Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1888-11-15

I
life, too, may be a lesson unto US in
teaching that the supremest of earth's
joys is found in Christ's fellowship and
service.
1t is something to have lived for to
have enforced truth like this in ones
example. Ii is something to he striyen
after by those who feel that the salts
factions which they find in their relg-
ion are inadequate to them to make up
full measure of happiness, and must be
added to by supplements from the
world.
9Th. The value, in this community of
the consecutive example and influence
of this one life is very great. There is
aceumulative power in a life beginning
and ending in and with the same church
of Christ. Such life holds up TO view
the advantages of religion in all its va
ried periods. 1t shows men that youth
may find gladness in Gods service
and need not pine for worldly follies.
1t proves to men that the love thev give
to God neea not wane in life's advance
ment or lose its grasp of joy and com
fort under the bufietings of trial and sor-
row. Such a life beginning in its youth
and reach ing through so many years,
lives down the criticism so often urged
against religion, that it is excitement. or
the attraction of association, or nov
city which gives it life. Here is an an
swer to the easy skepticism of the time
which cannot be argued away by trifiing
jest or word. Here is the fact that fifty
four years of solid, happy, progressive.
toilsome, experimental service for Christ
to be accounted for, before disbelief
in religion can be entertained.
As there is aecumulative evidence of
the religion of Christ In such life, so
also is there accumulatiye power in the
consecutive years in which il has been
exerting its influence in the midst of US.
The perInanencv of influence greatly
enforces its efficiency. IL j. the repeat
cd rays Of the sun in the springtime
that sweep the hills of snow, and warm
the earth ia preparation for the summers
beauty.
One day of sunshine would not do it.
The many Will. So the one year, or
five of the quiet Christians walk may
not convince the world that the believer
has something which they need and do
not possess; but when that five is null
tiplied by ten, and that one by fifty, the
evidence increases with fast doubling
ratios This life of more than half
century's breadth will be recognised
guaranty of the reality of Christ's reli-
gion in this church and village. long af-
ter the name that bears il has ceased to
answer the roll-call of the Master as lie
walks among earth's golden candlesticks.
And in the estimate of what this one
life has been unto the Church and world
as witness 10 Christ's Gospel, as
winner of souls 10 Christ, as an encour-
agement and helper in His Church. we
may read what each one of our lives
may be and what they ought TO be in
lthe day of our retrospection, when God,
the Church. the world and we ourselves
shall make final summary in the great
Anniversary Day.
Need we open the title page Of the
Book of Life and inquire the outlook for
the future TO such a life as we have been
cousideringY
How can heaven be other than IA
miliar place to onewhose heart has dwelt
upon its glorious scenes from the earli-
est days:
How can its inhabitants be strangers
to him who has dwelt among Gods peo-
pie for three score years and ten:
How can the songs of the Redeemed
be surprise to one who has sung them
over and over again in every day Of
earth's long pilgrimage!
And Christ. will he not know his own,
when they come IL from their wandering
to take their home in the Mansions lie
is preparing:
II Is the Christian life behind Us, that
makes u meet for the inheritance OF
the saints in light before rs.