BREVITIES by J. Clarke

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 5, 1860

BREVITIES.

By J. Clarke

A MISTAKE.—It is a mistake for us to suppose that we can overcome merely by resisting evil: there must be a principle of love growing up in the heart, daily increasing, and taking possession of the whole man, rooting out the love of sin: and so making the resistance of sin, daily, a victory over the same: thus we overcome; but in a mere resistance of evil, without the cultivation of a new principle, we might fight a losing warfare, and finally lose the battle. Then let this love to God and truth grow and increase, and become strong, until its roots wind about in every part of the frame, and its branches overshadow the head. Then shall sin lose its strong hold, and garments of righteousness shall clothe the warrior.

WATCHFULNESS.—Do not tell your child to do a thing, and then do it yourself. If you do, he will soon govern you. There is one of two ways, either your child will be under your watch and care, or you will be under the watch-care of your child. Which do you prefer? Choose quickly and act promptly.

GoD's PROVIDENCE.—Eli little thought when he reproved Hannah for drunkenness, without proof of her guilt, while he excused his profligate sons against whom there was full proof of crime, that God looked with disgust upon his conduct, and so overruled things, that the son of that very chastened Hannah, proved to be the prophet that supplanted him and his family, and while yet a child, predicted the ruin of his (Eli's) family. Who knows but the wife of Eli justified her sons in sin, and stood in the way of their being brought to justice? Perhaps their parents thought that Hophni and Phinehas were very witty and smart.

PARTIALITY.—Some think that because you profess to feel brotherly love for them, you must be on their side, right or wrong, and when you cut with the sword upon the right hand and the left, you must be careful not to hit their dear favorite ideas, and self-willed ways; such forget the exhortation of Paul to Timothy, [first epistle v, 21], “ Doing nothing by partiality.”

INSANITY.—Sometimes we feel so anxious to keep our brethren right, that we lose sight of our own errors, and in our warmth of desire, we fancy we are very disinterested; and in our pious zeal we go beyond all proper bounds. Such a course reminds one of a man who was being taken to the insane asylum, and stopping at the tavern for refreshment, had the ingenuity to convince the landlord that the sheriff was the crazy man, and had him bound and taken to the asylum, and the maniac escaped for the time, while the officer was made an occupant of the maniac's apartment, until he proved his identity.

SEVERITY.—The skillful surgeon is more anxious to heal a wound than to increase his reputation for skill; yet he often must use the sharp instrument in clearing the body of corrupt matter, else death would ensue. “Spare not for his crying,” says the wise man; that is, when you do punish your child, make him feel it severely, but hold him to his reason and temper, and be sure he does not go off in a huff; if he does, chastise and reason alternately, until he submits pleasantly. If he is long stubborn, be so yourself, and conquer, if it takes twelve months or more.

J. CLARKE.