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SILENT TIMES.
MAKING THE MOST OF LIFE. THE EVERY DAY OF LIFE. THE BUILDING OF CHARACTER.
THINGS TO LIVE FOR. THE STORY OF A BUSY LIFE. PERSONAL FRIENDSHIPS OF JESUS. THE JOY OF SERVICE. STRENGTH AND BEAUTY. DR. MILLER'S YEAR BOOK. GLIMPSES THROUGH LIFE'S WINDOWS. THE GOLDEN GATE OF PRAYER.
THE HIDDEN LIFE. YOUNG PEOPLE'S PROBLEMS. THE MINISTRY OF COMFORT. COME YE APART. THE UPPER CURRENTS.
2>oofeletief
GIRLS; FAULTS AND IDEALS. YOUNG MEN; FAULTS AND IDEALS. SECRETS OF HAPPY HOME LIFE. THE BLESSING OF CHEERFULNESS. A GENTLE HEART. BY THE STILL WATERS. THE MARRIAGE ALTAR. THE SECRET OF GLADNESS. UNTO THE HILLS.
LOVING
MY NEIGHBOUR.
l)0ma^
CrotDell
Beta port
d Companp
fflipper
Curimt0
BY
J.
E.
MILLEE, D.D.
Or what
Browning
THOMAS
Y.
CROWELL &
CO.
PUBLISHERS
PUBLIC LIDIUllY
209689B
ASTOK, LENOX
K
1942
AND
L
TJLDEN KUUNUATiONS
PREFACE
IHESE
We
chapters
only when
down
here an earthly
levels
we catch
the breath
impelled toward
To
he
moved only hy
is to
miss
R.
M.
Philadelphia, U. S. A.
2X98
TITLES OF CHAPTERS
I.
Page
3 15
II.
God
III.
When Prayer
God's
IV.
29
41
V. Transfiguration VI. Keeping One's Life in Tune VII. Putting A way Things Past VIII. The Ripening of Character IX. Steps in the Stair X. Getting Help from People XI. This, too, Shall Pass Away XII. Choosing to do Hard Things XIII. GrriNG What We Have XIV. The Ministry of Kindness XV. The Ministry of Encouragement XVI. The Word that was not Said XVII. Things that Last XVIII. Is Self-Denial a Mistake ? XIX. The Christian as a Garden-Maker XX. The Virtue of Dependableness XXI. The Art of Living with People XXII. He Maketh Me to Lie Down
.
55
67
79
91
103 117
127
141
1S3 165
177
189
257
Catci^ing
tl^t
ajppct Currents!
in
f/p,
Up^
Up
In
to
of the skies
Yet
little
while^
Yet
little
way,
Up
Christina
mUe
Rossetti
CHAPTER FIRST
Catcliittg tl)c 21pper CnrrrntjS
ARTH always
no plant
needs heaven.
rain
grow.
Human
shrivel
need
God
is is
to
in-
and
perish. It
God
though
who miss
it,
who get
none of
it
It is love that
Who
shall
f
make
world
Thou art not happy as thou mightest he. For the love of dear Jesus is little in thee. "
Doctor Peabody, in one of
his inspiring talks
sea.
There
fill
sail.
While the
[3]
Cl^e
men
all
Opper Currents!
up on the mastis
and
lift.
There
not a ripple
air
faintest
moving of the
know that
it.
there
is
a wind rising
their
upper
gins to
sails
to catch
rents, while
still
a dead calm.
there are lower
In
life
and higher
currents.
Too
many
But there
also are
upper currents.
We
would be
wise if
we
that
all
Then
as their friends
we should
seek ever to
[4]
Catci^ing
the
tt)t
apper Curtcntji
inspiring,
influences.
the
most
We should
aim always
one whose
we touch.
influence.
If
we do not we are
of helping others.
We
money
to
pay
their
debts
if
they are
in need, or medicines
and
We
are lonely,
if
and warm
their hearts
by our compassion
If, in-
in
which
this
kind
of love
bless, enrich,
life.
[5]
W^t
It
Slpptv
munt&
own
rich
life,
he
said,
"I had a
friend."' If
that
friend
in lower
and
up
him
not
in the light
and
trivial
many
friendships.
and
care.
life
and
incited
That
is
have and to
No
is
other conception of
fi'iendlife.
ship's ministry
worthy of an immortal
Yet
are there
many
?
themselves
the
who come
[6]
Catcl^ing
tl^e
appet
in
Curt-entjS
?
ing else
is
really
in
worthy
this
a friend.
comes to us
sacred
relation
life
down
call
to
He
life
on
its
spiritual
out
The
world's fas-
Our
eyes
mate-
things
feeling,
to our taste,
our
too,
Many
of the friends,
who come
along earthly
Two young
people
is
said
by
in neighbor-
hood
it all.
In marriage
two
lives are
united and
move on
together, per-
in
fellowship,
in care, in self-denial, in
sorrow.
Each
[7]
Ci^e
apper Currents!
much
is
pleas-
all love's
tender and
a whole
which
is
never entered
were, these
As
it
and
found
life.
But our
friends
only
At
who entered
his
hand,
hoping to receive a little money. Peter said to him, however, " Silver and gold have I none
but what
I
I thee."
Then he
bade the
man
Catci^ing
t))z
apper Current?!
if
man than
him
still
in the
same condition
down
body and
restored
him
again
to
He
now that he was healed he was able to earn own bread. The best and truest help we can give to others
not mere present
gi-atification,
is
but strength,
rise
may
into
and go on continually
may be
easier,
when you
find one in
indolence, to give
wants, than to
he
own
bread. It
may
be
easier,
but after you have provided for his nea time, short or long, you leave him
in poverty, with
cessities for
just where
no
for himself.
But
if
alms and,
(91
Ci^e
epper Currents!
him
to work,
and inspired
him
to
do
it,
may be
easier to
levels
with
your
friend,
trivial
him up
to
hills,
whence
Tempt him
with the
life
its
but
It
is
it is
worth while to do
it
at whatever cost.
life
of earthly commonplaces
real,
enduring good
by seeking to
is
lift
them.
That
us.
He came
and
10]
Catcljing
ti^e
(Upper Currentjs
begin to be Christlike
eternal blessedness.
We
when we do
is
for
them
Where'er
Our
glad surprise.
rise.
To higher levels
**
And
lifts
us unawares
Out of
*^
all
meaner
cares.
Honor to those whose tcords or deeds Thus help us in our daily needs
And
by their overflow
is low.'*
["1
"%vi
t\)t
QSeginnfns <^on"
[13]
My
hark
is
wafted
to
the strand
rests
a hand
to sail
I have on hoard
land safe
is this
;
to the land..
The end
And
then unth
Far
into bliss.
Dean
Alford.
I*
CHAPTER SECOND
3In
t\^z
'Bcgfnnins (!5oD"
life
ever
much
in
it,
of beauty
it
may
be a
y
is
have
God.
safe
it
No
one, however
sheltered
may
seem, in which
God
way
not leading
unless
us.
We
home
should
we
We
make
The
first
" In
limest
God
no
^vTesting
truth
in
all
the range
of thinking.
They
the
fore there
was aught
else
but God.
" Before
15
God."
This
is
But there
before all
tion,
is
also
words in another
Not only was God things and the Author of all creasense.
God "
all life.
We
belong to
God and
This
tion.
is
When we
God
stands at
We
as
en-
preme
trust
affection.
We
look to
him
Lord,
We
life
him
with every
our personal
God
Then
is
first, if
we are
to him.
there
are
special
applications.
The
16]
every
new day
" In
the
beginning
first
God."''
we
see in the
eyes.
its
His voice
benediction
first
we hear with
He
should be the
to
whom we
and
speak, lifting
up our hearts
lines
in praise
and blessing.
When first
To do the like ; our bodies tut forerun The spirit's duty. True hearts spread and heave Unto their God, as flowers do to the sun.
Give
him
so shalt thou
keep
Him company
Yet never sleep the
day,
;
and in him
sleep.
sun up
Dawn
There are
'Twixt heaven, and us. After sunrising ; far day sullies flowers. Rise to prevent the sun ; sleep doth sins glut, And heaven's gate opens, when this world's is
shut.
prayer should set, awful hours The manna was not good
them.
Not a spring
[17]
husJi
And
Canst thou not singf Oh, leave thy cares and follies ! go this way And thou art sure to prosper all the day,
A day with
It
God
truly at
its
beginning cannot
may not be
cloudless.
heavy.
Its tasks
may be
son*ows,
its tears.
But nothing
if
life
we have
Yet
rise
who never
pray.
They
in the
God
in sleep,
How
all
can anyone
things to go
is
who thus
well with
peril.
him
.?
prayerless day
a day of
One
writes
[
18 J
f(
%n
at
it
tljc
Besfnnins
<15ot>
The sunlight streaming o'er my temple gate With rays beguiling, soft, and fair,
Made me
To bar
dawn
Two fair-clad robbers, Duty and Delight, Won entrance and engaged my mind, While dark, unnoticed, and in rags bedight. Worry and Folly crept behind.
To-night there^s ruin in
my
Holy Place,
Contentment, faith, and every hard-won grace Displaced and spoiled. Lord, I repent.
day of
and
failure.
It
may
not seem
so.
Business
may be
on the
prosperous as ever.
The
table
may be
sun to
bountifully spread.
evil
God
rise
ever
and the unjust." But howhappy a day may seem to be, if it lacks
it is
heaven's benediction
a sad day.
lift
We
need to
And when
19]
What
Christian
could
?
bear to go
also,
So
amid
strain of
unseen
trial
grace
and
strength.
Thus
be-
every fresh
failure
him to prayer."" we would have our days bright and If and full of peace, we need only to
God's feet and to keep him
first
beautiful
start
at
life
it
in
our
through
all
the day to
"I
its
close.
We
set
have
have
is
Jehovah
always before
me
because he
at
my
right
success.
Resign all fear, all doubt, and all despair. The stars doubt not, and they are undismayed. Though u)Mrled through space for countless
centuries
f
20
And
told not
why
or wherefore
and
the sea
With everlasting ebb and flow obeys And leaves the purpose with the TJyiseen Cause. The star sheds radiance on a million worlds. The sea is prodigal with waves ; and yet
No
O
lost,
and
not
tides.
One drop
and
sea,
know
all
God^s opulence is held in trust for those Who wait serenely while they work in faith.'**
The words
year.
also
for
a
to
We
life,
know what
may
hold for
is
us,
but we need
in the
dark
is
safer
is
than some-
light.
There
Chris-
Anno Domini, "In the year of our Lord." The birth of Jesus Christ introduced a new era. Time before that
it is
is
not counted
the
Christ came.
We
We
all
at the beginning
in
our
life
But the mere writing of the legend, " In the year of our Lord," on our letter sheets and at
the head of our business papers, will not itself
consecrate the year.
man bought an
illuit
minated
home.
scroll,
it
On
God
Bless
Our
how it did not seem to bring the blessing. The home continued to be full of wrangling
and
strife
and
all
manner of
ill
nature.
There
not
it.
scroll
was hung up
will
An
home
illuminated
motto
nor
bring
good into
Anno Domini
it.
beautiful, or cast
it
make
Lord only by
all its life.
place in
He must
be
first in
'-22
J
f(
dEJoD
as our own.
We
must do
it
according to the
principles of righteousness
He must
It
is
be
first, also,
in
our personal
life.
God
in
him.
He
wants our
God,'** as
new
and
St.
year,
filling all
said,
"To me
same
Christ."
He
held up the
ideal also
ever ye do, in
name of the Lord Jesus." We need to look to our own personal life, that there God may always be first. Then there will be no failure in the things we do. If we love God supremely we
In
all
may do what we
will.
tions,
and hopes
this should
[
be the motto
23
beginning
God."
No
its
friendship
should
be formed
approval and
bond.
less
unless
God
be
be
cementing
No
the
honor of
God
its
goal.
in it
No new God
if
place.
There
in
is
a promise that
oui*
we acknowledge him
direct
all
ways he
will
our paths.
If only
we give God
his
be blessed.
tells
tones.
thrummed
thrilling
strains,
only
common
music.
She
first. Then she window and put the harp under the
Now
the wind
filled
which no fingers of
man
f
its
The human
but
it is
soul
is
such a harp.
that
its
is
Human
fin-
much
lovely
and sweet,
only when
called out.
[25
Wiitn pvavtt
ig
not
tl^e
3^ut?
27
Boiv thy head and pray^ That while thy brother starves to-day
Thou may est not eat thy bread at ease Pray that no health or wealth or peace
May
lull
lies
;
Buffering^
sacrifice
and
lost,
curse
God and
die
PmsciLLA
Leonard.
28]
CHAPTER THIRD
W})m pvavn
is
not
ti^e
?uti?
HERE
are
many commands
to pray.
We
are taught in
everything to
quests
make our
to God.
re-
known
We
is
ing
God
pleased.
is
Prayer, then,
buked
with
was when
Red
Sea,
Pharaoh's
army
" Wherefore
criest
thou unto
me
speak unto
[29
God
for deliver-
it
to rise up and lead the people forward. commanded to wait for the Lord, but
We
are
is
there
Faith
is
not
part of
it
always
action.
