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INTRO D U C TIO N
a r em arka bl e c h aract e rist i c o f o u r S avi or s disco u rs e s as in
d ee d it is of th w ho l e B i bl e th t th e y l e av e th e b e a er am idst cor
r e sponding l e sson s i n th e op e n t e mp l e of th e e arth T h e y a d m i t n o
v a ca ncy w h en th e pr e ach e r s l ips a e si l nt or t h e b ook is c l os e d
b e ca u se th e sam e l e sson s ar e ur g e d and ap pl i e d by N at ur e an d P rov
id e nc e at e v e ry t u rn of l ife Afte r w e h av e h e ard Him w h o spake
aft e r w e h av e r e ad th e B i bl e th e e r t h w i t h
as n e v e r man sp a k e
a ll its sc e n e s and occasion s u tt e rs no l on ge r a m e r e N at u ra l Th e o l o g y
b u t th e ful l nd gl orio u s g osp el W hat fo l l y a fte r C hristian ity h as
sh e d its l i g ht aro u nd u s to r e ad th e b ook of natur e and Provid enc e
i n th e m e r e moon l ight of th e P a g an w or l d
Th e g osp e l no do u b t
di scov e rs w h t co ul d n e v e r hav e b e e n kno w n w itho u t it b u t w h en
its l i gh t is sh e d a b road it is r efl e cte d in full b e a u t y and gl ory from
and th e w h o l e sc e n e is n o l o ng e r a dim
t h e w or l d on w hi c h it fa l l s
r e v e l ation of nat ur e b u t a b right comm u n ication from h e av e n
To
”
b u t t h at
Go d is
us N at u ra l T h e o l o g y d e c l ar e s not m e r e l y that
”
He is a r e w ard e r of th e m that di l i g e nt l y e ek him
Bu t as o ur titl e in timat e s w e not on ly ca ll att e ntion to th e l e sson
b u t comm e nd th e p l a c e and ci r cum s t a nces in w h ich He w h o g iv e s
i t u rg e s it on o u r notic e
Th e l e sson m e e ts u s b es id e our com m on
amidst o ur occas i ons o f an x i e ty as to foo d an d raim ent
p a th
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viii
I N T R OD UC T I O N
.
m idst th n c ssi t i s ml bl s ing of ry d y Th e l e sson i s g iven
nd
w h r m n c ra
h r e h has e v e ry conc e i va bl e
nd c l i ms it
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W i l d rn s f b
p i ons nd cond u ct from w hich ll th e h e irs o f
h o l in s m u t h p r t
schoo l fo r h v n w h e re th e le s
It is
sons f f i t h nd ho p
r n e d — u h r e ho l in e ss is attaine d by
e l
c ont c t i l i t s p r op r occ sio ns C h r istian i ty not on l y g iv e s its
r fl ction fr m t h h o l e e r th l y ne bu t casts t h e l ight up o n th e
u ho l
p th of h u m n l if
T h i s w o rl d is n t a prison to th e so u l of
man fr o m u ln h h i s nl v d i r e and e flb rt sho ul d b e to e scap e :
b ut t h t m p l fo r t h tr nsfor m ing pray e r
T hy kin g do m co m e
t h y u ill b don e on e r th it is in h e ave n
T h b ut ul p ortion of o u r Lo r d s S r mon on th e M o u nt w h ic h
w
h v t k n o u r g u id e is th e fi n e st conc e i va bl e i ll u stratio n o f
i
l low n
T
th
r t h e l sson to th e p ths of l ife ! Th e
fo u l s of t h i nd t h l i l i s of t h e fi l d a n t h u s r e pe atin g and
r fl ct i ng t h l on f t l ord fr o m S bb th to S bb th nd fro m
th
mo r n i ng d u n u nto t h sh d s of th e ni g ; amidst a ll th e
“ nu t s
nd c r
of o u r e r th l y st t — A nd b i r ds of t h e n ight sing
u s t o s l p aft r f t ig u nd n i ty in l l m w ho on l y mak e th
u to du l ! in
l t
ud t h
c r o w ing cock w ak e s u s am idst
n w pl n
nd t o d of l if
to b ho l d t h d y d w n and th e da y star
r i e o ur I t
l f t h pul pi t nd t h r l i gio u pr s w o u l d r e nd e r th e ir prope r s e r
n t h p r d u t i n nd n u t u r e of f ith
t m u st b e n ot so m u c h
b y t h po
w n mm d i te l
r f li
sons nd f th e i o w n pe cu
I d i r c ting tt n t ion to th l s ons w h ich r e
l i r l pn l l
ma i n : In i l ( ind g iw l i no u p n l in p r e c pt up on pre c e pt
b id th c m mon p t h f l i f
And on t h e oth e r hand m u st th e y
b
in f u l t in
f u s th y do p t p r in c ip l e s or e mp l oy m t h ods
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w hi c h d rt tt nt i n from th vario u s app a l s w hi c h God is con
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IN
T R O DU C T I ON
1X
.
making to th e consci e nc e and th e h e art of man w hich l e ave
a vacan cy of ins p i r e d instr u ction and si l e nc e th e ful l and g l o r io u s
g osp e l b e sid e th e p ath o f l fe w h e r e Go d ap p oint e d it to b h e ard
Th e g r e at o bj e ct of this w ork is to m a k e r e l ig i o n m o r e e a t h ly
m or e i nti m t e w i t h t h e neces s i ti es a nd b l es s i ng s of e th ; to
b e st l e ssons a giv n h im at th e b e st occasion s
s ho w to man that t h
of pi e ty
th t p i e t y sp r inging up and g r o w ing on th e 0 1 of e a r th
a p l ant that W l l n e v e r die
i s th e pi e ty of h e av n
O n this p oint w e n e e d to b e co rr e ct e d
H o w m any of o u r r el i
—
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e on t h
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path of l fe is q u it e u n s u it d to t h e w a l k of f ith — that b u sin e ss and
car e and u nc e rtainty and p l an s nd fl t and disa pp o intm e nts
an d succ ss m u st n e ds hi nd e r th e ris e an d g r o w th of f ith in th e
h e art H w c u nt th c l ai m that p i ty m u st b gin an d gro w by
s e c l u sion fr om th e b u sin e ss and ca r es of l ife — b y ind iffe r e nc e to a ll
e arth l y things
P e rha p s (and w e sp e ak it w ith diffi denee ) th e e rror in q u e stio n
can scarc e l y b e said to b e avoid d in any oth e r r e l igio u s b ook b u t
th e B i bl e
so r e ma r ka b l y l a bl e has C hrist e ndo m b e n to adopt th e
anci e nt an d mod e n e rr o r of th Ge ntil e s
so t e nacio u s h v e P rot
Th e
e t nts b e e n of that in h e r it d e r or of t h e C atho l ic ch u r ch
B i b l e w ith a l l its p u rity and p e rf ction of p r inci p l e s nd motiv e s is
amon g u s m e e ts u s on o u r dai l y p ath t v r y j unct u r of u l ife
an d th er e is p r o fi ta bl e v e r for o u r e p r oof and corr e ction and in
Bu t m any of o u r b st r el gio u s tr e atis e s
s tr u ction in r ight e o u sn e ss
and b io gr aph i e s of e c e l l e nt m eu a e f fr om fo l l o w ing th e W isdo m
of that divine B ook ca l l ing u s a w ay fr o m th e v e ry o pp ort u niti es
w hi c h Go d has ap p oint e d and r e qu i r ing an in di ffe r e nc e to e arth l y
g ood and e vi l w h c h r e nd e rs n u gator y th e p o identi l occasion s o f
faith We co u l d nam e b ooks w ith r e v e r e n c e and gratitud e for b e n e
fi t r e c e iv e d b y th e ir r e p e at e d p e r u sa l w h ich n e v e rth e l ss w sho u l d
adju d g e guil t y of th e e rror in qu e sti o n Th e mor e w e h av e r ea d
s ta ntly
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IN
T R O D UC T I ON
.
hat t and rd of r l igio u s w r iti ng th B i bl e
t h e mor e w e h av e
b n t u ght b y it m i dst and not s i d fr om th e d i sci plin e of l ife
midst t h e m e an e st
e fo u nd it a l i ght to o u r st e p s
w h
th e mo r
d u ti e s of o u r rth l y p th and th mor e w e h v e pass e d th e fur
w e b e n con vinc e d that m u c h
nac e of fllict i n
t h e mor e h
of o u r r l i gio u s a ppl i c tion f i l s of i m i tat i ng that d i vin e B o o k in its
w ond e rfu l ad pt e dn e ss to o u r p r s nt l i fe in t h i gh and ho l y c l aim s
am i dst th thing s of e a rth
We kno w no b e tt e r i l lu st r tion of t h e e rror in q u e stion t h an ma y
b e fo u nd In som e of o u r p o p ul r h ) m n
E n Watts th e g r e at
mast r of o u r p u bl ic p r ais i s b y n o m ns a l w ys in k e e p ing w it h
t h a t bl
s d b ook fr om w h i ch h has d r i e d his son g s We th e
mor r e adi l y s l ct fr om h m b e ca u s e h e a b u ndant l y co rr e cts his
o w n e rror and b e ca u s e th cont rast of W atts w ith W atts w i ll m ake
o u r o w n vi e w s mo r e p l in
T h r is m u ch that is t r u e nd b e u tiful in th 5 3d H ymn B oo k
S e cond
nd t h
truth g l o w s n t h e fi r t e rs amidst th e darkn e ss
w hi c h th po t m u t h v e nh r i t d fi o m pre c e d i n g a g e s
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UCTI ON
INTROD
X
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i
Bu t w e m u st p ermit th e po e t to corr e ct h ims el f and no m orta l
pen can do it mo e h appi l y t h an h e do e s in P sa l m 7 3
r
.
u pp or t r nd my Hop
rn r;
M y H l p for
T h in m o f m r cy h l d m up
W h n i n k in g i n d p r
Go d, m y S
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T h roug h th i d r k W i l d rn 5
T h in h nd c ondu ct m n r thy t
T o dw l l b for thy f c
se s,
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r l t in g h o p
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T hy h nd h h l d m y ch i l d h ood
A nd t r n g th n d ll m y y ou th
M y Go d, m y
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t i l l h m y l i f n w wond r n
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thy g l or y h in
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t h u s d e vo u tly a c
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O ur
kno w l e d g e d has p e c u l iar im p o r tanc e in an a g e of p r opa g ation
C at h o l ic pr e d e c e ssors in th e w ork of spr e ading th e g osp e l fai l e d not
Th e l es s on bes id e t h e
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I N T R OD U CT I ON
X ll
.
for th e w ant of e a l or mon e y or m e n h ut for l ac k of s a e a r th m ade
u
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S
m
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t
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Th co ll e g e de p r op g nd fi de hav e b u t
th e co rup t d fo u nt in
l ft th ir s l u gg i h st r ms and sta g nan t poo l s noisom e and p e stife r
R o mis h
h r sh ul d no w b e fl o w in g th e p u r e w at e rs of l if
on
m i ions h
ccom p l ish e d l i tt l e more than to introd u c e C h ristian
a sc ti c is m nd ul g nc nd ido l atry id e b y i d e w ith a l ik e trip l e
pa g an i m
most nco u r ging f t u r e of m od rn m issions that mor e
I t is
ny o t h r sinc
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A p ost l s t h y
w ov e n in
t h d y s of t h
l h th
h
c o m m on
f lf —
carri d on on p r inci p l e s and
W i th t h s p i ri t u l h
h i t i nity c l ims of ll h e disc i p l e s ar e ex
pos d to t h i l l s nd l ig i bl to th e bl e ssings o f l fe in common w
i th
a ll l a w ful m p l o y m nts nd cond i tion s of m e n T h e y hav e b ee n
inst i t u t d w uh f m il i s
b ur d n d W i th do m stic car s c h e e r e d
w ith do m t ic bl
i ngs and u r g d to for tho u ght to dom e sti c con
t ing e u
not to t h e h n d r anc b u t to t h fu r th e r anc e of th e g os
N o t h i ng
o u l d have b e n mor e fat l to mod e rn m ission s t h an
p l
to li m e lu d u l e s lf d n a l nd us te nt ie as tok e ns of Apo s
T h cons q u nc m u st ha
to l i c d t d
b n a l e ss p u r e an d
sim p l p i t ! t t h fo u nt i n h e ad in C h r isti n l nds and a b road :1
t
n
nd ind ulg nc e
r l i gion f
l i ttl e b e tt e r than th e g ross e st
—its nt r anc and discip l in e
L t r l i g i on h v p l c
pagani m
am i ds t o u r c om m on llI
and t h e fo u nt i n ll b p u r e and fu ll
nd t h
str ms a b u ndant for th e l ife of th w or l d
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S E R M O N
TH E
WLS
FO
I
.
THE AIR
OF
.
A TT HE W 6 25 —33
no th ou g ht f y our li f w h t y h l l t
Th r for I
y un t o y ou T k
h l l drin k nor y t for y our b od y w h t y h l l put
I no t t h
wh t y
i
l i f m or th n m t nd t h b od y th n r i m n t ? B h o l d t h fow l o f t h
f
th y w no t n i th r do th y r p nor g th r i n to b rn ; y t y our h n l y
A
no t m u ch b tt r th n th y ? W h i ch f y ou b y
F t h r f d th th m
y
t k in g th ou g ht n dd n c u b i t un t o h i t t ur ? A nd w h y t k y t h ug ht f
i m n t ? C on id r t h l i l i o f t h fi l d h ow th y g ro w ; t h y t o i l n t n i t h r
A nd y t I
n S o lo m on in ll h i g l ory w n t
d th y p i n
y un t o y ou T h t
rr y d l k n o f th
Wh r for i f G d c l o th t h g r f th fi l d w h i c h
t o—d y i nd t o m o row c t n t o t h o n h ll h no t m u ch m or l th y ou ?
T h r for t k no th oug ht y i n g Wh t h l l w t ?
0 y o f l i tt l f i th
w th l h l l w
ft r ll
Wh t h l l w drin k or \t
b c l o th d
(F
t h th i n g do t h G n t i l
k for y our h n l y F th r k n w th th t y
h n d f ll th th in g B ut k y fi r t t h k i n g d m o f G d nd h i
ri gh t ou n ; nd ll th th in g h l l b dd d un t o y ou
M
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c o m m a nd of o ur Lord i s g i ve n i n V i e w of a
doubl e d a ng e r , t o w h i c h th e c o nd i t i o n of th e pr e s en t
l i fe r e nd e r s us l i a bl e
T h e unc e r t a i nt y of a pro v i s i o n
for o ur w a nt s e x po s e s us t o fea r , a nx i e t y , d e s pa i r ;
w h i l e t h e c o nne c t i o n of t h e i r s uppl y w i t h o ur o wn
s k i ll a nd s t r e ng t h , e x po s e s us o n th e o t h e r h a nd t o a n
ab s or bi ng a n d s el f co nfi de nt d i l i g e nc e T h us a re we
l i abl e t o i nc ess a nt fl uc t ua ti o n s
t o a d i vi d e d , c h a ng i ng
TH E
.
-
.
-
2
TH E
14
F O WLS
OF T H E A I R
.
pres u m p tio n a n d despo n d
”
e ncy the folly of m a n a n d th e ve ry ta ki n g th ou gh t
”
I t is aga i nst th is dou ble d a n
for b id de n by o ur Lord
ger tha t o ur Lord w ould secu re u s by call i n g u s to
behold and cons i der th e fo w ls o f th e ai r an d th e lilies
o f the fi eld that w ith ou t h i nd ra nce an d w it h a ll a dva n
tage w e m ay see k fi rst th e k i ngdo m of G od a nd hi s
”
righ teou sness
T h e c o nd it ion o f th e presen t li fe I say rend ers u s
l iable to th is double d an ge r If a n y part o f our r a i
m en t be lac k i ng : i f th e feet o r th e li mbs o r th e body
b e exposed to t h e scorch i ng su n or to t h e ch il l s of
e ve n a su m mer e ven i n g o r to the pierci n g cold of
w in ter w e are p roportion a tely d istressed a n d ou r s u ffe r
i n gs n eed b ut small i nc rease a n d sh ort con ti n u a n ce in
order to be fa tal 1 f food be lac k i ng only i n pa rt , a n d
for a brief season w e su l l e r i n ten sely : a nd a fe w days
o f fastin g destroys th e life a n d se n ds th e body bac k to
its origin al d ust
A m id t necessities s o great
exposin g us to s ufl er
i n gs
i nten se a nd fatal w h a t u n certai n ty of s upply
T he l a te ria ls of o ur foo d a n d rai m e n t d epe n d u pon
nat u ral age nt va ry i ng a nd u ncertai n over w h ich w e
h a ve no co nt rol T h e s u n a n d th e rai n by w h os e
in fluen ce th e fla x a nd the cotton a nd t he food o f th e
s h eep an d th e sil k w o r m a n d o f m a n gro w are en
ti rely w ithou t the reac h of o ur fee b le po w ers
I f h eat
a nd moi s tu re be d e fect ive w e ca n not i ncrease th e m
,
m i nd , to th e alte rna tions
of
“
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Th e
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co nte xt
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this str
i ct ad
o
T H E F O WL S OF T H E A I R
15
.
nor lesse n th em i f they be excessive We can not
t u rn b ack th e over w hel m i n g flood w he n th e bottles of
h ea v e n are kep t open nor softe n th e p arch ed eart h
th e h eaven s are brass
w ith refresh in g sh o w ers w h e n
”
over o ur h eads
N or ca n w e h i n der t h e frost w h ich ,
in a n ight m ay destroy th e h opes of th e su m mer ; nor
th e h ail n or t h e ligh t n i n g , w h ich m ay c ut off the w a v
N ay w e ca n not sec u re to
ing or t he gath ered crops
e ven a m ids t a ge ne ral ab u n dan ce
o u rsel ves a su ppl y
We h ave no con trol over t he great store hou ses of food
a n d r a im e n t w h ich G od i n m ercy m ay h ave filled , n or
over t h e ch an n els by w h ich th ey ar e con d u cted to eac h
Here again all is u ncertai n ty : th e poo r ,
m a n s door
depen d i n g u po n a d aily ren e w al o f th e m ean s of l ife ,
are u n certai n of em ploy men t o r pay men t , or con ti n u e d
h ealt h a nd stren gth , an d h ave consta n t occ as ion for
a n x iet y A n d th e r ich
th ere ar e non e so rich in
far ms or good s o r m on ey , as to be absol u tely s u r e
o r above th e
of food to eat a n d r a i rne nt to p u t o n
occasio n o f a nxiety i n V ie w o f th e d aily w an ts of t heir
bod ies M en e n gaged i n l ucrative a n d exte n si ve b u si
ness eve n w h ile gro w i n g rich er an d rich er a re e x
posed to th e h azards of fi re a nd w i nd an d w ater — to
—
gh
t
n
n
g
a
n
d
tem
pests
to th e ch anges i n th e policy
i
li
of com m u n ities an d n a tions ; to d ishon esty an d fra u d
a n d to ig n ora n ce w eak n ess an d folly , thei r own a n d
ot h er m e n s E ve n capitalists w h o see m seated
qu ietly in th e e nj oy men t of w ealth , h ave n o secu rity
agains t th e h a z ards of u n e m ployed depreciated or
can not prevent t hei r r iches from
s un ke n capital
.
,
,
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,
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,
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-
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,
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.
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T H E F O WL S OF T H E A I R
16
.
a nd fly i ng a w ay T h e fear o f co m
”
ing to w ant , w h ich ass a ils th e rich is not abs urd ;
is not to be al ways attribu ted to Hypochond ria : in
—
is accord in g to th e uncer
a se nse it is reason able
ta in ty w h ic h God h as ordered to belong to a ll co n d ition s
of m e n
B u t h ere w e n otice th e oth er el em e n t o f o ur co n di
tion T hou gh food a nd rai men t are e nti rely abov e
o ur reach a nd w e ca n n eve r be su re before han d th a t
th ey w ill be s u p pl ied yet for th e m ost part th ey a re
Bupplied i n co n n ection w ith ou r o w n pla n a nd e ffort
w ith o ur o w n sk ill a n d d ilige n ce ; a n d th u s a m idst
occasion s o f an xiety w e l ive for th e m os t par t also
a m idst occasion s of sel f co nfide nce — o f glory i ng in our
T h is is o f cou rse t h e e x po
o w n w isdom a n d stre ngth
s ur e o f th e prosperou s th e su ccess fu l th e ric h : an d of
”
e ve n
th e poor ;
pove r ty h as its tr ust i n rich es , its
va u n t i ng of its sk ill
\V e have b u t to s u rvey a fe w sh ort m o n th s , for a
co nspicuous d isplay o f t h e dou b le d a nge r — m igh t I
not say th e dou b le fa ult ? — the self co nfide nce a n d th e
”
d e pa i r
the tak i ng th ou gh t o f w h ic h w e are
a l w ays liable to b e g u ilty
A year h as n ot pass ed ,
s i nc e pe rha ps as a p e ople
w h atever m ay h ave bee n
th e i nd i vid ual except i ons w e ere sitti ng i n o ur pr ide ,
va u n t i ng ou rs e lves o f o ur w isd om w ealt h a nd po w er
\V e sa w i ndeed th e casu al a n d ord in ary lessons of
un ce rtai n ty to all h u ma n t h i ngs b u t w ithou t reflectio n
,
oth e r pe rh a ps th a n r e proach fo r th e n eglects o r foll ies
w h ic h w e as s ig n ed as their ca u se ; a nd still pass ed on
“
ta k i ng w i n gs
.
,
o
.
.
,
,
,
,
-
.
,
,
“
.
-
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s
.
,
,
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,
.
F O WL S OF T H E A I R
THE
in
17
.
ou r h eedless sel f gloryi n g u ntil w e w ere sudde nly
a rrested o n o ur h eigh ts of prosperity —n ot a fe w to be
cast do w n — a n d all to sta n d tre mblin g an d a n xiou s o n
th e precipice W hat m ult i tudes w ere take n b y su r
p r ise so l ately s i rre of success i n affairs by th eir o w n
h o w soon despon d i ng at the su d
w isdo m a n d mig h t
de n b last o f all h u m a n hope
Here th en w e stan d
yet n ot am id st h i nd ran ces
a n d d isadvan tages ; bu t as w e h ave said to h ear o ur
S avior s call to consider th e fo wls o f th e air a n d th e
l ilies of th e field t ha t w ith ou t h i nd ran ce a n d w ith all
ad vantage w e may see k first th e k in gdo m o f God
”
a nd h i s r igh teousness
I n th is d iscou rse I p ropose to n otice th e div ine p r o
v is io n f or th e fow ls 0
e a i r as a lesson to o ur
h
t
f
faith
T hey n eith er sow n or reap nor gat h er in to
”
barns yet vou r heavenly F ath er feedet h th em
T h is
m ysterious feed i ng is th e th i ng to b e con sidered
co ncer n in g w h ich w e m ay n otice th e follo w i n g pa r
-
,
.
,
,
,
,
,
’
,
,
“
,
.
,
,
,
,
.
,
,
,
t icula rs :
God prov ides for t he m thei r food w ithou t t heir
”
toil or care
T h ey n eit her s ow n or reap
Wh at store ho uses o f ple n ty for th e bi rd s are th e ai r
t he earth th e sea ! I nsects i n n u m erable s w ar m i n
th e ai r br e a th e d i n w e m igh t al most say , in thei r
rapid fligh t T h ese lodge an d l ive a m idst th e h erbs
a n d sh r ubs a n d t rees , a n d are fou n d w h e rever bi rds
aligh t
F r uits , n u ts an d seeds , i n cou n tless variety
a n d ab u n dan ce , th e spon tan eou s gifts of n at ure , or th e
labored prod u c ts of h u ma n i n d ustry , cover th e face of
1
,
.
“
.
.
-
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*
2
,
T H E FO W L S OF T H E A I R
18
.
ea rth
vall e y a n d pla i n a n d m o u ntai n top ; a nd
m oras es i nacce s i b le to m a n ; a n d w herever the car
c a ss is as i n n u me ra b le creat u res lie w asti n g to d ust ,
there also a re th e eagles a n d th e r ave ns a n d a ll bird s
Ben eath th e s u rface of th e
o f prey gathe red togeth e r
grou nd al o is a sto re h ouse for th e fo wls o f th e ai r :
a n d e v e ry fu rro w o f t he plo rrg h m a n ope n s su pplies for
t h e b i rds th at aligh t an d feed alon g h is pat h A n d
th e sea s ho w s to the eye o f th e w ater fo w l as i t sai ls
th e treasu res o f i ts t ra nsparen t c h a m be rs ;
o n h ig h
”
w he r e i n a re th i n gs c reepi n g i n n u mera b l e
w h e ther
abou t the s hores for th e sea g ull a n d the s n i pe o r i n t he
d eep a nd w id e ocea n for t he al b atross W h at a varie
ty of provisio n do w e s e e before o ur o w n eyes !
The
flo wers h ave al read y b eg u n to o pe n t hei r hon ey cu p ,
for t h e h u m m i n g bi rd T he i nsects float i n th e ai r ,
i nvi ti ng the m arti n a nd th e s w allo w E very far m a n d
ever y ga rd e n has ope ned i ts i n tern al treasu res ; a n d th e
han ds o f me n a nd th e w i nds a re scatteri ng th e seeds
o f the fo rm e r yea r for th e robi n a n d t h e blac k bi rd ;
and t h e t id e e bb in g a n d flo w i n g calls th e sea bi rd to
h is pr e y
Bu t l ll t c store hou ses th e ai r t he earth th e sea ,
are s upplr d h o w ma rvellou sly by you r h eavenly F a
l l e o pe rr t h h is h a nd a nd s a t is fi e th th e w a nts
th er
”
o f e ve n h u n
Ho w la tely th e earth w a s ice
g t h i ng
bou nd a nd la v de olate i n all th e barre n n ess o f w in
ter B ut He s en t f rth h is com ma nd me n t u pon earth
h is w ord ra n w ry s w i ftly
T ir e earth travelling her
w o rrted co rrrs e rrre re th a n a thousa n d m iles a m i u te
n
,
th e
~
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,
THE
20
F O W LS
OF TH E AI R
.
i f h is bill could not he re i t a nd i f h is ton gu e w ere not
a n arro w w it h w hic h to pierce th e p rey in its d ar k
rece s I
A n d vet a g ai n the birds co rrld n ot be fed if th ey h ad
not irr t r um e nts to d e vou r w h at th ey m ay h ave selected
and c a u g h t Il e rrce all b irds are frrr rris h e d w ith a bill
s u ited t o th e i r a ppropriate nou rish me nt as va riou s as
t he in t irrct iv e c h o ic e w h ic h g u ides t he m
I qu ote
’
h e re n e a rl y fr o m l a le v s N at u ral T h eology
Th e
spa r ro w h i ll pic ks al mo t ever y k i n d of g ra i n fro m i ts
conceal m e n t h ull t he grai n a n d b rea ks a n d sh atters
T h e h ooked b il l o f th e h a w k
t h e co a t of t he seed
t r ih e se pa ra t e s t h e fl e s h from th e b o n e as clea n as w it h
a knrfe
T h e spoon b ill e n a bl e s th e goose to graze
a nd t o co ll c t its food from t he b otto m o f pools T h e
d uc k s h rll is serrated o r sa w e d so as to for m a strai n er
th rou gh w h i c h s h e uc ks i n the food of her c hoice re
je el i ng \r lra tm e r s h e (l r likes
Y e t a g a i n th e re w a s n e e ded a n i n ter n al correspon d
provided by ou r h eave nly F ath er
e nce to t h e food
T h u all b ird s w h ic h lrve o n grai n carry w ith i n t he m
a co m pl te m ill o r gri nd i ng mach i ne — a hoppe r i n
to
t h e c r p a nd a pai r of m ill sto n e s i n t h e gizzard
O f t h i mach i n ery bi rd s
g ri nd ( h m n t h e co r n fo r U e
they a re fu rn ishe d
o f pr e y a t e d e t i t ut e ; an d i ns te ad
w ith a flu id w h i ch is c a pa b le o f re drrcing r a w flesh
5 0 m a n c llo tt lv h as G od fi tted th e bi rds for t h e provis
ion h e h as mad e for the m
G o d has gi ve n the m th e m ean s o f a ccess to t h e
3
s catter ed s tores w h ich h e h as p rovided for th e m
He
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.
.
THE
OF T H E A I R
F OW L S
21
.
h as fu r nished th e m w ith a po wer of m otion w h ich
a ns w ers all th e p urposes w h ich we attai n b y so w i ng
a nd reapi ng a n d gatherin g i n to ba rn s ; by w h ich they
come to th e seed w h erever i t g ro w s or is sc a tte re d a n d
to th e prey w her e i t l u rks T h ei r h ollo w b ones an d
feathers thei r capacity o f s w ell in g th e w hole b od y w it h
air ; th eir w i n gs artfu lly con str u cted a nd fi ted w i t h
p o w erful m u scles m ake th e n ca pa ble of risi n g a n d sail
ing in th e a i r w h ile t h eir tail s are a r udder to gu id e
th e m w h erever God h as provid ed t h eir food E ve n
th eir ey e is adapted to searc h it out —bei ng so fitted to
th e sid e o f th e h ead as to su rvey th e e ntire ci rcu m fer
en ce o f th e horizo n a n d fu rn ish ed with a m embra n e
W ith w h ich at w ill th ey ca n protect t h at delicate or
gan from i nj ur y ; a n d w it h oth er con tri va n ces by
m eans of w h ic h t hey are capable of see i ng o bj ects v ery
a spy gl ass w it h w h ic h they
near or very remote :
m ay search th eir food Wh at n eed h ave th ey to sow
a m idst s uc h profuse pro
o r reap o r gath er i n to ba r ns
v is ion a nd w ith s u c h po w ers o f d iscover i ng a n d r each
l
s
t
ores
ing th eir scattered
I add fou rthly w h at perh a ps is m ore aston ish
4
I m ea n th e i n sti n cti ve k n o w led ge o f ti me ,
ing still
place an d ci rcu mstan ce b y w h ich th ey are at th e righ t
place at th e r ig h t ti me i n order to be fed If God h as
s pread th ei r ta b le h e h a s taugh t th e m both w h ere i t is ,
an d w hen i t w ill be read y
I n no t h i ng is th is i nsti n cti ve k n o wledge m ore m an i
God fe ed eth m an y
fest th an in th e passages o f bi rd s
of th e bi rd s i n t wo cou n tries , i n two cl im ates ; an d h e
,
,
,
.
,
,
,
.
,
,
,
,
-
.
,
,
,
’
.
,
,
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,
,
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,
.
,
,
.
.
22
T I I I:
F O WL S OF T H E A I R
.
d oes not th i s w ithou t gi vi n g the m a n i n sti nctive k n o w l
edge o f th e seasons a n d the w a y
T h e stor k k n o w
eth he r appo i nted t i me ; a nd the t u rtle , a n d th e c ran e ,
”
a nd th e s w allo w observe t h e ti m e o f thei r co mi ng
A n o b r io us i nstan ce of these re m ar k able passages of
w h ic h e very c h ild takes n otice is observed i n th e w i l d
geese w h ic h fly i n n oisy flocks every s pri n g to w ar ds
the n orth ;
every au t u m n to w a rds th e sou th Y o u
m ay th i n k it a s mall nra tte r to see a floc k o f w il d
gee e ; b rrt if yo u w ill re flect as th e i r noise arou se s
y ou as you s e e t he w e dg e like for m i n w h ich they fol
lo w th e i r leader an d h o w t ru e to t hei r co u rse as i f t h ey
w ere teeri ng b y th e m ari ne r s com pass
w ill y ou not
take t h e d i ti n ct an d sole m n n otice th at you r h ea ven l y
“
7
—
F ather fe e de t lr the m
tl 1 at they are passin g to see k
”
th e ir meat fr om G od 1
T h e lrke is tru e of ma n y oth e r bi rds
o f th e v ery
birds w h i c h take t rp th eir s u m m e r a b ode a m idst th e
plenty o f o u r garde ns a n d fields a n d forest s
Th e
birds no w feed in g b e fore you r eyes for th e m ost part ,
fou n d th e i r w i nte r stores in d ista n t regions o f th e
s ou th
a nd th e nce tr u e to th eir t i m e a n d place , h av e
retu r ne d
n ot o nly to cheer u s w ith the ir son gs , but
to gi t e Ie s o n s to ou r faith
A s th ey sin g an d fly an d
feed a ro trrrd us th e i r nrix e d a n d great asse m b ly rej oic e
i n t h e stor e s provid e d for t he m b y you r hea ve n l y
F ath e r
T h e fo ll o w i ng accou n t set s th e fact o f th ei r passag e
in a v e ry s tr rk ing l igh t a n d sho w s m ost clearly t ha t
G od fe ed e t h the m in t wo cou n tries A house s wall o w,
,
“
.
.
,
,
,
,
,
.
s
,
v
,
,
,
’
s
,
s
,
,
,
,
.
,
,
,
.
-
.
,
,
.
,
.
,
T H E F O WL S OF T H E A I R
23
.
w h ic h
h a d bee n obser ved to ret ur n for fou r su ccessive
seasons w a s ca u gh t by a n i n h abi tan t of \V a ldm ue
ch e n 1 n Ba varia w h o fasten ed on its neck a ligh t gol d
r ing m ar ked w ith th e i n itials of h is t h ree na m es I G
N i n order th at w ith th e retu r n of sprin g h e m igh t b e
s u re i f th e bird ret u r n ed to its old n est agai n O n th e
an d th e l ittle
1 2 th o f A p ril th e bi r d d id i ndeed retu rn
rin g w a s still upon its neck ; b u t w h at w a s m ore r e
m ar k a b l e som e other h an d h ad ad ded a secon d gol d
T h u s was i t
r i n g m arked w ith a set o f A rabic letters
p roved to th e sigh t th at God h ad fed th e s w allo w i n
t h e co u ntry o f th e Moor o r th e T u rk
th at d uri ng
th e w in ter of th e n orth it h ad eate n its meat i n t he
an d h avi n g called th e
w ar m fields of A frica o r A si a
M ah ometa n to faith in God i t w a s retu r n ed at i ts a p
poi nted ti m e to be fed a n d to be a te ach er at th e Ger
man s door
,
,
,
,
.
.
.
,
.
,
.
,
,
,
,
,
*
’
.
L
I
r e a r e d th r e w r ens
e t o ne o f th e m
t l ib e r ty
fr om th e ne t a nd in Jul y I w i h e d t
Ha ving let it out o f th e c g e w h i ch s t oo d ne a r w i nd o w w h i h w a s
l ong t i m e h o pp i ng nd fl y i ng b out th e t op
o p e ne d it co nti nue d fo
nd o n a b a r
nd i tt ing up on t h e p ot s up o n t h e l e dg
o f t h e ca g e
t h e w i nd o w
A t l t it b e g n t o
t o w h i ch t h e r o e s w e r e t i e d a cr o
nd g e tt ing up on t h e r o of
t r a ve l up t h e cr ee p e r
a g a i nst t h e h u e
nd I did not e p ct t o ee it
g i n ; but
it fl ew ov e r th e b ui l di ng
tw o h our s a ft e r
it r e tur ne d e ce e di ng l y h ungr y a nd lit up on th e
upp e r b
h of th e m e w i nd o w
f th e l o w e r
o f t h e m idd l e p ne
nd f d h e r ti l y
a nd
I
t
w
a
l
e t in
k
e d h rd for a d m i tt ance
ee
p
fr om m y h and
I w no m o e of it
ft e r w h i ch it t oo k it l e av e
for tw o d a y w h e n it r et ur ne d fo a h o t v i i t in e r y g o o d ca s e
a nd no t a pp e a i ng
A b out a w e e k a fte r
t al l p r e e d for fe e d
it r eturne d t o t h e s am e p a ne of g l a s s p eek ing a b ef r e ; b ut I
y ear
a st
s
”
,
sa
ys
Mr
.
He rb e rt ,
s
,
a
h ad
a
o s
,
a
c
a
a
e, a
s
ss
s
s
,
x
ar
a
s
a
s
r
a
sa
sa s
.
s,
a
,
o
a
a
s
e
x
,
a
a
,
s, a
r
as
.
o
s
,
.
a
,
r a
,
e
,
s
r
ss
,
r
v
,
,
.
,
a
e
sa
.
s
a
,
,
s
o
T H E F O WL S O F T H E A I R
24
.
o f m ark e d
h
ave
bee
n
observed
N u merous i nsta nces
r
t
rni
g
thei
r
on
ted
place
yea
r
a
fter
year
,
w
t
o
n
b i rds e u
t
r
o
h
i
s
t
s
,
thou g h 1 h ave met w ith no oth er th at after
b
ac
k
a
n
accou
n
t
fro
m
i
ts
d
istan
t
store
h
ouse
b m ru h t
o
f
T hu s h a s G od tau gh t a n d prepare d the m ill i on s
n
d
a
every “ i ng to pass from th e north to th e sou th
from t h e s o rrt lr to th e nor t h a t th e rate says th e
o
h
w
:
N a t urali t o f 50 to 1 50 miles an h ou r
far
e x ce e d i n g w ith th e i r active w i ng a n d alon g thei r liqu i d
n
d
a
r
u
o
pa t h ur speed b y m ean s of
stea m e ngi n es
o f m an y
af
er
th
e
d
iscoveries
a
nd
i
n
ven
tion
s
t
r a ilro rd
cen t u r i e s !
il l
m
ay
n
ote
one
oth
e
r
partic
ular
perh
aps
s
t
5
m or e w onder ful a nd certai nly peculi arly s u i ted as a
lesw n o f fai t h : v iz T hat i n add itio n to t he ge nera l
,
,
-
.
