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Untitled Article
creature . It is received into a family , into a brotherhood , linked into a close knot of amity with all who are partakers of the same blood . With mingled curiosity and affection they trace in its little lineaments lines of resemblance to its parents , and fondl y prognosticate from thence the beauty and vi g our of the future man . And is there not joy when a soul is born ! joy of its ministers , joy of the church , joy even in heaven over a sinner that repenteth ! With what kindly meltings of paternal love does the universal Father receive
the returning prodigal , revive the spirit of the penitent Magdalen , and cherish the innocent children who come to him for a blessing ! And what a family , what a brotherhood , does he become a member of who is partaker of this divine life ! the wide-extended family of God ' s virtuous and approved children ; the brotherhood of all the holy and the happy in all worlds and in all ages : he is united to saints , and angels , and spirits of the just made perfect , who do not disdain the meanest member of this blessed community if united with them in sincere desire to do the will of their common Father .
Again : What further joy is there if the child be born an heir , and entitled to inherit some portion of this vain and perishable earth I What ostentation , what importance , what carefulness in displaying the wealth , in setting forth and adorning the child ! The very nurse is quite proud and glorious to take care of one born to such a distinguished and happy lot . The possessions of most are confined to a certain number of acres , but some favoured mortals enjoy a portion of this globe which may even be distinguished in a map of the world , and extends over the circumference of a few inches there .
How assiduous to give him his title , how careful to preserve his pedigree I What a lively interest is taken in his health , his dress , his sports , and every thing belongiDg to him , as if he were really of a distinct species from the common race of mortals ! And what an estate , what a title , what a heritage is the Christian born to ! He is born an heir of glory , he expects a heritage in the land of promise , thrones in heaven : heaven is his and earth is his , and all things are his , for God is his ; and nothing can deprive him of his glorious birthright , except he himself should alienate and renounce it . But
let it be observed , the heir does not inherit immediately . He waits for his possessions till he is able to enjoy and manage them , and in the meantime this inheritor of a splendid fortune is made subject to every one that is about him . First he cannot , and then he may not , stir a step without others ; he is every thing in hope , nothing in possession ; his cheeks are bathed in frequent tears , his will is crossed , his appetites checked , the purposes and projects of his little heart continually counteracted ; he is scourged , buffeted and severely handled , according to his childish conceptions , by his parents ,
masters and tutors . Nay , he is kept under by those who afterwards will not presume so much as to approach his presence . And thus it must be with the heir of glory while he is in the nonage of this world : afflictions and crosses and disappointments are the schoolmasters to bring him to Christ . His high destination and lofty hopes do not hinder him from being lorded over and roughly treated by the children of this world , who are often wiser in their generation than the children of light . Jacob was the heir of the promises , yet he became the servant of Laban ; and the seed oi Abraham was long held in bondage by the Egyptians .
In the next place it may be remarked , that though the child is born , it may die . Life , mere life , is an inestimable gift , and there is an infinite difference between existence in the lowest state and non-existence ; but life in its early stages is peculiarly frail and delicate ; when the flame is first kindled , a breath will extinguish it . What care , therefore , is exercised to
Untitled Article
Discourse by Mrs . BarbauVL " 4 /
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), July 2, 1827, page 479, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1798/page/7/
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