The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1897-12-15
SERMONS OF THE DAY.
RELIGIOUS TOPICS DISCUSSED BY
PROMINENT AMERICAN MINISTER'S.

Competitive sermons-Preached by the
Rev. W. 8. Perkins, Meriden, Comm
TEXT: "Bear ye one another's burdens"
Gal. vi.,'2.
Every one Is 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 and virtue. What can their burden
be2 They have at least q responsibility
commensurate with their blessings; and,
perhaps, IL we knew more OF their lives,
seemingly 80 blessed, we would find that
they also have burden, all the heavier be-
cause borne In secret.
Men often think that II they could change
their circumstances, even slightly, they
The sick recover health, the poor become
rich, the lowly gain the coveted positions Of
honor, and their common testimony is that
having gained these advantages their bur-
dens are no less heavier. In fact, the nor
NAL condition Of man Is that Of burden
bearer. We "are born into trouble as the
sparks fly upward"
How can this fact Of burden bearing be
reoonciled with our belief In heavenly
Father? Some contend that all suffering Is
due to sin; that II man had not sinned he
ever, repudiates this thought. - For when
the Jews asked Him, Who did sin, this man
or bis parents, that he was born blindf
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 that
Of mother bearing the burden, OF an un-
fortunate or wayward child.
In seeking further for q solution to this
problem we find that the really great men
Of the world bear It's heaviest burdens. 30
measured by his sufferings." Burden bear
ing enables man to d. two things Ito
test his strength and by using to increase
1t. And what splendid characters have
thus been developed widows In poverty
giving their ALL Martyrs Of the sick room
showing marvellous patfencel Heroes of
the faith made such by their struggles with
unbeliefI Did not God intend such results?
Then that is the 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 1t
{ has in 1t bit Of blue sky, through which
faith looks up ana beholds the eternal
goodness. -
Burdens are put upon men that they may
help one another bear them. Without suf-
ferfng how could we realize our dependence
upon God or feel the need Of human SYM
pathy and love2 No opportunity would be
given to help fellow man in trouble or to
sigh In pity over misery beyond our relief.
/. Il 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 fulf1lment of that duty
two ways are suggested. Those that, are
able may take the burden from weaker
shoulders and bear It themselves, st.
Paul says eve that are strong ought TO
bear the inf1rmities of the weak" Or
strength may be given to those upon whom
the burden Is laid to bear 1t themselves.
The latter Is the more effective aid. A word
of instruction, an act Of kindness or an e1-
preston Of sympathy Is sometimes allthat
Is needed. "
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 that
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 Gu0 uIo VI Wlilloui -.
Marcy. How many may have failed be-
cause Of the lack of such wordp
There Is an Eastern legend that runs
thus: In forest near great city golden
ball was let down out Of heaven every day
at noontime, and whoever should touch
this ball, 1t was said, would acquire GER
tain wonderful virtues. So many tried to
reach it. But It was always lifted Just
above them. One day there was in the
crowd waiting for the descent Of the ball
an old man and a. little boy.
And the old man said to the otherE
''If to-day none Of US can reach the ball,
let us lift up this child 80 that be may
touch it and receive the blessing" Acting
on this counsel, when the tallest OF them
could not reach the ball, they stood to-
gether and lifted up the boy till, with his
tiny hand, he touched the egolden ball and,
lol not the boy only, but every person form.
Ing the living pyramid felt the thrill and
received the magic gift. 81
So it 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.
W. 8. PERKINS.
Pastor st. Pauls Church, Uniyersalist,
Merjden Conn., ,.-~..'. ..' 80,