The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1895-12-25
les. The individual taxes do not

cles. The individual taxes do not
amount to much, but in the aggregate
to millions and millions Of dollars.
And would have you, 0 Christian
man, put high tariff on every annoy
ance and vexation that comes through
your soul. This might not amount to
much in single cases, but in the ag-
gregate it would be great revenue Of
spiritual strength and satisfaction.
A bee can suck honey even out of a
nettle, and if you have the grace Of
God in your heart you can get sweet
ness out of that which would other
wise irritate and annoy.
A returned missionary told me that
a company of adventurers rowing up
the Ganges were stung to death by
flies that infest that region at certain
seasons. I have seen the earth stfewn
with the caroases Of men slain by
insect annoyances. The only way to
get prepared for the great trouble Of
life is to conquer these small troubles.
What would you say Of soldier who
refused to load his gun or to gointo
the conflict because it was only skir-
mish, saying II am not going to ex-
pend my ammunition on skirmish.
Wait until there comes general en-
gagement, aud then you will see how
courageous 1 am and what battling I
will do." The general would say to
such a man, eff you are not faithful
in skirmish, you would be nothing
in a general engagement" And /
have to tell you, 0 Christian men, if
you cannot apply the principles Of
Christ's religion on q small scale you
will never be able to apply them on a
large scale.
If had my way with you, I would
have you possess all possible worldly
prosperity. I would have you each
one garden, river flowing through
it, geraniums and shrubs on the sides,
and the grass and flowers as beautiful
as though the rainbow had fallen. I
would have you house, splendid
mansion and the bed should be cov-
cred with upholstery dipped in the
setting sun. I would have every hall
in your house set with statues and
statuettes, and then I would have the
four quarters of the globe pour in all
their luxuries on your table, and you
should have forks Of silver and knives
Of gold, inlaid with diamonds and
amethysts. Then you should each
one of you have the finest horses, and
your pick Of the equipages Of the
world. Then I would have you live
$50 years, and you should not have a
pain or ache until the last breath.
"Not each one of us % you say.
Yes. Each one Of you. "Not to
yoM enemies ?" Yes. The only diff.
ference I would make with them would
be that I would put little extra gilt
on their walls and little extra en-
broidery on their slippers. But, you
say, "Why does not God give us all
these things p All, I bethink my
self he is wiser. 1t would make fools
and sluggards Of us if we had our way.
No man puts his best picture in the
portico or vestibule Of his house.
God meant this world to be only the
vestibule of heaven, that great gal
lery Of the universe toward which We
are aspiring. We must not have it
too good in this world, or ne would
want no heaven.
Polycarp was condemned to be
burned to death. The stake was
planted. he was fastened to it. The
fagots were placed around him, the
fires kindled, but history tells US that
the flames bent outward like the can
vas Of ship in stout breeze, 80 that
the flames, instead Of destroying Poly
carp, were only wall between him
and his enemies. They had actually
to destroy him with the poniard. The
flames would not touch him. Well,
my hearer, I want you to understand
that by God grace the flames of trial,
instead Of consuming your soul, are
only going to be wall Of defense and
a canopy of blessing. God is going to
fulfill to you the blessing and the
promise, as he did to Polycarp, "When
thou walkest through the fire thou
shalt not be burned" Now you do
not understand. You shall know
hereafter. In heaven you will bless
God oven for the hornet.