The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1886-10-14

is to find just the sphere for which God in
tended us, and then to occupy this sphere,
and occupy it forever. Here is man God
fashioned to make a pillow. There is a
man God fashioned to make constitu-
ton. The man who makes the plow is
lust as honorable as the man who makes
the constitution. There is woman who
was made to fashion robe, and yonder is
one intended to | g queen and wear it.
1t seems to m that in the one case as in
the other, God appoints the sphere, and
the needle is just as respectable in His
sight as the scepter. I do not know but
that the world would long ago have
been saved if some of the men out of
the ministry were in it, and some of those
who are in it were out of it. really think
that one-half the world may be divided
into two quarters-those who have not
found their sphere, and those who, having
found it, are not willing to stay there.
How many are struggling for a position
a little higher than that for which God in
tended them. The bondswoman wants to
be mistress. Hager keeps crowding Sarah.
The small wheel of a watch which beauti-
fully went treading its golden pathway,
sparrow with chagrin drops into the brook
because it can not, like the eagle, cut
circle under the sun.
I'm the Lords army we all want to be
Brigadier- Generals. The sloop says:
"More mast. more tonnage, more cam
vas. Oh, that l were a topsail schooner,
or full-rigged brig, or Cunard steam.
err"
And so the world is filed with cries of
discomfort because we are not willing to
stay in the place where God put us and in
tended us to be. My frien is, be not too
proud to do any thing God tells you to do.
9. Again, ind in this Oriental scene a
lesson Of sympathy with woman when
she goes forth trudgins in the desert.
What a great change it was for this
Hagar! There was the tent and all the
surroundings of Abraham's house. beauti-
full and luxurious, no doubt. Now she is
going out into the hot sands of the des-
ert. Oh, what change it was! And in
one day we often see the wheel of fortune
turn. Here is some one who lived in the
very bright home of her father. She
had every thing possible TO admin
ter to her happine at the
| table, music in the draw ing
room, welcome at the door. She is led
| forth into life by some one who can not
| appreciate her. A dissipated soul comes
and takes her out into the desert. Cruel
| ties blot out all the lights of that home
| circle. Harsh words wear out her spirits.
The high hope that shone out over the
marriage altar while the ring was being
L 4 fha H.
ton pronounced, have all faded with the
orange blossoms, ami there she is to-day.
broken hearted, thinking of past joys, and
| present desolation, and coming anguish.
| Hagar in the wildernessl
Here is beautiful home. You can not
think of any thing that can be added to
it. For years there has not been the sug-
gestion of a single trouble. Bright and
happy children fill the house with laugh
ter and song. Books to read. Pictures to
look at. Lounges to rest on. Cup of do
nestle joy full and running over. Dark
night drops. Pillow hot. Pulses futter.
| steps on the door-sill brought the whole
household out at eventide, crying: Gath
Ier's coming" will never sound on the
DOORS sill again. A long, deep grief plowed
through all that brightness of domestic
life. Paradise lost. Widowhood. Hagar
in the wilderness.
/ 3. Again, 1 fiend in this Oriental scene
the fact that every mother leads forth tre-
mendous destinies. You say:
"That isn't an unusual scene, mother
leading her child by the hand"
Who is that she is leading? Ishmael
4 you say. Who is Ishmael? A great ma.
ton is to be founded; nation so strong
that it is to stand for thousands of year:
against all the armies of the world
3 gypt and Assyria thunder against, i
but in vain. Gaulus brings up bis army
and his army is smitten. Alexander
decides upon a campaign, brings up hi
hosts. and dies. For long while tina
! nation monopolized the learning of tn,
world. 1t is the nation of the Arabs. Wht
founded it? Ishmael, the lad that Haga
. led into the wilderness. She had no ide,
she was leading forth such destinies
Neither does any mother. You pass alons
the street and see and pass boys and girl
, who will yet make the earth quake witt
their influence. a Who is that boy al
Sutton Pool, Plymouth, England. bare
footed, wading down into the slush ant
slime, until his bare foot comes upon
piece of glass and he lifts it, bleeding an,
, pain struck? That wound in the foot de
cides that he be sedentary in his life. de
cides that he be student. That woun.
by the glass in the foot decides that Ii
shall be John Kitto, who shall pro
vide the best religious encyclopedia
the world has ever had provided
and with his other writing; sAs well
! throwing light upon the word of CO.
such as has come from no other man il
this century. o mother, mother, that littl
hand that wanders over your face may We
1 be lifted to hurl thunderbolts of war o
drop benedictions! That little voice ma
. blaspheme God in the grog-shop or CT
! "Coward 70 to the Lords hosts as they G
out for their last victory.
My mind this morning leaps thirty year
. ahead. and see merchant prince of Me-
. York. One stroke of his pen brings a shi
out of Canton. Another stroke of his pc
brings a ship into Madras. He is might
in all the money markets of the worl,
Z Who is he? He sits this morning besid
/ -, III