,
,
,
,
-
s
,
,
,
o
,
s
,
,
.
,
.
“ as
ne e upt e t l
\x rt
a
s
a
r
d
t
t
d
t
n
t
p
um m r
t h f ll i m m g
m k f t ln
t ut
fi n
r
o
r
r
.
.
d
h
tr ng e r
a
e
the
fo r
e
,
on
b u i ne
s
.
of
2 3d
d
a tt en
no t
co u
th e
On
s ea s o n
ld
d
an
ss ,
Jul y , in
di ng t t h m e w i nd w w h en
m e p ane
f th e
t up n t h e b
h
p
i
n
N
e
m
o
f
f
o
e
k
b
r
d
i
i
t
n
b
nd
my f
t
l
p
g
f
o m hi s
i
n
m
u
u
h
e
t
t
h
r
l
r
d
l
i
l
p
g
r
m
n
o
i
b
m
p
m
j
)
t
y
y
y
c
n
s
c
e
f
t
e
m
n
n
u
l
k
l
w
d
w
p
h
g
p
w
h
i
h
t
f
t
t
t t
n
e k ing t h e m
n
d
e
n
t
f
l
dg
h
i
d
w
b
g
p
t
h
n
b
t
d
n
l npp
i
i
B
u
t
t
s
n
t
l
l
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t
u
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r
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p
r
d
g
i
h
n
m
h
t
f
t
f
t
f
)
q
g
h bi t f th w i l d b d t h t I c n i d e r it qui te
th
nt r r y t
t ur ne d a fte r
h
d
l
l
n
n
u
w
n
r
i
bird
r
l
i
g
r
m
h
t
t
i
h
n
t
c
y
e
a
e
i
n
h
e
t
d
n
h
i
p
r
i
l
k
t
t
h
r
b
r
r
d
t
W
t
t
it
H o w m any
nt h rt l i n id nt
w y pl
it
Th
t m t
t
h d m y l i tt l w a nd e re r
m d i
l l l u p n m
t h i ng
wan w !
l t h p e k d a t m y w i nd w ! P r h p h h d sung
f ( l pp t n
p p e d i nto th e
n r th g m
n t
hi pl mt n
e
e
a
Ofl
‘
(
e
‘
a ce
o
l
as i
so c o
e
a
s
r
o
.
x i -r
e
.
rc
.
e
rr
’
s
,
es
l lt
“
-
‘
~|
r
l
l tC t
3
ro
ea
as
e
\a
s
e
o se e
e s re
se
mg b e
o es
e
a
o
th e
f
r
e o
k i ng o f Frm bucto o
P a r t 1 0, p 4 4 6
.
e
ea
”
'
.
.
a
s
e
e
a
e
.
e
a
a
e
o
e
'
s
,
s
.
a
c
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er o
a
c
o
e I
e
“
.
-
a
a
\\ l l C l
ea ~a
r
“ as a
e
a
,
e
a
a
a
,
s
a
,
s
o
a
oo
,
‘
e
as
t e
o
o
ss
o
e
so
e
r
o
s
a
e
r
~
e
o
a
e
o
oo
e
e
o
e o
’
,
sa
o
r a
o e
as
ee
o
e
e
ar
o
r
,
e
i
,
o
a
o
e sa
a
e c re s
e
e o
o
o
i
a
o
t
s
st a n
w as
\ o ee
oo
o
s
a
.
e
a a
se a
i s
o
e
o
s
,
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s
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I
,
or
P t m rg M ag
e
s
a
ee
az
i ne ,
V ol I ,
.
T H E F O W L S OF T H E A I R
25
.
k i nd ness i m plied i n th e foregoi ng partic ulars God
exercises a speci al p roviden tial care ov er th e b irds
I m ea n that bes id es p rovid i n g for the m a n a b u nd an t
store s cat tered over t h e h i lls a n d valleys a n d plai ns
th roug h th e lakes a nd ri vers a n d seas a n d ai r of the
w ide w orld b esides fu rn ish i ng th e m w it h sk ill to select
i nstru me n ts to tak e a n d orga ns to red u ce th eir food ;
besides e n do w i n g th e m w i t h po w er of fligh t o f asce n t
an d d escent a rid motion i n th e elem e n t i n w h ich w e
do bu t li ve ; besides gi v i ng t h e m at on ce the k no w ledge
o f ai ry n avigation to th e cou n t ries a nd at the t i m e of
th e p rovision b e h as mad e ; b es i des all t h ese h e r e gards
k i ndly a n d atten t iv e ly t h e wa nts of each a m id st all t h e
a ccide n ts to w h i c h i t is expos e d
He pities th e m as
creat u res o f se ns a tion c a pa b le o f pleasu re a nd pai n ;
a n d i n h is w o nde r w o r king provide nce for t h e ir b e
hoof m akes th e m h is spec i al w it n esses t o m e n of th e
pity a nd k i nd n ess of their heave n ly F ath er
Th is
seems to m e i mplied i n ou r S a v ror s expression Y ou r
h eave nly F at h e r feedeth th e m
i e God t akes t h e
sam e speci al care of th e m as yo u feel that y o u n eed
a m idst th e accide nts an d ills o f li fe T he sa m e t hi ng
is perh aps still more plainly s ta te din our Sa v ior s ill u s
tr a tio n o f God s m erciful care over h is c h ild re n
(Matt
2
l
A re n ot tw o sparro w s so d for a farth i ng
1 0:
a n d o ne o f th e m sh all no t fall to th e grou n d w i thou t
”
you r F ath er
I ca n not h el p su pposi n g also , th at th e
follo w i ng passages do at on ce regard th e gen eral an d
“
special care
He giveth to th e beast h is food a nd
” “
D oth th e h a w k
to th e yo u n g rave n s w h ich cry
,
.
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
.
,
s
,
,
’
“
,
.
.
,
.
’
,
,
’
.
’
.
,
.
°
,
.
3
T H E FO W L S OF T H E A I R
26
.
fly by thy w isdom a n d stretc h h is w i ngs to w ards th e
D ot h the eagle m ou n t u p a t thy co m m an d ,
so u th
”
2
n
her n est o h ig h
S he d w elleth a n d
a nd m ak e
a b ideth o n the roc k u pon th e crag of t h e roc k an d th e
st rong place F rom the n ce s h e seek eth h er prey a n d
”
\V h o prov ideth for th e
he r eyes b ehold a fa r o ff
?
rave n h is food w h e n h is you n g on es cry un to G od ,
”
they w a n de r for lac k o f meat
F ro m these passages
w e m igh t concl ud e t h at t h e ca re o f Prov ide nce w a s
m os t s i g nally m a n ifest i n provid i ng for t he pare n ts a n d
th e ir you ng w hose u n ited voices a re heard a n d a ns we r
ed i n t hei r season of pec ul iar n eed T h us for i nsta n ce
are th ey hatch ed a t th e p recise period w he n t he provis
ion su ited to th e you n g is m e s t easily obtain ed ; a nd
th e n atu ral a ffe ctio n o f th e pa re n t bird s is pe rfect i n
st r ength and sk ill d u ri ng th e p e r i o d o f their h elpless
i
\ in
ness
o
the
a
ns
er
G
od
he
n
they
c
ry
u
n
to
w
f
w
g
g
h i m for lac k of meat
I f w e u n ite to G od s ca re i n p rovid i n g for th e you n g
i n thei r p e c ul ia r h el plessn ess th e r a pid ity w it h w h ich
th ey b eco me qu al i fi ed b y stre n gth orga ns a n d i n sti n ct
i ve k no w le g e w e shall perh a ps h ave t h e t w o most
s tri kin g proofs t h at G o d feedet h th e m
O n these , a
d is ti ngu i h e d N a t u ralist re ma rks o n h avi n g exa m i n ed
th e n e s t of a k i nd of ma rti n
VV h rle w e con tem pla
ted thei r n aked b odies th eir u n w ield y d isproportion ed
ab dom i na a nd th e i r heads too hea vy for t hei r n ec ks to
s u p port ; w e could n ot b rrt w onder w he n w e refl ected
,
,
,
,
.
“
.
,
.
,
,
.
’
.
,
,
,
,
,
.
"
s
,
,
,
,
,
Wh i te
of
S e l bo rne
.
,
T H E FO WL S O F T H E A I R
28
.
gi ft of th e food b y w h ic h i t is preserved
Wh y boast
ou rselves as i f w e could provid e o ur m eat o r d espo n d
as i f G od co rrld not provid e i t w h e n w ith ou t a n d above
?
l i fe i s preserved w h y n ot tru st for o ur d a ily
o ur care
food i n G od the Lord a nd G iver o f th e m ore w ond erfu l
l i fe ? What li fe is w e k n o w not B u t w e d o k n o w
th at i t is m ore th a n m eat a n d th at w i th ou t it food w ere
o f n o ava i l ; th at th e mome nt l ife van ishes t h e fram e
is n o long e r able to sustai n itsel f ca n n o lon ger be
nou ri hed b y food a n d retu r ns w it h speed to its origi n al
”
Is n ot th e l i fe m ore th a n m ea t
du t
T h in k for a mome n t h o w rna r vello usly is kept up
th e mystery of life We are su rrou n ded w ith th e v ita l
a ir in a n a b u nda nce far exceed i ng th e ri ch p rov is io n
o f food for th e fo w ls o f th e ai r
so presen t w it h u s by
i ts o w n elasticity a n d flu id ity th at th e birds can not
reac h i t bette r tha n w e w ith thei r po werfu l a n d rapi d
w i ng
I t is equ ally n ea r to us at h om e a n d abroad
I t is equ ally ple n ty to th e ric h an d th e poor We
neither so w i t nor reap it n or gather it n or p repare it
for ou r u se ; nor toil fo r th e m ean s o f bu yi n g i t , nor
O pe n ch a n n e ls b y w h ich i t m ay reac h o ur fra me
I n th e heat o f s u m m er i n th e cold o f w i n te r by d ay
a n d b y n igh t w he reve r w e stay a n d w h erever w e go,
th e \ rta l a ir lies arou n d us i n a n i nexh austible su pply
N ay w i t hou t o ur w ill w ithou t eve n our n otice w h ether
w e s leep or w ake la b or o r rest i t w orks i ts o w n ince s
s an t w a
a sks n o arti fi cial co nd u it to th e seat o f l ife
y
T h e sa me v i tal ai r in exh au stible w ithou t u s by a
con s ta n t s trea m with i n u s
to th e b l ood its
, su pp lies
,
,
,
,
'
.
,
,
,
,
s
s
,
.
.
.
,
,
,
,
.
.
.
,
,
.
,
,
,
,
.
,
,
,
,
,
,
.
,
,
.
T H E F OW L S OF T H E A I R
29
.
l ivi ng property , a n d carr ies th e m ach i nery by w hic h
t he life is forced th rou gh every part , a n d to th e very
extrem ities of th e body T h at n ever stop pin g m a
ch in e , th e h eart , exposes th e blood to th e v ital air fo u r
t housan d ti mes every h ou r ren e w i n g its life , a n d th e n
se n ds th ro ug h th e fra m e t h e l ivi n g flood We are
a ston ished an d taugh t b y th at d ivi n e care wh ich p ro
v ides th e stores for th e birds , a n d gives them sk ill a nd
po wer to use t h e se stores for th eir n ou rish m en t b u t
h o w m u ch greater t h e m ystery a nd th e lesson w h ic h
o ur Lord co n nects w it h it , o f o ur ow n i n w ard life ,
an d of all l ife ! t h e l ife of ou rsel ves a m idst cou n tless
m yriads , b reath i n g a n d livi n g in th is w ide a nd i ne x
“
Is not th e l ife m ore tha n
h a us tible sea of v ital air !
”
?
meat
T h e q uestion is still more i m pressive , th e m arvel of
our l ife is still more m arvellou s , i n V ie w of its prese r
am idst h azards i n n u m erable a nd con sta n tly
v atio n
destru cti ve Wh ile w e l ive u pon t h e i nexh austible
s upply ren e w i n g ever y secon d our perish i ng life w e
are exposed every d ay a n d hou r a nd m omen t to i ts
exti nction ; a n d m ai n tai n i t i n co nstan t sigh t of th e
d yi ng a n d th e dead latel y as full of life as ou rselves
?
How sligh t th e acc i
Wh at is o ur li fe b u t a v apor
de nts by w h ich it m a y be soo n or s udden ly destroyed
Ho w easy a t h in g i t i s to die ; to be left a lifeless l u m p
T oo rapid or s u dden motion , th e lifti n g o f
o f clay !
th e arm , th e trippi n g of t h e foot , a strok e u pon th e
temple , th e stu mbli n g o r starti ng of a h orse , a s u dde n
.
,
.
,
,
,
.
,
,
,
*
3
.
30
THE
F
OWLS
OF
TH E
A I R.
bl ast of wi nd a crevice i n a pla n k th e m i as m ata of the
l ife givi n g at mosphere a flas h o f ligh tn i n g a n d te n
t housan d n a meless accide n ts , in ne w a n d une x pected
form s are ever read y to destroy th e life a n d give still
“
deeper i n terest to th e q uestion , Is not th e life m or e
”
?
th a n meat
,
~
,
,
,
,
,
SERMON II
TH E L I L I E
S
O F THE FI E L D
MATTHE W
C
o ns
in :
sp
h ke
id e r t h e h i re s
A nd y e t I
s ay
of
th e fi e
ld
.
6
28, 29
.
.
“
,
h ow t h ey
unt o y o u, t h a t e
v nS l
e
g ro w ;
o o m o n,
y t o rl no t ne i t h er do t h e y
in a ll h i s g l o ry w a s no t a rr a y e d
th e
,
o ne o f t h e s e .
IT
is w orth y of rem ar k , th at flo wers to a si ngl e
speci m e n of w h ich o ur S avior calls our attention , are
u n i versally attractive an d agreeabl e
T h ey ligh t up
th e i n fan t s eye , a n d cover its face w ith a s m ile Ch il
d re n deligh t i n th em stop am idst th ei r sports a n d alon g
th eir path to gaze a t th e m ; a nd gath er th em as th e
p rettiest token s of a ffection for th ei r p aren ts teach ers
a n d frie nds ; a nd fill thei r h ou ses a n d schools w it h th ei r
beau ty an d fragran ce A n d am idst th e c ares a n d toils
an d gloom s a n d ch e er ing s of b usy l ife , th e gloomy as
w ell as th e c h eerful are pleased w it h th e m ; a n d th e
m ore i n p roportio n as m e n gi ve fr ee scop e to th eir
n at u ral love of flo w ers , an d still m ore as th ey ch eris h
a propen si ty desig ne d to be m ad e th e i nstr u m en t o f
fai th a nd h ope
T h e first bloom of s prin g is w elcom e d
wi th a s mili ng face an d a ch eered h eart , by rejoici n g
,
.
’
.
,
,
.
.
TH E m u m
32
on
TH E FIELD
.
c ro wd s ; an d s u ccessi ve flo w ers sp read ch eerfu l n ess
th rou gh all th e mo n ths o f su m m e r
We ad d to
th e s m iles o f n atu re a rou n d u s b y th e cul t u re o f th e
garde n a nd accept th e p rivilege w h ic h a graciou s
Provide nce h as give n u s o f add i ng th u s to th e c heer
ful n e s s of h om e ; a n d e ve n a m idst th e d reari ness of
w i n ter t ry w ith ou r ho u se pla nts a n d gree n h ouses to
ro drrce a n d preserve th e ch eeri ng lesson o f th e s u m m er
p
m on ths E ve n h al f b l i n d old age too la m e to go fort h
a n d dirnl v see the ne w b eau ties of a n eigh tiet h su m
m e r w elcomes th e b eau ti fu l n osegay w h ich a ch ild s
love o f flo w ers has w roug ht for a w or n ou t a n d w it h
eri n g gra n d moth e r N ay ; I h ave see n a cl us te r of
flo w ers com e i n fragra n t a n d beaut ifu l m essen gers of
peace to gr e e t a n d c heer th e s ick a n d a new a n d
h eav e nly s rnrle ligh t u p the face of th e d y i n g as for
t h e last ti m e thei r b ea u tiful ro b e w a s b eheld by thei r
”
fad i n g ey e s
D o y o u k no w sa id t he lovely a n d
e xcelle n t \V ilbe r fo rce as h e w a s si n k in g u n de r th e
”
i n fi rm i ties o f old age d o you k no w said b e (ope n
i ng u pon some flo w ers sh u t t i p i n th e Psal ms ) th at
I a m very fon d o f fl o w ers ? T h e cor n a n d th i n gs o f
that natu re I look u pon as t h e bou nties o f Prov i
”
e
f
r
w
s
1
de nc
lo e
look u pon a s h is s mile
T h e y a re the d e ligh t of all n a t ions T hei r li n e i s
gone o ut i n to all the earth T here is n o speec h n or
la ng u a g e w here t hei r voice is not h ea rd
G od h as
provid e d b lossoms i n th e w ilderness to attract th e eye
o f th e savage
a nd they spea k o f m e rcy a mon g all
e
h athe n n ations I n I nd ia partic ularly , th e s ea t of t h e
.
,
-
-
,
,
,
-
.
,
’
,
,
~
.
.
,
,
,
,
,
,
“
.
,
,
“
,
,
,
“
,
.
.
.
.
,
.
,
T H E L I L I E S OF T H E F I E L D
33
.
m ost e x tensive idolatry o n ear th I h ave w itnessed th e
re marka b le attach m e n t of th e people to flo w ers T h ey
are a n arti cle o f extensive tra ffi c an d i n a p rofusion
to w hic h w e are u n acc ustom ed for m a part of every
e n tertai n men t a r e th ro w n a t the feet an d h u n g a ro u n d
t he n ecks of those w h om th ey w ish to hon or till th e
T h ey are
W hol e air i s filled w ith t hei r fr agra nce
scattered i n th e tem ples cover th e sh ri n e s a n d are
h u n g arou n d th e necks o f thei r go ds T hey blossom ,
too i n th e fables of th ei r m y th ology ; and w e m ay
gai n from one of thei r most re mark a b le perve rsion s of
th e t ru th a strik i ng ill ustration of th e religiou s lesson
Is i t no t r e
of t he flo w ers as o ur S avio r i nte r p r ets it
m ark able t h at i n the lead i ng s u perstition o f th e earth
th e God o f sal vatio n sh o ul d b e th e God of th e lily Z
th at fro m V is h noo t h e P reserver should sp r in g th e
fr om w h ich B r ah m a
w ater l ily th e sacred lot u s
sh ould a r ise th e C reator of a w o rld of w hich V ish noo
shou ld be agai n a n d aga i n th e i n carn ate deli verer an d
S av ior
T h e lilies o f th e field w ere m en tioned no doubt ,
because t h ey w ere before th e eyes of our Lo r d at
th e ti m e w h e n h e spoke a n d becau se th ey fu r n is h a
co n spicuous a n d beau tiful speci me n of th at innum er a
ble va r iety of flo w ers w h ic h ado r n a n d i n stru ct all th e
m o n th s o f su m mer I t is not I b el ieve q uite certain
W h at t h e flo w er w a s w h ich is h ere ter med th e lily :
n or is i t v e r y i m portan t to k no w si nce an y of th e
di fferen t species of th e l ily o r of th e rose even or a n y
othe r flo w er , w ou ld offer in subst an ce th e sam e l esso n
,
.
,
,
,
,
,
.
it
,
\
,
.
,
,
,
.
,
,
,
'
.
-
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
.
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
T H E L I L I ES OF T H E F I EL D
34
.
to th e eye
I h ave al w ay s fr om m y earliest ch ild h ood
i n read ing or re m embe r i n g o ur Savior s w ord s h ad
i n m y o w n e ve the com mo n l ily o f t h e m o w i ng field
w h ich I U ed to see i n great a b u nd an ce a rou n d th e
hom e o f my ch ild h ood a nd w h ic h fell i n ti me o f b a r
—
vest b efore th e mo w er s scy the
th e morro w to pass
from its glory not to th e ove n bu t to be bu r ied u nsee n
am idst th e w i n te r s fod der T his lily w e all k no w , a
l ily of gold e n robe arra y ed above th e glory o f Solo mon
an d sta nd i ng w i t h its S i ste r species a n d all t h e races o f
th e flo w e rs a lesson to ou r fait h Le t u s conside r th e
l il y accord i ng to th e co m m an d o f o ur S avior
T h er e is
C o ns ider th e l il ies h o w th ey g r ow
m ore to b e don e th a n to gl an ce t h e eye over th e bloo m
i ng field an d to h e ch ee red b y th e b eau ty of th e full
blo w n lil ies T hei r g r ow th is to be c o ns ider ed ; th a t
h idde n silent w on de r fu l p rocess w h ic h a t len gt h
covers th e pla n t w i t h glo r y s u rpassin g Sol o m o n s
F ir s t is to b e noticed th e p r ep a r a t i o n w i th o ut by
m ean s of w h ich th e l ilies gro w a soil i n w h ic h t hey
m ay rest a n d th rough w h ic h th ei r n ou ris h m e n t m ay
fl o w
T he n above them a ro un d t h em a n d e ve n
,
,
’
,
,
,
s
,
’
,
,
,
,
’
.
.
,
,
,
.
,
,
.
.
s
,
.
,
,
,
’
.
,
,
,
,
.
,
n
,
Ho m e h a s t h e fo l l o w i g n o t e
t
In h i s pa ssag e , Je sus C h r i st
r e fe rr e
to t h e w i e l il
y o r th e
.
c o m m n ly u pp d t h
d
ht
t uh p b ut n t h
f th
w
m
l
i
n
l
t
n
n
t
o
d
P
e
e
I
t
i
s
ur a l t o
g
u m t h t cc o d n g t h cu t m h e c a l le d t h e tt e n ti o n of
p
th e h
t s m
bj c t
t h nd ;
nd
t h fi e ld o f t h e Le va n t
a
ow
un w t h t h
fl m
l
h
d
n
i
l
i
c
l
L
u
t
w
l
e
o
e
e
l
a
e ous
y
g
fl w
m ut u m n a ff d ne f t h e m o t b i l l nt and g o g eo us
ob
th
xp
n T h t S l m o n n ll his g l ory w as
j ct n n tu
”
not a rra y ed l ik e o ne f t h e e is e cu li l a
p
y pp o p iate
is
o
ei
,
re s
e
a
e rs ,
e
!
.
i
a
o
rr
o
er o
,
e a r e rs
re
ose
s
a
e o
,
e
o
a
is
a
a r
or
e e
s
o
e
,
re
r
i
i
a
a ve
ese
r
o
o
s o
a
o
re ss i o
s
,
a
as
a
e
s
a
o
r
o o
ar
s
s
,
o
,
a
.
,
a
is
s i
,
r
,
ia
i
r
a
r
,
.
36
Tue
L I L I ES
OF
FI ELD
TH E
.
B u t w e h ra st pass fro m th e preparation an d co n side r
th e m ethod of its g ro w th th e skilful con tri va n ces by
b
e
h
ich
it
i
m
p
oves
th
e
ad
va
n
tages
so
m
arvellously
r
w
sto w ed l re m th e bul b i n w h ich th e ne w pla n t l ies
h oused rad icles or s mall roots desce n d i n to th e earth ,
the fi r t o rga ns o f n o u r ish me n t to th e you n g pla n t , be
gi n n i ng to bu rst fro m th e s u rface F r om these rad i
cles p roceed s malle r roots or rootlets ; a n d fro m th ese ,
t i ll s malle r a n d al most i n n u me r a b le w h ich
fi b r ile s
m ay b e see n b y a ny o ne w h o w ill take th e trou ble to
d ig the lily a n d con id e r it i n its root B u t b esides
w h at w e ca n see w ith o ur n aked eye th e re are parts
stil l more c u rious w ithou t w h ich t h e b ul b an d roots
If on e of
a nd r o t lets a nd frb r ile s w ould be i n v ai n
these frb r rle s b e laid i n w ater i t w ill s peed ily assu me
i ts n at u ral s tate as i t lies in th e m oi t ea r th receivi n g
n ou ri h me n t for th e plan t I f i t b e t he n exa m i n ed
w ith a m icroscope s mall spon gy bod ies w ill b e see n
con
si
t
ing
of
six
sided
cells
d
esign
ed
S o n i o l es
t
o
p g
a b o r b th e liqu id suste n a nce a nd a s they s w ell to force
i t u p w a rd t h rou gh a ll th e pass a ges o f t he pla n t ; w arp
ing w eavi ng a n d dy e i n g i ts fi n ished ro b e : a con t ri
va nc e h o w m uc h sim pler a nd mo re perfect th a n o ur
o w n — w hen from t h e silen t w ater head w e ca rry t h at
dorman t po w e r th roug h artifi cial ch an n els to lon g
ranges of m ach i n ery w h ic h a t leng th b ri ng forth fro m
the l om the w ool a nd th e cotto n a n d t he silk i n e very
fo r m of textu re for u se a n d b ea u ty to protec t and ch er
is h a nd adorn o u r w ea k bod ies
So sk ilfu lly co n tr ived
,
,
‘
r
,
.
,
,
s
.
.
,
s
,
s
,
.
,
,
,
o
.
,
s
,
s
,
.
,
,
s
,
-
s
,
,
,
,
,
-
,
,
,
,
,
o
,
,
.
THE
OF T H E F I E L D
LI LI E s
37
.
is th e root for no u rish i ng th e lily
w h ich to d ay is
”
a n d to m orro w is cas t i n to t h e ove n
If w e consider th e s te m w e still see the di vi n e po w er
proceed ing w ith di vi n e w isdom
F rom th e b ul b i n
w h ich i t l ies th e you n g plan t iss ues for t h con t ri ved
w ith i n to co nvey a nd ela b o r ate its flu id n ou rish me n t
A s w e exa m i n e its i n tern al str uctu re w e fi n d o ne set
of vessels th roug h w h ic h the sap ascend s a nd fro m
w h i ch w he n t he pla n t i s c u t w e see it rapidly oo z i n g
o ut
A s w e t race it to th e leaves w e fi nd by th e h el p
of a m icroscope th at th ey are pen etrated w it h tho u
san ds o f pores th ro ugh w h ich th e su perfluous moist u r e
is exh aled i n con ti n u ed st r eams ; a nd th e v ital air
breath ed i n w h ile ligh t a n d pe r haps ele ctric fi re ad d
th ei r i nfl u e nce to th e perfectin g sap T hen ce w h at is
needfu l for th e perfect gro w th of th e pl an t , descen ds i n
anoth er set of vess els alon g its bar k
to be e m ploye d
i n s ustai n in g it w i th life arrayi ng it w ith beau ty an d
per fecti ng t h e seed for fu tu re pl a nts H o w m uc h m ore
si m ple an d pe r fect th a n o ur com pl icated m ach i n ery
o ur spi n ni n g jen nies a nd o ur po w er looms w h ich h u
m a n skill h as i n ve nted after th e experien ce o f m an y
ge nerations ! S uc h is th e a rra ngemen t of th e ste m
a nd th e leaves of th e lily
w h ic h t o day is a n d to
m orro w i s cast i n to th e ove n
We pass lastly , t o th e fl o w er w h ic h o ur Savior pre
sen ts u s as th e glory o f th e plan t — a rrayed by these
si m ple p rocesses w i th sk ill su rpassi n g th e spi n n er s
an d w eavers an d dyers of E gypt a nd Tyre a nd all
t h e w onders of moder n art
T h e plant , em erg in g
-
,
,
,
-
.
,
.
,
,
.
,
,
,
,
.
,
,
,
,
.
,
,
.
,
,
-
,
,
“
,
,
~
,
,
,
,
.
4
THE
38
LILI E s
OF T H E F I E L D
.
fro m i ts seed o r root send s forth its i n n u merabl e
fi b r iles d ri n ks in its stead y n o u rish m e n t from th e soil ,
a nd meets w it h its ste m a n d leaves th e con tin u ed a c
tion o f th e air a nd l igh t above ; coveri n g itself as it
gro w s w ith a d ress of g ree n w h ich gro w s brig h ter a n d
m ore b eau ti ful the longer it is w or n u n til , i n th e secre
sk ill th e flo w er cro w n s th e stalk ,
cy of heave nly
a rrayed i n glory s u rpass in g Solomon s : th e fi n es t
s pe cime n o f b eau ty o n w h ic h the eye o f m a n ca n rest
Ho w perfec t its for m : h o w d elicate a n d yet h ow brill
ia nt its colo r i ng a n d h o w va r ied are t he m u ltit u des ,
w h ic h ad o r n eve r y ga rden a n d field i n a beau ty w h ic h
every i magi n ation calls u p b u t w h ich d escri ptio n m u s t
fail to por tray ! \V e can only adore th e po w e r a n d
s k ill w hich prod uce t h e w on derful res u lt ; w h ich for m
th ese still more delicat e leaves — w h ic h w eave t h e
colored petals
th e fi ne apparel o f the corolla ; w h i c h
perfect t h e e x pand ed blossom
a n d t h e bo u n ty
w h ic h has spread the m arou n d us passed all n u mber ;
adorn in g th e open i ng s p r i ng w ith a n e n dless variety of
h u es colored i n a s in gle dye ; a n d s m ili n g on all th e
nri nis te rs of everlasti ng m ercy ,
path s o f s u m me r
calli ng ma n to fai t h i n G od
—
s
i
n
l
e
t
t
A nd
m i n i ers
givi ng li n e u po n li n e pre
cept u pon p recept say i ng to all w h o w ill liste n to th e i r
”
still s nra ll voice
see k fi rst th e ki n gdo m of God
”
a nd h is ri g h teou s ne s
O ur Sav ior poi n ts to th e sile n t
proces s of th e g ro w t h of t h e lilies as pe c u l iarly in ter
es ti n g a nd i n tru ctive
T h ey toil n ot n eithe r do
”
they spi n
We j ustly ad m i re th e ar t of m a n, w h e n
,
,
,
,
,
’
.
,
,
,
.
s
,
,
“
“
,
,
s
.
,
s
,
.
THE
LI LI E s
OF T H E F I E L D
39
.
a m id st th e d ust a n d clatter of a tho u sa n d spi n dles a n d
m an y po w er looms a n d b usy h a nds w e see a silen t
sheet of w ater , ly i n g as it w ere asleep besid e u s so
s oo n ch an gi n g th e cotton an d th e w ool i nto a coveri n g
for th e bodies o f men
B u t h ow is th is art su rpassed ,
by th at d ivi n e po w er an d sk ill w hich so soon arr ay th e
w hol e eart h i n th e beau ty of cou n tless flo w ers eac h
s u rpassi ng Solo m on i n robes so silen tly p u t o n
B u t th is bea u ti fu l lesson also is g ive n as a n I nd ex
to an oth er still m ore w on der ful
Is not t h e bod y
?
D oes t h e lil y flou rish before us
m ore th a n rai m e n t
i n its su rp assi n g glory to attract our atten tion to t he
sk ill an d po w er e ngaged to pr o vide for our bodies thei r
?
n
T hose bod ies th emselves w h ich
needed coveri g
clai m a F ath er s care w ere created a n d a re su stai n ed
by a still m ore s u rprisi ng s kill a n d po w e r Le t u s ,
t hen , before w e d ism iss the lesson of th e lily t u r n o ur
attentio n to th e body , w h ic h o ur Lord associates
w ith it
Ho w ad m i rable th en t he body eve n as th e least i a
for m ed m ay obser ve it
Ho w fi rml y b u ilt its bon y
frame an d yet h ow capable o f m otion , by its j oi n ts ,
pe rf ectly for m ed , adapted eac h to its special p u rpose
a nd kept li ke a w ell te nded m achi ne ever oiled for us e
How fitted every part for its pecul iar p u rpose th e feet
to s u ppor t u s t he legs to carry u s ; th e arm s a nd h an ds
to w or k for u s ; th e n eck to su stai n an d to move t h e
h ead a n d th e h ead to recei ve sigh ts a n d sou n ds an d
s mells a n d tastes an d to con vey th e n eed ful s u ppor t
W h at a perfect roof is th e s k u ll , made still more sec u re
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TH E
40
LILI E s
OF T H E F I E L D
.
by its add i t ion a l cove r i ng o f h ai r n ot only cro w n i n g
th e “ h ole b od y b u t h ou si n g w ith special care th e sea t
A n d t h e m ou th t h e th roat th e
o f though t a nd l rfe !
stomac h
h o w formed an d fi tted for th ei r several
pu r poses to rece ive a nd red uce th e food w h ic h is to
s u s tai n th e b ody ;
th e teeth to g r i n d it th e th roat to
con vey it a nd th e j u ices to softe n a n d d iges t i t
And
—
th e arteries the vei ns
th e en
t h e hea r t t h e l u ngs
gi n e a nd m ac h in e ry an d cond u its o f l i fe to con vey i t
to th e re mote t a n d nrinute s t ext re m ities to th e t oes
a n d th e fi nge rs A nd the b rai n the m ys teriou s ch a m
ber from w h ic h thoug h t send s fo r th i ts bidd i n g alo ng
th e s pinal m ar ro w a nd th e n er ves sp read i n g by mill
ions over th e e n ti re fra m e : a nd th e m u scles w ith th eir
po w e r o f con t raction a pplied to every joi n t : a n d th e
tongu e th at m u scle o f m u scles ca pable of all t h e v a
r ie t ie s of m oti o n w h ich a re n eed fu l fo r t h e u ttera n ce o f
thou gh t
a nd lastly th e se nses th e fi ve d i fferen t ch a n
n els b y \t h ich info rnra t io n is con v eyed n eed i ng for
the ir u se bu t t he prese nce o f a l ivi n g sou l : o r a m idst
those se nses t h e eye m ore del icatel y for med a n d col
o red th an t he h ly of th e valley ada pted to receive th e
t h e fo r m
t h e color
l igh t
o f th e cou n tless var i
o tics o f o bj ects a nd hold in g w it h i n itsel f a pictu re gal
le ry w h ose pai nti ngs pass to th e bra i n w ith the veloc ity
“
o f light a nd cha ngin g w hereve r th e eye t u r ns :
Is
no t the b od y m ore t ha n rai me n t
I n regard to the body o ur Savior asks a qu estion o f
\V h ich o f you by tak i n g
peculiar s ign i fica nce
t h o u gh t ca n add to h is stat u re one cu bit
The
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TH E
OF T H E F I E L D
LI LI E s
41
.
gro w t h o f t he body i n ch ildhood an d you th an d th e
bou nds w h ich are set to th e stat u re i n perfected m a n
hood ali ke poi nt u s to the ins ig nifi ca nce of o ur pre
s u mption an d ou r despai r a n d to th e po w er i n w hom
u nbou nded co nfid e n ce m ay b e placed
Withou t po w er
or s kill — w ithou t pla n o r e ffo r t w e gro w from i n fa n cy
to mat u rity ; i nse nsi b ly b u t constantly d evelop in g
every m ys terious part o f th e m ysteriou s w h ole E ach
par t a n d member fitted in i n fa n cy to its seve r al fello w
each joi n t to its soc ket
eac h m u scle to i ts tendon ,
each ten do n to its joi n t
the viscer a t o th ei r place ;
t h e heart a n d l ungs to theirs ; th e brai n to its h al f
cem en ted roof gro w i n th ei r j u s t p roportion i n to th e
perfect a n d com pacted fra m e s u rely u n der th e constan t
w ork man shi p of Hi m by w hom at first w e w ere w o n
de rfully m ade an d o ur p a s s i n g o r rem embered ch ild
h ood gives to us a con sta n t an d pow erfu l lesson of
faith , i n h arm ony w ith th e lilies of th e field T h e
bo u n ds too w h ich at m a tu rity , w e fi n d are set w he n
th at w h ich passed w it h ou t o ur pai ns can n o longer be
con ti n u ed by o ur u tmost e ffor t ; w h e n w e k n o w th at n o
con tri van ce or l abor can e nlarge th e body w hich seem s
beyon d all other m aterial th i ngs w i th i n o ur po w er ;
t h e b od y w hich at w ill w e ca n lay do w n an d ta ke u p
w h ic h w e ca n h ol d stil l or set i n m otio n w h ose m e m
bers w e can m ove h o w m ysteriou sly , i n innum bera ble
w ays ; sh al l w e p res u m e or despai r i n regard to th e
rai m en t w h ic h i t n eeds an d w h ich ca n be fu rn ished
only by elem en ts over w h ic h w e h a ve n o i m agi n able
con trol I
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"
*
4
,
T H E L I L I ES OF T H E F I E L D
42
.
