The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1886-05-26
MAKE ALL SURE.
Dig Deep, Build Firmly, and he Prepared
for the Unexpected.

for the Unexpected.
A house had been rapidly run up. t
was six stories high, and built of stone,
with thick walls. All had proceeded
without hindrance, and the roof was
being placed upon the structure. It
was, however, wretchedly put togeth-
er, and the foundation was bad. What
matteredp 1t looked substantial. Plas-
tered over it would make an attractive
hotel, for it was admirably situated;
and if it did not stand for ages, yet it
would serve for immediate use and
bring in a good return, and then it
could be sold, and the newcomer
would have to look to repairs. So
thought the builder, and he was no
more of rogue than others are who
think only of themselves and the i'm
mediate present Had all gone smooth
ly SO might it have been; but thin gs
did not go smoothly, for there came a
waterspout upon the hills above the
town, and the rain fell in tropical
abundance upon the town itself. A
flood rushed into the streets, and swept
by the wall of this new fabric with
tremendous force. 1t lasted scarce
'half-an-hour, but it was torrent, four
feet deep, of mud and water, driven
with great velocity, and it did vast
amount of mischief in that space, even
to the drowning of six or more human
beings. When we saw the fine new
hotel that was to have been, it was
shored up with immense timbers, for
the foundations were giving way and the
walls were ready to come down in q
heap. Every body said: 1T must be
taken down."
This is after the fashion of many q
mans religion. It is fine pile, and
promises great usefulness to the man
himself, and possibly to others. True,
it is somewhat of the kind known as
"a contract job" yet it is fairly well
put together. Not much cement of
grace, no solid foundation upon eter-
nal verities-such things are rather
old-fas ,ioned; but in lieu of these sub.
stantial matters a good deal OF stucco
and plaster of paris has been used,
composed of charity to all denomina-
tions, and broad views ON spiritual
subjects. The lofty edifice might have
stood lifetime at least, il the weather
had been propitious. but, alas! an un-
usual temptation happened, and in a
few minutes the structure would have
gone to the ground if it had not been
propped up with extra hypocrisy and
cunning deceit. As it is, It will have
to be taken down sooner or later, and
it will be better sooner than later.
The hotel is q wretched object now,
and hardly safe for those who pass by;
it must come down. But what q waste
of labor! What ruinous expense in
putting up, taking down and putting
up again. The like is the case of the
badly built professor; his condition
after his late temptation by no means
commands respect. To what purpose
has been his waste of professional zeal!
What cost yet awaits him! Getting up
the name Of Christian man, repenting
of the deceit, and clearing ones self Of
the falsehood, and then going to God
in sincerity so as to get upon the true
foundation; all these make up q length
ened process. How much better for
the protesting man to have taken heed
to his building at the first! Solidity
turns oat to be economy. Truth pays
best. Wood, hay and stubble may be
| cheap at the moment, but before long
they prove to be more costly than gold,
silver and precious stones. When the
fire comes, see how they are whirled
away in clouds of smoke, while the
poor builder loses his all. Mark how
in another case the flood saps and
mines the lower tiers of stone, and
makes the wall heave, and shift, and
bulge till great is the fall thereof. Let
us learn from the follies of others.
Fires and floods will come to us also,
and we shall be doubly blamed if they
find us unprepared; for as we are fore
warned we ought to be forearmed. God
grant we may be. Take heed to thyself.
good master, and do thy work for
eternity, for any thing less lasting will
bring thee misery. Dig deep; build
firmly, and be prepared Tor the unex.
pected. The armorers' company in the
Olden time is a wise counsel for every
man among U.S. Leave nothing
uncertain in thy souls affairs, but
make all sure. -Spurgeon's SUord ana