Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1894-04-26


noblest. In spite OF adverse condi-
tions he has lifted himself up to q
kings seat. His aim was always
kingly one, and 80 became his attain
ment. Wedgewood, who invented the
well-known squeensware," and secured
the honorable title of potter to her
majesty was at the first but humble
handler of the clay and a cripple at
that. But he had high conceptions,
and he turned his very infirmities to
account. He wrought royalty into his
lowly business. So may every young
worker, getting practical impulse from
lesson, do. But in no respect does
Joseph exhibit more lordly nature
than in his forgiveness. Here, surely,
he was at his best-God's best.
@To err Is human.
To forgive. diviner
POINTS IN THE LESSON.
Joseph could not refrain HIMSELF"
literally, he could not hold himself in
or back. The Hebrew word means to
wind or twist, as with thongs. He
could not longer hold the bowels Of his
affections in leash.
"There stood no man with him while
Joseph made himself known unto his
brethren 1t was too holy scene for
the vulgar gaze. How often our Elder
Brother, the Grea err Joseph, has
chosen the quiet, secluded ways for his
choicest divulgences. It Is in the
closet Of prayer that he makes himself
most fully known to u.s..
He wept aloud" Think little OF
the weeping Christ. 1t was ours to cry
out in sorrow for our sins and in affec-
ton for our deliverer; but the great
heart OF Jesus did break in the full
ness of his love. Herein Is love; not
that we loved him, but that he loved
as"
1He wept that we might weep,
Each sin demands a tear;
In heaven alone no sin Is found,
And there's no weeping there"
Come near to me-" he said. Oh,
those gentle tears and that kindly sum-
mons. How it must have treasured
them! They might well have antici-
pated sternness and wrath, lbut, instead.
mercy. And from this side we hear
another voice saying, to men far more
undeserving, "Come unto me-" Now
we know what grace is. For God sent
not his Son into the world to condemn
the world, but that the world through
him might be saved"
There will l nourish thee" in the
land Of plenty. We are not worthy, but
God turns our wrath to his praise, and
what we meant for i'll turns, in spite OF
us, to Gods glory and the worlds good.
Our ill-desert remains but it Is Gov.
serving One Christ is at the right
hand OF God, there to intercede for US,
there to hand out blessings to us. The
very brethren who disowned and be-
trayed him he nourishes and keeps.
$50 loved he"
Moreover he kissed all his brethren,
and wept upon them; and after that
his brethren talked with him." After
that, after the kiss OF peace, they
could look him in the face. and COM
mune with him. Sons of God, look up.
The kiss OF reconciliation has already
been given. Being justified by faith,
we have peace with God" No longer
walk and talk with downcast heads.
We are accepted in the Beloved. Let
us walk and talk with him, and be
glad.
HINTS AND ILLUSTRATIONS.
BLESSED are the pure in heart" says
the Scripture, "for they shall see God"
They shall also SEQ the blessedness OF
God in this life. AT first dship and
persecution perhaps, but in the end
the peaceable fruits of righteousness.
Does it not pay to honor God and keep
his laws? Are not his thoughts and
ways above our own? Witness the con-
trast betwixt Joseph and his brethren.
They thought to do evil against their
brother; they filed their own lives
with wretchedness and distress, till
God came to turn and restrain. Joseph,
on the other hand, maintained his in
tegrity and his pure-mindedness The
SEQUEL proved the value and advantage
of right thinking. AS man
thinketh in his heart so is he.
Joseph thought kingly thoughts
and God lifted him up to do kingly
deeds. Live right within; think right.
The life OF Joseph from first to last,
his innocent trust at the first, his ten
der forgiveness at the last, is beauti-
full picture Of conscience void of
offense. What was he doing all those
days of loneliness and separation? Liv-
ing at peace with God, keeping pure
within, making his own heart his best
company because it was right and
clean. Paul seems to unveil such a
life in his words to the Philippians,
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things
are true, whatsoever things are honest,
whatsoever things are just, whatsoever
things are pure. whatsoever things are
lovely, whatsoever things are of good
epOrt, If there be any virtue. if there
be any praise. think on these things"
1t is fruitful thinking.
What painter was it said. when asked
as to the secret of his colors, Il mix
them with brains?" Think, but think
right Mix Gods thought with what
we will and do. Sir Joshua Reynolds
was daring in his plans and original in
his methods. Going off TO Rome, he
imbibed the new and better ideas Of
form and color, and coming back to
England set up his easel again among
his friends. They exclaimed when
they saw his work, This will never
do, you don't paint as we'll as when you
left England. But Reynolds knew
better. He kept steadily on until he
brought men to his high conceptions
and stood at the head of his profession
in Great Britain. Pharaoh said to
Joseph, Can we find such an one as
this is, man in whom the Spirit of
God is?" This world needs such men,
the bringers-in Of Gods thought.
This dreamer" at last proved him
self an aggressive actor in mems
affairs. Visions have their place after
all in practical life and the time spent
with high ideals Is not time misspent.
They thought Dore was neglecting his
work as an artist when he went
dreamily about the hospitals instead
Of combining him self 10 the brush and