The Toledo chronicle. [volume] (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1873-1924, 1877-06-14
Christian Resivnatlon.

HAVE been forced,n said Fletcher.
"by many d:sappointments to look for
comfort in nothing but in the comprefen-
sive words, Thy viii be done''' The
experience Of every degenerate heart in
periods Of trial leads more or less to the
same unfailing refuge. This lesson OF
Christian resignation is often hard one
to learn. Sometimes it costs US unnum.
bered crosses and sorrows. Not infre-
quently the hope and affections Of wears
have to be laid tearfully upon the altar,
Often when we are almost persuaded that
we have learned to say, 'tThy will be
DONE" the loosing of some cherished tic.
or the failure of some darling project, re-.
yeals us again to ourselves in all our in
subordination of heart. But the lesson il
nevertheless as salutary as its process is
severe. The value of Christian submits
siveness, when it is once found, has a
wondrous p0wertO alleviate the pains and
heal the s0rrows of life.
True Christian resignation is. however.
essentially distinct from that passive sub.
mission to the inevitable which many ex.
hibit in the presence of af1iction. The
spirit of rebellion to the Divine will NAV
Turk under the forms of surrender, The
resignation which does not spring from a
loving heart, which does not look up even
through the tears and agony of bitter trial,
and see the hand OF wise and merciful
Father through 1t all, is not the spirit of
resignation which Christianity requires.
II is not the reluctant yielding to superior
power which constitutes true resignation,
but rather the spirit which is forward to
bow, which feels all the smart of the
chastlsement, but which still finds in the
midst OF 1t all sweet consciousness of
Gods presence. and most precious sense
OF humility and self-relinquishment.
1t is in this spirit that the disciples
were instructed to pray, "Thy will be
done" 1t was thus that the Psalmist,
when flesh and heart failed him, found
God the strength of his heart and
his portion forever. 1t was in this
same spirit of loving patience and
trust that Paul declares that he is
troubled, but not distressed; afflicted,
but not cast down." There is in all this
not stoicism, but true Christian resigna-
ton. Paul looks for Christ's sake with a
noble disregard upon prosecutions and
earthly trials. What to other men seem
insufferable agonies, to his clearer faith
are only light Affections, which are for
a moment" and which are Lot to be com.
pared with that :" far more exceeding and
eternal weight of glory, which reveals
itself in such unspeakable fulIness beyond
"a vision that, with all its redundancy of
rapt expression, still seems to be vainly
struggling for embodiment, with the pow
erty of human language and the dimness
OF human sight.
In time of gloom and apprehension
like the present, this spirit Of patience
and Christian resignation is especially
needful. We should pray for ourselves,
for others, for our common Christianity,
for our country, for the triumph of law,
and justice, and right. But, above all,
we should pray, " Thy will be DONE" If
we cannot read or reach the full purposes
OF Providence, as they are revealed in
storm and sunshine, in personal trials, or
in National perils and disasters, we may
at least learn TO listen reverently to the
voice of Him who rules and overrules all
things in the largest wisdom, and for the
largest human good, :" Be still, and know
that am God. "-L0nd0n BdDtist.