Y es — a n d
”
on
T h e u ndevou t astro nom er is m ad
i n th is n arro w er sp here am ids t
th ese lo w er g rou nds
—
th e fo w ls o f t h e ai r a n d th e l ilies of th e fi eld in
sigh t o f ou rselves only is there not l i ke occasio n to
say l l e is m ad w h o ca n look upo n t h e flo w ers of
su m me r th e fo w ls of th e a ir o r upon h is o w n m ar
’
vellons self unrnindful o f th e care a n d love of G od 2
Ho w full a n d perfect is t h e lesson to fait h an d h ope
a s abu nd an t as th e cou n tless profu sion o f th e flo w e rs
of s u m mer a n d th e fo w ls of th e ai r as n ea r as presen t
as you r o w n b od y a n d life I n th at m yste riou s ch a m
ber of you r b ody th e eye lie th e bloom in g toke ns o f
th e w isdom a n d po w er o f God ; i nto th at m ysterio u s
ch am b er th e ea r soft melod ies are si n ki n g i n toke n o f
h is love w h ile these l ivi ng senses of a li vi n g body a re
st ill more m arvellou s C a n h e b e less th a n m ad w ho
is n ot w o n to tr ust i n G od
T h e fool o nly , ca n say
i n h is hea r t T here is n o God
I f the re be a n y class of person s w h ose atte n tio n
ough t to be fixed u pon t he m ysteries o f th e li fe an d th e
body as lesson s o f fai th i t is exactly th at c lass w h o
a re w on t to tak e th e most n otice of th e birds of th e ai r
,
a n d th e lilies of th e field I mea n th e you ng T h ei r
eye is ye t u nd i m med thei r ca r is alert to h ear ; a n d
G od has provided sigh ts an d sou nds fitted to th e
per fect state i n w h ich th ey hold th e sen ses o f seei n g a n d
heari n g ; a n d at th e sam e ti me h e fills the m w ith th e
fu ll floo d of life fl ush i n g their chee k w i th h eal th an d
be au ty a nd givi ng \ igor to th e b ody a n d th e m in d
”
Let i t not be t h o ug lrt that the livel i ness o f yo u th , its
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44
THE
OF T H E F I E L D
L I LI E s
.
u se — w h ich a su m me r s d ay m ay m ake u n fit to be
kept a m id st th e livi n g a nd w h ic h so rapidly d issol ve
i n to s lra pe le s s d ust
retai n thei r pro portions th ei r
for m t hei r u se and their vigor after o ur h eart h as bea t
fi fty or a h u nd red m illions of ti mes ; — if after te n
thou san d e xposu res k n o w n a n d u n k n o w n th ey are
still fi r m an d u nd ecayed —n eed no re pai rs afte r th e
w ea r a n d accide n ts o f ma n y yea r s a r e n ot th ese bod ies
m ore t ha n rai me n t ? A n d w h at i f w rin kles m ar our
faces a n d th e s k i n looks sh r i velled o n o ur h a nds a n d
grey h ai rs a re h ere a nd th e r e u po n u s o r eve n th ic k
?
u pon o ur heads w hat too i f th e pu lse o f l ife beats
some w hat m o re feebly are not all th ese ci rcu m stan ces
m em or i a ls of m a n y years o f care a n d k i n d n ess — of
sk ill an d po w er r e ne w i ng the l ife a nd th e body e ven
?
u n til no w
Is not th e li fe o f th e m a n i n m iddle an d
—
ad va nced age
is n ot th e li fe o f th e old m an
m ore
tha n m ea t a n d th e body tha n ra im e n t
A m idst t h e
lesson s o f the s u m mer let the n ou r you th an d o ur aged
ou r you n g m e n a nd m aide ns o ur o ld m e n a n d
ch ild re n
p raise th e n a me o f th e Lord for h is n a m e
alon e is e x celle n t : h is glo ry is a b ove th e earth a n d
”
L e t th e m
h eave n s
seek fi rst th e k ingdom o f God ,
”
a nd h is r igh teo u sness
’
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-
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S
TH E
WAR R AN T
E RMO N
TO
III
.
F A I T H F R O M T H E F O W LS
O F T H E A I R A N D LI L I E S O F T H E
TT HE W 6
f
th y n th
f d th th m A
MA
:
F I E LD
.
26 8c 30
.
r e a p no r g a t h e r i n t o b a r n s ;
e
r e y e no t m uch b e tt e r t h a n t h e y
y e t y o ur h e a v e n l y F a t h e r e e e
I f Go d s o c l o t h e th e g r a s s o f t h e fi e l d w h i ch t o da y I s a nd t o m o rr o w 1 8 ca s t i n t o
t h e o v e n s h a l l h e no t m uch m o r e c l o t h e y o u O h y e o f l i tt l e fa rt h ?
Be h o l d t h e
f
ow l s o f
th e
a rr : o r
e
ei
e
r
sow
no r
.
-
-
,
,
,
,
TH E
p roper e n d for w h ich our Savior calls us to
conside r th e fo wls of th e a ir a n d th e lilies o f th e field
is th e ex er c is e of fa ith i n G od a s our p r es ent a nd
A m ids t o ur w an ts a nd ful ness ,
ev er l a s t i ng H e lp er
re s um
o ur desponde ncy a nd
o ur fears a n d hopes
p
p
tion ; th e b irds fly before u s a n d are fed a nd th e lilies
sh i n e i n t h eir glory to ch ec k o ur vai n b oast i n g to raise
u s fro m our despair ; o fferin g a w a r r a nt f or fa i th i n
,
,
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,
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,
God
.
T h e fo wls o f th e ai r a n d t he l ilies o f th e field ,
fu rn ish speci men s o f th e sk ill an d po w e r w h ich are e n
gaged to feed a n d clothe u s T hese perfec t speci
mens o f a ll th at is need ful to each order of b ei ngs in
k i nd w arran t th e con cl usio n that God w ill provide for
T here
us, i n our k ind , w ith eq u al skill an d po w er
1
,
.
~
.
,
.
T H E W A R RAN T
46
To
FA I T H
.
is a perfect ar range me n t a n d provisio n for t h e l ily ,
cord ing to its vegetable n at u re res ul tin g i n t h e per
g ro w th a n d glory o f th e pla n t an d flo w er an d for
—
bi rd accord ing to its an i mal n at u re
i ts i nst in cti ve s a
resu
lti
n
g
i
n
i
ts
adequ
ate
su
pply
a
m
ids
t
t
h
e
a city
g
accide n ts w h ic h belon g to i ts h igh er n at u re ; a n d th e
concl u sion is w arran ted t h a t o ur bodies th em sel ve s
m ore th a n rai m en t a n d e n do w ed w ith a l i fe m ore
m ar vellous t h a n th e food b y w h ich i t m u st be s u stai n
ed w ill h ave th ei r w a n ts a s faith fully s u pplied I f w e
s a w i n th e w o r k shop some sets o f i n str u m en ts of t h e
m ost perfect w o r k ma ns hi p w e m igh t fai rly t r ust th e
sa m e po we r a n d s kill to fi n ish an y th at w e sa w a t
p rese n t i nco m plete S o i f i n o ur se nsible expe rien ce ,
w e fi nd a t th e poi n t o f o ur h opes a nd fears a lack
w h ich te m pts us to presu m ptio n a n d despai r w e h av e
bu t to look a rou n d u s u po n th e lilies o f t h e field a n d
t h e fo w ls of t he ai r to be assu red th at G od w ill pro
v id e all th a t b elon gs to o ur n at u re i n all i ts d u ration
T h is con cl u sion w ou ld be j ust i f w e w e re of n o m or e
val u e th a n th e lilies ; i f l ike th e m w e w ere i n se n tien t
c reatu re s w ithou t pleasu re o r pa in a n d perish i n g lik e
t h e m i n a d ay
2 T he w ar ra n t is e n h a nced i n v ie w o f th e sen sibl e
n ecessities o f o ur a n i m al n atu re b y G od s te n de r m er
c ies to th e f ow ls of th e ai r T hei r lac k is w ith a n i m al
—
r
f
f
o
r
u
su e i n g l i ke
ow n
thei r s u pplies com fort a n d
c h eer their a n i mal n atu res as w e a re co m fo rted a n d
ch eered A s “ 0 see the n ou r h ea ve n ly F ather s u p
ply in g t hei r w a n ts w ith pity a nd i n ab u nd a n ce , we a re
,
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~
T H E W A R R AN T T O FA I T H
47
.
w arran ted to conclud e th at h e w i ll , w ith equ al faith fu l
n ess a nd po w er , regard o u rs
that o u r sen sibility to
th e pai ns of h u n ger an d to th e s tren gth a n d glad nes s
w h ich com e from su pply , i s I n V i e w o f ou r h eavenly
F ath er a n add ition al reason for our b ei n g fed as k i n d
ly a n d as bou n ti fully as w e see i n all th e feath ered
tribes arou nd u s Th u s is th e w arra n t en h an ced by
by our capacity o f s u ffer
o ur w ea k n ess a n d o ur pai ns
an d th e con cl usion w ould be j ust , t h e w ar r an t
be perfect , if w e w ere n o bette r t h a n th e fo w l s
a i r God w ou ld n ot leave h is w o r k h al f don e ,
i f w e w ere m ere an i m als , capable o nly of p rese nt se n
s ation , a n d losi n g i n a n i nstan t all sen sibility to pai n
a nd pleasu re w ith th e passi n g a w ay o f o ur mortal life
3 B u t th e w arr a n t is s till fu rth er e n h a n ced i n v i e w
of o ur greater capacity o f su ffe r i n g a n d en j oy me nt
fro m th e m ysteriou s con n ecti on o f our m in ds w ith our
bod ies Ar e w e not m uch better th a n th e fow ls of
2
rop
O ur need o f food an d rai m en t b elongs p
w
e h av e
to
to
a
n
atu
re
h
ich
w
r an i m al natu re
u
o
y
com m on w i th th e bi rd s ; b u t our su ffe r i n gs i n cons e
en ce of th ese necessi ties are i n creased an d eve n
y prod u ced b y o ur m i n ds If w e w ere m ere e u
w e s hould su ff er probably only t he act u al p ai n s
o f h u n ger a n d col d ; b ut by m ea n s o f o ur m i n d by
mea ns of though t th at su fferi n g is i n creased a nd eve n
w h e n w e are full , pai ns , a h u n d red fold greater t h a n
act u al h u nger or cold m a y b e prod u ced by fear a nd
ension S u ch fear a n d appreh ension are not
th ey belon g to u s as bei n gs at o n ce capable of
,
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T H E W A R RA N T
48
To
FAITH
.
n i mal w a n t a nd of an ticipati ng th e fu t u re ; are no
more to b e a n nih ilated th a n th e pai n s o f h u n ger are ;
a nd are fel t at som e t i mes i n tensely b y every h u ma n
bei n g m u t b e b y every th i n k i n g an i m al We pe r
h aps n ever i n o ur l ife ti me h ave su ffered th e w an t
of daily food w h o of u s ca n say tha t h e n eve r su ffe re d
i n te n sely from fear a n d a pp reh e nsio n o f lacki n g a
su pply
Here th e n it is th at th e w arra n t is e n h a nced
So m u c h th e b ette r as w e are th a n t he fo w ls of th e
ai r so m u ch th e m ore capa b le as w e are th a n th ey so
m u ch the mo re reason h ave w e for confide n ce i n Go d
for t h e su pply of o ur an i mal w an ts T h u s m arvell o u s
ly does o ur greater l iabil ity to su fferi n g e n h a nce th e
th at w h ic h add s i n ten si
w a r ra n t w h ich rel ieves u s
ty to o ur pai n gives u s t he reason w h ic h ch an ges i t
to j o y
l l o w f alse then eve n to n a t u ral religion — h ow pe r
is th e stoical
v e rse ly false to t he d ivi n e i n te r pretatio n
co ncl t r io n w h ic h d isg r aced th e paga n
w h ich is not
yet d is m issed from th e C h ristia n w orld th at th e
b ody is not to b e ca red for by a n i n tellige n t a n d im
mo r tal s o u l Have w e n ot th e d i vi n e w a rra n t for fait h
i n r e ga rd to o ur a n i mal w a n ts s o m uc h th e m or e be
ca use th e m in d is capa b le o f e n h a nci n g th e m ? I n
a s m uch as w e a re me ntally ca pa b le o f s ufferi n g mor e
i n vie w of h u nger a n d e x pos u re tha n th e fo w ls o f th e
ai r so m uch t h e more reason h ave w e to t r ust i n G od
for food a nd rai me n t ; for all th at is n eed fu l for th e
b ody
Bu t a t th is poi n t e x pla nation is need ful i n v ie w of
th e exce ptions i n fac t to th e p rovisio n s o co n fide n tly
a
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T H E W A R R AN T
To
FA IT H
49
.
—
ss
u
red
e x ception s belo ngi n g to th e h igher nature
a
w ith w h ich w e are e ndo w ed ; i ncid en t to th e h igh er
ran k w e occu py i n th e scale o f bei ng A s w e rise i n
ne w p ri n ciples of cou rse
th e r a n ks o f God s creatu res
m u st presen t th e mselves ; a n d w e m ust e m ploy th e
w arra n t i n a m
a n n e r correspond en t to th e new p ri nci
ples w h ich belo ng to th e d iffere n t s teps o f th at asce n d
i n g scale T h e b i rds a re n ot fu r n ish ed w ith t hei r su p
plies like th e lil ies n or m a n l i ke th e b i rds ; bu t each i n
th ei r ow n order , accord i n g to th eir several ra n k in t he
scale o f b ei n g
T h e lily w e m ay su p pose a n i nse n tie n t th in g , w i th
an d i t
o ut desire o r w ill o r ca paci ty o f action or effor t
m ay be said th erefore th at God clothes it absol u tel y ,
by th e perfection o f h is o w n arran ge me n t o n th e pas
si ve pri nciples of vegetable l ife T h e fo wls o f th e air
—
are bein gs o f desi re o f w ill , o f i nsti nct
a n d in thei r
prope r n atu re recei ve th ei r m eat from G o d n ot as th e
fo r th e n
lilies on th e pri n ci ples o f veget a b le l ife
b
o
u
l
d
t
hey
be
n
o
longer
an
i
mals
b
u
t
as
a
n
i
mals
w
y
th e desire a n d w ill an d i nsti ncts o f th ei r an i m al n atu re
i
f
d
n
is
a
reason
able
a
h e receive a su ppl y
l
a
n
i
m
a
n
Ma
as perfect as t h e lily a nd th e bird s i t m u st be o n the
p r i n ci ples o f h is co m plicated n atu re ; n ei th er absol utel y
o n th e p ass ive p r i n ciples of vegeta b le life nor by m i n is
tr ies to m ere desi re a n d w ill an d i nstin ct , b u t by a pro
visio n suited to th e reason a n d u ndersta ndi n g w h ic h
gover n a n d d irect h is a n i mal fra me a provision to be
accepted an d em ployed accord in g to th e m ethods of h is
h igh er n at u re He n ce , thou gh God s care i s m an i fest
.
’
,
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-
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«
’
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5
T H E W A R RA N T
50
FA I T H
To
.
a mong th e m ost ig n ora n t i ndolen t an d bar baro u s
nations , i t becomes more a n d m ore sign al as me n
a pply th ei r faculties i n p rovidi n g for th ei r a n i m al
“ i s m ay p roudly ad m i re th e sk ill a n d po w e r
w a n ts
th e perfect agricul t u re a n d
o f ad va nced civili z atio n
arts b y w h ic h th e m aterials of food a nd r ai m en t ar e
prod uced a n d w roug h t u p for th e u se a n d com fort of
m an ; b u t let us rath er h unrbly a n d th a n k fu lly a d
m ire th e d i vi ne provision th e k i nd ness o f o ur h eave n ly
F ath e r w h ich w e do b u t com e a t len gth t o r e c e iv e
acco r di n g to th e p r i n ci pl es of o ur scale o f bein g
not
as plan ts o r a n i mals bu t as ration al creat u res ; th at
i n our orde r w e a re per m itted to com e to th e God w h o
clot h es th e lilies o f th e field , a n d feeds th e fo wls of
O ur spi n n i n g a n d w ea vi n g :
th e ai r
o ur so w i n g
a nd r eapi ng a n d gath eri ng i n to ba r ns
all th e
i m ple m en ts a n d plan s fo r a pe rfec t tilli n g o f th e
grou n d a ll th e m ach i n ery m oved by w ater w i n d or
s team fo r th e pr od u ctio n o f o ur m oder n rai me n t an d
all th e m ethods by w h ic h eac h o ne acqu ires so m u ch
o f t he m on ey o f e x ch a nge as w ill b uy w h atever is
need ful for h is o w n us e a r e to be rega rded on ly as
w a y s of r e c e iv i ng th e gi ft s of o ur h eavenly F ath e r ,
w h ic h to u s stan d i n th e sa m e r elat ion as organ i c
s tr u c tu re a n d m ere place an d exposu r e to the ele m e n ts
d o to th e l il ies a n d as ligh tness o f bod y stren gt h of
w i ng acc u racy o f eye per fec tio n o f th e r udd er a n d
i nsti nc t ive sagaci ty d o to the rave n th e eagl e or t h e
spa r ro w I n a w ord t h e lilies are not cloth ed by mere
po w er as th e mo u n tai n o r th e rock , bu t by th e po w ers
,
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,
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,
,
T H E WAR RANT
52
To
FA IT H
.
ed u cate th ei r po w e r s n ot of i ndepende n t su pport but of
r e c e iv ing th e k ind ness o f t h e ir h eave nly F ath er ? Wh a t
m u s t w e con clude bu t th at w e ha ve a w arran t to tr ust
i n G od for foo da n d rai m e n t only in th e us e of all th e
po w ers w h ic h h e h as gi ve n us — only by tak i ng
”
t hou gh t accord i ng to o ur ran k i n th e scale of depe n
den t bein gs
We a n s wer also o f cou rse t h e o bj ection w h ich m igh t
arise from th e progressive su pplie s o f d i ffere n t peri ods
o f h istory ; from ou r abu n dan ce com p a r ed W it h th e
lac k o f m ore a n cie n t ti mes a n d o ur lac k co m pared
w i th th e abu nda n ce w h ic h m ay be a n tici pated i n
fu t u re ages of th e w orld I t m ay be asked w h y th e
g ifts o f P rovid en ce w h ic h w e e njoy w e re not gi ve n
to o ur a n cestors a thousa nd years ago a n d w ith equ al
reaso n w h y th e b lessi ngs of a th ou san d yea r s h ere
?
after a r e n ot gi ve n to u s
T h e p lai n a n s wer is ,
Beca u se w e a re m en a n d n ot birds a n d beasts I n
s t inct u n th i n k in g i n sti n ct m ay be absol u tely gi ve n ;
a n d m ay k n o w at o nce w ithou t eith er person al or
bequ eathed a n d i n her ited i m prove me n t w h atever be
lon gs to th e w elfa re o f th e a n i mal
T h e bi rd s of
passage w ere as w ise a thou san d y ears ago as now
need ed to w ai t fo r n o d iscove ries a nd i nven tion s to
—
fi t t he m for thei r voyages
n o rail road o r stea m
e ngi ne t o speed their passage ove r la nd ; n o com pass
a nd n o q u ad ra n ts no r ta b les o f calc ulation to s teer
th ei r cou rse over seas T h e w ild geese as th ey pass
h igh i n ai r s in g d e risi o n to o ur p r id e as they soa r
w ith ra pid w i n g faster th a n o ur boa sted speed , a n d
,
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T H E WA R R A N T
FAITH
To
53
.
free from th e h a z ards of o ur i n ven tion s , seek in g thei r
m eat fro m God Y e t, per fect as th ey are , th ey are
noth i ng bti t t h e very e m bl em s of s t u pid ity , o f i ncapa
city , a s we should be i f al l possible a rts h ad bee n
conferred u po n u s w ithou t rese arch a n d st udy , a n d
d i scovery a n d i n ve ntion M a n h as received h is pres
e n t ab u nd a n ce o f blessi n g fro m h is h eave nly F ath er
a n d ca n p res s for w ard to blessin gs yet u ntold only by
—
thou gh t a n d practice o nly by obeyi n g t h e pri nciples
o f his ratio nal n at u re
I t follo w s o f cou rse th at faith i n God w ith regard
to food a n d ra i m en t so far from forbidd ing t hough t
forethou gh t stu dy i n ven tion a nd a correspond in g action
d oe s i n fac t r e q ui r e th e m a s t h e m eth ods by w h ich
w e are to receive th e gifts of our h eaven ly F ather s
h a n d G od is i n deed to be tru sted ; a n d th at tr u st is
—
a
n
d
arra
n
ted
by
th
e
bea
u
ty
glory
f
th
e
lily
o
by th e
w
fuln ess of t h e fo wls o f the ai r — b u t h e is to be t r u sted
i n th e u se of r a trona l a n d active pow e rs w h ich belon g
Ma n becomes not
neith e r to th e lily n or th e birds
religiou s b y becom in g as i nacti ve as th e lily , or as im
—
provide n t as the raven
as st u pid as th e geese ; bu t by
tr u stin g i n God as a th i n k i n g a n d active bei n g
4 T he w a rra n t e x te nds to a ll th e w a n ts of our spi r
“
A re ye n ot m u ch bette r
it ual an d i m mortal n at u re
”
?
th a n they
I f th e ar g u me n t be j u st , i n regard to o ur a n i mal
w a n ts , beca u se th ey are e nh a n ced by our h igh er
nat u re h o w m a n ifestly m u st i t be j u st , in regard to all
th e w a n ts o f th at n at u r e w h ich is th u s proved to be
.
,
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*
5
T H E W A R RA N T T O
54
F A IT H
.
isited w ith k i n d n ess eve n i n its c o n n ection w ith t h e
frail a n d pe r ish i ng b ody G od certai nly does n ot car e
We m ay
for th e less a nd b e ca reless for t h e g reate r
adopt t h e re fore to th e u tmost e x ten t o f o ur spi ritu al
natu re th e ass u ra n ce i mplied i n the qu estion o f o ur
Lord ; a nd con cl u de w it h certai n ty th at i n w h ateve r
degree w e are bette r th a n th e fo wls o f th e ai r , to all
th at exte n t o f m i nds e nd u rin g a n d g ro w i n g forever , i s
a F a th e r s k i n d n ess w arra n te d to u s I f h e does ne t
l e a ve h is w or k h al f d on e w it h the l ilies o f t h e field
b u t cro w n s th e m i n th ei r scale o f bein g w ith a glory
—
o
r
s
I f h e leaves n ot h is w ork h al f
s u pas ing S lomon s ;
don e w ith t h e fo w ls o f th e ai r b ut m eets th eir h igh e r
n atu res w ith pity a n d w i th plen ty
I f h e leaves n ot
h is w o r k h al f d on e w it h o ur com plicated n at u re bu t
m eets ou r g ro w i ng d iligen ce a n d th ou gh t a n d dis cov
eries and i n ve ntions w i th richer a n d still rich e r abu n
d an ce for o ur an i mal a n d m en tal need th at h e m ay
es ta b lish o ur w a verin g m i nds i n faith
is i t possibl e
th at h e w ill refuse to m eet a n y or every w an t o f th e
?
—
ever l ivi n g spiri t
th at h e w ill refuse spi rit u al food
—
n
o
w
f
a n d rai m en t
a nd h erea te r
th at h e w ill n ot
?
n
o
w
bl ess th e sou l
a n d forever
W ill God be tru e t o
th e a n i mal a n d false to t h e sou l — t ru e to i nsti nct
a nd th e u nd ersta nd i n g a n d false to th e reason a n d to
—
faith t ru e to ti m e a n d false to ete rn ity ? Sh all th e
you ng b ird s obey i ng thei r i nsti nct receive th ei r m eat
from G od i n d ista n t regions o f th e sou th a n d m an
,
be lievi n g obeyi n g h is m oral te n de n cies — m iss eter
?
l
I m possible A re n ot we m u c h better th a n
fi a l i fe
v
,
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’
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-
,
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.
T H E WA R RA N T T O
they
FA ITH
55
.
?
T h e cl usterin g an d th e fly i ng fo wls of a u
t urnn g ive n o s u rer sign s o f th e d ivi ne favor a t th e
en d of th ei r voyage th a n does faith pl u min g its w i ngs
for its h eave nl y fligh t o f glory everlastin g
T h is
i rresistible co ncl usio n from th e w arra n t , is plai nly im
plied by th e tw o u rgen t d i rection s b et w ee n w h ich our
S av ior h as set t h e w arran t fro m t h e l ilies of th e field ,
a nd th e fo w ls of the ai r A t t h e b egi n n in g , h e u rges ;
“
Lay n ot up for you rselves treas u res upon earth ,
w h ere m ot h an d r u st corr u pt a n d w here th ieves break
th rou gh a n d steal b u t lay u p for you rsel ves trea s u res
”
i n h ea ve n
A t t he close See k fi rst th e ki n gdo m of
”
God a n d h i s righ teou sn ess
B u t at th is poin t also expl an at i on 1 s n eed ful ; i n
vie w of ex c ep tio ns i n fa ct to th e spiri t u al b lessi n g s o
con fide n tly assu red ; excep tion s p roceedi ng from th e
hig h n at u re w it h w h ich w e are e ndo w ed ; m an ifest
too plai nly i n o ur o w n experience a n d observation o n
ear th , a n d of w h ich t esti mon y a n d reaso n assu re u s
i n a fu t u re state Ho w ca n th e w arran t be said to
exten d to a ll the w a nts of o ur spiri tu al an d i m mortal
nat u res w h e n w e k no w on ea r t h a t least t hat our
spirit u al en do w me nts fall sh ort of th e assu rance a nd
w h en w e believe th at w ith m a n y th e lack a n d loss
We h ave on ly to reply th e lack th e
w ill be etern al ?
loss w h eth er i n ti m e o r etern i ty is i ncident to our
T h e w arran t for th e
r a nk i n th e s c a le of be ing
su pply of our spi ritu al n atu re can only secu re i t on th e
h ig h p ri n ciples o f th at n atu re T h e objectors forget
th e r an k th ey occ u py t h e capaci ty i n w h ich they m u st
o
,
,
,
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.
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“
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T H E W A R RA N T
56
To
FAITH
.
be blessed T hey fo rgot th at t h ey are m e n , a n d not
lilies of the field or fo wls of th e a ir T h e l ilies h ol d
th ei r station i n th e earth a n d d ri n k u p , by th eir orga n
ic stru ctu re the n ou ris h me n t w h ic h G od h as p rovided
T h e b i rd s o b ey th eir i n sti nc t a nd e m ploy t heir n ati ve
po w e rs a n d are fed
M a n e m ploys h is faculties ,
t hi n ks i n ve nts toils a n d so w s a nd re aps a n d sp i n s ,
a n d h e is fed a n d cloth ed A s a spi r i tu al a n d im m o r
tal bei n g as a soul h e m u st bel ieve a n d obey T h e
j ust l ives — is bl essed in rig hteou s n ess only by fai th
T h u s a re w e chec ked i n o ur con cl usion s con cer n i n g
G od s k i nd n ess to o ur sp i ritu al n at u re by the very
A fter w e h ave conclu
w arra n t w h ich en cou rages u s
de d that God w ill feed t h e birds w e d o n ot assu re o ur
sel ves t h at th ey w ill be fed by bei n g plan ted i n th e
earth l ik e th e lily bu t only accord i n g to thei r n at u re
A n d w h e n fro m th e lily a n d t h e bi rds w e h ave ta ke n
o ur w arran t i n beh al f o f ou r a n i mal w a nts w e d o no t
con cl ud e th at m a n w ill be fed a n d clothed i n eq u al
ab u nd a nce i f h e d ecli n e th e u se o f h is fac ul ties We
d o n ot expect to see th e w an d erers o f th e forest clad in
the fab r ics o f the cotto n m a n ufac tor y d w ell in g i n th ei r
ceiled h ouses o r w a fted by stea m upon rail roa d s
A nd w h e n from th e w arra n t o f th e lilies a nd th e fo wls ,
a n d o ur o w n bod ies a nd ou r o w n li ve w e h a ve con
cl u ded t h at ou r h eave nly F ath er assu res u s o f a su pp ly
to all t he w a n ts o f ou r spiritu al a n d i m mortal n atu res ,
w e c a n not concl ude tha t H e w ill o r ca n g i v e e x ce t
p
i n t h e w a y of o ur r a t i o na l a nd m o r a l be i ng
T ha t
h e w ill g ive is a concl usio n perfectly as s u red by th e
.
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s
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T H E W A R R AN T
To
FA I T H
57
.
w arran t — bu t i t is falsely m ad e — is a soph ism if w e
den y in i t th e fi rst pri n ciples of th e natu re w h ich w e
con cl u de is to be th us endo w ed T he w arran t is give n
to r ation al an d m oral b ein gs
to bei ngs e ndo wed
w ith con scie nce an d a ffection s a n d a po w er of ch oosing
good , a n d r efusi n g evil ; a n d it ca n b e only o n th e
s cale of these h ig h po w ers t h at w e ca n b e pa r takers of
th e blessi ng Y o u ca n i nfer noth i ng as to th e glor y
of th e lily , if i t be laid u po n t h e roc k to w it her i n th e
s u n ; yo u ca n i n fer n oth i n g as to th e feed ing of th e
birds , if th ey are pla n ted lik e th e lily ; i f a midst th e
desol ation of o ur n orth er n w in ter t hey o b ey not th e
i nsti n ct w h ich d irects t he m to th e food p repare d for
the m i n th e reg ion s o f t he sou th Y o u can i n fer n oth
i ng as to th e s u pply of food a n d rai m en t for m a n i f h e
do b u t obey th e i n sti n ct of th e b i rd s ; i f h e w ill not
a c cep t th e m fr o m th e all b ou n ti fu l F ath e r , by th e d e
vices o f h is ow n m i n d a n d th e w o r k s o f h is o w n h ands ;
u nless a midst t h e i n sti n ct ive labors o f m ea n er an i mals ,
“ He goeth fo t h u n to
h is w ork a n d to h is la b or u n til
r
”
the even i n g
I f h e w ill b e passive l i ke th e lil ies , or
depen d o n i n sti n ct like th e fo w ls o f th e ai r th e n m ay
h e e x pect on ly to eat g r ass as oxen a n d to be w e t w it h
the de w of h eaven till h i s h ai rs g ro w li ke eagles fea th
ers , a n d h is n ails l ike bi rds cla ws H ow false th e n
st be th e con cl usion t h at God s fath erly k i n d ness
res u s eter n al l i fe w h ile w e m iss altogeth er th e
iple s o f th at very n atu re w h ich m akes u s capa b le
e e n dless gi ft
F ro m th e w ar ran t w e con cl u de
—
r
certai n ty t hat h e w ill gi v e i
b u t o n ly to thos e
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T H E W A R R AN T
58
FA IT H
To
.
—
i
t
of
l ay hold
th at h e w ill besto w sal vatio n
b u t only u pon those w h o w ork ou t their o w n
The
w arra n t to ou r faith i n God for blessi ngs everlasti n g
is a w a rra n t for th e act by w h ic h on ly th ey ca n be
received a nd n o more assu res u s o f sal vation w i tho u t
t hat act th at savi ng faith th a n th e w arra nt for our
food a nd rai m e n t ca n ass u re u s a s u ppl y a m idst n eg
lect a nd irnpro v ide nce I f th e birds a re to be fed n e x t
w i n ter i t is becau se th ey w ill follo w t hei r i n sti n ct to
G eo rg ia or M ex ico I f me n are to be cloth ed a n d fed ,
i t w ill b e u n d e r G od s p rovid en ce b eca u se th e plo u g h
a n d th e h oe a nd th e w ate r w h eel a n d th e spi n dle a n d
th e loom w ill be w ro u gh t u n der th e g u id an ce of m an
I f w e are to be saved i t w ill be beca u s e w e h av e
y ielded to conscienc e a n d th e strivin g S pirit beca u s e
w e h ave tru sted a n d obeyed th e Sav ior a n d h av e
s o ug h t fi r s t th e k i n gdo m o f G od a n d h is righ teou s
”
n ess ; b ecau se We h a ve laid h old o n ete r n al l ife
Th e g ifts of g r a ce li ke all othe r d ivi n e gi fts m us t
—
r
rega d th e n atu re o f th i ngs th e qua liti e s a nd fac u l ties
o f the creatu r es o n w ho m they are b esto w ed
T r u e God prov id es fo r t h e i m mortal l i fe He is
th e Savior o f th e sou l w h ose love a n d w isdo m a n d
po w e r a re I N F I N I T E B u t b e w are lest you m ak e a n
a bs ur d co nclu io n fr o m th a t att r i b u te of I N F I N I T Y :
lest you c ha r g e t h e I N F I N I T E w it h e nd o w i ng t h e
h ig her o n p r i n ciples w h ich a re possi ble only to a lo w e r
orde r of h is c reat u res : le ft b y you r fu tile logic yo u
d eg rad e t h e hei rs of i m mo rtality to th e ra n k of m e re
i n sti n ctive a n i mals or of m ore orga n ic vegetables , a n d
Wh o
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s
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,
60
T H E W A RRA N T T O
F
A I TH
.
th a t very n atu re w h ic h alon e is ca pable o f etern a l
salvation ; h e saves th e m as bei ngs capa b le o f fa ith
and o b ed ie nce \V h a t th e n w ill becom e o f th at m a n
w h o h opes to b e saved as th e rock o f gra n ite is re move d
?
b y m ai n s t ren gth from th e m ou n tai n s sid e
O r as
th e l ily li ke a m e re passive recei ver ? Has h e an y
roots w h ic h w ill d ri n k u p th e rai n or leaves th a t w ill
passi vely e xpa n d to th e su n
O r as th e s w allo w
h as h e a n i nsti nc t pe r fec t fro m th e begi n n i n g w h ic h
w ill ca rry h im a w ay fro m th e w i n ter o f th e grave to a n
?
e tern al su m me r
T h e w arran t is per fec t
b u t golde n as i t is h ow
ala rm i n g
A las plu ck u p th e l ily , a n d lay i t o n th e
gran ite or th e m ar b le r o ck a n d see i f i t w ill gro w,
a nd p u t o n its ro b e of b e a u ty a n d not w il t a n d w i ther
a n d d ie ! T a ke th e rave n a n d pla n t h i m i n th e soi l
by th e s id e o f the b loom i n g l ily a n d see i f h is cl a w s
w ill tak e root an d serve h i m w ith h is daily food, on
?
th e pri nciples of vegeta b le l ife ; w ill h e n ot d ie T u r n
ou t ma n i n to th e ra ve n s store h ou se i n to t he ca ttle s
pastu re a nd see w h eth e r h e w ill t h rive a n d g fow l i ke
th e b easts o f t h e field a n d th e fo w ls of th e ai r ; see if
h is h air do n ot gro w li ke eagles feathe rs a nd h is
n ails like b i rd s cla w s ; i f h e w ill h ave ple n ty a n d
it lro ut spi n n i ng a n d w eavi n g ,
health a nd com fo rt
w itho u t so w i ng a nd rea pi n g a n d gath eri n g i n to bar n s
\V ill Ire n ot li v e a w r etch a n d perish i n th e trial ?
‘V h a t the n w ill b e com e o f the sou l th at is false to its
ra n k i n t h e scale o f b ein g — w h ich degrades itsel f fro m
its h ig h n atu re , a n d still hopes , absu rdly , to be bless e d,
of
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,
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’
’
-
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,
,
.
T H E W A R RA N T T O FA I T H
61
.
th e pri n ciples by w h ich th e rock is sol id o r th e lily
beau tiful or t h e bi rd a l ivi n g an i mal ? A las ! for thos e
w h o hope for salvation fro m I nfi nite po w er a n d s kill a nd
love w ithou t a n d agai nst th e pri nciples of th at ran k of
bein g to w h ic h th e I N F I N I T E h as exalted th em w h o
h onor G od by cl ai m i ng w h at ca n be besto we d on ly
u pon n at u res low er th an th ei r o w n
T h e question of
a uni v er s a l s a l va t i on resolves itself i nto a qu estion as
?
r
s
a
l
e
o
e
i
n
t
a
W
r
to o u c
ar
e
b
t
e
er
e
a
w
h
e
f
g
?
W e are not ston es w h om God fi xes o r re moves
we
by mere p ow er from th e m ou nta i n side ; nor pla n ts
grow i n g b y m ere orga n ic s u ppl ies ; nor a ni m als, k no w
ing w i thou t t hou gh t o r lear n i ng th e path w ay o f thei r
food b u t m en provided w ith a w a y of sal vation su i t
ed to ou r scale of bei ng — to o ur ratio n al an d m oral
n at u res A las ! yo u forgot a m idst you r d rea m s of futu r e
—
glory w h a t you w ere w h er e you w ere i n the sc al e
of G od s creat u res w h en yo u appl ied to you rsel f a h
th e
s ur dly t h e pri n ciples w h ich belon g to th e m arble
lilies a n d th e birds a n d no t to m an
m ade for faith
a n d obed ie nce th at h e m igh t be the h ei r o f sal vation
A ccep t th e w arra n t a n d yo u sh all l ive forever W ho
“
soever believet h sh all not perish , b u t h ave everl asti n g
”
l ife
on
,
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6
.
IV
S E RM O N
E A R T H L Y O PPO R T UN I TY
THE
MATTH E W
Th r f r
ta
e e o e
k
e
or ,
W h e re w rt h a l s h a l l
ye
ha
rig h t
v
e
ne e
d
e o us ne s s
o f a ll
;
g
no t h o u h t ,
w e be
these
a nd a ll
s a y rng ,
l
c ot h e
i g
t h i ng
th n
t h es e
,
Wh at
d
s ha
For
B ut
s.
6 : 31
s sha
see
ll b
—33
ll w
? or
e ea t
,
st
FA I
TH
.
.
y o ur h e a v e nl y
k fir
e a
FO R
at s h a
F athe
k i ngd
the
dde d unt o
Wh
ll
we
r kn w
om o f
o
Go d,
d r i nk ?
eth
t hat
a nd
h is
yo u
.
is not m a n y years si n ce a n eloqu e n t a n d ve n era
ble d ivi n e w a s w al k i n g th e streets o f a great com m er
per plexed embar
cia l city o n a pec u n iary erra n d
r a sse d li mited to ti m e a n d o n th e pi vot of u tter fail u re
T h e stake i ndeed w a s n ot person al a n d t h e fail u re
w ould no t h ave bee n a person al ba n k ru ptcy , yet w a s
s u ccess so i mportan t so i n dispen sable th a t h e felt a ll
“
th e i nterest possi b le i n a person al c ase
A s I wa s
”
occu pied
sai
d
h
e
to
a
frie
n
d
som
e
y
e
rs
after
ards
a
w
(
)
A s I w a s occu pied m an y days i n try i n g to acco m pl ish
w h at seem ed to all h u m a n v ie w i m possible , a n d yet
absol u te ! y i nd ispe nsable paci n g th e cro w ded t horou g h
fares ; I felt th at if I h ad n ot h ad a God to go to, I
”
s h oul d d ie i n th e street
I h ad ofte n listened w it h
a d m iration perh aps I m ay sa
ith
a
h
oly
sy
m
path
y
w
y
,
IT
,
,
,
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,
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,
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,
,
“
,
.
