Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1888-09-28

dence T" RS though God directly willed it
with some clear intent and we cannot see
what for. In this habit of ascrlbng all
mysterious and painful events to the di-
rect working of God, as though he planned
and caused our grief, albeit for some good
reason, | see tendency that tries the hu
man spirit more harshly than believe
God ever intended, and that also lmputes
to our gracious, loving, heavenly rather
a trait unworthy of His divine ana per
feet character. There is no doubt that
whom the Lord loveth he chaste 1eth, Al q
scOurgeth every son whom he recelVeth
no doubt but we should be sensitive to his
corrections and bow submissvely before
him but to attribute to his direct agency
that for which the immediate RESPONSE
bility rests elsewhere, seems unnecessari-
ly harsh to ourselves and unjust to Him.
What shall we say, theu-that IL hath
pleased God No, rather, that God sor-
rows with us because under the immuta-
BILE operation of his wise laws this conse-
quence had to come upon us, winch he
could not wisely and justly avert though
out of love he would fain have done so.
And how then Does not God rule and
may he not do as he wills with his own
All, yes. But he has chosen in his loving
wisdom to let man rule over certain
sphere of his dominion ; and while man
is gaining control of the elements and
forces of nature that they may be his will
ing servitors, he is i'll the position or
learner, and while he is entering upon his
dominion, here and there, now and
then, almost inevitably through his lg-
norance these forces turn upon him aud
he has to pay the penalty OF their violated
law. 1t is because God puts so much re-
SpOnSibility into our hands and opens such
breadth of privilege before us, that we in
trying to grasp it all are subject to catas-
trophe. Let us realize that there is no i'm
patience with God, no vindictiveness, that
he never strikes in anger and that when
because of our infantile undeveloped hui
man state we incur trouble and misfor-
tune, He sorrows with us and like as Il
! father pltieth his children so the Lord
! pitieth them that fear him. Believe that
! His Providence is tender rs well as wise,
loving rs well as firm; and acknowledge
that we are all unworthy of the multitude
of his benefits and his loving kindnesses.
Now we may enter upon another line to
| which our minds most instinctlvely turn.
1t is one of the singular experiences of
such a time that the deepness of grief is
measured 10y the greatness of the loss. and
mourning for the lost is an evidence OF Joy
in past possession. And it tbecomes deep
and true comfort to dwell on what was,
and thus to learn that there are some
treasures that can never wholly be taken
from us. True 1t is that human treas
nres pass, but if the heart is fixed on the
| Eternal, love can maintain an eternal
right and be assured of its own.
What our friend was IN his outward
character, you all know-a pattern of a
physically perfect man. 1t was good 10
see him walk, good to be in the presence
of such Il vigorous constitution and to feel
the thrill of its vitality Concerning the
higher qualities that were the crownng
accompaniment of such Il physique-hls
dauutless courage, his determined per
sistency, and his irrepressble pluck and
daring.-for abundant instances of these
there is n>d onlv to refer to you 'lho
have been with him on occasions that
would call them forth. You know how
he WAS iuconsiderate Of himself, even to
the point of recklessness, when he had set
himself to any deed of duty or of helpful
ness, and rightfully you will cherish this
memory and recount such deeds, for these
are the natural, heroic virtues that are
none too common now. He had the lu-
stinct of selt-sacrlhce, and in the embOdi
ment of that instinct he doubtless lost his
life. and what our Lord Jesus Christ did
IN the spiritual realm, supremely ana 40
solutely, ne III MS Hllte way was re-
peattd dolhg IN the phySlcal realih sc
would IAN interpret tnls conspicuous
tralt OF his character as allylng nun IL
ne hedeemer OF the World. IL was loi
thle citan, strong, untalhted manllneS'
that you respected ana loved MN
Ana now 1t becomes great pleasure &c
say What can be sald III the CONFIDENCE GI
ms hCur ana thls occasion without Nio
laIng the sanctlty OF such intimate
Knowledge, All knew hln on thus large
iree-hearted and attractive side OF ms ma
ture, but all his acquaihtances dld ho'
know the rvotioual ana spiritual Sentr
ment that ruled Al the centre OF ms HE
Most OF you would not have called hlm
religious mau' nor was he so IN outward
loim ana mamie S,ht!OE' !et IheIe me-
rom 'ne ueatt VI MS ho,iie .ng "sSutanC, ',t
took nnon 6is lins the words ~
praver and commended the Interest.
of himself and those dear TO him To the
care of his Heavenly Father. In itself, a
a mere form. this might signify but LITTLE
yet in the lire of man who was 50 Tre'
from all ahectatlOn ana assumption o
plety, whose marked feature was hi
genuineness, such an habltual practice
does signify much regarding the lnnel
motive, and gives us ground of confidence
to believe that he was allied to GOD NOR,
closely tnan we knew.
To the strength of his outward life wa
welded a pentleness and devotion of affec
ton in his home life, A constancy and ar
dor of love (noue too common in this World)
which also has its perfect typ,