Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1897-02-18
THE BUILDING OF A LIFE.
One Element of Weakness In the Work
We Try to Do.

One Element of Weakness In the Work
We Try to Do.
An element of weakness in much OF
our resolving for better living is that
we try to grasp too much of life at one
time. We think of it as whole instead
of taking the days one by one. Life is
a mosaic, and each tiny piece must be
cut and set with skill. If we concen-
trate our powers in the effort of doing
all we can and the very best we can in
the discharge of the duty that lies near
est, we need not fear that our lives as
whole will not be pleasing to the Master.
When the web of our early life is COM
pleted, all the pattern finished, if we
labor according to Gods wise ordering
we shall see that it is the care we take
in putting in each thread, the weaving
in with faith and patience of each mo-
ment's small design, that makes the
whole fabric fair and good to look
upon.
The building up of true and noble
life is like the construction of a great
and magnificent temple. If we take
our plans for the temple, and sit down
before them, and try to think out for
ourselves at the beginning just how
each smallest detail is to be worked out,
how each stone in all the towering
walls is to be laid, how each ponderous
cross-beam and gigantic pillar is to be
lifted up to its place; if we stop and
allow ourselves to grow perplexed and
worried over all these things at the out
set, we shall be overwhelmed with our
task before we begin, and our temple
will never rise from the ground. The
wise builder does not do so. He is
satisfied at the beginning with the con-
viction that his plans have been skill
fully drawn, that ample provision has
been made for all emergencies SO far
as he can see them, that his general
design issymmetrical and entirely prac-
ticable for execution. For the rest, for
the working out of details, for the lay
ing up of stone upon stone, he trusts
for that to the labor of each day as it
comes, to the skill and fidelity of those
employed to do his will. He will be
satisfied if each day sees it's appointed
work well done, its course in the rising
structure laid according to settled
plan.
So in the building up of life THAI is
to be an honor to God and a source of
righteous power in the world, it is
enough at the beginning to have a
noble plan to follow, and a high and
holy purpose to guide and govern all.
Beyond that, all that one can do, and
all that it is wise and right to try to
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a step upward, that each opportunity
for service is improved according to our
best light and highest knowledge, and
that each duty as it comes is performed
in the same way, in the love and fear of
God. If we build up our lives in this
way, if we lay each course in the
structure prayerfully and carefully in
the best way that our conditions and
circumstances will permit, we need not
fear that our building will be in vain,
or without beauty and nobility in the
sight of the Almighty, whatever men
may think of it. 1t may not be such as
to excite the wonder nor compel the
admiration of the world, but it will
have sure and everlasting foundation,
and it will have the approval of an all
wise and ALLOWING Heavenly Father,
and that will be enough. Neither will
it matter, if we build in the right spirit
and according to Gods design; whether
our years here be few or many, whether
we are cut off in the midst of our use
fulness, as it seems to men, or live to a
ripe old age, our work here will be COM
plete as God counts completeness.
THE work unfinished! Do not fear,
Though at his coming may be found
The stone unset.
Yet for thy faith beyond the skies y
Thine own shall be the longed-for prize.
He knoweth best who calls from labor now
To rest to build no more"
-(.hrictinrn Wnrl1