Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-02-02
Raw Material.
Chic observations OF Our Philosopher Ia
the Greenyille (S Co News)

emo observations OF Our Philosopher iG
the Greenville (S CO News)
We very little dream OF what the Dur.
poses OF God are toward us. We ars
the clay. He Is the Potter. The way
OF man Is not In himself. II is not la
man that walketh TO direct his STEPS
The business OF life Is the preparation
OF the raw material for the use OF God In
His wise and all comprehensive prorl-
dence. And what We call our trials
and fluctuations is only the furnace
that rids tho metal OF its dross and as
II for vessel OF honor or sterling coin.
age-for our port IN the great desgn
II we wilt and lie down in the trial w
are simply passed by as condemned. II
we stand the trial. show pluck, COURAGE.
and essential character and value. we are
used: We may be subjected 70 stu greater
tests, but the trial shows OF what klne
we are, and whether We can be promoiet
and used. Faith and self-reliance arc
Identical Self-rolance Is faith In Coz
He that trusteth In his own heart Is
fool Our own part Is OF the cart
earthly. The divine part OF US Is a.,
Spirit OF the living God. and on thai
siasm Is God within. The fire Is %
try every mans work The wood. hay
and stubble. the light parts. are consumed
The true metal CLEANS brighter for sepa.
ration from the dross. from the Cur
rupuble. The spirit relieved from tho
burden and pressure OF sense enjoys lls
best freedom And the flesh absolutely
subord.nated TO the spirit hlls IT'S most
dgnified Office. Nlei paret, imperat. In
less 1t obeys II governs. The contest BE-
tween flesh and soul makes the battle o.
| life.
1t Is the highest manhood not 70 know
when we are beat. IL we fall Il must b.
with the back to the field and the face
to the Zoe. IL We are to sink let US 80
/ down all in order. II We are 10 die let l'
/ be IN harness.
When Xenophon found himself In ti
heart OF Persia, In the midst OF the enemy
with his little band OF Greeks and wa
/ gwen the command he appeared before
them I'm his very best array. II be was
to triumph he would triumph Handsomely
II he was TO be a sacrifice, he would be
worthy one. He gave a splendid key-noh
Of bravery to his followers.
The pudding Of the metal, the perfeciioa
and test OF the raw material Is the gfe-
business Of the great God. the Master
Workman. individuals. families, and pa
lions are worked, are melted. are stirred
are turned over. are subjected 70 hea'
and cold, to wet and dry, 10 dafknt'
and light They are wrought, they az
seasoned for the designs OF Heaven.
We start life with one set Of IDEAS
and ere we are under way eVerythl
Is changed. Gods purposes TOWARDS y
were established before We were c,-
ceived In the womb. and THIS preIaIt''.'
OF US begins with our conception goes =.
through infancy, and continues on loie'"
The efforts OF our parents, our teache.'
and ourselves are merely WORKING ~
raw material. helping its qualify ~
character. The best education generate
mower and tempers our metal Practea.'
n e. very important TO know how 70 tlA,
and make the best use OF adversiiy ~
hard times and real suffering and PAIN a.
trial--to be wrought. II Is not oAlt
know how 10 bear. 10 be patient, TO sloA.
and meekly say. Thy will be done. b-'
Is 10 accept them as kindly, wisely,
posItive. and unmistakable blessings W.
seems 70 the common eye quite uis
verse. Il is TO be bright, vigorous p.osHs
even joyous. In sustaining, IN con -,
IN manning. IN making the very pest
ne least and most hopeless thinss a.
conditions as most valuable ana M
tant. 10 is 10 60 right on Win
work. adjusting and designing
The best conditions OF prosperity.
mounting In the right direction. -
signing under the worst cireuI.'. .-.f
exactly as IL everything were so.b n.
II Is ploughing IN spite OF the w.. 60. N.
: not observing the clouds or fSsale'.'s ssu.s
rain, but sowing and reaping as sool i,
suggests and waiting upon Goa "a &
eyes OF servants looking 10 me h sso5
/ the master. or OF maid 70 ,ne s ,.s,', ~.
her mistress; consulting only Tor sss
/ honor and manhood; keeping .'n's s,ssi
! and taking heed TO the thing thas .1 osss,
) assured that that shall bring n.as ~ ID
. AZ the last; as living sacr'ncss ,.,,.l lor
: great High Priest. So wronse' "~
the Masters hand. ...---.------