raising every human body from the grave1 and reuniting it with its kindred spirit in a state of deathless existence6 ,may we attain the blessedness and holiness of such as have part in the first resurrection6 ,only one other circumstance is mentioned in the history of the ,shunammite4 ,when ,israel was threatened with a famine of seven years1 ,elisha forewarned her of the danger1 and advised her retirement into some place of security and plenty4 ,she accordingly removed with her family into the land of the ,philistines4 ,at the expiration of this period she returned2 but finding that her property had become the prey of rapacity1 or was alienated by some royal edict1 she applied to the king for its restoration4 ,this was perfectly consistent with her former character2 for although she felt no eagerness for worldly advancement1 and1 indeed1 refused it1 piety did not require a total negligence of her civil rights1 or of measures calculated to preserve her and her beloved family from a state of indigency4 ,providentially1 at the precise moment of her application the king was conversing with ,gehazi1 who was informing him of ,elisha's miracles1 and in particular of the miracle he had performed upon the deceased son of the ,shunammite4 ,she was of course introduced under the most favourable circumstances2 and having ascertained the identity of the present applicant1 the king appointed unto her a certain officer1 saying1 ,restore all that was hers1 and all the fruits of the field1 since the day that she left the land even till now4 ,thus is afforded a striking exemplification of the remark of ,solomon1 ,the king's heart is in hand of the ,lord1 as the rivers of water3 he turneth it withersoever he will4 ,esther4 ,chapter ,,xiv4 ,the ,feasts of the ,king of ,persia--his ,queen ,vashti sent for--her ,refusal to obey the ,summons--her ,divorce--,plan to fill up the ,vacancy--,esther chosen ,queen--,mordecai detects a ,conspiracy--declines paying ,homage to ,haman--,resentment of the latter1 who obtains a ,decree against the ,jews--,mordecai's ,grief1 and repeated ,applications to ,esther--she goes in to the ,king--is accepted--invites the ,king and ,haman to a ,banquet--,mortification of the latter at ,mordecai's continued ,neglect--,orders a ,gallows to be built for the disrespectful ,jew--the ,honour conferred by the ,king upon ,mordecai for his past ,zeal in his ,service--,haman's ,indignation--is fetched to a second ,banquet--,esther tells her feelings1 and accuses ,haman--his ,confusion and useless ,intreaties--he is hung on his own ,gallows--,mordecai's ,advancement--,escape of the ,jews by the ,intercession of ,esther--,feast of ,purim4 ,one of the most delightful employments of the heavenly state will probably be1 to investigate the past dispensations of ,providence1 and to make perpetual discoveries of its mysteries4 ,in that world of light1 events which are now covered with clouds and darkness impervious to the eye of sense1 will become obvious to the view of just men made perfect in all their proportions1 connexions1 and combinations4 ,the shadows of the morning having disappeared1 the brightness of eternal noon will irradiate our existence4 ,we are by no means to imagine1 however1 that it is inconsistent with the present arrangements of divine goodness to afford us information1 even in this world1 respecting his plans and purposes2 we do know1 though it be but in part4 ,the book of providence is indeed the least intelligible to us of all that the wisdom of ,god has written3 but we can read some of its pages1 and understand some of its hieroglyphical characters4 ,the histories of ,scripture constitute a volume of elementary instructions1 of which the narrative of ,,esther has always been regarded as singularly interesting4 ,sidenote3 ,years before ,christ1 about #dfj4 ,in order to introduce this story1 it will be requisite to take a cursory view of some previous occurrences4 ,the scene is laid in ,persia1 in the days of ,ahasuerus1 another name1 as learned men have generally agreed1 for ,artaxerxes ,longimanus4 ,after struggling with those perplexing competitions for empire which often obstruct the path to a crown1 and agitate the first years of power in arbitrary governments1 he at length secured the dominion of ,persia with its hundred and twenty-seven provinces4 ,to proclaim his undisputed possession1 and to display his glory1 he appointed a feast1 which may perhaps be deemed unrivalled in the majesty of its circumstances and the length of its continuance4 ,at the expiration of a hundred and fourscore days the king gave another entertainment of seven days1 for all the people that were present in ,shushan the palace1 both unto great and small4 ,it was held in the court of the garden1 for the purpose of accommodation1 and with great magnificence4 ,vashti also1 his royal consort1 in conformity to the usages of the times1 which1 it must be admitted1 were admirably calculated to preserve the purity of morals1 prepared a separate entertainment for the women in another part of the palace4 ,vashti feasted the women in her own apartment3 not openly in the court of the garden1 but in the royal house4 ,thus1 while the king showed the honour of his majesty1 she and her ladies showed the honoux of their modesty1 which is truly the majesty of the fair sex4 444 ,,henry4 ,alas6 how little did ,ahasuerus comprehend wherein true riches and dignity consisted2 and how little are these heathen lovers of pleasure to be envied by us1 who are invited as welcome guests to a nobler table and a better banquet6 ,wisdom hath builded her house1 she hath hewn out her seven pillars1 she hath slain her oxen1 she hath mingled her wine4 ,into the highways and hedges1 into every quarter of the world1 and amongst every class of mankind1 the messengers of heaven are commissioned to go and call the poor as well as the rich1 the peasant as well as the prince1 to the feast of fat things1 which celestial mercy has provided in the ,gospel1 where admission is not exclusive1 where indulgence cannot be construed into excess1 where not a brutal appetite1 but a mental and spiritual taste1 is amply supplied4 ,the princes of ,persia congratulated themselves upon the favour of ,ahasuerus2 but how much greater reason have ,christians to rejoice in the friendship of ,christ6 ,now they are admitted to participate the blessings of his grace and the sacramental festival2 hereafter they have substantial reasons to anticipate a diviner intercourse and a more exalted familiarity1 when they shall drink new wine with him in his ,father's kingdom4 ,on the seventh day of the feast already mentioned1 the king commanded the seven chamberlains of his household to wait upon ,vashti1 and bring her before him arrayed in the crown-royal4 ,his heart is said to have been merry with wine1 or he would not have thought of indulging his own vanity1 and insulting his queen's dignity1 by such an exhibition4 ,she ventured to refuse a compliance with this royal order1 in which she was probably countenanced by the concurring opinion and feelings of the ladies who were present at the entertainment4 ,as a woman she felt for the honour of her sex1 and as a queen for her individual reputation and dignity4 ,it was unquestionably a foolish command1 contrary to the ,persian customs1 and dishonourable to the character of ,ahasuerus as a sovereign and a husband4 ,it is not by indulging pomp that the glory of a prince is best displayed1 but by useful enactments1 virtuous associations1 and an upright uniformity of conduct4 ,unreasonable1 however1 as the demand of ,ahasuerus was1 ,vashti ought not to have been so peremptory4 ,in such an age1 and under such a government1 a moment's consideration must have excited in her an apprehension of danger4 ,besides1 it was not the time for remonstrance4 ,she was no private character2 it was1 therefore1 an