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So far so good , " '' ¦ '» " Speculations on the mysterious government and providence of God , f have ever considered as much Wore dangerous ; productive of scepticism and a loss of faith . " ( One can hardly help suspecting that her acute mind detected the fallacy of her own opinions , when viewed in this'light . ) " From whatever source may have been the origin of evil , or for whatever end it may have been permitted by Him who has all power , I firmly believe were not designed to be the objects of our inquiry ; and however some speculative minds may be buried in these things , yet observation may convince us that they diminish rather than add to their happiness , make them in general less fitted for social life , and sometimes worse than useless members of society . ' *
Whether our meditations on such subjects diminish or add to our happiness , would probably be a pretty correct test of the truth of the data from which we set out ( for there is nothing but truth which will reach to the stars ) ; but there is prudence in the above observation , for it is galling to strive with the chain which we want strength to break . Any religion , any system of opinions , that the wit or folly of man has ever devised , may be made instrumental to individual comfort and virtue ; but he who would look
beyond this narrow sphere , and speculate on the destiny of myriads , must attain to something of speculative truth , or be miserable . One practical quotation we will give , and then we have done : " Since the nature of man requires constant watchfulness , and a close inspection into our conduct is necessary , I think it may not be unprofitable to ask ourselves the following or similar questions at the close of each day , before we go to rest : " 1 st . Did I rise at a proper time in the morning , and , not having indulged
sloth and laziness , endeavour to collect my thoughts for the purpose of devotion ; with thankfulness reflect oil the continued mercies of my Creator , and , from a deep sense of the necessity of Divine grace , ardently pour out my soul , according to the ability given , in fervent supplications at the footstool of His throne , who is ever reaay to give to those who ask aright ? 2 d . Have I endeavoured , in . every occurrence of the day , to preserve a meek and humble deportment ; discarded every emotion of anger and resentment ; not given way to any perverse thought or act , but checked every imagination that tended to evil ? 3 d . Have I avoided all untruth and * dissimulation ;
endeavoured that my words might be few and savoury , and that temperance in all things might be preserved ? 4 th . Have I in no instance omitted to do good ; administering according to ability given , both to the spiritual and temporal wants of my fellow-creatures ; remembering that time is not to be spent in idleness ; and that it becomes those who have not their hands full with labouring in the care of their own families , more especially to abound
in works of charity , clothing the naked , and visiting the sick B 5 th . Have I been sincere in my endeavours to act for the glory of God ; not playing the hypocrite , or seeking the praise of men ; but keeping my heart pure and undefiled ; have I diligently improved those talents committed to my care , seeking to approve myself a faithful steward to him who judgeth righteously ?"
It will be seen that here is no idle reliance upon inward baptisms and sp iritual espousals , nothing that can supersede the necessity of holiness of life and conversation ; and it is truly painful , after fifty years of such meditations , to read that she is " overshadowed with a cloud , " and that she has " not yet attained to the full assurance of faith . " If we may be allowed for a moment to presume that our own simple views on this subject are truth , we can hardly help saying , " Whence is the error ? Why did a
Untitled Article
544 % Extracts from th * Journal of Margaret Woo&s .
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Aug. 2, 1829, page 544, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2575/page/24/
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