The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1892-09-07
can have some sort Of patience with

l can have some sort Of patience with
worldly people who grumble. They do
not know any of the secrets Of religion.
They have not been taught that God
would no sooner put burdens on them
too hard to bear than they would strap
such burdens on the backs of their
children, ard then take delight in the
struggles, and pains, and death that
might follow. They are like sailors
who, starting with fair wind and
level sea, are surprised and disap-
pointed when the angry pillows rise,
frlnged with ominous white caps, and
their little bark is tossed like a straw.
They fondly hoped to have fair wealth.
er all the voyage. They made no prepa-
rations for anything else. They
have no compass or chart aboard,
and fail prey to the freaks
and whims of the giant winds and
waves. That they, surprised and con
founded, should give vent to rebel
lious spirit, when all that they have
priced most, their costly vessel and its
rich cargo, are dashed on the sharp
edges of the indignant rocks, and all is
irretrievably lost, is not surprising.
But that sailors who have been care
fully trained in the art of navigation,
who have been supplied with charts
and compass, who have been taught the
use OF quadrant, sextant and the stars.
and who ought to know that the storms
and wintry waves only test the strength
OF the craft and the seamanship of the
man who walks the quarterback; that
such men should do anything except
feel the grandeur and awful solemnity
OF stormy ocean, which they can mas.
ter if they will, is something which
rouses not only feeling of surprise,
but also one of pity.
Stand firm, brother. Look the gale
in the face. Cast the lead frequently If
you are on lee shore. Keep good
lookout ahead. Never lose heart. Luff
when it blows too hard, and though
every timber shivers and creaks, stick
to the laws of good seamanship, and
You will live out the gale and come into
smooth water again.
You say to me: 1T is hard to trust
God at all times"
You are right, brother. ] have found
in my own experience that it is some-
times very hard. That, however, is not
the question. Is it the best way, the
truest way? That is the only thing Tor
us to settle. My own opinion is that
life is hard matter, looked at in any
light. | have never yet found work
that was easy to do. 1t is hard to
break up old habits that are a con.
slant injury to body and soul.
1t is hard to break away from tempta-
tons. 1t is hard to be thoroughly hon
est in our dealings all the time, and
never to take an undue advantage, es-
pecially where there is money or place
in it. Indeed, l find it hard to do any
thing and do it well.
What of it? Shall we then sit down
by the wayside and give up the jour-
ney? Shall we make it rule to do
only what is easy? Then our lives will
be of little worth, and when we have
finished we shall have little to approve
and much to regret Let us push on,
getting all the happiness we can by the
way; and if we do this, believing that
God is above us, we shall find Joy where
we least expect it, and in quantities
that will surprise us into constant
gratitude. Rev. Geo. Ii. Hepworth, in
N. Y. Weekly.