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Untitled Article
Christians of all denominations , of which our public meetings , as we know , often contain a detail by no means insignificant , whether the source from which they come be regarded , or the manner in which they are uttered . This defect ought to be remedied : the zeal for religious liberty , godliness of
life , and purity of heart—the earnest desire for the welfare of the youn * — and the expressions of amicable feeling towards Christians of all denominations , which frequently animate and adorn the few association-meetings we have , could not fail to diminish prejudice and make the body esteemed by those who , whatever their creed , wish for the advancement of the best
interests of their fellow-creatures . Of course , as usual , many anecdotes were related at the several meetings . Such things are not much to our taste . Some way or other , we have learnt to doubt their accuracy . There is too much , we fear , to make the story good , and to fit it for the purpose in view . However , whether apocryphal or not , we shall pass them all by with one exception . An anecdote was related by Dr . Philip , of which the following is the substance :
In the highest part of the mountains of Auvergne is found a valley , well known from the waters and baths which it incloses . Nature there shews herself under the boldest forms ; water-falls , gloomy pines , and rocks rising from the depths , whose peaks are lost in the clouds , form a striking contrast to other spots of rich pasturage . In this place there lived , some years ago , a venerable minister of the gospel ; his simplicity , his mildness , and his virtues , made him beloved by his parishioners . The good priest , born in the bosom of the mountains , was content with a miserable cabin covered with stones , and happy , though possessed only of the bare necessaries of life ; his active and indefatigable charity extended to the inhabitants of the neighbouring hamlets , and to the poor mountaineers , who , not having any church , formed part of the flock committed to his care . In winter , when the snow
covered the mountains , the pastor , listening only to his zeal , went to carry his flock relief and comfort . Sometimes on horse-back , but oftener on foot , he climbed the rocks of Capucin and Rigolet . One day , toward the end of the month of December , he set out to perform the duties of his ministry , and never , perhaps , was the cold more rigorous ; but many invalids needed the cares of their pastor , and he hastened to soften their sufferings . In one of the steepest parts of the mountain he dismounted from his horse , and
holding it by the bridle , sought for the road which he ought to follow . He had hardly walked a few steps when he slipped and fell , and the bone of his leg was broken in a most dreadful manner . The affrighted horse fled across the precipice , and the poor priest remained buried in the snow . He experienced the most cruel sufferings , but his courage was sustained by his piety . The day passed on and brought no relief , and thick darkness covered him in the midst of his trials . His trust in God failed him not ; but when
the sun re-appeared his eyes were not sensible to the brilliancy of its rays . Nature had sunk through cold and exhaustion . All at once repeated cries startled the echoes of the mountains and awoke him from his torpor . A troop of mountaineers surrounded their venerable minister , and rapturously expressed their joy and gratitude in having been permitted to rescue him from death . Recalled ta life by . their tender cares , the old man raised his heavy eye-lids . « My God / ' said he , "if I am still to live , may thy will be done ; but may . 1 live $ newJife and glprify thy name in my body , and in my soul , which belong to thee . " The inhabitants of the village had missed their pastor in his usual sabbath duties . Anxiety overspread every face . In a few instants the ^ saw the horse arrive alone ; they conjectured what had
Untitled Article
500 The JVatchman .
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), July 2, 1829, page 500, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2574/page/52/
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