The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1888-09-01
DISAPPOINTMENTS.

UioAffUIN MEN D.
Let us not look at disappointments as
accidents that chance to fall upon life.
They are part and parcel Of those pro-
cesses that tougher the texture of
character and determine the quality Of
its fibre. Unfortunate would be the
creature who might be permitted to
trip through his days heedlessly, never
arrested and turned to sober thought
by the failure of his plans. 1t were
wisdom rather to count it all joy and
thank God when he considers us worth
disappointing.
Nevertheless, it does not follow that
disappointments are light and pleasur-
able even to Gods children who are
taught by the spirit. 1t is hard to be
disappointed, just in proportion to the
store set by the thing cherished but
now lost, the expectation fondly sus-
tanned but now blasted. The pain is
keen and the sense of deprivation is
acute, whether there is a sudden with
ering as of Jonah's gourd, or whether
there is gradual fading away, per-
ceptible not so much in its operations
as in its effects. Who likes to see the
plans he brought to perfection with so
much labored thought, provinginappli
cable and having of necessity to be cast
aside like a clumsily-made, ill-ftting
suit of clothes? Who would choose, if
he might have his own way, to find his
own limited and circumscribed abili-
ties and powers, or the impossible wall
of circumstances that seems to have
arisen in night, rendering it impos-
sible for him to carry to completion a
project he set his soul upon?
Nevertheless the Christian when cut
to the quick by disappointment, does
not succumb to it. He dare not.
Moody melancholy and dismal brood
ings have no place in his soul. He
would be doing injustice to his call
ing and his privileges if he harbored
them.
For these things do not turn out by
chance. They are all arranged and
directed by Father omnipotent, whose
purpose is one of love. They form
part of, and have their place among
the things that "work together
for good" Good must come out Of
them in some way, if there be but
patience to wait. Many bitter root
belongs to a plant with glorious
blossom and sweet fruit.
In fact, rsnlGgs are not what they
seem, even now. Many a grief is an
actual present good, SO that poet can
sing of the "sweet uses" of ''adversi-
ty." In the school of adversely, disap-
pointment is often a most valuable
classroom. How it makes the Chris
tian look away from himself upon his
heavenly Father. What lesson trust
is taught there! Does it not often
directly bring about mending of ones
ways? Within its poorly lit precincts
many one has learned to say: Before
was afflicted I went astray; but now
have hardened to thy word.'
And even at the worst, disappointment
is not thing that can last forever.
Though May be cloudy and damp and
cold, the blossoms must push out, and
sunshine in a plenty will come in June
or later. Fruitage and harvest cannot
utterly fail. The keen east wind
will not blow forever. Fair southern
breezes and bracing currents from the
west must set in some time.
Yes, the Christian is king over dis
appointment. It may get at the out
side of him, but it cannot get al his
real self; for in the sight of eternity,
what thing is longp When the worst
comes to the worst, with grim sort of
satisfaction, as superior to ancient
do lilo 10 VI ol1O uOhO oAduOW
of life, he can say disappointment,
do thine utmost. By the grace of God
thou canst not master my soul, nor vex
it utterly. In the end there will be
surprises of eternal joy to overbalance
the disappointments of the now as the
glowing sun in the heavens outweigns
a mote in one of its rays"
Therefore, "why art thou cast down,
o my soul; and why art thou disquiet-
ed within me9 Hope thou in God; for
L shall yet praise him, who is the
health of my countenance and my
God"
God grant US grace, so to take our
disappointments, that they may be the
lines in the spectrum of life demon
strating for us the presence of realities
of joy in the celestial worlds beyond,
the reach of sin or sorrow to annoy
The Morduian.
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