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diff --git a/old/64876-0.txt b/old/64876-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 3019ab8..0000000 --- a/old/64876-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,965 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook, The Numbering of the People, by George Allen - - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - - - - -Title: The Numbering of the People - A Sermon in conjunction with the census of 1861 preached in St. Thomas' Church, Islington, on Sunday Evening, April 7 - - -Author: George Allen - - - -Release Date: March 20, 2021 [eBook #64876] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - - -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE NUMBERING OF THE PEOPLE*** - - -Transcribed from the 1861 B. Seeley edition by David Price. Many thanks -to the British Library for making their edition available. - - - - - - “THE NUMBERING OF THE PEOPLE.” - - - ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ - - A Sermon - - IN CONNECTION WITH THE CENSUS OF 1861, - - PREACHED IN - - ST. THOMAS’ CHURCH, ISLINGTON, - - ON SUNDAY EVENING, APRIL 7, - - BY THE - - REV. GEORGE ALLEN, - _Theological Associate_, _King’s College_, _London_, - INCUMBENT. - - * * * * * - - * * * * * - - PUBLISHED BY REQUEST. - - * * * * * - - * * * * * - - B. SEELEY, ISLINGTON GREEN; - SEELEY, JACKSON, & HALLIDAY, FLEET STREET. - - * * * * * - - The profits of publication will be devoted to the purchase of the new - Organ recently erected in the Church. - - - - -TO THE MEMBERS OF THE CONGREGATION OF -ST. THOMAS’, ISLINGTON. - - -MY DEAR FRIENDS, - -THIS Sermon was not written with a view to publication. I have consented -to its being printed at the earnest request of several of the most -experienced members of the congregation, to whose judgment, I felt it -would be but false modesty not to defer, when they assured me that they -considered it might, under God, be the means of doing good, and that its -publication would be a source of pleasure to you generally. - -The Sermon—prepared amidst the pressure of parochial duties—is printed by -desire exactly as it was delivered from the pulpit. I must therefore -crave your indulgence for whatever imperfections may be found in it. - -With all its faults, however, I dedicate it to you as an expression of -warm affection and gratitude for the many kindnesses I have received at -your hands; and earnestly praying that the Almighty will graciously -vouchsafe His blessing to this feeble, but I trust sincere, endeavour to -promote His glory and your spiritual good, - - I have the happiness to subscribe myself, - Your faithful Friend and Minister, - GEORGE ALLEN. - - * * * * * - -_Upper Barnsbury Street_, _Islington_, - 8_th_ _April_, 1861. - - - - -A SERMON. - - - NUMBERS i. 1, 2, 19. - - “And the LORD spake unto Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the - tabernacle of the congregation, on the first day of the second month, - in the second year after they were come out of the land of Egypt, - saying, take ye the sum of all the congregation of the children of - Israel . . . As the LORD commanded Moses, so he numbered them in the - wilderness of Sinai.” - -THE reading the words of the text, dear brethren, will make it obvious, -that I desire this evening, to direct your attention to thoughts -connected with the great national act now taking place, the numbering the -people, _the census_. Whilst the preacher of the Gospel should be -exceedingly careful, not to allow the things of time and sense to form -the burden of his ministry, yet there is much wisdom and profit, in -making use of those temporal matters which are engaging men’s thoughts, -as vehicles for reminding them of spiritual and eternal verities. By -such a course a fitting direction is given to the minds of _believers_; -their contact with worldly duties is made a means of promoting their -spiritual life. By such a course also the attention of the _still -unconverted_ is arrested, and those startling truths which tend to the -awakening of the soul, find sometimes, by God’s blessing, a lodgment in -the memory, because of their association with topics of worldly interest. -I pray that my endeavour this evening to improve the occasion of this -important national act—the taking of the census—by suggesting a few -thoughts in connection with it, may be blessed of the Holy Spirit to the -honour of our God, and the good of our souls. - -I would classify my remarks, because I wish them to form the material of -much afterthought on your parts, under these divisions:— - -1st. The propriety and uses of a national census, and our duty with -regard to it. -2nd. The thoughts which arise from the questions of the census paper. -3rd. An omission in the census paper suggesting an important line of -thought. -4th. The final census. - - * * * * * - -(I.) The propriety and uses of a national census, and our duty with -regard to it. - -Enumerations of the people, more or less complete, have found place in -almost all nations. They seem an obvious necessity in all collections of -men pretending to a national existence. Without them all legislation for -the internal welfare of a country and for its external