Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1894-04-11
The Discipline of Life.

The Discipline of Life
Before l was afflicted l went astray; but
now have kept thy word.-Psalms cxlx., CT.
Why we are so constituted that no
bility of character can only be attained
through the discipline of sorrow is as
yet an unsolved problem.
That we must needs travel over the
corduroy road of difficulty, successive
obstacles, harsh circumstance and con-
/ tinuous effort If we would reach the
gate OF Paradise or fit ourselves to cross
it's threshold is the moral puzzle OF the
universe.
In our unwisdom we think the mac
adamized and level highway better
means of progress, and are astounded
when told that smooth roads make
small men.
He who would get a glimpse of the
? widest landscape must climb the hill
from which alone it can be seen. That
is the first law in the statute book of
Providence.
The night is grewsOme and lonely,
but half the universe is yelled from him
who has not seen the stars as well as
the sun, and darkness alone can render
them visible.
This, too, is the law-namely, that
you must sit amid the shadows of night
if you would see the heavens at their
best.
You cannot get music from the cello
with loose strings. They must be
cry out with pain, but the stretching
until concert pitch is reached is wha:
gives the musician an instrument
worthy of his skill.
A large fortune is the worst accident
that can befall youth, for his tempta-
tions are stronger than his ambitions.
The boy with money inherited from his
father, and, therefore, with nothing to
work for, is already half conquered by
evil passions. The youth with a high
heart and wholesome poverty receives
his inheritance from God, and Gods
gifts are better than mans.
Gods denials are the best part of His
providence. He gives nothing without
its price, and that price is toll. We find
fault at first, but later on discover that
what is worth having is worth working
for; that work gives dignity to the soul
and is the equivalent of education.
That is the secret of omniscience
4, which we find hardest to learn.
: The men who live in marble and
, bronze because they have done us such
service that we cannot forget them, and
swOuld fain express our gratitude by
+ means of the sculptor's art, are they
: who have borne the brunt of circum-
stance.
1t is also true that personal sorrows,
! as the loss of dear ones, have an up
= lifting tendency. Bereavement forces
: the soul to recognize its destiny. Tears
: are sometimes telescopes with which
2 other worlds are viewed. Aching hearts
feel their helplessness and then call on
. 60 Lo 20, nj hof oh N
= reach. They see visions, have revela-
i ton, and doors arc opened the key to
which is forged out of some grief.
ol The ties of earth are loosened that we
Y may be bound by stronger cords to
e Heaven. The cruelty of death imbues
: us with a longing for immortality. The
s surgeon cuts in order to save the body
: and when it is all over we bless the
v knife. God wounds because wounded
e soul needs sympathy and consolation
, and can only fluid them in thoughts Of
is another life.
oil An artist had just finished a splendid
e fresco on the ceiling of a cathedral
IS Pleased with his work. he stepped bach
, to note the general effect. Forgetfu
n OF the dizzy height, he was about tt
take one step more, the fatal step
II when his quick witted assistant dashed
u lAnoS VI COlOl Ou uhC P1OUoIO ebhu uiii
n ed it. The painter sprang forward
d his life was saved.
d In like manner, Gods severest dis
S. cipline is always merciful. The onl.
is purpose is to compel US to see what II,
re wishes us to see. and to see it as He see
re it. If He ruins our hopes or gives gu
e. love a wrench. or sends the dread Mes
Il senger to our household, the sad son,
t. we sing brings the angels nearer, an
from the ashes of consumed desire
springs faith which draws the curtain
aside and shows us better life.
Is. That God chastens because He love
TO is a hard saying, but they who hav
e been chastened can ofttimes find il
"a their agony treasure which happines
al is too blind to discover.
us The end to be sought is largeness c
81 soul, and this-so strangely are W
20 made-is to be attained, not by havin
u. our own way, but by giving up our wa
At and adopting Gods way.-N. Y He'
Re aid.