The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-08-27
ORR STrPIDfTIFs.

1
pleasure In learning Of the mistakes and
| tollies even tho misfortunes. OF other peo-
ple. possibly our best friends. Soloman
| saws: woe unto him that is alone when be
| faue,b We are almost inconsolable when
we think we lave made fools OF ourselves
after a fashion, peculiarly our own; that
we have made a mistake that nobody ever
made before us. but when it comes to our
knowledge that some other poor sinner
has done even worse or more absurdly,
our self respect tevives. and we can't
help Frightening up again. Fellowship Is
good everywhere, and especially so In
trouble and sorrow, and making big and
small mistakes II II is a common thing
we can stand H. SO It is that Rochefou-
cauld says: our faults often commend us
more 10 mems good wi | than our virtues.
It suits us better 10 see men below than
above US And we may, IL We choose, set
down our stupidities as kind Of chart
ty. because they make other people feel
so much better.
But there is O more serious view TO
take OF our errors and mistakes How Is
1t that we make them or are allowed to
make them? In christian community a
large majority Of the christian people,
twice q day, ask not 10 be led into temp
tntion and TO be delivered from evil.
How Is IL then that they are allowed 10
make such mistakes, end deliberately 10
DO what seems TO be the wrongest thing?
How was Moses allowed 10 kin a
man. and Paul 20 persecute men, women
and children? Both thought they were do
Ing their duty. Right at the outset we had
best understand one thing: we are not
our own: we did not make ourselves: we
did not come on the stage Of life Of our
own will: and we know very little Of
what our part IS in life. only We have 20
be dutlful. lawful and lsyal: and we
must do good as God wills. not according
to our own ideas This business of making
our own marks or fortunes. Of being or
accomplishing something extraordinary
is an affair Of our own little special
trading on our account: outside Of the
general course and work Of Cod who or
dereth all things in Heaven and Earth.
working us In as divine material lively
stones: though he does feel for us any
the less for being so far above us
SO then as we don't comprehend the
general purpose. no wonder that our
special and present schemes plans pray
ers and hopes and day dreams, not being
In accord, must give way: our assurance
being that the divine heart cares for us
and that the divine plan Will ac-
complish our best good and happiness
in the general welfare. The plans Of the
finite must be inscrutable 10 the finite;
present must yield TO ultimate. Ephra-
i'm joined to his idols and let alone. was
a typical curse. he was counted out.
The word Is made UP Of millions Of
human beings with complex and opposing
interests IN the midst Of infinite forces
and aGlnities powers Of spirit, earth and
air, in Infinite combinations ordered and
governed by One Heart and Mind the soul
OF the Universe, one God and Father of
all. But every man is an element and
integer. m?nl?m?m? ?m?m?
Our wises$ plans come TO grief almost
as often as our unwise efforts. Our mis-
takes and stupidites are not always
such, per Sc Such as they make mp pub
lie and private history A rich mans
folies are wise maxims.--If we succeed
they are wise policy. If we fail. they are
objectionable errors But even the most
stupid. inexplicabls and objectionable
may "often serve rs well, besides hunb-
ling us. And as Our CLASSY essence, like
an angry ape is ali the time playing
| such fantastic tricks before high Heaven
rs make Che angels weep. there must be
something in them When we say ihe Al
| raighty allows these for our good. there
| SENS reason In #. They may be digni-
ned; as flies and gnatS and evil beasts
are said TO have their places. and the
disease OF oyster is said TO produce the
pearl.
| We must make mistakes and get hurt
10 feel the need Of the help and guidance
| OF Heaven: divine strength is made per-
feet In our weakness. our habitual pray
ers. habltually answered. would lose their
life and we wouldbe creatures Of maitland
| almost machines not intelligent, confid-
ing. live and watchfui worshippers. The
| Almighty treats as a wise and loving par
ent. lie treats us as OF his nature. as
gods He cultivates a large free luxl-
RANT growth. ga all directions lie Wills
that every power capaDiilty. emotion
affection. every element CT our being.
shall develop, come 70 the light and
spread Itself unhandled. unhindered
and uurestraned, and bear all the fruit
possible The rrst thing Is unrestricted
and abundant growth; the second prun-
ing. shaping. disciplinng.
lie pruneth It that II may bring forth
more fruit and glOrfy Him. And our
stupiiitcs ana mistakes and folies may
be but rank ana apparently
superfluous growth. even divine appoint
ments. often leading us IN difficulties
and trials Of infinite value; to humble
us and to prove Us 70 do US good at our
latter end; 10 make splendid characters.
How strange ana marvellous are the
identifying and perfecting processes and
handiwork OF Him that worae;h oil
things! For forty years the chosen peo-
pie erred and strayed in the wilderness