Connecticut western news., 1896-08-06
with us. for if is toward, evening ,

fore night. The besieging army lay down, thinking there was but little to do in the morning, and that the sol diery in the fort could be easily made to surrender. But during the night, through hack 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 are anticipating sorrow. The greatest folly that ever grew on this planet is the tendency to borrow Iouble, 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 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 in the walk that makes you quite sure that the leaves of 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 romping 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 in 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 wist- 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 soon 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 ebb- ing and the grave will soon hide her from your sight. You sit quiet. You feel heavy hearted. The light is fading from the sky. The air is chill. It is to- ward evening.
 You had g considerable estate and felt independent. In five minutes on one fair 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 misfortunes prostrated your credit. You may today be going on in business, but you feel anxious about where you are standing and fear that the next turning of the wheel will bring you prostrate. You foresee what you con- slider certain defnlcation. 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 ry or the moving into plainer house. The misfortunes of life have accumulat- ed. You wonder what makes the sky so dark. It is toward evening.
 sweetening the Cup.
 Trouble is an apothecary that mixes Q great many drafts bitter and sour and nauseous, and you must drink some one 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 TO sound so sweet but the undertaker's screwdrivcr grates through it. In this swift shuttle of the human heart some of the threads mu st break. The journey from Jerusa- lem to Emmaus will soon be ended. Our Bible, our common sense, our ob- servation, reiterate ill tones that we can. not mistake and ought not to disregard. It is toward evening.
 Oh, then, for Jesus to abide with usl He sweetens the cup. He extracts the thorn. He wipes the tear. He husbes the tempest. He soothes the soul that flies to him for shelter. Let the night swoop and the euroclydon cross the sea. Let the thunders roar. Soon all will be we'll. Christ in the ship to soothe his friends Christ on the sea to stop its tu- mutt Christ in 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 an 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, he will not forsake us when the luster has faded and it is toward evening.
 Listen to Paul's battle shout with misfortune. Hark to mounting Lati-
 mer's fire song. Look at the glory that has reft the dungeon and filled the earth and heavens with the crash of the fall ing manacles of despotism. And then look at those who have tried to cure tutmsStfcS py hutnah PASooAAP'Aoho, oo' tempting to heal gangrene with patch
 of court plaster and to stop the plague
 of dying empires with the auackery oi
 earthly wisdom. Nothing can speak peace to the soul, nothing can unstraI our crushing burdens, nothing can over. come our spiritual foes, nothing eau open cur eyes to gee the surrounding horses and chariots of salvation that fill I all the mountains. but the voice and command of him who stopped ous night at Emmau8.
 The words of the text are pertinent | 10 ns all, from the fact that we are nearing the evening of death. l have heard it said that we ought to live as though each moment were to be oul | tast. ] do not believe that theory. As
 far as preparation is concerned, wt
 ought always to be ready; but we can
 not always be thinking of death. for we