,
E A R T H L Y O P P OR T U N I T Y F O R FA I T H
THE
63
.
to th e strai ns of sacred eloqu en ce by w h ich thou san d s
h ad been e ntran ced i n m an y a n a w e d a n d m elted
a u d itory h ad h eard of th e tr ust i n God w h ich pla nt
e th m a n by th e w aters a n d spread eth o ut h is roots by
t he r ivers a n d givet h t he green l eaf eve n i n th e year
of d rou gh t a n d t h e u nceasi n g fr u i t ;
o f a strengt h
fro m w a iti ng o n t h e Lord w h ic h m ou n ts u p on w ings
as eagles w h ich r u n s a n d is not w eary w h ich w al k s
a n d is not fai n t —b u t n ot w ith more assu ra nce th at
m y ve nerabl e frie n d w a s ascen d i n g th e pat h of faith
t h e roa d o f everlasti n g l ife th a n I gai n e d fro m th is
si m ple accou n t of app roach to God in a pecu n iary
n ecessi ty
We m ay easily co nceive th e feel i ngs w h ich m ust
h a ve bee n co nce n trated in t h at si ngle e x pressio n of
faith T h ere m u st h ave bee n a n a w ful h u mbli n g ,
c heer in g sen s e o f G od p resen t n ot to th e closet an d
t h e pulpi t a n d th e san ct u ary m erely b u t u nseen abou t
th e p at h s o f b u sy l ife ; a con fi di ng applicatio n to a
covenan t God an d a pledge o f s ervice a n d s ub m issio n
I t is n ot e nou gh to say those
in t he ti m e to com e
d ays w ere beg un w ith prayer —
th ey w ere spen t in
praye r E very stroke fell u pon th e pave m en t every
pat h w a s chosen a n d every w ord spoken comi n g boldly
to t h e th ron e o f grace ; s eeki ng fi r s t th e k i ng dom of
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
.
,
.
,
,
,
,
,
.
,
.
,
,
G od
a nd
h is
r ig
h te o us nes s
.
Passi ng t h roug h a n arro w a nd precipitous d efile
by a road h em med in by over h angi n g mou n tai ns th e
t ravelle r prese n tly e m erges fro m a h il l top in sigh t of a
s equestere d an d rom an tic valley of bea u ty unsu rpassed
,
,
,
,
64
E A RT H L Y OP P O RT U N I T Y
TH E
FA I T H
F OR
.
i n th is o r oth er la nds T h e m ou n tai n s bl u e i n th e
d istance gird in g i t w ith a w all of sec u rity recall th e
a n cien t c o m pariso n ; A s t h e m ou n tai n s a re rou n d
abou t Je rusale m so th e Lord is rou n d a b ou t his people
”
T w o ge n tle ri vers
from h e nce for th eve n forever
gl idi ng a n d blen d i n g i n to o ne a n d sk i rted w it h ric h
m eado w s clai m th e r u ral son g o f faith ;
The
Lord is m y Sheph erd I sh all n ot w a n t h e m ak eth
m e to lie do w n i n gree n pastu res h e leadeth m e besid e
th e still w aters T h o u p repa res t a ta b l e before m e in
t h e presen ce o f my e n em ies T hou a noi ntest m y h ead
S u rely good n ess a n d
w i th o il m y c u p ru n n et h ove r
m ercy sh all follo w m e all t h e d ays o f m y life a n d I
”
sh al l d w ell i n th e h ou se of th e Lord foreve r
A m idst
so fit a scen ery th ere stan ds a m em or i a l th at th e
p rayer w a s h ea rd t h e cove n an t accepted a m idst th e
w alks o f b u si n ess a m ids t p er pl ex it y a nd a nx i ety
Let
those
b
lu
e
m
o
u
n
tai
n
s
h
ose
g
ree
n
t
o r m o ney
f
m eado w s th ose sil ve r stream s glo w i n every mor n i n g
a n d eve n i n g s u n , w h ile for ages th at B e th el sh all be
redole n t w ith its ori gi n al a n oi n tin g oil a n d s h i ne in
th e glory th at d a w n ed o n th e d a rk n es s a m idst w h ic h
Let i t b e fo r a me morial that a midst t h e ne
i t rose
ce ss it ies a nd ca res o f l i fe a re t h e tru e occasion a n d
opportu n i ty for faith i n God as o ur prese n t a n d ever
lasti ng Hel per
T h e l i ke occa sion a n d opportu n i ty a re m an i fest in
t he follo w i ng na rrative ; w h ic h sho w s h o w fi t is th e
ea rthly trial fo r the com m e nce me n t o r the progress o f
.
,
,
,
“
,
,
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“
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~
.
T H E E AR T H L Y O P P O R T U N I T Y F O R FA I T H
.
65
th e wal k of faith S ays th e e mig rant , in h is revie w
of forty years
“
Ti red w it h tossin g o n a sleepless pillo w , I arose
w it h break o f d ay A fter th a n k i ng God for h is p reserv
m g m erc ies th rough t he n igh t I though t by w a y of
passi n g th e ti m e till p eople began to stir , to u n pac k
o ur case o f books
T h ey h ad n ot bee n open e d si n ce
I fel t feve rish a nd low spi rited w it h
w e left Scotlan d
h eat a n d w an t o f sleep ; an d w ish in g myself agai n i n
m y fath er s house I resol ved if sp ared , to ear n a s
m u ch m on ey as w ould pay m y pas sage h om e agai n
as soon as possible bu t He i n w hose h a n ds are all o ur
He k n e w I w a s abou t
w ays h ad other w ise ordai n ed
enteri n g o n th e active scen es of l ife , a n d h e prom ised
to be m y g u ide i f I aske d his d irection W h e n I
open ed th e box of books th e fi rs t th i n g th at cau gh t
m y eye w a s a s mall pocket B ible ; i t h ad been place d
there by th e h an ds of m y p iou s fath er Withou t a n y
desig n I open ed th e bo ok
m y th oug hts w ere r u m i n
ati ng abou t m y father m y eyes faste n ed on th e w ords ,
‘
M y son forget n ot m y la w, & c I read o n to th e
e n d of th e ch apter l i ke o ne i n a d ream W he n do ne
I looked back a n d fou n d I h ad bee n readin g t he th i rd
ch apter of P roverbs
Now , read er I requ est o f you to take th e Bible
a nd rea d th is c h apter : a n d i f you are a bel iever in a
particul ar Provid e nce you w ill no t bran d m e as a n
en th u s iast , w h e n I say th a t I looked o n i t as a n im
m ed iate m essage fro m Heaven givi n g m e ins tr uc
t ion s h ow to shape m y co urse , now th at I wa s fo r
.
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*
6
,
66
TH E
E A R T H L Y O P P O RT U N I T Y F O R F A I T H
.
fi rs t ti me e n teri n g o n th e voyage o f li fe , w ith
com fort , a n d joy
o ut a n ea r thly pilot , ful l o f h ope
fu l a d m i ration I fell o n m y k n ees w it h m y face
to th e e as t, (the s un w a s j ust ris i n g ) w h ere lies
S cotlan d , th e lan d o f m y fath ers ; i t w a s th e h ou r
m
allo
i
n
g
for
th
e
d
i
f
f
e
re
n
ce
o f ti m e
w
h
e
n
fath
w
y
)
(
I
e r s fam ily
w ere asse mbled at fa mily w ors hi p
k n e w h e w ou ld not fo rget h is son s i n A merica I
th ough t I w a s j oi n i n g w it h th e m i n p raye r , an d
r e oi ced th at , as s u re as th e sam e su n sh on e o n us
j
b oth at th e sa m e t i m e , so s u re t h e eye o f t he s a m e
Lord w a s o n u s i n all places , to gu id e , i n stru ct , an d
preserve u s I too k th e w a lls Of th at h ou se to w i t ness ,
th at if th e Lord w o u ld b e w i th m e a n d keep m e i n
t h e w ays i n w h ich I ough t to go a n d gi ve m e m eat to
ea t, a n d rai me n t to p u t o n, (see G en esis x x viii
a nd retu r n m e aga i n to m y fath er s house i n peace ,
th en i n deed , sh ould th e Lord be my G od I a r ose r e
fr es h ed i n b ody a nd m i nd , a n d w e n t fo rth to ear n m y
fi rs t ce n t i n A me r ica , w i th a stron g con fide n ce i n G od
”
to be m y G u ide a n d S u pporte r
T h ese illu s tra tion s o f t h e e a r th ly opp or tuni ty f or
fa ith , m ay b e bette r i m proved i n con n ection w ith a
s tory , from a noth er cou nt r y a n d a n o th er age ; as a p
plicable to o ur ci rc u msta n ces as th e d i ffere n t state O f
pastoral l ife a dnrits I refe r to a m a n a ges a g o , w h o
w as s u dde nly c u t off from h ig h expectations , a n d cast
o ut fro m h is h om e a n d h is i n he rita n ce
fro m h is s u p
t
ort
a
n
d
h
is
pros
ec
s
from
h
is
food
a
n
d
rai
me
n
t
part
,
p
p
ly at le as t on acco u n t o f e r ro rs a n d follies of h is own
th e
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68
TH E
E
A RT H L Y O P P O R T U N I T Y
F OR
FAI TH
.
F ear o f Isaac had bee n w it h m e su rel y th ou h adst
”
se n t m e a w ay e mpty
W h e n property an d safety
w ere pu t to h azard by th e co m in g of E sa u , w i th fo ur
h u nd red m en w h a t opport u n ity d oes h e fi n d for a
“
p ra y e r O f s u rpassi ng bea u ty !
O h God O f m y fath er
Ab rah am a n d G od o f m y fat h er Isaac , th e Lord
w h ich sa id u nto m e , R et u r n u n to th y cou n try , a n d
t h y k i n d red a n d I w ill d eal w ell w it h thee , I a m n ot
w orth y Of th e least of all th e m erc ies a n d Of all the
tru th w h ich th o u h ast s ho w ed u nto thy ser van t , fo r
w ith m y staff I passed over th is Jord a n , b u t now I
a m become t w o b a nds D eli ver m e I pray th ee , fro m
th e h a nd of my b ro th er , from th e h a nd of E sa u , for I
fe ar h im lest h e w ill come a n d s m ite m e , a n d t h e
”
\V h a t v ictory too , d id h e
m oth er w ith th e ch ild re n
gai n a m id st th ose earthly fea rs b y th at con qu eri ng
fait h
I w ill n ot le t t h ee go except thou bless m e ;
w restlin g a n d prevailing u ntil h e w o n th e n a m e of
tri u m ph ; T h y n a m e sh all no m ore be called Jacob ,
bu t I S R A E L fo r as a Pri nce th ou h ast po w er w it h G od
”
a n d h ast prevailed
T hat mor n i n g as h e passed
over Pe n u el th e su n rose u pon h i m a nd h e h alted u po n
h is thigh a toke n to h is ch ild re n a n d to all n ation s
b lessed i n h is seed th at earthly d i ffi c ulties a n d d an gers
fu rn is h th e opportu n ity of t ri u m ph a n t fai t h — Ho w
plai nly also , did t he Pat riarc h s faith flou rish eve n to
O ld age ; ch erish ed b y th e recollection of h is w h ole
path o f li fe ; a n d ch a ngin g i n to joy a n d love w h ile h e
blessed h is son s in th e n a m e o f t he G od t hat fed
h i m all h is l ife long ! W he n w e hear o f h i m agai n ,
,
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T H E E AR T H L Y O P P O R T U N I T Y F OR FA I T H
.
69
i t is of th e issu es of h is faith ; o f i ts h igh re w ard i n
th e p resen ce of th e God of h is fathe rs F ro m th e
b ush th at bu r n ed a nd w a s n ot cons u m ed , h is o w n
a nd h is fat hers tri u m ph s w e re a n n ou n ced
th
e
1
A
M
;
God of A brah a m and Isaac a nd o f Jacob
accord
i ng to a su re i n terp retation no t o f th e d ead i n th ei r
corr u ption bu t o f th e l ivin g i n th ei r glory Wh at h ig h
ass u ran ce th at faith a m idst t h e n ecessities a n d b lessings
o f earth h as I ts I ss u e i n eve rlastin g sa l vation
I n order to m a k e it perfectly plai n to all fu tu re ages
t h at th e opp or t uni ty f or fa ith i s a long th e p a th of
our e a r th ly ne ces s it i es
w e h ave th e en sam ple of th e
Wh e n God w ould in stitu te a n ex tra ordi
w ild er n ess
nary sch ool at o n ce a s peci me n to all ti mes a nd
th e opportu n ity for trai n in g a gro w i ng gen eration to
th ei r tru st i n Him d id b e se parate h is pu pils fro m
h ly n ecess i t ies a nd an x i et ies fro m e a rthly a b u n
d an ce an d enj oy me n t ? D id h e com m an d forgetful
ness of earth th at h e m igh t cherish th e desire a n d
?
hope Of h eave n
R ather d id h e not order th a t
speci al sch ool of faith a m id st ci rcu m stan ces w h ich
qu ick en ed a n d i n creased th e pai n o f n ecessity a n d th e
joy of abu n d an ce ? D id h e n ot give th e occasio n a n d
th e oppor t u n ity for fai t h i n th e bar re n desert an d over
th e fl inty rock w h ere n eith er food n or d ri n k nor rai
m en t coul d be o b tai n ed for forty yea rs b y an y toil
?
device
m
a
n
D id h e no t ch erish faith b y ab u n
of
or
da n t su pplies to m ere n atu ral n ecessi ties by w ater
from th e rock by m a n n a fro m th e skies an d by rai
“
?
m e n t ever new from y ear to year
T hou shalt
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’
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T H E E A RT H L Y O P P O RT U N I T Y F O R F A I T H
70
”
.
rem e mber says Moses i n th e revie w , al l th e w a y
w h ic h the Lord th y G od led thee th ese forty ye ars I n
th e w ildern ess to h u mble thee to p rove th ee to k no w
w h at w a s i n th y heart w h eth er thou w ou ldst keep
h is com mand me n ts or n o A n d h e h u mbled th ee an d
s u ffe red thee to h u nger an d fed th ee w it h m an n a
w hich th ou k ne w est no t n ei th er d id th y fath ers k no w
“
,
,
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,
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,
th a t h e m ig h t m a k e th ee t o k no w, th a t m a n doth
br e a d
not l i ve by
r o ee de th
c
p
”
li v e
o ut
f
o
lo ne , b ut by
th e m o uth of
e v er y
a
w o r d th a t
G o d, doth
m an
.
T h e sa m e pri nciple ap pears in t h e trai n i n g of all
th e O ld Testa men t sai nts ; ta u gh t to k no w G od w h o
”
exerciseth lov i ng k i n d n ess i n th e earth
S O w e m ay su ppose i t w a s w ith Jon ath an , w h e n h e
said to h is a r mor b eare r
Com e a n d let u s go over
to th e s e u nc i rc u m c i s e d i t m ay b e th at th e Lor d W ill
w or k for us ; for th ere is n o restrai n t to th e Lord to
”
save by m a n y o r b y fe w
S O i t w a s w i t h D av id
w he n a m id st th e a fil ictio n o f A bsalom s rebel lion , h e
prayed
Lord h o w a re th ey i n creased t h at troubl e
m e Many th ere be th at rise u p agai nst m e ; m a ny
th ere b e th at say of my soul T h ere is n o h el p for h im
i n G od B u t t h ou O Lord art a s h ield fo r m e — m y
glory a n d th e l ifte r u p of my h ead I cried u n to th e
Lord w i th m y voice a nd h e h eard m e o ut of h is hol y
”
S O i t w a s w i t h A sa ; as h e w e n t o ut to m eet
h ill
Z e ra lr th e E th i opia n com i ng agai nst h i m w ith a m ill
io n of m e n
O Lord h e cried i t is n oth i ng w ith
t hee to h el p w heth er w i t h ma n y o r w i t h th os e th at
“
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THE
E
A RT H L Y
OP P ORT UN I T Y
F O R FA I T H
.
71
po w er Help us 0 Lord o ur God , for w e
o n th ee , a nd i n thy n a m e w e g o agai nst th is
”
t u de
S O i t w a s w i th Jehosh aphat w he n h e
i n h is extre m i ty plead i n g th e coven a n t , a n d
g We h ave n o m igh t agai nst th is great m ulti
t hat co met h agai nst u s n eith er k n o w w e w h at to
”
ut o ur eyes are u n to th ee
A nd s o i t w a s w ith
ah an d E lish a an d Jere m iah an d D aniel an d all
proph ets w h o o ut of w eak ness w ere m ad e stro ng ,
”
Obtai ned a good report t h rou gh faith
A n d so it
an d
O r m ig h t h ave been at every t u r n o f life
ds t the m ost com mon n ecessities an d perp lexities
you ng p roph et s appeal wa s not disregarded ,
w he n h e sai d of th e axe h ead w h ich fell i n to th e
A l as m aster ! for i t w a s borro w ed
n or th e
T h e cred itor i s
w ido w s w h e n sh e cried out
”—
SO
com e to tak e m y tw o son s to be bon d m e n
r em ark ably i nd eed w a s fa it h ca lled forth b y earthly
occasions as to h ave give n rise to th e opi n ion t h at th e
O l d Testam en t does not reveal o r regard a fu tu re an d
eter n al state Stran ge opi n ion ! an d yet less stran ge
th a n th e d e nial t h at earthly n ecessi ties an d cares giv e
th e occasio n a n d opportu n ity o f th e fai th w h ic h pre
pares th e soul for e verlasti ng glory T he tr u e con
fro m a n i n spired i n terprete r Th e
el usio n w e h ave
”
“
a ncien t sai n ts declared plai nl y alon g th ei r ear th l y
path , th at th ey sou gh t a h eave nly coun try ; a n d in
t hei r earthly cou rse assu re u s , th a t God h ad prepared
”
for the m a city
e
no
.
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72
T H E E A R T H L Y O P P O RT U N I T Y F O R F A I T H
.
T he Ne w T esta me n t n o d oubt bri ngs eter n al
th i ngs m ore glo riou sly be fore th e m i nd ; b u t by n o
m ea n s w ith the d esig n o f c ha n gin g th e a n cie n t oppor
I nd eed i t h as see m ed to m e th at t h e
t unity o f fa ith
O ld Testa m en t e xa m ples a re m ad e o ve r o f expres s
desig n i n o ur Lord s com me nd atio n o f N ath an ael , a t
the very open i ng o f th e C h ristia n d ispe n sation ; Be
”
h old a n Israe lite i ndeed i n w h o m th ere is no g u ile
I k no w i t m igh t h ave b ee n th at N ath a n ael w as
abstracted from ea r th eve n to th e th ird h ea ve n s w h e n
h e w a s u n de r the fi g t ree ; b u t t h e n a m e Of v ictory ,
w h ich h is gre at a n cestor gai n ed i n con nection w i th a n
e arthly con flict a n d th e refere nce to Jacob s sti ll
earlier v isio n at Bet h el ren der i t m ore j u st to su ppose
th at h e m u st h ave b ee n Occ upied i n ten sely w i t h th e
n ecessities an d fears o f th e prese n t life ; w it h som
qu estion o f g u ida nce alon g h is earth ly pa th perh ap
o f food to eat a nd rai m e n t to pu t o n a n d Of d a n ger
to h e esca p e d; a n d th at h e h ad cal mly tr usted l ik
Jacob i n sigh t o f asce ndi n g a nd desce nd i n g an gels
a nd as a pri nce h ad po w er w i th G od an d h ad
vailed T he l i ke m ay be said o f th e A postle s s u
appeal i n th e 1 2 1 11 He b re w s ; i n V ie w o f th a t
”
O f w i t n esses
w h o sou gh t a heavenly cou n try by
a m idst th e n ecessities a n d con flicts o f ti m e an d
are en rolled i n testi mony , t h a t faith o n e a r th i
“
substan ce o f th i ngs hoped for a n d th e ev id
”
th i ngs not s ee n
Su ch too is th e testi mon y
N e w Testa me n t w itn esses th e m selves
T hey
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T H E E A RT H L Y OP P O RT U N I T Y FO R FA I T H
.
73
th ei r v ictories also a midst th e th i ngs o f ti me Take
fo r i nstan ce S t Pa ul
It w a s n ot i n th e secl usio n of
th e cave or th e cloister or i n i nd i ffe ren ce an d forget
ful n ess to all earthly th i ngs b u t am idst th e com m o nes t
necessities t h at h e said ;
I k n o w b ot h h o w to be
abase d a n d h o w to abou n d E ve ry w h ere an d in all
th i ngs I a m i nstr u cted b ot h to b e full a nd to b e h u n
gry, both to abou n d a n d to suffer n eed I ca n do all
”
th i ngs t h roug h C h r i st str e ngth en i n g m e
I t w a s n ot
i n seraph ic con tem plation b u t am idst th e a n g u is h o f a
th or n i n th e flesh th at h e received th e b lessed a s su r
a n ce My grace is su ffi cien t fo r th ee for m y stre ngth
”
is m ade per fect in w eak n ess
a n d th at h e said ;
T h erefore I ta ke p leasu re in i nfi r m ities i n r e
i
n
i
n
n
ecessi
ties
persecu
tion
s
d
ist
resses
n
o a ch e s
r
i
p
for C h rist s sake ; for w he n I a m w ea k , th e n a m I
”
stron g
B u t th e m os t a ffecti n g th e m ost overcom i ng p roof
th at th e occasion s o f eart h a re d esig ned as t he o ppor
tunity for faith is fu rn ish ed b y t h e earth ly h istory of
a t h em e I fea r to i nj u re by m y tou ch
o ur Lord
Who is thi s th at explai n s to us the m ystery of o ur
ear thly con dition poi nti n g us to th e lil ies of th e field
?
a n d th e fo wls of th e ai r
I t is i ndeed th e I n fin itely
Wise ; b u t i t is also t h e m erci ful a n d faith ful Hig h
Priest wh o beca m e able to su ccor u s by fello w sh ip
in th e s u fferi n gs of o ur frail an d fee ble h u m a n ity
Stran ge t h at t h e stoicis m of th e paga n w orl d shou ld
still h ave pl ace w h e re th e ear thly h istory of Jes us is
k no w n ! S trange th at earth ly n ecessities shou ld be
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7
74
TH E
E
A RT H L Y
O P P O RT U N I T Y
F O R FA I T H
.
ated u n im porta n t a n d al l dee p i n terest in th e m re
garded as unch ristian , w h e n o ur R edee me r becam e
fi tted for his o ffi ce by h is infi r m it ies th at h e m igh t
be tou ched b y th e feeli n g o f o ur o w n w h en h is su f
fe ring s a n d a n xieties a n d reliefs along th e co m mo n
pat h o f li fe , w ere d esign ed to prepare o ur bold er
com in g to th e th ron e of g race
Stra n ge tha t h oli nes s
sh oul d be m easu red b y i nd i ffere nce to earthly good ,
a n d fa i th requ ired to pa s s b eyo nd it a nd faste n on ly on
th e th i n gs etern al w h e n th e S I N L E s s h as left us a n e x
a m ple O f w ea ri ness longi ng for rest Of h u n ger for food ,
o f t h i rst for d ri n k a n d o f the t raveller for th e even i ng
hospital ity : w h e n H E dr e a ded th e cu p w h ich w as gi ve n
h i m to d ri n k a n d p rayed i f it w ere pos s ible th a t i t m igh t
pass fro m h i m A n d stra nge r still th at every ne ce ssi ty ,
a n d su fferin g an d an xiety sh ould n ot be w elco med as
”
th e opport u n ity o f co m in g u n to G od th ro ugh th e
“
—
g reat I n tercessor ; w h e n w e k no w th at passed i n to
”
th e h eavens
h e is tou ch ed w ith th e feeli n g of o ur in
fi r m it ie s
an d con s id ers as h is ow n t h e h u nger , a n d th e
th irs t a n d t h e lon elin ess a n d th e naked n ess an d th e
s ic k ness of every sou l o f m a n th at t ru stet h in h i m : so
te nd erly so d isti n ctly s o person all y th at w h e n h e s h al l
s u m u p th e h istory o f earth h e sh all be able to say to
th e i n stru m e nts o f r el ief : I w a s h un gry a n d ye g ave
M E m eat I w a s th i rsty a n d ye gave M E d ri n k : I w a s
a stra n ge r a n d ye took M E i n : I w a s n ak ed a n d ye
”
e
cloth d M E : I w a s s ic k a nd i n prison a n d ye v isited M E !
T ha t w e m ak e no m ista ke i n th is chee ri n g u se Of
our S av ior s l ife o f in firm ity w e a re a ssu red by token s
r
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T H E E A RT H L Y O P P O RT U N I T Y F O R F A I T H
76
.
as food are absol u te ly n eed ful A si milar regard , a o
cordi n g to th e Je w ish Tal m u d w a s m an i fested at th e
a n cie n t ca ptivity z — G od m erci fully prolon ged th e t i m e ,
w
th
a
t
people
ere
re
moved
n
ot
i
n
th
e
in ter b u t
w
h
e
t
so
i n t h e su m mer I t seem s to m e to be i n vie w Of th e
v ery sce n e to w h ich o ur Lord s d irec tion a pplies ; to
th e very w a n ts w h ic h it m akes the s u bj ect of fa ith th at
He teaches b y para b les
T h at m e n ou g h t al w ays to
p ray a n d not to fai n t : a n d m akes th e sta r tli n g ih
qu i ry
N e ve r th eless w h e n th e Son o f m a n co m
”
?
T h e d irectio n
eth sh all h e fi nd fa i t h o n t h e e art h
a m idst th e h igh est regard for
w a s to be o b eyed
i m mo rtal bless i n gs a n d t h e m ost s e l f deny i n g e fforts to
exte n d e te rn al salvation T h e p raye r w a s fo r apostles
a n d d is ci ples occu p ied i n sp read i ng th e gospel to eve ry
creatu re
B u t w h at sh all w e s a y w it h regard to th e c omfor ts
?
D id o ur Sav ior w h e n h e w en t
o f o ur m ortal l i fe
”
i n an d ou t a mon g u s call u s to faith only i n vie w of
th e a b solu te necessaries of life
O r d id h e m ost k i n d
ly rega rd th e re fr esh ment an d com fort o f o ur feeble a n d
?
r
He r e w e h ave only to read Joh n 1 3
w ea ri e d f a mes
I t is n ot a m e re lesson o f h um ilrty a n d k i nd n ess to one
a nothe r th a t w e lea r n i n th at re m a rka b le accou n t for
i t w ould no t h e t h a t le sso n to U S if i t w e re n ot fi rst a n
i nsta n ce o f I l is regard to t h e p roper re fresh me n t an d
com fort o f h i s d isci ples I t w a s n ot m ore as a teach er
th a n as as a com pa sion ate fr iend th a t h e rose fro m
su ppe r a n d la id asid e h is gar m en ts ; a n d too k a to w el
a nd gi rd ed h i msel f a n d bega n to w ash h is d isci ples
feet a n d to w ipe th e m w it h th e to w el w it h w h ic h h e w as
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THE
E
A RT H L Y
O P P O RT U N I T Y
F O R FA I T H
77
.
”
girded
His k i n d ness is th e m ore a ffecting w h ile we
re member , th at h i mself w a s n ot i nd i ffere n t to th a t
”
“
eastern hospitality
T hou gavest m e , sai d h e o n ce
“
to h is host, n o w ater for m y feet bu t th is w o m an
h at h w ash ed m y feet w ith tears an d w iped th e m w ith
”
th e h airs of her h ead
T h e a n cien t l i ke th e moder n
sa n dal of th e easter n w orld is b u t a sole bou n d to th e
botto m o f t h e foot le a v m g it e n tirely expose d to t h e
h eat a nd d u st ; a n d i t is th e comfort a nd r elief of
w ash i ng after t h e fatig u es of th e d ay w h ich o ur Lor d
S urely then ,
r egards for h i mself an d for h is disciples
h e is tou ch ed w ith our least infi rm ities an d calls to fa ith
w h e n w e lac k eve n th e comfor ts of our frail a nd feeble
con d ition
B u t th e most a ffecti n g i nstan c e o f h is regard to our
i nfi r m ities respects th e w an ts a nd cares w h ich belon g
to ou r dom estic relation s F ood rai me n t fuel h ouse
a n d h o m e a n d com forts are needful to every on e
b u t t hei r n ee d is m ore i nten sely fel t in vie w of those
an d th at w e m igh t
w h o depe n d upo n u s for su ppor t
be w on most ten derly to cast our dom esti c cares on
h i m w e h ave t h e most tou ch i n g i n ciden t of h is earth
I refer to th e p rovision h e m ade , w h ile
ly h istory
h angi ng on th e cross for h is moth er s decli n in g age
say i n g to h is moth er as sh e stood beside th e d isci ple
Wom a n behold th y Son
and
w hom h e loved
“
to the d isciple Beh old thy m oth er
A n d fro m t h at
h ou r th a t d isciple took h er u n to h is o w n h om e to be
m
c
o
fed a nd cloth ed , an d lodged a n d sh eltered a n d
forted an d n u rsed , u n til sh e sh ould be gath ered to her
fathers
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78
TH E
E ART H LY O P P ORT UN IT Y
F OR
FA I T H
.
S u rely then w e m ak e no m istake w h ile w e consid
er th e occasion s of earth
th e infi r rnit ies o f o ur feeble
as ou r opportu n ity for fai th
a n d w h ile w e
natu re
ex te n d th e p rivilege Of com i n g boldl y to th e t h ron e o f
”
grace to every ti m e o f n eed S u rely th e earth ly op
o r tunit y for faith i s n ot con fi ned to extre m e necessities ,
p
b u t exten ds to all th a t is requ i red to m a ke th is li fe com
T h e ad va n ce me n t o f o ur m od
fo r ta ble a nd agreeable
er n ci v ilization i nc reasin g as it does o ur w a n ts carries
u s not b eyon d th e scope of faith F o r all th at is tr uly
u sefu l
a n d for all th at is truly com fortable a n d ag ree
able to ou rsel ves or oth ers w e are per mi tted t o d ra w
nigh to G o d i n th e na m e o f o ur g rea t a n d p repar e d
I n te rcessor He w h o b rou gh t so carefully a n d so
a good l a nd a lan d
k i nd ly h is a n c ien t pe ople i n to
of brooks o f w ater o f fo untai ns a n d depth s th at spr u n g
o ut o f v a lleys a nd h ills ; a la n d o f w heat a n d barley
a n d v in es a n d fi g trees a n d po m eg ra n ates ; a lan d of
exposed t he m n o d o ubt , to say ,
O il ol ive a n d hon ey
“
My po w e r an d th e m igh t of m i n e h a n d h ath gotte n
m e th is w ealth : ye gave the m t h u s th e best oppor
t unity to rem e m ber a n d bless a nd tr ust t h e Lord th ei r
G od A n d w h e n th e ar ts of l ife s hall a t le n gt h o ver
spread th e ear th a n d m ak e i t l ike th e garde n of G od ,
“
i t sh all be bu t th e fu lfil me n t Of th e praye r : Let th e
people praise th ee O G od let all th e people p raise thee
T he n sh all th e ea rth y iel d h e r i n crease a n d God,
”
eve n ou r o w n G od sh all bless u s
A n d now , w h il e
th ose arts adva n ce add i n g ne w w a nt s a n d bri ngin g
“
ne w s u pplies w e i ndeed are ex pose d to say ,
My
o w er a n d th e m ig h t o f m y h a nd , ca n get or h av e
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TH E
E
A R T H LY
OP P OR T U N I T Y
FOR FAITH
79
.
”
n m e th ese th i ngs
B u t w e are fu r n ish ed w ith
a n d gro w i n g opportu n ities to tr ust an d hope i n
.
h ere , am id st th e m erry lesson of th e fields a n d
w e m ay e n deavor to resc ue for th e p u rposes o f
th e seasons o f relief as w ell as of necessi ty
th e
ra nge of p rosperity as w ell a s th e n arro w er li m its
ad ve rs i ty T h e Scri ptu res d o i n deed com me n d a d
rsity
o ur da rk n ess a n d sorro w as th e opportu nity
,
—
but th ey do not co m me n d i t at the expense
faith
o f p rosperity
do n ot give to n ecessity a n d d istress a
m o re b lessed design th a n to relief a n d enjoy m en t do
n ot despoil th e greater proportion o f o ur lifeti m e of its
r el igious use ; bu t call u s a m idst prosperity to joyful
tru st T h ey d o n ot requ ire u s to be i nsen sib le to th e
ch eerful scen es of earth n or to con s ider o u rselves as
un called to faith a n d h ope i n God except a m idst dar k
O n the other h an d they give th e
ness a n d th e stor m
fi nest ex am ples o f joy ful fai th i n th e midst of ret u r ni n g
a n d abidi n g me rc ies S O it w a s w it h D avid w h e n th e
Lord h ad delivered h i m out of th e h a n d of all h is en e
m ies , a n d o ut of th e h an d of Saul
I w ill love thee
O Lord m y Stren gth T h e LO R D is m y R ock a nd
m y F ( rtr ess a nd my D eli verer : m y God my Strengt h
i n w h o m I w i ll tr ust : m y B u ckler a n d th e Hor n o f
”
m y salvation a n d m y h igh To wer
Wh at faith too
in con sequ en ce o f m ercifu l rel ief is expressed ; Psal m
I love th e Lord becau se h e h at h h eard th e voice
1 16
Becau se h e h ath i ncli n ed his ear
o f m y su pplications
u nto m e , th erefore w ill I call upon h i m as long as I
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TH E
80
li ve
E
A R T H LY O P P O R T U N I T Y
F OR
FA I T H
.
”
T h u s also i t w a s w ith Jacob a m ids t th e bles s
i ngs of h is lot w ith D an iel a m idst th e splen dors o f t h e
Persia n co u rt St Pa ul too a m idst h is abou n d in g ,
n o less th a n a m idst h is a ba s e rne nt lear ned to say , I
”
ca n do all th i n gs t h roug h C h ris t stren gthen i n g m e
A n d th us m ay i t be a m idst all th e blessi n gs as w ell as
all th e a ffl ic t io ns o f ou r earthly lo t T h e blessi ngs Of
l ife
its ch eerfu l scen es
ove rspread in g a s th ey do ,
givi n g th is li fe w he n enj oyed
its far greater portions
a righ t g reat m ea n s of h appi ness are not alie n to fai th ,
b u t w ere orde red for its n u rtu r e b y th e sa me k i n d h an d
th at ch ast ises u s i n n ecessities a n d gloo m Ligh t as
joy as w ell as sorro w
deli veran ce
w ell as d ar k n ess
as w ell as d i fficul ty a fford th e opportu n ity for faith
to say i n j oy ful coven a n t : Beca u se h e h ath i n cli ned
h is ear un to me therefore w ill I call u pon h i m as lon g
”
as I live
We n eed n ot ch eris h gloom y v ie w s Of
ear th as th e on ly m ea n s o f fa ith bu t freely rejoice in
i ts m ercies i n all i ts c heerful sce n es assu red th at they
n eed n ot separate u s fro m G od I t w as n ot the be
l ieve r bu t on e of th e m ost m ark ed u n belie ve rs of o ur
ti mes w h o is said to h ave excla i med a m idst a p rofa
sio n of ou t w a r d b l e ssi ngs t he re is n oth in g bu t m isery
”
i n th is w orld I th ink
It w a s a s a int r w h o fou n d th e
opportu n ity for fait h a m idst r e markable su fferin gs w h o
w a s w on t to exclai m o f pleasa n t occ u rren ces a m idst
th e com plai n ts o f oth e rs : I t w a s very pleasa n t ; I
”
e njoyed it I enjoy eve ryth i n g
I t w a s th e patriarch
Israel w h ose dy i n g piety glo w ed i n th e l ig h t Of th e
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By r on
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f
R b
o
e rt
Ha ll
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T H E E A R T H L Y O P P O R T U N I T Y F O R FA I T H
81
.
r cie s O f
h is earthly path
T h e God w h ich fe d m e
m y l ife lon g un til th is d ay ; t h e A n gel w h ic h r e
”
m e fro m all ev il bless the lads
So h oly a
o f ear th to o w a s the d i n g pi ety O f th at lovely
y
gifted sai n t w h o w a s w on t to see h is h eavenly F a
s sm ile i n th e flo w ers
I t w a s c h erish ed b y th e
monest b lessi n gs o f earth w h ile h is spiri t w a s
”
nt a nd longi n g for i ts fligh t to h eaven
I h av e
e every l ittle com fo r t of life ; food cloth i n g
”
ng
T h e last fi nish to h is ch aracter w a s a
sense of ear thly b lessi ngs
t h e last polish
w h ich i t n eed ed th at i t m igh t s h i n e i n i m mortal glory
S u ch th e n is th e e a r th ly opp br t uni ty f or fa i th
to sec u re w h ich w h at p ai n s h ave b ee n take n by our
all w ise Paren t
He h a s arra nged th is school o f d is
to
cipli ne for th e recovery o f h is err i n g ch ildren
He n ce
force an d w in m an k in d to their o nly Helper
th is w orld is constru cted a n d ar ran ged not to p reven t
b u t to a w ake n a n d deepe n it not to repress
a m idst o ur blessi ngs b u t to excite an d exalt it
s th e season s are o r dered now cu tti ng O ff th e
E ve n th e season
no w bri n gi n g i n a b u n da n ce
ease is beset w it h constan t h azards as i f p ur
to m ak e t h e m i n d u n sta b le as w ater ; tossi n g
ea O ver th e early prom ise o f th e sp r i n g
th e frosts keep h overi n g t h reaten i ng agai n a n d agai n
to blight th e blosso m a n d th e b lade ; w h ic h ye t are
preserved a n d ch er ish ed b y t h e ver n a l su n an d rai n
T he n s ucceed d rou gh ts c urli ng t h e leaf parch ing th e
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S e e p 32
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.