injudicious resistance of his authority4 ,obedience would have involved no guilt2 but disobedience1 even though the command were ridiculous1 necessarily exposed her husband's authority to contempt4 ,it must be admitted in ,christian communities1 that the ,gospel requires submission on the part of a wife2 nor is this requisition limited solely to those commands which the woman herself may deem just and proper1 otherwise her own humour1 caprice1 or misconception1 would perpetually infringe upon a positive law1 and in fact1 render it nugatory4 ,on the other hand1 if the husband would secure a cheerful obedience1 and cherish1 instead of spoil1 an amiable temper1 or regulate a peevish one1 let his wishes be reasonable in themselves1 and uttered without a look or a term expressive of an insolent consciousness of superiority4 ,ahasuerus instantly resented the refusal of ,vashti4 ,his passion became outrageous1 sensible that his dignity was insulted and his authority questioned4 ,he not only felt the uncomplying message of the queen as a sufficient mortification to his personal vanity1 but as a public attack upon his influence and power as a king4 ,it was not in a retired apartment1 or on a private occasion1 but1 in a sense1 before the eyes of a hundred and twenty-seven provinces6 ,immediate recourse was had to his counsellors1 who concurred in the opinion of ,memucan1 that it was a public question of great importance to the future welfare of the state1 and affecting the domestic felicity1 not of the king only1 but of every family in the ,persian empire4 ,the advice he gave them1 which ,ahasuerus promptly followed1 was to divorce ,vashti1 and interdict her forever from reappearing in the royal presence4 ,if it please the king1 let there go a royal commandment from him1 and let it be written among the laws of the ,persians and the ,medes1 that it be not altered4 ,that ,vashti come no more before king ,ahasuerus3 and let the king give her royal estate unto another that is better than she4 ,and when the king's decree which he shall make shall be published throughout all his empire 7for it is great17 all the wives shall give to their husbands honour1 both to great and small4 ,it is not surprising that such a gratifying1 but unchristian proposal1 should be adopted by an arbitrary heathen monarch4 ,neither ,memucan nor his royal master had drunk at the purifying fountain of evangelical truth4 ,god was now making the wrath of man to praise him4 ,human passions1 prejudices1 and errors were promoting divine designs4 ,the feast1 and the riot1 and the vanity1 and the rage of ,ahasuerus1 all concurred1 though unconsciously on his part1 to fulfil the mighty arrangements of ,providence1 and to introduce1 a train of events which now march through the page of sacred history in rapid and wonderful succession4 ,after the divorce of ,vashti1 the ministers of ,ahasuerus advised him to adopt speedy measures to fill up the vacancy in his affections and his throne4 ,their plan exhibits the barbarity of the age and the sensuality of the king4 ,he was to have his choice of all the fair young virgins1 collected from the provinces of the empire3 and it devolved upon ,hadassah1 or ,esther1 an orphan educated under the inspection of ,mordecai1 her cousin and guardian1 one of the captive ,jews at this period attached by some employment to the royal establishment4 ,that ,god1 who had bestowed upon this young ,jewess unusual beauty1 gave her favour in the eyes of the king1 and secretly accomplished his own gracious purposes respecting his people by her advancement4 ,little did any of the persons immediately concerned in this affair imagine the predestined results4 ,ahasuerus was gratifying his passions2 ,esther and ,mordecai conforming to an irresistible influence2 ,hegai1 the keeper of the women1 following the impulse of a secret admiration1 and1 perhaps1 aiming to ingratiate himself in the favour of one whom he might suppose likely to become the future queen2 while the ,supreme ,disposer was making use of all this variety of feeling and design as the means of securing the ends in his omniscient view4 ,esther retained her humility of spirit after her elevation of circumstances2 for she did the commandment of ,mordecai like as when she was brought up with him4 ,she was one of the very few that resist the allurements of splendour--that cherish kindness for their poorer relatives--and remember with gratitude the guardians of their youth4 ,mordecai1 having detected a conspiracy against the king1 mentioned it to ,esther1 who named it to her royal consort2 by which means the traitors were soon brought to execution4 ,this circumstance rendered the faithful ,jew known to his sovereign4 ,it was attended1 indeed1 by no immediate recompense2 but he felt a satisfaction in having done his duty1 incomparably more grateful to an unambitious mind4 ,the danger to which the great king of ,persia was exposed by the machinations of his domestics1 shows the counterbalancing disadvantages which attach even to the most prosperous condition of human life2 the conduct of ,mordecai1 on this occasion1 teaches the allegiance we all owe both to our lawful king1 and to the ,sovereign of the universe2 and the circumstances of the whole transaction1 though for the present otherwise unnoticed1 being written in the book of the ,chronicles before the king1 reminds us of the ,lamb's book of life1 that faithful register of the pious services of his people1 which1 if not in this life1 shall be fully requitted in another4 ,great princes often act capriciously1 and advance to the highest stations those whose personal insignificance or baseness must otherwise have rendered them contemptible4 ,thus ,ahasuerus promoted ,haman1 the ,agagite1 to the place of his prime minister2 who received that homage from the multitude1 which persons of rank and eminent station usually secure in all countries1 but which is peculiarly exacted under arbitrary governments4 ,the flattering incense of the king's servants was accepted by ,haman as a fragrant offering1 while his vanity feasted itself most luxuriously upon popular admiration4 ,but1 in proportion to a man's eagerness after honour1 will be his sensibility to the slightest affront1 and his readiness to interpret1 in the worst sense1 even unintentional neglect4 ,it will not appear surprising to those who are acquainted with the heart of man1 that this new favourite should have felt even more pain from the disrespect of one individual1 than pleasure from the reverence of ten thousand others3 and this1 not because of any extraordinary importance which the dissentient had acquired1 but simply on account of the extreme susceptibility to applause which the dignity and the pride of ,haman had superinduced4 ,mordecai1 in fact1 refused to pay that homage to the prime minister which the king commanded2 and he persisted in his refusal1 notwithstanding the remonstrances of the king's servants1 who spake daily unto him4 ,the known loyalty of ,mordecai renders it certain that this determination did not proceed from any disesteem of the king2 his character is an equal pledge that it did not originate in envy1 or any ridiculous pique3 it must have been a conscientious scruple1 and the probability is1 that the king required for his favourite a religious homage1 similar to what the ,persian monarchs were accustomed to claim for themselves4 ,the minister was1 besides1 an ,agagite1 and therefore1 probably1 of the race of ,amalek1 a people against which ,jehovah had proclaimed a perpetual and exterminating war4 ,if these were his motives1 he is rather to be extolled for his heroism1 than censured for his temerity4 ,a man of ,god should persevere in his duty at all hazards1 unseduced by the flatteries1 and unawed by the threats of mankind4 ,he must contend against spiritual wickedness1 oppose internal lust1 and resist external