The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1880-08-18
For the Central Presbyterian.
CONSIDER.

For the Central Presbyterian.
CONSIDER. 7.5e.a
The situation of almost everyy one
around us, in temporal matters, Just now,
renders it peculiarly right and proper,
for us to consider" In the day of
prosperity be joyful, but in the time of
adversely, consider are the words of the
wise king, Solomon. That the present is
time of adversely is felt by all of us.
Much is said on every side about the
hard times, the scarcity of money, the
little success attending every effort to i'm
prove the condition of affairs and former
days of prosperity are often looked back
to with sigh of regret. What has been
the effect of this state of things upon your
life and character? Have you consid-
cred your ways?' and thus been enabled
to recognize the hand of God in all the
dealings of His providence? to feel that
In each event of life how clear, Thy rul-
ing hand / see;" to bow submissively to
His will; to trust implicitly in His prom
lses; and to commit your ways to the
Lord, assured that the Judge of the
whole earth will do right" .t.
Then, although temporal prosperity
may never be your portion although
trials, crosses, affection may come thick
ly upon you, all along your pilgrimage
here below-you can patiently wait until
the end comes, knowing that your light
atfiiction which is but for a moment
worketh for you far more exceeding
and eternal weight of glory, while you
look not at the things which are seen, but
at the things which are not seen, for the
things which are seen are temporal, but
the things which are not seen are eter-
animated and cheered by a lively
hope of "an inheritance incorruptible and
undefled, reserved in heaven for you"
With the prophet of old you can say
" Although the fig tree shall not blossom,
neither shall fruit be in the vines; the
labor of the olive shall fail, and the fields
shall yield no meat; the flock shall be
cut off from the fold, and there shall be
no herd in the stall-yet will I rejoice
in the Lord, I will Joy in the God of my
salvation" You "can rejoice in the Lord
always-be careful for nothing; but in
every thing by prayer and supplication
with thanksgiving let your requests be
made known unto God and the peace of
God which passeth all understanding,
shall keep your hearts and minds through
Christ Jesus"
Some of you, do not, aOiU not "coN-
sIDER." You choose rather to trust to
your own powers, devoting your time
thoughts, energies, all to the task of striv-
ing to overcome the adverse circumstances
which surround you, putting aside the first
and binding claims of God your Maker,
not having God in all your thoughts. He
in whom you live and move and have
your being, and from whom cometh every
good and perfect gift. You do not, it
may be, call in question or deny the
truth of the Bible; but your actions show
that you are not guided by its teachings
that you do not regard it's warnings and
promises. Why not hear, consider,
and be guided in this time Of adversely
by the words of divine wisdom, rather
than by human, finite wisdom? Are you
anxious and troubled about supplies for
your bodily wants2 Divine wisdom says
to you, Trust in the Lord, and do good,
so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verify
thou shalt be fed"
Consider the ravens, for they neither
SOW nor reap, which neither have store
house nor barn, and God feedeth them
how much more are We better than the
fowls?" Consider the lilies how they
grow, they toll not, they spin not and
yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all
his glory was not arrayed like one of
these. IF then God so clothe the grass.
which is to-day in the field, and to-mor-
row is cast into the oven, how much more
will He clothe you, o we Of little faith2'
Divine wisdom says Labor not to be
from thine own wisdom.
Are you troubled and distressed because
your plans and schemes for gaining earth
ly riches, devised with all your skill and
wisdom, and carried out with the utmost
care and labor have not succeeded as you
hoped? Consider that they that would |
be rich fall into temptation and a snare,
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