Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1886-02-27
DAY BY DAY.
RY REV. JAMES CALDER, d. d

history tomorrow. The many not
only have such desire, but they have
it to such degree that it troubles
them; and the inability to satisfy
it deprives them of present pleasure
and makes them anxious as to the
future. To know now the secrets
which belong to the morrow leads
thousands to indulge in surerstitious
practices, and to give money to and
place faith in pretended seers and
fortune-tellers, who at best are but
blind leaders of the blind.
In like manner it is a common
evil to wish to possess to-day the
fruits of toll or the gifts of fortune
whose proper season, we know full
well, is in the future. The work Of
the passing day is neglected while
this eager longing occupies the heart;
and that self preparation which is
necdful if one would have full enjoy
ment Of good is not secured if we
hasten unduly the harvest time.
To know the details of our coming
years, and to have now the rewards
of labor not yet performed is i'm
possible. 1t is not Gods plan con-
eerning us. Infinitely great in him
self, able to bring to pass at any
moment all His desires and knowing
the end of all things even from the
beginning, He limits us, as to the
particulars of our existence, to the
narrow present; and ordains that we
shall live day by day.
All-wise Himself, He has created
us with thirst for knowledge; and
he has given to all who feel their lack
OF wisdom the assurance that if they
will but ask of Him He will give
literally, and upbraid themn not. But
He gives not all at once, but makes
the attainment the result of growth.
Each added day of existence, if
made by the recipient day of earn
est seeking, adds to his treasured
wisdom; but each evening tempers
his rejoicing with the reminder that
there remain treasures of learning
that he cannot yet call his own
So the work which God wishes us
to do lies fully arranged in the di-
vine mind, but He does not so reveal
it to us. With the opening day He
assigns US our task, and at it's close
He does not demand that which He
had reserved for tomorrow. The
rewards for faithful labor are not
withheld, but at nightfall the work
men are called and each receives &C
cording to that agreed upon.
How manifold are the sad exper-
fences of mankind! Even the ODE
dent and dutiful, who do justly,
love mercy and walk humbly with
their God, are visited with sore
trials. Sad bereavements overtake
them. The wrong which multitudes
are made to suffer at the hands of
the wicked, embitter their lives, and
often wiring from them the cry, "How
long, o God, how long?" But how
much more sore would have sbeen
those Affections if they all had come
at once? And who could have
borne them if their nature and the
knowledge of their coming had been
revealed beforehand They came
day by day; and He who permitted
them, sent day by day. the needed
grace to bear them and to make
them blessings in disguise.
After all, Gods way is the best
one. He revealed it in His method
Of creation. Each day had its work;
and thus He calls US to be not only
workers together with Him, but al
SO laborers after His manner. And
He repeats the teaching in the bless
ed prayer which voices the necessi-
ties of all our race Gods Son,
through whom alone we have access
10 the Father, taught us to ask for
daily blessings and happy eXper-
fence proves that those who thus
submit to Gods plan have brightest