Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

but, though they stand on the upper level, they are far from monopolizing the wonders of the kingdom to which they belong. Treasures of earth often

far below the surface. So the graces of the humble, though destitute of the brilliancy and lustre of genius and of the outward adornments of wealth and culture, may turn out to be gems which will sparkle most brightly when once the Lord will make up the celestial corouet of His glorified humanity.

Thus far we have only looked into secular history for illustrations of our theme. The world has done nobly in showing the manly quality of genuine patience. If it had not been for these men of one idea, these martyrs of selfsacrificing energy, we would not now have the comforts of life which are showered upon us thick and merry as snow-flakes in a winter day. All honor to the memory of progressive genius, then, while we look in the pages of sacred history for evidences of a still higher growth of the noble grace we are considering.

whereas he discovered a new world and had opened the gates to one of the grandest continents of the globe. Christopher Columbus was a great public benefactor, though in his patient self-lie deep down; they are often buried denying efforts at exploration and discovery, he was not conscious of the scheme in which he was engaged. Envy and persecution followed him, and he was made to feel the devilish ingratitude of the men of his day. His memory is embalmed in the progress of the world, and it is precious in the sight of all men. But where shall we end if we keep on following the great lights, as these shine so grandly in the history of the world's progress? There is no end to the catalogue of their names. Hence it will be well to come down from their high level, and to hunt for gems in the lower conditions of God's great household. Just as in the sky above our heads the larger bodies and constellations do not make up all the glory of the heavenly hemispheres, and as in the vegetable kingdom tall majestic oaks are not lifted beyond the vital kinship of the tiny grass, so in the social world great and extraordinary men are not the only bearers of shining graces. In the homes of the lowly, and in the hovels of the poor, see how they toil and how they spin! Day after day, from early dawn up into the silent hours of the night, they drudge and labor. It is true, it may be said that the force of necessity is upon them; still many of these toiling millions furnish examples of heroism, which will not dim in the presence of the higher luminaries. Indeed the noble grace of patience grows much more largely along the rugged path ways of the obscure children of toil, than it does in the flowery courses of the pampered children of fortune.

Away back in the days of the patriarchs and of the prophets this grace was not only at hand and fully in force; but it stood under the specific direction of divine power. Like the wise men from the East, it was guided by a star from the heavenly world. Hence these holy men of old laid out a course of advancement for the whole human family, before the moral grandeur and social beneficence of which all the glory of secular progress dims and pales. Abraham, Moses, David, Daniel, are but a few among so many who have done great and wonderful works, only because they feared God and walked in the light and power of His will. Some of these Some people never get beyond the ancient saints rose high in worldly power upper strata of society, in their inter- and prosperity; others received the course and study; they fail to know that crown of martyrdom as their reward there are many gems imbedded in the for their patient continuance in well strata below. Such may imagine that doing. But to-day their memory is a they have a fair and full knowledge of blessing and a light in the earth, nor what we call manhood. Should any shall their patience ever be forgotten. one deal, in the same partial way, with If we owe profound gratitude to those the study of animal history, he would who have brought us the material imhardly receive the honorary title of phi-provements of this age, we may well bow losopher from the councils of the wise. Elephants, lions, and Bengal tigers, are lordly specimens of the brute world;

before high heaven and bless God for the pious example of all those His servants, who have waited under the dis

pensation of the law for the coming of a new and better covenant.

The apostles and evangelists were not brilliant and shining lights of earthly greatness. They were full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and hence they had a marvellous power for subduing the wisdom and power of the world. They were despised and persecuted bearers of the Cross, and still they had the springs of life, not only for themselves, but for all the world besides. Peter, and John, and Paul, these three and many, very many more, have sent out streams of living water to gladden and beautify the earth, though they were as sheep among wolves and were martyrs either in will or in fact. They had seen and handled the word of life; they had the example of Jesus continually before their eyes; they lived and acted under His personal guidance even unto death; their conversation was in heaven while they were yet pilgrims and strangers on the earth. They were the salt of the earth, and the light of the world, because they were God's elect and the patient servants of His Son, Jesus Christ. In the goodly followship of the prophets, and in the glorious company of the apostles, and in the noble army of martyrs, the Sun of righteousness has lightened the Gentiles.

