Scattered Seed

The freedom we have from God is such that no created thing, -- no idea, no image, no object, nor action, -- has power of itself to turn the soul, either for or against the will of God. There is nothing so wretched that it may not be converted to good use, nor even to the highest purpose, when received in a spirit of righteous submission; just as there is nothing so pure that it may not be spoiled, in a wicked and rebellious mind, intent on spoiling it.

I can conceive of no sharp rebuke which might not be made more efficacious by gentle, persuasive exhortation. A single word may stop the sinner in his tracks, but a sermon should help to redirect his steps.

God has given all good things for the correction and assuagement of the bad. How is it, then, that we still seek disputes, to settle disputation? Let us, rather, pray for a word of peace, to calm the already turbid waters.

Too many are inspired to speech; too few are inspired to silence.

There are lesser things, that we might have the honor, the pleasure, and the glory of discriminating the greater, and choosing thereof. We therefor insult and devalue the whole of creation, when we do not prefer, at all times, to contemplate only the holiest attributes of our Creator.

Afflictions are a sign of the confidence of God, who believes we can overcome them; and of the low regard of the devil, who believes we can be overcome by them.

One man's prison is another man's pilgrimage; a soul attentive to God, having been cut-off from the outside world, is thereby prepared for, and consigned to, the journey within.

There are tempters within, as without, but the Lord is our ever-present refuge.

The deeper our silence, the higher our speech.

All the wealth of creation is less than a pittance. Every worldly treasure is yet another lure into debt and, ultimately, debtor's prison. Truly, the heaviest chains are forged of gold. But the name of God is a palace, and His words are a kingdom raised over the world.

Every impulse, according to its nature, is either a move toward damnation or to salvation. The road to heaven is not long, but seems so; for we trace and retrace our steps, moment by moment.

The pleasures of the flesh pull us downward, while the pleasures of the soul lift us up.