The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-12-31
- cnARLNs Il. hide.


through the prophet Hosea. rs there any
gcntler touch iu am nature than that or
The morning dew AS Do hangs upon the
petals OF tho flower tho perfection or
beauty. with iia expiring breath ~ re-
fleets back o. tho rising sun ail The colors
Of the rainbow. AS 10 came without
noise. it goes without CONFUSION. ana us
presence is known only hy the decpcned
color 10 gives 20 the flower ana the re-
ncRcd life DO imparts 90 all Vegetation.
And such is natures illustration of Goa s.
gentle dcalinee with Ills returning chill
Cren.
So many n lesson OF the Divine govern
ment may we learn from the processes Of
the material universe and the changing
seasons But "a few hours since and the
world was wrapped in mantle of dark
ness and AN animate nature slept How
would the Great Master of the Universe
awaken to life the sleeping world2 might
be "a question of thrilling interest If we
could compi gtely Shut ont our experience
for am hour How came this morning
sweet light. which gladdeus our eyes and
brings into activity adj the forces about
us? Was there some great earthquake
shock 10 start!e the world into renewed
ne.
GENTLENEss IN ALL THINGS
We're sleeping men and sleeping beasts
dealt a powerful blow by a giant hand TO
arouse them 20 action2 40 such thing
occurred in nature this morning. But
processes silent ass the chambers of the
dead wrought out this marvellous change.
when the gray light began to streak the
eastern horizon and the sun tipped the
bills and mountains with gold there was
b stir iu nature AS the sun pursued his
silent course mp THE horizon hills and
valleys we've bathod in 20 sea of light and
unseen hands lifted the mantle of drowsi-
hess from sleeping forms and am ani-
mate nature strengthened hy the nights
iep0so went forth into active life
rhe winter. now upon us. has closed
The petals of the rose. and no longer
docs 10 give forth lts fragrance. By what
process shall We AGAIN Doe able 90 drink
IN its rare perfume
VIII natures Maker. with "a rough blow.
say. Arouse. thou sluc-ard rose. and
send again thine incense Co heaven
Nay may Nature viii lot ram many a
tear drop upon the rose tree ere there is
sign 0f bud or blossom The winter viii
continue and the rose viii stil seem
locked DOB The sleep OF death But
When spring with dcWy fingers cold
Returns 20 deck their hailoWed mold"
the swelling bud viii prophesy of inward
lfe and finally the opening blossom and
rich fragrance viii testify of renewed
ViEor
SO It SIS hy the riches of His goodness
ANA forhfafauce and Concentrating that
the Lord would lead us 10 repentance
not by fiery Judgment and Indignation.
but hy ills tender mercy and measure
Jess patience would He turn ms from our
sins Punishment is rarely the inspira-
ton of reformation. Penal sentence does
not take away euiit The ghost of Ham
let's father mieht fast in fires for endless
DAYS and 'the foul crimes cone i'm his
GAYS of nature would NOT Poe 'burnt and
puIg'd away The only remedy for
guilty men is Che sacrifice az Jesus Christ
METHODS oF REPENTANCE
Bot let us look at the Divine method
for hrngins us To- repentance. The eoo'-
ness of Ne Lord is designed and ouehr
10 Dee calculated go bring ua to repent
ance-
First Tho Goodness Of His Providence
God is a sovereign. and His providence
extends to all events. and that providence
is special ass well as general Tho lives of
Ills children are embraced Zoo His p-oN-
cence I'm the very nature OF tho case
there are mysteries Of providence Chat
We cannot fathom. Otherwise God would
not be God Eut the goodness of Gods
daily proNidcrtial dealing with us is of
miuarty We arc promo fo look upon
Gods providence ass reaching only To- the
exceptional conditions of Ntc. AMI not
10 fhe conditions That arc ordinary and
daily We think 10 "a wonderful display
% The goodness OF Gods providence when
We arc preserved in che midst OF n0od
anl FIRE. storm and wreck. and we praise
God with loud voices Tor such prcscr,a-
ton
But we forget GO turn our hearts TO
praise for the greater display of the
goodness OF God providence i'm keeping
as day by oay and year by year from
hone iu fire con- food or wreck
Tho boy otcrwhelms his father with
gratitude for plNug him out Ct tae
water WHOM Pre- was about 90 drown. bat
fails go thanh him for food ana raimcnt
and home which the father has provided
all the days ol the boys life. The for-
iucr was regarded as wonderful provi-
oenco. an, latter 2s uO providence az an.
And we arc Ike that BOY n our Views of
COd's providence.
By the goodness oi liis daily provl-
oenco lu sivine us food and iaiment and
sholtsr. AND 1y prcseiEiae uf ifon pes-
filcr.e nud trials and dlsa.tcir God
vn.fI il.1 us fo rcucniluco.
us fastln Upon The ruic of Gods
eq.l providence and not upon the cXcep-
lion alone. and our lives Will become an
anthem OF praise.
GODS GREAT PATIENCE.
Secondly The goodness Of Ills patience
ard long-sunsTD<es Now wonderful is