On this page
-
Text (1)
-
Untitled Article
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
-
-
Transcript
-
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
Additionally, when viewing full transcripts, extracted text may not be in the same order as the original document.
Untitled Article
One day , when Luther was over-busy , Catherine came to beseech her friend ' s assistance . Liese was just going abroad . - I would faiti stay , ' she said ; * but I am not going out for my own purposes or pleasure . " . . * 1 am sure of it , ' replied her friend ; * but how many sorrowful
hearts may you help to soothe by the one work , while you can but ease one aching head by the other ! How many impoverished spirits may you here help to make rich , while by going , you can only furnish bread for the day to a very few 1 If we can both feed the young ravens , and give bread to thousands in the wilder * ness , it is well ; if not , let us leave undone that which is least . '
* But I , ' said Liese , as she still hesitated , — what can I do ?' * Martin and I have been told even now what you can do . You can make the hearts of all the worshippers in all the reformed churches in Germany , swell amidst their worship . Yes , ' she persisted , smiling at Liese ' s countenance of astonishment , * the last anthem , that sweet solemn music with which it was given you to charm our ears , has moved others also ; and , as I said , it is already sung wherever our faith has spread . *
This day formed another era in the spiritual history of Liese * While with rapturous gratitude she poured out her private thanksgivings for her newly-appreciated powers , the finger of God seemed to point out her path of beneficence . She devoted her heart and understanding to labours which"had till now appeared alien to her sphere . She cultivated her intellect and her tastes , as husbanding a possession common to society ; she diffused their treasures as that of which she was but the steward , and estimated
their value by their diffusiveness . But one doubt troubled her for a while amidst this course : her present occupations were precisely such as she loved the best , and she feared lest she should lose sight of the principle of benevolence in pursuing them . * I have heard my husband say , ' replied Catherine , in answer to this doubt , * that the * snare is where the duty of the time is irksome . All smoothness and pleasantness in a worthy task is a smile of Christ , and all reluctance is a buffet of Satan /
Liese was helped by experience to expound this pithy saying into the truth that every virtuous labour is easy in proportion as it approaches perfection ; and that when a work is ascertained to be virtuous , increased pleasure in it , so far from being a snare , is a token of progress . In the same manner as perfect love casteth out fear , does perfect benevolence cast out reluctance ; and both are crowned with rejoicing .
Deep was the peace which settled down upon the household at Wittemberg while pursuing their benevolent toils , though papal bulls were abroad to devour them , and there were tumults of friends and enemies afar off . No one who witnessed was more struck with this than Helena , when , after many months , she found Liese still an inmate of Catherine ' s dwelling . .
Untitled Article
Liese g or , the ProQresi of JVorship . 331
-
-
Citation
-
Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), May 2, 1832, page 331, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1812/page/43/
-