To
trust
and do nothiig
rise
will
win no
victories.
We
must
go forward.
There are many common
truth.
illustrations of this
Your neighbor
it,
is
in
some
trouble.
You
hear of
needed. Almost
Rather
it is
tion
him what he
very
is
ill,
taken suddenly
or
is
in prayer for
city
missionary
of an
experience in
London.
bitter
He
of
3"
W^tn prater
little
ii8
not
tl^e
J^ntig
He
listened
at the
Then
found
He
straw, lay a
clinging to her
At a moment's
began to
call
upon God.
He
believed in prayer,
come
said
:
and
"
or
my
as if
for
this very
purpose
He
no right to ask God to send any other messenger to minister to these needy
[
little ones,
that
31
Clje
Oppet Cuttentjs
sumptuous. Taking the children by the hand, he quickly led them to a place of shelter, where
they were cared
for.
little
nar-
row
circle
about ourselves.
We
ask
only for
health, happiness,
lives,
and comforts
outside.
for our
own
ing, sorrow,
and need
Such prayers do
is
not
rise to
a legend
of one
**
who prayed
But as he prayed,
*
his side
Stood the thorn-crowned Christ, and sighed blind disciple came I then
To
of
men
Thou asketh
health,
Of human
Thou Thou
strain
and agony ;
to the
While others die ; thou thankest me For gifts, for pardon, for success,
happiness.'' "
ment of
kingdom, but
if
we only pray
[32]
^Ijen pva^tv
isi
not
t))t
JButig
and do nothing to set forward the cause for which we plead, our praying does not please
God.
We
that which we ask God to do. WTien God desires to help, bless, deliver, or save a man he usually sends another man to do it. Ordinarily, when God puts it into our hearts to
own hand
desire to
Our
inspirations.
We
may pray
at once
God
we must be ready
help.
to rise
realize it does
God
wish us
own prayers. If we have plenty, and hear of one who is hungry, our duty is not
to pray for him, asking
with him. It
is
little less
that help be sent from heaven or by some divine agency, to one in need,
when we have
in
our own hands that which would meet and supply the need.
God gave
[33
we
We
since
offer-
But
the
him.
seen
man
stricken
priest's
human help
the
There
is
or self-denial, or money,
Men
beseech
God to have
save them.
pity
upon
certain people
who
are
God
cause
it is
3*]
W\)tn l^ratet
More than
tjs
not
ti^e
?Dutr
who now
God
them of
Jesus Christ and to lead them to his cross. Instead, however, of fulfilling their commission,
God
work
for them.
God to send. No doubt the divine answer to many a pastor, as he leads his people in importunate prayer for help
and
blessing
for the
kingdom of
is,
[35]
When we pray
and the
them.
When we
lost
we must go straight
them
to tell
them of the
least,
some way, at
Much
Spirit
made
same lack of
faith
is
ever
We
have something to do
if
""
the blessing
is
mand
come
of
all
blessings
they
come not
in the
in
up from our knees and going forward path of duty, in the way of obedience,
effort to attain the
the
thing longed
for.
When we
we are to
have asked
God
[36
W\)m
believe that
^ra^er
ig
not
ti^t
H^utv
and are
gift desired,
life
to enter at once
live.
The answer
will
up and go
how
Lord,
I pray
this
That for
day
but
to serve.
No
love of ease
My good
Not
to
intent,
from
ahove,
To
set
my
heart
to love.
[37
(l5oti'i3
^lotD imai^tng
of Cl$
[89]
to
blest
An
On
own
life the
Master
image grown.,
And
unto
Mabel Earlb.
40]
CHAPTER FOURTH
dEfoD'is
^lotp jEafeing of
aiis
OD
does not
make
us all at
is
once.
The
process
a long
all
one,
running through
life,
how-
work
on us and
is
some
thou-
new
line
marked
in
making of us
books,
the
and
friendships,
joys
and sorrows,
roses
failures,
all
life''s
health,
sickness,
and
briars
circum-
stances
and
events.
These
things
all
work
in
upon
Always God
on the
field,
]
and he works
(41
Ci^e Oppet;
and through
mvmt0
all experiences, unless we drive him out of our life, so that really it is he who makes us. But there is no period in all the years when we can say that God has finished
making
us.
We
are always
still
in process
of
being made.
In one of George Macdonald's books occurs fragment of conversation. " I wonder why
this
God made
"
me,""
said
Mrs.
Faber,
bitterly.
Fm
sure I don''t
the use of
replied
Dorothy;
hasn''t
He
It
if
making you now, and you don''t like it."" would give us more patience with ourselves
we always remembered
and
failures if
this.
We
would not
we always kept
in
mind
is
God
not
It
us.
God
is
at
work on
us,
making
us.
If
we
yield
[42]
of
m
confius, all
hand
in quietness
will
and
with
dence, letting
will be well.
him do what he
At
we should
be,
is
neither are
we what we
"It
shall be.
The end
what we
ever, to
shall be." It
is
work upon
There
a
There
that
is
nothing accidental in
life.
Hand
is
and there
a purpose
running through
stances.
us,
all
This purpose
is
may not be
evident to
but there
pattern.
God
is
beautiful
and
**
who
by day He is clipping whatever environs The form away ; Which, under his skilful cutting,
And day
He means
shall be
[43]
With new surprise, That even his boundless patience Could grave his own Features upon such fractured And stubborn stone.
**'Tis the Master
Its edge
the chisel.
Nor
One
will he
let
many,
Or few, be
set
On forehead or cheek, where only He sees how all Is tending -and where the hardest
The blow should fall-,
of our mind,
we were never to lose this consciousness out it would help us to trust when
(
**]
dPodjs
we cannot
^lotD jWafeing
of
m
see,
see.
We
is
trusting that
God
us in love, even
when
we
believe that
God
is
gra-
and
is
loves us,
what he
all,
we could
words
find a
is
doing.
Job puts
Behold,
And
On He
I go forward, hut Tie is not there ; backward, hut I cannot perceive him
hand, when he doth work, hut I cannot
the left
behold
see
him
I cannot
him
the
But he knoweth
way
that
I take ;
When he
"
I shall
come
whose
life is
The great
[45
keep the heart gentle, loving, and sweet. We can do this only by resting confidently in God's
love,
without doubt or
fear,
however
terrible
may
be.
An
unripe apple
thei-efore
is
not
fit
to
it.
condemn
It
is
God
at
is
its
is
present stage. It
fitting
a phase of
its
career
child's
and
and good
in its place.
piano
playing
may be
teachers
complimented him on
of improvement.
We
finished
[46]
m
is it
is
No
artist will
us
to form opinions
We
that
God
is
doing
and with
us.
We
God
has not
made
us yet
he
still
Not
much
to
that
may
We continue
make innumerable mistakes and to stumble and fall continually. Somehow we seem never to get our lessons learned. We think we know them, that we have fully mastered them, but when we try to put them into word or act we fail. We think we have learned patience at last, but we have scarcely got into the thick of lifer's
events and experiences and begun to be tested
is
foolishly.
We
shall
]
think
we have
and that we
[47
confidence in any
little
this
us.
children
not
is
men. The
fruit is
ripe.
The
picture
only we
Husbandman it will some time grow to ripeness. The picture which seems only an outline
sketch at present, dimly revealing the features
all
who
see
it.
We should
in us of the
and diligent we shall some day reach the mark. Others have gone on the same slow, painful way, and at length have
are sincere, faithful,
realized all the beautiful visions of their hearts.
So
shall we, if
we keep our
faith
and
slack not
our hand.
[48]
(KoD'si
**
One held unwritten in his heart through years song for which his earthly lips were mute, Wherein loere blended prayer, and peace, and
tears,
Regret and hope which heaven shall bring to fruit ; A song unsung to mortal harp or lute. Yet in his life the rhythmic fall of days Love-tuned, the cadenced years of ministry, Wrought out before the Lord a chant of praise,
Which now his choirs are singing by Where many mansions &e.
that sea
For the same reason we should learn to wait for God until he makes known his purpose and
will.
Some of
his
us.
We
Nor can we
we
are pass-
possibly
come
to us out of the
Again we should remember that we may not judge of any work in its processes, but
should wait until we see
it finished.
Take the
ac-
count of the
him, under
*9
C^e pper
Currents!
and could
find
no
justification of the
good-
ness of
God
wrongs
power
for the
good of
his
for
God's righteousness.
Life
is
full
of similar experiences.
We
must
serial,
to learn
final
how
we form a
opinion upon
We
must wait
chapter of a
we say of the manner of its making that God is not good and kind. Knowing God as we do to be our
life is
written before
Father we
may
trust his
love
and wisdom,
though we can
in the
**
see
way he
/ will not doubt, though all my ships at sea Come drifting home, with broken masts and
sails
;
I will
believe the
Hand which
never fails,
[50]
(I5oti'si
^lotM ittaBlng of
From seeming
And
Still
evil woi'keth good for me ; though I weep because those sails are tattered, will I cry, while my best hopes lie shattered, / trust in thee.
*
' '
It
is
strong faith in
God
moment doubt
is
not a
world of chance
there
is
no chance anywhere.
This
is
restraint,
without
limit.
"My
The
us.
doing with
In
that he sends to us
joy
is
cess
and
failure,
hope and
fear, pleasure
us.
and
have
pain, loss
and gain, he
making
We
thought and
riences,
feeling,
and
and at length we
things well.
Maker
erred,
but that he
[51]
Cmnsifigtttatton
53
*'
We who are of the earth need not he earthy ; God made our nature like his own divine
Nothing hut
selfishness
can he nnworthy
to shine.
Of
his
The death of deaths it is ourselves to smother In our own pleasures, his dishonored gift
And
life
Our
54
CHAPTER FIFTH
Cranjsfigttration
RANSFIGURATION
does
It
read
night
one wonderful
transfigured.
tions too,
Paul says
But we are to have transfigurawe who belong to this earth. Saint to Christians, " Be ye transfigured."
Our
This
Nor
is it
tions, merely, in
some holy
service,
but in the
DiTimmond
said,
:
experiences.
Mr.
ingredients of a
gives
He
155]
Cl^e
apper Cwrentjs
world has known was
hammer
in
and a
tion
saw.
Thus the
possibility of transfiguraus.
is
Not
some
com-
in the plainest,
monest
lot.
Some people complain because they have so much to do, giving this as an excuse for not living beautifully. But there is no other way in
which a
life will
so surely,
as in the faithful,
tasks.
doing of everyday
Ordinary work
one
life is
sweeping and dusting, careful nursing, and the thousand things that
it
includes
it is
a sphere,
radiant beauty.
The
the
office,
making machines,
weaving
;
cloths,
they are
making men,
56
for building
Cranisfiguratton
of what some people
call life's
drudgery
is
the
is
it
runs deeper. It
cosmetics.
The
truth
is,
transfiguration
is
from
It
is
creates.
It
is
fresh,
and beautiful
transfigured face. It
One taught a
And
There
a beautiful soul makes a beautiful faee. a whole philosophy in the couplet and
is
With
young
Some one
ought to be
57
That
is,
forty years
ought to
any
face. It is
of a day or a week.
An
artist
may put a
shin-
little while,
but
So we
see
where we
not
we
heart.
One
Her face was pinched and pale and But splendor struck it from within.
thin^
That
is
the only
way
any face
from
within.
And
it
makes
little
difference
handsome or not, whether the cheeks are full and fair and blooming, or thin and pale and
[
58]
Ctansifiguratton
pinched
if
through from
within there
a transfiguration.
The problem
is
then
is
If the angel
by
How to
how
is
the question
how
to get in
mind and
life in
not easy to
live
a heavenly
onistic.
much
easier to
conform to the
of prayer, of holiis
an atmosphere that
uncon-
genial.
People sometimes grow weary in the stmggle and say, " It is no use. I cannot stem
my
Yet
this
is
just
in
what we must do
life.
if
we
would be victorious
The
secret of transfiguration
f
must always be
59
W)t
(Upper Currentjj
new
is
birth, being
born
A Christian, according
one
in
to the
lives.
New
Testament,
whom
Christ
if
Who lives
here
"
lives here.""
One
pict-
Christ outside a
saying, " Be:
we hear him
and knock
if
any
man
come
hear
in to
my
voice
I will
him, and
no mere fancy.
German
tale
describes a
by a
This
silver
illus-
is
let
into our
Transfiguration
is
something very
life,
real.
Sinful
summed up
is
in love.
If
we truly
is
love,
our
life
transfigured.
Love
bright and
[60]
Cmnsifigumtion
shining.
Love makes
:
all
"
woman
with a lovside
sm*e to look
of
life,
do
so.
all
the unluck.
bad
and
likes to point
them out to
servant, an
others.
week of rain or
fog,
an
have
soul.
The
love-light
is
she
who
its
con-
The
crosses t
is
arms
her and
comforted.
Old people
and
way of her
in the
crowded
streets.
Her
That
is
Saint PauFs
list
all
is
Love
61
1
is
the
first.
