The Newtown bee., 1897-03-12

overcome obstacles is to advance to meet them. Quite often we shall find that these obstacles are like the mirage of the sandy desert; viewed from dis tance they assume large proportions, on near approach they vanish away.
 From the text also comes this thought: let us not worry because our circum- stances are not such--as we should like. That seems about the most foolish wor- ry of all, fretting about what others have. It is the old story of Ahab, with large possessions about him, yet wanting Naboth's vineyard. We all lead hinder ed lives; we are all prisoners within walls set about us by our limitations. I believe there is no earnest Christian, who is trying to make the most of his life for God and the bettermept of the world, but that over sand over again he wishes he had more time and more talent and more money and more strength. But the wish for more is quite different from the ceaseless- fret. because we are 80 shorthanded.
 THE MAN WITH ONE TALENT
 was blameworthy because all his care was exercised upon the talents which belonged to others. We may rest as- sured of this, that God will hold us responsible only for the use of the money that was ours, only for the taking advan- tage of the opportunities which came in our way. If the good Samaritan had not been going on the road leading from Jerusalem to Jericho that day, he would have had no relation to the wounded and bleeding man either in the way of praise or blame If we are faithful over the few things which we have here, our re- ward shall be to be rulers over the many things in the larger opportunities end broader sphere of the upper kingdom.
 Then the text has suggestion about our health. We are not to worry over that. Worry may make us sick, but it will in no case make us we'll and strong. Of course, some people are invalid; and for such we who are strong should have pity and encouragement and cheer. If flowers bloom in the garden of our lives because of roseate health. we should car ry some of these flowers to their soil, where no flowers will grow on account of the malaria damps of disease. Paul's injunction is always in order, "We then that are strong ought to bear the mfr mites of the weak" Some persons are invalid because they cannot help it; but, I am forced to believe, other persons are invalid because they wish to be. Such persons would be grieyously disappoint- ed if they should get we'll. have never investigated very much the subject whether the mind cures, but do know that the mind makes sick. You have heard the case of the man who started out on 6 crisp morning, as he thought within himself, in good health, and cer- tainly in good spirits. The fist friend be met aecosted him thus: "Why, my good fellow, you are not looking well this morning; don't you feel sick ?" Af- ter assuring his friend that he never felt better in his life, the man continues on his way. A second well-meaning friend meets him and says: sYou are not feel ing well this morning, are you? You look to me as if you should be home in bed.'' The faith of the man in his TO- business of body begins to waver. He begins to ask himself if he is up to the usual mark of health. A third friend, who soon appears, settles all his doubts on the side of the. question that he is actual ly sick. This third friend says: twill you accept bit of advice? You are 2 sick man. You better go home and get into bed.'' The man needs no more con viction. He is thoroughly sick. He goes home, he gets into bed, the doctor comes.
 These bodies of ours are too intricate