defence must be -mere hap-hazard work. Those to whom is committed the heavy burden of -ruling a great people such as this, have I think, a positive right to all -that information from the governed which may help them in the discharge -of their onerous and responsible duties. It is not patriotic, to use no -loftier term, to look upon our government with the jaundiced eye of -suspicion, more especially when it exercises no undue inquisitiveness, -and pledges itself, as the government of our day does by the terms of the -census forms, that “The facts will be published in general abstracts -only, and strict care will be taken that the returns are not used for the -gratification of curiosity.” - -Of course, dear friends, I am not qualified to speak fully of the uses of -a national census—a statesman only could do this, yet it is self-evident -that everything which tends to the amelioration of public evils and the -furtherance of the public good, must be subserved by the statistics so -gained. Not only distinctive legislation, but also all our schemes for -the extension of education and the promotion of the work of Christ’s -Church can only find arguments, exactitude, and adaptation from the -knowledge to be gained by a national census. I could enter into some -details, were it necessary or desirable in this place, to illustrate and -prove these points: but I think you will all be prepared to admit at once -that it is self-evident, that the plans of our rulers, and the efforts of -the philanthropical among us to do good in their day and generation, must -be very greatly facilitated by the information the census papers, if -faithfully filled up, will afford. - -It seems strange that a measure so obviously proper and useful should -have had so many difficulties to contend with, and that these -difficulties should not have wholly disappeared before the boasted -enlightenment of the nineteenth century. Prejudice must have been -intensely strong in days gone by; for it would seem to have to bear, -deservedly, the chief blame for past neglect in seeking the important -information which can alone be obtained through this channel. It was not -till 1801, I believe, that the first actual enumeration of the people of -England and Scotland took place, although an imperfect attempt to -ascertain the number of the population had been made in the previous -century. Since 1801 the census taking has become more general in the -United Kingdom. England and Scotland were again enumerated in 1811, and -since then at the decennial periods of 1821, ’31 ’41 ’51; Ireland has -also been included in these latter census takings, and we may hope that -as the people become more accustomed to the matter, and more thoughtful -as to its uses, all remnants of the antiquated prejudice which hindered -it so long, will die out. I would help towards this desirable end by -noticing for a passing moment the most prevalent _objection_ urged -against the census. - -It is not in a few quarters that you hear, and probably in still more -quarters the notion is held, that the census is unscriptural, and -therefore will bring down upon the nation a curse and not a blessing. -Whence does this notion arise? From a mistaken interpretation of -Scripture. Do you not remember, says the objector, in a tone which -implies that he thinks he is about to demolish your case at once, Do you -not remember that David sinned in numbering the people, and that in -consequence a pestilence slew thousands of his subjects? Yes, I remember -well the Scripture fact. David sinned in numbering the people, but that -does not therefore prove that numbering the people is an act in itself -wrong. David sinned because he did a right thing from a wrong motive. -Shall we say that almsgiving is sinful because some give from ostentation -and pride? Surely not. David numbered his people to gratify his pride, -to see his way to the carrying out designs of ambitious conquest, -concerning which, because he knew he was doing wrong, he took not counsel -of God. And if we now number the people in this vain-glorious, -God-neglecting, proud, self-reliant spirit, then we too sin. But surely -to number them with the view, under God, of furthering the internal -welfare of the kingdom and securing the defence of the precious -privileges God has given us to guard, is not to act in David’s sinful -spirit. Let us pray for ourselves and rulers, my friends, that God may -be recognised in this census taking, that thanks may be given to Him for -any increase and progress in our nation this census may discover, and -that as He has cared for us in the past, we may make all our plans for -the future under the direction of His teaching and in dependence upon His -blessing. - -But in truth, dear friends, this objection from Scripture is fully met -and controverted in Scripture itself. God can never be the author of -evil, yet you will notice in our text, and you will find the same thing -in the 26th chapter of this book of Numbers, that God himself, at the -commencement and close of Israel’s journey in the wilderness, commanded -the numbering of the people above a certain age. What God has once -commanded cannot in itself be wrong, else were God the author of evil. -The right