Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1894-11-21
The Agnostlc and the Christian.
PART II.

PART IL.
am come that they might have life, and
that they might have it more abundantly.-
John x, TO-
That seems to be a very odd saying
at first sight, but when you look at 1t
second time it's meaning becomes APP
parent.
All men are alive, but not all enjoy
the same degree of life.
To walk through the physical world
without any keen apprehension of its
beauties is one thing; to make the stars,
the clouds, the streams and the forests
your intimate friends, who whisper
their secrets in your ears, is a very diff
ferent thing.
In like manner, to suffer all the ex-
periences of life without any definite
knowledge of their meaning is exceed
ingly depressing; but to feel in your
heart that nothing happens which may
not be put to good use in the develop
ment of character, that every incident,
whether of joy or sorrow, is stone
which you are to put into its proper
place that the mosaic may be perfect
that will give you good cheer. encour-
agement and resignation.
Herein we note a startling difference
between the agnostic and the Chris
tan Both stand ready to admit that
our human life is crowded full OF
strange happenings; that no will, how
ever strong it may be. controls events;
that what comes and what does not
come are obedient to decreelng force
which does not consult our pleasure or
our wishes.
Is that decreeing force blind tate,
which has no reference to our welfare,
but grinds us to powder between the
upper and lower millstones of struggle
and disaster, or does it represent wis
dom, a kindliness and a fatherlness
which so arranges events that each one
becomes a stepping stone to higher
things? Is there a good God, who
knows what we suffer and will help us
to bear it, or are we simply reeds, sway
ing in the tempest, to break when our
endurance is exhausted and not even
remain broken reeds any longer?
For example, you stand face to face
with a great bereavement, and you
know that in the inevitable course OF
human events other bereavements must
needs follow, for no man has one grave
to guard; he has more than one.
The agnOstlc regards these grand
problems of life as belonging to the
misty territory OF 1.-The unknoWabie. "
| He tells you in plying phrases that
| Father, and Providence, and Heav-
en- are mere possibilities, with all the
logical and scientific chances against
them. He assures you that he wishes
| you could rely upon them for consola-
ton, but the uncertainties are so many
that 1t is impossible to do so, and you
must meet the emergency with what
ever courage you can summon. he
may be honest, and sweet spirited. and
large hearted, and sympathetic, but his
words are like poisoned dagger, and
your Drumming eyes look forth into
black and hopeless darkness.
| Admit for the moment that he is right
only for moment, however You
cannot repress the convection that the
truth is the hardest, stonlest, cruelest
thing IN the universe. What pity II
is thaJ we snould ever learn the truth,
if we only learn 1t to be crushed by 1T
What is the use of the truth If its only
purpose IS TO. XIII the MODEST asplra'
lions, to take us by the throat with an
iron hand and choke our loftlest long
lngs? Inc greatest misfortune Lha1
ever happened TO US came with. oul
blrtn, and the GIT OF reason was tata
to happiness. Better be dog ana Day
the moon than such man.
But the NaZarene steps forth anC
places HIS hand on your bowed head
In language which thrills like far away
music He Whispers, Come unto me, yt
who labor and are heavy laden and
Will give you rest: He tells you thai
as rough diamonds must De ground on
the stone before they become perfect
SO souls must be fitted for heaven by
signs and sorrows. He speaks OF the
rather, VINO Is with you III your dis
tress' VINO hears every moan That comes
from your bleeding heart, VINO leads
you through darkness INTO the eterna
light OF love and trust. He BIDS yor
remember your earthly nome is hilee
WIN vlsitants from the heavenly nome
ana though invisible to mortal sight
they are shleldlng you from harm Will
thelr protecting wings. Lille maa bt
hard' lie says OUT we are all with you
anu you snail not pear your sorro"
alone. Gail on us and we Will come
trust us ana we VIII never desert you
1ou nave seen STORM sweep over
IHe pain III ierocious Iury. When Il
nad spent ltself the sun came out anf
all nature seemed glad with new joy
f0u nave also seen unmeasured sorro"
lali on some human lie with oiindlne
Iorce, ana alter the nrst agony was over
calm 1oliowed, whlie trembling hearts
mnfmured' Thy Will, not mine, be
o0ne.
Ihat is the miracle which is wrought
ny !aiGn. 1haG is the transnguratlol
which takes place when struggling mer