No 1. THE CHRISTIAN DISCIPLE. JANUARY. 1815. VOL. III. ON THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE YEAR. WHEN we arrive at the commencement of a new year, we seem to be placed as on an eminence, from which we may have extensive prospects. We may look back on a long succession of ages, generations, and revolutions; on the years we have lived, the favors we have received, the dangers we have escaped, the changes we have experienced, the duties we have performed or neg lected. We may look around and behold the present state of things in the world, in our own country, in our respective societies and families. Then we may look forward into an ocean of futurities, probabilities, possibilities, uncertainties, and perplexities, enough to overwhelm the soul and fill it with dismay, were it not for the consoling thought, JEHOVAH Reigns. been sudden, unexpected and terrible. They have defeated human calculations, and often filled the world with astonishment and consternation. Seldom have the people of this country entered a new year with prospects more gloomy than the present. Our lot is cast in perilous times, in an age of surprizing revolutions and changes in the state of empires and nations. In the scriptures, the convulsions of kingdoms and states are represented by earthquakes. This metaphor seems particularly applicable to the convulsions and overturnings in the present age. Like earthquakes they have 1 How tremendous have been the events in Europe since the year 1800! How immense the destruction of property, of lives, and of happiness! But for what has been all this waste and ruin? On the part of man, it has been to gratify, or to resist the ambition of wicked and unprincipled mortals. On the part of God, it has been to punish guilty nations, to humble the proud, and, we hope, to prepare the way for times of reformation. The vials of God's anger have been remarkably poured out on the nations of christendom. But, "For all this his anger is not turned a way, but his hand is stretched out still." And what is in reserve no human sagacity can foresee. 1 For many years after the convulsions in Europe commenced, we seemed to be distinguishingly favored. We felt not the scourge of war; yea, we were even enriched by the calamities of other nations. tions. But our ingratitude kept pace with our prosperity. By the indulgence of party ambition among ourselves, and bewildering partialities for foreign nations, we became too unmindful of what was due to our God and to ourselves. We first became a nation divided against itself, and then rushed unprepared into war with a foreign power. Where such a course, if persisted in, must land us, we need no prophet to foretel. With sufficient clearness, the history of other nations predicts our destiny. We are not disposed to excite needless alarm, nor to indulge in gloomy and uncertain conjectures. Two things are very sure-one is, that our sufferings will not be greater than our iniquities deserve the other, that the Most High ruleth over men. He re gards the ery of a penitent, suffering people; but those who walk in pride he is able to abase. The course of events in the last year on the continent of Europe, excited a hope that God would soon give permanent peace to all the contending nations. In this however we may be sadly disappointed, and the year to come may be, beyond all that our eyes have seen, a year of blood, desolation, and misery. At least, it may be so to our country. We seem to be nearly ripe for scenes which appal the heart, even while viewed at a distance, and with hope of escape. It is certainly in the power of God, and perhaps it is in his purpose, to deprive us of our abused privileges, and to pour up on us vials of anger, as terrible as have been experienced in France, or Spain, or Germany. Alas! who shall live, when God doth this?" But what are our claims to exemption from such evils, as have befallen other nations? Are we better than they? Are we more wise, or more powerful, or more united? Are we more awake to our danger, or more disposed to reformation? The possibility of our being called to witness such scenes of woe, together with the probability or danger which results from our guilt and our divisions, may well excite every individual to fly to the throne of mercy and implore pardon for himself and his country. Could we but see evidence of a general spirit of contrition, union, and reformation, we should have solid ground for hope, that the dismal cloud which hangs over us would be dispelled; that the anger of God would be turned away, and that instead of deserved vengeance and ruin, we should experience mercy and salvation. But whatever may be the fate of our nation, even if no signal calamity should befal us as a people, the ordinary course of events must annually sweep away many thousands of our country men. Yet who can point out the individuals, whose names are this year to be registered among the dead? Or who can name the person who has assurance that he shall be alive, when the year shall close? Is there one among all the millions in these states, who can safely say, This year I shall not die? If then many thousands of us must die in the course of the year, and one has assurance of life, not for another year, nor even another hour, is it not time for every one to call himself to a serious account, and to become prepared for the final reckoning? no With what feelings should every family commence the year? Surely with feelings of gratitude, |