St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1879-01-10
Those Times.

at was just one of those times, dom
you know 2" said my friend, rising tt
leave after hasty call in which she
had told how, during the previous
week, such Il succession of worries, il
addition to the real troubles which were
already bearing heavily upon her, naG
seemed almost more than could bt
borne. With a nervous system weak
ened by long illness, her naturally
elastic temperament could not as usual
respond to the increased demand upon
it, and had it not been for her earnest
practical faith fear she might have
been again Frustrated. But she knew
in whom she trusted, and that it is
''d0ily bread" for which we are told to
ask /; so resolutely putting aside the
dread which would at times assail when
the thought of the future came before
her, she firmly resolved ''tO do the duty
which laid next her." leaving the rest in
his hands who careth for the sparrOwS.
And at last the patient courage was re-
warded, for the dark clouds lifted to
allow the sunshine to stream from be-
meath them and though unutterably
worn in mind and body, yet she could
say, as DR.. Taylor quoted in a recent
sermon, ''Be the day weary, or be the
day long, at last 1t ringeth to even
song" After my friend had gone l laid
back on my couch and thought over
her last words, Zone of those times,
don't you know - Aye, did | not re-
member well many of ''thOse times ?r
and my readers can doubtless do the
same, even though they come i'll very
different ways to us. Position in life,
character, and various circumstances of
course modify the discipline which such
seasons of trial are intended to bring
us, but how bitterly hard it is at the
time to see the use of such teaching
1t may be the business man, who in Il
single day finds one perpleXity succeed
another till his calmly balanced mind
is in whirl of anxiety quite new to
him. Perhaps in the evening, with his
children climbing on his knee, there
may come floating into his mind a dim
remembrance of the sermon last Sab
bath about the sewers, aud how ''the
cares of this world chOked the seed so
that it became unfruitful." Then a
rushing tide of recollection sweeps over
him as those words picture to him, as
though i'll Illuminated letters, his moth
er's farewell us she saw him go out from
that humble New England home. How,
looking fondly into his face, she had
said, But remember, my son, Seek
We first the kingdom of God and His
righteousness ;" and with her blessing
ringing in his ears he had turned away.
All p! how sadly had he forgotten that
loving reminder, and but seldom had
even thought of that "seeking first"
''ThOse times" are frequently sent in
mercy to recall to our memory what
we are so apt to forget. And how many
of us can look back to days and weeks
of sorest suffering, when dear life
hung trembling in the balance; and
while every nerve was quivering we
have been forced to turn aside and
take the stern duties of every day,
while one trouble followed another
with little perpleXities to fill all the
vacant Spaces-till we felt as if the very
ground beneath our feet was unstable.
How restful and heartening then to re-
member" II have laid help upon One
that is mighty" "Thou wilt keep him
III perfect peace whose mind is stayed
on Thee, because he trusteth in THee.''
What different meaning these verses
have to us now from what they ever
had before, and how we truly feel
though perhaps but family just at first
that the "Everlasting Arms are I'M
derneath" to bear us up. All! this
hour of bitter trial teaches us more real
trust and faith in our Savior than years
OF the life we have been leading
Christian at Work.