Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1886-01-18
gelioioals department.
CROSSING THE RUBICON OF
TRIAL.

llla ss
lis there room beside the hearth
stone of Christian unity and love for
me to enter and gather warmth and
strength to proceed onward on the:
Journey of earthly life? / am q pill
grim, way-worn and weary and fain
would rest beside some glowing
hearth for a short breathing space;
for before me lies the river Rubicon,
with its swiftly rushing waters, and
often must | cross it DER and gain
the other side. @
A strange and Maynard stream is
the river Rubicon. 1t winds about
through shady hooks, through rocky
chasms, through open glades and
through barren desert places and it
ever folds and refolds upon itself,
while each new crossing is the partial
boundary of some new territory
which we must traverse, sowing seed
ever as we pass. The reaping may
not be ours to do.
In my earliest years the river lay
before me quiet, shaded, purling
stream, over which | crossed with
easy steps, clinging the while to a
tender, leading hand. The stepping
stones were wet and slippery, and
my steps were quick and eager; for
10 the land beyond seemed glorious
with brightness, hope, joy and beau
ty. But as | journeyed onward the
stream grew ever deeper; and more
wild and impetuous the rushing of
the waters, held in their narrow bed
by strong, unyielding shores.
AT times the sound of the flowing
waters has been like sweet and thrill
ing strains of minor music; and
then how lovingly and lingeringly |
listened for its echoeing tones after /
had passed beyond it. 1t must have
been enchanted music, surely, for
ever and anon it whispers still in my
heart, accompanying me for space
upon my long, sometimes bright and
sometimes weary way.
Sometimes the banks have been
bright with flowers, of which / eager
ly gathered few as l passed; and
though all too soon they lay withered
and dead, yet their perfume fingered
long upon the hands that gathered
and upon the bosom on which they
were placed. When the heat of the
day has been oppressive, and the
pathway has lain unsheltered and
uncheered through burning furnace
heats of trial, how delightful has
been the thought that beyond all
a mansion of rest is prepared for the
faithful. At such times, especially,
have | heard whispers of a beauti-
full land of rest which lieth beyond
all these devices and tortuous wind
ings, and the promises of this beau.
tiful land and the hope that soon
some new crossing will give me en-.
trance within its borders, give me
hope or faith to journey on.
When the bitter storm o'ertakes
me, and all my drapery grows too
closely clinging, through its weight
of nights fallen tears, then l needs
must rest until the clinging garments
lose somewhat the power they have
to bind my limbs from motion. Al
times, too, long for the sound o
human voices, for the clasp of hu
man hands, for the home gathering
of kindred hearts around the glowing
of hearthstone of kindred loves
where one regains strength and oour
age through receiving and givins
true confidence and affection.
, But, dear friends. here we ma,
not tarry. Onward we must eacl
; and all 60 forth upon our way. Ant
while we journey let us help eac
other by free and earnest intercourse
; Although we are in company, an
may travel side by side, still in niue
each life is entirely solitary Their
is1much that each must meet an
bear, and live alone with his ow
: soul and its Creator
e In the sanctuary of our hearts ma
: dear words of love and greeting
i. fall; encouraged and heartened ma,
we all 60 onward, reciveing ever tn
best comfort of all, the comfort Ii
i Father sending to his own. Til
$ Rubicon Of trial is often to be cross
. ed and still each crossing is "a day
e march nearer home,' che more ST;
ton reached upon the way unto etel
!, nal life and peace and blessedness.
e POWER OF A LIVING BIBLE
A young lady, who resided vii
n her uncle, had fretful temper whlc