T H E E A R T H L Y OP P O R T U N I T Y F O R FA I T H
82
.
soil a n d w i th eri ng eve n th e h id de n roots an d fi bre s of
th e pl an t
b ri ngi ng t h e expectation Of th e year to th e
ut most poi n t of r u i n ; yet follo w ed for th e m os
by rai n s so ti mely as to tu r n th e w hol e earth i n to
scen e o f joy fu l h ope T hen w h e n t h e h ar vests a
w avi n g i n th ei r glory o r th e bar n s are fille d w ith ple
ty ; h ail a n d ligh tn i n g a nd tem pest g i ve th ei r d
token s i n t he sk y or rece iv in g th ei r l i m i ted c
sion spread devastation over th e yello w field s ;
t he treas u res o f a year to th e fou r w i nds or l i c k
up i n a n i nsta n t w ith th ei r bl asti n g tong u e : w h ile yet ,
for th e m ost part t h e t h reate n i n g p asses by , leavin g th e
earth covered w ith a more pl acid s m ile a n d pr
m ore ab u nda n t re w ard s Ma n u fact u res an d co
al l pla n s a n d e fforts m eet th eir e m erge n cies
c ul ty w h ic h pu t to n ou gh t th e w isd o m an d po we r Of
m a n an d thei r t u r n s o f relief a nd blessi n g w h ic h
tem pt o ur e rri ng m i nds to a fool s exaltatio n Al l th e
w ays o f m e n are beset w it h da n gers a m idst pre v a i
blessi ngs as i f p u rposely d esig n ed to a w ake n
d eepen ou r an xiety to excite a n d exal t o ur joy am id st
earthly th i ngs E arth is w a s i t n ot d esig n e d to be a
sce n e for freq ue n t fear a n d for s u dde n t u rn s of c h eer
ful expectation a tossi n g sea o f opposite a n d con te n d
i ng pass i ons ; for w h a t pu rpose bu t to g ive th e
t unity of faith i n G od
th us callin g us
i nfi r m it ie s to see k fi r s t th e k in gd o m Of G od an d h is
?
r igh teou s ness
B u t th e fi t ness o f th e ea rthly see
for givi n g th e su b sta nc e o f ete rn al blessin gs w i ll
u n folded i n th e n ext d iscou rse
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84
T H E E N D OF O U R F A I T H
.
com i n g b oldly to th e th ron e of grace for relief an d b l es s
i n g a m idst ou r prese n t i nfi rm ities th at p rivilege w er e
com para t i vely nou ght i f a t th e j u nctu re of o ur earthl y
n eed it d i d not m eet th e n ecessities O f th e i m mortal
spi rit T he flo w ers t h at b lossom o n you r d aily path ,
glo w w ith the p rom ise o f e te rn al glory T he bird s th a t
si n g a m on g t h e b ranch es assu re yo u for p resen t a nd
etern al son gs : I w ill si ng u n to t h e Lord as lon g as I
live I w ill sin g praises u n to m y G od w h ile I h a ve m y
”
bei n g
A ccept th e w a r ra n t w h ic h m eets yo u a t th e
j u nctu re o f you r ea r th ly n ecessities a n d y o u sh al l t e
W h e n you r
ce iv e a nd e nj oy ful ness of b lessi n gs forever
earthly occasion s sh all b e all passed a nd you sh all see
a n d h ea r n o m ore th e su m m e r s w ar ra n t to you r fai th ,
you sh all h ave th e fulfil me n t i n glory e verlasti n g
E arth is th e w a y to h ea ve n
Th e w a r r a nt t o f a ith
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in
r eg a r d
to
a
ll th e w a nts
"
m or t a l na tur e , m eets i ts
a
m i ds t
o ur e a r th l
y
f
o
o ur
a
r
0
pp
i nfi r m it i es
s
i
i
r
t
u
al
p
i
a te
r
p
pp
o
a
nd i m
o r t uni t
y
.
To
provid e th is opport u n i ty is th e very desig n Of our
earth ly c o nd ition — ou r con dit io n of i nfi rm it iy T h is
desig n it see m s to m e th e a postle u n folds i n t h at m u c h
d isc ussed passage R om 8 : 2 0
T he c reat u re w as
m ad e su bj e ct to va n i ty n ot w illin g l y b u t by reason of
”
h i m w h o h ath s u bjected th e sa m e i n hope
I t is for a
reason a bov e e a r th tha t w e a re s u b ject to ou r earth ly
i nfi r m it ie
We a re und er th e b ondage of corru ptio n
Of a frail a n d pe r is lring n atu re th at w e may set o ur h ope
in th e e te r nal G od
T h is b ondage to corru ption th is
sen sible n ecessity a n d depe n de n ce th is con d itio n Of ia
fi rm it ies, gives oppo r tu n ity fo r th e Spirit s i n tercessio n
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’
THE
OF OU R F A I T H
END
fl
8o
.
”
groan in gs w h ich can n ot b e u ttered
An d
”
here it is a m id st the s u fferings of this presen t ti m e
th at w e beco m e prepare d fo r th e glory w h ich sh all
”
be r evealed in us
N or sh all th e low occasion m ak e
u n certai n or i m per fect th e ble s s m g th at w e ga i n th e
Spirit w h ich h elps u s alon g ou r path O f i n fir mity b ears
w itn ess w i th ou r spi ri t th a t w e are th e ch ild re n of
”
God
h eirs o f G od a n d join t h eir s w ith Ch rist :
”
“
from w hom
n or death n or life sh all separate us
forever T h e opport u nity for a p urpose so h igh w i ll
be m a n ifes t i n v ie w of th e n atu re a n d te ndency of
fa ith sp ri n gi ng u p am id st th e i nfi rm ities of earth as
i n t h e exam ples of th e last discou rse
F aith i n regard to ou r earth ly infi rm itie s estab
1
l ishes t h e sou l on G od as th e only Stay a nd G u ide of
ou r depe nden t n atu re ; a nd th u s gi ves th e su b stan ce
and th e esse nce of eter n al s al vation If i n regard to
an y n eed th e w a rran t b e accepted th e n is t h at essen
tial faith beg u n w h ich Is th e su b stance O f thi ng s
”
h oped for
Ho w ever s mall or brief th e necessi ty i f
i t be bu t li ke th e d roppi ng o f a h ai r or the falling of a
sparro w i t is th e opportu n ity for th e rise a n d gro w th
—
faith
of
O f for mi ng a s ub sta n tial an d e nd u ri n g u n io n
If God b e trust e d
w it h th e eter n al He lper o f m an
for th e n ecessities o f b u t a si ngle hou r or mom en t for
food to eat a n d rai men t to pu t on as thos e n ecessities
are ren e w ed fro m m ont h to m on th a nd from d ay to
“
—
d ay ; if yo u bu t u tter th e si mple prayer G i ve m e
th is d ay m y d aily bread
th at ch i l d like faith sh all
co n tai n w ith i n itself th e substa nce of all blesssing s for
w ith
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8
THE
86
OF OU R FA I T H
END
.
tim e a n d for eter n ity T h e belie ver on th is h u mbl es t
h as ceased to glory i n h is o w n w isdom a nd
s cale
w ealth a n d m igh t , a n d h as begu n to glory i n t h e
L OR D w h o exerciseth lovi n g k i nd ness a n d j udg me n t
”
is n o lo nger w i thou t
a nd righ teou sness i n th e earth ;
hope a nd w ith ou t G od i n th e w orld He is fou n de d
w h ich w ill sta n d to m orro w a nd w ill
upon a R O C !
A m idst th e d el i ve ran ces an d blessi n g s
s ta nd forever
of earth h is prayers sh all be tu rn ed agai n a n d aga in
i n to praises ; fro m step to ste p h e sh all k no w m ore
a nd m ore o f th e lovi n g k i n d n ess o f t he Lord ; an d ,
receivi ng th e co ven a n t blessin gs o f earth h e sh all fee d
O f s u c h foretastes
o n th e ripe fru it of h eave n i tself
of h eaven am idst th e a n s w e red p rayers o f earth th e
Let it be m ad e
1 03 d Psal m is a beau tiful speci m e n
you r ow n song i n th e hou se of you r pilg ri mage a n d you
s h all h ave h eave n beg u n by m ean s of t h e infi r m it ies o f
ea rth Y ou r prayers sh a ll b e p rolonged an d con ti n u e d
i n grate ful songs an d vo w s : Bless t h e Lord O m y
”
soul a n d a ll th at is w ith i n m e bless h i s h oly na m e
Y ou r praises sh all rise from th e lo w grou n ds o f earth ,
a n d clai m th e sy m path y Of h igh a n d h oly spi rits ;
s ay i n g
Bless th e Lord y e h is a n gels t h a t excel in
strength th at do h is com m a nd m en ts h earke n in g u n to
th e voice o f h is w ord : bless ye th e Lord all ye h is
h osts ; ye m in iste rs o f h is th a t d o h is pleasu re ; ble ss
th e Lord a ll h is w orks i n all places of h is dom i n i o n :
”
bless th e Lord O m y sou l
Ca n su c h h u mble joy ful
fai th s uc h h e ave nly p raise a m idst o ur i nfi r m it ies be
p u t to sha m e in t h e ages o f eter n ity ? Ca n su c h
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T H E E N D OF OU R FA I T H
w ater
87
.
prove oth er th an a w ell p u re an d d eep spri n g
ing u p u n to everlasti n g l ife ? Ca n h e w h o tr usts i n
“
God for h is d aily n eed m is s th e en d Of h is faith , eve n
”
?
t h e sal vation o f h is sou l
If th e A l m igh ty be our a c
ce te d H E L P E R w h o sh all prevail agai nst u s no w O
r
p
forever ?
2
Wh at w e h ere clai m i n vie w Of th e essen tia l
natu re o f faith i n God w ill ap pear still more m an i fest
w he n w e consider th at o be di ence is a n ecessary ele
m en t o f th at fa ith
Th ere ca n be no faith i n God,
eve n as to th e co m mon est m atters except i n th e path to
w h ic h h is w arran t is gi ve n ; over w h ic h h is p romise s
rest O f cou rse fai t h i n God in regard to food an d
r ai men t is th e acceptan ce Of h is pledge a n d coven an t
—
n
a
is n o oth er tha n obedi ent
i th e w y o f obedien ce
fa i th ; though it be i n regard to th e sligh test blessi ng
to th e merest momen t it h as i n i t th e essen tial holi ness
con for m
of heaven ; it is o b ed ience to th e la w of God
A ll oth er fait h
i ty to h is w ill l iken ess to h is i m age
for i t is fai th w i thou t a rea
is spu riou s — is del u sion
—
so n
w ithou t a promise an d a w arran t ; can not keep
h is cove n an t , because i t remem b ers not h is com m an d
m en ts to do th e m It is th is obed ien t faith amids t
in
o ur earthly occasions w h ich is p ri m arily called for
“
th e w ord s
See k fi rst t h e k i n gdom O f God an d h is
”
r igh teou sn ess
H is k ingdo m is amon g u s an d is
th e n sou g h t fi r s t w h en h o w ever low or b rief th e oc
casion H E is tr u sted i n th e pat h of h is com man ds ;
as truly as w h en etern al life is t he i m mediate an d only
—
object of our choice I t w a s thi s obed ien t faith th i s
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.
T H E E N D OF O U R FA I T H
88
.
seek ing first th e k i ngdom of G od to w h ich th e c h il
d re n o f Israel w e re call e d by th e occasion s o f th e wil
d erness ; t h a t th ey m ig h t k n o w th at m a n dot h n ot
l ive b y b read alon e bu t by every w ord t hat proc eedeth
”
o ut o f th e mou t h o f G od
T h is too w a s th e fait h o f
o ur E xe mplar
w he n h e a p pl ied th ese w ord s to h is
refu sin g to resor t to a n u n a u
o w n ca s e a n d obeyed
t h o r iz e d m i r acle
a n d w h e n i n all h is path
He
l earn ed O b e dien ce b y the th in gs w h ich h e su ffered
th at b ei n g m ad e pe r fect h e m igh t b ecom e th e A u thor
”
I t is th is
o f ete rn al salva t io n u nto all th a t O b ey h i m
obed ie n t faith i n the pat h from w h ic h false prom ises
w oul d lead u s astray w hi c h sh all p rove to u s th e
begin n i n g o f eter nal sal vation S u c h faith can n ot be
d ead I t r ests u po n s rrre a nd certai n p rom ises
and
con forms as i t gro w s m ore perfect to th e per fection of
G od
O n ea r th it a ffo rds th e essen ce Of h eave n
G rea t peace h ave th ey t h at love th y la w a n d
”
So far as it exte n ds in
noth i n g sh all Offe nd th e m
fa m ilies n eigh b orhoods co m m u n ities i t sh al l m ak e
earth h eave nly I f its prayer be
G ive m e t h is d a y
”
i t sh al l b e also
Lead u s no t i n to
m y da i l y bread
—
m
a
t
r
o
n
th y k i ngd om com e th y w ill be d on e on
t e pt
”
ea rt h as i n h e ave n
A n o b ed ie n t faith a con for mity
to G od s ill a l rke ne s s to h i s i mage n eeds n ot th e
form al ch oice o f ete r n al l i fe i n ord e r to i n s u re it I t is
eternal lrfe spru ng u p a n d flo w i n g i n th e soul ; m ore
s u re t ha n a ny m ore ch o i ce o f ete r n al glory F a it h in
rega rd to th e fu tu r e n ot proved b y prese n t obed ien ce
c a n prod u ce b u t th e h ope o f t h e h y pocrite l i ke th e
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T H E E N D OF OU R FA I T H
89
.
p id er s w eb Ho w soo n w ere th e you n g ma n s hopes
o f etern al lrfe blasted by th e cla i m of Obed ie nce at a
sin gle momen t o n h is earthly path
He w e n t a w ay
”
sor ro w ful for h e h ad great possessions
O bed ie nt
faith ca n no t d ece ive th e soul
B u t h ere a peculiari ty cl ai m s o ur notice We are
a ll
c h ild re n o f d isobedie n ce ; an d h av e fou n d th e
occasions o f earth occasion s of d isob e d ience
If
obed ie n t faith ta ke its ris e an d gro w am idst th e sam e
occasion s it ca n t h e n be n o oth er th a n a r epent ing
F ai t h ret u r n i n g to th e p a t h
a nd s or r ow ing fa ith
o f obed ien ce con tai n s w ith i n i tse l f repe n tan ce ; t here
ca n be n o faith w h ic h cleaves to t h e path of dis obedi
—
no w arran t ;
e n ce beca u se n o pro m ise h a ngs over it ,
t h e eye of fait h w ill t u r n a w ay fro m th e path w h ere
i t sees n o pillar o f a coven an t to th e clou d or fire
w h ic h h an gs over th e pat h of Ob edien ce ; a n d ca n i t
t u r n save in tears a n d sor ro w an d repe n tan ce ? F or
t h is repe nti n g fai th w h at a n opport u n i ty is th e path of
life ! I t is a path o f m ingled j udg m en t a nd m ercy
fitted for the sp here o f th at Spirit w hic h convm ces m e n
We su ffer are exposed to su fferi ng only becau se
o f si n
To no sm all exten t w e ca n see an d a re fo ré ed
o f sin
by ci rcu msta nces to feel th at o ur s ufi e ri ng s are ca u sed
by our partic ul ar s i ns a n d w h e n w e can not trace th e
d irect con n ection w e are rem i nded still o f th e si n s
ff
w
h
ic
h
d
eser
ve
correction
so
severe
A
n
d
h
e
n
su
er
w
i ng is re mi tted ; a n d m ercy sh i n es u pon ou r pa th
w h at stron g desi res o f ret u r n fro m our w an derin gs a re
How th e i ro n conscie nce a n d the
w on t to ar ise !
’
s
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8
T H E E N D OF OU R F A I T H
90
.
sto ny h eart softe n an d m elt i n th e fu rn ace o f a ffl ic
ti on th a t a m idst ret u r n i n g m ercy obed ie n t fai th m ay
co me fo r t h as gold T hese te n de n c ies o f th e d isci
pli n e of life a re m an i fest i n th ose w h o y ield not to
th em bu t are fa i rly sho w n only i n t h e cases w h ere
th e opportu n i ty o f repe n tin g an d Obed ien t fait h is
earn estly w elcomed Ho w m a n i fest a re th ey i n th e
p en i te n tial P sal m s T h e si ck n ess a n d deat h o f a n
Hide
i nfa nb prh m pte d th e repe n ta n ce Of Ps a lnr 5 1
th y face fro m m y s i ns a nd blot out m y i n iqu i ties :
T h e sacrifices o f G od a re a broke n s pi ri t ; a broke n
”
an d a con trite h ea rt 0 G od thou w il t not despise
T h e l 30th Psal m p roceede d from c i rc u m sta n ces o f
over w h el m in g affl iction ; O u t o f th e d ep t h s h av e I
cried u n to th ee O G od I f t h ou L ord sh o ulds t m ar k
?
i niqu ity O Lord w h o cou l d sta n d
M y soul w aiteth
for t h e Lord m ore tha n th ey th at w atc h for th e m or n
”
ing
A n d t h e 1 4 3d w a s u ttered w h en th e Psalm is t s
life w a s s m i tte n d o w n to th e grou nd an d h is spir i t
”
over w hel med w ith i n h i m ; w h e n h e says E n te r no t
i ntO j udg m e nt w i th th y ser va n t for i n th y sigh t sh a l l
”
n o flesh l ivi n g b e j us tified
T h ese an d all t h e Psal m s
i n d eed belong pec ulia rl y to th is life to o ur co nd ition
of i n fir mity a n d sho w t h e str u ggl i n g spi r it as i t
t ri u m ph s by faith along i ts pat h o f pilgri mage o n earth
T hey lose th ei r fitn ess to o ur c ase th ei r va lu e as e x
a m pl es a n d e ncou r agem en ts n ay th ei r very s piritu al i
ty by bei n g forced o ut of their n ative sce n es for spirit
u al p u r poses T h ey a re th e n fou n d m ost s piritu al
w h e n th ey ar e adopted as prayers a n d pra ises a m idst
th e ills a n d blessi ngs of m ortal l ife
,
,
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T H E E N D OF OU R F A I T H
92
.
th ou gh faith h e cal l e d fort h by th e infi rm ities of our
earthly sta te th oug h i t see k i m m ed iately for rel ief an d
blessi n g on ou r earthly path
i f w e accept t h e w a r
r an t in t h e w a y Of obed ie nce ; i f w e t u r n fro m o ur
e rrors a n d ou r ig nor a n ce to th e ai d a n d g u id a n ce Of
t he al m igh ty S pi r it sh all th is eart h bor n fai t h d ie
w ith th e bod y a n d leave t h e soul void o f eter n al l ife ?
I f G od be w i t h u s as ou r H el per tra n sform i n g u s to
h is i mage i f w e li ve on eart h b y fa it h i n h i m w e ca n
no t be p u t to sh a m e i n th e ages o f etern ity
B u t w h y need w e th u s a naly ze t h e fait h w h ich m eets
w h y prove th at i t m u s t be O be
o ur ear th ly occasion s
—
—
d ie n t
th a t i t m u s t be pe n iten t
t h a t i t m u st be
tran s for mi n g u n til the i mage of G od is form ed i n th e
soul ? T hat fai th w h ic h i n o ur last d iscou rse w e called
for a m ids t th e th in g s o f ti m e is b u t a com i n g to th e
t h r on e o f g race th rou gh t h e Hig h P riest w h o c a n be
tou ch ed w it h t he feelin g o f ou r infi r m ities I t is a fel
Con v i n ced of si n a m ids t
lo ws h ip w ith th e R edee m e r
ou r s u ffe ri n gs w e m eet h i m as o ur a ton i n g S acrifice
as ou r Pat te rn a nd th e Ca ptai n o f our salvation W e
c om m u n e w it h a brothe r o f ou r flesh exalted as th e
Savior o f o ur souls O n th e lo w grou n d s o f earth ,
op pressed w ith ca res a nd w a n ts te m pted to as k W h a t
?
e
sh all w eat o r W h at sh a ll w e d ri n k a n d w h e re
w ithal sh all w e b e cloth ed ? w e a re b rou gh t i n to fel
lo ws h ip w ith o ur great H igh Priest ; w h o s u ffered for
th e ve ry si n s w h ic h h ave ca u sed o ur su fferi n gs ; w h o
in pity ta kes u p o ur ca u se w h ile i t is u po n o ur ow n
l ips , a nd c arries i t w i t h every groa n a nd tea r to th e
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T H E E N D OF OU R F A I T H
93
.
th ron e o f grace
clea nsed from every si n w h ich
m igh t tu r n back o ur prayer an d h is m ercy from u s
”
“
th at w e m ay be partakers of h is holi ness
T h in k
not t h e earthly opportu n ity for faith un su ited to th e
ation of you r souls w h ile i t h olds you i n so i n ti
e fello w ship w ith th e Hig h P r iest o f o ur pro fess ion
n eed not try to escape from th e cond itio n of earth ,
to d i sarran ge its arra ngem e nt s no r to ris e a b ove
th e d esire an d th e j oy o f r elief th at you m ay h ave
Oppor tu n ity of preparatio n for h eaven Y ou are not
called u pon to be nu rnb th e b ody or th e m i nd ; b u t
th ro ug h th e w eak n ess of you r fles h an d of you r spi rit
to com m u n e w i th h im w h o b ore you r i nfi r m ities
Wh at th en t h oug h faith may h ave spru ng u p i n r e
gard t o th e w an ts of a m omen t or a n hou r ; m ay be
absorbed i n a n xieties for th e fee b le a n d d y in g b ody ,
a n d be li ngeri n g still o n th e s e low grou nd s o f earth
?
w ill i t fa il of sec u ri n g th e salvation of ou r souls Wh at
a n d a m idst its pass i ng occasions w e be
if for earth
fou n d com m u ni n g w ith th e High P ries t o f o ur profes
sio n a n d h is spri n kled blood fall u pon o ur conscien ce
p u rg i n g i t from d ead w orks an d h is i ntercession bri ng
do w n rel ief fro m ou r b u rdens a n d holi ness to o ur
h earts ; w h at th en thou g h w e b e occu pied w ith though ts
w ith ea r th a nd n ot w ith
o f tim e an d no t of etern ity
h eaven sh a ll w e not h ave gai n ed th e essen ce o f etern al
l ife ? O n the low grou n d s O f ea rt h sh all w e n ot h ave
gai n ed th e ear nest of a n i m perish a b le heave n S u r ely
i n C h rist Jesu s ; eve n thoug h
if a n y m a n be th us
e
v
d
a
d
id
b
u
t
say
i
n
peni
ten
t
obed
ie
n
t
faith
G
i
n
e
h
,
,
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~
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,
T H E E N D OF O U R F A I T H
94
”
.
m e th is d ay m y d a i ly b read h e is a ne w creat u re :
a w ay a n d behold all th i n gs are
old th i ngs are passed
”
be com e ne w
3 I n the preced i n g p arti cu la rs w e h a ve see n
i nd irec t preparatio n for eter n al salvation am ids t o ur
earthly occasions w h e n ti me a n d not eter ni ty is p resse d
W h at I no w prop os e is to s h o w
upon ou r t hou g h ts
t h e i nfl ue nce of t h e s e s a m e o cca s i o ns i n p r o d uc i ng
a nd c h e r i s h i ng t h e d ir e c t fa i t h of th i ng s e t er na l
F o r our ligh t
accord i ng to th e w ord s o f t h e a p ostle
a ffl ic t io n w h ich is b u t fo r a m o m e n t w or ket h for u s a
far m ore exceed i n g a nd etern al weig h t of glory w h il e
w e look no t at th e th in gs w h ic h are see n a nd tem poral ,
”
b u t at th e th i n gs w h ic h a re n ot see n a n d eter n al
T h e occasion s o f th is life w hic h expose u s to d espa ir
o r p res u m ptio n
w h ich con ce n t rate th e m i n d upo n
prese n t s uffe r i ng a n d e nj oy m e nt a re n ot a h i n d ra n c e
b u t a help to t h e fait h of e ve rl ast in g th i n gs T h e
s tri fe a nd b u si n ess th e h opes an d fea rs o f th is m ortal
state fu r n is h th e b est opport u nity for l ayi n g h old o n
etern al l i fe
We m a y s a y fi r s t th at w he never fai th s p ri n gs u p o n
a n earth ly occasio n h e th at occasio n e ver so abso rbi ng
i t does from its o w n n atu re refu se con fin e men t to th i n gs
see n a nd te m poral a n d reach es a fte r etern al th i ngs
A m a n m ay b u t h ave gon e to G od for d eli veran ce a n d
reli e f in pr e se n t n ecessities b rrt no soon er sh all h e h ave
accepted t h e w ar r a n t ov e r h i s e a rthly path th a n h e
sh all fi nd w i t h i n h i m s e lf the fai t h of t h i ngs etern al
He m ay bu t h ave com e t o his sym path i z i n g Hig h
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'
TH E
END
OF OU R FA I T H
95
.
est i n h is i n fi rm ity , a n d h e sh a ll fi n d a n a nch or cast
—
h i n the vail a s u re a n d stead fast h ope of b lessi n gs
”
w h i t h er Jesus t h e forer u n n er hath e n tered
ne w si ngle ness o f ey e i n regard to th e thi n gs of
h sh all accordi ng to ou r Savior s i nstru ction i n th e
r m e dia te passages of th e text
issu e i n h is seek i n g
st th e k i n gd o m of God
i n h is lay in g up treasu res
h eave n His proper praye r a nd son g s hal l e m b race
o nce th in gs tem poral a n d eter n al — t h e blessi n gs
th o f eart h a n d h eaven ; an d tru sti n g i n God h is
h erd o n th e earth
h is G u id e th rou g h th e dar k
a n d h is etern al P ort ion —h e sh all say i n fa ith ;
ely good ness an d m ercy sh all follo w m e all th e
o f m y l ife an d I sh all d w ell i n th e h ouse of th e
”
forever
t besides th is con sequ en ce of si nglen ess of eye th e
ly occasion s a re su c h as to force a nd d ra w th e
d beyon d th e msel ves — to fix th e though ts o n neces
T h e ten
s a n d b lessi n gs beyon d t hi s m ortal l i fe
ha ppy th ose w h o yield to it
1 all m i nds
b e com e th e h ei rs o f i m m ortal l i fe
else is t h e des ig n of th e constan t rec u rre n ce of
w a nts after re ne w ed an d repeated su pply ; t e m pt
to ne w a n xieties after w e h ave b ee n a thousan d
t i mes rel ieved ? W hy as lon g as w e l i ve a re w e co n
ti nua lly exposed to ne w s u fferi ngs a n d cala m ities eac h
l ast ; a nd w h y are o ur fears kept a w ake
ade i n tense by th e calam ities a n d su fferin gs of
?
?
W hy d o w e su ffer pai n w h y do w e pi n e a nd
others
l an gu ish o n beds of sic k ness , u n til all our beau ty is
.
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T H E E N D OF O U R FA I T H
96
.
?
”
con su m e d a n d w e a re like a bottle i n th e s m oke
W h y si nks th e h eart u n til w e a re te m pted to say
My d ays are va n ity ; I loath e m y li fe
n ot li ve al w ay
M y soul c h ooseth s t ra ng l
”
?
d eath rather th a n l i fe
Wh y u nless to a w ake n
forethou gh t to m ake u s look b eyo n d a sce n e w h ere
blessings a nd relief a re tra nsie nt to b lessi n gs w h ic h
to u rge u s to lay u p a trea
sh all n ever pass a a
”
s u re i n h eave n
B u t t h e oppo rt u n it y depe nds n ot u po n th e re n e wa l
calamities an x i et i es a n d fea rs upo n pai ns a nd sic k
n ess Is th ere n ot a si m ila r e ffect prod u ce d by t h e
?
m ost u n b roke n prosperity ; th e m ost u n sh a ke n h opes
It w ere stra n ge to tell i f w e d id n ot of ou rsel ves
—
—
i
r
i
t
a
t
fi
d
k no w t
desi res g
d el i ve ra n ce attai n ed
e
p rosperity a n d h ope leave u s still u n satisfied N o
m o re b l e ssi n g Of ou r prese n t state com pletes ou r bl iss
T h e fullest a nd m ost co nstan t a b u n da n ce leaves sti ll
a lac k o f e njoy me n t w h ic h n oth i n g ca n su pply bu t
th e h ope o f i m m ortal g l ory \V h o k n o w s n ot th e
i nsu ffi cien cy of all mere earth ly good th e s atiety a n d
d issati factio n w h ic h t h e b est b lessi ngs p rod u ce ; th e
—
e nnu i
th e sl uggish m isery w h ic h is b or n of pros
”
l
t
h
e
o w spirits
h
ic
h
e r ity a n d a b u n da nce
r
w
e
p
qu i re some b ette r i n fl ue nce for thei r recove ry th a n
?
?
h
earth ca n gi ve
B u t w y is t h is
\V h a t m ea ns i t
th at d e liveran ce an d rel ie f a n d a b u nd an ce a n d
a nd health fail to give a b id i n g ch eer ? \V h y
th e heart w he n a ll earthly su ppl ies are full ? Wh y ,
b u t to make u s loo k for ward a n d pray th a t we m ay
“
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THE
OF
E ND
FA I T H
O UR
97
.
h ave our portion i n th is w orld to m ak e u s say
“
A s for m e I w ill behold t hy face i n righ teousn ess I
”
sh all be satisfied w h e n I a w a ke i n thy li ke n ess
It is re m arkable th at s ufferi n g perplexi ty fe ar , a n d
dissatis faction are more i n te nse j u st i n p roportio n as
th is w orld is ch ose n i n separation fro m God T hose
wh o refuse faith altogeth er w h o decl in e th e path o f
Obed ien t fa ith w h o m ake th is w orld thei r all do most
i n tensely su ffer from its ills an d i ts i nsu fficien cy a nd
j u st i n proportio n as th ey force th emselves a w ay
in
th at proportion a re th ey u rged to seek God as a full ,
fi na l a n d everlasti n g port ion
S O Solomon te l ls u s
“
th e bitte r experie nce of h is w and eri ng w ays
V a nity
”
S O By ron
T here is n ot h
o f van ities , all is v a n ity
”
T h u s h as God
ing b u t m isery i n th is w orld I th i n k
bese t t h e pat hs w hi ch lead astray A n d w h y
Why
th is ch ec k u pon relief a n d blessi ngs w hich our h eaven
a nd for w hich our
1y F ath er sees th at w e need
sym path izi n g Savior su pplicates i n o ur beh alf ? Wh y
b u t to fix our thou gh ts u pon etern al good ; to m ake u s
?
l ay up treas u res in h eave n
B u t th e opportu n ity for faith o f th in gs etern al is
still fu rther e n h an ced by a noth er circ u mstan ce o f our
con dition I refer to th e u n certai nty a n d brevi ty Of
A m on th a w ee k a d ay a n i n sta nt m ay
our li fe
a nd i f
r e move us from th i ngs se en a nd te m poral ;
l ife be prolon ged i t is only for a period w h i ch w h en
”
passed is li ke a d rea m w h e n o ne a waketh
I n th e
best h ealth , m ost remote fro m d an ger m ost free fro m
fear , we can n ot , w i th ou t folly , boast ou rsel ves of to
not
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9
T H E E N D OF OU R F A I T H
98
.
”
m orro w o r if w e h ave t h e best estate o f m an ,
”
?
h
m ak e i t m ore th a n altogeth er va n i ty
An d w y
I Vh y d o w e feel w ith i n u s th e sy m ptom s of d isease , of
W h y are
w h ic h w e see o ur frie nds an d n eighbors d ie
w e sh ocked so Ofte n a nd so s u dde nly w ith th e th reate n
i n g of i m m ed iate death Wh y are w e a w ed an d alar m
e d a t pestile n ce ligh tn in g te m pest a nd e ver ch angi n g
acciden ts an d exposu res a n d w h y w h e n w e h ave
passed th e m safely a re ou r u t most h opes Of eart h li mi t
e d to fou r score yea rs b u t to m ak e u s look u po n th e
?
th in gs etern al
H o w fitted o ur cond i tio n to th e ca l l ,
T he refore h e ye also read y for i n s u c h a n h ou r as
y e th i n k not th e son o f m a n com eth
a n d t h e w ar n
i ng w h ich h an gs over t he lon gest li fe
F ea r G od
a n d keep h is com m a nd me n ts for t hi s is th e w h ole
d u ty o f m a n F or God sh al l b ri n g every w or k i n t o
j udgme n t w ith every sec ret thi n g w h eth er i t be good,
”
or w hether i t be evil
T h e con dition o f m a n as w e h ave now con si dered
it has still g reater i nfl u en ce t h a n w e h ave yet clai med,
i n con n ection w it h th at pec uli ar po w er u po n t h e con
scie n ce w h ich as w e h ave already n oted a w aken s a
re s e nt s e l f cond e m n atio n a n d repe nta nce
T h ose ci r
p
cum s ta nce s w h ich force u s to look for w a rd u pon eter n a l
th i ngs const rai n u s to la y o ve r th e gu il t a n d cons e
u
n
e
e
c
s
r
o
u
of
si n s to a fut u re state T h e verses of
q
E cclesiastes j ust quoted are rath e r th e concl u sion for m
ed a m idst th e experie n ce o f li fe — th e co n cl u sio n to
—th a n a m ere
w h ic h every m an s ex perie nce te nds
revealed tru th Self conde m n ation a nd a fear of fu
“
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1 00
E N D OF O U R FA I T H
TH E
.
tha n k ful ness for h is sig nal an d provide n tial preserva
tion I V h a t thou gh t I w ou ld h ave bee n m y cond ition
”
h ad I the n d ied
A s th e t ree falls so it m ust lie
T he pervertin g in fl u en ce of si n , a n d th e soph istry o f
u nsa ncti fi ed reason gi ve som e scope to th e doctri n e of
”
u n iversal s alvation eve n i n a state of society a nd
a
i n m i nds w h ich a re n ot absol u tely sel f aba n don ed to
a fi nal a nd fatal corru ption B u t so m a n y a n d so
po w erfu l a re th e c ou nter te n de n cies of o ur earthly
cond ition su c h con viction s a n d fears o f fu tu re j u dg
me n t does i t ro use i n t h e m i nd th at th at d octr ine
ca n not h ave a ge neral pre vele nce th rou g h society ,
except by s u c h a u n i versal co rru ptio n as w ould m a ke
a hell u pon eart h
T h at corr upti n g doctri n e ca n
n ever p revail except by s u c h an a n terio r cor ru ption ,
as sh ould d isprove its fu t u re p rom ise to th e eye of
’
sense i tself ; s uch as ac tu ally occ u rred w he n N oah s
fore w ar n in gs w ere u n i versally set at n ou gh t A ga i nst
s uc h a corr u ptio n as m igh t prod u ce th e gen eral d el u
sion God h as provid ed by th e con d ition i n w h ic h h e
h as placed th e ne w w orld I f th e flood gave proof
th at G od k no w eth h o w to reserve th e u nj u st u n to t h e
d ay o f j udg m e nt to b e p u n ish ed
the ne w brevity a n d
ex posu re o f h u ma n li fe th e ch a n ges i n its w h ole con
“
d ition fo rce t he con viction u po n t h e m i nd th at G od
”
w ill b y n o m ea n s cle a r th e gu ilty
Soph ists m ay
reaso n ; safety in si n m ay see m p roved by d ed u ction
from th e w ord o f tr u th ; e ven b elievers may tre mble
lest m a n sh ou ld e very w h ere cast O ff fear
bu t h u
m a n infi r nrity sh all sti l l do its o ffi ce , a nd m a n sh al l sti ll
,
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“
T H E E N D OF OU R FA I T H
1 01
.
trem ble for fear o f fu tu re j udgmen t alon g h is earthl y
path T h e sop h is t s o r th e reason ers , sh all th emselves
stan d in a w e a n d th e w a y still b e ope n to th e con
scie nce a n d th e h ea rt th at k n o w i ng t he terrors of th e
Lord w e m ay pe rsu ad e m en T he con d ition of o ur
“
frail h u m an i ty shall still call to th e p rayer
God be
m erci ful to m e a si n ner ;
still g ive sa nction to th e
o ffer a n d th e w ar n in g ; He th at b el ieveth o n th e So n
h ath everlasti ng life b u t h e th at b el ievet h not t he
S on shall n ot see l ife , bu t th e w rath o f God abideth
”
on h i m
S u c h are th e i n flu e nces of o ur e arth ly cond ition
su ch o ur opportu n i ty a m idst o ur infi r m ities o f Obtai n
“
i n g t h e e n d of our faith eve n th e sal vatio n of our
”
souls
So ad a pted i s th e con dition o f m a n to p repar e
h i m for h is eter n al w ell being B u t there is peculiar
i nterest i n t he more person al vie w th at w e are perm itted
to ta k e — th at w e a re w arran ted to take b y God s
special k i n d n ess to i n d ivid u als of a n atu re lo w er th a n
N ot a s parro w falleth to the grou n d w ith
our o w n
”
I f from th is w arran t you m ay
o ut you r F ath er
tru st h is special care of you r pat h of i n fir mity m ay
.
