Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1882-05-09
as used In Prayer. Meetings


When the iron wedge fails to rend {
rock they sometimes drive wooden ones
into the crack and fill the seam with
water, which the wood drinks in until
its expansion by silent forces does that
which the iron wedge with repeated
blows could not do. So in life the great
est force in subduing obstinate natures
is heart that absorbs silently the love
of Jesus. Such heart can expand un.
til every resistance is vercome.-Hor-
ace N. Briggs.
Last night was out coasting and we
had two double runners and the large
one went farther and swifter than the
light one in spite of all we could do, but
when we put the two together they
went farther and swifter than either
would go alone: It is always profitable
to join forces in any work no one loses
anything but-all gain by it, the strong
and swift as well as the weak and slow.
Geo. W. Reynolds.
have noticed that the electric warn
ing signal at the railway station is liza
BILE not to WORK when il storms, so the
gate-keeper has to be unusually guarded
in his duties, and in the same way /
have noticed that storm affects q
prayer. meeting, preventing many
Christians from being present to give
the signal of testimony; hence the me-
dOubly diligent in bad weather.-W WI
liam Stinehart.
When contractor undertakes to
build a house he receives certain plans
and specifications and signs contract
that he will build according to them,
and the other party agrees to pay GER
tain sums at given stages of progress in
the work. We are Gods building
We have by our belief and confession
signed a contract. Jesus is the plan and
the Bible the specifications. 80 long as
we build according to them we shall re-
ceive our pay in regular instalments.-
Thomas B. Bldikie.
I have noticed in the season that
when the onions have grown to a GER
tain age, they roll barrel over the rows
to break down the tops, that by crush.
ing them the bulbs may increase in size
and nourishment. Often times feel az
though the Lord enriched US by break
ing down our ambitions and crushing
our hopes in worldly matters. It il al
ways well to wait the development o1
his dealing with US rather than COM
plain at our disappointments.-F
w. Mason.
Some years ago in the midst of the Indi.
an Ocean in one of the roughest seas that
ever experienced, was suddenly
launched overheard in the darkness OF
night. The ship was flying before the
gale and I knew as I went over the rail
that when struck the water there was
absolutely no hope. I threw out my
hand in desperation it caught ring
and by a miracle I clung by single
finger until steadied myself and caught
it with my other hand, and there ]
hung till help came. I was speechless
with exhaustion, but I clung to that
ring with the grip of vice, because il
was my only chance of life. In the same
way 1 want always to cling to Christ
whatever may be my surroundings, be
cause it is my only hold on life eternal
Charles Il. Gilbert.
In time of storm there are men in th,
Life Saving Service patrolling the dan
gerOus beaches sending up occasiona
signals, to show any vessel In distress
where to look for help. In the sam,
way the churches patrol the wreck
strewn coasts of life and the testimonies
of the Christians are signals sent up t.
show those out of Christ where to loOA
for help in seeking eternal safety.-M
nler j. ISlden.
1t is much more expensive, to say
nothing of the inconvenience, to tear 9
house to pieces and remodel it, than il
is to build as we need it the first time
and yet, most Christians are continually
beginning their life over again because
they did not plan well enough the first
time. AS young men we cannot be toe
particular how we begin our Christian
| life.-Eda0i,a K. BloiEie.
It is a rare thing to find q per
feet horse. They will have their eccen-
tricities. One is too slow, another skit.
tish; one is balky, another will not
back; one will work as leader, anoth'
er on the pole; one will never work in
a pair, another will never work single
To find horse of good spirit that will
work kindly anywhere is to find prize
1t is about as difficult to find Chris.
tian who will always work pleasantly
You have to study carefully to get every
man and woman in his right place.
Christianity ought to exalt us above
such things.-S0rJord r. Cook.