The Newtown bee. (Newtown, Conn.) 1877-current, 1895-10-11

ded, Dy the DEGREES OF peculiar destiny, II
securing him from almost the possibility Il
of disaster. Napoleon had been favored
with such success that he was won't to
say, 81 propose and dispose
In the formation OF such a character
as our subject presupposes, the sacquisi-
ton Of perfect knowledge in the depart
ment III which we are to act, is Of the |
first Importance. Then must follow the |
cultivation Of q connected and conclusive |
manner Of reasoning. The resolute COM
mencement Of action In manner to com
NIT ourselves irretrievably. We must
have the appreciation of conscience.
Daniel, Luther and Paul had the APP
probation Of conscience. They had 1t
on the God side, on the good side.
Paul had the appreciation of his con-
science on the wrong side before his
conversion, when he was Pharisee and
q prosecutor. He always followed con-
science. So must we, but we must be
sure that we have true faith, for faith
governs the conscience.
We find Daniel holding his own, and
moving on majestically In his religious
life, just as the great ship plows it's way
through the deep-onward--right on
ward toward the port for which it Ia DIES.
tined. He did what he had done-what
was the habit of his life. When arrested
by his enemies, he was doing as he had
done afore time. Daniel was q prime
minister. He had the affairs OF state to
manake-the affairs of great empire
and yet he lived religion1every day. He
had special seasons Of prayer three times
day, either with his family or alone,
with bis windows open toward Jerusalem,
the place he loved--whicf was once his
home--where God spoke through the
church In the tabernacle and Ia Solo
mons temple Was Daniel a backsiiders
Hardly. Rev John Newton has written
this hymn: wi
| "Sweet was the time, when frstI felt -
| The savior's pardoning blood
| Applied to cleanse my soul firm guilt
| And bring me home to God" F..
Praises tuned his tongue--love was all
bis song. He drew near to God in pray
or. We reach the fourth stanza: .t1
Snow when the evening shade prevails
| My soul in darkness mourns
And when the morn, the light reveals
l. No light to me returns"
1 quote this, to show the Importance of
constancy In religion--of maintaining q
moral equilibrium. Paul said to the
l Tnr1nth50nH thn f.1n NJ thof
great chapter the 10th Of lst
Corinthians ssTherefore my beloved
brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, al
ways Astounding in the work Of the Lord,
forasmuch as ye know that your labor
Is not in vain In the Lord"
1t is fact Of great interest that even
the affairs of state is no barrier or hind
rance to life Of piety. Man ia the same
now as "a centuries ago and religion Is no
more now than then. From first to last
1t Is true allegiance to God. 1t Is a life
of faith on him who loved US, and gave
to speak to us to-day by his noble ex-
ample. Let me repeat: "When he knew
that the writing was signed, which con-
demned him to death, he went on as
afore time as II the decree was naught.
Steadfastly he maintained his integrity
Why? He was innocent before q holy
God-nor had he swerved In the least in
the discharge of his duty to his earthly
sovereign. have done no burt before
thee o King. Here lie character that Is
golden. 1t is bright and will shine as
the stars forever and ever, In the glorious
Ornament Of heaven.
"As he did afore time" Are we as
constant 10 the things of religion as
aforetime? AS when we first tasted that
the Lord was good? Have we grow
ing interest in the cause and kingdom Of
Christ? Are we more and more purpose
full to follow on to know the Lord, whom
to know Alright is life eternal2 These are
not unimportant questions. The subject
before us suggests the necessity of re-
lection. when, we who are sailing on
the great ocean Of life, see q ship trim,
with every sail bent to catch the breeze,
everything in order on deck, and in the
hold and cabin, is 1t not well to look
around and see IL our own bark Is in Or
der-the pilot at his post, and that we
are endeav0ring to make the most OF our
voyage ourselves Of every OPP
portunity to give assistance IL necessary
to any craft around Nc that may present
signals OF distress or call to Us with the
speaking trumpet for help? Not only
are we ~ diligent and constant In all the
things Of God, but are we not growing In
greater fondness for what lies at che end
Of our voyage, the things which are not
seen but eternal? With the eye OF faith
do we not discover the beauties and the
luxuries which God has provided for
those that love him on the Evergreen
Shore OF Immortality? Can any one say
Of you or me, that we are not as afore
time giving alidiligence to make our call
ing, and election sure, and living for
full heaven and an empty heHp We
may get new inspiration and new mo-
mentum, by looking to the conduct, and
life Of the great men Of God who have
travelled before us life'g journey. It
is our privilege to make our lives sub
lime, 90 that forlorn and shipwreck.
ed brother seeing may take heart again.
Others have done Il for Us. The genera
tions Of the world, 5000 years deep, all bid
u God-speed. Does It have any signn-
canoe In our estimationt II 40 let rs
catch new inspiration from the fact-let
rs redoubie our diligence. Have we
been active afore time and not now?
vnY- ~ 80