The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1885-11-26

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Ex. 1912.
The lesson of perfect contented trust
in God is the hardest lesson, perhaps, that
the Christian has to learn. 1t is easy and
simple, and natural, for the mind to ac-
cept as a verify the existence of the Su-
preme Ruler of the Universe, and to at
tribute to Him infinite power and good
ness; but the lesson of patient trust is
the one learned slowly, by reason of the
multiplicity of restraining influences, and
obstacles to such belief and trust. We
are wont to indulge in a vague hope that
but we fail to catch and assimilate the
idea that God is present now, and that
His law, and His mercy prevail in :the
present hour. "God help meW eXclaims
one in distress. That cry seems to locate
God somewhere near as a convenient ne
cessity-an influence to be made use of in
much the same manner as mechanic
makes use of his tools. What, distressed
friend, did you ever do to help God? In
your moments of health and strength and
in all the grand powers with which you
are endowed by his kindly providence,
have you served Him faithfully? Have
you shown that gratitude of heart which
should characterize the faithful child :?
Have you done all within your power for
building up His kingdom among men =?
Have you attended His appointed place of
worship? Have you met Him at your
family altar, or your bedside? Have you
lifted the voice of supplication or praise
to Him? Have you remembered the Sab
bath Day to keep it holyp Have you
obeyed the mandates of the Golden Rule
Have you shown Christian-like warmth
of heart toward those of his creatures
less fortunate than yourself? Have you
kept His commandments? Has your
life been identified with good works, or
has it inclined toward that which is evil :?
These questions should be asked and an
swered prayerfully, before the mind can
conceive of the propriety of asking any
thing of God.
The great law of trade, which recog-
nizes in every honorable transaction an
exchange of values, finds it's foundation
in Gods plan of governing His children.
We are taught that His love and mercy
are efree-absolutely free. So, in sense
they are. On the other side, our love for
Him is free. He does not compel us to
love Him-for love cannot be otherwise
than voluntary, impulsive, in its incep-
tion. But every intelligent person will
doubtless recognize in his OF her relation
with God, the great debt of gratitude due
from the finite to the infinite one.
He will not permit His children to ride
through the world in Golden Chariots,
with no eXertion or care, and with per-
feet air of contentment and ease. There
is something to do, and the good Chris
tian is a busy Christian. You may buy
the materials with which to erect house,
but you cannot secure the building there
of by simply sitting down and praying
for the man who furnished the materials
to come and erect the building without
any assistance or compensation on your
part. God has furnished you with the
materials for noble Christian structure
"a spiritual palace, perfect character.
But He will not erect the structure for
you unless you show some disposition to
help yourself.
The children of Israel, in their great
extremity, wandering in the wilderness,
cried out against Moses, their great leader,
and were on the verge of starvation.
Crying out in this distressing situation,
the cheering assurance came from God
that "at even ye shall eat flesh" In the
fulfllment of this promise came multi
tude of quails, and the people were abund-
antly supple nth flesh, and on the NOR
row the bread uf Heaven fell in abundant
supply, and the hungry were fed, fully.
But it cannot be forgotten that while the
Father supplied the wants of His chill
dren, in the time of their sorest need, he
subjected them to an excessively severe
course of discipline, as viewed from our
time and circumstances. These people
did not "eat bread by the sweat of their
brow,'' but their merciful supply came
after g-suffering, and much distress.
We may all "eat flesh at even," and at
all times; we may eat bread in as bounti-
full supply as these suffering people did,
but we must do our part toward the pro-
viding. We must show, by our own for
bearing spirits, our appreciation of the
great mercies we enjoy at the hands of
the Father. The promise of "eating
meat" the meat of salvation, ever holds
out to the earnest child of God. We may
rely upon the great promise, and its glori-
Gus fulfillment-but we must not be idle,
or thoughtless.
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