The Western advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1872-1874, 1874-07-18
THE DESIGN AND USE OF TRIALS

OF WOrthi3lgt0n, July IL, deSlDneQ az encOlr-
ogen,ent and solace TO those suffering uader
the widespread ravages Of the Grasshoppers.
Blessed is the man that endureth temptation,
for when he Is tried lie shall receive crown OF
Life.-JameS IT.
l. the Bible. trials, temptations, and
Affections, are terms used interchange
bly,. In the hand of Providence they
are employed for testing of character.
This we have seen in the trial of Abra-
ham and of Job, in our morning lesson.
2. The avenues through which trials
us, are our organic impulses,
passions, appetites, propensities and
desires. The trial is in the thwarting
of these constitutional impressibilities.
8. Let it he observed that there can
be no reliable virtue without trial. Vir-
tue can be predicated only of moral
agents. But there can he 10 moral
agency without these constitutional
susceptibilities. The awakening of
these susceptibilities is indispensable to
all moral action. Right here is the
fountain, the source, the spring of
trials. 1t is under the awakening OF
these impulses that the will acts and
the choice is made. The will yielding
in submission to, and rising in REBEL
ion against the affective dispcnsation.
For an illustration see the opposite re-
suits Of the trial Of Abraham and Pha-
raoh.
4. Trials are designed Of Providence
to develope and perfect character. Adj
dressing myself to a Christian ;,udiance
l will not stultlfy myself by proving
to you what is everywhere affirmed in
the Bible, that trials are Divine dispen-
sations. Then rather let me comfort
your aching hearts by showing you the
! design Of these trials with which so
many OF you are overwhelmed. The
trial of Peter WAS to reveal to himself
! his weakness and 50 to transfer his con-
Gdence to the Source Of Infinite
Strength. Trials are ctfectual, also,
for the development of undiscovered
dispositions. They are the most effect
llal methods, When borne up under, of
strengthening virtue, without which we
are sure to he overcome III the hour Of
conflict. They give us also the sure
measure Of our moral strength. Moth
ing is more happily adapted to
confirm our confidence in God and His
Providence, or to confirm our CON-
munion with Him. These are results
of incalculable value and to lie welcom-
ed at any sacrifice or trial.
We are now prepared to gather
up some important fragments Of
thought, growing out Of this subject.
We can see why the apostles gloried in
Affections, it was because of the intlit-
ly precious results wrought in them
thereby. 1.-The trial of their faith was
more precious than silver and gold"
The Bible is Il running narrative Of
trials-sharp, prolonged. fearful and
overwhelming trials of famine, of pes
thence, wars, prosecutions and deaths.
Every providence of God is guided by
infinite wisdom and love, and aims at
the highest good Of the subjects Of it..
I'LL things work together for good to
them that love God.'
Would You then who are grooming
under these hevay bereayements: be all
eXceptio ion to this universal method Of
God? Know ye not that ''wl,om the
Lord loveth lie chastenetl,. IF ye
endure Christening then are We sure. -
While my heart grieves> i'll sympathy
with your sorrows, [ implore YOU to
lift up the hands that hang down and
strengthen the feeble knees'' Let me
remind you that trial and probation are
Synonymous ideas. Hence if God does
not prove us, lie Gun never assign us
to posts Of usefulness and responsible
ty; nor if we fail to endure, or bear up
under these trials. Neither should we
dictate to God the method of trial.
Abore all things, he implorer not to
rebel against these dispensations by
which so many precious hopes are bias
ted. Rebellion was the ruin of Cod s
ancient people, and unobstructed pros
perity might be yours. Worldly af1lu-
ence is not essential to the greatest
happiness or usefulness. "a mans life
CONSISTENT not in the abundance of
things that he lath.' The more pro-
found your faith in this truth the light
er will be your trials and the higher
your exaltation in the world to come.
The glory and stability of heaven will
he in it's confirmed virtue, and this is
the end sought Of God in all Providen.
tial trials, SO that in thee you will see,
and feel, and acknowledge that it has
been good that YOU have been afflicted.
Though your earthly all may he swept
away, your true wealth, your riches of
infinite value are still awaiting you i'll
the Heavenly country. Therefore cUll-
graduate you in your earthly trials, OH
the possession Of treasures that can
never perish. And, finally, what words
Shall summon to my aid to induce
you whose treasures are all earthly, to
begin this day to lay up treasures in
heaven. The motives are infinitely
strong. BE implored, therefore, not to
cheat yourself out Of the enduring
wealth in store for the people OF God,
by building your hopes upon perisha-
ble foundation.
",