Joy
always bright. It
is
blue sky
with
stars.
list
Peace
is
wonderful
" long-
meek-
They
all
by the Spirit
is
in the
new
Christian
tian
life
This
shining
of God's
grace.
mark
and
all
day they
bear this
see
mark wherever they go. All who them know where they have been in the
Nearly
mark which
look
tells
some
faces
one
sees the
life
is
which
tells
unmistakably of a
of
animalism
to
easy
faces
know
at
show hardness,
and one
[62]
Cransifisuration
ness of the heart in resentment or misanthropy.
One's face
is
one
who worship
Each
at
Mammon
life's
devotion.
faces
carry
in
them the shining of peace which tells of the love of Christ in their heart. Wherever they
go they shed a
will of
quiet, holy
light,
which wit-
and
God. This
is
figuration. It
comes only
**
[63]
i^eepfng
^nt'^
JLtfe
in
ne
[65]
mind ;
In purer
lives
Drop thy
Till all
still
and
stress^
And
let
our ordered
lives confess
J.
G. Whittieb.
166]
CHAPTER SIXTH
Ifteepfng flDne'u life in
Cune
lANOS
tune.
have to be kept in
them up,
strument
played.
strings
Our
lives
have a great
many more
more
to
much
easily get
make
discords,
is
spoiled.
We
up to concert pitch. way in which a piano is put out of tune is One by use. The constant striking of the strings stretches them and they need to be keyed up
their strings always
Life's
common
It
is
experiences
effect.
said of Jesus
him"
as he
went about
healing those
who were
sick.
167
Ci^e sipper
mtmt&
life
foun-
We
tasks, temptations,
burdens, cares,
we are
ing.
tired,
makes
is
renewing
And
of. It
far
more dependent
much
easier to
and weary.
But the body is not all. We are made for communion with God. We need also to come into
his presence at the
spirit-
ually renewed.
The
woman
whose work
is
noon hour to call upon an older friend, saying, " I felt that if I could see you for five minutes,
to
get an
encouraging
word,
could
is
get
better.*"
What
true of
68
Zunt
are
human
fi-iend, is
true yet
more of God. If we
can get a
little
while with
is
him when we
be sweet again.
We
cannot afford to
live
a day
hearts.
One of the
helps us
is
principal ways in
which Sunday
by
up
We
with-
toil, bustle,
quiet,
The
effect, if
bilities
to start us
anew
tells
of visiting a painter.
and
for.
He
said
When
up again,
69
Now
every day
men need
No
nature
it
does
and
lofty life."
is
Another way
tune
is
in
which a piano
is
put out of
its strings
by
disuse. If it
kept closed
best
The
way
to take care
of the instrument
It
is
is
to keep
lives.
it in
constant use.
in tune
is
They keep
It
best
when they
a law
at
said
A great pianist
it
;
would know
if for
;
two days,
that
if
his friends
would be aware of
it
and
one
he
for
it.
Only
standard of
If
skill.
life in
170]
%mxt
make the
powers to
lie
unused.
We
sweetest music
when we are
An
idle
man
We
learn to love
more by
it will
loving.
ceavse
We
grow
more joyous by
rejoicing. If
we
to be kind
show
in the lower-
life
as others
know
us.
only a day we
fail
in
showing kindness,
its skill
and
prayer
**Iask,
life
map flow
Such gladsome music, soothing, sweety and clear From a fine-strung harp, to reach the weary ear Of struggling men. To hid them pause awhile and listen ; then
With spirit calmer, stronger than before. Take up their work once tnore. I only pray that, through the common days
Of this,
my
life,
unceasingly
may
steal
pain,
To
lift the
[71
harmonies divine
!
may
Thus would I live ; and when all working days Are o'er for me, May the rich music of my life ring on
Eternally!''
One who
strives to
may be
Love
the
lesson of loving.
A piano
skilful
musician
it
may spend
hours
in playing
upon
Many
lives
that they
out sweetness.
The consequence
of sin
is
not
every
him
in the life of
who commits
conscience or
i-esist
[72
Cune
so high again. If
life
in
make sweet music every day and wherever we go, we must avoid doing things that are wrong and do always the things
tune, so that
it
will
We
which
believe
upon our
lives.
We
in.
readily
evil are
the same.
A
of
stain.
moment
soul.
grudge
texture. Jeal-
all
and nothing
ever so beauti-
ful as before.
We do
[73]
feeling, a
which
is
love of God.
They put
tune our
all their
instruments.
The standard
for
lives is
God
Our
lives will
make music
only when
Then he
Father never
left
him
alone.
disharmony between
and the
Father"'s.
Our lives are in tune just in so far as they are in harmony with God's will. Jesus said that if we keep his commandments we shall abide in
his love,
shall
be nothours.
ing discordant
life
and
" Nearer,
lifting of
my God, to
our
thee,"
spirits into
God
shall
that the
[74
Cune
;
to he
to he to to
tender
just
to
he true
glad the whole day through ; he merciful ; just to he mild ; he trustful as a child ;
Just
to he gentle, to be
to he
sweet
Just
Just
cheery
Just
Just Just
to
drive sadness
is
loyal to
Just
to let love he
This is
our daily key God's will for you and for me.**
of our
own
lives into
problem of
all spiritual
The
is
object of
all
ence
feelings,
The
I7l
At
first
but
in a little
time they
all
come
into
perfect harmony.
Then
Each
it
human
is
life is
a whole orchestra in
But
it
can begin
all
to
its
many
chords must
is
the work of
achieved
life
only by the
is
to
God. This
the
sets itself to
do
in us.
we would have
we must
God
own
in
that he
Spirit
may bring
this world.
[T6]
10tttt(n8
atoat ]&(n80
pm
[77]
is o'er
before
;
And
do not fret
The past
is o'er.
That day
is
The past
For
thee still
[78]
CHAPTER SEVENTH
NE of the most
lems of
life
seriou prob-
is
the
laying
hard for us to
let
go
interests
and
affairs for
for a time,
but
now
another's,
not ours.
We are
tasks even
when they
are ours no
life
They seem
to be part of our
which
to others, finds
upon
The mother
in
she
is
rightly hers
and
[79]
Cl^e
freely accorded,
apper
is
Cxirrentis
to authority, which
almost impossible
hard to give up a
whom
when by some providence the friend is taken away from one's companionship. Perhaps it is
by death. The relation was one of sacred
ness.
close-
The
life,
one with us
companion of our
for support, to
We
him
look to
him
for guidance
and wisdom.
We
did
He
and
He had
affection.
Then death
have for us
takes
him from
us. It is
easy to
our sorrow.
We
may
also accept
these comforts
and
let their
may
be no rebellion, no in-
We
may
look for-
ward to the
union.
after-life
it
Yet
80
life,
or to go on without him.
;
how can
every--
out, for
Yet that is the problem we must work we cannot bring him back again. We must go on with our work and must do it well. We must learn, therefore, to do without the
?
us.
will
help to
faith
make
this
a simple
in
Christ's
teachings
believe that he
us
is
life in
happy and
blessed,
and
actively
engaged
in his
Redeemer's service,
it will
him with us, cheering our earthly life as before, we have not really lost him. He is with us in all precious memories. The influence of his
[81
We are
and of
his
our work,
faith as this,
our
life
We have Christ
a
and
in Christ
we have our
is full
friend, too, in
companionship that
holy inspiration.
in getting
on without our
so
work on earth
finished, ours
not,
and we
may not
manding
the
field.
leading his
in
an assault, on
son, lying
way
His
command. The issue of the depended upon him. So, falling upon the
kiss
on the
dead
lips,
his
men,
We
may
[82]
lose.
When we come
to
in
life''s
work unfinished.
Besides, in no other
comfoi*t
come
in duties
and tasks
for
This
is
way
idle.
The
last
to be
itself,
Then the
grief feeds
upon the
life
and
it out.
But when
in our sorrow
self to ministries
of love for
and thus
we
who has
There
of our
ably.
is
may go out
life
letter received
woman
tells
[83]
Ci^e
appet Cuwent^
now come to an end through the faithlessness who had long professed sincere friendship, but who at last has proved unworthy. There had been years of confidence, when no
of one
and
At
length,
it
at once to her,
Her
life.
friend
her
There
and
He
was
in all
her pleas-
Now
is
the idol
lies
no hope that
place. It
is
its
old
must
live
hence-
this
184]
may
place in her
By
his
own
now
fill
It will be
all
that has
nothing
else to
be done.
Sometimes
appointment
life,
mar
it is
its
But
He wants When we
it
He knows how
own
hard
such an experience
is,
He
This
is
a harder experience
than
all
un-
broken, for
**
But not
[
divide.
'
85]
memory has
last,
and
still
real
and
final.
Yet
there
name. Always
find solace
it is
true
satis-
life
may
and
so surely
These are
is
illustrations of a
very important
off
We
influences
as to unfit us
You
forget
them
as soon as
you
r
can.
To-morrow
1
is
a new
86
day
begin
it
well
and serenely
high a
spirit to
that
is
fair.
its
to waste a
moment on
the yesterdays.''
187]
[89]
It
matters
little
the pace
we
take,
hour
is
gone
Or if, with the dancing feet of the child^ Or the halting step of age^ We keep the goal in the eye of the soul^
Through
the years of
our pilgrimage.
E. Sangsteb.
Margaret
90
CHAPTER EIGHTH
Cl^e Kipenfng of t)atactn
HARACTER
It
is
is
a growth.
it
like fruit
requires
time
kinds
to
ripen.
fruits
Different
of
come
the
in
to
sea-
ripeness
at
different
in
sons
some
early
summer, some
autumn.
It
is
later,
the
so with
they
who
in the
autumn of
old age
come
All
life is
a season of character-gi'owing.
We
much for what we may do here, for the things we may make, as that we ourselves may grow into the beauty
of God's thought for
us.
In the midst of
all
all
our doing of
and
J
desires, all
our ex-
[91
a work going
on in us which
is
is
his
is
he
high in his
careless,
Or, if he
is
indifferent
and
edge, with
many
links
missing
that his
education
is
of
little practical
use to him.
in
But him
the
The mind grows by exercise, just as body does. Each lesson learned adds its
fact
is,
new
there
but
an
effect
mind
itself
by the
effort to learn. It
grows by
exercise.
Then
sion
there
is
also a subjective
moral impresis
per-
formed. If one
truly doing
faithful
and conscientious,
endeavor leaves a
[92]
in the
life.
But
if
one
is
unis
self,
there
a weakening of the
The same
is
as true of all
life's
callings as of
soil,
schoolwork.
The farmer
but
is
cultivating his
of his occupation
doing.
this
is
not
is
all
that he
is
At
making charfabric of
acter of
his
working in
wood, but he
life.
also
is
working on
life
his
own
The mason
in the wall,
them
but he
himself
ings
is
building in himself.
Men
in all call-
We
are in
selves,
mark,
when
the work
193]
Ci^e
But there
is
apper Currentjs
growth of character which
life's
also a
variety of climatic
delicious apple, a
produce a
luscious grapes.
Winter does
part as well as
spring,
fruit to
ripeness.
In like manner
their place in
all life's
our character.
the making and the culture of All sunshine would not make
all
good
fruit,
nor would
We
cold,
We
fore,
it
whatever experiences
may
us.
experiences
spirits.
Temp-
[94
W^t
tations
ISipcning of Cl^aracter
their fierce assaults,
may make
may cause
by them, need not carry away from them any stain. Earthly want may leave its marks of
emaciation
life
We
beauty
may
but
it
need
life itself.
and disfiguring
tinue to
illness,
the inner
life
may
St.
con-
grow
in strength
and beauty.
Paul
man
is
decaying, yet
day.""
newed day by
That
if
we
are living as
we may
our real
life
will only
as
the external
feeble.
" And what of the hours when, hand and foot, We are bound and laid aside, With the fevered vein and the throbbing pain,
And
the
world at
its
f
low ebb-tide
1
95
Ci^e aipper
And what
When
all that
ixnmt^
see
and watching and almost spenU Comes peace from the Lord's own hand, In his blessed will, if we rest content. Though we cannot understand ;
Then, waiting
may
cope
Yet too often this possibility is not realized. Not all Christian people bear loss, sorrow, and sickness in this victorious way. Too often do we see men yielding to trouble, not growing more
beautiful
in
soul,
beauty in
life's
trials.
it
Our
may
be.
to learn to live.
We
and
shall always
a pity
if
we do not
learn our
[96]
It is
a pity
if
we gi-ow no
no
gentler,
no
kindlier,
selfish,
no sweeter
less
worldly,
if
fruits
There are
lives
in love's tenderness
There
who come out of every new experience of suffering or pain with a new blessing in
are those
their lives, cleansed
of some
earthliness,
is
and
made a
of
little
more
like
God.
It
God's design
outcome
should be a
and mellower
after every
experience of trouble
and we
so.
fail
and disap-
point
God when
it is
not
all
that
is
[97]
]^e
trees in the
fruit
apper Currentjs
full
of ripe
live
to
who
Rich in experience that angels might covet Rich in a faith that has grown with the years. "
We
own
is
God
it,
it
is
ours to receive
and we may
reject
it.
It
lives
grow
in
Christlikeness.
brings
that
is
make more
is
and
more
If
truly in Christ.
we
rain, the
The
upon
98]
life.
