The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1890-04-09

Fruitless is sorrow for having done
do so no more.
In the worst of times there Ia more
cause to complain of an evil heart than
of all evil world.
Hosts of Christians have motion,
but no progress, like horse in tread
mill or child on rocking horse.
A holy life has O voice. It speaks
when the tongue is silent, and is either
constant attraction or continual re-
proof.
If man Is as passionate, malicious,
resentful, sullen, or morose after his
conversion as before it, what is he con-
verted from or to?
New strength can often be gained by
changing the surroundings, the COM
panions, the everyday influences. and
uring ging to bear :others of different
and better type. What caunot be done
by direct volition can often be accom-
plished by indirect means.
1t is said that consistency is jew
ell" So it is; but there are better
things than jewels. Some people have
plenty of the jewels of consistency,
who are as poor in character as LaZa-
rus was in property. 1t is better to be
right than to be simply consistent.
We are made for wide communion
The man who isolates himself dwarfs
and loses the power he believes he Is
cultivating. Our need is to have inti-
mate communication with our fellow
men, and with as large a variety as
possible, always excepting, Of course,
the depraved.
They that trust in the Lord shall
find their strength renewed day by
day. When they think themselves
powerless and exhausted, suddenly
their wings shall sprout like those Of
the eagle. They shall run, and not be
weary; they shall walk, and not faint.
Advance, then, pious soul, advance;
and when you believe yourself at the
last gasp, redouble your zeal and cour-
age, for the Lord will sustain you.
Be not disheartened because the eye
of the world is upon you, to detect
YOUR errors and to rejoice in your halt
ing. But rather regard this state of
things, trying as it may be, as one Of
the safeguards which kind Father
has placed around you to keep alive in
your own bosom an antagol1istfc spirit
of watchfulness, and to prevent those
very mistakes and transgressions
which. your enemies eagerly anticipate.
There can be no such thing as q
quarrelsome, revengpful Christian 1t
ia contradiction Of terms. .. There
can be no such thing as proud Chris
tian; humility lies at the foundation
of the Christian character. :. There
can he no such thing as an unkind,
unfeeling Christian. There can be no
such thing as an exclusive, censorious
Christian. There may be the form,
indeed, but the spirit is not there.
To be misunderstood even by those
whom one loves is the cross and bitter
ness of life. It is the secret Of that
sad and melancholy smile on the lips
Of great mon which 50 few understand;
it is the crueIest trial reserved for self
devotion ; it is what must have often
est wrung the heart of the Son Of Man t;
and if God could suffer, it would be
the wound we should be forever inflict-
ing upon Him. He also-He above all
is the great misunderstood, the least
comprehended. Alas! alas Never
to tire, never to grow cold; to be pa
tient, sympathetic, tender; to look for
the budding flower and the opening
heart; to hope always, like God; to
love always this is duty.