temptation4 ,he must brave alike caresses and sneers2 the importunity of the timid1 and the insistance of the powerful2 so1 however reproached by men1 he will be honoured by ,god4 ,the officers of the king1 at length1 resolved to inform his favourite of this determined omission to pay him reverence4 ,haman became incensed1 and his rage burned with destructive violence4 ,having been told that ,mordecai was a ,jew1 he instantly vowed to revenge his mortification1 not only by punishing the individual1 but by destroying the nation3 and as the ,persian monarchy1 at this period1 included ,judea1 had not ,providence signally interposed1 few if any could have escaped4 ,how cruel is wrath1 how outrageous anger6 ,thousands are devoted to death for an individual's conduct1 who were utterly incapable of participating in it1 and who had never even heard the name of their offending countryman6 ,supposed guilt and unquestioned innocence were doomed alike to perish in one indiscriminate massacre6 ,o let us daily pray for that wisdom which is from above1 which is first pure1 then peaceable1 gentle1 and easy to be entreated1 full of mercy1 and good fruits6 ,with a view of discovering the will of the gods1 according to the common practice of ,pagan antiquity1 ,haman ordered the lot to be cast1 which was supposed to discriminate between lucky and unlucky days1 little aware that the whole disposing thereof is of the ,lord4 ,his address to the king was artful and insinuating4 ,instead of stating the real cause of his desire for the extermination of the ,jews1 he touches only upon what the principles of policy might seem to dictate2 and induces ,ahasuerus to accede to his sanguinary proposal1 by lending him his ring to use at his own discretion4 ,thus the weakness of favouritism combines with the wickedness of pride1 to destroy a people whose name was scarcely known to their prince1 and whose crime was not even attempted to be proved by their malignant accuser4 ,the decree was at length issued1 and letters were despatched into every province of the empire1 to destroy1 to kill1 and to cause to perish1 all ,jews both young and old1 little children and women1 in one day1 even upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month1 which is the month ,adar1 and to take the spoil of them for a prey4 ,after this inhuman proceeding1 the king and ,haman sat down to drink2 but the city ,shushan was perplexed4 ,it is an outrage upon public decency1 which even modern times and civilized nations have unhappily witnessed1 to see princes dissipating their days in festivity1 and enfeebling their reason by excess1 riot1 and intoxication1 when the calamitous circumstances of their country have demanded a serious investigation1 a sympathizing regard1 and a prompt relief2 but still more lamentable is it to observe such conspirators against the lives of mankind as ,haman and ,ahasuerus1 sitting down to indulge in merriment1 while ,persia was bathed in tears1 and innumerable of her inhabitants written for execution4 ,was not one governor then to be found1 to return an answer similar to that which the king of ,france1 in a later age received1 who had commanded the massacre of the ,huguenots8 ,in my district1 said one of his virtuous lieutenants1 your majesty has many brave soldiers1 but no butchers6--,this was a people1 however1 ignorant as the haughty favourite of ,ahasuerus was of the fact1 that no human power could annihilate--a people under the immediate protection of the eternal ,god--a people respecting whom important prophecies were yet unaccomplished--a people of whom it is affirmed1 ,jehovah kept him as the apple of his eye4 ,mordecai was no uninterested spectator of these transactions2 but went about the city1 and approached even to the king's gate1 attired in sack-cloth1 and uttering cries of grief and lamentation4 ,esther1 who was no less accessary to sorrow in the palace than in the cottage1 being informed of this circumstance1 sent him a change of raiment1 that she might enjoy a conversation to which he could not be introduced in the habiliments of mourning4 ,alas6 though the signs of affliction may be interdicted1 the unwelcome visitant herself will intrude even into the most splendid residences and most elevated conditions6 ,mordecai refused the dress1 not out of disrespect to the queen1 but to express his poignant anguish1 and to incite her to deeper sympathy4 ,esther immediately despatched her attendant1 one of the king's chamberlains1 to inquire into the cause of his distress2 and this faithful messenger soon hastens back to detail all the proceedings which had been adopted in reference to the ,jews1 with a request from ,mordecai1 that she should go in unto the king1 to make supplication unto him1 and to make request before him for her people4 ,this was a dangerous requisition4 ,she1 therefore1 sent back her attendant to ,mordecai1 to remind him that it was a matter of universal notoriety1 whoever1 man or woman1 should venture into the royal presence without being called1 must suffer death1 unless the golden sceptre were held out as an intimation of mercy2 and that she questioned the probability of this in case of her intrusion1 since her not having been sent for during thirty days past seemed to indicate some alienation4 ,it must be confessed1 there is less of the heroine and the martyr in this reply than we could wish to have witnessed2 but1 on the one hand1 we may observe that a similar blemish disfigured the early conduct of ,moses3 and on the other1 as some extenuation1 that she does not refuse to comply with ,mordecai's suggestion2 but merely referred to the danger awaiting such a proceeding1 in order perhaps to induce him1 if possible1 to contrive some safer and no less effectual expedient4 ,the love of life is a principle of human nature implanted by our ,creator for the purpose of self-preservation1 a principle which1 in ordinary cases1 cannot be violated without guilt2 and1 on no occasion1 can be dispensed with but from some imperious necessity4 ,he who gave life1 however1 has a right to reclaim it2 and that sacrifice which it would be a vice to make to our own passion1 becomes a virtuous and pious offering when yielded to divine requirements4 ,mordecai sent another message to ,esther1 at once spirited1 pointed1 and effectual4 ,it was a moment that demanded instantaneous action2 and if the timorous queen cherished apprehensions on her own account1 he showed her that she was even more likely to suffer by an ignominious retreat than a bold advance4 ,he reminded her of her ,jewish extraction1 and the consequent danger to herself in the arrangement to exterminate all that hated race4 ,for though the prime minister probably would not have lifted his hand against the queen2 and though her connexion with his master1 who married her from affection as great as we can imagine a sensual and despotic prince capable of cherishing1 seemed to promise security2 yet there could be no absolute dependence1 and the favourite of to-day might be discarded to-morrow4 ,he added to this other and weighty considerations--,if thou altogether boldest thy peace at this time1 then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the ,jews from another place2 but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed2 and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this8--q4d4 ',thy timidity may prevent thy becoming the means of rescuing the people of ,god2 nevertheless1 they shall assuredly escape--his resources are inexhaustible--his chosen nation shall not be annihilated--and he will not only perform the work without thy instrumentality1 but inflict an awful but merited chastisement for thy misconduct4 ,after all1 ,i have better anticipations--perhaps thy wonderful advancement to the crown was intended by him who sometimes conceals his plans of mercy in clouds of mystery1 for the