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Editor's Table, June 1852

From: Editor's Table
Creator:  A (author)
Date: June 1852
Publication: The Opal
Source: New York State Library

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13  

Now that a good Bishop of the Methodists has gone to Heaven, we should be happy to see the learned Editor of this Methodist Review, occupying a place which devoted piety and talent has vacated, and by enlarging his sphere of active engagements, be a bright and shining light in the Church militant, and reign forever in the Church triumphant, as one of the precious number whose robes are washed white in the blood of the Lamb.

14  

Spring, in its season "of sweet prospect, sweet birds, end sweet flowers," carries to the metropolis bands of christian people, whose delight is in the "law of the Lord: in his law do they meditate day and night." Assembling in the fashionable places, there are read reports of varied interests -- the Tract, Bible, and Missionary Societies; Seamen's and Orphan's interests; Poor Widows' and Small Children, and the Society for Respectable Aged and Indigent Females. The chief interest, however, centres in the two great Soceties -sic-, the Tract and Bible, moral means and intellectual, addressing the understanding and through the heart. These form a multitude that have power with the arm that moves the universe, because they are men of prayer, and have power with God.

15  

The Tract Society was projected in the parlor of Mr. David L. Dodge, a rich importing merchant of New-York, and the Bible Society with Mr. E. Boudinott, who gave Ten thousand dollars for its formation, and was its first president. These are two great moral means; and the Missionary, in the language of Bishop Heber, carrying a better religion to superstition and bigotry, forms a third, among other wonderful means used by the great God to reform and to recall unto himself his fallen creatures, and to enlighten them.

16  

These interests have become wonderful! -- The Tract Society moves onward, with power and celerity and ability. The Bible Society exhibits operations and resources extensive and expanding.

17  

The speeches at these Anniversaries are good. The talented and pious persons who greet each other, old friends and schoolmates, who have separated far in the journey of life, meeting at the metropolis as sort of cross-road, where they pause to refresh themselves with some awakening reminiscences of departed and happy days. We wish them well, as imitators and exemplars of virtue, whose hue is born in heaven. We would emulate their devotion to the interests of society; "the year a change brought to all" save our love for the apostles of sincerity and truth; and while many have stumbled upon the dark mountains of death, being wearied, we rejoice that the King of Zion will uphold his children, even though no martial band may admire the adroitness of their movements, nor fashionable throng weep and tremble at their eloquence, yes, even though they may live in secret and die neglected, or pine away in the abodes of superstitious intolerance or idol-worhsipping -sic- bigotry.

18  

There is a nobleness in the services of Christianity that stimulates to exalted purpose, and while the Societies meet, we hope will commune with the "still, small voice" that urges to virtue and its comforts.

19  

With the great religious Societies, the Association of Medical Superintendents of American Institutions for the Insane met likewise at the Astor House. This little band has continued another year, with no diminution of their numbers, though two have lost their Asylums by fire. Their reports, in general, exhibit unusual prosperity and success. We have a direct interest in wishing the blessing of the "Dweller in the bush" on their efforts.

20  

The women of the metropolis are doing wonders. The nucleus of depravity hath become the reservoir of virtue, and instruction for ignorance, cleanliness for impurity, elevation for degradation, religion for vice, hath opened up the way to glory, -- all accomplished by women, who collected thousands of dollars, and expended them all in the amelioration of one spot of wickedness.

21  

The Savings' Banks of New-York, as a means of usefulness to mankind, are wonderful. The men who established them, Dr. Pentard and others, are gone to reap their reward. We look back to our call the Old Bank with delight; we went with two little nephews to make their deposits, with each his Five dollars, and being unable to write their names, grasping their hands in this, we wrote the little fellows' names, handed their deposit to Mr. Campbell P. White, and wished well to the young bankers and the great cause.

22  

The Bible Society was instituted in the Court of Sessions Room, at the City Hall, in 1816. Judge Platt, George Griffin, Dr. Nott, and Mr. P.A. Jay were the speakers, and after torrents of eloquence. Mr. Jay rose and spoke, seeming like a zephyr to a whirlwind, so gentle was he. Earthly prospects may fail, earthly friends may drop into the tomb, but the Almighty never forsakes his friends:

23  

Seas may waste, skies in smoke decay,
Rocks fall to dust, and mountains melt away,
But fixed His words, His sovereign power remains,
His realm for ever lasts, His own Messiah reigns.

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