Army and Navy herald. (Macon, Ga.) 1863-1865, February 09, 1865, Image 3

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Daily Bread. [Selection s for Every Day in the Week.~\ FRIDAY, FKB. 10. “Rejoice in the Lord alway.”— Phil. iv. 4. Rejoice, believer, in the Lobd, Who makes your cause his own; The hope that’s built upon his Word Can ne’er be overthrown. The true comforter in all distress is only God, through his Son Jesus Christ; and whosoever hath him, hath company enough, although he were in a wilderness all alone ; and he that hath twenty thousand in his company, if God be ab absent, is in a miserable wilderness and deso lation. In him is all comfort, and without him is none.— Cranmer. SATURDAY, FEB. 11. . “Rejoice with trembling.”—Ps. ii. 11. Though much exalted in the Lord, My strength is not my own ; Then let me-tremble at his word, And none sjjall me cast down. There is a fear without diffidence, and a trembling that may consist with joy. Trem bling is an effect of fear; but this fear, which we must effect, is reverential, not' slavish, not distrustful. Indeed, when we look upon our selves, and consider our own frailties and cor ruptions, and God’s infinite justice, we have too just cause of doubt and dejection, yea, were it not for better helps, of utter despair-; but when we cast up our eyes to the power of him that hath undertaken for us, and the faithfulness of him that hath promised, and the sure mercies of him that hath begun his good work in us, we can fear with confidence, and rejoice in our trembling. For what are our sins to his mer cies—our unworthiness to his infinite merits— our weaknesses to his omnipotence?— Flail. SABBATH, FEB. 12. “ Call the Sabbath a delight.”—lsa. lviii. 13. Thanks to thy name, O Lord, that we One glorious Sabbath more behold ; Our Shepherd, let us meet with thee Among thy sheep, within, thy fold. Philip Henry would often say, at the close of his Sabbath devotions—Well: if this be not heaven, it must be the way to it. Yes; it is then Christians often feel themselves, like Ja cob in his vision, at the ga e. They have earn ests and foretastes of the glory to be revealed. Perhaps they are never so willing as then to go. Many of them have wished to be released on this day ; and many have been gratified. But if they do not leave on the earthly Sabbath, they enter on the heavenly one. For there re maineth a rest to the people of God.— Jay. MONDAY, FEB. 13. “Thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.”— Rev. iii. 1. To walk as children of the day, To mark the precept’s holy light; To wage the warfare, watch and pray, Show who are pleasing in his sight. Not words alone it cost the Lord, To purchase pardon for his own ; Nor will a soul by grace restored, Return the Saviour words alone. An empty name of religion is but a poor and pitiful business. What though men and women have the largest-testiiqonial drawn up, in the most ample form, and subscribed by the hands of all the most eminent, godly, and discerning ministers, and private Christians of the city or country side wherein they live—what will it signify or avail if Christ’s hand be not at it, or if he shall subscribe aft er all their subscriptions, a plain contradiction to, and a downright deni al of, what they affirm. ’O! when shall we once look more seriously and concernedly after real religion and godliness, and be less concerned, and more holily indifferent, as to the name ? Durham. TUESDAY, FEB. 14. “ Call upon me in the day of trouble : I will deliver thee.”—Ps. i. 15. In every trouble, sharp and strong, To God my spirit flies ; My anchor-hold is firm in him, When swelling billows rise. This is the only effectual path out of sorrow. And this is effectual to deliver us from.every sorrow—the deepest and the worst. If we catch at worldly things for help, we shall find them but as straws, that mock our grasp. If we cling to men around us, they can hold us up but for a moment; nay, perhaps drag us with themselves, into a deeper sorrow. If we de pend upon ourselves, our strength is momently diminishing. But if we turn to God, in peni tence, in faith, with all the earnestness of drowning agony, he can, he will, he does, de liver us from the lowest deep. The Lord is a refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.— Griffith. WEDNESDAY, FEB. 15. “ Adorn the "doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.”— Titus ii. 10. 0 Lord I would be thine alone— Come take possession of thine own ; For thou hast set me free. Released from Satan’s hard command, See all my powers waiting stand To be employed by thee. Consider for your encouragement, that if you adorn the doctrine of Christ, it will for ever adorn you ; and as you have made it glorious in the world, it will make you for ever glorious in heaven. This is the reward which it promis eth. It will put a wreath of beams, a diadem of stars, a crown of glory upon your heads.