Little things light on the lines of our lives,—­
  Hopes, and joys, and acts of to-day,—­
And we think that for these the Lord contrives,
  Nor catch what the hidden lightnings say. 
Yet, from end to end, His meaning arrives,
  And His word runs underneath, all the way.

Is life only wires and lightning, then,
  Apart from that which about it clings? 
Are the thoughts, and the works, and the prayers of men
  Only sparrows that light on God’s telegraph strings,
Holding a moment, and gone again? 
  Nay; He planned for the birds, with the larger things.

XLV.  OBSERVANCE OF THE SABBATH. (186)

Gardiner Spring, 1785-1873, was the son of Samuel Spring, D.D., who was pastor of a Congregational church in Newburyport, Massachusetts, for more than forty years.  The son entered Yale College, and was valedictorian of his class in 1805.  He studied law for a time; then went to Bermuda, where he taught nearly two years.  On his return he completed his law studies, and practiced his profession for more than a year.  In 1810, having studied theology at Andover, he was ordained as pastor of the “Brick Church” in New York City.  Here he remained till his death.  He was elected president of Dartmouth College, and also of Hamilton, but declined both positions.  His works, embracing about twenty octavo volumes, have passed through several editions; some have been translated into foreign languages, and reprinted in Europe.  As a preacher, Dr. Spring was eloquent and energetic. ###

The Sabbath lies at the foundation of all true morality.  Morality flows from principle.  Let the principles of moral obligation become relaxed, and the practice of morality will not long survive the overthrow.  No man can preserve his own morals, no parent can preserve the morals of his children, without the impressions of religious obligation.

If you can induce a community to doubt the genuineness and authenticity of the Scriptures; to question the reality and obligations of religion; to hesitate, undeciding, whether there be any such thing as virtue or vice; whether there be an eternal state of retribution beyond the grave; or whether there exists any such being as God, you have broken down the barriers of moral virtue, and hoisted the flood gates of immorality and crime.  I need not say that when a people have once done this, they can no longer exist as a tranquil and happy people.  Every bond that holds society together would be ruptured; fraud and treachery would take the place of confidence between man and man; the tribunals of justice would be scenes of bribery and injustice; avarice, perjury, ambition, and revenge would walk through the land, and render it more like the dwelling of savage beasts than the tranquil abode of civilized and Christianized men.