00_1852-07-22 Diary of Martha Call 2021.061.001

him for these things as much as I should have done had he been better clothed, and more cared for, but it was time that something was donethis morning George spent the first hours of school sliding, and came in and took his seat after his class had finished reading. I kept him after the other children had gone, and then, when he was as I thought in considerable dread of what was to follow, sat down beside him, and asked him if he had no better coat than the one he wore to school. He had not. I asked him if he didn't think that he should be a better boy if he had a better coat. He thought he should. and the poor little fellows eyes brightened at the thought. I asked him if his mother would make over an old coat for him, if I would give her one. He thought she would, and I dismissed him in a very happy state of mind. When I came home I applied to George Parsons, and he gave me a nice coat of his own, which if made properly will make Georgie look like a different boy. This I have carried to the mother, found her very grateful, and very happy to try her hand at tailoring, so i have great hopes of doing the little fellow some good, and perhaps making a better boy of him.

190 Sunday, Jan 23 This morning we were exceedingly pleased to see Mr Little once more in the [illegible]. He has been suffering for a number of weeks with a slow fever, and looks quite feeble now, but he gave us a most excellent sermon from the text "He that has ears to hear, let him hear." He spoke first of the adaptation of means to ends. This is of two kinds first as a [final?] adaptation, as the lungs are adapted to recieve and throw out the air, which is done involuntarily, and without any action of the will. secondly a moral adaptation, when it is by the will that the adaptation is made.

The command of the text does not apply merely to hearing with the outward ear, there is no need of a command for this. Man is so conflicted that whatever sound [illegible] upon the [tympanum?] of the ear, must be heard. It refers to something more, to in which God speaks to us, and which he that hath ears to hear, is exalted to hear. First in the Bible this is the most direct revelation of God's will. To us is accorded the priveledge of reading and studying it with none to molest us, or make us afraid. Niether Pope nor Pagan can prevent our having it every one in his own language, and we glory in it. Not one but would defend the priveledge with his life.

191 but would resist to the utmost any efforts to take it from him. But if we at the same time suffer it to be dust covered and unopened, we are truly guilty. The Bible does not need our support, our patronage. It is ours to study, it is the revelation of God's will to man. "He that hath ears to hear let him hear." Secondly, preaching, the preaching of the [??] Gospel is a God-appointed means of grace. He has expressly declared that by the foolishness of preaching he will save those that believe the message therefore of the preacher, coming as it does baptized by the sanctity of the place, should be recieved as the meassge of God. "He that hath ears to hear, let him hear." Again, in the course of life, when changes are brought about in your [??], think not that any of them come [??]. or that they have no bearing, save on the present. The hand of God is in it, and we should hear what he speaks to us. We live in an age where great changes sre going on and greater ones are yet to come. Do you feel no interest in the revolutions in Europe? in the opening of China? in the expeditions to Papua? in the advances that popery is making in our own country, and in Europe? It was the custom of President Edwards when he had the happiness of recieving a journal of the changes going on in other

192 [countrease?] , a rare thing in his day, to make the inquiry. How will these things affect the prosperity of the kingdom of Jesus? and if after reading the record of current events you will reverently bow your head to the earth you will hear a sound, the gathering of the armies of the Lord of Hosts, and if you will raise your eyes and look abroad over the face of the earth, you will see all rushing to their several [standards?] Every one must take a place. Shall we come out boldly on the Lord's side? We had a particularly interesting Sabbath School lesson today, on the mercy of God. I think that the Broughten improved very much upon acquaintance. I wish that he would call and see me again. This afternoon Professor Pond preached from Isaiah,28,17 " Judgment also will I lay to the line, and rightousness to the plummet: and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overthrow the hiding place."

This page is blank