The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1889-01-31

stand all that may be told him? Can those
who have not studied the science, under
stand how astronomers can compute with
eXactneSS such ncunceivable distances? We
cannot understand, and yet the truth re-
mains unshaken. This world teens with
marks of His goodness We know that he
is moral power and that his law is in
failible. This God if he so desired could
speak to us. but if He reveals himself in
nature. on every hand. is it not our duty to
study Him? This great truth is the foun-
dation of all duty. All should recognize
this duty. Duty means submission of an
inferior to a superior. 1t is our duty to
smother every feeling against God. If we
were to break away from God it would be
like star or a sun breaking away from it's
orbit. We feel that life does not end all.
Philosophers have said that life was not
worth living We are created for all eternity.
There is that within us that reaches out
throughout all space.
We should serve God because He is our
benefactOr. l ask you to look up to God.
to accept of his blessings and joys. He is
the source of all hope and all happiness.
What would remain for you. dear friends.
without God? 1t would bring over this
earth a dark clOud. What brings hope to
the grave? What comforts us in sorrow;
dries our tears. and lessons the griefs of
poverty? Nothing. my friends. but Gods
love. But in God we can see hope for all.
You are this morning child of God. no
matter what you have done. He is mercy
and goodness itself. Jesus came to speak
words of joy. He tells us that there is
more joy in Heaven over one sinner that re-
pentS. than over the ninety and nine that
need no repentance. How beautifully He
tolIS tho cfOr1- of tho PrOdirol Copf Iocuc
loves us all, no matter where we are. What
does this mean? It means that Jesus does
not look upon us as the world does, but
that he loves us. The more we do for his
sake, the more faithful we are to his teach
mgS. no matter what the world may say.
our reward is Sure-the angel writes it
down. l want to make this appeal pow
erful one. dear friends that will make you
strong. that will give you the spirit of the
martyrs, and as the blessings of God lift
you up, you will see bright eternity be-
fore you.
1t is religion that gives hope to all. You
need God. You cannot be happy without
Him. When life has ceased kings and
monarchs have only six feet of earth. This
then is your hope. Strive for it. You can
make your present discipline a means of
grace. Be Christs and all will be WELL
Il
down before God. 1t is honorable and no
BILE to serve God. and to love Him. How
ever others may forget God do you never
forget Him! And then. in the next world.
you will have your reward for all eternity.
feel, dear friends. that have never been
nearer to God than to-day.
THE LECTURE.
1T affords me great pleasure to be here to ad-
dress you this afternoon, and am also pleased to
see so many citizens of saltwater here. 1t is not
usual to see such evidence of mutual charity dis
played upon occasions like this. 1t is well that
you so rich in Gods blessing, that you can
freely show your sympathy with these your un-
fortunate brothers. Assist them as you can Love
one another. for you may have been only more
fortunate than these. in that you have not been
subjected to like temptation. Christ always
sought out the poor, the humble and the suffer
ing, and to them gave his most loving and tender
care. We all know if there was more of this
charity in the world there would be less misfor-
tune and suffering. Those who are happy do not
need our sympathies; it is our duty to seek out
the unfortunate and unhappy and to minister
unto them.
what are the general causes that unite to
bring man here? Untoward circumstances, or
they were let alone in the time of trouble when
helping hand might have saved them. Now, when
these men return to the world they will need a
helping hand. 1t is not Chrst-like to look with
askant eyes into the past lives of men. even if
they have suffered from the law To take them by
the hand and lead them to nobler and better lives
is the Christians duty; here we see the beauty of