The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-05-30
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+ EXPECTATION SUNDAY. i
ny REV. DAVID CLAIBORNE GARRETT, =
Rector Of ST. Marks
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that will make duty q delight and trans
form SORROW into peace that viii indeed
pass all UNDERSTAND as far as the nat
urai man Is concerned
When we look abroad over the world az
this time there is much AT first sight TO
sadden and even terrify. What is to be the
outcome Of the present sisorsiered condi-
tion of things? Is there any ground for
expectation In the higher sense OF being
hopeful for the worlds Improvement?
Many say there is not All kinds OF fearful
social caIamiiies are predicted. Ii Is sti-
fling 10 breathe the AIR In which so many
of the under millions Of the world are iv-
Ing There is drudSery that amounts 10
slavery and an enforced idleress that Ii
worse than the toll. aad the question that
presses is when and how shall h all end?
What Is the outlook for humanity? Let the
answer he full of the spirit of hope We
may not dare expect any sudden and COM
plete ameiioration OF human discomfort
and pain. but we may expect and we must
expect along the lines of true social evoiu-
lion steady. gradual improvement. Man
may help 1t along or man may hinder 1t.
but none can prevent its certain advance.
We may even expect from the close OF this
century on a more rapid improvement in
the prevention OF poverty. the eradication
Of vice. the coping with disease than ever
before. Mankind is ripe for progress along
social lines. The evolution in scientific and
industrial ways Is a preparation for
changes that are soon to come for the ac-
tuai betterment Of human conditions. Man.
Kind at large will yet reap more efYectually
the results OF the great discoveries and in
venttons OF the past century There will
soon be better government, better brother
hood the world over, better dealings be-
tween man and brother man. and a more
equablc adjustment of the whole machin-
cry OF social life. Don't give up this hope
1t Is the hope Of the world. We must not
judge the future by surface disturbances
of the present. Deep down In the heart Of
humanity thrObbing and beating. lis the
lie OF the divine spirit. In some mystic
riouS way finite life may seem to check the
full force of this imminent spirit but its
influence is steadily and irresistibly for
the good. Man. free as he Is to will cannot
IL he would. defeat the evolution of human
lily. But what grand part man may have
in joining with the Spirit In the work of
the redemption of life. What mission for
organized humanity. for the church. THE
witness OF the life OF the Spirit in human
ify. Blame not God. nor yet man. If the
progress seems too slow. God might have
made IL all perfect at the start but the
great doctrine of evolution teaches us that
this was not the method. and we begin to
see the reasons why that would be the best
says walt until the product is finished be-
fore Judging Of the worth OF the method.
20 yet We trust that somehow good
VIII be the final goal Of ILL.,
Thus. expectation Is not limited to the
world we now live in This hope of some
thing yet TO be revealed. compensation
vindication beyond. Is the greatest incent-
i've to duty and the most precious of all
comforts. The grave Is not the goal.
Death does not end all. Believe this Hope
Tor another life. another chance. another
career. Cling to the assurance OF the pre-
servation OF continuity, progressive. eter-
nal In sphere SO different from this that
we cannot even conceive Of its kiories This
is one Of the lessons OF the ascension. the
going away Of Jesus is spiritual body at
testing the reality OF the spiritual life.
The opening OF heaven means. as the word
signifies, hope eternal. The ascension is
the manifestation Of a life around us. in
us. and yet not fully discerned and cannot
be. until the spirit is clad in new body. 1t
IS the non-time life. life that flesh and
blood cannot inherit because the raiment
OF earth Is not adapted to the new environ
ment. Jesus ascension teaches us TO ex-
pect to ascend also when the call comes
that bids us go. What Joy, what comfort
the thought Of goii.es home. of seeing again
the loved ones We have SO sorely missed
led by the Spirit TO expect the eternal. The
day VIII break and the shadows flee away.
Earth will sink away as heaven grows
nearer to the life that ascends towards the
place where friends await U.S. This is a
very practical faith. the looking out to-
wards the life beyond. 1t tends to strength
en- ones hope even for this life. We are
neSved fer every trial and equipped for
every duty because we know that the
struggle ~ not In vain. that the results are
to be determined In a world where a free
and fair decision will be given The prom
sso OF Jesus Is sure. y will not leave vo,,
comfrotiess." Not only will He come to us.
but we shall go to Him. What satisfaction.
then in ~ Christ promised. What an as
cension liz store for man. Cor all the world
AS the deep blue of heaven brs4htens into
stars,
so Gods grea. love shines forth In PROM
ises.
Which. falling softly through our prison
bars,
Dazc not our eyes. but with soft lgh,
bless.
Ladders Of light God sets against tn. skie,
Upon whose golden rungs we step by stem
arise,
insil We tread the halls of Paradise"
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