The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-07-13
COMFORT FOR THE woRLp,s WOE.
rev. Lew Gilbert Points Out Cure for
All TrfbuIatfon


All Trfbulatfons.
Kew. Levi Gilbert, d. d., preached at the First
Me'noaist Episcopal church yesterday morning
on Cnristianitys Comfort for the Worlds
woe. lie chose his text from the Second
episue oil Paul to the Corinthians: "Blessed be
uoo, who comforteth US In all our
triDuiaslons that we may be able to comfort
them which are in trouble by the comfort where
with we ourselves are comforted of God"
MT. Gilbert drew vivid picture of the Attic
lions OF Lie that come to ell, showing how per-
sons may iall prey TO hostile forces with their
nearts tossed By storms and pierced by arrows.
he said that the aspect OF the world apart from
Goa was that Of a battle ground, scene of con-
slant struggle, disease, pestilence. toll and
human seihshness; that in the midst of all, the
demand for comfort manifests itself, and we
should get what little comfort we can from one
another, that although the world may seem SO
beautiful there is the sad refrain that men must
WORK and women must weep, and we must learn
to bear our burdens.
ne compared endurance to patience and forti-
tnoe, and said that while man at times may
appear to have heart of flint, il
was impossible for him, constituted as
he IL, not to feel emotions in distress,
sorrow in affection and the need of comfort
he mentioned many historical instances where
some OF the great men of the world were lifted
out OF trial and temptations and freed from
weakness and errors by the comfort found in
prayer.
"Men of genius need comfort" said he. "and
the grand reformers of the world who are above
the common lot OF humanity and hence are iso-
lated and alone, need help and comfort States
men who occupy the highest stations of life are
aided and comforted in their paths TO fame by
the love OF their families and friends. What il
applause and success but comfort? And even
those who have such an abundant supply of
confidence and power and can go without COM
fort, seemingly, when in distress cry out TO God
and seek his help and comfort IL there any
thing weak or unmanly in prayer, as ii it con-
verted heroic men into whimpering children :?
Diyest man OF his earnestness and fortitude and
let him put his dependence only in man. and we
ind weakness, self-distrust and paralysis of &C.
ton, but let him put his dependence in God,
who Is SO much above him, and there will be
happy practical results.
Life is too short to brood over trouble and
lifes duties are too numerous To brood is to
become a mere machine, and all inspiration goes
from life. Each night Is followed by q day. II
10 not always dark and morbid brooding, regrets
and repentance bring oniv disease to the soul
The world gets nothing from the past and we
cannot drag about the body of the dead past
The world, lying in wretchedness, makes GER
tain demands of all. Every heart has its bitter
ness and all flesh must CULVER under the lash,
but to obtain relief we must seek comfort in the
ever loving, sympathetic Jesus"
He said that comfort may come by the recu-
perntive power Of our own constitutions, by the
ministrattons of nature and the ministrations
Of friends, and spoke OF the comfort of prayer
that God will help ana comfort those who seek
His aid. 'Be OF good cheer" said he
"let not your hearts be troubled. Hearts
that are breaking are comfortsd by
lifting their loads through words and tears, and
telling their troubles to others from whom they
find comfort and sympathy. Bear We one an
others burdens II you only press the hand and
say that you are sorry, you may bring surcease
of pain. 30 II il, to ask for comfort from God is
to be soothsd and quieted, and to find an indie
scribable solace. In bereavement. do not sorrow
rs those who have no hope. A little while and
then there will BE- . restoration and all wrongs
will be righted.
without the other life this life would not be
endurable. The thoughts of decay and death
are confusing. II all is lost when we are done,
then the efforts to reach eternity lose their
charm, but we know that ali is not lost but there
Ia rest in Christ II we are living for this worlds
wealth and success alone, then we could not
wonder at despair and suicide, but we do not
suffer in vain All is not lost, but there is some
thing sustaining and solacing In prayer"
He closed with an appeal to all to seek COM
fort In their Affections and bersavements by
looking to God and heaven, and in all trials to
comfort one another.