The Republican journal., 1882-06-22

to believe that for ourselves in the future
there will be satisfaction; and, if our
chosen work was worth doing, the peo-
pie we leave behind are also the better
for it.
To be rich is possible to be wise is
possible, to be good--of that we are
certain; it is the only thing in life for
which we may try without any fear of
failure. The work must be done and
the steps taken patiently IN that quest :;
it is more short sighted to envy a person
his goodness, and his good luck in being
charming and helpful companion, than
to form such a judgment of any other
success of his life. Some human beings
are willing to take pains to be and do
their best; the unsatistied and disap-
pointed souls are those who are unwilling
and who excuse themselves for their
laziness and lack Of purpose, even for
their undeveloped spiritual gifts, by say
ing that they have had bad luck A
wise preacher has said that prayer is
not conquering of Gods unwilingness,
and if we stop to think we shall be sure
that worldly success also, OttencSt comes
10y right, not by favor 1t is by learning
the laws of both the higher and lower
lives, and patiently keeping and follow
ing them, working with them and not
against them. that we shall avoid failure
and misfortune, and cease TO depend
upon the stray and unexpected blessings
which men imagine to be like the Wild
birds in the air which may fly to us OF
their own accord.
pne man may find Il diamond in the
dust at his feet when he was not looking
for it, but many men must have seen it
too and passed it by before he had the
Wit to notice it and interest enough to
pick it up. All the old superstitions
about finding four leaved clovers, and
''lucky" things of that sort, simply mean
that a man who is persistent and patient
in his search for one uncommon and elu-
sive thing is apt to have Il quckness of
sight and power OF application which
will serve him in good stead in better
pursuits.
In some persons lives misery and dis
appointment succeed each other; but |
believe that God never repeats his les
sons after they are once learned by US.
and nothing can be what we call bad luck
for us unless we make it so ourselves 1t
takes both storm and sunshine to make
us grow in grace, and who can say that
either is a mistake. The events Of Our
lives which are not Of our planning or
provision are still somewhat under our
control, since in any school we are set
those lessons for which we have fitted our
selves. Gods ordering Of circumstances
is related to our need and capacity. It
is these so-called accidents of life which
we find hardest to manage and to under
stand; but they none the less belong to
us and grow out of our conscious choice
and management. II is God working
with Us and not against us
We envy a "lucky" man whose plans
prosper, and whom the events Of life seem
to favor and not to battle but it is wen
to notice whether he has not worked hard
to bring his luck to his hands, and Whcth-
erin the midst Of his riches and power he
is really rich and strong. believe that
the lives we envy most for THEN pros
perity, often hide from the worlds sight
a weight Of care and burden of hard
work that would make an increasing
cause of complaint TO Il man who had not
learned to be set-re}iant and cheerful.
God helps those who help themselves : it
would be we'll if we remembered that say
ing great deal ottener than we do. 1t
is the keeping of the laws Of Gcd, both
in spiritual and material things, that
makes us successful, respectable and hon
orable citizens Of Gods kingdom in this
world and the next The Congregation
alist