— “ Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father.”— Hopkins. THURSDAY, FEB. 16. “A better country, that is, an heavenly.”— hkb. xi. 16. Sorrow and pain, and every care, And discord there shall cease; And perfect joy and love sincere, Adorn the realms of peace. The heavenly Canaan, Immanuel's land, a county better than the best of this world, where nothing is wanting to complete the happiness of the inhabitants—that land enjoys an everlast ing day ; “for there is no night there.” An eternal sunshine beautifies this better country ; but there is no scorching heat there. No clouds shall be seen there for ever; yet it is not a land of drought. The trees of the Lord's planting are set by the rivers of water, and shall never want moisture ; for they will have an eternal supply of the Spirit, by Jesus Christ, from his Father.— Boston. A Day of Fasting and Prayer. Joint resolutions adopted by Congress, re questing the President to appoint a day of Fasting, Humiliation and Prayer, with Thanksgiving. Whereas, We regard it at once to be the duty and privilege-of the representatives of a Chris tian people, at all times, to avail themselves of that moral power which is indispensable to the welfare of the State, and which the grace of God can alone" supply ; and, whereas, we regard the war in which we are engaged as, on our part, defensive of those principles which have the sanction of the word of God ; firmly persuaded that while we desire to secure obvious rights, to protect sacred interests, to vindicate just principles, to “ seek peace and pursue it,” we may confidently ask the blessing of Heaven ; desiring in all the departments of the govern ment that wisdom which the “Father of Lights” alone can inspii c ; assured that honorable peace is only possible through the grace of Him who can at will control the hearts of our enemies or defeat their plans ; believing that at the com mencement of another year it is becoming and appropriate to invoke the favor of Heaven be fore entering upon the untried realization of that time, which may yet remain to this solemn conflict; wishing to unite all the people of the land in that repentance to which the tfump of I’rovidence still summons us by war, and in that expression of gratitude which marvellous mercies should, even amid sorrows, inspire: Therefore, Resolved by the Congress of the Confederate States of America, That the Presi dent be respectfully requested to appoint the 22d day of February next as a day of fasting, humiliation and prayer, with thanksgiving.— And we hereby request all denominations of Christians throughout these Confederate States,, and all the soldiers of our armies, and all other citizens, to observe in some appropriate manner that day; remembering the great goodness of God, to which our achievements so impressively refer; supplicating the mercy of Almighty God, through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, that our manifold sins may be blotted out, the righteous anger of the King of Kings be turned away, the days of evil be shortened, sustaining-- grace be given to our people in their protracted trials, the shield of Omnipotence be extended over the heads, and unfailing virtues inspire the hearts, of our soldiers, wisdom from on High be imparted to all in civil and military authority, that our armies may be directed by th£ Lord of Hosts, our Executive and Legisla tive departments may be guided by the Judge of all the earth, and that He who is God over all, taking graciouily into His own hands all our affairs, may in that way and at that time which will be most merciful to us, ordain such a peace as shall at once secure our interests and independence, and reflect His glory, so that all men shall ascribe the praise to the God of our salvation. ♦- The Power of Reading. Benjamin Franklin tells us, in one of hi? let ters, that when he was a boy, a little book fell into his hands entitled Essays to do Good, by Cotton Mather. It was tattered and torn, and several leaves were missing. “ But the re mainder,” he says, “gave me such a turn of thinking as to have an influence on my conduct throffgh life: for I have always set a greater value on the character of a doer of good than on any other kind of reputation ; and if I have been a useful citizen, the public owes all the advantages of it to the little book,” Jeremy Bentham mentions that the current of his thoughts and studies was directed for life by a single phrase that.caught his eye at the end of a pamphlet, “The greatest good of the greatest, number.” There are single sentences in the New Testament that have awakened to spiritu al life hundreds of millions of dormant souls.