Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1893-01-12

upon US the architecture of birds nest
and the anatomy Of birds wing.
Twenty times does the Bible refer to
birds nest-"Wbere the birds max their
nest las bird that wandereth from
her nest" Though thou set thy nest
among tie stars The birds of the air
have their nest," and SO on. Nests in
the trees, nests on the rocks, nests on the
altars.
WIZ does God call us SO frequently to
consider the birds nest? Because it is
one of the most wondrous of all styles
Of architecture, and lesson of provi-
Dental care which is the most important
lesson which Christ in my text conveys.
Why. just look at the birds nest, and see
what is the prospect that God is going
to take care of you. Here is the blue
birds nest under the caves of the house.
Here is the brown thrasher's nest in a
bush. Here is the bluejay's nest in the
orchard Here is the grosbeak's nest on
tree branch hanging over the water, so
as to be free from attack. Chickadee's
nest in the stump of an old tree. Oh,
the goodness of God in showing the
birds how to build their nest!
What carpenters, what masons, what
weavers, what spinners the birds arel
Out of what small resources they make
so exquisite home, curved, pillared,
wreathed. Out of moses, out of sticks,
out of icbens, out Of horsehair, out
of spiders web, out of threads swept
from the door by the housewife, out
Of the wool Of the sheep from the
pasture field. Upholstered by leaves
actually sewed together by its own sharp
bill. Cushioned with feathers from its
own breast. Mortared together with the
gum of trees and the saliva of its own
tiny bill. Such symmetry, such adapta-
ton, such convenience, such geometry
Of structure!
WHEN WE SHALL FLY.
Surely these nests were built by some
plan. They did not happen just SO. Who
drafted the plan for the bird's nest?
God! And do you not think that If he
plans such house for a chafinch, for an
oriole, for bobolink, for sparrow, he
will see to it that you always have a
home? Eye are of more value than many
sparrows." Whatever else surrounds
you, you can have what the Bible calls
1.-The Gathers of the Almighty" Just
think of a nest like that, the warmth Of
it, the softness of it. the safety of it
'.the feathers of the Almighty
No iamingo outfashing the tropical
sunset ever had such brilliancy of pin
ion; no robin redbreast ever had plumage
dashed with such crimson and purple
and orange and gold-''the feathers Of
the Almighty" Do you not feel the
touch of them now on forehead and
cheek and spirit, and was there ever
such tenderness of brooding-''the feath-
ers of the Almighty" So also in this
ornithology of the Bible God keeps inn
pressing US with the anatom- of birds
wing.
Over fifty times does the old Book al
lude to the wing-"Wings of dove,
Wings of the morning" Wings of the
wind Sun of righteousness with heal
ing in his wings" Wings of the Al
mighty" All fowl of every wing
What does it all mean: 1t suggests up
lifting. 1t tells you of fight upward. 1t
means to remind you that you yourself
have wings. David cried out, "Oh, that
had wings like dove, that might fly
away and be at rest!" Thank God that
YOU have better wings than any dove Of
longest or swiftest fight. Gagged in
bars of flesh are those wings. but the day
comes Wien they will be liberated. Get
ready for ascension. Take the words of
the old hymn, and to the tune unto which
that hymn is married sing:
Rise, my soul and stretch thy wing:
Thy better portion trace.
Up out of these lowlands into the heav-
ems of higher experience and wider pros
pect. But how shall we rise? Only as
Gods holy spirit gives US strength. But
that is coming now. Not as condor
from Chimborazo peak, swooping upon
the afTrighted valley, but as dove like
that whic,l put its soft brown wings
over the wet locks Of Christ at the bap-
tism in the Jordan. Dove Of gSntlenessl
Dove of peace!
Come holy spirit, heavenly Cove.
Wit: al thy quickcaing powers;
Come she'd abroad a SavioCr's love,
And that shall kindle ours