The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1893-12-21

tined to endure forever, and that should
ultimately dominate the world. 1t re-
vealed to her the sublime possibilities
of her life, and how day by day she
might project herself into a distant
future. Brethren, all around US are
human beings with sad hearts. Some
are sad because they think that they
have scarcely any capacity for useful
ness, and that their efforts to do good,
sincere, unselfish and earnest, count
for nothing among the labors of more
gifted and conspicuous people. They
need our encouragement. They need
to be told that any talent given to
God is power that can make its
everlasting imprint and memorial on
the world, and that a service which
seems insignificant to them, enriches
the world and makes joy in Heaven.
Some are carrying secret sorrows
which weigh like mountains of lead
upon their hearts. They need to be
told that God is in their grief, and
that it is discipline for a higher sta
ton and destiny. Some are driven
almost to despair and desperation by
cruel prosecutions. They need to be
told that the highest mission to which
God calls His children here below is
to endure persecution for righteous
ness sake. They need to be reminded
of the Savior's words, Rejoice and
be exceeding glad, tor great is your
reward in Heaven. They need to
be pointed to the robes and crowns
of the glorifed martyrs.
A WORD OF CHEER.
Men are sometimes placed in great
emergencies, where a word or two OF
cheer would nerve them for hero ic
efforts and grand achievements. GA
child was seen at high window in a
burning building. A brave fireman
started up ladder to try to rescue it.
He had almost gained the window
when the terrible heat appeared too
much for him. He seemed to stagger
and was about to turn back, when
some one in the crowd below cried
out, Cheer him, cheer him. In an
instant the excited multitude shouted,
'Hurrah, hurrah! On, brave fellow,
on!' In a moment more he had the
imperiled child in his arms, snatched
from an awful death. There are men
about us who for the love Of Christ
and the salvation of their fellows, are
enduring great hardships and facing
great perils. Sometimes they stagger
and almost faint. They need the en-
couragement of Christian sympathy.
They need to hear the shout from all
the camp of Israel, "On brave soldiers,
on! Endure to the end and God will
give you crown of life. "
But every student of the Bible and
the history of the church will admit
that God makes it the mission of some
men to stand and serve and suffer
without one note of cheer from any
human source. This distinction He
conferred upon John the Baptist. The
preaching of this wilderness herald
aroused " all Jerusalem and Judea and
the region around about Jordan" 1t
awoke nation from long and death
like slumber. Through him thousands
were led to believe in the coming Me-
siah. But when Herod cast him into
prison he was almost forgotten. Only
two or three of his many disciples
seemed to be concerned about him.
God ordained that it should be So,
that the world might believe that His
true servants will be loyal and faithful,
even when all human help is withdrawn.
Beloved, if it be Gods pleasure to
call us into service where we must
stand and struggle and suffer without
the help of one cheering voice, let US
accept it. Let us patiently and un-
complainingly submit, knowing that
by and by the everlasting gates will
be lifted up to receive us ; that all the
bells of Heaven will ring for joy, and
ten thousand times ten thousand trum-
pets will proclaim the grandeur of our
heroism and the sublimity of our
triumph.