English
oculist, that
He
was
made
him
less
up riding
his
bicycle, because
in
like
manner
less
and character
injuriously, hinder
make one
life
and character of
others.
We
and very
Anything that unfits us for doing our work in the best way possible we should strictly and conscientiously avoid. If
heroically.
amusement
dissipates spirituit.
we would
We
[99]
O'!
9689B
W^t
appet; CutrentjS
best,
ready for
may be
that our
required of
life
We
should see to
it
always
whatever unfavorably
spirit,
avoided.
We
live
but one
life,
this world.
shall
We
We should
strive to
evil influence.
We
we
blessing,
life
something
sweeten another
or start a
new
memory when we
So,
old
tree.
And subtle
There
100
(101
*'
the
year hefort
Pray a
Cling a
Htile oftener
little
love
little
more
closer to the
Father
s love ;
Thus
life
grow
to life above.**
102
CHAPTER NINTH
^tepjS on
tl^e
^taiv
HE
We
should always be
going upward.
high
Heaven
of
is
place
perfect
When
it
we begin
to live truly
it.
But we are
sure that we can. We are not left to struggle up unhelped. There always are angels on the ladder, going up and coming down going up
on our behalf, to
struggles,
tell
We
that heaven
is
and
God we
is
shall
some
day enter
its
doors
is
if
not easy. It
a mountain
moun-
103
Ci^e appct;
tain.
mvmt&
very high.
This mountain
is
No
matter
how
we have gone, heaven still keeps far above The saintliest people we know tell us that
still
press-
does suggest
living
is
True
always progressive.
able,
The
their mileposts
if
it
would be a pity
to
gain,
some advance.
not enough
grow which
is
register the
Getting older
Moving onward
is
upward. Nor
work
in a
there
1
are those
who
thing that
lasts.
Nor
r
is
104
^tep^ on
ing.
tlje
^taiv
is
really
grow-
Men
true
manhood
away
The
its
itself,
not in
its accessories.
What
man
in
is
is
the test of
has.
mental qualities
and
resources.
Not
new
in a year, not to be
any
wiser,
not to be
must be a gi'owth
Time
and
its
experiences should
selfish,
make
us
gentler,
kindlier, less
considerate
of others, with
and larger
life
In the
full
The
peace of
God must
rule in it
less
deeply. Self
must have
and
place and
power
and Christ
lessons
must
105]
disappoint-
all
how-
circumstances.
He
writer
life-long disease
others,
discouragement, no
though
for per-
upon a
sick bed.
He
much
had
(106]
^tepg on
tl^e
^taft
If I have faltered more or less In my great task of happiness ; If I have moved among my race And shown no glorious morning face; If beams from happy human eyes Have moved me not ; if morning skieSy Books, and my food, and summer raiUj Knocked on my sullen heart in vain
broad awake.
the year of our
We
Lord."''
There
is
this designation.
ours.
The
He
gives
them
pages we
may
richer
something of which we
shall not
be
them
also
beautiful things.
rich in
ministries of good.
*
Count that day poorly spent wherein You were not all you might have been,**
I
107
The sun
rises
no
earlier,
no
later,
The sky is no bluer, and the air is no purer. The birds sing no more sweetly, and the flowers
are no lovelier. Tasks are no easier, burdens
are no lighter,
Yet
there
is
dif-
ferent from
other days. It
is
a milestone
life,
it
without
moment for a look backward and then forward. The event is brightened also by
the
tokens
it
good days
on
to
and
affection
from
their friends
their birthdays.
are
made
stand out
among
affection,
[
by
]
letters filled
with
108
^tepjs on
good
tl^e
^tair
also
wishes. It should be
marked
among
some
new beginning,
fault,
from heaven.
No to-morrow
should
no
fuller
should mark
a special
advance.
We
should
gone. Contentment
is
Christian
grace,
but
contentment
does not
mean
satisfaction.
is
We
all
restlessness
a mark of weakness
but we
can
Christ's peace,
the
while
achievements.
We
away of whatever
of use in
our
life,
and
especially
of what-
we should leave behind. When we become men we should put away childish
some men never
[
things, but
do.
They always
109
very beautiful
as the very
it
is
ideal
of Christian
is
and
character;
but
childishness
should be
left
in their time,
necessity.
all
A birthday
these worn-
We should move
out of
for
in
fit
it.
fresh hold of
The tendency
is
is
to live in
routine,
and routine
and enthusiasm.
ideals
We
easily lose
sight of our
into
and
drift imperceptibly
common-
place living.
We
One of the
perils
of comfortable living
is
We
110]
^tcpjs on
tt)t
^taiv
way The
is
really
worthy
of
toil
and
struggle.
Not heaven
alone, but
battlefields of
life.
Yet
of
life
any
one.
what
it costs.
We
We
We
learn our
The
little
money we
reward
the best
is
what the
does in us in
new
conquest.
life's
gains,
we should
be ready to pay
it in full.
We need
not trouble
it is in-
growing
111
distinguished
son, I should
possible.*"
make himself That should ever be our aim, and on new birthday this vision of worthy life each
should be set freshly before
us.
man said, " If I had a tell him many times a day to as big a man on the inside as
This
ideal
in
concerns
two
things
our
own
One
growth
true,
of others.
writes, "
To
light, because in
*
the world''
higher
to be growing in grace.
What
"2]
^tcp^ on
our own
?
tl^t
^taiv
it
Whether we do
'
by sermon or
by
light as
air,"
matters
not at
all so
long as
lis
(Betting "^tlp
from i^eople
"5
Stich
heat-t
Fd
hear in
my
hosom
street,
My face
On
And
my forehead
si and,
I should carry
And
stablish the
Julia
Ward Howb.
n6]
CHAPTER TENTH
dDiettins
f elp
E
ftom ptoplt
tian
hves
thi-ough
many
perof,
channels.
But
more,
does
God
us.
use other
human
and helping
tian
is
sent
among men
to be an interpreter of
Christ.
No
glory,
love him,
whom
bearer
interpreters.
Every
faithful
of the
Master
gi-eat
is
the
of blessings
life
from the
love.
fountain
of infinite
and
In
and
grace.
One
writes, in recognition of
new
blessing
God
loved
has sent,
God never
'Tis he alone
117
love
thee to me,
friendships if
we thought of them
in this
way
that in them
God
is
mercifully sending us
new
we always had
this lofty
it
we touch the
lives
The
tions
Christian thought of
is
life
We
influ-
No
would make
it
harder to
do wrong.
On
who
some
fresh
inspiration
toward
nobleness,
118]
(Ketting
to
live nobly,
f elp
from ^Beople
life.
some quickening of
Very
May
Be
mine
therefrom
it
get
some
goody
Some
little
One ifispiratum yet unfelt, one bit of courage For the darkening sky, one gleam of faith To brave the thickening ills of life, One glim,pse of brighter skies beyond the gathering
mist,
To make this life more worth while, And heaven a surer heritage.
Wherever love
This
is,
love that
is
is
kindled at the
may not be
in
the
conception.
possible that
When we
we have
us,
shall be friends to
ness,
is
it
has
its
source
the love of
God
eth not
its
is
119]
ministering.
If this divine affection be in us
we
shall desire
we meet, to im-
If this
meaning of
it
make
There are
many ways
There
is
in
help in fellowship.
When
two walk
One log
laid together
cannot reach
its
had a reason
for sending
many
ways.
ing indifferent
love.
Then the
of one
(Kettfng i^elp
of the other.
ftom ptOT^lt
and fervency kindles
Example
We
living sweetly,
beautifully,
victoriously,
and
There
is
an influence of
life
upon
life
which
is
Beside
with the clay did Mend. Thus into darkened lives we may Plant love, and hope's effulgent ray.'*'*
Its fragrance
There
sults
is
re-
with
life.
Students
their
often get
is
121
are
means of grace to
us. It
used
friends,
and
But
this
was a mistaken
thought of
We
gi-ow best
among
people.
Even the
There are
which bruise
us.
making men of
in
lessons
we never could up
learn save in
fellow-
human
We
not
calls
associations.
We
if
should
never
grow to be
thoughtful,
Some of
We
Someto
practice self-denial,
dEfcttfng i^elp
from people
endure much suffering.
they
life
make great
But
are
it
is
sacrifices, to
grow.
The
lives
and
tunity to be ministered to
by
others.
no one helps
They
are
but
own grief no one ministers consolation to them. They share their bread with the hungry, but when they are hungry no man gives unto them. Yet these find their help in the very
serving to which they devote their lives.
In
feeding
fed.
In comforting
In blessing others
no others
come to
service.
serve
them
they
[
12S
A poor man saved hy thee shall make thee rich, A sick man helped by thee shall make thee strong.
Thou Shalt thyself be served by every Of service thou hast rendered.""
lease
its
is
im-
one of
The
Much
The
experi-
new
is
in trouble is
may
and
way of
that
is
inspiration
in us.
The church
it
its
when
all
it sets
them and
should
We
welcome
is
fitly
make
his
own
124
(Betting i^clp
from people
is
less
from
me
to
touch
me with
to
;
from
me
for
my own
sake
much
me by making me strong before sorrow comes to help me so to live that, while I part with many things by the way, I lose nothing of the
gift of life."
125
((
pa^^ atoat"
1S7
This I say^
Be
comforted.
Art thou
Temper thy joy. This^ too, shall pass away. Art thou in danger ? Still let reason sway., And cling to hope. This, too, shall pass away. Paul Hamilton Hayne.
128
CHAPTER ELEVENTH
'*mi%
^\oav"
experiences
E meet
in
life's
wisely only
when we keep
they
mind
their transientness
Whatever
painful
will
may
away.
be,
or
pleasant,
they
soon
pass
We
We
should
for it
not be too
will
much
elated
by prosperity,
not
last always.
A
in
Christian
woman who
is
constantly engaged
some form of
way
They
on
train
first
gi-eatly
train.
The
129]
" Oh,
this
will
The good
but to
all
woman
tried to
it
fortunate
She persisted
in refusing to
The woman then told her friend the story of a minister who had over his study door the sentence, " This, too, shall pass away.""
When
he
had a
caller
time
re-
away.*"
The
caller
would not
stay always.
When
way to
130
"%W
too,
^^ail
^ajsjs aijjat"
When
something
by
sweetness of
There
which
It
is
is
in
the
little
lesson taught
by
this
life
good woman a
it
secret of quiet
and tranquil
would be well
experiences
make
when we awake
to-morrow they
There
who sought
life
which
all
counsellors.
This story
many a
trials
and severe
struggles.
The more we
widely does
it
turb
us.
We have
*'
For his anger is hut for a moment ; His favor is for a life-time: Weeping may tarry for the nighty But joy cometh in the morfiing,"
;
The
the sun
painful, but
it,
too, soon
passes.
Most of our
They make
slept
first bitter-
when we have
we wake up to
find
132
"m)i&t
love
too,
^^atu
pajsjs
atoat"
come with
but for a
moment,
Thou Shalt forget thy misery. Thou Shalt remember it as waters that are passed away, And thy life shall he clearer than the noonday Though there be darkness, it shall be as the morn'
ing.
in
most
with
many more
joy-days.
Then most of
every
would remember
wouLl be
endure
to end
the hardness.
days,
is
in the
new
every morning.
King Hassam, well beloved, was wont to say. When aught went wrong, or any labor failed, ** To-morrow, friends, will be another day / " And in that faith he slept, and so prevailed,
[
133
Wit
Long
live his
(Upptv
!
untnt$
roll
proverb
from
And
No
I say,
is
conquered
till
he yields ;
And
from
glass,
God wipes
From
every
morning
hope,
New
With
day,
new
Forget
then
here
way I
is
Much
by
caused
our idiosyncrasies.
respect.
They are not always gentle with us. They imtate us by ways that are distasteful to us. Some of us find it a most serious matter
to get along with people. It would help us,
however, in
loving, if
we would always
[
134
''ZW
atwar"
good nature to
pass away.
Duty
is
is
ofttimes hard.
It seems to us that it
In every
earnest
and
when
greatly increased.
it
so
it.
heavy that
seems to
is
cannot bear
wondrous inspiration
we
pressure.
We
while
Anybody can carry a heavy load for a Anybody can go on, however hard the way, for an hour. When we know that soon
our tasks shall be lightened and our duty be
no
longer
too
gi-eat
little
for
our
strength,
still
we
way we
have to
The
save
all
earthly
human
joys and
them. This
true of pure
[
human
affections.
135
But we
are
a sense in which
We
side.
There
lift
is
a way,
however, in which we
may
these
human
world
where there
ers fade,
is
no
change,
where
no flow-
But
in
human and
" Do rays of
laurel-led glory
f
round
thee
play
But the
that
all
lesson
may
The message
not a gospel. It
It
when
earth'^s
Yes,
IS6]
**C^()S, too,
" Swift
^^all
i^ajsjs
little
atoat"
day :
out life's
Earth's Joys grow dim, its glories pass away ; Change and decay in all around I see ;
thou,
who changest
not, abide
with me."
If
God
eternal,
their
home
have an imperishable
hope.
