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Literary
August 17, 1764
The New Hampshire Gazette And Historical Chronicle
Portsmouth, Greenland, Rockingham County, New Hampshire
What is this article about?
An essay on divine providence illustrated by two moral tales: Moses witnesses a soldier kill an old man over a stolen purse, revealed as justice for the old man's past murder; a stranger kills a conspirator against Timoleon, avenging his brother's death unknowingly.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
On PROVIDENCE.
That great prophet, Moses, it is said, was called up by a voice from Heaven to the top of a mountain; where in a conference with the Supreme Being, he was permitted to propose to him some questions concerning his administration of the universe. In the midst of this divine colloquy, he was commanded to look down on the plain below. At the foot of the mountain there issued out a clear spring of water, at which a soldier alighted from his horse to drink. He was no sooner gone, than a little boy came to the same place, and finding a purse of gold which the soldier had dropped, took it up, and went away with it. Immediately after this, came an infirm old man; weary with age and travelling, and having quenched his thirst, sat down to rest himself by the side of the spring. The soldier missing his purse, returns to search for it, and demands it of the old man, who affirms he had not seen it, and appeals to Heaven in witness of his innocence. - The Soldier not believing his protestation, kills him. Moses fell on his face with a horror and amazement, when the divine voice thus prevented his expostulation :
Be not surprized, Moses, nor ask why the Judge of the whole earth has suffered this thing to come to pass : The child is the occasion that the blood of the old man is spilt; but know, that the old man whom thou sawest, was the murderer of that child's father.
The following, is another remarkable Instance to the same Effect :
Three persons had entered into a conspiracy to assassinate Timoleon as he was offering up his devotions in a certain temple : In order to it they took their several stands in the most convenient places for their purpose. As they were waiting for an opportunity to put their design in execution, a stranger having observed one of the conspirators, fell upon him and slew him. Upon which, the other two, thinking their plot had been discovered, threw themselves at Timoleon's feet, and confessed the whole matter. This stranger, upon examination, was found to have understood nothing of the intended assassination, but having several years before, had a brother killed by the conspirator, whom he here put to death, and having, till now, sought in vain for an opportunity of revenge, he chanced to meet the murderer in the temple, who had planted himself there for the above-mentioned purpose.
That great prophet, Moses, it is said, was called up by a voice from Heaven to the top of a mountain; where in a conference with the Supreme Being, he was permitted to propose to him some questions concerning his administration of the universe. In the midst of this divine colloquy, he was commanded to look down on the plain below. At the foot of the mountain there issued out a clear spring of water, at which a soldier alighted from his horse to drink. He was no sooner gone, than a little boy came to the same place, and finding a purse of gold which the soldier had dropped, took it up, and went away with it. Immediately after this, came an infirm old man; weary with age and travelling, and having quenched his thirst, sat down to rest himself by the side of the spring. The soldier missing his purse, returns to search for it, and demands it of the old man, who affirms he had not seen it, and appeals to Heaven in witness of his innocence. - The Soldier not believing his protestation, kills him. Moses fell on his face with a horror and amazement, when the divine voice thus prevented his expostulation :
Be not surprized, Moses, nor ask why the Judge of the whole earth has suffered this thing to come to pass : The child is the occasion that the blood of the old man is spilt; but know, that the old man whom thou sawest, was the murderer of that child's father.
The following, is another remarkable Instance to the same Effect :
Three persons had entered into a conspiracy to assassinate Timoleon as he was offering up his devotions in a certain temple : In order to it they took their several stands in the most convenient places for their purpose. As they were waiting for an opportunity to put their design in execution, a stranger having observed one of the conspirators, fell upon him and slew him. Upon which, the other two, thinking their plot had been discovered, threw themselves at Timoleon's feet, and confessed the whole matter. This stranger, upon examination, was found to have understood nothing of the intended assassination, but having several years before, had a brother killed by the conspirator, whom he here put to death, and having, till now, sought in vain for an opportunity of revenge, he chanced to meet the murderer in the temple, who had planted himself there for the above-mentioned purpose.
What sub-type of article is it?
Essay
Prose Fiction
What themes does it cover?
Religious
Moral Virtue
What keywords are associated?
Providence
Divine Justice
Moral Tale
Moses
Timoleon
Assassination
Revenge
Literary Details
Title
On Providence.
Subject
Divine Providence And Justice
Key Lines
Be Not Surprized, Moses, Nor Ask Why The Judge Of The Whole Earth Has Suffered This Thing To Come To Pass : The Child Is The Occasion That The Blood Of The Old Man Is Spilt; But Know, That The Old Man Whom Thou Sawest, Was The Murderer Of That Child's Father.
This Stranger, Upon Examination, Was Found To Have Understood Nothing Of The Intended Assassination, But Having Several Years Before, Had A Brother Killed By The Conspirator, Whom He Here Put To Death, And Having, Till Now, Sought In Vain For An Opportunity Of Revenge, He Chanced To Meet The Murderer In The Temple, Who Had Planted Himself There For The Above Mentioned Purpose.