,
*
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,
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“
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’
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,
E ven
d oub l y fo r tifi e d in i m p uni ty b y di ca rding ll
p r oof o f a div ine r e ve l a t i on w a b er e ft o f h i o p h i tr y m id t th e
In
t e rrib l e
t rm
it is a i d t h a t h e put
t h und e r a nd l ig h tning
p ur to h i h or e a nd g all op e d on r e p e at i ng th e h y m n of ia
f ncy :
N o w I la y m e d o w n t o s l e e p
I p r a y t h e L o rd m y oul t o k ee p
If I h o ul d die b e fo r e I w a k e
I p r y t h e L o rd m y soul t o t a k e
Th e cir cum s ta nce o ut r e a one d t h e so p h i t
H um e ,
s
s
,
a
.
s
s
s
s
s s
s o
s
s
,
,
a
,
s
,
s
,
a
s
*
9
.
s
s
.
a
a
,
s
T H E E N D OF O U R F A I T H
1 02
.
still more strongly fo r you r spirit u a l n eed ?
T h oug h yo u trust h im n ot , — thou gh y o u h ear ke n
n ot to h is voice stil l w ill h e prove h i mself th e Lor d
you r God w h o w ould teach yo u to profi t
B u t if
yo u h e ar ke n to h is com m and m e n ts
th e n sh al l you r
peace b e like a r i v er a n d you r righ teou s n ess li ke th e
”
N ot o nly sh all yo u p
erce i ve
w aves o f th e sea
th e i n flu en ce com mon to all ; b u t sh all recog n i z e in
you r w h ole p ath o f life a k i n d n ess s u i ted to you r
pec uli ar c h aracter a n d sh all see th at G od h ath led
u
u
o
al
l
you
r
ay
to
t
ry
to
prove
to
sho
o
w
o
u
w
y
y
y
u
a s i n you r h ear t, a nd to do
o
w
ha
t
w
good
o
u
in
y
y
”
you r la tte r en d
T he a ppeal th e n i s to experien ce O u r il lu stration s
are o f n o avail i f th ey a re not tr u e t o you r o w n boso m ;
i f w h e n you revie w you r li fe y ou can n ot see t h e w ay
m arks you h ave left a long yo u r path e ve n b y yo u r
resistance to th e k i n d n ess o f you r h eave nly F ath er ;
o r th e Bethels a n d E be ne z ers w h ic h
h
ave
se
t
o
u
u
y
p
along you r w a y to glory
T h e a n s w er to th e com mo n objection s to th e oppor
t unity of earth
m u st be fou n d i n every h u m a n
boso m so m uc h th e m ore o f cou rse as each o ne h as
yi e ld e d to t h e force of circ u msta n ces ; y et so po w er ful ,
th at resista nc e can n ot altogether h a ve silen ced i t
Sear c h the n you r o w n h istory I t is i m possible for
o u to h ave l ived
w ithou t blessi ngs a n d n ecessities
y
w ithou t h opes a n d fea rs ; e ve n i f you r lo t m ay h ave
k no w n t h e fe w est ch an ges o f h u m a n ity
Yo u m ay
u
o
y
not
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S e e Is a
i h
a
48 : 1 7, 1 8
.
T H E E N D OF OU R FA I T H
1 04
.
fitti n g you r i m perfect p iety ;
to be n eed y a nd su f
fe l l a g w ith patience an d w ith faith ;
to be blessed
—w ith
d v ai n glory
a nd ch e e red w ith ou t prid e a n
?
son gs o f praise — to d ri n k th e w aters o f life o ut
o f th is
w ildern ess , a nd to gath er th e
o f th e “ C lls
?
h e aven ly m an n a at you r v ery ten t d oor
B u t th e n
w h e n faith by th is d i s ci pli n e h a d gai n ed ne w v igor ,
a n d h ope h ad gai n ed ne w bright n ess a m idst th ese
lo w sce n e s h o w ofte n h av e y o u bee n able to soar
a still lo ftier h eigh t as o n e a g les w i ngs u n ti l one
i nsta n t w a fted you r p repared eye as i n to th e m idst of
h eave n ly a n d etern al glories !
W h y sayest thou
O Jaco b a n d speak est O Israel m y w a y (Of earthly
n eed ) is h id den from th e Lord a n d m y j u d gm e n t
?
passed ove r fro m G od
Hast th ou n ot k n o w n ,
h ast th o u n ot h ea rd th a t th e everlasti n g God th e
Lord th e C reator o f th e e nd s of t h e earth , fai ntet h
not n eith er is w ea ry ? He gi veth po w er to th e fai n t ,
an d to th e m t ha t h ave n o m ig h t h e i ncreaset h
stren gth E ve n th e you t h sh all fain t a n d be w eary ,
a n d th e you ng me n sh all u tterly fall ; bu t th ey th at
T hey
w ai t u pon th e Lord sh all re n e w thei r stren gth
sh all m ou n t up o n w i n gs as eagles th ey shall r u n a n d
”
n ot be w eary th ey sh all w al k an d n ot fai n t
By
earthly n ecessities n ot w ith o ut the m , th e bel iever
soars o n h igh a n d reach es w h ile h e l ives, th e j oys of
h ea ve n
4 T h e v ie w s o f th is d iscou rse m ay be con fi r med by
noticin g th e evil ten den cy o f d isallo w i n g o r n eglecti ng
th e earthly opportu n ity H ea ve n is not bes t s oug h t
-
,
-
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T H E E N D OF OU R FA I T H
th e
s ch ool
Go d h a s
1 05
.
I
n
p
ro
f
portio n as th i ngs spi r itu al a n d etern al a re clai med to
r equi re separatio n from th ings see n a nd temporal i s
,
the ed ucation for h eaven m arred o r missed
T h e plai n est ill ustratio n o f th is h in d ran ce is i nti
ated by t h e Savior
A ft er all these th i ngs d o th e
”
e ntiles seek
T h eir pri m ary error o f pres um ptio n
an d d esponde ncy w a s cherish ed b y i ts cou nterpart ,
th at th e m ass of m e n are su bjected by t h ei r co nd itio n
to se n su al i n d ulge nc e a n d si nful passions
w ith th e
Opposite clai m of spiritu al ad va n tage b y secl usion from
earthly affa i rs an d i nd i ffere n ce to presen t an d se nsible
Th e stoicis m o f th e an cie nt pagan s cast
e m ultitu de fro m th e m otives to h igh virt ue ,
exalti n g a n d perfectin g th e c h aracter o f its
I nstead o f attem pti ng to con fir m th is
fe w
sertion , I prefe r to t u r n you r atte n tio n for a m omen t
w h at I h ave mys el f se en in t he g reat ce ntre of
Ode r n idolatry
Will it th en see m a co ntrad iction to sa y t h at th e
eatest h i n d ra n ce to th e spread of th e gospel a mo ng
doos I m ea n asid e from th e si n ful ness of all
h earts is th e u n iversal clai m o f a school for
spirit be tter th a n this w orld
T h is clai m ge n
ion after ge neratio n h as led a fe w ascetics to n eg
o r tor men t th e body i n beh al f of th e
o r defile
t
th us n ot exalted bu t degraded —a n d to give
th e m ultit ud e to sen se a n d si n ; to be t h e votaries
se nsu al a n d si n ful as th emse l ves N oth i n g is
iking to an obser ver of I ndia n c us tom s , th a n
out o
w h ich
or da i ned
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“
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1 06
T HE
END
OF
OU R
FA I T H
.
t h e a ppeara nce e ve ry w he re O f these h oly person s
separate fro m ear t hl y occasion s ; a n d the un i versal
i n fere nce O f those w h o ve n e rate th em that th is w orl d
is unfi t te d for a spiritu al religion A h u nd red t i mes
h a ve I gai ned the asse n t o f th e lip a n d I dou bt no t o f
t he conscie nce a nd th e u nde rsta n d i n g b u t h ave see n
i t blasted by th is p a gan e rror
T h e C h ristia n rel i
gion is excelle n t
b ut i m possible i n th e p rese n t con
d ition o f m en It is n o rel igion for th e ! ale Y oog
Ho w c a n I b e h oly i n a b ody all u red b y th e se n ses
”
?
occu pied b y a ffairs
T h e god s ar e fo r th is w orld
If
w e w ould save th e Hi ndoos w e m u st n ot only p rocla i m
t h e tr u e g ospel b u t w e m u st carry i t to its ow n place ,
—
s
n
s
to t hei r bu si ness a n d bo o r
am ids t th e w a n ts o f
th e b od y th e cl ai m s o f se n se a n d th e b u stle o f a ffairs
a n d m a ke it i n mate w i th a ll t h e con dit ion s a n d w ow
a tio ns o f th e ! al e Y o og ; w e m u st echo th e son g
p
w h ic h still li nge rs over C h ristia n n ation s fi rst su ng by
”
peace o n e a r th a n d good w ill to m en
a n gels ;
We
m ust sho w th e m t h e h eave n s ope n ed a n d h i m w h o,
w ithou t si n w a s te m p ted l i ke th e m sel ves a n I nte rce s
an d b id t he m boldly co m e to th e th ron e o f
so r th e r e
grace i n all thei r need Blessed day w h e n t h e w orldl y
H i ndoo s hall fi n d a Sa v ior p rese n t a m idst h is te m pta
tions a n d a ffa irs a n d th e V o ira g e e s h all tri m h is loc ks ;
a nd h i s n ails a n d w ash h ims el f fro rn h is ash es an d h is
filth a nd pu t on h is gar m en ts a nd go fort h to h is w ork
a nd t read th e co rr rm o n path of li fe i n fello w s hi p w i t h
Him w h o wa s m ad e flesh a n d d we l t am on g u s !
,
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THE
1 08
OF
EN D
OU R
FA I T H
.
proper d evotees to u n earthly h eigh ts o f h oli ness i t gav e
a paga n l ice n se to ge neral corru ptio n an d vice Se
cl ud e d sa i nts w it h m ere preten sions to h oli n ess be
ca m e the ack n o w ledged proprietors a n d al mon ers o f
g race —o f the v er y l i b e r ty to si n w h ic h ath eism clai ms
H e nce ca me the i n d ulge nce roll —th e ra tes of pa rdon
for si n s co m m itted a n d for th e p rivilege o f si n n in g
m ore F rom th e cloiste rs of mon k ery ca m e forth , o n
all th e paths o f li fe a t t h ei r stated p rice th e Ch ristia n
p rivilege of theft ro bb ery ad ul te ry an d m u rd er ! I f
w e w ould c h eris h h ol i n ess i n ou rsel ves a n d exte n d i t
th roug h o ur cou n try a nd th e w orld , w e m u st w elcom e
”
—
th e occasions of earth
th e t ry i n g o f ou r faith
A sk n ot for secl u sio n fro m earth ly th i ngs
o ffe r not,
e ve n i n pri nciple i n d ulge nce to th e busiest a n d most
te m pted in th e sch ool of li fe A bh or th e asceticis m
an d i nd ulge nce as m u c h as you wou ld th e Pa n th eo n
of th e Catholic a n d paga n w orld
B u t th e error a t len gt h w rou gh t i ts o w n re medy ,
a nd me n retu r ned for th ei r p rofit to th e d espised sch ool
w h ich God h ad appoi n ted
Happily for th e world ,
th e R e form ation ca m e
T he mon k broke fro m
h is cloiste r , th e n u n cast o ff h er ve il ; a n d C h ri s
tia nity ca me d o w n besid e th e w al ks o f m e n — v is
ite d th ei r h ou ses — sat b y t hei r fi re s ide s a nd com
m une d w it h th e m a m idst th e s u fferi ngs a n d e nj oy
m e nts th e h o pes a n d fears of com m on li fe S ud denly
th e w ord of th e Lord h ad free cou rse a n d w a s glorified ,
a n d prom ised aga i n a ra pid a n d u n i versal i nfl uen ce ;
at leas t, ove r th e P rotesta n t w orld It m u st not be
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E N D OF
TH E
FA I T H
OU R
1 09
.
i magi ned th a t w e h ave forgotte n or sh al l ever forget ,
th e lesson of more t h an a tho u sa nd years ; b u t i t w ere
w ell to ask w h ether w e h ave fully received it o r eve n
retai n i t i n fresh re me mbrance May not the Prot
es ta nt w orld be ch a rged i n degree w it h arresti ng th e
co u rse a n d h id i n g th e glory of th e gospe l by c l ai m in g
th e secl usion a n d givi n g th e i nd ulgen ce w h ich sh e
abhors i n th e Catholics an d th e pagan s ?
Is n ot th e state of piety for i nstan ce w h ere w e may
su ppose i t rooted i n th e h eart su c h as w e ca n accou n t
for on ly by th e prevalen ce of th e e rror i n question ? A
life a n d vigor are m an ifest w h ich make u s w onder at
its sickly a n d i nterru pted g ro w th an d eve n i ts m o n
strou s proportions B ut n o w ond er th at th e plan ts are
sickly ; th at fr u itless b ra n ch es exh au st th ei r strength ,
if th e diggin g an d th e pr u n i n g o f th e h u sban d m a n be
h i ndered How sh all piety gro w i n its fu l l vigor a n d
j ust proportio ns a nd y ield ab u n d a n t fr u i t , excep t i n
1
th e gard e n w h ere th e Lord h as set i t
If w e w ou ld secu re th e gro w th a n d proportion s a n d
fr u itfuln ess o f piety w e m ust allo w i t to b e e a r th ly
n u rtu red an d t rai ned am idst th e occa s ion s of earth :
a n d w e expose ou rselves to a piety sick ly , i n co n sisten t
a nd fru itless , i n proportio n as w e clai m i t to be un
separate fro m th e perplex itie s an d toils a nd
ea r th ly
pai ns , a n d blessi n gs a n d enjoy me n ts of o ur mortal a nd
proba tio nary state
B u t w e m ay trace th e error i n qu estio n by i ts e ffects
for som e reaso n,
upon th e m ultit u de a m on g w hom
is n ot glorified
th e gospel does not h ave free cou rse
,
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10
T H E E N D OF O U R FA I T H
1 10
.
Stra nge to beh old ! th ree h u n d red years h ave p assed
sin ce the gos pel issu ed fort h a second t i me a mon g th e
in
w ay s of me n i n th e p u rity o f th e w rit te n w ord
th e com parative a n d gro w i ng a b u n dan ce o f th e prin t
ed w o rd
b eari n g over th e P rotesta n t w orld t he
prom i n en t doctri ne — j us tifi ca t ion b y fait h a n d w h y
are s uc h m ultit u des estran ged still from its po we r un to
salvatio n 7 T h e w isest m ust b e pu zzled for a n a n s w e r
A n d yet o n t h e sam e pri n ciples as th e a postle asked ,
Ho w sh all th ey b el ieve o n h i m o f w ho m t h ey h av e
n ot h eard 7 w e m ay ask Ho w sh all th ey ei th er h ea r
”
”
l
n
o
f
t
t
e
r
r
a
ce
l
or bel ieve w h ere t he door
u
is c osed up
T h e re m ay be reason s fo r a n i ne ffectu al gos pel be sides
th e ge n eral corru ption o f m a n k i n d I f th e h eath e n are
perish i n g b ecause th e gospel h as n ot bee n p r ocla im ed
to th em th e lrke cond ition o f m ultitudes i n C h ristia n
la n ds m ay be beca use i t is n ot proclai med a long th e
h
s of c om m o n l ife
O
r
i
f
th
e
C
atholic
com
m
u
n
i
a
t
p
ties m ay h ave perish ed u n der th e abu nda n t pardon s
a n d l ice nses o f a n u n earthly C h ristian i ty i t m ay be
”
t hat Protestan ts h ave g iven a fatal
i nd ulge n ce
a m id st th e see m i n g severity o f th ei r clai ms N o w on
d e r i f th e gospel prove i ne ffectu al to th e m ass i f i t b e
not ca r ri e d do w n w it h its o fT
e rs a n d com man ds to th e
b u si n ess a n d b oso m s o f m e n ;
to t he to ils an d ca res
a n d pe r plex itie a nd fea rs a n d h opes of th is m ortal
li fe if i t b e no t car ried do w n to th e sce n e o f su fferi n g
an d tears ; to t h e infi r m it ie s b y “ h ic h me n m ay h a ve
fe l lo w sh ip w ith th ei r H ig h P r ies t a n d I n te rcessor
W h at avails it th at th e ne w a n d livi n g w a y is ope ne d
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T H E E N D OF
112
FA I T H
ov a
.
presu m ed to be cast w ith i n th e vail w ere allo w ed to
m eet th e stor ms a n d tossi n gs o f t h e sea o f life ; i f th e
e cstatic h opes o f h eave n w ere exposed to th e stern r e
T h e l atter s u ppo
s is t a nce o f th e path o f o b ed ien ce
s it io n see ms to m e to ex plai n th e con sid era b le prev a
”
len ce o f th e doct r i n e o f u n iversal sal va tion a m idst
th e storm s o f li fe w h ic h a re eve r s w eepi n g i t from th e
m i n d I n a great p roportion o f cases this doctri n e
see ms to m e to th rive o n t h e fa lse pri nciples th at m a n
is cast d u ri ng h is a b o de i n th e b od y a n d o n ear th :
excuse
und er su ch d isad va n tages as p rod u ce an d
h is si ns ;
a n d d eserves th e sal vat ion w h ich i n a
form er discou rse w e h av e sho w n i t abs u rd to ex pect
a s th e m ere gi ft o f po w er Li ke th e Hi n doo i dol
a try U ni v e rsa l i s m is a pr o v i s i o n fo r a d i sad van tage ,
a su pply for a defect i n th e d ivi n e a rra nge m en t — a n
accom modat ion to th e se n se a n d si n w h ich are esteemed
th e r e rne dile ss ev ils o f o ur prese n t cond ition Hen ce
—
t lra t noth in g i s w a n ti ng b u t for t h e
th e co n cl u sion
spi rit to be loosed fro m t h e body from sen se a n d ea rth
ly th i ngs i n order to b e saved — th at d ea t h w ith its
si ngle b last o r its te m porary se paration fro m th e body ,
—
a con cl usion as i m possi b le as
w ill restore th e soul
absu rd if earth w ere recei ved a n d ack n o w ledged as
th e tr u e sch ool o f faith Ho w th e n s h ould soph istry
h ave th e face to say eve n i n prosperi ty an d a t ease ,
Blessed is t h e m a n w h o h as wot e n d u red te m ptation
w h e n t h e trial h as red u ced h i m t o dr os s h e w ill com e
H o w rath e r w ould eve n soph istry give
forth as gold
place to rea so n a n d co nscie n ce , as th ey utter i n th e ca n
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THE
o f th e
E N D OF OU R
a nd
F AITH
1 13
.
a fflicted th e p roverb w h ich h an gs
bod i ng over th e school of li fe ; He th at bei ng ofte n
reproved , h ard e net h h is n ec k shall su dde nly be de
stroyed, a n d th at w ithou t rem edy !
Come th e n ; — e m b race th e oppor tu n ity o f you r
frail an d fleeti ng l i fe ” Have faith i n G od — o b ed ie n t
faith i n all you r n eed a n d you r sin gle eye s h al l ran ge
t h e w h ole field of i m m ortal i ty
Co me, w ith you r
h eav iest bu rd e ns i f li ke a mou ntai n W eigh t ; com e ,
as ligh t , as n u merou s as th e
w ith you r ligh test ca res
h airs of you r h e ad as u n i mportan t as a sparro w s fall
Com e, an d co m m u n e w it h you r prepared Hig h Priest :
“
—
th e G od w h o w a s
w i th th e m a n of infi r mitie s
”
N ot ti m id ly bu t
m ade fles h a n d d w el t a mong us
bo ldly com e to t he th ron e of grace Come a n d bu t
Give m e th is d ay m y d aily bread
bless m e
sa y
i n th is path o f d i ffi c ulty gu ide m e wit h t h y cou n sel
a n d after wa rd rece ive m e to glory —th at fai th of th e
feeble s pirit in its frail ten e men t s h all joi n you to the
R edeem er Y o u sh all be i n Ch rist , a new creatu re
O ld t hi ngs sh all be passed a w ay , a n d behold a ll th ings
”
s h all becom e ne w
cou n t i t all j oy w he n we fall i n to d i
Let us th e n
”
an d th an k God th a t h e h as made
v ers tem ptation s ;
th is earth th e w a y to h eaven , — s o plai n th at the
w ayfarin g m an , thou g h a fool , sh a ll not err th erei n :
—
n
r
i
n
t
i
fi
m
a
d
d
th at w e are com passed w ith
are
force
y
in a ll our m orta l life to see k after G od : t h at w e
a r e n ot left , li ke t he an gels w h o si n ned , w it h n othi n g
—
a n u tte r
to cal l u s to God b u t a n i n n ate abhorre nce
w arn ed
,
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10
T H E E N D OF OU R FA I T H
1 14
.
rep ulsi o n ; in a cond ition o f bei ng w h ich m igh t have
I w ou ld n ot i f I could
m ad e o ur salvation i m possible
I
r ise su perior to t he i nfi r m it ies of m y feeble n atu re
w ould n ot be careless Of food a n d rai me n t an d hou s e
a n d h ome a n d a ll th e b lessi ngs a n d co mforts O f m y
ea rthly state I w oul d n ot leave c ari n g for th e bod y
I w ou ld n ot lose th e opportu n i ty I fi n d
a nd t h is l i fe
i n all m y ch a n ges o f com i n g boldly to th e t hron e of
g race o f fello w shi p w ith h im w h o bo r e all m y i nfi r m
i ties
I w oul d n ot se pa rate m yself fro m th e bu sy
h au nts o f m e n ; be freed from perplexity a n d care ,
an d distraction a n d tem ptation a nd hope a n d fea r
a nd m i ngled p rosperity a n d ad versity an d ch oose to
—
i
z
e
t
mysel f a retrea t for p y
bu t a midst m y oppor tu
mity w ould I stay all th e d ays of m y appoi n ted ti me
—t h ere w ould I acce pt th e Spirit s h el p to m y infi r m
ities an d th en ce se n d u p m y daily prayer , to be
p rese nted i n th e i n tercession o f m y prepa red Hig h
“
P riest u n til I sh all be fi tted for the gloriou s libe rty of
”
th e c h i l d re n of G od
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1 16
V
E RS I ON
.
Th e ir w e l th a nd w i d m w h en t h e y
d e p i ri ng s t h e nig h t
A nd gri v
w th
rt h l y w o pp r s e d
u
B
nd t h e w o rd br oa d
B ut y w h
A nd
ll ll n ti o ns to b e l i ve
B h l d o n r th p r e e nt God !
id r e ce i ve
In w l o w o Hi
S e k fi r t h i k i ngd o m t ru t h is g ra ce
Be l i v h w rd nd d h i w il l ;
Y u
rt h l y p th w y h w il l b l ess
A nd w i t h ll g i ft y o ur b o o m fill
T o m rr w ! d n t v i nl y b o t
It g d ; n
dre d it fr o wn
f i th l
T d y
F i t h m t it e v il fi r s t
”
By d i l y conque st w in th e cr o wn
s
a
e
e
se
e ca
ca
a
o
ea
o
,
e
r
ea
o
-
o
a
a
a
-
e
s
or
a
a
ess
a
ee s
a
a
s
.
as
a
o
o
,
s
s
o
oo
s
,
a
s
.
s
o
,
s
a
s a
is
.
,
e
r
e
o
es
a
s
-
oes
a
ea
e
,
o se
e
e
a
ea
r
re
,
a
s
,
o
’
s
s
.
,
s
.
Th oug h fi d on m e ne st t h i ng s b e l o w
Th
i ng l e y e i full f l ig h t ;
If G d n e rt h y u l e rn t o k no w
Th t h um b l e f i th h l l ri e to ig h t
But t h y w h o t urn fr m God to se e
Th p r e nt g o d ; t h e ir e v il e y e
S h ll ne ve r b ut in d r k ne
be
Wit h out a God s h al l l i ve a nd die
xe
e s
a
e
o
o
a
o
s
a
a
o
a
s
e
e
a
es
a
,
s
s
.
o
o
a
ss
,
.
,
b l esse d
,
S E RM O N
T HE
V I
.
R EBU ! E OF UNBELIEF
E A R THLY THIN G S
AMI D S T
.
L
W i ll h
w h at ye
r
at h e
r
e
no t m uch m o r e
sha
see
ll
ky
TH E
eat or
l
c oth e
w hat ye
k ngd
e th e
i
U!
om of
sha
E 12
yo u
ll
d r i nk
:
28 , 29
O h ye
,
i
f
o
ne t h e
.
lz tt l e f a z th
rb
e
ye
of
A nd
l ee
k
no t y e ,
d o ubt ful mi nd
.
B ut
Go d
.
warran t to faith gi ven b y
th e fo wls of th e a ir
a nd th e l ilies of th e field is i n deed besid e th e co m m on
n
A
t
th
e
j
u
ctu
res
O f ou r earthly blessi ngs
a th of life
p
“
I
w h ere w e are te m pted to th e vai n hearted boast ;
w ill p u l l do w n m y b arn s a nd b u ild greater an d t here
w ill I besto w a ll m y fr uits an d m y goods And I w ill
Soul thou h ast m u c h goods l aid u p
s a y to m y sou l
for m an y yea rs take th in e ease eat d ri n k a n d be
at th e j u n ctu re of ou r earthly n eed w h e n
m erry ;
Wh at sh all w e eat a nd w h at
w e are te m pted to ask
”
?
sh all w e d ri n k an d w h ere w i th al sh all w e be cloth ed
are w e m et b y th e w a rran t Of th e fo wls o f th e
th e r e
a ir an d th e lilies o f th e field callin g u s to th at faith on
earth , w h ose en d sh all b e th e sal vation of ou r sou ls
Blessed con d ition of h u m a ni ty
Blessed su bjection to
v an ity an d frailt y, th a t a midst the tossings of th i s
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1 18
TH E
R E B UK E
U N B E L I EF
0F
m or tal l ife h ope m ay a n ch or w i thi n th e vail ! A s
w e w al k a b road a m idst t h e h erbs a n d flo w ers a n d bi rd s
b u t i n th e ope n te m ple of
o f su m mer w here are w e
th e Lord glo w i ng an d so u n d in g lou d w i th th e w a r
ra n t to faith i n God w h ose eyes are open u n to th e
s u pplica tions o f all h is serva n ts to h eark e n u n to th e m
?
i n all that th ey call u po n h i m for
th at a m ids t ne
b lessi ngs o f o ur mortal state w e m ay
ce s s it ie s a n d
beth i n k ou rsel ves a n d repe n t a n d m a ke s u ppl ication ,
a n d say w e h ave si n n ed a n d retu r n u n to G o d w it h
”
all o ur h ea rt an d soul
I n t h is ope n te m ple u rge d by
o ur o w n i nfi r m it ie s w e a r e called to e n te r i n to th e h ol i
est o f all by th e b lood o f Jes u s th rou gh th e v ail —th e
flesh o f ou r High Priest over th e ho use of God ,
wh o
”
“
is tou ched w ith th e feeli ngs Of our infi r m ities th at
”
com e b oldly to th e th ron e Of grace
On
w e m ay
th ese lo w grou n ds o f earth occu pied w ith i ts bu si n ess
pe rplexed w ith its ca re s op presse d w ith its b u rde n s
w earied w it h its toils a n xiou s a nd d ish earten ed am ids t
its pai n s an d fears l u red b y i ts pro m ises
w h ere are
w e bu t i n th e ope n tem ple o f th e Lord ; at th e h oly
pl ace n ear th e mercy seat a nd th e b lood of spri n kli n g
i n presen ce o f o ur H i g h P r iest a nd I n tercessor w h o i s
able to save u n to th e u tter m ost
He re m ee t us th e
fo wls o f th e ai r a n d the l ilies o f th e field n ot o nl y to
give th e w a rra n t to ou r fai th b u t to u tte r th ei r sh arp
r e buk e of o ur u nbe l i c
f
1 O u r Lord s re b u k e is u rged b y h is o w n e x a m pl e
alon g th e pa t h s o f l ife \V h o is th is we m ay as k w h o
r ebu kes u s w h ile he gives th e w a rra n t to our fa it h ?
,
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1 20
TH E
R E B UK E OF U N B E L I E F
w h ic h
?
eve n I M M AN U E L w elcom ed
What are we,
th at w e sh ould re fuse th e call o f th e m ee k a n d lo wl y
Savior
Com e u n to m e all ye th at labor a n d a re
hea vy laden a n d I w ill give y o u rest Tak e m y yok e
upo n yo u a n d lear n of m e f or I a m m eek a nd lowly
,
,
.
,
,
i n h ea r t
”
.
P r id e w a s n ot m ad e for m a n
th e prid e Of
prayerlessness o f sel f s ufli cie ncy an d sel f co nfi dence
alon g th e path of l i fe N o ; not for a w or m o f th e
d u t ; for a va n i ty o f v a n i t ies ; for a h el pless a nd
sel f ru ined si n n er W hat th e n shall w e say i n v ie w
O f the si nless Son Of m an of t h e I n fin i te Son of God,
passin g o u r pat h o f i nfirm ity O fl e ring u p prayers a nd
su ppl i c ations m arki ng all h is w a y w ith stron g cryi n g
a n d tea rs ? A las fo r u s ! Who ca n t h i n k o f h is i m pe r
fe ct fai t h so m ixed w i t h sel f co nfi de nce a nd d istrust ,
w ith ou t s e l f a b horre n ce ?
A las for m a n — for th ee ,
for m e
alas for th e praye rless m a n w h o assu mes to
touc h t h e mea n est gi ft of God i n h is o w n m igh t a nd
w h o re fu ses to accept all g ifts pro ffe red to h is
skill
aski n g
A las for u s no w d e spond i ng b e ca u se w e h ave
n o po w e r ; no w e x u l t i n g b eca use al l po w er i s ou r s ;
w he n ou r pattern a n d ou r h e l pe r t h e m ee k a n d lo w ly
Sa vior pas ed o ur pat h w it h p raye rs a n d su pplication s !
Ho w is t he prayerless ma n rebu ked b y th e exa m ple o f
C a n you d are yo u refuse
o ur Lord !
i n e ve ryth i ng
w ith praye r a n d su pplication to le t you r requ ests be
”
?
m ad e k no w n u nto G od
V ai n hea rted a n d despon d
i n g i n tha t ve ry n atu re i n w h ic h th e So n o f God pou r
e d fou rth praye rs a n d su p pl ications
“
-
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s
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"
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o
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s
“
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A M I D S T EA R T H LY T H I N G S
1 21
.
T he reb u k e o f our Lord is u rged by th e fre q uen
cy a n d ten de rn ess of t he call t o faith a midst ou r earth ly
occasion s
Be hold the ope n v ision w h ich overh a ngs you r path
of li fe ; a th ron e of grace at w h ic h appears you r m er
ciful High P r iest !
Ho w prepared for h is o ffice Of
d aily mercy ! He rem e m b ers h is o w n n ecessities ,
T h e foxes h av e holes a n d th e b irds
w h e n h e said
of th e ai r h ave n ests bu t th e Son O f m a n h at h not
h is o w n stron g cryi n g a n d
w here t o la y h is h ead
”
H o w m elti n g th e sigh t eve n a m idst its a w ful
te ars
glor ies ! O u r exalted High P riest is tou ched w ith
th e feeli n g o f o ur infi r m ities
a ppears able to s u ccor
u s becau se h i msel f h at h su ffe re d b ei ng te m pted
Will
yo u trifle w i th su ch a k in d ness prepared by h is o w n
?
l ife of vol u n tary s uffe ri n g
Will you trifle w i t h su c h
a k i n d n ess coveri ng all you r path h earken i n g to every
gr oan , bottlin g e very tea r o ffe r in g all you n eed able
a nd w il li ng to l i ft even th e m ou n tai n load ; co nd e
sce n d ing to n otice an d relieve every loss or care as
?
ligh t , as n u merou s as th e h ai rs Of you r h ead
Will
be
t
his
ope
n
vision
over
all
th
e
path
s
of
li
n
d
t
u
b
o
o
y
life ? Wil l yo u be silen t to that ear w hich h as lis
te ned for you r breath i ngs o f d esire am ids t a ll th e
?
ch anges of you r d aily lot
Will you h ard e n you r
h ea rt agai ns t th e pity w h ich th e S o n Of the Highest
?
l ear ned by su fferi n g you r i nfi rm itie s
Will yo u r e
fuse th e ca ll to co m e boldly to th e th ron e Of grace for
?
n
h el p I you r ti me of need
Will you sligh t th e
R edeem er as h e meets you from d ay to day an d h ou r
2
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11
1 22
THE
R E B U K E OF U N B E L I E F
hou r an d m o m en t to m o me n t a m id st th e cares o f
life
O b li n d n ot yo u r eyes to th e m ercy w h ic h over
h a n gs all you r path a nd w ith a b roth er s pity o ffers
you th e b al m w ith w h ich h is o w n w ou nds we re h ealed
the succor b y w h ic h h is o w n w eak n ess w a s s u stai ned
th rou g h a path o f s u fferi n g bi tterer th a n you rs T h i n k
not to tu rn a w ay g u iltless eve n onc e from th at look
a n d cal l of love w h ic h m eets t h e w a n ts of you r earth
W h at gu ilt the n m ust b e you rs w he n
ly cond ition
you r c ri m e s sh a ll b e m eas u red b y t h e co un tless num
ber O f h is th ou gh ts to y o u
A s yo u pass o n th e pat h
Of l i fe every ste p is b u t th e tal ly o f you r u nbelie f a d
d in g to th e lo n g accou n t w h ic h h e m u s t re nde r w h o
h as sligh ted th e Sav ior a m idst h is ear thly n eed
A las you r si n s are more n u me rou s
m ore hei nou s
Y o u thou gh t y o u w e re b u t p u t
th a n you thou gh t
ti ng b y th e questio n O f e ter na l s a lv a t ion to a m ore con
t hat yo u w ere b u t overl ay i n g th e offer
v e nie nt seas o n
of etern al life to som e fu tu re d ay of ear n est acceptan c e
”
B u t you forgot th e w h il e , th e d ays o f h is flesh w h e n
you r R edee mer lea rn ed com passio n for you r d aily in
Y ou forgot th e w h ile th at the re passed n ot a
fi r m it ies
d ay a n h ou r a m omen t i n w h ic h t h e Savior w a s n ot
n ear you w it h a b rothe r s pity Little as you noticed
a k i nd ness so su rprisi n g He w a s n ear you i n all you r
a m idst all you r solitary a n d social
w al ks o f b rrs ine s s
cares ; a m idst you r s u fferi ngs a n d e nj oy men ts a m idst
e s a n d fe a rs ; ope n i n g fo r you
ou
r
h
op
a
bold
c
om
y
i n g to the th ron e o f g race E tern ity ! sligh t i f you
w ill
i f yo u dare
a mercy w h ic h sh all sh i n e
to
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1 24
R E B UK E OF U N B E L I EF
THE
th e R edee me r has looked d o w n an d pi tied y ou am idst
yo u r overcom ing b u rd e ns
a m id st y o u r lig h test cares
a n d called you to as k h is aid i t w a s ch iefly th a t h e
m igh t d ra w y o u to h i msel f ; th at you m igh t lear n
a b asi ng a n d abou nd i ng to say
I ca n d o all th i n gs
th rou g h C h rist w h ic h s t re ng t h e ne th m e ; th at i n hi m
you m igh t beh old as i n a glass th e glory o f G od a n d
”
be chan ged i n to h is i m age fro m glory to glory
W hat pai ns has th e R edee m e r ta ke n to m ake us l i ke
h im sel f ; e ve n to b ecom e i n all o ur w eak n ess an d ia
fi r m it ie s li ke u s ; le a r n i n g O b ed ie nce by th e th i n gs
w h ich h e su ffe red th at h e m igh t b ecom e th e au th o r of
ete r nal salvat i o n to a ll th e m t ha t Obey
Have you th en bee n trai n ed by a n xiety a n d s u f
or sough t all aid b u t h is
fe ring to trust i n th e Lord
?
o
f
i n you r ti m e
need
Ha v e m erc ies ne w e very
m or n i n g a n d re pea ted ev e ry m ome n t w o n y ou to th e
love a nd prais e of G od or h a ve y o u glo r ied i n you rself ?
Have you soug h t to becom e a pa rta ke r of th e d ivin e h o
?
n
s
li e s
O r o n th e othe r h a nd h av e V o n m et th e occa
sion s of d aily lrfe as exc uses to all m a n n er o f neglect ;
as a separa t i n g w all b et w e e n you rsel ves a n d th e th ron e
o f grace ; as th e h i nd ra nc e s to h oli n ess
a
nd
n
eglected
;
a n d d espised th e w a y O f s ufferi n g a n d p rayer i n w h ic h
h e beca m e th e patter n of o b ed i e n ce a n d t h e A u thor o f
?
etern al sal vation
Stra nge de lrrs io n ! A w fu l g u ilt !
