The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1892-06-08
an. r. r." Writes OF Personal Griefs, but
the sun shines at Last.

writes OF AoNshhhA 1NAeASS INV
the sun shines At Last.
DEAR Howard FRIENDS-I have seen no
copy OF THE SENTINEL since before the
holidays, but hope that l may very soon
enjoy its visit again, and that in new
and happier home than the one in which
for years have been struggling.
l have known what it is 10 suffer the
keenest mental anguish since last visited
YOU, but / now thank God that the
knowledge which has wrung my very
soul with an anguish that only God
knows has come TO me before the few
years yet remaining TO me were gone.
There are troubles, dear friends, that at
times seem 10 snap our very heartstrings.
Vet l believe that they come to us only "a
unrecOgnized blessings, and like the dark
clouds that shut out for brief period all
the brightness and beauty OF heavens
glorious sunshine, disappear after sea
son. leaving behind the bright rainbow OF
promise-a promise that can never fail us
in our most trying hour-that although
our troubles be many, "out Of them all
the dear Lord viii deliver u.s."
Leaving the subject that l find always
uppermost in my mind | shall try to
speak of something more bright and cheer
ful, and sincerely hope that the future
may disclose many noble aims at last re-
allied many grand and glorious longings
at last fulfilled. With this end in view l
shall write briefly upon subject in which
all have an interest. 1t is this: Lilies
Aims, Its Struggles and Triumphs"
We are born for higher destiny than
that of earth Our trials, our cares and
our sacrifices administer to our happiness
in the end. They fall upon us for divine
purpose. The gold must be separated
from drOss before il shines in its purity
a priceless treasure II we aim at the sun
we shall reach higher than if our mark
were set at the horizon, and when we at
tempt 10 rise above the common level and
make a record for ourselves in a useful
and noble calling we may surely expect
many targets whose efforts will be to
bring US down.
The man or woman who is never
tempted knows little of virtue or strength
OF character, for virtue, of itself, consists
of the power to resist temptation, and it Is
equally true that those who would reach
hfe's noblest aim must do so by pulling
against the stream, never for a moment
drifting with the current.
Some men say, 81 have no enemies"
Inc Lltl VI NOAldn WHO can say InaL mas
never struggled to accomplished anything
He is neither good. bad nor indifferent
He it Is who sits quietly by when a
friend is prosecuted and ventures no
word in defense. He fears what the
world may say of him rather than
what God may think of him. He may
protest his friendship yet when trouble
and sorrow come thronging upon US that
friendship avails but little.
Lies noblest and best aims are to live
for God, work for man and prepare for
eternity. 1t matters little what man NAV
say against us if God and right are our
support and comfort. Conscience and
our own personal knowledge of the life we
lead must determine our happiness even
ii the whole world should be against us
To be swayed by every passing breeze, to
float with every drifting tide, or in other
words, influenced by every popular opin-
ion show only the most pliable marks of
an unstable character.
We must expect TO struggle II we would
at last triumph Even the common and
most lowly insect meets and battles with
difficulties, how, then, can man, made as
he is in the image OF God-his grandest
anc most perfect work-hope to escape
the difficulty?
Harper LlVlnRs. My mind has been
so troubled of late that | have written to
no one, but the sunshine will come again
into life blighted by disease and mental
torture; then l shall answer your letter
long since due.
want 70 tell my dear readers of my
little girl. She is my Joy and my pride
Little Mother" we call her for she it is
who is my support and comfort in the
most trying hour. God has given her to
me Tor this purpose when my heart was
filed with sorrow whose depth none but
God can fathom.
Life is uncertain, but especially so to me,
and now, dear friends, must bid you
adeu.
With many kind wishes to our little
band and the hope that the future
may be as full of sunshine as the past has
been of storm and shadow. NJ. L. p.