thing becomes a wrong thing in us, when we do it in a wrong and -sinful spirit. - -And now, dear friends, if you are satisfied that the taking the census is -not only not contrary to, but sanctioned by Scripture, and that its uses -are most important to the welfare of the state, bear with me if I urge -upon you your duty with regard to the paper you will deliver into the -hand of the appointed enumerator to-morrow. _You are bound to fill up -that paper carefully and faithfully_. - -I might urge a _selfish_ motive to induce you to do so; the future -welfare of the state,—politically, socially, religiously,—depends in a -measure upon the exactitude of the returns—the interest of each is bound -up in the interest of all—what furthers the public weal will enhance your -private benefit. - -I urge again this duty upon the ground of _your obligations to your -neighbour_. To the discharge of this care for his good, religion binds -you; and so also your position as a citizen of this country. You have no -right to say you will do, and have a right to do, as you please in this -matter. You receive great and unspeakable benefits from being a member -of an organised and governed society, where might is not right, but all -are under the protection of the law; and for these benefits you give -up,—are bound to give up, a portion of your individual liberty, else were -all government at an end, and submit yourself to such ordinances as those -who have public authority given to them in this realm consider to be for -the common good. - -And further, I urge a yet higher motive. You are bound to see to the -filling up of this census paper carefully and faithfully, without any -wilful deceit, _as a duty to God_. “The powers that be are ordained of -God; he therefore that resisteth the power resisteth the ordinance of -God.” That is a false, dishonest, ungodly axiom which finds place in the -world, that men may act, nay are rather to be applauded for acting -towards government, in a manner in which they would be ashamed to act -towards their fellow men. To rob and deceive government is no less -robbery and deception, in the sight of God, than robbery and deception -practised towards private persons. Public conscience, methinks, needs -this lesson in many a particular—in none more than in the matter of -withholding legal dues, and thus defrauding not only the public purse, -but also our fellow countrymen, our friends and neighbours. - -This duty then is before us. _The census paper should be filled up -carefully and faithfully_, because it is a duty to self, a duty to our -neighbours, a duty to our God, so to discharge a work which has Scripture -warrant, and on which the material, political, social, religious welfare -of our country so much depends. I do not think, dear friends, that I am -acting contrary to my ministerial office in thus speaking, for I remember -I am the teacher of the religion which says, “Submit yourself to every -ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether it be to the king as -supreme, or unto governors as unto them that are sent by Him for the -punishment of evil doers, and for the praise of them that do well;” the -religion which says “Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. -Honour the king.” - - * * * * * - -(II.) And now, dear friends, let me invite you to ponder over a few -thoughts which arise from the _questions_ of the census. - -The census paper lies before us, and as we glance at its headings, we -cannot help feeling that it makes a certain _stand-point_ not only in the -national, but also in our personal history. It bids us cast our eyes -back upon the past. It cries to us, in no hesitating tones, as to the -present, “Man, know thyself.” It compels us to look forward into the -all-undefined future, and wonder what shall be. - -As the questions bid you write concerning yourself and others, surely -they bid you ponder over personal and relative duties. Have they been -fulfilled in the past? Are they being fulfilled at the present? How -will they be fulfilled in the future? - -You write in _your own name_,—your _Christian_ name. Is it a cheat, or a -true outspeaking of your character? - -_You write your age_. How long have I lived?—ten, twenty, thirty, forty, -fifty, sixty, seventy years. The past, the past! the things of which God -requires, how spent? How long have I to live? When the next census -comes, will my name be enrolled in it? There must come a time when it -will cease to be entered in human records. How soon? Some died the very -day of the last census; some the day, the week, the year after. It may -be thus with me this time. Am I ready to die? How long have I to live? - -You write _the name of your wife_. She sees you write it. Are not both -reminded of solemn vows plighted in the presence of, and in dependence -upon the strength and blessing of God? Have those vows been fulfilled or -broken? Are they being now fulfilled? Are ye helpers or hinderers of -one another’s salvation? - -You write _the names of your children_, ‘the heritage and gift which has -come to you from the Lord.’ A fearfully responsible stewardship! By -lip, and life, how have you trained them? How are you training them? -How will you train them? Is it in the nurture and admonition of the -Lord? Is it for time or eternity,—for mammon or for God,—for hell or for -heaven? No man liveth to himself. You must influence their present and -eternal state. How? - -And, _young people_, I have a word for you. Your father and mother call -you, and you stand by their side as they enter your names and ages in the -census paper, and so record you as their sons and daughters. Is it not -well for you at such a time to pause, and think, and ask, Have I loved -and obeyed the parents God in mercy has given me, as I ought to have -done? Have I honored my father and my mother according to the first -commandment with promise? Have I copied His example, of whom, though He -was Lord of All, it is written concerning His conduct as the Son of Man -towards His parents, “He was subject unto them”? - -The next heaviest curse to the curse of those despising the Saviour, is -the curse awaiting those who set light by father or mother. See to it, -my young friends, that that curse light not on you. - -You write in _the names of your dependents_. Think, do you obey the -Scripture injunction, “Masters, give unto your servants that which is -just and equal, knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven”? Think, -will any of them be able to present against you the condemning -accusation, “No man cared for my soul”? - -Your names are being written in, _ye servants_. Should not the question -arise in your minds, Am I a servant such as God would approve, ‘obeying -in all things my masters according to the flesh; not with eye service, as -men pleasers, but in singleness of heart, fearing God: whatsoever I do, -doing it heartily as to the Lord, and not unto men; knowing that of the -Lord I shall receive the reward of the inheritance; for I serve the Lord -Christ’? - -You write _your occupation_. Is it a calling you are ashamed to write? -We will suppose it is a lawful one. Arises not the question, How -fulfilled? With industry,—with honesty? Am I free from the deceits and -trickeries so common in profession and trade, labouring to have a -conscience void of offence towards God and towards man? Do I remember, -God would have me “diligent in business, fervent in spirit, serving the -Lord”? - -Have I _ceased to have anything to do with the busy avocations of men_? -Is it that sickness has removed me from the active labours of life, or -that prosperous circumstances enable me to live at ease, apart from the -vexations and cares of business? How is the leisure,—how are the means -spent? Both are talents for which account must be given. What account -shall I be able to render, when the Lord comes to reckon with His -servants? - -This census paper,—_ten years_ have passed since the last came. Ten -years! How quickly flown: and yet a seventh portion of that span of -life,—the allotted term, to the end of which so few, few reach. Ten -years! how many _sins_ have the moments which composed them witnessed! -Multitudes forgotten by me; not one unregistered in heaven. Will they -appear against me? Have they been cancelled? Have I sought pardon, -where alone pardon can be found for them, in the cleansing fountain of -the Saviour’s blood? - -Ten years! How many _troubles_ have they witnessed! Troubles,—ah, but -how many _mercies too_! Think of THESE. Troubles and mercies,—which -were most in number in the ten years passed? You can count your -troubles, can you count your _blessings_? Are you willing, in the next -ten years, to make this exchange: to let the troubles of the past ten -years be the measure of your mercies in the next ten years; and to let -the mercies of the past ten years be the measure of your troubles in the -coming ten? - -“Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His Holy -Name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits.” (Psa. -ciii.) - -Yes, the past of national mercies and personal mercies, calls for -hallelujahs of adoring thanksgiving. And that _past_ we ought gladly to -hail, as the _pledge_ of continued blessing in the _future_. Let us -enter on that future,—the way we have not passed by heretofore,—singing, -“Ebenezer, hitherto the Lord hath helped us.” “The Lord will provide.” - -But this thought of God’s mercies leads me to notice a connected topic, -viz. the _propriety and expediency of making special offerings_ to God on -this solemn epoch in our history. It was suggested to me by a respected -member of the congregation, that _we_ should have special collections -to-day; and the suggestion was urged by the most forcible of all -arguments, an appeal to Scripture. Exodus xxx. 11–16 was referred to. -It is written there,— - - “And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, When thou takest the sum of - the children of Israel after their number, then shall they give every - man a ransom for his soul unto the Lord, when thou numberest them; - that there be no plague among them, when thou numberest them. This - they shall give, every one that passeth among them that are numbered, - half a shekel after the shekel of the sanctuary: (a shekel is twenty - gerahs:) an half shekel shall be the offering of the Lord. Every one - that passeth among them that are numbered, from twenty years old