very purpose of accomplishing the deliverance of ,israel at this critical emergency4' ,mordecai1 in this appeal1 shines as a wise reprover2 and it was upon an obedient ear4 ,he is1 moreover1 illustrious as a man of faith4 ,the confident tone he assumed did not arise merely from that solicitude he felt upon the subject1 and which will sometimes inspire a boldness not commonly manifested2 but from a knowledge of the prophecies1 and a trust in the faithfulness of ,god respecting their fulfilment4 ,the lyres of ,isaiah1 ,ezekiel1 and ,daniel1 celebrated in accordant strains the restoration of the ,jews from captivity1 and the advent of ,messiah2 and he was persuaded that infinite ,wisdom could not be deceived1 nor infinite power frustrated4 ,o that in every minute affair of our lives1 as well as with regard to every great event of time1 we could cherish a similar faith in the providence of the ,god of salvation6 ,observe1 in passing1 that it is reasonable and just to expect services from us proportioned to the situations which we occupy4 ,favours involve obligations2 and whatever influence1 talent1 or means of any kind we possess1 ought to be conscientiously appropriated to the great ,bestower4 ,every being in the universe has duties arising out of his condition by doing which he glorifies1 and by omitting which he displeases1 his ,creator4 ,esther was1 therefore1 responsible for her actions as a queen1 as a ,jewess1 and as one furnished with extraordinary opportunities at a crisis most singular and important1 and the remonstrance of ,mordecai proved irresistible4 ,with what exultation must he have received this message from her--,go1 gather together all the ,jews that are present in ,shushan1 and fast ye for me1 and neither eat nor drink three days1 night or day4 ,i also1 and my maidens1 will fast likewise3 and so will ,i go in unto the king1 which is not according to the law2 and if ,i perish1 ,i perish6 ,these devotional preparations for the experiment about to be hazarded1 were not only highly proper in themselves1 but expressive of the piety of ,esther4 ,abstinence from food1 an ancient practice of the church sanctioned by divine authority1 is an evidence of humiliation before ,god2 and at the same time1 adapted to produce it1 by inflicting a salutary mortification upon the corporeal appetites4 ,if carried to excess1 it will indeed hinder rather than promote piety2 but when adopted on proper occasions1 and observed with judicious regulations1 it is attended with consequences manifestly beneficial4 ,the queen did not impose a service on others which she was indisposed to practise herself2 but sympathizing with the condition of her countrymen1 she participated in their self-denying duties4 ,let us never forget the promise of eternal mercy1 which has consoled the church of ,god in her deepest afflictions1 and upon which every pilgrim in ,zion may depend with unhesitating confidence1 ,call upon me in the day of trouble2 ,i will deliver thee1 and thou shalt glorify me4 #eb ,when it is recollected1 that the proceeding of ,esther1 in going in to the king uncalled1 was a deliberate violation of a law of the state1 and that ,vashti had been discarded for an offence of far inferior consideration2 we cannot but notice the overruling providence of ,god1 in giving the queen acceptance in the eyes of ,ahasuerus4 ,on the third day she laid aside her mourning dress1 and putting on her royal apparel1 presented herself in the inner court of the palace1 opposite the king's private apartment1 where he sat upon his throne4 ,what a moment of suspense and of secret agony6 ,if previous devotion had not1 in some measure1 tranquillized the agitations of her bosom1 and inspired a holy courage1 it is scarcely conceivable how a woman could sustain the trial of such an hour4 ,if the sharp conflict had smitten her to the ground1 and she had expired upon the spot1 we should not1 religious considerations apart1 have been greatly astonished2 but hope in ,god1 and a composure gained1 no doubt1 at the mercy-seat1 and diffused over her spirit by recent intercourse with heaven1 prepared her to hear the mandate of death1 or receive the outstretched token of clemency4 ,her splendid attire--her attractive mien--her beautiful countenance1 in which grief1 anxiety1 and devotion blending their influence1 produced a new and interesting character1 fixed the king's attention1 and reinspired his love2 but neither the one nor the other of these1 nor all of them in the most happy combination1 could have produced the effect1 had not the tears1 the prayers1 the fastings of ,israel and of ,esther1 brought down the blessings from above4 ,how important are means6 how essential is religion6 ,behold the golden sceptre6 ,the queen trembles with rapture at the anticipated sign--it is held out--she approaches--touches--triumphs--and lives6 ,let us come boldly unto the ,,throne ,,of ,,grace1 that we may obtain mercy1 and find grace to help in time of need6 ,instead of rejection and death1 ,esther soon found herself treated with perfect familiarity1 and more than usual kindness4 ,imagining that some important business had occasioned this visit1 the king desired to know it1 and promised to gratify the queen to the half of the kingdom4 ,she thought it prudent1 however1 at present1 to waive the particular request she had to present1 simply inviting ,ahasuerus and his favourite to a banquet1 by which mark of attention she hoped more effectually to confirm his reviving fondness1 and thus secure the accomplishment of her ultimate purpose4 ,her invitation was accepted4 ,he repaired with ,haman to the festival1 where1 being highly delighted with the entertainment1 he renewed his protestations in reference to whatever petition she might have to present4 ,the wary queen ventured only to request a renewal of the royal visit on the morrow1 at which time she assured him of a full explanation of her wishes4 ,there is an appearance of undue timidity in this procrastination2 and yet1 if we were better informed of her secret motives1 we might perhaps award her the praise of wisdom4 ,the partiality of the king for ,haman might render her doubtful of success in the contest with that favourite2 and she might think it necessary to excite both the curiosity and the affection of the king still more1 in order that he might not1 through being startled at the magnitude of her demand1 instantaneously refuse it4 ,extremes are dangerous4 ,it would be well for us always to avoid both dilatoriness and precipitancy in our conduct2 in order to which we should implore1 with habitual fervency1 the wisdom from above4 ,whatever were the views of ,esther1 the designs of ,god were secretly maturing4 ,haman retired to his own house1 full of mortification at the continued neglect of ,mordecai1 which disturbed him even when every external good seemed to concur in promoting his enjoyment4 ,he called his friends together1 expatiated upon all his possessions and glory1 noticing with peculiar emphasis the favour of ,esther in admitting him as the sole companion of his sovereign and queen at the day's festivity1 to a repetition of which he had the honour of being invited on the morrow2 yet1 he added1 displaying at once the festering wound of his heart1 yet all this availeth nothing1 so long as ,i see ,mordecai the ,jew sitting at the king's gate4 ,never1 surely1 was a more complete exposure of the insufficiency of worldly glory to constitute happiness1 and never a more impressive exhibition of the littleness of vanity4 ,what an insignificant disappointment is sufficient to mar the comfort of him who depends upon creatures6 ,the merest feather may be turned into a weapon of hostility1 and destroy his peace2 and whatever he may possess or acquire1 he must necessarily he as remote from true felicity as at the first step of his pursuit1 since something will always he