The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1893-03-06
CHEERFUL CHRISTIANS.
The Morning Sermon at the Congre-
gational Church by Rev. W..
G. schoppe.
Why the Most Happy People Are
the Loyal Sons Of
God.
"Behold. I Bring You Good Tid,uss Of
Great Joy" Wal the Burden Of the
HeraId's Song.

-
Great joy" Was the Burden OF the
nerald's Song.
Al tho morning services yesterday in the
Congregational church. Rev. w. q.
6nhoppe. the new pastor. who suoceeded
the Rev. +. D. Kelsey, s. D.. delivered the
Following sermon:
Nehemiah $40. Neither bs ye sorry; for
tho joy of the Lord IL your strength"
The world is formed for eladasss. There
ia moro sunshine thsn storm. There il
beauty in tho fresh fragrance in the Gold.
Balmy brcezes, murmurinR brooks. beauti-
full scenery, oceans increase tho bliss Of
man. In sympathy with the spottive chill
dren, he grows young again. The singing
birds stir the music OF his soul. There are
more faces bright than sad. more hopes
than fenrs. more happy homes than abodes
OF sorrow. jehovah reigns. and in spite Of
doubt and despondsncy. fears and tears.
his unchanRinR joy shall perysde the
earth, Danish all sorrow and siuhinp
and forever rule the hearts of men.
The Jewish religion was intended to pre-
vent the people from dwelling ON their
troubles. Three timos each year they
turned their glad faces toward tho city they
had learned to love and with singing and
rejoicing took part in the national festivi-
ties. The people had now returned from
their sad captivity III a foreign land; tho
long lost law had been read before the A.
gembled multitude. They looked on tho
wreck of former grandeur and began to
weep. A great work Of rebuilding that
wOnfd n aaS hoapku hrauo and skso~- -.
before them. The wise leaders saw the on
feebling influence of their sorrow an d turned
them from 1t. Go your way. eat the fat,
drink the sweet, and send portions unto
them for whom nothing is prepared, for
tins day Is holy unto our Lord; noither bs
ye sorry; for the Joy Of the Lord IL your
strength"
But TO many people in our day. the text
will seem like more mocksrv. Arc not most
men toys OF circumstances VIII not the
merchant be sad, If tho ship freighted with
ms fortune il cast away in the stot m2 Viii!
has been furnished by the tickle multitude?
The father can make his child sad or glad.
Our happiness sometimes seems at the
mercy of our neighbor-an open gate where
tude lntruders can como in. A disagreeabls
day. Mn unjust criticism, a f,etfnl friend.
the struggle for existence take away our
pleasures. There is the strange il!usivsnoss
in human life. As Robertson has said.
Men are like children sporting on
an enameled meadow. now chasing a
painted butterfly That lcses its charm
when caught. now after a thistle down that
eludes the gasp. now seizing q wreath OF
mist that falls damp on the hand. To
complete our satisfaction. there 10 a cease
less struggle after something we havo noe.
yet would supremely crave. Some man
says: II am selt-sufaoient. / will te inds-
pendent of nv neighbor. I will shut the
gates and sock secluded happiness within
myself" A religion that ia not social. is
not from heaven. A life spent in wilIful
seclusion 10 meager and cannot reach its
blissful aim. What wouid lifo be without
this power over one anothes's JOY? How
much OF the finest Of our intercon Va with
men-our most delicate conaideration-pnr
purest motive for self-sGcr,Gcc and pa
thence, would be lost il we had no mower
TO interfere with other ~people's Joys?
why should be considerate of mother if
| cannot hurt his hnppinesa. Why shoald
l care for the Sympathy and appreciation OF
another, il l know his sneor would fail to
give mo pain! 1t il necessary to the bent
life OF men that OH their conduct depends
the sum of human pleasure. Yet many
times we ask our trouble souls the ouss.
tlon, Is there no help 70: this exposure of
our hapniness-no su e retreat--ao firm
place where we mny securely stand and let
the great world swing and surge around US,
like the ocan round q steadfast rock? If
the world has power to roach the deepest
joys of which the soul of man ia capable.
how dreadful then is life. 1t cannot be.
There is a surface that the gentle zephyrs
may disturb-R depth that the tempest in
1ts fury cannot shake.
Christianity introduces q deep md last
ing JOY. Behold, l bring yon good tidiups
OF 8 eat JOY was the angel hernid's song.
lis founuer was anointed with the oil of
gladness. lie made known the fathers
love; he opened the fountain of meroy; he
proclaimed pardon for the %sinful; he healed
The sick, applied balm to the wounded
spirit. revealed tho hore OF glory. But
what kline OF a JOY was it? He looked deep
into sin; took trouble on himself; was
Graded In poveit,; rejected by his own;
wandered homeless on the on th: died on
the cross; indeed was a man Of SORROWS,
YET bequeaths his JOY to man. There is
deep 'phllohol by In the worship OF
SORROW. There is Il sadness thas does
not repel. There is q pRthos in tho story
that has its charm. The deepest ioy O,
earth springs from sanctitied SORROW. He
tells his disciples that they must pass
through repentance, practice self. dcnisls,
pear crosses. endure prosecutions. perform
lnoeasant labors and tke light OF his joy
would shine over all. Their life would DO
Ike spring showers. when iaindros q weave
a mist that hides the sunahine-yet the
hidden sun is in each sparkling dror. and
nli 10 stepped in light.
How can these apparent contradictions
ALc Iu6 liIHBLTAles Con.
slider the toll, care. self dc NAL, ~restric-
tlon of freedom, limitation Of present
pleasure, men pass through for what they
call success. Consider what application
the scholar must undergo to achieve djs-
tinction-what hardship and danger the
soldier must endure TO enin repowp.
Are thy made unhappy by sacrifice and loss?
Ii theis point could be gained By some
fortune would the sacrifice avoided bs n
gain to their happiness? 1t would render
sheir success almost barron OF sntisfuotion.
In all noble ST ukgles there ia elevation from
within. The fire kindle.. tho soul awskens
TO Joy OF victorious energy. None but the
tame and abject will sit down and be nurssd
bv fortune. Noble manhood cuts its way
through tolls. Satisfaction 10 in achieves.
nent. Joy in hard won victory, With a
c.oud of noble witnesses al ound Us. we see
how the sclf dsnials aud labors Of Oh. istian
life may complete our sovereign joy. To a
soul that has heard aud needed this call OF
God-:hnt is established in his love-thnt
dwells in his sublime harmony-shows and
~liveries and social rank and human plaud-
its can add little. Tho lack OF these bring
no tears to an a~tchnngel-he has entered
the joy of the Lord. A soul that rests in
God. that has seen the secret OF tho mas
ter's jov. II tortured by hres Of cainmity,
will turn tho flames to freshening gales.
10 its lofty hight no storm can reach. The
clouds that datktn other lives sail under it.
Xrh--ntkA. rsy Al,- i--- IA 1891