WHO has not observed in passing through the crowded streets of ourcity, how great, comparatively, is the number of those, who are moreor less deformed? My heart aches for these poor unfortunates, whoare deprived of some of the legitimate avenues of enjoyment whichGod has so bounteously vouchsafed to me.
Here is one (and it would seem to me the most unmitigated of all thecatalogue) who is groping his way along in darkness, holding fast bythe hand of a little girl. There is another who has lost a limb, andmakes his way along with the utmost difficulty. Yonder is one soextremely deformed, that his sensitiveness forbids him often toappear in the crowded streets. And there is another still, who isquite helpless, sitting in a little wagon drawn about by a faithfuldog.
In the minds of different individuals, these various aspects ofdeformity produce pity, disgust, and horror; but I have oftenthought, could we but look, as God looks--down into the audiencechamber of the spirit--the heart--how differently our minds would beaffected at the sight of these bodily deformities. Perhaps yon poorblind man, grinding away upon his hand-organ, whose natural eyes forlong, weary years, have been closed against the profusion of beautyaround him, has had the eyes of his understanding opened, and thepure light from the eternal throne illumes the depth of his soul.Perhaps he, who hobbles slowly and sadly along upon his crutches,treads with care and unknown joy, the narrow way,--and when,life's journey's over, he walks through the valley of the shadow ofdeath, he will fear no evil; for a rod and a staff unknown to hisearthly pilgrimage, they will comfort him. Who shall say but he,whose deformity drives him from the public way, walks continuallybefore God and Angels--a perfect man? It may be, that yon helplessone--so helpless that his mother feeds him--has power to move thearm that moves the world; for God hears prayer.
It is a most solemn truth that He who is the judge of quick anddead, looks not upon the outer man; but upon his inner, spiritualnature. With His judgment, it matters not, that a man be deformed;that his eyes be blind or his tongue be tied: is the heart allright?--has it become a sanctuary, meet for the spirit's residenceand lighted by the Sun of Righteousness, where every word, thought,and deed, becomes an acceptable sacrifice to God? is it notdisturbed by sin or blinded by passion? These are the things whichhave to do in the estimate which God puts upon every intelligentcreature. Take good care then, my brother pilgrim, that the heart isall right--though the body which covers it for a little season isdistorted and maimed.
THE END.
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