wanting to complete his bliss1 and the phantom of ideal good will continue to dance before his eyes4 ,zeresh1 the wife of ,haman1 advised him to have a gallows made of fifty cubits in height1 upon which he should instigate the king to hang ,mordecai4 ,to this advice1 in which all his friends concurred1 he listened1 and gave immediate orders for the construction of this instrument of death4 ,what is to be done--what can be attempted by ,esther or by ,mordecai1 in this critical emergency8 ,neither of them were1 indeed1 aware of the murderous determination4 ,the queen had delayed her petition till the succeeding day1 at the intended banquet2 but malevolence was hastening to frustrate her designs1 without her knowledge1 and previously to her intercession4 ,could she ever pardon herself for this delay1 when ,mordecai is suspended8 ,could she recall the past hours of festivity1 in which so favourable an opportunity seemed to present itself for urging her supplication to the king8-- ,stand still and see the salvation of ,god6 ,he who sitteth upon the circle of the earth1 is about to fulfil his own purposes1 which no human projects can frustrate1 and no apprehension of contingencies need hasten4 ,on that night could not the king sleep4 ,but little did he know the true cause of this unusual wakefulness1 or suspect that ,god was about to render it subservient to accomplish his divine intentions4 ,and he commanded to bring the book of records of the chronicles2 and they were read before the king4 ,but why did not a prince like this1 addicted to pleasure1 seek a diversion of his restlessness1 by calling in the aid of music1 rather than that of history8 ,it seems more natural1 that1 he should wish for temporary amusement1 rather than sold instruction4 ,what more soothing than the concord of sweet sounds8 ,true2 but that ,providence which kept him awake1 influenced him to the choice of this extraordinary expedient4 ,and it was found written1 that ,mordecai had told of ,bigthana and ,teresh1 two of the king's chamberlains1 the keepers of the door1 who sought to lay hand on the king ,ahasuerus4 ,but how came this particular circumstance in his personal history1 to be selected on this occasion8 ,the ,persian records contained events of astonishing magnitude1 and romantic interest4 ,they told of mighty exploits1 and splendid conquests6--,again we discern that divine superintendence1 by which ,ahasuerus was led to a circumstance of his own time1 in which that very individual was named1 whose life was now in imminent danger1 and upon whom depends so many of the incidents of this story4 ,the king inquired1 whether the fidelity of ,mordecai had been properly rewarded6 ,to which his servants replied1 ,there is nothing done for him4 ,the cares of empire are so multifarious and complicated1 that we ought to make considerable allowances for those omissions in princes1 which would be utterly inexcusable in others2 yet it does appear surprising1 that so signal a service as that which ,mordecai had rendered in the discovery of a dangerous conspiracy against the throne1 should have been totally unrequited4 ,happily for ,christians1 they serve a ,master who cannot forget even a cup of cold water1 given in the name of a disciple to one of his little ones6 ,early the ensuing morning1 ,haman hastened to the palace1 for the purpose of obtaining the royal consent to his malignant preparations4 ,now he was about to rid himself at a stroke of the disdainful ,jew that refused him homage2 and anticipated the hour when he should witness his enemy on the gallows1 so soon and so eagerly prepared6 ,it was1 indeed1 a strange coincidence4 ,ahasuerus is as anxious to see his minister1 as ,haman to be introduced to the apartment of his king4 ,each has a great object in view1 for which the other's concurrence is desired--each too is solicitous respecting the disposal of the same individual1 and each ignorant of the other's wishes and projects4 ,after the usual salutations1 the king entreated1 the opinion of his favourite minister with regard to the best mode of expressing his attachment to one whom he delighted to honour4 ,haman concluded that his royal master1 of course1 alluded to him1 since he well knew no other shared so largely in the royal confidence2 and thinking to gratify the vanity of his little soul1 he proposed that the favourite alluded to should be1 for once1 clothed in the royal apparel and crown1 carried through the city upon the horse which was appropriated to the king1 attended by one of the first princes of the empire1 and have proclamation made before him1 ,thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delighteth to honour4 ,approving of this mode of testifying the regard he wished to express1 extraordinary as it was1 ,ahasuerus instantly commanded its punctual execution4 ,make haste1 and take the apparel and the horse1 as thou hast said1 and do even so to--whom8 to my favourite ,haman8--,no--insufferable mortification2--to ,mordecai the ,jew6 ,behold ,haman again in his house1 mourning and having his head covered1 and expatiating upon the misery of his situation4 ,his wise men and his wife agree1 that if ,mordecai be of the seed of the ,jews1 all his contrivances to ruin him would prove ineffectual2 so fully aware were even the heathen of the peculiar interposition of ,providence1 in former times1 on behalf of that scattered people4 ,in the midst of their consultations1 the king's chamberlain came to attend ,haman to the banquet prepared by ,esther4 ,he goes--but rather like a man led to execution1 than one invited to a festival4 ,but he must conceal his chagrin1 and assume the smile of gayety4 ,having partook of the feast1 ,ahasuerus requires of ,esther the fulfilment of her promise1 in the explanation of her wishes4 ,he assures her with reiterated protestations1 that her petition shall certainly be granted1 even to the half of the kingdom4 ,how was he astonished1 when she entreated for her own life1 and that of her people6 ,it had never entered into the mind of the king1 that such a request was necessary4 ,is it possible that he hears aright8 ,ignorant that he had really prostituted1 his authority to sanction the destruction of the queen as a ,jewess1 he looks at her and ,haman with wild confusion1 while she proceeds in a strain of firm1 dignified1 and eloquent statement3 ,for we are sold1 ,i and my people1 to be destroyed1 to be slain1 and to perish2 but if we had been sold for bondmen and bondwomen1 ,i had held my tongue1 although the enemy could not countervail the king's damage4 ,who can paint the terrors that gathered1 at this moment in the countenance of ,haman1 or the indignant frown of ,ahasuerus1 when he thundered forth--,who is he8 and where is he that durst presume in his heart to do so8 ,the hour of detection was come4 ,detestable conspirator1 thou shall not escape6 ,truth shall1 at length1 come from her concealment1 and wither at a touch thy unmerited and unenviable distinctions6 ,esther said1 ,the adversary and enemy is this wicked ,haman4--,the word was loath to come forth1 but it strikes home at last4 ,never till now did ,haman hear his true title4 ,before1 some had styled him noble1 others great2 some magnificent1 and some perhaps virtuous2 only ,esther gave him his own1 'wicked ,haman4' ,ill-deserving greatness doth in vain promise to itself a perpetuity of applause4 ,bp4 ,hall4 ,overwhelmed with astonishment and indignation1 the king hastily withdrew from the banquet into the palace-garden3 while the offender1 who was too well acquainted with the countenance of his master not to perceive that there was evil determined against him1 writhing in all the agonies of despair1 produced by a consciousness of guilt1 and a dread of merited punishment1 implored the queen to intercede for his safety4 ,he who was profuse of the lives of others1 with a consistency which is