Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1886-08-26

lnarKeu WIN some oark spots, some
stains of sin. Chrlst's is the only per
feet example, he alone was without sin,
his is the only light without shade,
the only beauty without IL stain the
only example of disinterested and per
feet love for all men. In his life he
exhibited an example of every kind of
virtue and affords instruction for all
and to all, his command Is "follow me, :"
and to save all, was the design Of his
life and death.
In the providence Of God many dif-
ferent mental and physical powers are
given to men, many different states and
tastes have been acquired ard many
different circumstances surround men.
Omniscience from the beginning saw
and knew all these and to each spe-
cifc work in life is assigned, by which
each may best glorify the Creator and
secure his own highest well-being -
Over each the guiding and oycrruling
power Of Omnipotcnce presides and so-
cures the best result, if his command
is obe5ed. But many refuse to follow
the Divine direction and lean to their
own understanding, and in following
their own tastes and apparent comforts
or interests, they leaye the path Of dn-
ty--leave the path that would lead
them to the greatest JOY and most
blissful future. Many, very many
make this mistake and enter paths that
lead to trouble.
Jesus commanded Peter to feel his
sheep and indicated what would be the
manner of his death. But Peter was
not satisfied to know his own duty and
what would be his end, he aIse wanted
to know what John was to DO and his
curiosity led him to inquire "what
shall this man Goo' Elch Of the dis
cipIes had his specific work and his
end conditioned by that work. Some
We're executed in one and others in an
other way, but John died Il natural
DEATH yet the line Of his duty led him
to be cast into Il chaldron Of boiling oil,
from which he was delivered, because
he was in the line Of duty, This was
not the result of Il blind fate nor does
it teach that ilea, but proves that there
is safety in following where God leads.
50 now each Of us have our own duty
to operlorm and only by following Christ
can we secure our highest interests,
which are the result Of the faithful
performance of what is assigned to us.
Then what is it to us what Our neigh
Dor does? what he says or what is his
duty What is that to me when |
have my own duty to perform?
| am responsible for my own conduct
and not for that of others. Take for
illustration piece Of machinery,
watch for instance, in which wheel fits
into wheel, some larger than others, yet
the whole is arranged to Garry out one
design and indicate the time; to ac-
complish this each wheel must perform
its duty, one cannot take the place
of another, nor leave its position with
out affecting the design and defeating
the end. If one fails, the hands do not
indicate the time and the silversmith
is requested to adjust the wheel or put
another in its place. SO none of us
can 60 out Of the line Of duty without
aHectin. the moral model, but must
remain at our post and follow Christ,
and let the great Master who designed
and set the great machinery Of the
physical and spiritual world in motion,
make the corrections to the rejection Of
the useless and injurious and to the hon
or Of the faithlul,an 50 govern that the
whole machinery will eventually work
in harmony to the honor Of the Creator
and redeemer, whose design is to COR
rect all evil and make all Of his follow
crs heirs with him Of eternal glory.
If we are creatures under an omnlp.
otent Creator, who overrules all things,
who has given us free moral agency
and intelligence to follow where he dl-
reefs, and whose love has marked out
a course that will forever lead us to
higher and higher achievements, if We
are under such Creator, and if we
have such a great and glorious future
before us as the reward of our faithful
ness, have we the time ? or should we
have the disposition to neglect our du-
ty by meddling about what does not
concern u.s. If our duty is set before
Us, what have we to do with the duty
of others? Is it wise for us to leave
the line of our own duty to meddle IN
and comphcate the affairs of Others
Should we in life busy work suffer
nnr minds to he OocupieI with things