The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-06-16

Inc WnOle WORTH DrSPtdoo h-oH o." 49,
crown ming work: and himself. as the otew-
ard the worshipper, the son. OF God. All
creation mirrors ia the highest PERFECTION.
all his lowest and highest attributes. his
environments tell Of the loving care OF TIE
Father for him; what he was meant ior'
While his d.scbedience. his diseases. his
sufferirgs, testify to the great disaster or
his fall. He was originally upright, anu
In absolute working harmony win the
Supreme Ruler his light and life; But an
act OF dislcyal, dlslodged him from his
establishment; threw him wholly out OF
harmony with creation; made him veri-
table crank Nevertheless, this beauti-
f1l world. that was made for his home
and happiness and perfect development.
IS all about him. How far It was disor-
dered by the fall, we can't tell. A great
philosopher says: at groaneth and ira
yaileth with sin" And. most likely, man
did not fall alone: but ali nature suffered
with him. as it did when the divine Man
was crucifed.
But man end nature intimate and more
and more tell OF preparation for a high
and perfect condition of things. COM
ing kingdom, a Reign OF Law, when the
-four and twenty elders. and all the pow
ers OF nature shall praise Him that llveth
for ever and ever. The glorious sunsets
continually and gorgeously prophesy OF
that; by the bright track OF their fiery
car, telling Of the golden day, the good
time a-coming. The signs OF our times
are the rosy fingers. Of the morn; the
shadows fleeing before the dawnlng light
OF the last Great Day. The great end, the
nigh triumph, Of all learning is TO open
our eyes aud understandings to the mean
ings Of things around US; to teach US the
letters. syllables. and words of natures
book; that we may read. mark learn, and
inwardly lay TO heart. and keep and fol-
low the communications that are made
TO us through all our Senses ana to our
souls by the ever present God The see
ing eye and hearing ear are Of the Lord
What strange horde are we. anyhow:
who roam and wander idly and orally
over the beautiful earth and under the
spacious and wonderful ARMAMENT How
Is 1t that we lead the lives We do lead
under the Heavens as they are spread
out before u.s. To the awakened soul they
fairly rain upon us sprlng-tide showers of
thought and not a thought but thinks on
noDleness; cleaning with intelligence.
Ihey Impress us with light and wisdom
ana grandeur, and in the highest
way ennoble and dignity our daily bust
ness.
The sky and clouds admonish US TO do
our work wisely. handsomely. well. and
bountifnlly: and enlven and cheer us in
doing 1t. There's nothing mean about
them. The deep blue and luminous ether
OF the Firmament bespeaks and Illus
trates the depths and mysteries OF our
Holy Religion. while its lights admonish
us Of the Infinite profound, and tell Of all
Power Might. Majesty. and Dominion
controlling the universe
The Clouds are natures merchantmen.
and dignity commerce. They gather
moisture and fertilzing wealth from re-
gions where 1t abounds. and carry IL
to places where IL is wanted; or. as
great storehouses. they take it up and hold
1t. when IL is very plentiful, and keep
it for the time when 1t is wanted.
Clouds and wind, without rain that
only scatter dust and blind our eyes, tell
OF bucket-shops, Of parasites and gamb-
lefs. the chaff, the sport Of the winds.
yhe Clouds, so strangely balanced, at
their heights and separated from the wa.
ters below. wisely admOnsh us of the
Power that holds things in their places.
and orders events and occurrences. holds
them back and then drops them out or
the air. and in their season, in the nick
Of time.
And how prettily do the bright and dark
clouds tell us Of the enlightened and
darhened soul. Lit with the light of
Truth, the divine spirit, the soul Of man.
Is all glorious, at morn. at midday, ana IN
its departure. But unenlightened. II tells
only Of darkness and horror. The light
That comes from its own conflicts and
disorders. lur.d and terrific, scatters
death, and heralds the t.unders Of iudg-
ment' and the wrath Of God.