Morning Star

Our Privileges.

Few realize as they should how great privileges they enjoy. In addition to the countless blessings that we are the unworthy partakers of in common with all the human family, the inhabitants of this land, and especially those of New England's "rock-bound coast," are peculiarly favored. Ours is a land of liberty. While other nations have to endure a grievous yoke of oppression, denied the enjoyment of some of their dearest rights, we have the protection of equal and wholesome laws, and feel that we are secure in the possession of all the rights of men. Ours is a land of light. No where are the means of information more abundant, or knowledge more generally diffused. All may be, and nearly all are intelligent, and possess a good stock of knowledge on most subjects. How many millions of minds in other nations are shrouded in ignorance and superstition. Ours is a land rich with gospel blessings. Most of the people have the Bible, can read and understand it; they have Sabbath and sanctuary privileges, and other gracious instrumentalities. In other lands it is not so: the people have no Bible, Sabbath or other ordinary means of grace.

It is true that there is a fearful exception to these remarks in a large section of the country, where a numerous class of our fellow citizens are unrighteously deprived of their dearest rights and privileges. This deadly stain pollutes our national character, and casts a dark cloud over our prospects. But New England, the home of the puritans, is free. Let her from all her hills and dales, lift up her voice for the oppressed, and fearlessly and constantly denounce oppression, and our whole union will soon be free. Let the curse of slavery be removed and the United States would be the freest, happiest, richest, strongest, nation on earth. It is not the glittering sword, or the roaring cannon, nor multitudes of warriors, forts or navies, that make a nation strong: the arm of the Lord is the only sure defence, and it is never promised to protect the guilty. It is not the fertile field that insures plenty: it is the Lord that makes the year fruitful or sends desolation, as he wills. It is not abundant resources that constitute happiness: the hand writing on the wall that blasted Belshazzar's peace in the midst of his revelry, can as easily blast ours, whatever may be our prospects. A sense of the favor of God affords the only substantial bliss. Constitutions can never guaranty freedom, but the virtue and intelligence of the people can.

It is seen that we enjoy distinguished privileges. As individuals and communities how great is our obligation to the gracious Giver! He has lent us all these favors, and made us stewards over these bounties; it becomes us then to make a wise use of all these means of grace The time is short. Soon we shall be called to our final account, and then it would be far better for us never to have enjoyed these privileges, than to enjoy and abuse them. Let us seek to be good stewards of the manifold grace of God, that when our Lord cometh, he may have his own with usury.

J. J. B.