S u fferi ng h as t u r n ed you a w ay from th e A u t hor o f re
l ie f ! Ig no ra rrce has m ad e y ou cast O ff you r T e ac her
a nd G u id e
N e cessi ty h as m ad e y o u forsa ke prayer ;
e ac h special opportu n i ty of h oli ness is d ishon ored as
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A M I DS T E A RT H L Y T H I NG S
1 25
.
bu t th e opport u n i ty o f si n n in g ! an d th e t em
l
is
desecrated
i
n
all
degrees
b
y
peevish
n
ess
o r an ger
e
p
or prid e o r self w ill an d self g lory in g or eve n by a
boastful a n d b lasph em ous tongu e
Let t he n u nbelief a m idst th e occasion s of earth
stan d rebu ked as a n u tte r a nd gu ilty an d da mn able r e
e ct ion O f th e en d o f you r faith
even
t
he
salvation
f
o
j
you r souls O th i n k i t not a m ere earth ly error to be
u nbelievi ng a m idst th e co m mon est n ecess ities an d bless
i n gs —th at heave n can n ot be refused a n d hell ch ose n
at th e s ingle a n d passi n g occasion s of you r earthly
cou rse Ho w ever sm all or great th e n ecessi ty ; be i t th e
h u nger an d th e fatigu es o f th e passin g day ; or t he
r oarin g an d r olli n g over you o f all th e w ater spou ts o f
trou b le th er e m u st you fi n d or m iss you r opportu n ity of
etern al salvation Y o u m ay b u t h ave tried to cast
l igh tly off li fe s com mo n cares o r to breast alon e th e
fiercest w aves o f earthly trouble ; or i n you r prosperity ,
I sh all n ever be m oved
th is
m a y b u t h ave said
—
th is refusal to say w ith
u nbel ief of the passi ng h ou r
obed ien t faith i n sy mpathy w ith you r great High
” “
“
Pr iest G ive m e th is d ay m y d aily bread
Lord b e
issu e i n etern al r ui n
th e n m y h elper
Strange del usion
0 th i n k n ot to s ay , I sh all gai n
everlastin g salvation u nless a m idst you r earthly occa
sion s you meet i n sym path y y ou r Hig h Priest tou ch ed
h
i
m
i
t
i
es
m
r
n
fi
th
a
feeli
ng
you
r
u
nless
yo
u
love
i
f
o
i
w
;
alon g you r earthly path a n d a m idst earthly stru ggles
rejoice in h i m w ith joy unspeak able an d full of glory ;
u nless h e rece ive th e c hasten in g of th e Lord th at you
nou gh t
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11
1 26
R E B UK E
THE
U N B E L I EF
0F
m ay b ecom e a partaker o f h is h ol i n ess Let h im wh o
refuseth to mee t t he S avior i n th e m atter of h is d aily
bread of h is com mon w a n ts o f h is deepest sorro w s ,
k n o w th a t h e t h u s refu seth to m ee t h i m as th e a u th or
I f you desp ise th e p u re gold o f
o f etern al salvati o n
th is l ife you sh all n ot i n h eri t th e everlasti n g treasu re ;
i f yo u w ill n ot no w d ra w w ate r ou t o f th e w ells Of s al
vation yo u sh all n ever be b rou gh t to t h e fou n tai n
head I f you sub mi t n ot to h is d i rectio n for you r n ex t
earth ly step yo u r qu estion sh all av ail n oth i n g ; G ood
?
Master w h a t s h a ll I do th at I may i n h eri t etern al life
I f yo u are no t ch an ged i n to h is i mage by his glor y
sh i n i n g o n you r ea r th ly path h ow sh all you be l ike
?
h i m foreve r a n d see h i m as h e i s
4 U nb elie f a mids t o u r earthly infi r m ities is rebu ked
b y th e a n x ieties con v iction s a n d resol u tion s w h ic h
th ose infi rm itie s h av e i nspired
T h i n k of i t God h as m ade y o u s u bjec t to infi rm
ities so var io us so n u m ero us so pai n ful so beyon d
you r s uccor or th e su ccor o f an y other a rm th at you
m igh t be forced i f possible to ack n o w ledge H I M i n th e
perso n o f you r s ufl e r ing broth er un der w hose w i ngs
yo u a re called to tr u st A n d th ose infi rm itie s h ave
n ot b ee n w ithou t e ffect
W he re is th e stron g m an ,
w h ose stre ngth h as no t becom e th e m os t consciou s
w eak n ess ?
W here is t h e w ise m a n w h ose w isd o m
h as no t bee n tu rn ed i n to consciou s ig n oran ce a nd
?
Wh ere is th e presu m ptu ou s m a n w hose boast
folly
”
i n g h as n eve r give n place to lo w spirits w h o h as
n ot s u n k som eti mes i n to th e dee pest an x iety a nd
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T H E R E B UK E OF U N B E L I EF
1 28
S O i t d id n ot u se to be ,
d a n gers w h ich b e set its path
B u t a m idst prosperity a nd
w he n I trod that path
h ope ye t a m id s t u n certai n ty a n d i n sigh t o f you th fu l
sick n ess a nd death there w a s a d a rk n ess ofte n w h ic h
th e you th ful eye coul d n ot pierce fears w h ich you th
fu l cou rage could n ot overcome ; h u m iliations a n d
an xieties w hic h c u t sho r t you th ful boasti ng So i t
m ust b e no w b ec a u se still a ll fles h is g rass a n d all
th e good lin ess th ereo f as th e flo w er o f th e field
A m idst t h e se infi r m it ie s th e n com m on to all a ges
b u t experien c e d i n greater variety a nd po w e r as m e n
advan ce i n li fe p rid e is blasted boasti n g p u t to sh a me
beau ty con s umed th e stron g m a n fai n ts a n d sigh s a n d
longs for aid ofte n u n der bu rd e n s w h ic h a fter w ards
h e k n o w s w ere l i gh t Ofte n u nd er b u rden s w h ic h w ere
l i ke mou n tai ns cr u sh i n g h i m w i th th ei r w eigh t
and
a t th e mom en t w h o ca n dou bt it th e voice of t h e Re
—
d eem er is h eard
th e eye d isce rn s h ow n ear th e
th ron e of grace
a n d th e o n ce stron g boasti n g self
co nfi de nt spiri t feels a n i m p ulse w ith i n u rgin g h i m to
com e bold ly to th at th ron e to Obtai n grace to h el p i n
ti me o f n eed ; a n d to cast w ith i n th e vail th e a nchor
Of a su re a nd stead fast hope a n d to fi x th e resol u tion ,
”
Hereafte r the Lord s hal l be my G od
B u t alas ! h o w com monly a re a n x ie ty d esire a nd
resol u tio n i n vai n T he cloud passes by ; th e fea r
d eparts th e a n xiety ceases ; th e s ick n ess i s h e a led
th e d an ge r is ove r th e you ng m a n is n o longer fai n t
an d w eary a n d t he old m a n for th e th ou sa nd th ti me
is re covered fro m h is w eak n ess an d fear ;
a nd agai n
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A M I D S T E AR T H L Y T H I N G S
1 29
.
prid e a n d sel f co nfi de nce ret u rn : agai n th e m an is
p rayerless ; agai n w ith ou t hope a n d w ithou t God i n
t he w orld T h u s alas h o w o ften h u m a n life is spen t !
Ma n s heart is s m itten an d w ith ered li ke g rass b rou gh t
do w n to th e d ust m a d e to feel n eed y a n d h el pless
a n d to d esire rel ie f an d a b lessi n g b ot h for time a n d
ete rn i ty ; b u t agai n an d agai n refu ses to com e b oldly
to t h e th rone O f grace A gai n a nd a gai n h e sees th e
ma n of i nfi rm itie s O fferi n g h is com passio n a n d aga i n
a n d a gai n b ecomes self s uffi cie nt an d vai n hearted , or
despon di ng
O w h o is not rebu k ed a s h e revie w s h is cou rse of
e ; t h e fears a n d a n x ieties an d h u m il i atio ns an d
praye rs an d resol u tion s w h ich h ave m arked h is pat h
?
i
n
fi
r
m
ity
Wh o ca n p reven t th e b l ush o f sh a me
of
?
U n b eliever ! w ill you
o r heal th e sti ng o f con scien ce
rece ive th e re b u ke
T h e Savior m et you b esid e you r
path of i n fi r mi ty an d sho w ed hi mself to you read y to
save unto t h e u ttermost w h e n y o u w ere w eary an d
fai n t an d d iscou raged a nd even forced fro m you th e
su d de n p raye r an d resol utio n m ad e yo u cons en t for
th e m om en t of you r necessity an d trou b le A n d w h e n
h
o
w
w
t
u
rn
ed
fro
m
th
at
m
ee
k
an
d
lo
ly
Sav
ior
o
u
y
called you to follo w h i m ; fro m th at merciful H igh
P riest w h o w a s w aitin g to i n terced e for you a nd to save
you to th e u tter most ; w h e n yo u w al ked on agai n
vai n h earted self ass ured alon g you r path O f i nfirmi ty
h e w atch ed you still ; an d w h e n you fou n d you rsel f
a fflicted an d n eed y , a n d o u tcast from al l h elp a nd com
-
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e
1 30
TH E
R EB UK E
U NBEL I EF
0F
s a w t h e Ma n of
o
u
agai
n
i
n
i
e d y ou a
a
i
h
e
t
;
y
,
g
p
infi r m it ie s b es i de you r path , aga i n ca ll i ng you to com e
fort
th ron e O f grace A n d h e w il l p i ty y ou
—
a n d i f you a re not ye t h arde n ed b eyo n d a ll
i
n
ag a
possi b ility Of salvation h e w ill pi ty y ou a g a i n ; a
thou a nd ti mes w ill h e pity yo u —re b u k in g you con
de m ni ng y o u o ut O f you r o w n m o nt h u ntil y o u sh all
yield to h is savin g m ercy ; or u n til Ofte n reproved y o u
h ave ha rden ed you r n ec k so th at you m u st n eed s be
c u t O N a nd t h at w ithou t r e m ed y
Be w a re o f t ha t o b d u r acy o f ch aracter w h ich h as ten s
to be fi n ished A lread y i t m ay be n early co m pleted
A noth e r yea r m ay n ot be n ecessa ry to assu re to you
t h a t lon g gro w i n g ch a racter
a h arde n ed n ec k ; th at
lon g a pp roach in g cala m ity
d est ru ctio n w ith o ut re m
ed y Be fore t h e b i rd s a nd th e l ilies sh all u rge th ei r
w arra n t over a n othe r yea r or u tte r th ei r re b u ke accord
i n g to t h e com m i s sion o f o ur Lo rd ; yo u m ay h ave
passed b ey on d t h e com passion of th e Savior yo u m ay
h a ve la id aside th e i nfi r m itie s o f ea r t h : w i t hou t fait h
T h e nce forth you ca n bu t h ear
o r hope o r h ol i n ess
th e con d e m na t ion ; Beca use I h a ve called a n d ye
refused ; I h ave st r etch e d o ut m y h a n d a n d ye h ave
no t rega rd e d ; I a ls o w ill la ug h at you r cala m ity ; I
T h e n sh all ye
w ill moc k w he n you r fea r co meth
call u pon me b u t I w ill not a n s w er ; th ey sh all see k
m e e a rly b ut s hall n ot fi n d m e F or t h e t u rn in g a w ay
o f th e
i m pl e sh all slay t he m a nd th e prospe ri t y of
”
fools s hall d es t roy th e m
boldly to
th e
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s
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“
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s
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1 32
T H E R E B UK E OF U N B E L I E F
u s ; w e re s u ddenl y saili n g th rough o ur sk ie s to still
more d ista n t regions O f t h e nor t h to m eet th e ne w
stores w h ich you r hea v e nly F a the r w a s p re parin g for
them as t r u e to t hei r t i me as acc u rate i n t r aci ng th ei r
liqu id path as th e sh ips w ith thei r com pass a n d th ei r
ch a r ts a n d the ir experien ced n avigators A n d now
th at w e see t he m a rou nd u s t he ir m eat is al w ays
ready the ir ta b le al w ays spread as w ith th e Israelites ,
w h e n th e nra nna lay eve ry m or n i n g a b ou t th eir te n t
d oor T h e y a w a k e us w it h th eir son gs o f glad n ess
an d si ng to u s all day lon g as th ey j oy fully seek thei r
m eat fro m God A s w e tu rn u p th e earth as w e
scatte r th e seed as o ur fr u i ts ri pe n u pon h erb or sh r u b
or tree a nd ou r seeds o n every h ill a n d va lley a n d
field a n d gard e n a n d i n g roves an d m i ry s w a m ps a n d
fen s i naccessi ble to ma n o ur h eave nly F ather feedeth
th e m \x irh all th e b lessi n gs o f o ur n orth e r n s u m m er ,
though they n e ith e r so w no r reap n or gat her i nto
b arn s ; an d a re w ith u s as o u tcasts fro m t h ei r w i n te r
ab odes i n th e regio n s Of th e sou th Y es an d w e hea r
a m idst the se sigh ts a n d sou n ds th e voice o f th e Re
dee m er o f t h e Com forter spea k i n g to o ur i n m ost souls ,
”
?
A re n ot ye m u c h b ette r t h a n th ey
Seek fi rst th e
”
k i n gdom o f G od a n d h is r i gh teou sn ess
Wi ll you
l iste n to th e voice of the fo w ls o f th e ai r ? \V i ll you
liste n to th e i nte r p ret a tio n o f you r R ed e e mer ? Will
you b e ta ugh t b y th e S pir rt w h ic h the Sav i or o fl e rs to
you r h ea rt ?
I a s k not w h e t h e r you w ill h ear m e
w h eth er ,
for th e c u stomary hou r y o u w ill h ea r w ha t th e p reach
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‘
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AM I DS T E A RT H L Y T H I NG S
1 33
.
ays Of th e lilies of th e field a n d Of th e fowls of th e
T here are oth er p reachers b esides m e speak in g
a ir
to d ay an d e very d ay beside you r path
Will you
keep you r eye open a n d you r atten t w h e n yo u g o
afield , w he n yo u pass th e road w he n you are e n ci rcle d
by th e groves w h e n y ou are plyi n g you r tools w he n
are
ritin
g
at
th
e
des
k
he
n
are
p
an
n
in
u
w
o
u
o
w
l
y
y
g
a n d e xec uti n g all th e arran ge men ts of trad e a nd com
m erce ? Will yo u h eed the voice of w isdo m s ta nding
“
?
by th e w a y i n th e places O f th e paths
Will y ou
h ear th e voice O f Jes u s the Savior as i t sou nds i n th e
notes O f e very b i rd ? W ill you fix you r eye upon h is
?
s m ile as i t sh i n es i n e very flo w er
Wil l yo u O b ey th e
Spiri t w h ich calls h is w ords to re me mbran ce a nd gi ve s
a tongu e an d a lesson to th e fo w ls o f the ai r a n d th e
Will yo u at t h e call , see k fi r s t th e
l ilies of th e field
k i n gdom o f God ?
Beloved frie nds w h at say you ? D oes not th e sea
so n a n d th e ti m e Offe r yo u th e blessi n g —d e m an d
you r Obed ie n ce
D oes not e ve ry sigh t a n d ev er y
sou nd as w ith th e Sav ior s sm ile a nd ton g u e call you
Leave no t t hen t h e qu estion u nsettled a s
to decisio n
i f He d id n ot call at th e very occasio n a n d opportu n ity
I t is th e MA S T E R i n w h ose plac e
for faith a n d h ope
I stand t ha t calls y o u to d ecid e
th e I nterp reter
w hose lesson s I h ave bee n t ryi n g to u nfold w h o de
m a nd s yo u r d ecision for y our sa ke n ot h is ; for you r
presen t a nd everlasti n g good Lay no t t h e lesson fro m
b
e
o
u
it
th
e
ret
u
r
n
Of
Mond
ay
h
e
n
w
ill
h
w
o
u
w
y
y
am idst th e sigh ts a n d sou n ds b y w h ich h e calls you ;
er s
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12
1 34
T H E R E B UK E
0F
U N B E L I EF
at th e ve ry occasion an d opportu n ity o f fai th a n d hope
S hal l I say I h ave n o m i nor object
see k
i n God
th a t I a im at w ak i n g a sav i n g fai th
no lo w er e nd
at you r bei ng fed with th e b read a n d cloth ed in th e
a nd
garme n ts Of i m mortality ? D O I see k less
w oul d I sat isfy y o u w ith som eth i n g less su bsta n tia l
an d glorious ? Ho w ca n I am idst t h ese d i vi n e les
Son s ? I f I d id n ot ca ll u pon yo u to seek F I R S T
F I R S T — F I R S T t h e k i ngdo m o f God
i f I d id n ot ,
w ith all e a rnestn ess u rge h om e upo n you th e o ffer a nd
th e clai m o f th e R edee me r a n d th e Spi rit ;
i f I did
n ot de m an d th e h earin g ea r a n d th e u n dersta n di n g
heart
i f I d id no t u rge a s a v i ng f a i th a m idst all
th e occas ion s o f you r m o r tal li fe ;
i f I d id n ot call
every soul of you to i m mort al joys I sh ou ld be p u t to
sh am e b y every flo wer th a t b lossom s o n t h e b oso m of
su m m er a n d b y e ve ry bi r d t h at S i ngs alon g yo u r path ,
an d b y eve ry b reath o f you r o w n l i fe a n d by every
m e mber a nd orga n o f you r bod y
Wh at sh al l I
S h all y ou p u t th e k i n gdo m of G od
beh ind every e m ploy me n t a n d desi re an d h ope
la s t
beh i nd o ur d aily b read an d ou r rai me n t — beh i n d
ou r you t h a nd o ur m iddle a g e a nd ou r gray h ai rs
a n d b e h i nd th e v e r v gra ve itsel f
h e n e ve ry flo w e r
Of th e field a n d e ve ry b ird o f th e a i r
cal l u po n u s to
p u t th at k i ngdo m fi r s t 7 N ay w h e n t h e Savior h as
com e to s mile u pon u s i n th e blooo m ing fi e lds — to
s pea k to u s i n th e s on gs O f t h e b i rd s
to brea t h e u po n
u s w ith h is S pi r it i n t h is b alm y ai r O f su m m er
an d
to re ne w o ur souls b y th e myste r y o f o ur w on de rful
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1 36
TH E
R E B U K E OF U N B E L I E F
s pirits you w ill be i n spi red by these su m m er scen es
Y es ; an d th e Sav iou r w ill breath e u pon you w ill tal k
i n th e beau ty O f th e l ilies o f th e field i n th e
w ith you
S ay w il l yo u
s oft melod ies o f th e fo w ls o f th e ai r
t u r n an d liste n to th e call w ill yo u recei ve t h e Holy
?
G host
Will yo u k no w w h o i t is t h a t m eets yo u in
?
th e sigh ts a n d sou nds Of s u m m er a n d w ill you ask Of
?
h i m blessin gs th at w ill n ever pass a w ay
Will you
?
seek fi rst th e k i ngdom o f G od an d h is r igh teousn ess
?
S hall th e fl ow
w ill y o u lay u p a treasu re i n h eave n
ers fade a w ay a n d th e bi rd s be gon e to oth er cli mes ,
before you gi ve h eed to th e lesso n th ey h ave brou gh t
yo u
be fore y o u h a ve com e boldly to th e th ron e Of
g race an d recei ved th e S pirit , a n d becom e a n h eir of
God th rou gh C h rist Jesu s
Tell m e ye m e n o f t o il a nd b usi n e s s w h o co m plai n
til l no w o f labors a n d cares a n d perplexities a n d a nx ie
ties w h ich m ak e i m possible th e seek i ng fi rst t h e k i n g
do m o f G od ; w ill yo u y ield to th e re b u k e o f u nbelief
abo u t yo u r co m mo n path a n d ack n o wledge th e occ a
sion a n d opportu n i ty for fai t h w h ic h God i n w isd om
?
h as ord ai ned
Will you o b ey th e flo w ers i n w h ic h
th e S av ior s m iles ; a n d t he b rrds b y w h ic h h e si ngs
s weet m usic besid e t h e path o f you r s ufl e ring s an d
to h s ?
T el l m e ye me n of ma n y years w h os e b odies are
s t ill u n h ar med a fter te n t h ou san d ex posu r e s
w h os e
m ysteriou s li fe k e e ps h e a ting a t t h e h ea rt a fter fifty or
a h u nd red m illi o n of strokes ; vr h o s e b lood has bee n
re vive d s o Ofte n by y ou r u n h eed ed brea th i n g o f th e vi ta l
.
,
,
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.
,
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,
,
AM I DS T E A RT H LY T H I N GS
1 37
.
ai r bu t w hose bodies yet sho w th e sig n als Of decay
w hose pulse o f life beats yet m ore feebly ; w ill ye r e
cei ve th e i n vitation a nd th e rebu k e of th e fo wls of th e
ai r , an d th e lilies o f th e field w ill ye h ear th e compas
s io na t e w ar n i n g , th e k i n d i nv itation o f Him w h o
is
”
?
tou ch ed w it h th e feelin g o f you r infi rm ities
an d e re
th a t decayi n g body d ie — th at w asti ng life van ish
a w ay w il l you secu re to you rsel ves a n e verlasti ng
l i fe
A n d no w to th at Spiri t w h ic h takes of th e h i n gs
—
Of C h rist , to S ho w th e m u n to us
I com men d th e in
v ita tio n a nd th e reb u k e o f th e fo w ls of th e air , an d th e
l ilies of th e fi eld — t h ese L E S S ON S OF FA I T H B E S I D E
—
in th e prayer a nd
C
O
M
O
N
P
A
T
H
L
I
F
E
M
OF
TH E
h ope t h at blessin gs beyo nd a ll pric e m a y be receive d
th rou gh t h em By H I S A l mighty a id, m ay th ese
ch eer i n g sigh ts a n d sou n d s t h is m erry lesson of th e
fields a n d groves ful fil th e o ffi ce to w hich they w ere
appoin ted w h e n our Lord d escen ded fro m th e mou n t
m a ke you seek first th e k ingdo m o f God a n d la y
up for yo u rsel ves treas u res in h eave n
“
,
,
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'
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,
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*
12
TH E
O B S E RV E R O F T H E T IME S
! Th e fo ll ow i ng
as
No s
.
2 7 , 2 9 , 3 0, 3 1
se
e
i ll u tr t i o n o f t
and e xp ecta t i o ns O f t h e
s
a nd a r e
,
a
g
e
R V
a
es
se
a
a
.
i
sho
fl e e t ng
w
,
i ll u i o n give n ;
Th e mi l
o f j y t h e te r
Of w oe
W i t h p r o m i e h i ne W i t h w ning fl ow
E a t h w l l p r o ve T R U E n H a v e n !
Fo r m a n
’
s
s
es
s
o
s
a s
,
s
,
ar
,
i
r
r
TH E
OF
)
.
W O R L D is not
IS
R
o
THIS WORL D
TH
E
,
e
l i g h t th a t hine o n g l o r y p l um e
A f d i ng h u
o f e ve n ;
nd h p e a nd b e a ut y
And l o v
b l o om
Sh ine n l ig h t m y p
th e t o m b
E art h g l ow m o r e B R G H T in Heaven !
Th e
s
s
,
es
e, a
’
o
a
i
’
s
a
s
,
a
,
s
,
ass
I
s
P oo r
w a nd r e r O f t o r m y d y
w
Fr m w v t o w
dri ve n
B ut f i t h nd h p W i t h h e ring a y
d w i th l i g h t t h t r o ub l d w ay
O e p
A W i t h th e C L M o f H e av e n !
e
o
a
a
’
rS
s
a s
a
a
av e
e
e
e
o
c
re a
’
,
re
e
r
e
,
e
,
A
s
Wh o g uid e s
h ving l ig h t
Wh
n
gr
rt h i g i v n
W h m t u f th w i th i i n brig h t
T l l f th b e o m c m p l te in ig h t
H E is th e Go d of H e ave n !
ose
o
i
o ur
ee s o
ai
,
fe e t W i t
a ce o
c
r
sa
ea
,
e
s
ar
es
v s o
o
1 832 ,
TI M E
dd e d t th e p r e nt w o r k in
a nd
p e ci ll y fr o m th e p l ans
B S
pr i ne i ple s ,
I s
a
O E
o f th e
32 ,
,
a utum n o f
in th e
s
O b rv r
in t h e N e w Yo r k
furth e r
w e r e p ub l i h e d
ri l
a t c es
.
e
S
s
,
S
,
Tm s
1 40
WORLD
.
ci rcu msta n ces ; b u t i n w h i ch h e is saved by th e aid
T hi s
a nd co operation O f those w h ich a re favorable
w orld is n o sce n e Of illusion n o necessary c au se of si n
b u t a s c h ool i n w h ich m e n are trai n ed for h eaven ,
W h e n w e ch arge
under the best possi b l e ad va n tages
u pon th is w or ld th e folly a n d si n O f m a n w e sh u t ou r
eyes u pon th e l igh t Of C h ristia n d octri ne a n d s it do w n
u nder th e d ar k s hado w O f Paga n m ythology H i nd oo
ism th e w idest syste m o f Pagan is m o n earth h olds its
reig n over m illion s sh rou ded i n th is very dark n ess
Hin doo idol at ry m a kes n o h igh e r clai m , th a n to be a
syste m O f accom m od ation to base ch aracters in a base
place C h ri tian i ty o n th e oth e r h a nd bri ngs do w n
to earth th e religio n O f th e pu rest Heaven open i n g
th roug h i t a path w h ich sh i nes b righ ter an d b righ ter to
th e perfec t d ay T h is t ru th s h ou ld h ave bee n al w ays
plai n to th e follo w e rs Of th e P U R E I N C A R N A T E i t
sho uld be see n m ore clea rly a t th e prese n t d ay in con
trast w it h th e base i ncar n ation s o f a My th ology w h ich
C hristia n s are try i n g to expel fro m th e earth
I f w e h ave asserted for th is w or ld a j u st clai m i t
n eeds not to be s u stai ned by a n y p a r t ia l v ie w of th e
d iv i n e dispen sation s T h is w orld as a wh ole is a
school for m oral tra n sfor mation
for th e for m ation of
ch aracters Of u nsull ied e nd u r i n g a n d ever gro w i ng
h oli ness I t is n ot m erely i n its d isappoi n tm en ts an d
s uff ri n gs a n d d issati sfaction a n d gloom tha t w e h av e
opportu n ity of trai n i n g for h ea ve n bu t as trul y i n its
h opes a n d i ts e njoy m e n ts I t w ere to sh u t ou t fa r
more th a n h al f th e w isdo m an d k i n d n e s s Of th e eco no
-
.
,
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,
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s
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-
,
,
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e
,
,
.
T H I S WO RL D
1 41
.
m y of grace to s uppose life s br ig h ter s c enes w ere
on ly to be g ua r ded a g a ins t i nstead of w elcomed a nd
i m proved as aid i n g o ur spi ritu al pro g ress : ra th er it
w oul d be to yield ou rselves to th e tem pter far more
th a n h alf o ur ti me ;
i n o ur ease a n d com fort a nd
h ealth a nd w ealth
E ar th s cheerful scen es h ave
th eir spi r i tu al val ue ;
n ay give th e val u e w h ich is
Oft en t h ough tlessly ascri b ed on ly to those d a r k a n d
try in g e ve nts O u r suffer in gs do bu t fro w n u s b ack
from gloryi n g in our stren gth a nd w isdo m a nd w eal th ,
th at w e m ay k n o w Him w h o exerciseth lov i n g k i n d
”
ness i n t h e eart h
th at a m idst h is earth ly m ercies
w e m ay ch oose Him as our frie n d an d portion now
a n d forever God saves n ot m e n by disgu sti ng the m
W it h earth ; by m ak i n g th e m lo a th e t h e streams o f
k i n d n ess w h ich fl o w fort h fro m th e fou n tai n o f h is
l ove E arthly m ercies are as n eed ful for Our best
good as earth ly affl iction s th ey are as full Of spiritu al
an d eter n al k i n d n ess ; an d do as tru ly trai n u s for
N ay earthly mercies tak e th e lead i n th e
h eave n
econ om y O f grace A ffliction s are i n ciden tal
brou gh t
”
“
n ot w illin gly b u t th at G od m ay sh o w compas
in
s io n accord i n g to th e m ultitud e of h is ten der m ercies
A n x iety suffer in g d espon d en cy w h en th ey com e u pon
t h e w a n d erer s path p rod u ce a shoc k n eed ful to arouse
us , to tu r n u s bac k ; bu t th ei r en d is n ot gai n ed by
disgu st w i t h eart h ; b y say in g w i th i n ou rselves there
is n o com fort h ere by concl ud in g th at th e w orld a d
m i ts n o e njoy me nt co ns is te nt w it h th e best d esi res a n d
h igh es t h o pe s of a C h ri s ti an, of a n heir of Heave n
’
,
,
,
,
’
.
,
.
“
,
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.
,
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.
s
,
,
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,
,
,
’
,
,
,
s
,
.
T H I S WOR L D
1 42
.
Th e n a re ou r a n xieties an d su fferi n gs a n d despon d i n gs
b lessed u h e n they lead u s to G od as o ur on ly He lper ;
a nd w h e n a m idst o ur desi res Of relief w e v al u e not th e
blessi ng sough t above th e G i ver sayi n g s till
T h ere
”
is n on e o n ea rth th at I d esi re besides th ee
T hese sal u tary vie w s loo m upo n u s i n th e r isin g
p rospec ts O f th e w orld I f o ur p la ns an d e x pec tation s
a re h aste n i n g to th eir accom pli h m e n t , th e da y i s a t
,
,
.
.
s
h a nd, w h e n p r osp e r ity i n t h e h ig h es t
e n oy e d o n e a r t h , a
j
w ill be
s e ns e
i d i ng , no t h i nde r i ng t h e p r ep a r a
t io n f o r h e a v e n
.
T O be w e a ne d f r o m th e w or ld,
plai nly w ill n ot be
th e ch a racter o f M i lle n n ial religion T h e sai n ts Of th e
M ille n n i u m w i ll no t m easu re thei r piety by thei r d is
gu st w it h e a rth a n d as th ey spea k O fte n o ne to
”
a noth e r say T h e r e is no com fo r t h e re I f t h e w ilde r
ness b lo ssom s as th e rose a nd th e parc h ed grou n d
becomes a pool a n d t he th i rsty l an d spri ngs o f w ate r
t hose w h o co me ove r th e w a y of h oli nes s w ill n ot
d isd ai n th e ch ee rful sce ne t h ey w ill be refres h ed a nd
regaled by t h e w ate rs
th e bal m th e b eau ty E art h
”
w il l n ot b e
nor earthly j oys w ort h
a ti re som e place
l ess u l rrle th e y a re e njoyed as th e gi fts Of G od a n d a s
th e toke n s o f u n b ou nd ed n eve r e n di n g love A t no
d istan t pe riod ea rt h w ill h e released from th e rep roach
Of ag e s T he n t h is ea r nest w ill be accepted o n e arth
w h ich w ill p r ove T RU E i n h ea ve n ; a n d th e ligh t
w al ked i n w h ic h w ill g lo w m ore B R I G H T i n h ea ve n ;
a n d all t h e pa t h s o f m a n w ill b e o e rs pre a d as w it h
th e C A L M o f h ea ven
Wi th th is p ros pect be fo re Us ,
,
.
“
,
'
,
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,
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,
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-
,
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,
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,
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’
.
T H I S WORL D
1 44
.
B u t passi ng i nd i vid ual cases w e h ave in th e Israe l ites
e n teri ng Can aa n a n exa m ple o n a la rge scale ; espe
sho w in g th e v al u e O f prosperi ty a midst t h e
cia ll y
recollectio n o r trad ition o f ad versi ty We refer not
o nly to th e w ar m a n d hea rty ag ree m e n t o f th e peopl e
i n Josh u a s i ndepe nd en t resol u tion
A s for m e a nd
”
m y h ou se w e w ill serve th e Lord b u t to th e fact th a t
they fea red th e Lord all th e d ays of Josh u a a n d all
the d ays of th e eld ers th at o utl ived J osh u a — w it
nesses to all a ge s th at ea rth ly blessi n gs are to be r e
ce ive d as th e a id s O f piety
To these con cl u sion s i n v ie w of pas t a n d fu tu re
even ts i t may h e repl ied th at fa cts o n t h e w hole ,
forbid the m Has n ot th e w or ld bee n th e gran d m ea n s
”
l
m
h eave n
We a n s w e r N o ;
o f keepi n g m e n fro
n ot t he school bu t th e schola rsh ip
n ot th e cond ition ,
bu t th e s i n — a n d th at al i ke by t h e sorro w Of th e
”
”
a n d th e love o f th e w or l d
w orld w or k i n g de ath
e x cl rrdin
o f th e F ath er
n
th
e
love
Let
o
t
h
i
t
s
o
r
w
l
d
g
be sca ndalized becau se si n ca n g ro w by t h at sam e
r ich ness of soil i n w h ich h ol i ness h as t h riven a n d w il l
at l ast th ri ve al l t he eart h ove r O the r w ise w e m igh t
scan d a l ize parad ise also an d eve n h eave n i tsel f a n d
say i f t h e s e h ad not b ee n abodes o f h appi n ess m a n
w oul d not h a ve fallen n or a n gels cea sed fro m t heir
”
fi rst es tate ; for n e ith e r E de n n or h eave n w er e
secu re from s i n u n til th e tr i a l w e re passed w h ic h
gave sta b ility to holi ness
T hese occu rre n ces a re
mysteriou s T he i r ex pla n ation is w i th ou t th e reac h
of th e h u m a n fac u lties B u t t h ei r u se is obviou s :
,
c
,
.
’
“
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,
“
«
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“
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“
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“
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’
L I F E S B R I GHT E R SC E N E S
w h ile t h ey
1 45
.
plai nly sh o w th at i f w e fail O f salvation
fro m th e love o f th e w orld w e fall not a sacrifice to ou r
ill con dition
n ot m ore tha n A da m w h e n h e fell fro m
p arad ise or a ngels w h e n t hey fe ll from h eave n Here ,
as i n all c reation th e c h aracter m ust be for med by
c h oos i ng God as ou r F r ie n d a n d Portion an d Lord ;
not m erely as o ur helpe r i n d istress b ut as o ur
O wn
”
God o n th e V ery h e igh ts o f o ur p rosperity —as h e
w a s ch ose n b y th e P atriarch s ; as h e w ill b e ch osen
”
all th e en ds O f th e earth sh all fear h i m
If
wh en
?
e
say
Wh
o
th
e
n
ca
n
be
saved
th
e
only
a
ns
er
is
w
w
,
,
i n th e w ords o f th e Wisest
T h e th i ngs w h ich are
”
i m possible w i th m e n are possible w it h God
He w h o
h a s arranged th e w orld nring ling t h e lesson s o f a dv e r
by both th e Teach er
s ity a n d p rosperity is h i ms e lf
If you w o uld be a n angel fi ve h u n d red or fi ve m illio n
years h ence b u r n i ng like a seraph th is is th e spot most
favorable for ligh ti ng u p that n ever dy i ng e ver brigh t
e ni ng flam e
,
,
-
.
,
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“
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“
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-
-
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LI
F
E S B R I G HTE R S CE NES
’
.
O u r prese n t d esign i s to sho w forth th is w or ld, as
”
“
givi n g free cou rse to th e gospel i n i ts brigh te r , no
l ess t ha n 1 n I ts sadd er sce nes
T h ere i s a n artificial h eath e n ism Wh atever sh u ts
”
“
doors Of u ttera n ce does i n tru th prod u ce it
up th e
T he m ajori ty Of th e people gi v e
i n a C h ristia n l an d
,
.
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,
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13
’
L I F E S B R I GH T E R SC E N E S
1 46
.
n o sym ptom s o f a h earty reception o f th e G os pel , it
m a y b e pa rtly fro m th e i nflu ence Of prin ciples a n d
vie w s b y w h ic h those doors a re closed A s w e griev e
over th e slo w prog ress o f th e G ospel i n co n verti n g an d
san cti fy i n g m e n as w e s ee k for i ts fuller w ider infl u
e n ce i n C h ristia n lan ds a nd i n o ur v ery sel ves w e
shou ld as arde n tly endeavor to r o m ove th e h i nd ran ces
a nd gi ve it free scope a t h om e as w e d o to se nd i t
abroad
A s w e lOO k fi r s t u pon ci vilized li fe c a n w e dou bt
t ha t its com fo r ts a n d h a b its a n d p rivileges a re m ore
favo r a b le to spi ritu al r eligion th a n t h e poverty th e
O u r h a ppy
irrdole nce t h e ig noran ce Of savage life
far m s a nd v illages are n ot w or s e b u t bet ter sch ools o f
p iety th a n th e w ig w a rns an d h u n ti n g grou n ds Of sa v
ages
b eca u se th e d iv i n e w isdom a nd good ness sh i n e
m ore gloriou ly over o ur lot a n d call all o ur fac ulties to
a u se m ore su i ted to th e d u ties a n d pri vileges o f rel i
gion Savages i nd eed h ave ou tstripped u s i n som e
cases b eca use w e h ave d isca rd ed o ur better op port u n i
ty ad opti n g a n d i nc ulcatin g fa lse v ie w s o f th e w orld
T heir p rog ress h o w eve r h as b ee n aided n ot h i n dered
b y acce pti ng t h e ki n d n ess Of P rov id en ce a n d h aste n
i n g i n to th e ran k s Of c ivilized l rfe
I f w e su rvey
nex t t h e d i ffe re n t p eriods o f h u ma n l ife w e s h all see
sign s o f k i nd n ess evid e n tly fi tted to
a n d w in th e
h eart m ak i ng a tid e so stron g as c a n be s tem med only
by st r i fe a nd e ffo r t T h e b u oya n cy o f ch ild hood its
v ivaci ty its h ope g ro w i ng b r igh ter as i t rises i n to
you th n o dou b t t ry a n d expose t h e you n g i m mo r tal
,
.