When
all
made with hands, which shall abide forever. If we are wise we will not be content with the
things that are seen, which are transient, but
will live for the things
are eternal.
"
What
country
is
?
*"
high mountains
its
my
child.
You
mother
in this
room," the
mother
me
to
high for
?
me
to climb.
Who
will carry
me
over
"
[137]
silence
on the mother's
In a
his white,
the Strong
Man
me
over.'*''
And
1S8
Cl^oosifns to
tio
i^arD Ci^tngis
139]
and hand
than
lie
The roaring
tide of
its
life^
Unmindful, on
flowing strand^
Of God's
air,
forego
Godlike
aim
to
know.
Whittikb.
140
CHAPTER TWELFTH
d^oositng to no i^arD Cl^tngss
They want to get along as They have ambition of a cerambition to have the victory
it is
They would
like to
be learned
study
and
wise,
toil in
as they
must do
get
it
heritance, or to have
and saving as
They have a
respect
certain longing to
be
command
spirit of self-denial
They want
to be
C^oosjing to
which
alone
vii*tue
tio
f at;D
C^ingjs
piety
will
yield vigorous
and
manly
qualities of true
will yield
Christlikeness.
No
In
all
departments of
life this
is
working
There
is
much of
it
in school or college.
Then it
abounds
in the trades
and
professions.
A success-
ful business
man says that the chi-ef reason why so many young men never get advancement nor
make anything worth while of their lives is the want of thoroughness. They do only what is
easy,
is
themselves
easiest places,
and no position
filled.
Indoca-
lives.
The
pacities in
them are never developed for want of energy. They do not rise because they have not the courage and persistence to cUmb.
I
143
Ci^e
apper currents!
mark of a noble nature is its desire to do hard things. Easy things do not satisfy it. It is happiest when it is 'wrestling with some task
which requires
are fortunate
it
to do
its best.
Young
people
when they
it
are
required to do
things which
It
is
their best.
One
is
usually
thought
to
be particularly
" Until
favored
who
enduring of hardships
was
life,
kind."''
It
had been
so easy, so free
from anxiety
the
or burden.
But
those
who knew
woman much in
her
life
Her indulged
endure,
hard.
Even
in
her mature
144
CHAPTER ELEVENTH
'*mii&, too, ^i^all
i^aiSfj
atoat"
experiences
E meet
in
life's
wisely only
when we keep
they
mind
their transientness
Whatever
painful
will
may
away.
be,
or
pleasant,
they
soon
pass
We
We
should
for it
not be too
will
much
elated
by prosperity,
A
in
Christian
woman who
is
constantly engaged
telling of the
way
They
on
train
first
gi*eatly
train.
The
129
will
woman
tried to
it
fortunate
late,
away."
She persisted
in refusing to
The woman then told her friend the story of a minister who had over his study door the sentence, " This, too, shall pass away.**'
When
he
had a
caller
was occupying, he consoled himself and restrained his impatience by the reflection, " This,
too, shall
pass away."
The
caller
would not
stay always.
When
way
to
130]
When
something
sweetness of
There
which
is
in
the
little
lesson taught
by
this
life
good woman a
it
secret of quiet
and tranquil
a pleasant
would be well
mere fancy,
It is not a
either,
experiences
make
to-morrow they
There
is
which
all
counsellors.
in
which were
[131
Cl^e
away.*"
his Hfe
apper CurtentjS
forgot the lesson, and
it.
This story
many a
trials
and severe
The more we
widely does
it
turb
us.
We
have
is hut for a moment; His favor is for a life-time Weeping may tarry for the nighty But joy Cometh in the morning.
'''*
joy
lasts forever.
;
The
the sun
Sicknesn
is
painful,
but
it,
too, soon
passes.
Most of our
They make
first bitter-
we wake up to
find
132
".W
love
too, ^i^all
pa&0 atwat"
come with
but for a
moment,
in contrast
Thou Shalt forget thy misery. Thou Shalt remember it as waters that are passed away, And thy life shall be clearer than the noonday Though thei-e be darkness, it shall be as the morning.
in
most
many more
joy-days.
would remember
would be
endure
to end
the hardness.
days, that
is
in the
new
every morning.
King Hassam, well beloved, was wont to say. When aught went wrong, or any labor failed, ** To-morrow, friends, will be another day ! " And in that faith he slept, and so prevailed,
I
133
Cl^e CXpptt
Long
untnt&
live his proverb ! While the world shall roll To-morrow' s fresh shall rise from out the night.
And
From
every
morning
hope,
New
O
With
day,
new
What's yesterday,
to thee %
Forget
here
way !
is
Much
by
caused
They
They do not
They
They
to us.
irritate
Some of
however, in
loving, if
we would always
[
134
*'.W
too, ^tiall
^a&0
Sltoar"
good nature to
pass away.
Duty
is
is
ofttimes hard.
It seems to us that it
In every
when
greatly increased.
it
so
it.
heavy that
seems to
is
we cannot bear
wondrous inspiration
we
pressure.
We
while
Anybody can caiTy a heavy load for a mile. Anybody can go on, however hard the way, for an hour. When we know that soon
our tasks shall be lightened and our duty be
no
longer
too
great
little
for
our strength, we
still
way we
have to
The
save
all
earthly
human
joys and
them. This
true of pure
t
human
affections.
135
a sense in which
We
side.
There
lift
is
a way,
however, in which we
may
these
human
where there
ers fade,
is
no change, where
no
flow-
But
in
human and
Do rays of laurel-led glory round thee play ? Kinglike art thou f This, too, shall pass away. "
lesson
But the
that
all
may
The message
not a gospel. It
It
when
earth's
Yes,
1186]
^ajsjs
little
atoa^"
day :
out life's
its glories
pass away ;
all
who changest
not, abide
If
God
hope.
eternal,
their
home
have an imperishable
When
all
made with hands, which shall abide forever. If we are wise we will not be content with the
things that are seen, which are transient, but
will live for the things
are eternal.
"
What
country
is
high mountains ? " asked a dying child of its mother. " There are no mountains, my child.
You
mother
me
to
come
to them.
us,
But there
"
between
me
to climb.
Who
will carry
me
[137]
]^e capper
There could be only
lips.
unmt$
on the mother's
silence
In a
little while,
his white,
the Strong
Man
me
over.'"
And
138
[139]
and hand
than
lie
The roaring
tide of
its
life^
Unmindful, on
flowing strand^
Of God's
air^
forego
to
Godlike aim
know.
Whittier.
140
CHAPTER TWELFTH
C^oojsing to Do f^atH Cl^tngjs
HE
man
life.
who
seeks
easy
of his
of hard
achieve
while.
work
an
never
anything
In
art
worth
gallery,
young
artist said to
Ruskin,
canvas
!
**
Ah
dream on
the
" "
Dream on canvas
" It
will
" growled
stern old
critic.
dream
there."
want
of energy to
of Joseph
at Vienna,
II,
is
make them
realities.
On
the
tomb
prepared by
lies
himself.
" Here
intentions, never
141
They want to get along as They have ambition of a cerambition to have the victory
get the gold without
like to
it is
They would
be learned
study
and
if
wise,
toil in
as they must do
com-
hope to
in-
get
it
heritance, or to have
They have a
respect
certain longing to
be
command
spirit of self-denial
They want
to be
Ci^oojSing to Do J^atD
which
alone
will
C^ing^
piety
yield vigorous
and
qualities of true
will yield
No
In
all
departments of
life this
is
indolent, easyits
working
mischief.
There
is
much of
it in
school or college.
professions.
Then it
success-
abounds
in the trades
and
ful business
man says that the chi<ef reason why so many young men never get advancement nor
while of their lives
is
the
is is
themselves
easiest places,
and no position
filled.
Indoca-
lives.
The
pacities in
them
want
of energy.
They do not
1*3
to do
its best.
Young
people
when they
it
are
required to do
things which
It
is
their best.
One
is
usually
thought
to
be particularly
favored
who
was
life,
kind.*" It
had been
so easy, so free
from anxiety
the
who knew
woman much in
her
life
Her indulged
endure,
hard.
Even
in
her mature
womanhood
144
not so
dis-
but
it is
better, if
be trained to
self-restraint,
and taught to
get the
submit their
wills to God's.
Of
coui'se,
not always
do
persons
lessons
good
learners in
life's
school.
in disappointment
and
lose the
But
it
in all that
is
hard there
is
the possibility
is
to find
in
all
struggle,
care,
and endurance to
Out of all stress and strife, Out of all disappointments, pain. What deathless profit shall 1 gain If sorrow cometh, shall it slay f Or shall I bear a song away f
Shall
When wave and tide against me lift, I still cleave my course, or drift
145
Cl^e
Oppet Currentsf
what fate may give ; thine to nobly live.''
rush
in
It matters not
The
It
is
best is
perilous presumption to
into
it,
the
battle
is
when
it lies
in the
way of our
duty. It
is
When God
if
leads us he
means
in
to help us.
No
we do our best
When we
face a
new condition
is,
which
it
strength nor
" Is
it
our duty
no doubt as to what
we have any fear of failure. Hard things become easy when we meet them with faith and courage. we should
do, nor need
the hard
The
in
no great
effort,
it is
the course,
trial.
after a half-hearted
to begin in school
146
Cl^oojSins to
work
easily finds its
tio
f arti
no
C^ingJJ
life.
way
The
he
When
the
game
it it is
requires
special exertion,
goes through
in a creditable
enough way.
But when
drops out.
He
lets
the persistence to
girl
make an
intense effort.
The
who
who
leaves
The home
whatever
sult
is
is
hard pervades
all
the
life.
The
re-
is
ever ac-
rises to
any-
many ways
These
difficult
things are
energy. If
out our strength and develop our we never had any but easy things to
I
147
we should never
is
and weakly say we are not make it, we have lost our chance of acquiring a new measure of power.
able to
We
thing of great value to others without cost. quaint old proverb says, " One cannot have
eggs."*'
If
we would do
will
be a
it
we must put
into
not
merely easy
efforts,
nothing,
we must put
There
is
into
it
thought, time,
ing
toil.
The
secret of his
But
an old
wound was
118
Ci^Doismg to Do
pictures.
l^arti Ci^ingss
that no great
The legend
teaches
much
149
dBiibfns
^^at Wt
faije
151
*'
As
widow
offered
And
any man
we can."
For
the
acme of
all greatness
Is to do the best
152
CHAPTER THIRTEENTH
mum ^W ^t fate
HERE
wrap
in the
who
while.
They
feel
that they
could not do
their ability
much
because
is
so small,
and
They
suppose that they are practising the muchpraised virtue of humility, while really they
are evading duty
and
responsibility,
and thus
his abili-
The
ties,
truth
is,
need
live uselessly.
God
bestows no talents
Of
course
money
aid to others
who
One who
are weak.
lacks
who
We
must
153]
we can
teach.
We
must under-
make
way
learned to sympathize,
to those
who
are
in sorrow.
We
God
own
if
we have not
hearts.
The
teacher cannot
life
scholars
than he knows
lead his people
own
feet
have gone.
We
giv-
no use
in
my
have so
little. It
good."
of
for
We have nothing to do with the matter larger or smaller. We are responsible only
what we have.
little
If it
is
but one
shall
little talent,
one
for.
talent
is all
we
have to answer
But we must answer for that, and if we fail to use it, we shall not only lose it in the end,
but also shall incur the penalty of uselessness.
[
154
dPitJing
WW Wt f
is
abe
possibilities
of
Many
of those
who have
little
most richly
had but
at
could, however,
and
as they lived
What we
give.
We
It
is
not
God
gives
selfish use.
Always we are
others.
receive.
his stewards,
we may be a
This
is
we
if
is
It ceases to
be a good thing to us
we
true
of our
common,
earthly blessings.
The
for
we have at the
call
of
God
is
human
need.
The
love of
[
God, which
given
15.5 ]
lov-
ing like
God and
The
we
we are
forgiven.
We
when we
we
all
God. Of
God
is
gra-
upon
us,
not one
for our-
alone.
What we
shall lose
it.
otherwise
we
We
them
But we do not know what hunger thepe may be in their hearts, what hidden
so.
griefs
no word. At
least,
we should be open-hearted
I
156]
and open-handed
in
all
men,
knowing what
their
need
may be
this
very
moment.
^^
They might not need me Yet they might / ril let my heart he
Just in sight
*
*
A smile so small
As
m,ine,
might
'
he
Precisely their
Necessity.
We
what we have,
stand in the
When we
we cannot possibly meet, we need not vex ourselves because we cannot help. The thing we really cannot do is
presence of a want which
other^'s.
We
must not
it.
is
may
be that we
among our
hunger or
I
157
of
us.
At
man
unhelped.
What he gave,
beggar than
too,
was
for.
The amount
is is
of
money we have
all
for
Money
who
great
those
receive
it.
It
makes them
is
less
royal
and noble
in living.
There
great
harm done
fosters
by indiscriminate
charity,
which
not
manly
wisely
self-reliance,
spirit of
dependence.
for
We
when we do
man
to live a
158
tiSiljing
cancy.
