ON MORAL AND RELIGIOUS SUBJECTS. BY ROSWELL RICE, ESQ., ALBANY: PRINTED BY C. VAN BENTHUYSEN KD366 HARVARD COLLEGE Entered according to act of Congress, in the Clerk's office of the Northern District of New-York, By RoswELL RICE. ESQ. INTRODUCTION. I was born in the year 1803, in the town of WhiteCreek, Washington county, New-York, in which place I have resided ever since. My parents were born in the state of Connecticut, and emigrated in early life to the place of my nativity. From the days of my infancy, much of my pilgrimage has been a scene of suffering. When about a year old my life was despaired of, and I was to all appearance near the grave; but God said " Live," and I was restored to health. Again I was stricken with disease at the age of eight years; delirium seized my brain, and the night of death seemed to be just before me; but God in his abundant mercy rebuked the disease. By the imprudence of youthful ambition, when about fifteen years of age, I struck the fatal blow, which gave me a wound nature's sweet restorer can never heal. Then earthly bliss expired-the diadem of youth passed away, and the doleful scourge bound me in the gloom of night. The pains of an injured body and a vile heart weighed down my spirit, and the shroud of moral darkness spread over me; for I had trespassed on the laws of my physical constitution, and the consequences were and must be sure. While I meditated on my sad condition, I could neither enjoy earth or heaven. My mother, (now resting in the sepulchre) was a friend to her children, her Savior, and God. Her religious instructions in my early days, often aroused my memory, and the consciousness of my situation, and the necessity of a Savior, induced me to seek the salvation of my soul, and lay up my treasure in God. I met my Savior in Gethsemane, where he sweat blood for sinners, and to the foot of Mount Calvary, where he redeemed my soul. Here the strong chord which had bound sin as a heavy burden upon me, broke in sunder, and the mountain of guilt that pressed heavily on my soul, was washed away by the crimson stream that stained the brow of Calvary. My heart melted as I felt the love of Jesus, and my soul rejoiced in God my Savior. My frame was gradually sinking under the stroke I had brought upon it, and to all appearance I was soon to sleep in death. The physicians pronounced my disease mortal, and the direful sensations caused by the organic affection near the seat of life, confirmed their opinion, in my estimation, with more than tenfold sanction. I had taken my farewell of the world, and made up my mind to die. My physical constitution was sinking under its intolerable load; sudden paroxysms seized me, under the influence of which the tide of blood turned purple, caused by some obstruction in the aorta, the direful sensations of which indicated sudden dissolution. That dismal scene, which threatened with all the horrors of death, I shall never be able to describe to my reader-the like of which, may God prevent ever thwarting his pathway. After being confined to my bed for more than a year, my disease gradually gave way to the restoring efficacy of my constitution, and at the expiration of five years my health was in part restored, so that I have been most of the time since able to attend to some of the easy avocations of life for a livelihood; yet I am still afflicted with the same disease, and never while in the body shall I enjoy good health again. Here lost hope rides forth in gloomy prospect, and weans the soul from all earth's fading flowers. When in the midst of my affliction, my mother (one of the kindest of women) watched my couch, and gave me all the consolation maternal kindness could impart. To her it must have been a tiresome scene; but patience performed its office to the last request. My elder sister also lent her aid in time of danger, and in the tenderness of her heart often administered to my necessities. All my relatives exhibited their kindness, and labored abundantly for my temporal welfare. Through my sore and lingering illness, I had no disposition to repine, but placed my confidence in God, who had power to wound and heal, to kill and make alive. Since that time He has blest my basket and my store, and often imparted the riches of his grace to my soul. I have written the following work, not for earthly gain, but for the temporal and eternal welfare of mankind. The infidel may insult his only Benefactor by denying his existence, but my soul shall give honor to the Creator and Preserver of all worlds; who has sustained me to this present moment, and will be my shield and defence in being eternal future. And to God my heavenly Father, Christ my only Savior, and the Holy Ghost my Sanctifier, one triune Deity, I will ascribe all praise, dominion and power, henceforth forever! Whose favor I sincerely implore to accompany this volume I am preparing for the inspection of the world! may it melt the frozen heart, and lead the poor wandering sinner to repentance, hope, and Heaven! console the Christian! stir up the lukewarm professor, and lead him to the Rock of his salvation. |