,
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,
,
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,
,
,
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,
,
s
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’
L IFE S B R IGH T E R SC E NES
’
1 48
.
spi rit u al ed ucat i on O n th e o t he r h a n d th e sign s
a n d y e t o f e n tire h elpless
o f k i nd n ess o n G od s pa rt
ness o n ou rs a re fi tted to m ak e th is a period Of com
I a r r i a g e especially
ZV
m e ncing or gro w i ng piety
the chos e n state o f m ost you th fu l b e i ngs th e special
season o f joy for th e p res e n t a nd h ope for th e futu re ,
h ad certai nly n eve r bee n th e sy m b ol Of th at relat io n
w h ic h perfects th e ch a racte r o f m a n i f i ts c heerfu l
v ie w s w e re n ot fa vo rable to t h e co m m e nce me n t a n d
progress O f a re l ig io us lrfe N o d o ub t i t h as b ee n so
ad op ted b ecau se its a ffection s eve n before they ar e
sa n cti fi ed afford th e b est rese m b la n ces to h oly love a n d
becau se it ope ns a n d kee ps th e fi nes t sch ool for i n s tr uct
i ng me n for h eave n ! Ma r r i a g e is th e sce n e w h ich
m ore t h a n a n y oth e r see ms all fresh from E d e n
not
o ur r e t rrr n to a h oly a nd h a ppy con d ition
o p os i ng
p
b u t t r a inrng u s to en te r t h a t h ig h e r P A R A D I S E for w h ic h
E d e n w a s only pre pa ratory ZlI a r r i a g e n eeds not to be
d ivest e d O f its ch ee r fu ln ess in orde r to d ign i fy i t th u s
R e ligio n sco w ls n ot upon its h a ppy h ou rs bu t s miles ;
sh ed d i ng ne w c lre e r fulne ss u pon th e w edd i n g sce ne by
O ffe r i ng th e ne w w ine of th e k i n gdo m to ad d th e full
a n d e n d u ri n g glory to th e feast O f th e relig iou s in
fl ue nce of th e s e ha ppy h ou rs so ofte n ca re lessly m issed
o r reckl e ssly re j e ct e d
t h e pu b lic h a ve h ad O f la t e th e
fi n e st conce iva b le speci men sh i n i n g a m id t th e gloo m
o f t h e la t th r e e m on t hs as i f d esig ne d to d i vert th e
m i n d p rofita b ly fr o m t h e p e als o f j udg me n t to t h e
cl re e r frrl ligh t w h ic h sh i nes ove r t h e e n t ra nce a n d th e
pat h o f l ife We al l ud e to that tale o f love a nd piety ,
of
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s
s
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LIFE S
’
R I GHTE R SCENES
B
1 49
.
lon g be rem e mbered Of th e islan d Of M A N
H A TT A N
to t h e deat h
of th e city Of N E W Y O RK
scen e o f M r an d M rs H I N T O N
Whe n am idst pub
lic ter ror an d d ism ay they s a w th e signs Of person al
red e m ptio n a nd thei r path closi ng in gloom open ed i n
full v ie w O f h ea ven th e soft i n flue n ce Of t h e m arriage
hou r w a s fel t by b oth as som e favorin g b reeze bea r in g
t he m gen tly i n to th e h ave n of etern al rest W h at
el se w a s sign ified w he n th e dy in g w i fe sen t her las t
m essage to th e dyi n g h u sban d w it h th e w eddi ng r i ng :
a n d w he n h e w elcom ed i t w ith h is dy i ng praye r th a t
”
?
h e also m igh t depar t a n d be w it h C h rist
D id we
?
si n g a m iss
ut y
And l v
nd h p e nd b
b l o om
Sh i n in l ig h t m y p t h t m b ;
”
E rt h g l w m o e b ig h t in h v n
w h ich w ill
*
.
.
.
,
,
,
,
.
,
“
,
e a
o
a
e
,
o
a
s
ea
a
o
’
a
a ss
r
r
e
s
o
ea
e
.
T h e gen tl e application s w h ich m eet t he d a w n an d
m orn i ng o f h u m a n life fail n ot a midst th e ch a n ges of
its vari ed d ay T h e s e i ndeed w h o see k for enjoy men t
w ithou t God m u st a t length com e to th e con viction
”
“
t h at eart h h as n o co m fort as th ey m ust lear n in
an y con ditio n ho w ever blessed w hic h sh ou ld engross
th eir m in d a w a y fr o m th is source of all g oo d Y e t
con siderate re vie w ers an d Obser vers Of th e pat h Of life
w ill perceive th at th e gen tle appl ications Of P roviden ce
far ou t n u mberi n g th e seve re , h ave sho w n to the m a
F R I E N D teach i n g b y l ife s or dina r y p r os per i ty as
h oly a n d s avi ng lessons as by th e ch asteni ng rod
,
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’
,
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,
*
Th e R e v Mr H i nton
.
Harlae m
.
.
*
13
and
w i fe
h i l d di e d
a nd c
of
C
h ol e r a a t
L I F E S B R I G HT E R S C E N E S
’
1 50
.
A m idst th e cares a n d toils O f life th ere is m u ch to be
—
a n d from its occa
r e m e nrb e re d vr it h th an ksgiv in g
siou al storms w e a re delive red to e njoy o ur days an d
t h e s m iles of a
w eeks Of clea r sk ies a n d b r igh t su n s
F a the r w h o if w e w ill ret u r n to h is h ou se w ill sh in e
u pon u s a s un th a t goes n ot do w n — in a d ay th at w ill
n ot cease fo reve r E ve n old a g e itsel f is e n circle d
w ith ch ee r ful sce n es n ot to sepa r ate i t fr om G od
b u t to b ri ng i t to God A rou nd ne w pla nts are sprin g
i ng u p ne w b los oms p u tti ng forth i n all t h e gaiety o f
ch i ld hood a n d you th as so nra ny A postles to deaf an d
w i t heri n g a n d t re m b li ng age , th a t a God O f m ercy i s
s till sh i n i ng over it th at it m ay flou ris h l i ke th e pal m
t ree a nd b r in g forth fr u it Me mory as i f qu icke ned by
t h e ch eerfu l sce ne ra n ges th e path o f l ife u n til i t rests
U pon th e b r igh t vision s o f lon g past you th ful n ess a n d
pou rs fo r th th e pray e r o f pi e ty i n th e full stre a m w h ic h
me rcy m i n gle fro m ea rliest yo u th a n d latest age ; O h
God thou h as t ta ugh t m e fro m m y you th a n d h ith erto
h ave I declared thy w on d rou s w orks No w also w h e n
I a m old an d g rey head ed O h G od, forsak e m e n ot ;
u n til I h ave sho w ed thy st re n gth u nto t h is ge nerati o n ,
”
a n d th y po w e r to every o ne th at is to com e
A t th is da y h e n w e are e ndeav o rin g to su bvert
idolatry a b road let u s try to ope n a l a rge r w a y th rou gh
”
ou r ow n h eathen i s m t a t a d oor o f u ttera n ce
m igh t be open ed b y j u st vie w s Of li fe s ordin a ry pros
pa rity
A m ids t th e c hee rfu l sce n es , fro m c h ild h ood to
latest age th e g o odnes s of G od w ou ld be hea rd , call
i n g to repe n ta nce , a n d u n w on ted n u mbers , a t t h a t
,
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s
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,
T H E WA L ! S
1 52
BUS I N ES S
OF
.
ve n t th e sal vation o f C lrr i te ndo m
We sh all be
r e co m e n e d te n fold fo r ou r k i nd n ess to th e h ea t he n
p
i f ou r di co vc ry Of th ei r error shall lea d us to correc t
o u r o w n T h u s m ay o ur e fforts abroad ope n a w ide r
door O f u ttera n ce a n d g ive t h e g ospel freer scope at
home
O n th is s rrbj ect re vela tion is plai n : God is th e Ac tor
i n all t h e a ffairs o f earth h oly not by m ea ns Of s e clu
d e d a nd u s eless con tem platio n ; bu t w h ile d irectin g a t
on ce all th e hosts o f w o rlds a nd t h e l igh ti n g o f th e
s parro w a n d th e d roppi ng Of o ne h ai r o f t h e h ead
Hea ve n too is ke pt h oly not by w alli ng i n i ts i n h abi t
a n ts fro rn e a rthly a ffai rs b u t by sen d in g th e m abroad
a m id st all its ca res an d bu si n ess to fly a m on g th e furni
l ies O f m a n ki n d a n d to a id t h e co m m e nce m e n t a n d th e
progre s O f h oli n ess : n ay th e E T E R NA L S O N comes
d o w n rn v tc rio u ly tO li ve l i ke u s to toil l i k e u s n ot
only to g ive his blood for u s b u t to s ho w u s h o w h olily
l ife s a ffa i rs m ay be ca rr ied o n Let u s n ot h i n der th e
p rogress o f h is mercy b y ch argi n g ou r d eli n qu e n cies to
o ur e m loy nre nts — ou r n eglect or rejectio n Of h is sav
p
i n g g race to th e ch a n n el s w h ic h h e h as appoi n ted to
co m m unrca te i t
I f w e n eed a n y fa rth e r ill u st ratio n w e h ave b u t to
rega rd th e rel igiou s h istory a n d prospects Of th e w orld
T h e O ld Testa m e n t see ms a s i f d esig ned ex p ressly to
ill u trate a h eave nly pie t y g ro w i ng a m idst th e b u si n ess
o f life a r e l i i o n o
i
s
v
t
h
o
r
r l d fi t t e d to be tra ns fe rred
g
f
to th e glory of h ea ve n N O do u b t E noclr s w alk i n g
w ith G od w a s in the m id s t o f b usi n ess ; a life of p iety
~
~
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~
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s
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s
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s
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’
.
T H E W A L K S OF
B
US I N ESS
1 53
.
i n th e
midst o f m en n ot in th e cell of the mon k nor
i n th e cave of t he h erm i t
Ab raha m Isaac a nd Jacob
w ere m en Of acti ve b usi n ess i n th e em ploy men ts of
th eir d ay g ro w i ng ric h u nder th e blessi ng o f thei r
God : yet as strangers a n d pilgri ms l ivi ng i n faith
”
seeki ng th e b etter cou n try
S u ch also w ere Joseph
M oses Josh u a Cale b D avid Mordecai D an iel in
all w hose cases w e learn th at th e w a lk s of bus ines s
are not div er s i ons fro m t he pat h to h eave n Was
Jacob for i ns tan ce d i verted from th at path th e d iligen t
sh eph erd t he carefu l provider fo r a f am ily a nd its
?
m
atch
ful
a
d
i
n
Was
D
a
n
iel
d
iverted
fro
t
h
at
u
r
a
w
g
p ath — t h e bus y c our t ier w h o sta nd s a mongst th e
Scriptu re w orth ies a pie em i nen t e x a m ple O f h olines s ,
g ro w i n g a m idst a bus y p r os p er i ty ?
C hristia ni ty w h e n it came b rou gh t i n n o oth er doc
“
—
tri ne
requ ired n ot its d isciples to go o ut o f th e
”
b u t to i m prove i ts leis u re an d its b usi ness i n
w orld
trai n in g t h e sou l for he a ven St P aul gi ves th e Ch ris
tia n su m m ary i n th is m atter : N ot s lothful i n bus i
”
A ssu redly
nes s ferve n t i n spirit servi n g th e Lord
then w e lear n n ot fro m th e gospe l t hat leisu r e fro m
b usi ness is th e b est sch ool Of piety
n eith er th e lei
s u re Of retired situ ation s or Of sick ness o r of Old a g e
b u t life i n all i ts r igh t e m ploy m e n ts am idst its cares
a n d toils a nd d isappoi n t men ts a nd h opes :a n d a b u n
dan ce Th e laborer is i n i t T h e fa rmer th e mech an
ic th e m erch a nt th e politician th e hou se w ife too an d
N O bu si ness w h ic h
h e r da ugh ters a n d her m aid e ns
m e n o r w ome n ou gh t to do, lies w i th out th e sch ool for
h e a ven
,
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“
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-
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“
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T H E W A L K S OF
1 54
B
US INESS
.
say requ i red n ot its d isci ples to go
B ri t su perstition d id m on k e ry d id
o ut O f t h e w o rld
to th e i nj ury O f ma n y ages Pride a n d e n t h usias m
joi ned th e i r voice a nd called m e n i n to th e forests after
—
n
z
a
a
s
th e a nc rc ut a nd m oder n mistak es Of th e p g
pu t
m e n a nd w om e n i nto m onasteries an d n u n neries
pu t
th e m o ut of th is w o rld i n order to fi t th e m for a noth
er th a t t lre v m igh t h ave le is ur e to be h eave nly !
?
Wh at w a s t h e con sequ en ce
J u st w h a t m ig h t b e
expec t e d w h e n m e n atte m pt to m e nd th e g rea t sch ool
Me n g re w
w h ic h t h e I NF I N I T E LY \V I S E h as set u p
more v i l e b y all th ei r leis u re a n d th e C h ristia n w orl d
except
th
e
ew i n whom
n
ot w i th s t a nd i n
th
e
sacred
f
g
(
fire w a s kept b u rn i ng ) w a s cove red w ith dark n ess a n d
a th ousa n d v e urs
T h e n th e d ay broke
S i n fo r
L u th e r took a w i fe b rough t u p c h ild re n m in gled i n t h e
a ff ai rs O f li fe a nd th e P r otesta n t w o rld b ega n to w al k
a mid t t h e gro w i n g d ay A nd yet i t is n ot full m or n
i ng w h i le C h ristia n s e ve n exc u se th ei r n eglects a n d
delays b y re fe r ri n g to th e h i nd ra nces Of b u sy life ;
s a nct ro rring th e m ista ke
w h ic h bars t h e gospel o ut
fro m h a l f the P ro testa n t w o rld
A g a in j u t pri nc i ples bea m u po n u s i n t h e risi n g
prosp e ct T h e w al ks o f b usi n ess w il l be w e ll trod i n
th e m ill e nni um People w ill n ot stop w or k th e n :
a n d c e r tai nly t h e n la b or w ill b e availa b l e w ill be
p rosp e r o u w ill i n v e s t the w o rld w it h bea rrty a n d co rn
fort O ne o f th e m ost m ark e d d e sc ri pt i ons o f th o s e
h a ppy ti m e i nd ica t e s th e b usy e m ploy me n t of m e n
T hey sh all b e a t their s w ords in to plo rrg lrs h a res a n d
”
th ei r spears I n to pru n i n g h ooks
W h at a sce n e
C h r i t ia nit v, w e
~
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~
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s
~
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,
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s
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,
s
,
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s
,
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.
T H E W A L K S OF B U S I N E S S
1 56
”
.
”
m oon to a noth er a n d from o ne Sab b ath to an oth e r
T h e n w ill i t be
h e th e d aily w orsh ippers o f Je h ova h
k no w n th a t earth is th e W A Y to h eave n ; a n d m e n
w ill li ve a m idst its bu siest em ploy m en ts b reath in g th e
l ife a nd servi n g t h e G O D Of h e a ve n
Th e e v ie w s see m to u s m ost i m porta n t a t th e pres
e n t period A s w e a re n ea r i n g a b r igh te r d ay afl a i r s
n ot less th e a t ten tion of m a n
a re en gros s i ng m or e
k i nd I f t h e m illen n iu m be com i ng a t all i t is n ot a p
a
nd
i
n
th
e
lan
a r e ntly fro m th e c e lls of ret ire me n t
p
g nor o f qu ietis m b u t alon g t h e w al ks Of bu si ness
cl uste red w ith i n ven tio ns a n d d iscover i e s a n d e n ter
p r ises w h ich clai m th e co o pe ra tion of all classes of men
l
?
\V h a t t h e n
S h all w e stop bu si n ess o r go o n
S h all
w e revi ve a n d ch e r ish th e er rors Of m on kery a n d
a m idst o ur a ffa i rs t i rr u bac k from th e gro w i ng glory o r
at best b u t w o rry a n d stu m b le along th e d i ffi c ul t pa th
?
O r sh al l w e n ot rath er
w e ou rsel ves th u s c hoke u p
give free scope to a ll o ur po w e rs
ou r th ou gh ts
o ur
—
be co rning ou rsel v e s th e b u s y i nstru me n ts o f
h a nds
tu rn ing t h e pa rch ed grou nd i n to a pool th e th i rsty la n d
i nto sp ri n gs of w ater a n d th e h a b itation s Of d ragon s ,
”
?
i n to g rass w ith reeds a n d r u sh es
T h u s sh all a
h ig h w a y be there th e W A Y O F H O L I N E S S
T h is is
th e o nly p ri nciple o n w h i ch a bu sy a n d e n terprisi n g
age ca n lead o n t h e m ille n n iu m T h is pri n ciple adopt
or! w ould Op e n th e door O f u tter a nce to t h e m ass O f t h e
Ch r istia n w o rld a s n e ed fu l fo r th e h om e s p r e a d Of
t h e G osp e l
a s a re
m i sion s i n all h eat he n la nds ;
w h ile i n th e spi rit a n d po w e r o f E l i as th e bus m ult i
y
t ude of C h ri s tian s w ould p repa re th e w a Of t h e Lord
,
y
“
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s
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s
,
P R I N C I P L E S I N R E G AR D T O T H I S W OR L D
.
1 57
comi ng to set up h is k i ngdom on th e earth Com e
th en all busy m e n a n d w om en in al l th e variety of
h u m a n e m ploy men ts com e do you r d u ty to you r
R edeemer an d w elcom e th e savi n g grace w h ic h m eet s
you i n d oors an d ab road i n th e shop a n d i n th e fi eld
i a th e cou n ti ng room an d i n all th e m arts Of trade
at the b ar an d i n th e for u m w elcom e th e R ed ee mer
ne a r at every step o f li fe
R etire not from th e w al ks
h al f tak i n g th e
o f b u si n ess h alf assu m i ng th e co w l
veil b u t ab ide i n you r calli ngs
not slot h ful in busi
ness , fer ven t i n spirit servin g t he Lord
.
,
,
,
,
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,
-
,
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-
,
.
.
P
RINCIPLES
R E G A R D T O T H I S WO R L D
IN
.
T h e follo w i n g pri n ci ples see m most pla i n i n vie w
of th e past experien ce a nd fu tu re prospects of m a n
k i nd
,
s
.
1
S ubm i s s i on i s not th e only g
dv er s i ty ;
f
faith and hope Of r elief an d blessi ng are also i ts p roper
desig n an d fr uit A d ve rs ity i s th e p roper moth e r o f
faith a n d h ope T h e so ul can not too com pletely s ub
m i t to w h at i s : i t m ay s ub m it u n w isely a n d unprofi ta
bly to w h at i s to be Wh at i s , God sends to cal l forth
o ur fai th i n regard to w h at m a y be ; so th at i n a dve r
s ity am i dst o ur resig n ation for th e mome n t w e are e n
I s h all
coura g e d to p ray a n d h ope a n d eve n to si n g
yet praise Hi m w h o is th e h ealth of m y co u n ten a nce
”
a n d m y G od
Wh at G od h a s laid u pon us w e are to
s ub m it to , as h is w ill an d as fitted to m ake u s partakers
.
r a ce o
a
,
.
.
s
.
,
,
,
“
,
,
,
.
,
14
P R I NC I PL E S I N
1 58
R
E GA R D
To
T H I S WO R L D
.
h is h oli ness ; but w e are not requ i red beforeh an d to
With referen ce to th e fu
s ub m it to its con ti n u an ce
t u re w e are requ ired to m eet o ur h eave nly F ath e r w i th
earn est longin gs an d prayers w ith faith a nd h ope gro w
ing a m idst the n ecessities an d s u ffe ri n gs w h ich God ha s
sen t to prod u ce a n d stre ng th e n th e m
of
.
,
,
.
2
P r os p er ity ,
.
ra
th er th a n
a
dv er s ity , i s not
o nl
y
c t ua l but th e p r ope r obj ec t of des i r e I t is n ot
to be set d o w n as unch r i s t i a n to d esi re th e blessi ngs
o f this li fe ; o r as C h r i s t i a n to d esi re ad versi ty a n d
”
gloo m W h at God bri n gs i n n ot w illin gly w e a re
bu t rath er w h a t h e h as c re ated as e x
not to choose
p ression s o f h is good ness
to be recei ved w ith th a n ks
”
givi n g
T r u e w e s h ou ld prefe r to b e partakers o f
”
b y e very ch aste n in g w h ich h e i n w is
h is h oli ness
dom actually i nflicts yet at th e m om e n t w e sh ould
desire rel i e f w ith su pplies o f g race su ited to a better
day \V h a t G od d id fo r t h e P a tr ia rclrs a m id st t hei r
p rosperity w h at h e w ill d o for fu tu re sai n ts h e ca n do
for u s P r o perity o n earth m a y raise us i n to sym pa
th y w ith a n g e ls w h ile i n ad ve rsity w e m ay re m ai n
w ithou t G o d a n d w i t hou t h ope
al ien s fro m both
ear th a n d l l e a v e n It is m o n kery n ot C h ristia n ity
w h ic h choos e t h to go n a ked a n d barefoot as a mean s Of
p iety
3 P ro p e r ity fu rn i h e s th e p r i nc ipal m ea n s a nd pro
drrccs th e h i g h e s t g races Of a religiou s l ife
Let n o
o ne say t h a t t h e gr e a t Teach er is urr s kill ful w h ile h is
m ercies e xc e e d h i c ha tise m e n ts Ca n w e dou bt th at
h e w h o le a rns t h e lon g e r a n d bet ter lessons w ell w ill
not m ak e t he bette r atta i n men t ? D oubtless i t is a
th e
a
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,
“
,
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,
,
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,
,
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,
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s
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s
s
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s
s
.
,
P R I NC I P L E S I N R E G A R D T O T H I S WO RL D
1 60
.
Prosperi ty a n d bu si ness frrr nis h n o excuse for
re ligiou s n eglec t o r decay O pportu n ity th e best a nd
lon ges t lesson s ca n be n o reason for poor sch olarsh ip
\V h a t i f some C h ristian s do n ot accept t he i ns tr uc
tio n ? S hall t hei r u n be lief m ak e th e tru t h o f God
!
?
N ay let God b e t r ue
T h e ad m is
w ith ou t e ff ect
sion o f th is p ri nci ple w ould ren ovate th e c h u rch a nd
fi t th e m to be i n str u m e n tal i n re novati n g th e w orld
N ot th at pri n ci pl e ad m itted is th e actu al g rac e flo w i n g
fort h
rath e r i t is th e goad w h ic h forces th e li ngere r ,
eve n before h e stops to look fo r w ard agai n for th e
prize an d a gai n to leave th e th in gs behi n d a nd
press fo r w a rd to t hose before
6 A j u st v ie w Of th is w o r ld is need ful to ope n a
The
w id er d oor o f u ttera nce for t h e savi n g G ospel
ch u rch b y h er o w n m ista k e n la m en tations a nd e x
c u ses closes t he d oor agai nst th e very Gospel w h ic h i t
O ffe rs : eas i n g th e con scie nce a n d stiflin g th e d esires of
th ose to w ho m sh e com m u n icates th e O ffers Of salva
tion T h u s after th e teach i n g a nd exa m ple o f th e
ch u rch all me n w a it for a shoc k
w h ich perch a n ce
m ay th ro w th e m fro m th e precipice i nste a d Of faste n i ng
th ei r grasp u pon th e h an d o f th e R ed ee me r I n order
to gi ve fai r opport u n ity e ven to C h ri s te nd om t h e ch u rc h
m u st lead o n a recove ry fro m h ea tlre nis lr vie w s of th is
W h ile sh e pro rnrrlg a te s a G ospel of recovery ,
w or l d
sh e m u st decla r e th at sh e d oes i t i n th e s ch o ol Of re
—
r
co ve y
sh e m u st proclai m a G osp e l i n th e w alk s
O f b u si ness a n d o n th e h eigh ts O f p rosperity as w e ll
as i n th e closet Of retire me n t , o r t he d a r k v ale of a d
vers ity
5
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s
.
WORL DL I N E S S
1 61
.
T h is su bj ect en h an ces th e fea r s w h ich urge
every on e to accept sal vation A release from earth
a nd th e b ody w ill not save th e soul T h is heresy
o w es i ts origi n in part , to ou r O rthod o x m istakes con
—
cern i n g th is w orld to our C h ristia n Hi ndoois m
E art h an d th e body d o n ot cur s e t h e soul r el ea s e w ill
not save it
Goin g o ut o f th e w orld w ill no t teac h
th e lesson s w h ich are g ive n in it
D eath leisu re ,
p aradise w ill not save u s If our o n ly clai m to heave n
be th at w e h ave d ropped th e bod y a nd fled th e w orld ,
o ur fi rst act w oul d be to grasp som e forbi dde n fr u it , a nd
be cast out forever
.
.
.
,
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WO RL DLINE S S
.
g a ve u brea t h
e dri ve n;
In o rr o w w e
Th e a ng ui h o f th t econd d ea t h
ul t h at ne e r i n f a i t h
W ill e i e th
B r e th e d h er e th e l i fe o f h e ave n
If
fr o m H im w h o
’
e er
,
ar
s
a
s
e so
z
s
s
s
’
a
.
T h ere is a v icious a nd r ui nous wor ldlines s T h e
the prospero u s a nd th e a fflicted ,
r ich an d t h e poor
m en of leisu re an d of b u si ness , of sacred a nd sec ul ar
em ploy m en ts m ay alik e be gu ilty o f i t , be v icti m s to
It con sists not i n th e desire an d hope i n th e us e
it
a n d enjoy men t of ever so m a ny of th e blessi n gs Of th i s
W orl d , nor is i t preven ted by a ny l ac k , or loss or relin
A
brah
a
a
n
d
m
J
ob, a m idst th ei r ab u n
i
sh m ent
u
q
d an ce , greatl y tri u m ph e d over it M on kery , naked a nd
.
,
,
,
.
,
.
.
*
14
WO R L D L I N E S S
1 62
.
bare foot l ivi n g u pon th e o ff al Of th e forest w a s not
secu re from its i n roads a n d its r u i n F or thou sa nds of
years m e n h ave li ved an d d ied repi ni n g at th e dis a p
i
n
cur a ble
m
iseries
Of
h
u
m
a
n
li
fe
o int m e nts an d
p
all th e e n ds Of th e
w or l dl i ng s ; yet p rese n tly
”
”
earth shall at on ce rej oice i n h er i ncrease an d fear
a n d t ru st a n d serv e th e Lord
i n th e w or ld yet free
fro m a viciou s a n d ru i nou s w orldl i n ess O u r fi rst pa
re n ts w ere n ot g u ilty o f th is v ice w h en th ey rej oiced i n
save o ne ; b u t th ey fell
a ll t he trees o f th e gard en
v ict i m s to it w h en i nstead Of all w i th God th ey ch os e
on e si ngle t ree w ith out H i m
N ay , w e m ay s ay
fu rther su ch is i ts es s e nc e th at thou gh w e n a m e i t fro m
th is w or l d i t o w es n ot i ts ex iste n ce o r i ts d estructi ve
n ess to e a r th bu t sp ran g u p before earth w a s m ad e ,
eve n i n h igh Heaven i tsel f ; for m ust n ot th e a ngels
”
h av e left th ei r first estate o n t h e sa m e pri nci ple as
o ur fi r t paren ts le ft thei r h appy ga rde n — c hoosin g
i nstead Of a ll w it h God som e for b idde n th i n g w ith out
Hi m
S u c h is i ts es s e nc e th at i f i t shall n ot e nter th e
Heave n Of o ur fu t u re h opes i t w ill be beca u se i t w ill
be th e Heave n O f a n aided fixed a n d fi n al ch oice a
ch o i ce o f eter n al glory w ith G od — i nto w h ic h w e sh all
h av e e n te red m o r e th a n con querors th rou gh Hi m th a t
”
h a t h loved u s
Heave n w ill be h eld secu re by th ose
”
alon e w h o h ave begu n i n fai t h to b reath e th e im
pe r i ha b le l i fe o f I l e a v e n
w h o o n ea rth h ave m ad e
th e t ri pl e ch oice O f G od as th e ir H E L P E R — P O R T I O N ,
,
,
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,
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“
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,
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,
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s
,
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,
,
“
.
,
,
s
,
I
JO
RD
.
T h is th e n is th e vice to b e avoid ed
n ot a ch oic e
of th is w o rld i n com pa riso n w i th oth e r w o rlds , b u t a
,
,
1 64
W ORL DL I NES S
.
m u st b e w atc h fu l a g ai n st th at w h ic h m ay
c h ec k a nd h i nde r 1 1 3 I f w e w ould be cl ustered rou n d
w it h m u ltitudes saved by ou r i nstr u men tal ity w e m u s t
ill ustrate th e
victory w h ic h o ve rco rne t h t h e w orld ,
”
e ve n ou r faith
What th en it m ay be as ked is th e w or ldl ines s to
w h ic h th e age is pec ulia rly exposed
W h ere sh all w e
?
r
look for its h ind ra nce a n d i ts r rin
M ay w e n ot r e
ply Am i ds t th e bles s ing s w h ic h a w ide ning Ch r is
us ,
we
.
,
.
,
,
ids t th e p l a ns , i h
v e nti ons , d is c o v er i es ; a m i ds t e ve n th e s k i ll a nd
s ucc es s , s a c r e d a s w e ll a s s e c ul a r , w h i c h a
o w i ng
r
g
t i a nity br i ng
s a
nd
a
am
llo ws ,
Ch r is t i a nity or ig ina t es a nd r e q uir es A t su ch a n
age , i t is n ot e noug h to exa m i n e o u rselves by th e
—
pri nciples of th e p a s t
to gover n ou rsel ves by th e
forms O f th e p a s t
to h ave a ll ou r fe ars exercise all
exert all o ur e ffo r t agai n s t th e d a n
o ur w atch ful n ess
gers o f th e p a s t T his con troversy w it h fictiti ou s
trials w ere useless We h ave n ot com e i n deed , to a
“
state of u n m i xed prospe r i ty \V e are n ot
mee k
”
e nou gh yet to i n h eri t th e ear th
N everth eless , pro
lifi c fro m Ch r istia n i nd ustry ea rth begi ns to y ield h er
i nc rease I n ven tion s a nd d iscover ies has ten , as i f by
m i racle th e exterior t ra nsfor mation O f C h risti a n lan d s ;
w h ile th e gospel fra u gh t w i th te m poral a n d spi rit u al
blessi n g fl ies as o n a ngels w i n gs , o ve r th e w id e
W ”
w o rld
A t th is poi n t th e qu estion w e w ill not
say , i s ch anged i t evid en tly is c h a ng ing
A l ready it
h o w m u c h w e ca n s ufl er h ow
is no t as fo rmerly
m uc h w e ca n d en y ou rsel ves — h o w m u c h w e ca n
a
r
i
w
h
rather
th
a
n
d
e
n
y
u
r
Lord
it
not
t
t
o
I
s
,
p
.
-
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’
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WOR L DL I N E S S
h ow m u ch
1 65
.
sh ed ar ou nd u s i n p rofu sion
w i thou t l ov i ng th e
,
we
ca n
j
en o
y,
m or e th a n th e C r e a t or ;
a n d do w i th out s elf g lor y
cr e a tur e
h ow m u c h w e
ca n d evise
i ng a nd p r ide ; h o w m u ch
o u r o w n God ca n bless
us a n d o ur h eart be no t l ifted u ; h o w m u c h w e ca n
p
h u m b ly o b ed ie n tly ch eerfully ear nestly perseve ri n g
1y , em p loy to t he glory o f God a n d th e goo d of
-
,
,
,
,
,
m en !
th e presen t i nter m edi a te s t a te of th e w orld , be
t w ee n its r u i n a nd it s glory b et w ee n i ts groan s an d its
praises th ere is i n deed n o deliveran ce fro m th e da n
gers Of th e pa s t ; yet i s th ere a special reaso n for
d irecti ng o ur atten tion ea rnes tly to thos e of th e presen t
a n d th e fu tu re We m rrs t not forget h o w to b e a b ased ;
no r sh all w e i f w e r igh tly m eet th e var ied a ffliction s
B ut w e m us t lear n h ow
o f th es e prosperou s days
”
to abou n d
We m us t lear n h o w to us e t h is w orl d
m ad e m ore bless e d b y th e Gos pel an d gro w i n g mor e
blessed still w ithou t a b usi n g it to enj oy it even ,
o ur Hel per , Portion , a nd
w ithou t forsaki ng God
Lord
We h ave i n ti m ated th e exposu re Of th e religio us
Let u s n ot for b ea r to gi ve o r to take w ar n in g
w or ld
A s m u ch as we give let us take N O on e sta nds se
cu re e nou gh to b e h eedl e ss to t h e cau tion : Let h im
”
th a t t h i n keth h e stan deth ta ke h eed lest h e fall
If
an y th en am idst t h e rel igious e fforts a nd ch arities of
th e day (a n d d o n ot man y w h o p rofess th e C h rist ia n
na m e ? ) stan d aloof ; nor feel th e sy m path y n or j oi n
—
r
n
th e w or k i f a n y a re i n d ust iou s o ly for themsel ves
—
—
th ei r gai n th ei r p rid e ; i f any
for thei r com fort
In
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v
W ORL DL I N ES S
1 66
M a rnmo n s trll
.
th ese a re th e m e n w h o meet
”
“
ea r t h yield i n g h er i n c rease to h azard th e loss O f
blessi ng a b ove a n d beyond t h is ear th —e nd u ri n g for
?
e ver O r i f th ere be a ny (a nd are th e re n ot m an y )
”
profes s i n g to give all th ey ca n a fford w h o ad d to
—
thei r idolatry o f gai n a l ie to th e Holy G host
let
th e m see to it w h ile th ey keep b ac k pa rt of t he
”
p rice th at th e part they b r i n g p rove n ot th e toke n of
t h ei r h aste n i n g conde m n a t ion
B u t w e shall b e g reatly d eficien t i n C h ristia n w atc h
ful n ess if o ur cau tio n s tops h er e ; i f w e regard on ly
th e d a n ge r of a n i nd ulge n t expen d itu re of m on ey or
a m ise rly w ith h oldi n g fro m th e ch arities of th e age
i f w e a re n ot fea rfu l O f a v icio rrs a n d ru in ou s w o rldli
n ess a m idst th e religiou s en te rp r ises a nd cha ri ties Of
th is d ay o f propagation T h e essen ce o f w orldl i ness
m ay prevail a m idst o ur su ccessfu l e fforts
m ay h i n
d er th e m
m ay yet a rrest t he m
m ay dest roy som e
o f u s beyon d recovery
We s a y n ot m erely to th e
C h ristia n i n th e w o rld ; to m e n O f g ro w in g p roper
ty
O f property
n ot e m plo y ed for G od o f h oarded
gai n s — y ou may b e g u ilty you m ay b e victi ms
w e say i t to those w h o a ppea r a ct u ally b u sy st re n gth
c u i n g th e stakes
a nd l e n gthe n i n g th e co rd s o f t h e
C h ri t i a n ch u rc h to th e gi ve rs a n d th e a lrno ne rs ; to
th e pla n n ers a nd the doers ; to th e acti ve C h ristia n s
a nd ev e n to t h e m in is t ers a nd a postles Of the Lord
o u b y w orldli ness exc it e d b y t h e glo r ies o f t h e age
y
m ay h i nd e r th e v e ry w o r k you h el p ; b e c h ecked by
th e very ligh t w h ic h s h i nes u po n you r pa th a n d e ve n
fi nd , u n to death th e savor Of life w h ic h you sh ed
w orsh i p
°
,
.
“
,
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“
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s
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,
W OR L D L I N E S S
1 68
.
an d Obey Hi m ? ch oosi n g i n stead Of all w i th Jesu s , th e
h u nd red th part o n eart h a nd t i me fo r eter n ity w itho ut
Him
T h us it is that th e Gospel w h ich h as gon e
forth conqu eri n g an d to conqu er in paga n l an ds is a
po w erless lett e r i n t he ve ry homes o f C h ristian ity
T h us th e a ids of th is w orld th is sch ool for Heave n are
tu rn ed i n to h i nd ra n c es Me n so m arry th ei r w i ves
s o bu y th e i r fi e lds th a t t he y can not w elcom e th e Sav
ior an d h is salva tion T h u s all th e fields o f th e C h ris
tia n w o rld m ad e to yield th e i r i n crease by th e in
fl ue nce of t h e gospel — all th e w or k sh ops — al l th e
m arts Of trad e glo w in g w ith th e i nd u stry a n d sk ill ,
w h ich th e Gospel h as tau gh t a re t hron ged w it h m e n
spell bou n d by th e Gospel a g ai nst th e G ospel
by th e
gift agai nst th e G i ve r
b y t h e prom ise Of th e li fe th a t
N ay u nd er
no w i s agai nst that w h ich is to com e
th is perve rsion t he i n w ard movi n gs w h ich th e Gos pel
excites are preve nted fro m com i ng to decisio n an d con
version T h is w o rldli ness res is ts th e st r i vi n gs of th e
Spi rit sile nces consc ie n ce stops resol ve j ust r isin g i n to
bein g sile n ces th e ton gu e j ust read y to call u pon th e
”
n am e Of t he Lord b lin ds th e eye to a ll for ti me a nd
a ll for ete rn ity w ith G o rl a nd fixes ch oice on t h e fl e e t
i ng va n ity w ith ou t h im H o w ma n y alas ! brou gh t
by th e glories O f th e t i mes to t he i nq rriry w h at sh all
”
I do th at I m ay i n herit etern al li fe not far from th e
k i n gdo m o f h eave n
h o w m a n y r ich h o w m any
p oor , for little o r for m u ch for a real earth o r a fan cied
Heave n tu r n a w ay fro m t h e R e dee mer perish by
m ean s o f th e ou t ward blessi n g o f th e G os pe l l — forfeit
etern al lrfe
,
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-
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-
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3f