^l^at
Wt
fate
He gave him a blessing, however, which made mendicancy no longer a necessity, since the man could now take his place among men
and provide
ministering
for himself.
is
not by
merely
infirmities
and
them courage
We
may
we get a
discouraged
set
man
caiTy his
far his
we had fought
and carried
his
We
to give. It
may
but
the
is
man who
gives a
word of encouragement to
life
is
a perpetual
Wherever he goes
flowers
grow
in
He does
men
not do anything
is
mentioned
in
159]
Ci^e
apper Currentss
little
braver, stronger,
;
and happier, and that is worth while that angel work. Helen Hunt Jackson wrote
If I can live To make some pale face hrighter, and to give A second lustre to some tear-dimmed eye. Or e'en impart One throh of comfort to an aching heart Or cheer some wayworn soul in passing by ;
If I can lend
strong hand to the fallen, or defend The right against a single envious strain. My life, though hare, Perhaps, of much that seemeth dear and fair To us on earth, will not have been in vain.
TJie
is
purest joy,
Most near to heaven, far from earth's alloy. Is bidding clouds give way to sun and shine,
And
'twill be well
If on that day of days the angels tell Of me: " She did her best for one of thine. "
Henry Drummond
what
says that
we do not know
motion when
we simply
The people
160
abilities
have yet
something to give
they have and
let
it will
in
woi^s
weakness.
We
;
need not
that
is
that
is
help
But
if
we would not
God and
fail
in
our responsibility,
cheerfully
what we have
161
[163]
**
God's
From
As
own word
we hardly count
ministry^
But when the heart is overwrought^ (7, who can tell The power of such tiny things To make it well ! "
164
CHAPTER FOURTEENTH
OTHING
while
is
more worth
life
itself.
is
ing
in in
more
beautiful
else
Nothing
does more
to brighten
in a letter
to
Edmund Mosse
" It
is
effect
of
multiply-
spreading,
another,
thirty,
some
some
a thousandfold, I
life
a practical
The man whose life lacks habitual kindliness may succeed splendidly in a worldly sense. He may win his way to high honor. He may gather millions of money. He may climb to a
r
165
Ci^e ajpper
conspicuous
place
Current
has
life
men who
for the
human
there
is
one, however,
who
in his
who
need.
is
There
are those
making of
who have only one purpose in life, the their own career. They fix their eye
press toward
it
with indomcalls
unheeding the
They
fail
themselves
selves
and
sacrifice their
[
own personal
interest
166]
Cl^e
in order to
piinimv
of lSintme;S)S
do good to others.
He who
leaves
God
is
the
first
thing in Godlike-
When we
much
things of
may
who
endow
man
who
fail alto-
gether in
love'*s
and among
better that
^vill
their
own companions.
Is it
not
we
shall
prompt us
to unbroken kindliness in
word
in a great while
we
our
common
relations,
cold, selfish,
unsympathetic,
ungentle and
loveless life ?
I
167
by the Master,
blesses
that
is
all
the lives of
who come
like that of
go
for
They are
little
Once
in crossing
filled
a meadow
came to a spot
I
that was
could see
fra-
no flowers and
grance came.
to the
At
last I found,
grass, in-
numerable
these
the
fragrance
is
came.
You
enter
some
homes. There
pervades
all
the place. It
it
No
matter
it is
168
m^t j^inimv
sweetness.
of MnDnesiis
It
is
You
look
closely.
a gentle
the fragrance
She
may
not be beautiful,
may not
be
specially
well-educated,
may
not be musical,
;
nor an
artist,
but
Her
sweet patience
is
fall
about
The
children
helps
frets
them with
and
dolls'
worries,
mends
their broken
toys,
makes
and
is
sickness in the
fort.
home
is
she
is
Her
face
shining of love.
falls in
Her
as it
Her hands
[169]
The
lives that
Are
shy,
We pass them by with our careless feet. Nor dream His their fragrance fills the tower And cheers and comforts us, hour hy hour.**
A young
the comfort certain persons had given her unconsciously, " I wish
how much their faces can comfort one I often ride down in the same street-car with yom* father, and it has been such a help to me to sit
next to him. There
is
when
know
he
just
me
but
if
didn''t
why,
I just
helped me.
of
it,
He
either, for I
know him
so slightly,
and
don''t
realize,
anyway, how
!
much they
There
is
170
his face
shone.
The
was
only when
it
fell
not see
the
it,
sick.
This
is
aware of
itself
has lost
much
of
its
charm.
mean
that
softens hearts,
and kindness.
very
common
experience
is
the
home.
The
far
untidy habits.
crippled
into that
home a
and
it
evenings
The man nursed and petted his child the boys made playthings for her,
;
171
Ci^e aipper
and showed
ant ways
;
unmt&
Thus a
large
and blessed
of kindness
the household
life,
making each
It
is
often
so.
Many
a sweet
home
owes most of
sufferer,
its
God
common
lives
One good
rule of kindness
in
is
never to allow a
day to pass
made a little happier. We fail to realize, too, how much happiness even very little things give. It may be only a word of cheer as we
meet a neighbor on the
the door when one
is
street, or
an inquiry at
sick, or
a note of sym-
is
Such seeming
trifles,
costing nothing
love,
172]
whom
they come-
They make the world a sweeter place to live in. They make burdens lighter, rough paths smoother, hard toil easier, loneliness more
endurable.
Whatever
else
do,
we
It
its
may
secret
others
and
To
if
it
can be
learned.
We
must love
the
people
we do
make
and
us kind.
But
if
need no rules
blenty
And peace and leisure close were And all the weary toil and strife
[
"3
Cifte
ppet; Currents
to
sweet content
So dear
boyish hearts,
to
cheer
And
And
Some
bring content.
time,
I thought
To make his life a poem rare, Replete with noble thought and aim ; A structure great, and good and fair^ Crowned by the coronet of his fame. I planned for naught. For, now my leisure hours are here. So swiftly time its changes ring, The scenes that once had been so dear. Have now forever taken wing. Too late the thought.
174]
W)t
jEtnisittrt of
Cncourasement
175
Talk Happiness.
Without your woes.
The world
is
is
sad enough
wholly rough;
clear^
No path
to rest the
Look for
smooth and
And
speak of these
weary ear
Of earthy so hwH by one continuous strain Of human discontent and grief and pain.'*
176
CHAPTER FIFTEENTH
Cl^e jEinisitrr of (Encouragement
is first
to die.
claimed,
is
living.
way the
it
is
holiness
and
liv-
not such
New Testament
silence.
teaches. Jesus
life.
He
all
did not
He
He
He
He would have
us hide
Yet
who pervert
and
make
it
reported
178
Ci^e
0iinimv
o(
(Encouragement
men on
duty.
He
He
was a discourager.
was a
critical time.
its
The
brave gan'ison
men on whom
and making them braver and stronger, he put faintness into their hearts and made them less
courageous.
The
court-martial adjudged
it
And
community who
are
Happy
is
more such
members on its roll. They are good people, godly and upright, perhaps active in many
ways. But they never see the hopeful side of
the church's
life.
If
thing that
tic in
is
come
in with
179]
They
are never
known
in
to
anything. There
always
is
some
fly
the
ointment.
if
The
minister
not as
a pastor as he might
seems to
ditions to
The church be prospering. There are many adit from time to time. The financial
be.
But
there
is
something not
altogether satisfactory. So
in the
it is
with everything
church
life.
dis-
among
But
its
most
faithful
bers.
all
the while
power.
They
'80]
sort
people,
rejoice
But not
found they
churches
only
are
discouragers
are everywhere.
Business
men
pros-
They discount
all
They are prophets of evil wherever they The sweetest happiness has some alloy for them. If they made only themselves wretched
go.
by
less
would be
If they perit,
sisted in
and
if
we might accord
them the
But they
stir
up discontent wherever
those
among
and
[
who
are carrying
burdens, cares,
responsibilities,
and by
181]
make them
ill
less
able to
for
struggle.
Thus
bors.
to their neigh-
At some
words in
poise on
vil-
the air
may start an
in
avalanche from
it
its
and homes
men
They
are bearing
up under a bur-
den of
difficulty or trouble,
comforted by the
is
in the balance.
these
sympathetic
feel-
men
[
182
He
mood
he talks
in
a pessimistic or disheartening
difficulties
way
seem greater,
and
gether hopeless.
It
is
human
happiness.
They make
life
happiest heart.
for
every
toiler
every
it
sufferer.
man
to discourage another,
and
to every violation of
How much
better
it
would be
if
instead of be-
couragers of others
I
The
183
]
value of words of
incalculable.
There
is
an old story of
smoke and
and
man
''
The
cheer
nerved the
fellow
when they
thropists.
Men who
of incitement
Of
no
degree,
unknown
[
in
the paths of
18*
Cl^e
^inimv
of
Cncowmgement
make home
Around her ohildish hearts are twinedf As round some reverend saint enshrined /
And following
Are
and
sweet
And find
And
A gentle,
185
Ci^e Wotti
ti^at toais
not ^a(d
187
**
So many tender words and trv We meant to say^ dear love, to you ; So
rtiajiy ihiiigs
to do.
''
The busy days were full of care ; The long night fell, and unaware
lovers
leading prayer
While we forgot.
''
Now
We would forget.
188
CHAPTER SIXTEENTH
Cl^e Wotti
tl^at
ANY
doing.
of the
sins
of most
sins of
not
We
need always to
We
psalms
a resolve that we
all
need to make
my
my
tongue."
Some
We
say
many
and
sting.
We
may
what we
are true.
tell,
we say of others
may
chance to be true.
" The ill-timed truth toe should have kepty Who knows how sharp it pierced and stung
[
"
189
Cl^c
There
is
apper
Cuwenw
filled
with the
The
many
is alis it
must be
many homes
there
for forgiveness.
But
not most unjust in any one to make such demands on love, to make life so hard for one
intrusted the heart to his keeping? Should he blame any one but himself if some day he finds that he has wearied and worn out the love which has been so patient, so long
suffering,
who has
with him
" Forgwe you f0, of course, dear, A dozen times a week ! We women were created Forgweness hut to speak,
Intentionally
it is not,
...
dearest,
me
True.
to do,
Clje
Wotn
ti^at
toag not
^aiu
do, unthinking. That makes the quick tear start The tear may he forgotten, But the hurt stays in the heart
**
And
though I may forgim yotc dozen times a day, Yet each forgiveness wears, dear^
little love
away.
" And one day yoiCll he grieving^ And chiding me, no doubt.
But
ously
it
is
unkindly in word or
against
and yet to
sin
sin griev-
them.
We
against
others
in
continually in
restraining
kindly
speech,
The word we had not sense to say, Who knows how grandly it had rung
often
"
We
think,
word we might
191
With many
of us the
mind works
fine
answer
late.
Our
best
and
avail us nothing.
in the
our
un-
know that we wished to hearten or encourage or comfort him in his time of trouble or suffering.
Or
it
may be want
speech when
restrains
a great
more
evil
We
We
enough to stand
We
1
wrong our
192
Ci^e is^otD
too,
ti^at
toa^ not
^ain
most of
us,
at times,
by not speaking
unjustly assailed.
Many
of
own behavior
one we love
failed
him
say
shames
us.
There
is
rec-
affection,
but
in speech. Especially
silences
home
fellowships
do such
work hurt.
this self-
ideal
of
Christian living.
But
this
is
is
them good.
We
sorely
193
Cl^e
There
is
appcr Currents!
much
reserve in
altogether too
many
friendships.
We
is
mendation. It
set,
for a blundering
It
is
like
of appreciation
heartily
and
of
and
sincerely.
heart,
if
its
in
the
morning thoughtful
love speaks
Through
the song
all
sings.
not to think of
We
somehow the love is conand we fail to get it thawed out, and so those whom we ought to help with their burdens, cares, trials, and sorof our home, but
194
Ci^e Wovti
**
tl^at tuaiS
not ^ain
Loving words will cost hut little Journeying up the hill of life ; But they make the weak and weary
Stronger, braver for the strife.
Do you count them only trifles f What to earth are sun and rain Never was a kind word wasted ; Never one was said in vain. "
It will
Do we
ance,
our duty to give, but which we do not dispense ? Someone says, " Children do not dream
of the
fire
not a griev-
in this
if
way
Would
it
the love
found a language,
if
?
these feelings
pressed
Nothing
else so
us as love does.
But
it is
we ought to
too
much
loving reticence.
We
cannot
lift
men'*s
heavy
them braver and stronger to bear these burdens if we would but speak the ringing word of
cheer that we
might
speak.
Do we
always
do
it ?
and disheartening
tells
her
own
say,
early
life,
ever she
it,
met him.
?
He
would
"
How
God
goes
bless
Louisa
!
up.
you
''
lonely
struggles, after
meet-
196
't)t
us
Wovn
tl^at toajs
not ^aiH
and we
much
There
is
when one
dead.
some reminiscence of
ful expression
some grateis
not
thaw
**
out. It
is
too
the
is
late.
Ah ! woe for
Till the
word
deaf
ear
to
hear,
And
woe for the lack to the fainting head Of the ringing shout of cheer ! Ah ! woe for the laggard feet that tread In the mournful wake of the Mer !
