Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1889-11-28

| and go upon hill represented to u.s.
While We look, the mountains are trans
figured. The furnished gates of Heaven
swing open and shut, to let pass host
of fiery splendors. The clouds are all
abloom, and hang pendant from arbors
of alabaster and amethyst. The waters
make pathway Of inlaid pearl for the
light TO walk upon; and there is morn
ing on the sea. The crags uncover their
SCARED visage; and there is morning
among the mountains. Now you 60
home, and how tame your picture Of the
morning seems in contrast! Greater
than that shall be the contrast between
this Scriptural view of God and that
which We shall have when standing face
to face. This is a picture of the morn
ing; that will be the morning itself.
Again: Ny texts are true of the
Saviours excellency. By image, and
sweet rhythm of expression, and start
ling antitheses, Christ is set forth-His
love, His compassion, His work, His
life, His death, His resurrection. We
are challenged to measure it, to COM
pute it, TO weigh 1t. In the hour of our
broken enthrallment, We mount up into
high experience OF His love, and shout
until the countenance glows, and the
blood bounds, and the whole nature is
exhilarated, Il have found Him." And
yet it is through glass, darkly. We
see not half of that com passionate face.
We feel not half the warmth of that low
ing heart. We wait for death to let us
rush into His outspread arms. Then we
shall be face to face. Not shadow then,
but substance. Not hope then, but the
fulfilling of all preigurement.
That will be a magnificent unfolding.
The rushing out in view of all hidden
excellency; the coming again of q long
absent Jesus to meet us-rot in rags and
penury and death, but amidst light,
and pomp, and outbursting Joy such as
none but glorifed intelligence could
experience. Oh! to gaze full upon the
brow that was lacerated, upon the side
that was pierced, upon the feet that
were nailed; to stand close up in the
presence of Him who prayed for US upon
the mountain, and thought of US by the
sea, and agoniZed for us in the garden,
and died for US in horrible crucifixion,
feel of Him, to embrace Him, to take His
hand, to kiss His feet, too run our fin
gers along the scars of ancient suffering,
to say: This is my Jesusl He gave
his life for me. shall never leave his
presence. / shall forever behold His
glory. l shall eternally hear His voice.
Lord, Jesus, now see thee! I behold
where the blood started, where the tears
coursed, where the face was distorted.
I have waited for this hour. l shall
never turn my back on thee. No more
looking through imperfect glasses. No
more studying thee in the darkness.
But as long as this throne stands, and
this everlasting river flows and those
garlands bloom, and these arches of
victory remain to greet home Heavens
conquerors, so long shall see thee,
Jesus of my choice, Jesus of my song,
Jesus of my triumph-forever and for
ever-face to face?
The idea of my text is Just as true
when applied to Gods providence. Who
has not come to some pass in life
thoroughly inexplicable? You say:
What does this meanp What is God GO
ing to do with me now? He tells me
all things work together for good. This
does not look like it," You continue
to study the dispensation, and after
awhile guess about what God means.
He means to teach me this. think He
means to teach me that. Perhaps it is
to humble my pride. Perhaps it is to
make me feel more independent. Per-
haps to teach me the uncertainty of life. "
But, after all, it is only guess-a look
ing through the glass, darkly. The
Bible assures us that there will be q
satisfactory unfolding. What do
thou knowest not now, but thou shalt
know hereafter" You will know why
God took to Himself that only child.
Next door there was household of
seven children. Why nottake one from
that group, instead of your only one?
Why single out the dwelling in which
there was only one heart Batting respon-
sive to ysurs2 Why did God give you o
child at all, il he meant to take it away?
Why fill the cup of your gladness brim-
ming if he meant to dash it down? Why
allow all the tendrils of your heart to
wind around that object, and then, when
ever fiber of your own life seemed to be
interlocked with the child's life, with
strong hand to tear you apart, until you
fall bleeding and crushed, your dwell
ing desolate, your hopes blasted, your
heart broken? Do you suppose that
God will explain that? Yes. He will
make it palmer than any mathematical
problem-as plain as that two and two
make four. In the light of the throne
you will see that it was right-all right.
just and true are all thy ways, thou
king of saints.
Here is q man who cannot get on in
the world. He always seems to buy at
the wrong time and sell at the worst dis
advantage. He tries this enterprise, and
| fails; that business, and is disappointed.
The man next door to him has a lucra-
tive trade, but he lacks customers. A
new prospect opens. His income is in
creased. But that year his family are
sick; and the profits are expended in
| trying to cure the ailments. He gets o
discouraged look. Becomes faithless as
| to success. Begins to expect disasters.
| Others wait for something to turn up;
he waits for it to turn down. Others
with only half as much education and
| character, get on twice as we'll. He
sometimes guesses as to what it al
| means He says: Perhaps riches
would spoil me. Perhaps poverty is
necessary to keep me humble. Perhaps
I might, if things were otherwise, be
tempted into dissipation" But there il
no complete solution of the mystery
He sees through a glass darkly, an6
must wait for higher unfolding. Will
there be an explanation2 Yes; God will
take that man in the light of the throne
and say: Child immortal, hear the ex.
planation. And you will answer: II
is all right"
Isee, every day, profound mysteries
| Of Providence. There is no question
we ask oftener than Why? There are
hundreds of graves that need to be ex.
planned. Hospitals for the blind an(
lame, asylums forthe idiotic and insane