The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1893-09-13

ment of retrospection-a subject in
which all are interested-'Faithfuln
the one and only standard by which
all must be judged. both in business
mines the widely diverged types of ex-
perience, or success, in every human
endeavor, and makes life full of sweet
thoughts and kindly deeds. 1t presents
to all blisSful realm Of lOftiest en-
deavor, governed by the alarm bell Of
and attain the highest duty and des-
tiny Of man. AS education Is the source
of the highest human power. so faith
fulness, in the broadcast sense of the
term is the open gateway Of every re-
form-the key Of reconstruction and re-
Enforcement to every truism of life,
which the multitude have seemingly for
gotten.
The beauty and power Of faithfulness
are quickly noticed and awarded in the
business world. but incomparably greater
are the allurements IF the spiritual
realm. which the eye of faith discloses
to all who earnestly seek for the solu-
ton Of life's deepest problems. Life di-
rected solely to physical or intellectual
delights cannot be happy. All creation.
except man, is happy in its condition.
He alone yearns for something beyond
the river Of life
where no shadow shall bewilder,
Where life's vain parade is DER,
Where the sleep of sin is broken,
And the dreamer dreams no more"
The spiritual realm alone can supply
the hearts deep yearnings after i'm
mortality. And the moment we cease to
resist the strong tide of opposing events
in the rugged ascent to spiritual life we
begin to drift with the swift current
that bears the multitude down to dark
ness and eternal despair, where the star
Of hope will never shine. We have, as
a people, alas drifted far away from
our mornings on Plymouth rock; and
the beacon light Of faithfulness to self,
home God and native land is the only
guide to the harbor Of safety. The rest
less waves of the deep sea of life will
engulf all who are not guided by the
pilot of a profound personal faith in
God. The results of faithfulness in
every department of noble endeavor
clearly define it's value.
Hidden away in many an unnoticed
retreat are bright, radiant minds and
eloquent pens, which the Epworth league
feign would develop and sustain-as the
church should the league-aS God will
honor all who trust Him fully" Have
faith in God" said your pastor today.
He simply meant for us to cherish every
aspiration to higher planes of life in all
lines of thought and action. Education
and religion are today more firmly
bound by the strong cable of faithfulness
than ever before in the worlds history.
This means culture of hand, eye, ear
and heart. To be complete it must be
spiritual and guide us safely to God.
The acme of all the church can mean,
all the bible can give, all that is beauti-
full in the worlds history, is seen in
the spirit. thought and life of Christ.
which may be ours! Oh, rapturous
thought oh, the sin Of ingratitude and
ignorance of all who do not closely fol-
low Christ, possess Him, and be always
possessed by Him. 1t may be truly said
that languor of moral and intellectual
advancement is due to religious indiffer-
ence. The Epworth league is designed
not only TO foster the forces of moral
and social life and stimulate intellectual
energy. but to encourage the sweet ac-
cents of true devotion to God that lifts
ell life at once into the beauty and dig
nifty Of primitive purity. May the pure
light of divine strength, which is ever
reflected from the lighthouse of faith
fulness. continue to shine upon and
bless your every noble effort.
WILL +. STRAWN.
MONTPELIER, Ind, Sept. S.