— In things of less moment reading has a w*on drous power. George Law, a boy on his father’s farm, met an old unknown book, which told the story of a farmer’s son who went away to seek his fortune, and came home after many years absence a rich man, and gave great sums to all his relations. From that moment George was uneasy till he set out on his travels to im itate the adventurer. He lived over again the life he had read of, and actually did return a millionaire, and paid all his father's debts.— Robinson Crusoe has sent to *sea more sailors than the press gang. The story about little George Washington telling the truth about the hatchet and the plum tree has made many a truth-teller. We owe all the Waverly novels to Scott’s early reading of the old traditions and legends ; and the whole body of pastoral fiction came from Addison’s Sketches of Sir Roger DeCoverly, in the Spectator. But illus trations are numberless. Tremble ye who write, and ye who publish writing. A pamphlet has precipitated a revolution. " A paragraph may quench or kindle the celestial spark in a human soul—in myriads of souls. From the Christian Index. Restoration to Favor. Restore unto me the• joys of thy salvation. P*. 51: 12. (adapted.) Christian, have you not, as a lost sheep, erred and strayed—wandering from the home of your God? Have you not been seeking happiness in the shadowy and unreal—prefer ring the world and its delusive hopes to the pleasures of religion ? Has not your heart, which ought ever to be a little altar and sanc tuary of praise, been burning with false in cense? Have not the world and pleasure and wealth and gratification usurped that place in your affections where the love and glory of God ought to have been paramount? And is it not a marvel that God has not left you, as a wandering star, to drift onwards and onwards to the blackness of darkness forever? Is it not a wonder that he has not entirely given you over to a reprobate mind, to work out all uncleanness with greediness, and to effect your own everlasting shame, disgrace and misery ? Instead of which h i is calling you, and is working upon your mind, and bringing sor rowfully to your remembranee the blissful hours of his favor you once enjoyed, so that from your mourning heart goes forth the sad, sad refrain, “Oh, that it were with me, as in months past, when the candle of the Lord did shine! ” Come, Christian, return to the Lord that he may have mercy upon you, and to our God that he may abundantly pardon. Beg him to “ restore unto you the joy of his Salvation.” Let your petition be, “ 0 Lord, I beseech thee deliver my soul. Snap these chains of earth liness that are still binding me to the dust, that, upon the wings of faith I may soar up wards and find rest and quietude where alone it can be found—in thy renewed love and fa vor. May my past baekslidings drive me more to thy grace. Nothing in myself, may I feel and find that my all in all is in thee. Dis cover to me my own emptiness and the over flowing, fullness of Jesus. May I every day se# snore of his matchless excellences —more of his incomparable loveliness—more of the sweets of his service—that I may never feel ter ipted to wander from his fold, and carefully avoid all that would risk the forfeiture of that favor which, indeed, is ‘life.’ Lord, let me this day know something of this happiness. Let me not be content with the name to live. Let religion be with me a real thing—let it be everything—life-influencing, sin-subduing, self-renouncing. Let there be diffused all around me the happy glow of a spirit that feels at peace with God.” Offer this prayer, Chris tian, in sincerity and penitence, and peace, as a river, will flow into your soul. Can’t Help Ht. A little girl often followed her father round when he came into the bouse with this question : “ Father, what can Ido for you ? ” And never was she happier than when he gave her some thing to do for him. Once he said, perhaps tired with her asking : “ Child, why do you ask that question so much ? ” “0, father,” she answered, with two tears swelling in her eyes, “ because I can’t help it.” It was love that put the question; and her readiness to undertake whatever he set her about, was proof of the genuineness of that love—she wanted always to be doing something for lier father. People sometimes are in doubt whether they love God or not. I will tell them how they can find out. Are you often asking your Heavenly Father the same question this little child was asking her carthiy father? Is it one of your first thoughts : “ Lord, what wilt thou have me to do ?” and do you keep on asking because you cannot help it ? It so fills your heart that it must come out. And you not only ask, but are on tli e lookout all the time to hear what he says, and to do what he bids. This is the way to know whether you love God or not. And if we love him, and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, we shall keep his command ments ; that is, do whai he says. This is the proof of the genuineness of our love. Children, will you try yourselves by this test ? .