Connecticut western news., 1895-02-07

from the old folks. There was on the day 1 spoke of silence for long while, and then my father began to tell how good the Lord had been to him in sick ness and in health, and when times of came how Providence had al- ways provided tho means of livelihood for the large household, and he wound up by saying, "De Witt, I have always found it safe to trust the Lord" My father has been dead 80 years, but in all the crises of my life-and there have been many of them-I have felt the mighty boost of that lesson in the farm wagon. 'De Witt, have always found it safe to trust the Lord" The fact was my father saw that was his opportunity, and he improved it.
 This is one resaon why 1 am an en- thusiastio friend of all Young Mems Christian associations They get hold of so many young men just arriving in the city and while they are very inn questionable, and it is the best oppor- tunity. Why, how big the houses looked to us as we first entered the great city, and so many people! It seemed some meeting must have just closed to fill the streets in that way, and then the big plaoards announcing all styles of amuse- ments and so many of them on the same night and every night, after our boy hood had been spent in regions where only once or twice in whole year there had been an entertainment in school house or church. That is the opportuni- th in the right direction. Six weeks after will be too late. Tell me what such young man does with his first six weeks in the great city, and I will tell you what he will be throughout his life on earth and where he will spend the ages of eterni- t. Opportunity
 Great Opportunities
 We all recognize that commercial and literary and political successes depend upon taking advantage of opportunity. The great surgeons of England feared to touch the tumor of King George ". Sir Astiey Cooper looked at it and said to the king, II will cut your majesty as though you were plowman. That was Sir Astley's opportunity. Lord Give was his father s dismay, climbing church ste, ples and doing reckless things. His father sent him to Madras, India, as clerk in the service of an English officer Give watched his time, and when war broke out came to be the chief of the host that saved India for England That was Lord Clive's oppor- tmity. Pauline Lucca, the almost matchless singer, was but little recog nized until in the absence of the soloist in the German choir she took her place and began the enchantment of the world. That day was Lucca's s opportuni- ty John Scott, who afterward became Lord Eldon. had stumbled his way along in the practice of law until the case of Ackroyd versus Smithson was to be tried, and his speech that day opened all avenues of success. That was Lord Eldon's opportunity.
 William H. Seward was given by his father $l, 900 to get collegiate educa- tion. That money soon gone, his father said, Now you must fight your own way" and he did. until gubernatorial chair and United States senatorial chair were his, with right to the presiden- tial chair if the meanness of American politics had not swindled him out of it. The day when his father told him to fight his own way was William H. Stewards opportunity John Henry Newman, becalmed whole week in an orange boat in the strait of Bonifacio, wrote his immortal hymn, Lead, Kind fy Light That was John Henry New mans opportunity You know Kirk Whites immortal hymn, When Mar shaled on the Nightly Plain. He wrote it in boat by lantern on stormy night as he was sailing along rocky coast. That was Kirk Whites oppor- tunity.
 The importance of making the most of opportunities as they present them selves is acknowledged in all other di- rections Why not in the matter of use- fulness? The difference of usefulness of good men and women is not so much the difference in brain or social position or wealth, but in equipment of Chris tian common sense-to know just the time when to say the right word or do the right thing. There are good people who can always be depended on to say the right thing at the wrong time A merchant selling goods over the counter to willy customer who would like to get them at less than cost, the railroad conductor while taking up the tickets from passengers who want to work off last years free pass or get through at half rate child fully grown, house. keeper trying to get the table ready in time for guests, although the oven has failed to do it's work and the grocer has neglected to fulfill the order given him those are not opportunities for reli- gious address. Do not rush up to man in the busiest part of the day and when a half dozen people are waiting for him and ask, "How is your soul?"
 Be on the Watch.
 But there are plenty of fit occasions It is interesting to see the sportsman, gun in hand and pouch at side and ac- companied by the hounds yelping down the road, off on hunting expedition, but the best hunters in this world are those who hunt for opportunities to do good, and the game is something to gladden. earth and heaven. Twill point out some of the opportunities. When soul is in bereavement is the best time to talk of gospel consolation ard heavenly reunion. When man has lost his property is the best time to talk to him of heavenly inheritances that can never be levied on. When one is sick is the best time tc talk to him about the supernatural lati. tude in which unhealth is an impossi. bility. When the Holy Spirit is moving on community is the best time to tel ] a man he ought to be saved. By a word,
 by smile, by look, by prayer, the work may be so thoroughly done that all eternity cannot undo it. As the harI was invented from hearing the twang of bowstring. as the law of gravita
 tion was suggested by the fall of an ap pie, as the order in India for the use oi a greased cartridge started the mutiny
 of 1857, which appalled, the nations, SC something insignificant may open tht | foxr Do tol,