characteristic of villany and despotism cannot endure the thought of forfeiting his own1 but betrays a cowardice proportioned to his recent insolence4 ,the king returning at the moment in a state of the utmost exasperation1 imputed the worst motives to his suppliant attitude1 and allowed his servants to rush forward and cover ,haman's face1 as a person under sentence of death4 ,the miserable criminal had1 probably1 many flatterers in the days of his greatness1 but his adversity shows that he had no friends4 ,every one is eager to accelerate his destruction4 ,harbonah1 especially1 a chamberlain1 proposed his being executed on the gallows of fifty cubits in height1 which he had prepared for ,mordecai2 to which the king immediately assented4 ,in this manner did ,providence take the cunning persecutor in his own snare1 and vindicate the cause of his oppressed people4 ,let the enemies of religion tremble1 while the children of ,god are joyful in their ,king4 ,the arrows which malignity shoots at the church of ,christ shall either be broken against her walls1 and fall pointless to the earth2 or rebounding on the foe that ventures upon the attack1 shall pierce his own heart4 ,the advancement of ,mordecai was the natural result of ,haman's ruin4 ,esther having fully informed ,ahasuerus of her relationship to the much-injured ,jew and his nation1 she was empowered to bestow upon him the house of the fallen minister4 ,the ,jews1 however1 were not yet exempted from the decree which the wickedness of ,haman had inveigled the king to issue against them6 so that ,esther1 not merely solicitous for her personal security or that of her friend and relative1 ventured again before the king1 and fell down at his feet1 and besought him with tears to put away the mischief of ,haman the ,agagite1 and his device that he had devised against the ,jews4 ,the king renewed the testimony of his kindness1 by stretching forth the golden sceptre2 and the queen addressed him in these words1 ,if it please the king1 and if ,i have found favour in his sight1 and the thing seem right before the king1 and ,i be pleasing in his eyes1 let it be written to reverse the letters devised by ,haman the son of ,hammedatha the ,agagite1 which he wrote to destroy the ,jews which are in all the kings' provinces3 for how can ,i endure to see the evil that shall come unto my people8 or how can ,i endure to see the destruction of my kindred8 ,the king was ready to concede every thing it was in his power to grant3 but as the laws of ,persia were irreversible1 and he could not rescind an edict already issued in his several provinces1 he adopted the plan of putting his ring into the hands of ,mordecai and ,esther1 to seal whatever decree they might think it right to frame in the present emergency4 ,accordingly1 they gave unlimited permission to the ,jews to defend themselves1 which it was likely would so plainly evince the royal wishes to nullify his former edict1 that few if any would indulge their malice against this people1 or endanger their own lives by availing themselves of the first order4 ,many1 however1 did so2 and even in the royal city five hundred men attacked them1 probably some of the partisans of the late minister2 but their temerity hurried them on to their own destruction4 ,the ten sons of ,haman1 were also slain1 and at the request of the queen1 hung on the gallows4 ,an annual festival1 called ,purim1 #ec was established in commemoration of the deliverances we have recorded1 which the ,jews continue to observe at this day4 ,it seems to have been appointed by ,mordecai and ,esther1 as a civil1 rather than a religious feast2 unless it be supposed1 that they received some special revelation to authorize such a measure4 ,it is observed in the month ,adar1 which corresponds with our ,february and ,march4 ,the interesting history we have been reviewing1 is calculated not only to impress those general sentiments of ,providence1 to which we cannot too often recur1 but to awaken in the minds of ,christians a pleasing conviction of that minute inspection of their affairs1 and that unremitted care for their welfare individually1 which ,god exercises towards them4 ,is it possible to imagine a doctrine more elevating than this1 or more calculated to produce sensations of reverence1 gratitude1 and joy8 ,it is not presumptuous1 even in a mortal worm1 to believe that his interests engage the attention of the ,,infinite ,,being2 and that to promote them1 the immense machinery of moral and natural means is put in motion--the animate and inanimate creation--mortal agents and spiritual beings--events great and small1 past and present4 ,worm as thou art1 still the central point in the vast circle of ,providence6 ,worm as thou art1 ,god has graven thee upon the palms of his bands1 and thou shalt never perish4 ,worm as thou art1 but for thee the brightness of the ,father's glory had not left his radiant sphere to become incarnate1 to endure reproach and execration1 and finally to be brought as a lamb to the slaughter6 ,to hear thy supplications the ,king of heaven has erected a throne of grace--to vindicate thy character1 to condemn thy foes1 to perfect thy felicity1 he is preparing1 and will soon come to sit upon a throne of judgment6 ,review past dispensations1 and gather encouragement for present confidence6 ,if ,god be for us1 who can be against us8 ,did he not choose ,abraham1 and call him his friend8 ,did he not release ,joseph from the pit1 and raise him to princely glory8 ,did he not rescue ,moses from the destructive waters1 and constitute him the leader of his people ,israel8 ,did he not deliver ,david from the lion and the bear1 from the giant of ,philistia1 and the royal madman of ,israel6 ,did he not feed ,elijah--advance ,esther--promote ,mordecai--support ,job--save ,jonah--rescue ,peter1 and honour ,paul8 ,has he not1 in all ages1 supplied the necessities of his saints--alleviated their sorrows--sweetened their bitter cup--turned death itself into life8 ,can he not extricate them from all difficulties--preserve them amidst ail temptations--render them invulnerable to all attacks--make them more than conquerors over external misery1 internal pollution1 and satanic malice8--,can he not eventually elevate them above the reach of all evil1 the fear of death1 and the possibility of falling8 ,can he not array them in the robe of light--adorn them with a crown of glory--make them drink of the rivers of his pleasures--associate them with holy angels1 in a state of immaculate purity--stamp immortality on their blessedness1 and wipe away all tears from their eyes8--,,he ,,can--,,he ,,will--,our ,father which art in heaven 444thine is the ,,power and the ,,glory1 forever4 ,amen6 ,end of ,volume ,i4 ,footnotes #a3 ,bates4 #b3 ,young's ,centaur not fabulous1 p4 #fa4 #c3 ,sir ,william ,temple's ,gardens of ,epicurus4 ,horne's ,discourses1 vol4 ,i4 #d3 ,this subject is more fully illustrated in the ,essay prefixed to the second volume of this work4 #e3 ,dr4 ,johnson4 #f3 ,paley's ,moral ,philosophy1 vol4 i4 p4 #caf1 #hvo4 #g3 ,,saurin1 ,discours historiques1 critiques1 theologiques1 et moraux1 sur les ,evenemens le plus memorables du ,vieux et du ,nouveau ,testament4 ,tom4 ,i4 p4 #da-dc4 #hvo4 #h3 ,the following quotation is illustrative of this circumstance3 ,at ten minutes after ten in the morning1 we had in view 7says ,dr4 ,chandler7 several fine bays1 and a plain full of booths1 with the ,turcomans sitting by the doors1 under sheds resembling porticos2 or by shady trees1 surrounded with flocks of goats4 ,harmer's ,observations1 vol4 i4 p4 #acb4 #i3 ,fleury's ,manners of the ancient ,israelites4 #aj3 ,newton's ,diss4 on the ,prophecies1 vol4 i4 p4 #cd--cf4 #aa3 ,the ancient authors1 ,tacitus1 ,pliny1 ,diodorus ,siculus1 and others1 furnish abundant testimony in undesigned confirmation of the scriptural account4 ,the