The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-04-05

he'd they acted otherwise" But does not
Gcd care for his earthly children? Will
net be, who feeds the sparrow and notes its
fall, protect his higher creatures? Yes.
but not apart from our own exertions II
we do not use watchful care and effort and
self.denial, his wisdom and love will not in
terpose.
they do not, WI, not, see the very same
thing in higher relations They take care
for the body; they leave the soul to care for
itself. Or they say, God will care for that"
They fancy that all will 60 well, though on
their psrt there is no great effort to secure
spiritual safety ard good. 50 they 'es sin ID
its work uDresisted. Is ia not remarkable
that men will use SO much fore'hought and
intelligence in lower things sn so little in
the higher? Ia lower things they recognizs
fscts, and conform their actions to them In
the higher they shut their eyes agd obsy
their impulses. How earnest hey are Tor
tie health and comfort OF the body How
listless and negligent they are with respect to
the immortal spirit Wise for the things OF
time; fools for those OF eternity,
4. We note the Christians advantage
at times OF peril and i'll (2i-25)
Notwithstanding all the efforts
tar from being assured. "All hope was taken
away" Nor, 60 far ss appears. was Paul at
once able to speak with con fidence. So busy
were all that they had no time or desire for
tood; mesh " bile Paul may have been en-
gsged in prayer (23). Then he stood forth,
speaking words OF courage and trust. He
had heard voice bidding him ''fear not"
Observe Just here that Christian is not
ore who never fears; he is DOT above trem-
blings VIXEN dangers arise. He shrinks from
pain and death Just lii any other mortal.
Perhaps his sense OF spiritual things makes
him the more sensitive. 1t is plain that
Paul was afraid, else the angel would not
have said Fear not"
What, then, is the Christian -ad vantage?
1t lie just this. be knows where to go for cour-
age and help; and, going thither he finds
what be needs. He is acquainted with God.
BE can both pray and trust. The psal uiist
bad his fears. But he could say of : %,
What time | am afraid / viii trust in
thee"
Notice how Paul's cheer came of ths
trust with which he Iefortsd to God: 'For /
believe God" (26l. And then notice how his
faith was corr ected with his. conservation:
the angel who appeared TO MIN vas ''the
angel OF 6od whose ! am. and whom serve"
Give yourself 10 be his and to serve him, and
then 6lial trust will be easy. You are in re-
lations with God. To believe Cod is as
natural now Is 10 breathe.
What an advantage is there here. The
Christian is the happy nan.
5. Then We see the good which may come
of association with Christians Up, pa For
there shall be no less OF any mans life among
you so Paul said to the company. More.
over, the reason for this assurances appears:
the agel had said God hath given thee all
them that sail with thee" 1t would seem
that Paul had prayed tor them, and now he
has the assurance that his prayer is ans serei.
And so all owed their safety 10 him.
Was their experience OF good on account
OF association with Paul q solitary expert.
ence? No. Ten righteous men had saved
Sodom. Moses and Samuel often stood be.
tween Israel and Judgment. Often for the
sake of a faithful remnant Gods people were
preserved and blest. 1t is great blessing TO
live in Christian community: to be sur
rounded by god fearing. praying. trusting
people. TIE men who deride the church are
bens flied by il. They feel this: e'ss why do
they not fee to the lands where no churches
are.
PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS.
/ Fastidious Christians who withdraw
into select society limit their opportunities
for doing good IL
2. The young Just starting out On the voy-
age OF life should know the way they mean"
to 60. Have purpose and plan 2.
3, Perils to life and to the life eternal are
often sudden - well az severe IA.