National Baptist world., 1894-09-28

feet on the rocks. and found the way
comparatively easy and safe. 1t failed
to look for them, and wandered at will,
soon found myself in diff
Guilty, and began to look about |
with a little anxiety for another
mark, and felt relieved when I
found one, and could trace the way to
another, More and more | became
convinced that they indicated a safe .
and pleasant way. 1t led away from |
the precipice and on sure footing. 1t ;
turned to points where the prospect !
was specially pleasing. 1t found steps |
up and down steep places. 1t led to a
spring in cleft of the rocks. There,
on the vertical ledge, was painted In
the same color Spring" and on d bush
hung a cup for whoever might want to
drink Few could pass that spring
and not drink its waters with delight.
And so on these little signs led up to
the very summit, where the view is
grand and beautiful beyond descrip-
ton After lingering as long as l
dared, / commenced my return filled
with worshipful emotions. Now fol-
lowed the marks, with perfect con-
fidence that they indicated the easiest,
safest way.
Then the lesson came to me with
force What is this but faith? l asked.
No one has told me who put these
marks upon the rocks nor answered all
the questions | might ask about them,
but this ] am confident of, that some
one who knew we'll the best way along
the mountain crest, amid difficulties
and perils, has kindly marked the way
! for my guidance, and for all who may
choose to heed these signs. Experience
has confirmed impressions and led to
absolute assurance. / need no one to
tell me. l can not doubt it; and with
out fearing to be over-confdent l may
saw know that those marks were kind
ly and wisely made to guide our steps
safely to the mountain's IS summit.
And l said, how like Christian faith
| this is! I find in the Bible directions
given for life, and a way to life eter-
nal. / find traces of blood and the
cross of the Crucifed. Once | paid lit
tie heed to them. At length | came to
trust them enough to make them my
guide. There are mysteries in these
pages. and questions l can not solve;
but daily experience proves that they
mark out the way of life.
The more closely follow it the safer
and happier l am. l am never so Sc
cure, never so happy, never SO certain
to see wonderful things and the glory
of God revealed, as when carefully
walking in this indicated way. When
| wander from it l get into diff
ficultv and doubt and dread. Return
ing to it, l regain peace of mind
and find spiritual refreshment and
assurance of reaching the highest end
of life, and at length, Heaven beyond
WHY need l ask who planned and re-
vealed this Gospel way? Early faith
is growing all the time into firm con-
viction. How can doubt the author
ship of this Book? Does not the erpera-
ence of all who follow it's teachings
give them the right to say r0t10noNy
with perfect assurance: II kno1o that
God, the omniscient and merciful, has
Himself, in the person Of His Son,
traced the path through earthly life to
Heaven and marked the way, and has
piven to me and to all who will heed 1T
the Bible as guide along course be-
.. set with difficulties and deadly perils
up to the sunny heights of His eternal
home?" eff any man will do His Will
!, , he shall know of the doctrine whether
= it be of God. ."-Chicago Standard.
2 Lowering Morals for Worldly Success.
/ He fails, and he alone, who comes
s short of that which God has made pos
e sible to him. He who deliberately
. lowers his moral standard for the sake
h of his so-called success, worldly sue
e cess, makes the most fatal OF all mis-
takes. He may not do any very bat
S things, he may be quite as good as th
d average of his class, but the one ter