Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1885-06-05
THE LAW OF LIFE.

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South Kentucky College, May 81, lSs5.-TeXt
Rom. lI:7,
In this sentence is embodied a
principle of universal application and
one, therefore, which takes within
its scope the material and immateri-
al universe. 1t would seem that all
things, animate or inanilnate, are
embraced within the workings Of
this law. Nothing stands alone.
Each thing, whether il be AN atom
or world, is related to some other
thing in the mighty domain Of crea-
| tion. Nowhere can there be found
unrelated existence or isolated being.
The animal Kingdom is dependent
on the vegetable, the vegetable on
the mineral, and that in turn upon
forces which connect il with the en-
tire realm of nature. Thus Life and
matter are connected. The shining
worlds which float IN space are
bound together in one grand system,
stand related TO each other in one
common centre, and so have chain
of dependence aud interdependence
running throughout them all. Earth,
sea and sky are each linked the one
to the other by means of an indisso-
lubc cord. Space cannot destroy nor
affect this unity of nature. God has
so arranged his marvellous workman
ship that each part is connected with
every other part, and the whole is
one piece OF glorious mechanism.
Things great and small, vast and in
Significant are alike affected by this
law of mutual connection and depen-
denee. The spheres move on in their
respective orbits, singing their res.
pectiye songs, but each song is only
a part of one sonu, and each strain
n part of the one mighty strain. "Thc
hand that made MS is divine" No
wave ripples on the sea but that il
sets IN motion Il hundred Others,
which united, break ain music soft
aud low" on the far distant strand
Each blade of grass connects IIeave,
and earth, and is a bond, il man SC
use il, between himself and those up
per fields of space. Creation is oil,
vast circle and everything is draw
into its circumference and make,
part of il.
When we come to apply this law
to man, we find it true in "a large
and broader sense. Every man
stands related to every other man
and humanity is a whole compOseC
Of many parts. The parliament o
man is the federation of the world
No man can sever his connection
with that federation. He camO
isolate his life and make that sepa
rate and apart from the life of man
kind. That life, because of its innu
cnce. binds him 10 his fellow -mru
whether he wills it so or not. IN,
man HreM unto himself" He ina,
be separate in his feelings, in hi
spirits: he may wrap himself ia sol
iIudc of soul he may be separat,
IN greatness, standing out soliiar,
aud alone, like some vast pyramit
holding communion with the cain
aud untroubled blue he may be sep
aratc in his tastes, in his likes an,
disIikcs but the influence from hi
lifc,-that invisible something whicl
goes out from himself and which Ii,
cannot retain-this it is which make
him link in the great chain of hu
manly, Il part Of the world of man
Kind. 1t is an eternal principle, ike
and unaltelable, that life cannot eX
list unto itself. In its every natur
it must 90 out in the direction Of utl
J ion aud fellowship. Its nature is (
have communion with the race. &
ally itself TO the human, TO be- joi ne,
with its species, Life can no NOR
exist into itself than can The su
shine for itself or the fire give hea
for itself. We are then, in our tex
brought face TO face with the lesso
of mdicidudl influence. Each of 0u
lives is wave IN the great sea of hu
manity, which sets in motion othC
waves that 20 on in never-endin
circles, till they strike the shore {
eternity. Each of Our lives is a han
monious note ia the worlds musi
on jarring disCord. Each life is
blot radiating darkness or sun II
dating light, blessing or desoli
ton, great joy or deep sorrow
, From our individual lives goes fort
an influence that either elevates {
degrades, either lins ucavenwaM {
sinks hellward, either saves OF damn
- The flower no more certainly give
fragrance I; corruption no more ce
tainly emits malodor, than do,
: each life give forth an influence fC
good or evil; an influence upliftir
or down. bearing. Each life is sta!
nant fen producing malaria, miasm
disease, OF a flowing stream produ
ing strength, vigor and health.
Let it be borne in mind that inf
e. ence cannot be withheld. We ca
, frame its direction; we can send
! on mission OF helpfulness or hil
urahcc, DuI no power can restraI
Its going, and no power can recall
. when II has once gone ont from OIL
serves. ~ speeus OH silently as u
stars Ill tielr courses, put does
WorN as eilecluaiiy ana surely v
- may linprlsol steam, ana release
resa,n f ~ as WE please we may clia
e,cctriciIy, y, vi heep oach, Dy prop
D ptccanIion, .hc iiSh'il'hs llash lro
Al llle EXECUTION Ol llS obstructive I'LL