following quotation is from ,strabo3 ,there are many indications that fire has been over this country2 for1 about ,massada1 they show rough and scorched rocks and caverns1 in many places eaten in2 and the earth reduced to ashes1 and drops of pitch distilling from the rocks and hot streams1 offensive afar off1 and habitations overthrown2 which render credible some reports among the inhabitants1 that there were formerly thirteen cities on that spot1 the principal of which was ,sodom1 so extensive1 as to be sixty furlongs in circumference1 but that by earthquakes1 and by an eruption of fire1 and by hot and bituminous waters1 it became a lake as it now is1 the rocks were consumed1 some of the cities were swallowed up1 and others abandoned by those of the inhabitants who were able to escape4 ,lib xii ,tacitus states1 that the traces of fire were visible in his time ,at no great distance are those fields which1 as it is said1 were formerly fruitful1 and covered with great cities1 till they were consumed by lightning1 the vestiges of which remain in the parched appearance of the country1 which has lost its fertility4 ,hist lib v ,a modern traveller1 who was recently an eyewitness of the scene1 is particularly entitled to be heard on this interesting subject1 even at the risk of extending this note to a disproportionate length3 ,the ,dead ,sea below1 upon our left1 appealed so near to us1 that we thought we could have rode thither in a very short space of time4 ,still nearer stood a mountain upon its western shore1 resembling in its form the cone of ,vesuvius1 and having also a crater upon its top which was plainly discernible4 ,the distance1 however1 is much greater than it appears to be2 the magnitude of the objects beheld in this fine prospect1 causing them to appear less remote than they really are4 ,the atmosphere was remarkably clear and serene2 but we saw none of those clouds of smoke which1 by some writers1 are said to exhale from the surface of the ,lake ,asphaltites1 nor from any neighbouring mountain4 ,every thing about it was1 in the highest degree1 grand and awful4 ,its desolate1 although majestic features1 are well suited to the tales related concerning it by the inhabitants of the country1 who all speak of it with terror1 seeming to shrink from the narrative of its deceitful allurements and deadly influence4 ',beautiful fruit1' say they1 'grows upon its shores1 which is no sooner touched1 than it becomes dust and bitter ashes4' ,in addition to its physical horrors1 the region around is said to be more perilous1 owing to the ferocious tribes wandering upon the shores of the lake1 than any other part of the ,holy ,land4 ,clarke's ,travels1 part ii4 sect4 i4 p4 #fad4 #ab3 ,the design of this work being rather practical than critical1 the author conceives it generally proper to avoid subjects of doubtful disputation2 and rather1 in particular cases1 to give the result of his inquiries1 than to detail the process by which it had been obtained4 ,on this account1 he has forborne to introduce the different notions that have prevailed among the learned respecting the real nature of the punishment inflicted upon the wife of ,lot1 but has simply stated what is the most common1 and1 upon the whole1 the most satisfactory opinion4 ,it seems conformable to the words of the historian to suppose a real conversion into a pillar of salt1 and not that ,lot's wife was merely smitten dead upon the spot4 ,if further information be wished1 the reader is particularly referred to a ,french work of well-merited celebrity1 and which contains on this and many subjects of ,biblical criticism1 much valuable and curious information--,saurin1 ,discours historiques1 critiques1 theologiques1 et moraux1 sur les ,evenemens les plus memorables du ,vieux et du ,nouveau ,testament4 ,tom1 i4 #ac3 ,this appears to have been the ancient mode of concluding an agreement1 or solemn covenant4 ,josephus says1 that if two persons bound themselves mutually by an oath1 they put their hand upon each other's thigh4 ,grotius states1 that anciently they wore the sword upon the thigh1 so that to swear by putting the hand upon the thigh1 was intimating1 ,i am willing to be pierced through by this sword if ,i break my promise4 #ad3 ,sir ,j4 ,chardin observed this difference in the ,east between wells of living water1 and reservoirs of rain water2 that these last have frequently1 especially in the ,indies1 a flight of steps down into the water1 that as the water diminishes1 people may still take it up with their hands1 whereas he hardly ever observed a well furnished with those steps through all the ,east4 ,he concludes from this circumstance1 that the place from whence ,rebekah took up water was a reservoir of rain water4 ,this is the account that he gives us in his sixth ,,ms4 volume1 and it explains very clearly what is meant by ,rebekah's going down to the well1 ,gen4 xxiv4 #af4 ,,harmer',s ,observations1 vol4 ii4 p4 #ahd1 #ahe1 note4 #ae3 ,,henry in loc4 #af3 ,we do not find that their 7the ,israelites'7 marriages were attended with any religious ceremony1 except the prayers of the father of the family and the standers by1 to entreat the blessing of ,god3 we have examples of it in the marriage of ,rebekah with ,isaac1 of ,ruth with ,boaz1 and of ,sara with ,tobias4 ,we do not see that there were any sacrifices offered upon the occasion1 or that they went to the temple1 or sent for the priests2 all was transacted betwixt the relations and friends1 so that it was no move than a civil contract4 ,fleury's ,manners of the ancient ,israelite1 ,part ii4 chap4 #aj4 #ag3 ,most commentators attribute a higher principle to the partiality of ,rebekah2 they imagine that it was founded upon the prophecies1 choosing him whom the ,lord had chosen3 but ,i can perceive no good reason for this opinion4 #ah3 ,for ,i brought thee up out of the land of ,egypt1 and redeemed thee out of the house of servants2 and ,i sent before thee ,moses1 ,aaron1 and ,miriam4 ,mic4 vi4 #d4 #ai3 ,hieron1 in ,trad4 ,heb4 ad #a ,kings #c4 ,calmet's ,preface to ,ruth1 and ,ch4 iv4 #bb4 #bj3 ,gray's ,key to the ,old ,testament4 #ba3 ,comp4 ,,harmer',s ,observations1 vol4 i4 p4 #gh1 #gi4 #bb3 ,there is something inimitably beautiful in this ancient practice1 and in language of their mutual address1 which is preserved in the inspired narrative1 ,and behold1 ,boaz came from ,bethlehem1 and said unto the reapers1 ,the ,lord be with you4 ,and they answered him1 ,the ,lord bless thee4 ,ch4 ii4 #d4 #bc3 ,clarke's ,travels1 ,part ,,ii1 ,sect1 ii4 p1 #cjb4 #bd3 ,comp4 ,harmer's ,observations1 p4 #bcb-bcg4 #be3 ,it has been thought probable1 that from the expression ,is not the ,lord gone out before thee8 some angelic messenger or visible appearance1 similar to that of the ,shekinah1 prompted the words and animated the zeal of ,deborah4 ,the ,targum favours this sentiment3 ,is not the angel of the ,lord gone out before thee to prosper thee8 #bf3 ,lectures on the ,sacred ,poetry of the ,hebrews4 #bg3 ,the historical reference appears to be to the narrative in the twentieth chapter of ,numbers1 in which the refusal of ,edom to allow the children of ,israel to go through their borders is recorded4 ,some extraordinary circumstances seem referred to1 not mentioned in the sacred page1 but possibly transmitted by tradition to the times of ,deborah4 ,sen is a mountain of ,idumea4 ,the language is highly figurative1 and denotes earthquakes and storms4 ,the mountains melted1 that is1 part of their surface was carried down1 by the force of excessive torrents of rain4 #bh3 ,the ass derives its name from a ,hebrew word signifying redness1 the usual colour of this animal1 but some are white4 ,the word translated white is zechorot1 and may1 perhaps refer to the zebra1 which the ,ethiopians call zechora1 and which is generally considered as one of the most beautiful of living