and - above, shall give an offering unto the Lord. The rich shall not give - more, and the poor shall not give less than half a shekel, when they - give an offering unto the Lord, to make an atonement for your souls. - And thou shalt take the atonement money of the children of Israel, - and shalt appoint it for the service of the tabernacle of the - congregation; that it may be a memorial unto the children of Israel - before the Lord, to make an atonement for your souls.” - -In connexion with these verses, I have read the following remarks in a -letter in the public press: “There has never, to my knowledge, been in -England,” says the writer in the religious periodical, “such a national -offering as is here indicated; but there has been on three occasions a -remarkable and progressive coincidence of calamity: thus after 1831, -cholera; after 1841, blight, influenza, cholera; and after 1851, cholera, -murrain, war.” - -I deeply regret, my friends, that such words as these have ever appeared -in print; none could well be more mischievous, because none could well be -more likely to encourage the mistaken notion I met, and I trust -controverted, at the beginning of my sermon. The writer seems to imply, -that these calamities followed because an offering was not made. It is -God’s, not man’s province to trace such connections. I believe he has -misconceived the teaching of Exod. xxx. 11–16, and would make a temporary -injunction of permanent force. I state what I believe to be the true -meaning of the passage, in the words of a most able biblical scholar: -“This tax is not in Scripture mentioned in connection with any other -census” (save the one recorded in the first chapter of Numbers), “and we -are of opinion that it was only a _temporary_ measure to raise funds for -the making of the tabernacle.” - -The suggestion therefore kindly made to me, I have not adopted, because I -did not think the Scripture proof adduced was sufficient to make it -imperative, and I was not willing to press upon your liberality by having -a formal collection. Still I do feel the _spirit_ of Scripture would -teach, that this is a very fitting season for making thank-offerings to -God, for His love in the past, and for the blessing of continued life. -You who so feel with me can act as your consciences dictate. Would you -devote your offerings to the service of this tabernacle of God, the boxes -at the doors can receive them. Would you rather aid some special -religious work, missionary or otherwise, I shall be happy to become the -medium of conveying your gifts to the proper persons. - -This census paper. Ten years have passed since the last census. How -many _changes in the family_ have taken place since then? Some joyful, -some sorrowful. Some _joyful_ surely: names that were missing then, are -found now; divided families have become united; little ones, blessed -sunbeams from heaven, have been sent to cheer and gladden the home; and -poor prodigals have come back again to the early loved threshold, and -found peace in a loving father’s embrace, happy, if not only in an -earthly father’s, but in a Heavenly One’s too. - -But _sorrowful_ changes also, have those ten years seen; and as surely -will the next ten. Another name than that entered at the last census, is -now recorded under the division, “Write the name of the head of the -family.” “The head of the family!” He sleeps in the silent tomb. And -where is now the wife’s, the mother’s, the child’s, the brother’s, or the -sister’s name? ’Twas written in the census paper in 1851; it must not be -written in the census paper of 1861. Their names are written on the -churchyard stone, the clods of the valley are sweet to them. Ah, did we -love them as we ought to have done? Did we love them as we wish now we -had done? Happy, happy, those families, who, united not only in the -bonds of nature but of grace, can look forward to the time when, through -faith in a living Saviour, they shall meet in that land where partings -are unknown; that land where there shall be no more death. - -_Sorrowful changes_ have the past ten years seen. Some filled up the -last census paper in a mansion who will fill up this one in a garret. -Riches have taken to themselves wings, and flown away. Ye who are -prosperous now, remember the fleeting character of earthly possessions. -Some entered then the names of children who have since dashed their cup -of hope to the ground, and who will this time find entry, not in a -father’s home, but in a felon’s prison house. Well, in heaven you will -bless the stroke which taught you this is not your rest, and bid you seek -that abiding rest which remaineth for the people of God. Aye, and even -here, amid gloom and sadness, light shall break in upon your darkness, if -ye rest, believers, upon the promise, “ALL things work together for good -to them that love God.” - -This census paper! Ten years _have passed_. Ten years of the time given -to work out my salvation with fear and trembling. Have I gone forward, -or have I gone backward in religion? Am I nearer to, or further from -God? Answer,—am I more like, or more unlike my Saviour? - - * * * * * - -(III.) These questions are not asked of me in the census paper. No, my -friends; and