The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1896-08-12

diery in the fort could be easily made
to surrender. But during the night,
through a back stairs, they escaped INTO
the country. In the morning the be-
sieging army sprang upon the battle
ments, but found that their prey was
gone. So. when we are assaulted IN
temptation, there is always some secret
stair by which we might get of. God
will not allow Us to be tempted above
what we are able, but with every temp
tation will bring way Of escape that
we may be able to bear it.
Anticipating Sorrow.
The PRAYER of the text is appropriate
for all who arc anticipating sorrow.
The greatest folly that ever grew on
this planet is the tendency to borrow
trouble, but there are times when ap-
preaching sorrow is so evident that we
need to be making special preparation
for its coming
One of your children has lately be-
come a favorite. The cry OF that child
strikes deeper into the heart than the
cry of all the others. You think more
about it. You give it more attention,
not because it is any more of treasure
than the others, but because it IS be-
coming frail. There is something IN the
cheek, in the eye and i'll the walk that
makes you quite sure that the leaves CT
the flower are going to be scattered.
The utmost nursing and medical at
tendance are Intellectual. The pulse be-
comes feeble. the complexion Lighter
the step weaker, the laugh fainter. No
more rolnping for that one through hall
and parlor. The nursery is darkened by
an approaching calamity. The heart
feels with mournful anticipation that
the sun is going down. Night speeds
ON. It is toward evening.
You have long rejoiced III the care OF
a mother. You have done everything TO
make her last days happy. You have
run with quick feet to wait upon her
every want. Her presence has been
perpetual blessing in the household.
But the fruit gatherers are looking visit
fully at that tree. Her soul is ripe for
heaven. The gates are ready to flash
open for her entrance. But your soul
sinks at the thought Of separation.
You cannot bear to think that socn you
will be called to take the last look at
that face which from the first hour has
looked upon you with affection un-
changeable. But you see that life IS ebo-
ing and the grave will soon hide her
from your sight You sit quiet. You
feel heavy hearted. TIE light is fading
from the sky. The air Is chill. ls Is to-
ward evening.
You had a considerable estate and felt
independent. In five minutes On one falr
balance sheet you could see just how
you stood in the world. But there came
complications. Something that you
imagined impossible happened. The
best friend you had proved traitor to
your interest. A sudden crash OF nation
al misfortures Frustrated your credit.
You may today be going on in business,
but YOU feel anxious about where you
arc standing and fear that the next
turning OF the wheel will bring you
prostrate. You fcresee what you con-
slider certain defalcation. You think OF
the anguish of telling your friends you
are not worth dollar. You know not
how you will ever bring your children
home from school. You wonder how
you will stand the selling of your libra
nv or the moving into a palmer house.
The misfortunes CT life have accurnulat-
ed. You wonder what makes the sky SO
dark. 1t is toward evening.
sweetenipx the-Cup.
Trouble is I'll apcthccary that mixes
a great many drafts bitter aid sour
and nauscous, and ycu must drink some
cne of them. Trouble puts up great
many packs, and you must carry some
one of them. There is no sandal so thick
and we'll adjusted but some thorn Will
strike through it. There is no sound so
sweet but the undertaker's screwdrlver
CRATES through it. In this swift shuttle
of the human heart some cf the threads
mu st break. TIE journey from ,Ierusa-
lem to Emmaus will soon be ended.
Our Bible, our common sense, our OBJ
servation, reiterate i'll tones that We car
not mistake and ought not to disregard.
It is toward evening.
Oh, then, for Jesus to abide with Us!
He sweetens the cup. He extracts the
thorn. He wipes the tear. He bushes
the tempest. He soothes the soul that
flies to him for shelter. Let the night
swoop and the euroclyGon cross the sea.
Let the thunders roar. Soon all will be
we'll. Christ in the ship to scothe his
friends. Christ on the sea to step its tu-
multi. Christ i'll the grave TO scatter the
darkness. Christ in the heavens to lead
the way. Blessed all such. His arms
will inclose them, his grace comfort
them, his light cheer them, his sacrifice
free them, his glory enchant them. If
earthly estate takes wings, he will be
all incorruptible treasure. If friends die,
he will be their resurrection. Standing
with US in the morning of our joy and
in the MONDAY Of our prosperity, ne
will not forsake US when the luster has
faded and it is toward evening.
Listen to Paul's battle shcut with
misfortune. Hark to mounting Latl-
mer's fire song. Look at the glory that
has reft the dungeon and filed the earth
and heavens with the crash of the fall
ing manacles of despotism. And then
look at those who have tried to cure
themselves by human prescriptions, at
tempting to heal gangrene with patch
of court plaster and to stop the plague
of dying empires with the quackery OF
earthly wisdom. Nothing can speak
peace to the soul, nothing can unstrar
our crushing burdens, nothing can over
come our spiritual foes, nothing can
open our eyes to see the surrounding
horses and chariots of salvation that fill
all the mountains, bet the voice and
command of him who stopped one night
at Emmaus.
The words Of the text are pertinent
to US all, from the fact that We are