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Untitled Article
spirit becomes bold to explore the path of life , and clear-sighted to discern its issues . Higher , much higher things than these are done even in the early days of this second life * when it is referred to its Author and held at his disposal . Its hopes and fears , some newly-created , some only magnified- are too tumultuous to be borne unaided * There is no rest for them
but in praise or in resignation $ and thus are they sanctified , and prayer in- * vigorated . Thus does human love deepen the divine ; thus does a new earthly tie font closer thai which connects us with heaven ; thus does devotedness teach devotion * Never did man so cling to God for any thing which concerns himself , as for the sake of one he loves better than himself
Never is his trust so willing as on behalf of one whom he can protect to a certain extent , but no further . None can so distinctly trace the course of Providence as they who have been led to a point of union by different paths ; and none are so ardent in their adoration as they who rejoice that that Providence has led them to each other . To none is life so rich as to
those who gather its treasures only to shed them into each other's bosom ; and to none is heaven so bright as to those who look for it beyond the blackness and tempest which overshadow one distant portion of their path . Thus does love help piety ; and as for that other piety which has humanity for its object , —must not that heart feel most of which tenderness has become
the element ? Must not the spirit which is most exercised in hope and fear be most familiar with hope and fear wherever found ? How distinctly I saw all this in those who are now sanctifying their first sabbath of wedded love Yet how few who smiled and wept at their union looked in it for all that might be found I
There was occasion for kindly smiles at this happy fulfilment of a betroth men t which had brought with it many cares ; and the family parting called for tears ; but there was a deeper joy , and tears from a higher source , in some who understood the manly gentleness of the one and the trustful peace of the other of those who were now sanctioned in a companionship which had begun long before . There was no need for surprise at a mood in each so different from what had once and often been their wont . The
change was natural and right , and accountable to those who knew them . The one was at peace with all that world which had appeared so long at war with him . He feared nothing ; he possessed all ; and of the overflowings of his love he could spare to every living thing . The other thought of no world but the bright one above and the quiet one before her , in each of which dwelt one in whom she bad perfect trust . Jf there bad been
heed-Jessness of the guidance of Providence , or ignorance of any tiling in the heart of her husband , there must have been a mingling of apprehension with her trust , of trouble with her peace . But there was none such ; and if there be steadfastness in the laws of the affections , none such will there ever be , In her the progression has been so regular and the work so perfect * that any return to the former perturbations of her spirit seems impossi-
Untitled Article
766 Sabbath Musings .
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Nov. 2, 1831, page 766, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2603/page/42/
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