The Baptist headlight. (Topeka, Kan.) 1893-1894, 1893-12-22


tion. and stnck with some false mood,
and lies in swarms are buzzlng, DuzZ-
ing about YOUR ears, and az last you
understand what David meant when ne /
said. .'They comprised me about Il ke
bees. y and YOU 90 down under nervous /
registration and feel that you are as Tar /
down as David when he cried, Out OF |
the depths of hell!
What opened all those chapters tnat |
hitherto had no appropriateness.
Frostsl For a long while the Bible |
seemed lopsided and dispropOrtionate
amount of it given up to the consOla-
tory. Why page after page and cnap-
ter after chapter and book after book
in the Bible taken up with allevla-
tions, with qualifications, with con-
dolences? The book seems ike an
apothecary store with-one-half OF the
shelves occupied with balsams. why
such a superhuity of balsams. but
after awhile the membran0us Group
carries off your child. or your health
gives way under the grip, or your
property is swept off by a bad invest
ment, or perhaps all three trouDles
come at bankruptcy, Sickness
and bereavement. Now the consola-
tory parts of the Bible do not seem 10
he disproportionate. You want some
thing off almost all the shelves of that
sacred dispensary, What has uncov-
cred and exposed to you the usefulness
of so much of the Bible that was be-
fore hiden? The frosts have been ful-
filling their mission.
Put down all the promises OF the
Bible on table for study. and put on
one side the table aman who has never
had anv trouble, or very little OF IT, but
pile upon the table beside him all
encyclopedias, and all dictionaries, and
and all arcaologies, and all common
taries. and on the other side OF the
table put a man who has had trial upon
trial. disaster upon disaster, and let
him begin the study of the promises,
without lexicon, without commentary,
without any book to explain or help,
| and this latter man will understand far
| more of the height and depth and
| length and breadth of those promises
than the learned exegete opposite, al
most submerged in sacred literature.
The one has the advantage over the
other because he has felt the mission
of the frOsts. O, take the consolation
of this theme, We to whom life is
struggle, and disappointment. and o
gantlet, and pang. That is beauti-
| full proverb among the Hebrews which
says, "When the tale of bricks is
doubled, then Moses comes"
Mild doses of medicine will do for
mild sickness, but violent pains need
strong doses, and so | stand over you
and count out some drops that will
alleviate your worst troubles it you
will only take the medicine, and here
it is: SIN the world We shall have
tribulation, but be of good cheer. !
have overcome the world" Weep
ing may endure for a night, but Joy
cometh in the morning" Thank God
for frosts WHAT helped make Milton
the greatest of poets? The frost OF
blindness. What helped to make
Washington the greatest of generals?
The frosts of Valley Forge. What
made it appropriate for one passing
John Bunyan's grave to exclaim, HSleep
on, thou prince of dreamcrs ?" The
frosts of Imprisonment.
The greatest college from which we
can graduate is the college of frosts.
Especial trial fits for especial work.
Just now watch. and you will see that
trouble is preparative and educational.
That is the grindstone on which battle
axes are sharpened. | have always
noticed in my own case that when the
Lord had some especial work for me to
do it was preceded by especial attack
upon me- This is so prOverbial in my
own house that If for something | say
or do | get poured upon me volley of
censure and anathema. my wife always
asks: Il wonder what opportunity of
usefulness is about to open? Something
good and grand is surely coming!'
What is true in my case is true on a
larger or smaller scale in the history
of every man and woman who wants to
serve the Lord. Without complaint
take the hard knocks. You will see
after awhile, though you may not APP
Dreciate it now, that by the breath of a
good and loving God frost is given.
Let the corners of your mouth, so long
drawn down in complaint, be drawn up
in smiles of content.
For many years poets and essayists
have celebrated the grace and swift
ness of the Arabian horses. The most
wonderful exhibition of horsemanship
that | ever witnessed was just outside
of the city of Jerusalem-an Arabian
steed mounted by an Arab. DO you
know where these Arabian horses got
their feetness and poetry of motion?
Long centuries ago Mohammed, with
10000 cavalry &c the march, could find
for them not a drop of water for three
days. Coming to the top of hill
river was in sight. With wild
dash the 10000 horses started for the
stream. A minute after an armed host
was seen advancing, and at Moham-
med's command 100 bugles blew for the
horses to fall in line, but all the Be. 900
continued the wild gallop to the river.
except five, and they, almost dead with
thirst. wheeled into line of battle.
Nothing in human bravery and self
sacrifice excels that bravery and self
sacrifice of those FIVE Arabian war
/ FrInan