Jesus turned water into wine, fed multitudes with a few loaves and fishes, commanded one of the twelve to catch a fish in the mouth of which the needed tribute money would be found, and did a great many more things which prove that He was not limited in His power as all other men are. Still He lived thirty years, before He made any display of this kind of superhuman power. Foxes had holes, and birds had nests, but He had not where to lay His head. Singular indeed that the long period of thirty years was spent in poverty and obscurity by One, who proved Himself master of all the issues of life and death afterwards. Yet even while He did that and supplied the wants of others with a lavish hand, He betrayed no desire to rise above the trials of His lowly life. Besides He endured the ingratitude and blind malice of the people, for the benefit of whom He had entered on His mission of mercy. They sought to kill Him, and He knew that they would

finally crucify Him, but He made no signs of escape. He deliberately prepared for His end, and died praying for His murderers.

Such was the patience of Jesus, the sinless one. It was His will and pleasure to come down to men, to bear with them and for them the burden of human want and misery, so that He might save them from the wreck and ruin of sin. This was the ideal, which the prophets of old foresaw and proclaimed. This was the personal divine presence, which the apostles saw, handled, and felt. And these things are written for our learning that, through patience an I comfort of the Scriptures, we might have hope.

Facts, such as we have before us in history, and especially in the sinless life of Jesus Christ, ought to teach us the holy grace of that kind of patience which is gradually overcoming all the powers of evil. As every one may see, this is not that sort of amiable weakness, which makes men indifferent and indolent, in either worldly or spiritual matters. Both the patience of the Lord and of His saints, and that of the live men of the world, is characterized by intense earnestness and never failing activity. No better models to grow by, and do by, and live by, and die by, can ever be produced within the limits of human experience, than those which come to us in the life-current of this Christian age. This life-current is full of divine light and power, as well as of high and noble human energy. In its vital force it is possible to rise in wisdom, goodness, happiness, honor, glory.

Now is the time to begin to study, and to follow, the example of the wise, and of the Lord and His saints. The younger we begin, the better it will be. Life must have a definite and noble aim, or it will prove a failure. It is a great folly to waste any part of our time in blind, aimless living. Whoever does this will have cause to regret it bitterly some day. To aim at something good and great, and never to give up till the object is either gained or defeat honorably sustained, is the plain common sense wisdom which the Lord inspires, and which a rational self-respect dictates. If any one lacks wisdom, let him ask of God; and if any one will do what the

wisdom of God dictates, he shall know whether the force of a manly Christian activity is from God, or whether it is the work and influence simply of weak and shortsighted men.

"I am the light of the world. He that cometh unto me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life."

Lafayette at Bunker Hill.

the continuous receptions and triumphal entries which were accorded him.

[ocr errors]

"We have lately had a surfeit of centennial anniversaries; we have come to take them indifferently and as a matter of course. They seem little more than conventional compliments to a past with which no living link connects us. How can I give an idea of the freshness and feeling with which we celebrated the fiftieth return of the day when the great battle of our Revolution had been fought? Every circumstance seemed GEN. LAFAYETTE deserves to be held to conspire to add dignity and pathos in grateful recollection by all Ameri- to the occasion. The day was simply cans. As Webster says: "Through perfect; as perfect as if made expresely him the electric spark of liberty was for the imposing scenes it was to witness. conducted from the New World to the Never before had so many people been Old," for which service he suffered years packed into the city (Boston). Everyof imprisonment in an Austrian dungeon. thing that has wheels and everything At the laying of the corner-store of which has legs,' in the language of a the Bunker Hill Monument on June 17, stage-driver of the period, used them 1825, he visited America for the last to get to Boston.' My orders were to time. As the guest of a grateful na- be at the Subscription House at nine in tion he was then present at this cere- the morning. This was the new name mony. Josiah Quincy,. then one of the for the mansion at the head of Park aids of the Governor of Massachusetts, Street, which had recently been opened took an active part in the transactions as a club-house-the first, I believe, of this memorable day. In his Leaves known in New England. The duty from old Journals in the New York assigned me was to meet the survivors Independent, he gives a graphic pic- of the Battle of Bunker Hill, and to ture of the occasion. He says: "He introduce them to the General; a priv(Lafayette) told us that Bunker Hill ilege this never to be forgotten. had been the pole star upon which his passed along the line of old men, taking eyes had been fixed, and he rejoiced in the name of each of them from his lips, the prospect of assisting at 'the grand and repeating it to Lafayette. He imhalf-secular jubilee' which was to take mediately pronounced the name after me place the next day. I can see him as in tones of the deepest interest, as if he then stood before us, looking all the that of a dear personal friend, and then, better for his extended travels. A fine, advancing, grasped the hand of each portly figure, near six feet high, wear- veteran with tender cordiality. There ing lightly the three-score and ten years was no crowd of idle witnesses to gaze he had nearly completed, showing no upon the scene. I stood the one young infirmity save the slight lameness in- man among these honored heroes. If curred in our defense, at the battle of there were dry eyes in the room, mine Brandywine- such was the outward were not among them. It was a scene person of the General. His face, on for an historical picture, by an artist nearer view showed traces of the who could feel its interest. Thank sufferings through which he had passed; Heaven, it escaped the conscious posbut his brown wig, which set low upon ings and other vulgarities of the modern his forehead, concealed some of the photograph! No field or staff officer wrinkles which time writes upon the of the battle survived; but there was a brow, and made it difficult to realize captain, by the name of Clark, bendthat he was the comrade of the bald ing beneath his ninety-five years, who and white-headed veterans who came to brought colonial times under King greet him. The wig, however, did yeo- George into contact with the great reman service. Without it he could never public which had succeeded them. It have ridden with his hat off through was my duty to attach to the breast of