**
A pitiful thing
That
is dross
and 7iothing worth. Though if it had come but yesterday It had hrimmed with sweet the earth ;
197]
C^fng^
tl^at iLaiSt
199
" The smallest hark on life's tvmvHuous ocean Will leave a track behind forevermore The lightest wave of influence^ once in motion^
:
We should be wary^ then^ who go before A myriad yet to Je, and we should take Our bearing carefully^ when breakers roar
one mistake
that follow in our wake."
200
CHAPTER SEVENTEENTH
C^ingsi
tl^at
ta&t
HERE
last.
They may be
but
beauti-
in
a mothe
like
which
falls
on
and then
vanishes, leaving
lives
no
trace.
the
who
live
full
lifetime
all
the
while,
endure.
tells
Paul
who
burned up
in
the final
They
build
and precious
stones.
They
will
fire, all
their
201
Ci^e
It
Opper
mvmt&
one occasion to
visit
the earth.
From a
lofty
cities
and palaces and works of man. As he went away, he said, " All these people are spending
their time in
just
building
birds'*
nests.
No
wonder they
birds' nests
fail
to be swept
away
in
the floods,
erecting palaces of
immorindeed
in
thus
life
and work
It
is
live
We
forever,
anything that
while
not
last.
Nothing
is
worth
which
is
202
we do
in all
shall last.
"
Ye know that
your labor
is
not vain
Saint Paul.
We
may,
our busy
life,
and precious
A man
He makes
success.
no success
in the world,
Yet all the while he lives honestly and faithfully in his own place. "While
other
he
men and
the doing of
all
duty.
When
another
name
piling
up of a fortune
[
for one's
]
self.
In this
203
C^e apper
sphere the
rich
Currentjs
is
in-
Not Not
all
all
who seem to fail, have failed indeed ; who fail, have therefore worked in vain.
no failure for the good and wise. seed should fall by the wayside.
it,
There
is
And
Or they raay bear it far across the tide To give rich harvests after thou art dead.
an old
mill,
with
water-wheel
all
The water
fills
day
away laboriously
nothing that
it
enough but
uselessly.
its
You
see
accomplishes by
ceaseless motion.
But
its
many
people.
lives
which, with
all their
[
unresting
seem to be
204
make benthat
it
is
value.
lasts is
The
done
work that
name of
it is
in-
love. What we do for ourselves will The fabric will crumble, however imnot posing it may be. He who wi*ites his own name on his work is doomed to disappointment.
spired
by
last.
There
is
no immortality
for vanity
is
and
self-
seeking.
The
glory of self-conceit
but a bubof
and
leaves only
a wrack
But what we do
and
One made a
it
piece
finest
away
for a time,
nothing
life
was
left
of
silver threads.
These were
bright as
ever in imperishable
beauty.
The
which
will en-
silver threads
which love
and love
for
[
men put
]
in.
205
Ci^e Clpptt
If
mnnt$
in do-
men
Even
in
our re-
money
is
worth
giving. If
scription
we cannot put our name on the subpaper, with a good sum attached, we
We
need to
and
sacrifice
gave
himself.
is
Our
not measured by
bestow.
the amount of
greatest gift
self.
The
our-
cause
is
Indeed nothing really counts but love. Saint Paul tells us this. " If I speak with the
tongues of
love, I
men and
ing cymbal."
less love
there
is
nothing in
it
that
abides
dies
it is
away
I
" If
bestow
my
[
206
d^ingis
.
tl^at laist
love,
it
profiteth
me
if
nothing."
Money
it
is
the giving of
be not inspired by
poor
may
be fed,
money
Love
will
buy bread,
The
^but
is
no record
and raiment
spiring
motive.
life,
and
be
There
is
do
in this world
is
life
where love
lacking.
estates,
he carried acorns in
human
which
may drop
the living
and lonely
207
places, thus
Would not the slight reiterated touch Of help and kindness lighten all the day
**Ifyou were hr easting a keen wind which tossed And buffeted and chilled you as you strove, Till baffled and bewildered quite, you lost The power to see the way, and aim, and move ; And one, if only for a moment's space. Gave you a shelter from the blast, Would you not find it easier to face The storm again when the brief i-est was past f "
We
very
empty
lives.
The memory
uplift.
of a kindly word
flower sent to a
darkened room in some time of sickness or sorrow, leaves a fragrance which abides ever afterwards.
its
word of
208
CDtngjs
gold or gems, and
ten.
its
ti^at Lajst
message
is
never forgot-
"Love never
when
faileth,"
never
ministries
memories
It
in the lives
bless.
will last,
which
will
I tread % What have I done in the years that are dead What have I left in the way as I passed,
"
it
for
that
man
if
left
diction.
him
instead of honor.
No doubt
the same
the case of
whom
is
measur-
ably true. It
is
istry of blessing
be a tree of
209
Ci^e
apper Cutrcntjs
in its season. It
one''s
is
which bears
its fruit
a sad
years in
We
add to the happiness, the hope, or the courage and strength of another
life.
Such ministries of
and struggle
make
**
for eternity.
For me
The tetter for my Mrth ; To have added hut one flower To the garden of the earth ;
**To have struck one
Mow for
truth
In
One
[210
91^
^tlf-mnial a
0iimu ?
211
'*
Lift
is hard enough at best But the love that is expressed Makes it seem a pathway blest
To our feet ;
And
we share
Seem
care^
Rough and stony are our ways^ Dark and drear-y are our days ; But another's love and praise Make them sweets
212
CHAPTER EIGHTEENTH
31)3
^tlt-mnial a
NE
to
writes
jEDstafee
in a letter
"
friend of
me about
She
too much,
member of
the household,
herself.
My
selfish,
for
it,
but
sit
me
youi" opinion
is
about
this.*"
This question
enough
interest to
The matter of
one of
W^t
fiilly.
aipper currentjs
own
sake
is
nothing
at
all.
were pleasing
God when
shirts,
make walking a
torture,
and endured
all sorts
They
sup-
The
sacrifice to
which
God
calls us
life,
a living
all
sacrifice,
a devotement of our
with
its
service.
It
is
out any
suffering or loss.
God
make
it is
ourselves
unhappy
is it
unhappiness
save
not a lovely
quality, nor
meritorious in
itself,
and
when
it is
exercised in
214
9);S
^tU'-mnial a
it
jmisitafee
of love. Alone
Merely for
I
its
own
sake
it
avails nothing.
" If
bestow
all
my
profiteth
me
only when
it
it is
required in
becomes beautiful.
is
if
some friend
in trouble
and
and to endure
him, and
pain,
and
cost, in ministering to
do
it,
and do
it
cheerfully, that
is
self-sacrifice
when he went
men.
He
make
men
will
an ideal
of
God and
Shepherd
giving
his
for
his
sheep.
It
God
We
must
215
'\)t
ajppet cuttentjs
self-
and
in the service of
is
itself
that
beautiful,
in the act.
right to wear
it,
one''s self
out, as this
one that
is
one's duty,
there
is
Too
many
wise,
tenderer than
make a
serious mistake,
children's
selfishness,
self-esteem,
own
life
doing
The
truest
home education
is
3l!S
^tl("is>mial a
0i&taU ?
who
her
little
sister
when she comes from school, doing the child's work for her and saving her the effort, may
think she
is
is
helpful sister
child,
but
really, she is
harming the
The
to
wise
man
tells
he
us
There
an old promise
go on to
Lord
"
will
He
That
is,
we may
217
in faith
and
confidence,
coui'age
and then he
that
and
inspire us,
and
gi'ace, so
ourselves,
this
is
we best show
a serious danger
less
We
life
only
make
ready for
real
and victorious
those for
whom we make
in all the
everything easy.
and grace.
He
He
required them
The
and
it
to rise
up and
obey.
are
supernaturally
all
[
came and
to
helped
This
is
the law of
divine helping.
We
218
91)3
^elf 'JDcnial a
us. If
j^imu
done
for us
works with
work
is
each one's
laid
down
this.
we
we.
we.
He loved unto the uttermost, and He gave his life for the world, and
apostles did the
so
must
must
so
The
forth preaching
They
called
stopped at no cost or
sacrifice
when duty
and
when he
forgets himself
something,
is
is
imsin-
and worthily a
we must continually give up our own way, denying ourselves the indulgence of our own desires, and living to serve.
gle day for self alone
[
219
Ci^e
"
Opper Currents
and
oh,
Love thyself
thee,
last ;
As never yet such selfish souls was given, Whatever thy lot, a perfect peace will fill thee.
duty of
life.
essential in a
live truly or to
worthy
be like
We do
not begin to
Christ until
we begin
to love,
and we cannot
Whatever
may
inciting
them to bear
their
do their own
filled
own, and
to serve those
who
need our help, regardless of the cost to ourOne said of another, " He is a very good
Of another
it
was
said,
"
He makes
people
fall in
who have
without
220
jwafeet;
[221
**
Go hack to thy garden-plot., sweetheart Go hack till the evening falls ! And hind thy lilies and train thy vines,
Till for thee the
Master
calls.
**
thou canst,
is
next to thine
and mend
his
own."
222
CHAPTER NINETEENTH
Cl^e i)vi&tian
asi
a (I5arDen=
jHafeer
OD
must love
flowers, for
he
not
are
by human
fields, in
on the mountains,
all
deep canyons,
along water-courses, in
out-of-the-way places,
God
loves beauty.
They
made
to be our home.
He might
have made
it
liness everywhere.
The
true ideal of
life is
likeness to
God.
God Ham-
223
Cl^e aippet
ilton
nntnt&
W. Mabie
tiful in natui*e.
One day
side of a
when he came
the old
to a hut in
many
years.
He saw
man
bowed, and his bonnet in his hand. up and said to him, after a bit "
:
He came
I
did not
thought you
"Well, not exactly that," said the old man, " but I will tell you what I was doing. Every
morning
for forty years I
my
Beauty wherever
God's
face,
it
is
seen
is
a reflection of
down
it, it
upon the
ence.
earth.
God
is
near
we
of his countenance.
The beauty we
it,
where
in nature
is
Very
fitting
is
Lord our God be upon us." If we are Hke God, we will not only love beauty and try to be beautiful in our lives and characters,
but
we
go.
We
will
will
who has
as beautiful as possi-
Some people do
this. If
it.
If they have
in their
garden.
little
is
more beautiful
is
a co-worker
nevertheless,
225 ]
W)z
it
is
ajpper ctttrenw
We say a
who
But
it is
man
lacks taste
who
fails
to keep in
his house,
untidiness, all
want of
cleanliness.
it is
one's
which
Our
hearts should be
made garden
and fragrance.
We
things.
and
must be
cultivated.
in our
own
If
hope that
we can change any other wilderness into a garden. Some people neglect their own heart[
226
How fared
And
thy garden-plot, sweetheart^ While thou sat'st on the judgment seat f Who watered thy roses and traiiied thy vines,
kept them from careless feet
f
**
That
and
have no
own
life
gardens.
Our own
hearts
ters should
have our
own responsibility and no others. Then while looking well to our own gardens we should make at least one little corner of this
world somewhat
to live
in.
lovelier,
One
wi-ites
In
the desert,
where he
He made a
little
Some flowers
bloomed^
227
is
much
while
nobler a work
it is,
it is,
to put a
new touch of
into an immortal
life,
or to start a blessing in
will stay there
!
a community which
tiply itself in
and mul-
good forever
in desolate
and
dreary
When
the
mountain-climber
is
affected almost
Humboldt
tells
of being deeply
In a
little
settled, and
ful
when
rain
had
fallen there
was a cup-
of rich
soil
ready.
in this bit of
garden
on the
crater''s lip,
No wonder
moved by
228
Ci^e
t)tWan
ajs
d^arHen^jEafect;
then
As we go through the world, we come now and upon human lives which seem almost
utterly dreary
and desolate
bare.
in their condition
or in their circumstances.
stripped
Sorrow or
is
sin
has
them
Yet there
scarcely one
will,
such
life in
which we
may
not, if
we
cause
will plant
ashes.
Some of
who
We
whom
The
divinest
to get flowers to
If
craters.
you know a
that
is
and
alone,
bloom planted
These are the
lives, too,
[
229
giving
If
its
best to those
who have
for
greatest lack.
we know a person
whom no
one
is
other will
probably care, to
attention, that
especially
is
whom no
likely to give
the one to
show kindness.
should
seems
most Christ-like
love, that
is
The
girls.
other evening at a
Commencement
there
Most of them had many friends, and on many tokens of love flowers and books and other presents. Among
girl
from a
dis-
many friends during her stay in the school. One lady connected with the institution, however,
knowing that
this
many
I
would be well
2^0
happy occasion no
girl in
did,
made
in
opportunity
which means
far
more than
when attention
is
many
There
friends.
is
is
true in a spir-
wherever
his footsteps
have pressed
have sprung up
of gentleness, of thoughtfulness.
We
we
fail
to
make little garden spots round about us where we live and where we work, we are not fulfilling our mission, nor obeying the teaching that we
should be in the world what he was in the
world, repeating his
[
life
of love
]
among men.
It
231
but a
little
Selfishness does
no garden-making, plants no
flowers anywhere.
