Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1891-11-14


AS human nature is a great tree, so
the passing generations of men and
women are IFS fading and falling
leaves. The leaves of human gener>
atoms do wither and decay and min
gle with the dust, but human nature
abides, and this perpetuity of the tree
of human nature is, in the view of
some philosophers, the only immor-
tality we are warranted to expect.
We ere far, however, from concurring
in that view. We cannot see that
there is any true immortality in
succession of brief m0rtalities. This
view of the subject solves none of the
dark mysteries of life, meets not the
deepest warnings of the heart, and
plainly cOntradicls the declarations
of the Word of God.
The language of the prophet, in its
Godward relation,is suggestive of the
divine superintendent. The leaves
have their time for falling. They do
not fall in haphazard way. Like
all other things the times and bounds
oftne;r habitatiOns have been deter
mined by their Creator. AT His call
they come forth in all the freshness
Of their spring life. BY His arrange
ment they grow into all the beauty
and strength of their summer time.
And now, having fulfilled their work
they pass away. 1t is only in the
continuance of the divine superin-
tendence that we have any guaranty
of the quiet and ceaseless regularity
of the seasons. flood should with
draw His control from nature, all
things would lush into direct confus-
ion and ruin. Men speak loosely of
the claws of nature" as if they were
selforiginated and self-directed. But
we cannot separate laws from a Law
giver. The laws of nature are simply
the observed order of the operation
of Gods will. God ever keeps His
hand on all forces, material and spir-
itual, guiding with equal wisdom the
rolling of a planet and the falling of a
leaf.
Again, the language of the prophet
in the text suggests the accomplish
ment Of the divine purpose. The
leaf has its mission to fulfill. 1t per-
forms an important function in the
vegetable economy, corresponding to
that of the lung in the animal organ.
ism. 1t erates the sap which goes to
build up the tissues of the tree or
plant. 1t absorbs that which is inju-
rious to human life, and diffuses that
which is vital to us. Having elabora.
ted the sap which is needed as nutri-
ment for the wood of the tree, it has
fulfilled the chief end of its existence.
In the dying year the sap ceases to
flow, and the tree goes to sleep. The
occupation of the leaf is then gone;
and, as nature does not maintain any
sinecures, the leaf dies and mingles
with the dust of preceding genera
tions. The life of the leaf, though
short, was thus useful. And so, NO
man liveth to himself. every mans
life" says Horace Bushnell, sis a
plan of God" We cannot live to
ourselves if we would. Every human
life affects in some degree and in some
direction the lives of his fellow.
beings. AS the leaf cannot perform
its functions without contributing 10
the general good of the whole tree, SO
no man can live and labour without
incidentally helping Others. Even
when he Injuries them, that injury is
overruled for their ultimate advan-
tage. No man can break away from
Gods control, or live without fur
thering the divine purpose, on some
side. Neither can man die without
contributing to Gods comprehensive
plan. The father who dies when his
children are helpless, the minister
who dies when his usefulness seems
to be only beginning, and, the infant
who dies before he has done any.
thing at all-each of them has fulfill.
ed his days. From the ceutenarian
to the infant of an hour, each human
being has his life>work. Though out
of sight, there is region in which
one mans work touches in its remot.
er results another mans life, while
God works up in this plan all lives
and all deaths, and brings out of them
the greatest good, upon the whole
Thus, as God gives to the leaves q
mission to fulfill, so does He to us all,
They beautify the world. They
give an added charm to the land
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