The free press. (Poplarville, Miss.) 1890-19??, 1893-08-03
RELIGIOUS READING.
THE MYSTERY OF COPS IEADrses.


That God does lead His people is truth
which is abundantly established by the Bible
and confirmed by the experience OF thousands
of Gods people in all ages OF the world. But
there are mysteries connected with Goa
leadings Of His people, in many instances,
which are too profound for them to unrayel,
and especially so during the time that they
are being led. Sometimes the mystery has
reference to the path in, which the believers
led. The paths are so different from what
one would naturally choose. They are direct
ly contrary to what human sagaclty ana pru-
dence would elect to walk IN. Ihey appear 10
be beset with difficulties that are entirely
needless to encounter. They invite TO DAN
gers which might easily be avoided. We
utterly fail to see, at the time, any good rea-
son why we should be led along such strange,
uninviting unpromising and apparently de-
structive ways. They are so radically at va
rance with our conceptions OF right, OF rea,
son, of prudence of safety, Of personal good
and even OF duty, that we are strongly tempted
at times to rebel against proceeding. We are
tempted to question whether we are being
truly led of God in such ways.
We have found no difficulty in accept
ing the abstract truth that God
does lead His people. As theory
we prefer to believe it. There is comfort in
does lead US but then when we find our
selves moving along in certain path which
is repugnant to our tastes disappointing to
our hopes bringing most bitter experiences
to our souls we feel inclined to revise our
estimate OF the theory that God actually
leads His people. We saw that this is apt
O be our feeling, especially while we are
eng led in ways which are contrary TO
lur Judgment of what is best for US. And
vet, after passing through the most disagree
able parts of the way and coming out into the
light again, we find that God did indeed lead
u.s. With all of our short-sightednesS we can
see that the path in which we were led was
the best for US. Our experiences therein
were worth more to us and to others through
US than treasures of gold. Then we thanked
God tor leading us in just such pain as He
did; and then too we felt condemned for our
murmurings and lack OF faith and want OF nj
ial submission to his dictates and directions,
and praynd Him to forgive US freely Again,
there is mystery also oftentimes in the
means which God often uses to lead US.
He employs the most unlikely means,-
means which men despise and which we
ourselves despise, to accomplish His pur-
pose. And sometimes the means are very
small and quite insignificant. He takes
these 10 turn us in one direction and then
in another, as seemeth good to Him. We
wonder at the time why we are moved
about by such little things. Some incident,
very slight in itself, has been the means OF
turning us out of the current Of our Lives.
We would not have believed that we could
be affected thus; yet God had purpose in
it all, and if the purpose have not been re-
veaed to US, the time may come, either In
this world or the next, that We shall know
the mystery, the meaning and the mercy OF
such leading.-Rel. Herald.