Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1897-11-28
Burden Bearing.

tians, viz.
Every one is a burden bearer, having his
load of want. suffering and responsibility.
Some appear so fortunate that We doubt
whether they share in the sorrows of man
kind. They have wealth, friends. health,
wisdom n virtue. What can their bur-
den be? They have at least a responsible
ity commensurate with their blessings: and.
perhaps. If we knew more of their lives,
seemingly SO blessed. we should find that
they also nave a burden, all the heavier be-
cause borne in secret.
Men often think that II they could change
their circumstances even slightly they
would escape trouble. but this is an illu-
sion. The sick recover health. the poor be-
come rich. the lowly gain the coveted posi-
items Of honor. and their common testimony
is that having gained these advantages
their burdens are no less heavy. In fact,
the normal condition Of man Is that Of a
burden bearer. We "are born unto trouble
as the sparks fly upward"
How can this fact Of burden bearing be
reconciled with our belief in a heavenly
Father? Some contend that all suffering is
due to sin: that if man had not SHINE he
would have had no burden. Jesus. how
ever, ~repudiates this thought. For when
the Jews asked him. Who did sin, this man
or his parents. that he was born blind?
He answered, Neither. Much suffering
comes indeed as the punishment of sin,
but some suffering has its source In the
exercise of our hottest affections. as tina:
of a mother bearing the burden Of an un-
fortunate or hayward child.
In seeking further for a solution to this
problem we find that the really great men
OF the world bear its heaviest burdens. SO
that, it is said. "a mans greatness may be
measured by his sufferings." Burden bear
ing enables a man to do two things-to test
his strength and by using to increase it.
And what splendid characters have thus
been developed! Widows in poverty giving
their all! Martyrs Of the sick room show
ing marvellous patience! Heroes Of the
faith made such by their struggles with
unbelief. Did not God intend such results:
Then that is ther reason why He sometimes
lays on men such heavy burdens
This leads up to the explanation of bur-
den bearing suggested in the text-"Bear
We one another's burdens" The picture of
the worlds sorrow is very dark. but it has
in it a bit of blue sky. through which faith
locks up and beholds the eternal goodness.
Burdens are put upon men that they may
help one another bear them. Without suf-
fering how could we realize u dependence
upon God or feel the need Of human sym
pathy and love? No opportunity would be
given to help a fellow man in trouble or to
sign IN ply over misery DeyOuu our Icicl.
Grant. then. that the chief reason Why
men have burdens is that they may help
one another, how great is the duty laid
upon US. In the fulflment Of that duty
two ways are suggested. Those that are
able may take the burden from weaker
shoulders and bear it themselves. st. Pau
says, I'VE that are strong ought to bear
the infirmities Of the weak" Or strength
may be given to those upon whom the bur
den is laid to bear 1t themselves. A word
of Instruction, an act of kindness or an ex-
preston Of sympathy is sometimes all tina;
is needed.
A teacher once refused to take the adj
vice of the committee and expel a bad boy
from school,. The boy. knowing Of his
teachers confidence, began to do better,
and continued with such perseverance tina:
he afterward became eminent. He was
thrice elected governor of New York and
once to the United States senate. He was
also under one president secretary Of war
and under another secretary of state. A
word Of encouragement proved to be the
turning point in the life Of William L.
Marcy. How many may have failed be-
cause of the lack of such a word?
There is an Eastern legend that runs
thus. In a forest near a great city a gold
en- ball was let down out of heaven every
day at noontime. and whoever should touch
this ball. 1t was said. would acquire GER
taiE wonderful virtues. So many tried to
reach 1t. But it was always lifted just
above them. One day there was In the
crowd waiting for the descent Of the bal
an old man and a little boy. And the old
man said to the others: "If to-day mona
of US can reach the ball. let US lift up
this child 50 hat he may touch 1t and re-
oE,, ~ho IIoa~;-~v xfn 0- Ait. a1.,~
sci. when the tallest of them could not
reach the ball, they stood together and lift
ed up the boy till. with his tiny hand. he
touched the golden ball and. 10! not the
boy only but every person forming the liv.
ing pyramid felt the thrill and received the
magic gift.
So 1t is. my friends. In life. When men
stand together. shoulder to shoulder. bear
ing one another's burdens. then God be.
slows upon them His best blessings.
n--r-