The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-05-31
FORMATIVE.

The most hopeful view OF men In our
present life is that we are all formative
that from the cradle onward we are
evolving. We change from day 10 day,
from year 10 year. Great is our blessing
when our changes are all for the better.
SO il was meant for us. Pity IL IS when
the changes are in the wrong direction
But we are formative. and our con-
stancy is change. our bodies are steadily
renewing and growing up to a certain
age. They reach their climax in their
service to the soul. Then they yield. the
dust going back towards the dust as II
avs. the spirit holding on its upward
or downward way.
1t is most important for our own peace
Of mind as well as for our just, wise,
and agreeable association in life TO be
assured Of our changeableness and pos
sibinty Of improvement. We are much
gwen to regard ourselves and others
as hopeless. We offend, We commit blum
ders, we do many outrageous things, and
set ourselves down as "vauriens,' good
for naught. We think we know all about
ourselves. wrap ourselves up. and con-
Wet ourselves for life. take TO drink.
or throw ourselves away. Just so, we
deal with others and call all men liars.
We are unjust 10 ourselves. and we deal
with others in the same way. More than
half the world are desperate. From one
little fault we Judge Of a whole charac-
ter. make up it's record. as fixed thing.
But. fortunately for us. the Providence
of God delivers us and others from our
unjust imprisOnments. Life moves on. We
wear out the hides we had fastened on
ourselves. shed our skins. and grow too
large for our littleness. And we forget
the indictments we have made on others;
see them in new lights make new dis
coveries, and pass away our WORKOUT
notions 1t was a wise suggestion that
we should deal with every friend as II
he might one day be our enemy. and
with every enemy as II he might one day
be our friend. We know what we are;
we know not what we may be. 1t is an
idle thing and great mistake TO count
ourselves or others as finished, fixed,
and interchangeable. We are none Of us
mere castings. We are bundles OF life;
put up for something more than the
short flights and idle industries of every
day life.
Why. what a nursery is this beautiful
world of ours The human one and mate
rial was not made for restricted moulds,
for set ways, nor even for fixed cuni-
cula. Humanity is a divine thing. II is
made UP OF light and truth and spirit.
Soul feeds on soul. on the divine life from
which it came. The profoundest truth
made known TO man We're tho words
OF the Master: 1 am that true bread that
came down from Heaven. 1t was the
plainost. most practical. most irresistible
proposition that was ever uttered. The
material Of mankind is divine. For moulds
IL has ideals Contemplation of high ex-
amples takes the place Of shaping and
manipulation. And we do not handle or
force or authoritatively compel. charac-
ter into its form: but we influence by the
gentlencss and beauty and force OF our
own character The Psalmist says TO
the Almighty: Thy gentleness has made
me great Austerity and rough discipline
is the monstr0ls burlesque Of parental
management worse than bear-play. The
Heavenly Father commends Himself 10
His children: The Lord. the Lord God.
merciful and gracious; forgiving iniquity.
transgression, and SIM but by no means
clearing the guilty The Master says: My
yoke is easy. and my burden is light.
Portals acknowledgement OF her liege
lord IL in place here:
/ would be trebled twenty times myself;