<». The Spirit of the People: A call for a meeting of the citizens of Troup county, to assemble on the first Tuesday in this month, is published in the LaGrange Re porter, and is signed by the most prominent people to “assemble together and take counsel with each other, and tell our brave soldiers in the field that we are prepared to stand by them in this dark hour of our country’s peril; that while they are so manfully battling for Southern liberty, we, who are at home, extend to them our warmest sympathies—pledging that all we have and all we are, are staked in this holy cause.” “My Times are in Thy Hand!” [Selected for the Army & Navy Herald, by a Lady in Leon co., Fla.] “ My times are in Thy Hand ! ” I know not what a day Or e’en an hour may bring to me, But I am safe while trusting Thee Though all things fade away, All weakness I - On Him rely IVho fixed the earth, and spread the starry sky. “My times are in Thy Hand! ” Pale poverty or wealth Corroding care, or calm repose Springs balmy breath or wintry snjws, Sickness or bouyant health, Wliate’er betide If God provide ’Tis for the best—l ask no lot beside. “ My times are in Thy Hand ! ” Many or few my days I leave with Thee—this only pray That by Thy grace, 1 every day Devoted to Thy praise May ready be To welcome Thee Whene’er Thou com’st to set my spirit free. “ My times are in Thy Hand ! ” Howe’er those times may end— Sudden or slow my soul's release, Midst anguish, phrenzy or in peace, I’m safe with Christ, my friend ; If He is nigh Howe’er I die T’will be the dawn of Heavenly ecstacy. “ My times are in Thy Hand ! ” To Thee I can entrust My slumbering clay, till Thy command Bids all the dead before Thee stand, Awaking from the dust; Beholding Thee What bliss ’twill be With all Thy saints to spend eternity. To spend eternity In Heaven’s unclouded light; From sorrow, sin and frailty free, Beholding and resembling Thee ; Oh ! too transporting sight! Prospect too fair For flesh to bear ; Haste, haste, my Lord, and soon transport me . there. “ God with Us.” God with man ! with ourselves ! How inspi ring the doctrine ! Art thou a pilgrim, walk ingin perplexed ways. He is thy guide. “In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall di rect thy paths.” Thou art a creature of afflic tion and sorrow, lie is with thee as thou pass est through the water and through the fire.— “Call upon him in the day of trouble ; he shall deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify him.” Thou art tempted. But he is thy shield and thy strong tower. “In that he suffered, being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.” Dost thou feel thine own littleness and insignificance? Thy God thinketh upon thee. “The hairs of your head are all num bered.” “\ e are of more value than many sparrows.” Thou mayest.be little and unknown among men, but a precious diadem in the hand of thy God. “He is nigh unto thee, in. all that thou callest on him for.” Various and changing may be the scenes through which thou passest. But all shall be tempered by his wisdom for thine own advant age. “ All things work together for good unto them that love him.” Thou shalt die. But when thou walkest in the valley and shadow of death, he shall be with thee. Thou shalt moul der iD the dust. But thy “flesh also shall rest in hope;” for “in his book of thy members are written.” And while adoring “Him that sit teth upon the throne,” and “ the Lamb in the midst of the throne,” God with us shall be the burden of thy song forever. Is Christ our Emanuel? God is with us?— Then let us take care that we are with him— coming to him habitually in acts of faith and love—walking with him—and before him—so shall he to us be alband in all, the strength of our heart, and our portion forever. Watson’s Sermons. Wishing to Fight, and Fighting. A battle was going on. Firing was furious and rapid. The ambulance committees were not all busy, as not many wounded had been brought to the rear. As the combat deepened, one of the able bodied “ambulance” exclaim ed, “Oh, for a gun to join them!” Old. Con fed, just “ come out” with minnie hole in arm, leaning against a tree, took compassion on chiv alrous “Southern rights,” and drawled out, “ Mister, if ycr wants to fight, here’s yergun,” extending with his unwounded arm his musket. Ambulance on the instant looked straight into another direction and of course didn’t hear “ ragged britches.” • There’s a heap of difference between wishing to fight and fighting, and by words you can’t play “brave” on* an old soldier.