the _omission_ of all reference to _religion_ in that paper, -is just the very point which I think may suggest a most important line of -thought. Mind, my friends, I find no fault with the census paper for -this omission. One perhaps could wish, that statistics as to the numbers -of the various religious bodies, and the number of worshippers, could -have been obtained; but I doubt not, there were great difficulties in the -way; and temptations to unfair returns, and indulgence of angry passions, -may thus perhaps have been avoided. And, after all, though I will not -yield to any man in regret at, and condemnation of, the sad schism and -division which exist in Christ’s Church, yet I cannot help feeling, that -the absence of distinctive classification of religious bodies in the -census, is just what will find place at LAST. Then the question will not -be, were you Episcopalian or Nonconformist? but, Did you love the Lord -Jesus Christ in sincerity and truth? And, with the Apostle, I say, may -grace be with all those who do so. - -But, my friends, although the census paper asks you not this year about -your _professed_ religion, remember God is always taking His census, as -to the state of your REAL religion. In the never-failing memory of God, -your name, age, dwelling, and true description, are all noted down. He -is spying out all our ways. We cannot keep any secret from Him. “All -things are naked and opened unto the eyes of Him with whom we have to -do.” In His census taking, He makes two grand divisions,—foes, -friends;—not in His Church, in His Church;—unbelievers, believers;—lost, -saved. Now, my friends, if you could see under which division God has -written your names, think you, would it be among the lost or saved? Nay, -you may know that _now_, for a certainty. Listen to the Word of God: -“_Except ye repent_, _ye shall all likewise perish_.” Have you repented? -Do you repent? “_He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life_, -_and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life_, _but the wrath of -God abideth on him_.” Now have you believed in, do you believe in Jesus -for salvation, pardon, acceptance, peace, glory? “_Without holiness no -man shall see the Lord_.” Are you fighting against sin, are you striving -to be holy? - -Oh my friends, it is, methinks, a proud thing to have one’s name -enrolled, by means of this census, as a citizen of free happy England; -but ’tis a far prouder thing to have it enrolled as a citizen of Heaven, -of the kingdom which shall know no decay. - -Oh see to it that you make sure work of your state before God. It is a -blessed thing to think, that though God may have had your name for many, -many long years in His census book among the list of the lost,—His foes; -He is yet willing, nay is longing to transfer it, upon your repentance, -faith, obedience, to the list of the saved,—His friends. See to it, I -say, that the name you bear as your description, _a Christian_, be a true -name, witnessed in your occupations of penitence for sin, trust in Jesus, -holy living to God; for remember, remember, the - -IV. FINAL CENSUS will ere long be taken, which shall consign each one of -us to irretrievable woe, or usher us to inconceivable blessings. Yes, -presently, angels will play the part of enumerators. They will not -indeed seek information of you, for God knows them that are His, and them -that are not. Then before the great white throne you will stand, and all -your life will be told. There an assembled world must meet,—not one -missing; and then the angels will play their part in the great, the final -census. Then will they discern between the righteous and the wicked; -then will they separate between the just and the unjust, the believers in -Jesus, and those who have not believed in Him. Then will it be declared -whether my name, and thine, my friend, be written or not written in the -Lamb’s book of life, and on that issue will depend whether we be -registered in the book of Eternity as citizens of hell, or as citizens of -heaven. - -Brethren, now is the time to decide which it will be. The choice, under -God, is in our hands to-day, to-morrow may be too late. - - “There’s no repentance in the grave, - Nor hope of pardon there.” - -And _there_, in the grave, you may be, I say not before another census -taking comes, but before another day dawns. The names of some of those -who are at this moment written in the census-paper as among the living, -will have to be withdrawn, erased, before that paper be handed to the -enumerator to-morrow morning, and entered in another register, the -register of the dead. It may be so in the case of some here to-night. -With which one shall it be so? With which _one_? “Lord, is it I?” - - * * * * * - - * * * * * - - SEELEY, ISLINGTON GREEN. - - - - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE NUMBERING OF THE PEOPLE*** - - -******* This file should be named 64876-0.txt or 64876-0.zip ******* - - -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/6/4/8/7/64876 - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part -of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm -concept and trademark. 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