I

[ocr errors]

each of these survivors a badge of The heavens were never more propihonor, which was worn during the day. tious. The showers of yesterday laid The occasion was to be consecrated by the dust and cooled the atmosphere, and prayer, and the venerable Joseph it was, indeed, the perfection of weather. Thaxter, the chaplain of Prescott's Mr. Webster looked like one worthy own regiment, rose to officiate. Half to be the orator of such an occasion. a century before this man had stood Scarcely had he pronounced a few senupon that very spot, and in the pres- tences, when he was interrupted by the ence of brave men, for whom that morn- shouts of the throng beyond the baring sun was to know no setting, called on riers. Their cries sounded wildly in the Him who can save by many or by few distance, and for some moments great for aid in the approaching struggle. apprehensions were felt that their anxiWhat thoughts filled the minds of the ety to hear Mr. Webster would induce patriots who had listened to Mr- Thax- them to break through all restraint and ter's prayer in this place. What won- rush forward upon the place where the derful changes surrounded their descen- ladies were seated. The countenances dants. And here was again lifted the of the gentlemen upon the stage exfeeble voice of the old man to invoke pressed deep anxiety, and some of the the Unchangeable, to ask the blessing of ladies almost fainted from alarm. We Him who is the same yesterday, to-day exerted all our influence to induce those and forever. I note this prayer as on about us to remain quiet. It was an the whole the most impressive circum- appalling moment. Some of the crowd stance of this memorable day. had begun to climb upon our seats and "When offered a seat with the official pull away the awning that protected us. personages on the stage Lafayette re- If the multitude beyond had followed plied: No, I belong there, among the them, it would have produced a conflict survivors of the Revolution, and there with the military and a painful scene. I must sit.' Thus he sat, without a The guards, constables, and marshals shelter under a hot June sun, with the in vain endeavored to keep order. Mr. old scar-worn revolutionary soldiers-Webster seemed much agitated, and 'a company of venerable old men, said, with an air of deep regret: We covered with badges and attended with frustrate our own work.' Then, by a the greatest respect.' Seated among sudden impulse, he came forward, and, these venerable warriors of other days with one of his commanding looks, heightened the enthusiasm of the multi- called to the marshals, in a voice of tude for the great French patriot. He thunder: Be silent yourselves, and the was the hero of the occasion. A bril- people WILL obey!' The commotion liant civil and military escort led him ceased almost instantly, and Mr. Webthrough the crowded streets. It ster again commenced his oration." seemed as if no spot where human foot could plant itself were left unoccupied Even the churches along the route had been opened, and their windows were thronged with ladies.

[ocr errors]

The eventful day was welcomed by the roaring of cannon, which woke us at early dawn. The whole city was soon in motion. Carriages were driving at a tremendous rate; the troops were assembling on the Common; and the streets were thronged by multitudes, hurrying to and fro. Great apprehensions were yesterday entertained with regard to the weather; but every one said: 'It must be a fair day on the seventeenth,' and I heard that an old man in Audover exclaimed: The Lord will not permit it to rain on that day.'