But
if
we
we
will
shall live
minister,
and
we
shall
be a blessing
wherever we go.
Travellers in the desert
know
afar
off*
when They
So,
is
know
an
it
by the
a
trees that
grow about
lives,
it.
there
fragrance.
232
23S
" Down through our crowded walks and closer friend^ how heaidiful thy footsteps were!
air^
When through
'Twas but one
them
like the
Son of God.
step
From their day's path unto the golden street And we who watched their walk^ so bright^ so brief Have marked this marble with our hope and grief. Epitaph in Derry Cathedral.
^^
[23*]
CHAPTER TWENTIETH
Cl^e i^i'rtue of ?epenDablenesij3
FTER
virtues
life
all,
the old-fashioned
in
value.
Brilliance
well enough, if
It is in-
what
that
is is
it
that he
is
saying
And who
?
is
he
speaking so charmingly
" If
speak
men and
is
of angels, but
brass, or
am become sounding
not what a
a clanging cymbal."** It
what he
is.
fine,
the achieve-
ments
A splendid
a
When
man
climbs
chmbing or
What
man
at the centre
of
it
all?"
can be absolutely trusted has
man who
life'*s
won life''s richest prize. Nothing counts for more in a man than the quality of dependableness. Some people lack it. There are some who pass for good, and who really are good in many ways, who yet continually fail those who trust them and depend on them. There are some who are slack and careless in meeting their money obligagained
highest rank and
tions.
It
is
certain
man who
many generous
gives large
things,
He
amounts of
never want-
money
causes.
to benevolence. His
name
is
He is active
is
in the
which he
a member.
He
is
hand findeth to do
236
]
But
it
is
community that he
bills
is
of the people
who
serve
his
household
ness in other
of these
money
obligations
and
his
want of
peo-
But there
many
The
worst of
the break-
it
as in
put to inconvenience.
When
the
matter
is
the
own
convenience, and
any reason
it is [
237
no
further.
They
seem to
feel
but themselves.
It
is
amount of trouble
made to suffer by their want of faithfulThen the effect upon their own name and reputation is most disastrous. Any one may now and then find himself justifiably unable to
are
ness.
He
should
With any
given and
is
is
He
is
not a
man
of his word.
dependable.
It
is
to keep
their promises
and
live
ments
sufl'er
in reputation.
[
238
Cl^e
Mttut
of ^epeituablcnesfss
his
word can-
dealings with
grow weary
of his
Then they
will
withdraw their
patronage.
set
well,
coming.
When
for not
keeping
his word,
he has some
trivial excuse
which he
youi*
gown
positively
tell
her you
want to wear
disappoint
you.
have no
fear
it will
[
239
it,
for
your garit
ment
is
out
of her hands. But you will probably not go to her with your next gown. In the end,
all
all
will
patronize the
man who
is
not
dependable.
They
The tradesman,
his word,
is
any
line,
who keeps
they give
whom
people ultimately
whom
that
its
goods
240
ad-
vertisements
its
salespeople
who comes
in.
The way
is
always
it
to be
what
it
wants
its
patrons to believe
to be.
But
it
is
matters
that
dependableness portant in
all
important
it is
equally im-
personal relations.
The Sermon
on the Mount teaches us that no merely External or general observance of the law of
God
is
enough.
in the
whole being,
and
act.
At Oxford
it
used to be said of a
life
fulfilled
Commandments
face,
life.
ing
right,
241
Clje
^ppzv Current
for
same reverence
spirit of obedience.
We should
and
in
we
commun-
ion.
There
is
the candidate,
wax
is
your work
the
That
is
we
are truly
*'
and
JVot
words of wi7ining note, Not thoughts from life remote. Not fond religious airs, Not sweetly languid prayers. Not love of sect and creeds ;
Wanted
It
is
deeds.
'
well that
train
them-
selves
from the
in all things to
be abso-
lutely
242
every
engagement, however
may
though
it
never to
never
to
misrepresent,
life
which begins in
this
way and
it
up
into a character
temptation and
world.
The
lesson
of dependableness
is it
is
not
something
which comes
in
a consecration meeting or in an
it
is
the work of
life,
and the
fields
it is
out in the
of
"The
life.
work-
shop of character
eventful and
battle
is
is
every-day
horn*
commonplace
won."
says,
f
is
lost or
Dean Stanley
and
243
his
]
Ci^e aippct;
munt0
:
" Give us
whom we
stand firm
who
will
when others
just
fail
and chivalrous
in such
an one there
is
244
tottl^
ptaplt
245
Herein
is love
to
daily sacrifice
to the
bosom
closest lies,
svffer
wrong^
Nor
lift
the voice to
tell it
Nay
now^ nor
is love,
God
above,
Herein
indeed ; herein
is love.
Susie M. Best.
246
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Cl^e art of JiiiJing
tuit]^
people
is
living
there
we
to
Some
is
better
and
friction
than to
is
live in
undisturbed quiet
It
alone."
It
means ofttimes
many
many
would seem
immeasurably better
is
to live alone.
is
not good
and
beautiful in
human
[
nature. It promotes
]
^*7
It gives self-conceit
an undue op-
much
as
;
we
please,
which
is
bad training
for
any of us
to be independent,
to indulge our
own
tastes, feelings,
and whims
one
is
Then
cipline
One can
life,
As one
says, "
off*,
We need
our
little
all
to learn
toler-
and
We may learn
the theory
subject,
but
that
different
own
lives.
man
said to his
248
The
How
Only when
is it
to us
what
it is
meant to
thing
be.
lov-
one
is
The
latter
we can achieve
all
will teach
under pressure of
We
cannot learn
test.
The same
Thus
it
is
true
they can
be acis
life.
that
means
of grace to
It
is
with those
who
are
sweet, gentle,
patient, to be
anybody ought
]
But not
all
with
whom we
[
249
may
help us
if
we
will
always remember,
when we
that this
any one,
only a
new lesson
Of
course
it
would please us
the disagreeable
uncongeniality to fret
ble that
us.
But
will
it is
not proba-
be wrought to
make
it
along together.
Almost
must be
ours
The problem
is
we
must meet
it.
It
is
means
Christ-like, just
Our
than ours,
which to
but he never
and he
will
if
we
250
toiti^
ptoplt
may
with
help us. It
find it difficult at
us.
some
It
is
those with
whom we
find it
Most
earthly saints
have
in
them
faults or idiosyncrasies.
face,
We cannot
see our
own
and we do not
"
see ourselves
blame
do,
yourself."''
That
in
we
like to
it will
help
much
we
ble
are considering, if
may be
fault.
our
make
also
us
more
Then
it will
make us
more
us.
The
or fault
incapable of being
made
better, is
indeed hopeless.
I
251
many of us
is
that we are
not willing to do
this.
We
in
us.
to accord to
We
insist
upon
their
A
is
little
that this
him
it
and minister to
the other way
Master put
them
If
instead. It
we would
we must
H.
Parkhurst's
books * there
is
a chapter on
love as a lubricant.
cident
The author relates this inOne day there was a workman aboard a
and he noticed that every time the
it
trolley car,
Ci^e
3lrt of liiJing
"ooiti)
laeople
spot,
and
down
"
my
pocket, for
there are so
many squeaky
of
obvious. In
contacts of
frictions
with
life,
it is
drop or two
of
its efficacious
There
is
a great deal of
human
nature in most
way
others.
set
sure to be
clashing. It
is
contacts.
The
ideal
way
r
both
253
Some-
and
patience, if
unhappy
is
to be avoided.
Of
course this
is
not
just, if the
to be followed.
Yet
not.
it is
give up
its rights,
even
if
is
He
loves
most and
most
like the
Master
who
it
and does
many
We
need only to
I'ecall
the
and
and then to
re-
member also the Master's own example of giving up and submitting to wrong and injustice,
in
means.
as in
them
254
"witt)
people
He
tells
us
that
is,
is
New Testament
sufFereth long
classic,
and
is
seeketh not
evil.
The
ideal
way
for
two to
live together,
however,
neither
person disposed
But though
may not
we
bearance,
are.
if
only our
own heart
is full
of patient love.
is,
One
We
is
]
see
officious or
always dropping
255
When
excited, he says
When
ing at
Wherever he goes he
is
a peacemaker.
He
carries in his
own
life
an influence which
in-
in patient love.
256
CHAPTER TWENTY-SECOND
f(
i^e S^afiet]^
O^e
to lie
^o'wn''
him and love him^ praise him, work for him^ Grow near and nearer him with all delight / But then we shall not any more be called
Serve
To
suffer,
which
is oii/r
appointment
here.
f
suffer, then,
H. E. H. King.
IFE
is
not
all
activity, work,
first
service.
Sometimes our
is
to rest.
We
way
stop and
to
lie
are
not to be forever
on,
pressing
is
although
the
is
we must
down
awhile.
We
do not care
down.
We
way.
We
are loath to
if
We
think
we
we turned
aside into
257
minute that
is
not
with activities
is
a minute wasted.
We
may
serve
by stand-
when we
forward.
Then
lie
down.
It
ought
ring and
all
question,
and to make us
it is
alto-
our
Good Shep-
lie
down
to rest awhile.
He
to
knows what
his goodness
is
best.
He
never wishes us
waste time or to be
loiterers.
We
may
trust
Henry Prummond
For he who
wait
will
is
says,
"
To
be willing,
is
God.
willing
and
it
is
easier far to be
258
''^t ^afeet^
it is easier far
is
^e to
lit j^oton"
it
is
There
and there
is
nothing more
to
will
do God's
We
to
seek to
lie
us
down. His
We
ness
may need
and
ouiit
rest,
think we do.
We
aware of
our strength
is
is
gone.
The
best
God
has
mercifully
there
The Sabbaths,
toil.
and miss
this
259
own
lives
of
feed
his disciples,
many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat. No doubt many earnest Christian people need now and then to be made to lie down in order that they may find leisure to eat. This is true ofttimes in a physical sense. There are men who are so
there were
wants.
those
if
many
years,
and their
usefulness. It
lie
is
needful
our bodily
health that we
down
at
proper times.
[
260
**i^eSlpa6ct]^
^t
to
Ut
if
?otDn"
life.
is
true in spiritual
Some
to
we were
We
we
moment
because on
feed ourselves
we would continue
We
forget
And grow
More nerved to lead, to dare, to do For him at a7iy cost f Have we to-day
Found
hand
to
lay
In his, and thus compare His will with ours, and wear
[261
Ci^e aipper
mvmt&
The impress of his wish f Be sure Such contact will endure Throughout the day ; will help us walk erect Through storm and flood ; detect Within the hidden life sin's dross, its stain ; Revive a thought of love for him again ; Steady the steps which waver ; help us see " The footpath meant for you, and me.
Whenever the Good Shepherd makes us lie down we may know it is in order that he may give us some new blessing. This is true, for example, when he leads us into a sick-room and draws the curtains upon us. He does not intend the days or weeks we spend there to be
wasted.
is
affairs
life,
or
We are
ships or to
make money. These occupations are right enough, and we should be diligent in our calling, whatever it is. But we are here to gi'ow into men and women, to be fashioned into the
likeness of Christ, to learn to
do the
will
of
God.
When we
are
[
called
away from
our
262
*'1$t ^afectl^
^e
to lie
?^otn"
common
time,
it is
something
is
which we would do
if
we would remember
to
lie
this always
made
down,
it
and joyously obedient. There is a blessing waiting for us in the quiet room into which we are
led.
There
is
a lesson
set for us
which we are
shut up in a
it
now
to learn.
As a song
bird
is
could
light, so in
our with-
in the night
which we
may
weary ones.
And
no price
is
No
sor-
row
is
if it reveals
to us
in Christ or brings
out in us
Christ-likeness.
Or
it
may
263
rushing
life.
home
This
is
is
Jesus
all
and
it
is
closer, sweeter,
would be well
for us if
we were to
cultivate
is
more
life,
inordinate ambition.
The
happy
ly
happy
is
down amid
says,
264
**
i^e
^am\) ^t
rather be
to Lie
J^oton"
I would
In
a tree, With a song and a handful of daisies, Than he the darling of victory^ ^Mid the hray of the rabble^ s praises.
the shade of
I would rather ride On the wings inside, Whither hoofs and horns come not after, ITian take to me Fame for a bride, Rouged Fame, toith her leer and her laughter.
We
is
in which the
us
lie
down
in green pastures.
abundance
of provision. Anywhere
pasture to one
is
who
loves Christ
and
is
called to
may be
a sick-room,
or a
little
place to which
way
human
if
gi'eenness
it is.
all
about
us,
wherever
mean a great
it
deal
more to
we
more
leisurely.
265
C^e
We
we do
all
<avptt
mvmt&
We
and
still
make such a
which
find
God
speaks to
We
hurry so that we
The
we have no time these crowded days for lying down even in such a holy and sacred
l>ut
place. If only
for
communGod,
for us.
to find
a place
And sit me down full face to face With my better self that stands no show In my daily life that rushes so It might be then I would see my soul
Was stumbling still toward the shining goal; I might be nerved by the thought sublime ; If I had the timet
^^
266