The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1888-08-04
THE DISCIPLINE OF SORROW.

THE DISCIPLINE OF SORROW
Spiritual Attainment Only Through Toi
and Conhict-How the Nobler Traits o
Human Character Are Brought Out.
The apostles told their converts
t'that we must through much tribula
ton enter into the Kingdom of God. >
This means more than that tribulatior
will surely meet the one who is jour.
neying towards the better estate Il
means that, by the very nature of the
case, sorrow must be borne as the con,
dition and method of attaining the
more exalted life. AS it is only through
physical exercise that the muscles car
be strengthened, 80 it is only through
the hardships of tribulation that {
mans spiritual fiber can be developed
and that he can reach the more glorious
existence. Entrance into the Kingdom
of God is the attainment of higher
spiritual state, and that higher, noblel
spiritual existence can be reached only
through the discipline of sorrow.
A man naturally desires for himsel
that he may have AN easy time in the
world. He would be glad to have al
things arranged just exactly to his
comfort, that no trouble or vexatior
should come in his way, that he should
have no misfortune or disappointment
that he should glide along on the
smooth stream of an uninterrupted
prosperity. But if such should be hi:
lot his character would remain unde
veloped, his life would be destitute o.
all that is grand and heroic. He
would be morally what one would be
physically who had always remained
at perfect rest, never exercising a mus.
Gle.
On the other hand sorrow, rightly
borne, purities and strengthens anG
ennobles the soul. The loftiest, sub.
FINEST natures are those which have
been acquainted with grief. The
greatest elevation of human character
is attainable only through the discipline
of trouble. OF the grandest souls that
are found upon our earth, of the noblest
natures that share our human:ty, it
must ever be said: 'These are they
which come out of great tribulation. y
1t is only by such experiences that the
noblest elements of mans nature can
be matured. 1t is only through toll
and conflict that spiritual strength is
attained.
Here stands a young fellow who,
having a rich father, has never been
obliged to exert himself, and in the
careless unconcern of his easy life, he
is a good example of his jovial fresh
ness of youth. But there is very little
about him to interest us. If we enjoy
looking at such a one it is only as we
may like to look at baby. But ten,
twenty, forty years pass. He has taken
a part in the stern work of life He
has had his conflicts. He has had his
trials. He has had his reverses.
He has become another person
His face is no longer smooth, i'm
mature and inexpensive. Care has
chiseled finer lines in his brow. Con-
flict has given a tirmer set to his lips.
Trouble has touched his glance with a
mellower pathos. He is a handsomer
man than he was at twenty. His char
acter has matured. His nature is ex-
banded. And it is only through his
struggles and trials that this has been
brought about. If he had never had
any perplexities in his life, if he had
never experienced any thing but unin-
terrupted prosperity, he would still be
uninteresting, boyish, babyish. 1t is
only through the discipline of trial that
the nobler, sublimer traits of human
character are brought out.
And herein is the explanation of the
fact that whom the Lord loveth He
chasteneth." Whom God would train
to excellence and glory He leads
through tribulation and stern conflict.
Those whom He destines to the high
est rank in His kingdom He brings
through the severest discipline.
Now 1t may be granted that spiritual
attachments may not always be in
direct proportion to the calamities one
has passed through. Under the dis
clpllne of sorrow, as under muscular
exercise, some may break down. The
soft sandstone crumbles under the
chisel; it is only the firm marble from
which the masterpiece may be carved.
But in the strength of Christ the dis
cipline of tribuiation can be borne.
Upheld by the Saviour we may bear
the stern training and rejoice in it as
that which shall work out in us the
more glorious fruits of the Divine plan.
. Christian Inquirer.