[ocr errors]

The great orator thus grandly addressed Lafayette, and to the old soldiers, too, among whom Lafayette was seated, he spoke the following words: "Veterans: You are the remnant of many a well-fought battle-field. You bring with you marks of honor from Trenton and Monmouth, from Yorktown, Camden, Bennington and Saratoga. VETERANS OF HALF A CENTURY! When in your youthful days you put everything at hazard in your country's cause, good as the cause was, and sanguine as youth is, still your fondest hopes did not stretch onward to an hour like this! At a period to which you could not reasonably have expected to arrive, at a moment of national prosperity such as you could never have

foreseen, you are now met here to enjoy the fellowship of old soldiers and to receive the overflowings of a universal gratitude. But your agitated countenances and your heaving breasts inform me that even this is not an unmixed joy. I perceive that a tumult of contending feelings rushes upon you. The images of the dead, as well as the persons of the living present themselves before you. The scene overwhelms you, and I turn from it. May the Father of all mercies smile upon your declining years, and bless them!"

Tourists up the Valley.

BY REV. E. H. DIEHL, SUMMUM, ILL.

So numerous and diversified are the fertile valleys and picturesque mountains of our beautiful country, that it is almost impossible to tell where the Supreme Architect has made the master stroke of His creation. We may ascend the rugged cliffs of the snow-capped Sierras to feast our eyes upon the fine panoramas of the Pacific slope, or penetrate their dark mines, deep canons, and dense forests; glide over the crystal lakes of the north, or roam through the orange groves and cotton fields of the south; yet nowhere do we find a spot without interest to the traveler.

Rock Island alone annually markets $9,000,000 worth of her farm implements, glass, flour, etc., saying nothing of her beer and tobacco manufacturing. Near by, on a fine island, is the largest United States arsenal in this country.

On Monday we crossed the iron bridge into Iowa. Farmers were harvesting their grain. Vast prairie farms, teeming with a rich crop of cereals, fruit and vegetables greeted our eyes as far as we could behold. In Dubuque county we bounded over stony roads, up and down steep hills, not very much unlike the mountainous roads of Pennsylvania. Among the hills stands the quiet village of Zwingli. There is something significant about this place and its people. It was founded by Rev. F. C. Bauman and the Messrs. Corts of western Pennsylvania, who are the pioneers of the Reformed Church in Iowa. They have succeeded in establishing a community of exemplary citizens, whose influence for good is felt for miles around. Verily, this is a desirable place to live. Its rich valleys, springs and rivulets of sparkling, cool water; its shaded hills and productive fields; its fine farm mansions and beautiful fuit and flower gardens-all are calculated to make it as valuable as it is attractive. Several of our former class-mates of Blairstown Academy reside here. How pleasant, after a lapse of seven eventful years, to meet these friends again! A few hours of social chat-living our school-days over again -and we are off.

We re-crossed the Mississippi at Dubuque, and in a few hours' drive camped in southwest Wisconsin, among the "badgers." They are a clever, hospitable people, and we know no valid reason why they should be dubbed “badgers." Over fifty miles we pass through the rich galena fields of Graut county. The ores of these mines yield nearly 95 per cent. pure lead, and are smelted in furnaces near by. The soil is very fertile and abundantly watered with the finest springs in the west.

The readers of THE GUARDIAN will please accompany us on a 7-weeks' trip up the Mississippi Valley. It is a sultry morning in the middle of July. Our oil-cloth-covered spring wagon is supplied with a stove, cooking utensils, bedding, provisions, and all the necessary equipage needed by a quartet of first-class tourists. Gath pulls on the lines, and our spirited bays dash away leaving Central Illinois in the rear. We passed over the finest fertile prairies in the State, and on the evening of the fourth day we camped on a bluff overlooking the three cities of Rock Island, Moline and Davenport, with the broad Mississippi rolling between them. The morrow was Sunday. We attend- After dining near Viruqua, we visited matin at St. Joseph's cathedral. ed Mount Henderson and Monumental These three cities. with a combined Mountain. The former is a clumsy, population of 48,000, possess many in- cone-shaped mass of rock and earth, teresting attractions. Their manufac- whose base is ornamented with a thrifty turing establishments are immense. crop of the well-known whortleberry of

« AnteriorContinuar »