Christian Trials

"The howling tempest," says Stephenson, "testifies to the goodness and mercy of Providence, in stirring the stagnant atmosphere, dispersing the unwholesome vapours, and making the sun himself appear more clear. So the trials of this life rouse the slumbering Christian, dispel his misty doubts, his cloudy fears, and oft bequeath to him a bright sunshine of peace."

"To the above may be added a remark of Mason's: "When a founder has cast his bell, he does not at once put it into the steeple, but tries it with the hammer, and beats it on every side, to see if there be a flaw. So when Christ converts a man He does not at once convey him to heaven, but suffers him first to be beaten upon by many temptations and afflictions, and then exalts him to his crown. As snow is of itself cold, yet warms and refreshes the earth, so afflictions, though in themselves grievous, keep tho Christian's soul warm and make it fruitful"