The Bolivar bulletin. (Bolivar, Tenn.) 1888-1946, 1892-02-05

he said: "Why, all fine bodies are taken,
and all the grand work is taken. There
is nothing left for me-" And some one
replied: ''Ahl the best one has been
left for you" Ulysses said: Whats
1 that?' And the reply was: 1.-THE body
of common man, doing a common
work, and for a common reward" A
good fable for the world. and just as
we eat or drink, or whatsoever we do.
let US do it to the glory of God.
Again, we need to bring the religion
of Christ into our commonest trials.
I For severe losses. for bereavement,
for trouble that shocks like an
earthquake and that blasts like .
storm, we prescribe religious consola-
ton; but, business man, for the small
annoyances of last week, how much of
the grace of God did you apply? ''Oh"
you say: These trials are too small for
such application" My brother, they
are shaping your character, they are
souring your temper, they are wearing
out your patience, and they are making
you less and less of a man. go into a
sculptor's studio and see him shap-
ing a statue. He has q chisel in
one hand and a mallet in the
stroke-click, click, clicki say: why
don't you strike harder?" ''Oh," he re-
plies, ''that would shatter the statue.
can't do it that way; must do it this
way" So he works on, and after
awhile the features come out, and
every body that enters the studio is
charmed and fascinated. Well, God
has your soul under process of develop
ment, and it is the little annoyances
and vexations of life that are chiseling
out your immortal nature. II is click,
click, clickl 1 wonder why some great
providence does not come, and with
one stroke prepare you for Heaven.
All, no. God says that this is not the
way. And so he keeps on by strokes
of little annoyances, little sorrows, lit
tie vexations, until at last you shall be
a glad spectacle for angels and for
men. You know that a large
fortune may be spent In small
change. and vast aInonnt of moral
character may go away in small de.
| pletion. 1t is the little troubles of life
that are having more effect upon you
than great ones. A swarm of locusts
will kill grain field sooner than the
incursion of three or four cattle. You
say: "Since 1 lost my child, since !
lost my property, have been differ
ent man." But you do not recognize
the architecture of little annoyances
that are hewing, digging. cutting, shap-
ing. splitting and interjoining you NOR
al qualities. Rats may sink a ship.
One lucifer match may send destruc-
ton through block of storehouses.
Catherine de Medicis got her death
from smelling poisonous rose. Co
lumbus, by stopping and asking tor q
piece of bread and drink of water at
Franciscan convent, was led to the
discovery of the new world. And there
is an intimate connection between trifies
and immensities, between nothings and
everythlngs.
Now. be careful to let none of those
annoyances go through your soul un-
arraigned. Compel them to administer
to your spiritual wealth. The scratch
of sixpenny nail sometimes produces
lockjaw, and the clip of most infini-
tesimal annoyance may damage you
forever. Do not let any annoyance or
perplexity come across your soul with
out its making you better.
Again, we must bring the religion of
Christ into our commonest blessings.
When the autumn comes, and the harv-
ests are in, and the governors make
proclamation, we assemble in churches
and we are very thankful. But every
day ought to be thanksgiving day.
We do not recognize the common mer'
cies of life. We have to see a blind
man led by his dog before we begin to
bethink ourselves of what a grand
thing it is to have eye-sight. We have
to see some one afflicted with St. vi
tus' dance before we are ready to
thank God for the control of our phys
ical energies. We have to see some
wounded man hobbling on his crutch,
or with his empty coat sleeve
pinned up, before we learn to think
what a grand thing God did for us
when he gave us healthy use of our
limbs. We are so stupid that nothing
but the misfortunes of others can rouse
us up to our blessings AS the OK grazes
in the pasture up to its eyes in clover.
yet never thinking who makes the
clover, and as the bird picks up the
worm from the furrow not knowing
that it is God who makes everything,
from the aninlalcula in the sod to the
seraph on the throne, so we go on eat
ing, drinking and enjoying, but never
thanking, or seldom thanking; or, If
thanking at all, with only half heart
1 was preaching one Thanksgiving
day, and announced my text: "Oh, give
thanks unto the Lord; for He is good;
for His mercy endureth forever" / do
not know whether there was any bless
ing on the sermon or not, but the text
went straight to a young man'o
heart He said to himself, as
read the text: "'Oh, give thank S
unto the Lord, for He is good
| Why, 1 have never rendered Him
any thanks. Oh, what an migrate
have beenr' Can it be, my brother
that you have been fed by the good
hand of God all these days-that you
have had clothing and shelter and all
benefcent surroundings, and yet have
never !offered your heart to God? Oh,
let a sense of the Divine goodness
shown you in the everyday bless
ings melt your heart; and if you
have never before uttered one earnest
note of thanksgiving, let this be the
day which shall hear your song. What
/ say to one, say to all of this audi
ence. Take this practical religion
have recommended into your every
day life. Make every day Sal
| hath and every meal a sacrk..