Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1877-02-08
The Night Brings Out the Stars
From Godey's Lady's Book.

Ito III SAI thO StSsho
From Godey's Lady's Book
Dark hours are often more neces-
sary for the well-being of man than
bright ones; for uninterrupted pros
perity would serve to make us selfish
and too worldly minded. Man, UNI
awed by i'll, would become proud and
boastful. Our Divine Creator has so
mixed dark hours with sunshlny ones,
that by contrast, we may enjoy the hap
py ones, and bear with patience those OF
adversely. Night must let down her
curtain before the heaven is spangled
with stars. so adversely must gather
around US before any of US can say
whether we will stand true and stead
fast when trouble comes.
"The night brings out the stars!''
That noble little band of Spartans,
under Leonidas, years ago, broke
through the darkness that surrounded
them, and shone out as stars in the
darkness that was gathering around
their country. To day they shine out
brightly as glorious example for all
whose country is in danger. Coming
nearer our own times, memory carries
us back to that time when the night
of tyranny was gathering over our be
loved land, and our star, Washington,
left all his possessions to fight in the
cause of truth and justice. He might
have died unknown, history might
have never traced his history from
the boy "who never told lie" had
not America called him to draw his
sword in the cause ofliberty. 1t was
the night which brought out this star
which, in the day of peace, might
never have been the "Father of his
country"
But why linger among those who
nave written 0eaLnlesS names on MS
tory's pages? Great lessons may be
learned away from the smoke and
carnage of battle when the family cir
Gle is gathered around the hearth.
1t is as much our duty to practice
the Christian charities at home as it il
to practice them where a trumpet
will sound our praise. That old say
ing, "Charity begins at home," is pc
culiarly weighty and truthful. 1t is oul
bounden duty to make home happy
and to carry the sunshine into the
houses of our neighbors. Does trouble
gather thick and fast around any
home? then we should do our best tc
enlighten it up with kind word, oil
cup of cold water. An endless ray
of prosperity is not proper criterion
by which to weigh friendship. In
the sunshiney days of prosperity many
will smile and smile, but when the
dark waves of trouble come, how
many prove to be ''fatterers ofthe ban
quet hour" Troubles come to show
us who are faithful and to take away
the dross. Pure gold comes forth
uninjured by the fire; SO a pure sou
will try patiently to bear each trouble
and to look, as far as human nature
will enable, from earth up to God fol
strength and help.
Toll on, humble worker, though nc
one takes heed of your troubles now
remember, these troubles are proving
whether you are worthy, and the
time will come when in some dark
hour of trial which another is called
| 10 endure, YOU will be to him noble
example for imitation. The Christian
religion does not only require tina,
we should do our duty to those who
can reward us; but its command is,
"Call in the poor, the blind the MAIN,
ed, and give them to eat" 1t requires
US to make sacrifices for others com
fort, and those who are not faithful to
perform its hard tasks, surely are not
those who shall shine as stars in oar
Redeemer'S crown.
Dark troubles are sent to bring out
the stars whether we be the sufferers,
or the troubles fall to the lot of others.
They show us who are actuated by
the principles that shone out in our
Savior's life.
As TO be victorious in the clash OF
battle requires unwavering love and
integrity to country, so to make this
world alive with Christian love and
charity, we must be governed by the
example of our Lord and Master.
Of course high state of civilization
encourages charity to others, and Of
ten the poor are the recipients of
bountiful gifts; yet how often we
stand as stately porters and spurn I'M
ploring famine from our doors. 1t is
true that charity can often be wasted
upon unworthy objects; but how often
do human creatures really hunger for
a morsel of bread, which cannot be
except as gift. How often are the
poor spurned away, not because of
unworthyness, but because it would
cause the sacrifice of some little lux
urY to heed their cry.
II is evidently our duty to remem-
Der the poor, and to remember that
grand principle of Cbrist's religion,
'.it is more blessed to give than re-
ceive." But why enlarge upon the
duties laid upon man? "The night
brings out the stars just as surely in
the actions of men rs it does in the
dome of heaven.
That man who can take the mercies
of God as his by right, and as max
ing no obligation to heed the cry of
those aronnd him, surely has contract
ed views of the principles of justice;