creatures4 ,it is sometimes called the wild ass4 #bi3 ,dr4 ,shaw mentions a beautiful rill in ,barbary1 which is received into a large basin1 called shrub we krub1 7drink and away17 there being great danger of meeting there with rogues and assassins4 ,if such places are proper for the lurking of murderers in times of peace1 they must be proper for the lying in ambush in times of war2 a circumstance that ,deborah takes notice of in her song1 ,judges v4 #aa4 ,harmer4 #cj3 ,gates were anciently the places where they held their courts of judicature4 ,in the towers there were very spacious and handsome state-rooms4 #ca3 ,the ,vulgate reads1 in the country of ,merom1 alluding to the place where ,joshua fought a former king of ,canaan4 ,the waters of ,merom are supposed to be the same as ,kishon4 ,comp4 ,josh4 xi4 #e ,ps4 lxxxiii #i4 #cb3 ,there is a remarkable alliteration here in the original ,hebrew1 ,hebrew3 middaharoth daharoth4 ,some have supposed it a poetical imitation of the sound of the trampling of horses1 and compare this passage with the celebrated line of ,virgil--,quadrupedante putrem sonitu quatit ungula campum4 ,,virg4 n4 viii4 v4 #eie4 #cc3 ,comp4 ,,harmer',s ,observations1 volume i4 pp4 #baf and #dde4 #cd3 ,it has often been inquired1 on what principle this action of ,jael1 which is so apparently repugnant to the laws of honourable warfare1 and even of common humanity1 could be so eulogized by ,deborah4 ,the ,kenites and the ,canaanites were in alliance1 and besides1 the rights of hospitality have always been most scrupulously regarded1 especially in the early ages of the world4 ,to these considerations the ingenious ,saurin replies1 that in order to judge of this affair1 it would be necessary to know the nature of the treaty between ,heber and the ,canaanites2 because1 according to ,puffendorf1 if two agreements cannot be performed1 of which the one was made with and the other without an oath1 the latter ought to yield to the former2 and we cannot tell but this latter might be the nature of the agreement between the ,kenites and the ,canaanites4 ,he conceives also1 that a justification of ,jael's conduct might be found in the character of ,sisera1 pleading that we are not required to keep good faith1 or to show lenity to those execrable persons who only avail themselves of our regard to these virtues1 to violate them in their conduct to others1 to falsify their promises1 and carry blood and carnage wherever they go4 ,under this impression1 he prays that ,providence may never raise up among us ,jabins or ,siseras2 but if the justice of ,god should see fit to employ such scourges for our correction1 that his mercy would send ,jaels to effect our deliverance4 ,comp4 ,,saurin ,discours ,historiques1 tom iii4 ,la defaite de ,jabin et de ,sizera1 p4 #cah-cbb4 ,i confess this reasoning is not quite satisfactory2 nor indeed will any reasoning upon this remarkable transaction be so1 till we allow that there were circumstances which the ,spirit of ,god has not seen fit to disclose1 and that ,jael most probably acted under the influence of some divine intimation4 ,long was it the revealed will of ,god that the ,canaanites should be exterminated1 and ,israel had been criminally negligent of his commands4 ,it must1 doubtless1 be admitted1 that the general authority which they had received1 independent even of any acts of oppression1 was paramount to every other consideration1 and sufficient to justify the most implacable hostility4 #ce3 ,illustrations may be found in ,saurin1 ,discours ,historiques1 ,critiques1 ,theologiques1 et ,moreaux1 sur les ,evenemens les plus memorables du ,vieux et du ,nouveau ,testament4 ,tom4 iv4 p4 #ad-bj1 #hvo4 #cf3 ,the ,septuagint rendering of ,david's message to ,nabal explains the rapaciousness of the ,arabs1 and the forbearance of ,david4 ,behold1 ,i have heard that thy shepherds are now shearing for thee2 they were with us in the wilderness1 and we have not hindered them1 1 nor have we commanded them all the days of their being in ,carmel4 ,this1 says ,harmer1 is translating like people perfectly well acquainted with the management of the ,arab emirs1 whose manners ,david1 though he lived in the wilderness as they did1 had not adopted4 ,one of them at the head of six hundred men1 would have commanded1 from time to time1 some provisions1 or other present from ,nabal's servants1 for permitting them to feed in quiet2 and would have driven them away from the watering-place upon any dislike4 ,he had not done either4 ,observations1 vol4 i4 p4 #agc4 #cg3 ,young's ,centaur1 p4 #aai4 #ch3 ,,josephus1 ,book viii4 ch4 #e1 #ci3 ,voyage up the ,red ,sea1 and ,route through the ,desarts of ,thebais4 #dj3 ,harmer's ,observations1 vol4 iv4 p4 #aib1 #aic4 #da3 ,from the ,arabian ,anthologia1 quoted by ,,schultens4 #db3 ,shaw's ,travels1 p4 #bad-cag1 quoted in ,harmer's ,observations1 vol4 i4 p4 #bea4 #dc3 ,comp4 ,harmer's ,observations1 vol4 ii4 p4 #ejc4 #dd3 ,plutarch's ,life of ,pyrrhus4 #de3 ,epitaph in ,bunhill ,fields burying-ground on a child that died at the age of nine months4 ,the writer of these pages knows not the author1 or whether these lines have ever appeared in any other place than on the stone whence he has transcribed them4 #df3 ,,harmer',s ,observations1 vol4 i4 p #d4 #dg3 ,the first day of the month was kept with burnt-offerings and peace-offerings4 ,vide ,numb4 x4 #aj4 and xxviii4 #aa4 ,in imitation of the ,jews1 the calends1 or first days of the month1 and the fourth and seventh of the week1 were sacred to ,deity4 #dh3 ,,pascal',s ,thoughts1 pp4 #bbi1 #bdd4 #di3 ,see ,the ,life of ,philip ,melancthon1 by the author of this work1 p4 #bbe1 second edition4 #ej3 ,the salutations of the ,east often take up a long time4 ,the manner of salutation as now practised by the people of ,egypt1 is not less ancient4 ,the ordinary way of saluting people1 when at a distance1 is bringing the hand down to the knees1 and then carrying it to the stomach2 marking their devotedness to a person1 by holding down the hand2 as they do their affection1 by their after raising it up to the heart4 ,when they come close together afterward1 they take each other by the hand1 in token of friendship4 ,what is very pleasant1 is to see the country-people reciprocally clapping each other's hands very smartly1 twenty or thirty times together1 in meeting1 without saying any thing more than ,salamant aiche halcom8 that is to say1 ,how do you do8 ,i wish you good health4 ,if this form of complimenting must be acknowledged to be simple1 it must be admitted to be very affectionate4 ,perhaps it marks out a better disposition of heart than all the studied phrases which are in use among us1 and which politeness almost always makes use of at the expense of sincerity4 ,after this first compliment1 many other friendly questions are asked about the health of the family1 mentioning each of the children distinctly1 whose names they know1 c4 ,,maillet1 ,descript4 de l',egypte4 ,if the forms of salutation among the ancient ,jewish peasants took up as much time as those of the modern ,egyptians that belong to that rank of life1 it is no wonder the prophet commanded his servant to abstain from saluting those he might meet with1 when sent to recover the child of the ,shunammitess to life4 ,they that have attributed this order to haste1 have done right2 but they ought to have shown the tediousness of ,eastern compliments4 ,,harmer',s ,observations1 vol4 ii4 pp4 #cca1 #ccb4 #ea3 ,,bishop ,,hall4 #eb3 ,ps4 ,i4 #ae4 ,the thirteenth and fourteenth chapters of the apocryphal book of ,esther contain appropriate prayers for this occasion1 attributed to ,mordecai and ,esther1 well worthy of perusal4 #ec3 ,in the ,persian language ,pur signifies a lot2 and the reference is to ,haman's casting lots to ascertain the lucky month for the execution of his iniquitous project against the ,jews4