Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-07-30
RABBI s. q. BDTTIGHEINIER.

THE STILL VOICES OF HEAVEN"
His subject was THE Still Voices OF
Heaven" and he spoke. In part, as fol-
lows:
"Then Samuel answered.: Speak, for
Thy servant heareth.'"
When divine messages are transmitted,
awe-inspiring stiffness is the propitious
medium. The significance Of the spoken
word stands in inverse proportion TO the
incidental ceremony connected Herewith.
The weightier the import of the utter
ance, the less the accessories. In the
| calm of quietude the dew OF Heaven Is
distilled.
DO we inquire, What are the still
voices Of God?" They are the harmonious
| echoes Of the healthy conscience. Let us
discover under what existent condition
they may be heard, and when expected.
The universe is ever resonant with
Gods still, small voices; but they are not
always heard; or, rather, Heaven Is con-
tinualiy waiting to speak, but His voice
Is oft restrained. There is no announce
ment, because mems minds are not always
receptive, not IN the posture really to
listen. Heaven does not reveal itself TO
the conscience that Is not In melodious
accord with the key to which its gracious
voice Is pitched.
MUST BE READY TO RECEIVE.
Four distinct times did the Eternal call
Samuel before the suspicious message was
finally delivered. He bided the time until
there was that frame Of min which our
text conveys: Speak, for Thy servant
heareth." The child, Samuel, IN was
destined to become Israels king-maker,
had been working all day for his God.
When lying down for rest at eyentide.
the Divine Essence made him the reel
pient of a wonderful commission. Thus
II is, when We are CARRIED in majestic
quiesence, after we have conscientiously
performed the busy labor in Mercy's
name, we are prepared for the occasion.
above all others, for Gods still voices.
What, then. are those states Of mind
which are the prerequisites for being in
~dividually the object of Heavens address
es? Let me designate some of them:
A mind ~disengaged, but not a thought
less mind; a consciousness unencum-
bered by ethical stumbling-blocks. Such
an adult understanding as Samuel de-
veloped. Such a keen perception as each
the eminent statesman, the skilful ar
tisan, the expert s~trategist, the master
seaman. the inspired artist, displays in
his particular n chosen field. The hour
is ripe when the door is open, the con-
science unfettered, and the heart bids
welcome. An equally necessary feature
is a min unbiased. The kindly admoni-
ton sublime is an unwilling guest at the
home whose portals are swung upon the
creaking hinges OF unwarranted pre-
judgment.
DESIRE FOR TRUTH.
There must be a simple desire to hear
only the truth. and the disregard of this
10 why so many messages from on High
are in vain; why they become mere toys
at the mercy OF the winds. Let God
speak what He will. Then, there is the
condition OF evident expectation. Che
wish becomes ardent longing, intense
anxiety. These. too, are the steps, the
timely gradstions to prayer. Herein lies
mans peculiar part in the fulflment of
the petition born upon his own lips.
has something definite to say,
and the heart has leaped to imbibs II. |
The eye ~glistens to detect the first
glimpse of 1t; the ear Is eagerly inclined
to listen. These are the fundamental
elements In the makeup of those who |
are inspired to any mammoth work. |
Every genius is a vertible mouthpiece of
Heaven. The message from the Eternal
was an advent, and there was a now"
q present" in it-an opportunity for
earnest desire-lost, 1t was
but grasped. life itself. |
A sense of personality is likewise indis-
to the appreciation Of a divine
behest. A close relation between speaker
and hearer cannot be dispensed with. Not
only this, but it must be hat Of superior
and subordinate. Speak, Lord, for Thy
heareth." How closely they APP
one another. The human heart
Is a miniature sanctuary for Gods SER
gentle whisper enters the ear. and
II is assuring and endearing. If We do not
1t personally 1t will be ar empty
only-no voice at all.
MEEKNESS OF CHARACTER.
All these prerequisites for the under
Of the still voices of Heaven-a
mind disengaged. a perception unbiased,
expectation, and a sense Of per-
sonality-require a delicate shading tor
heir symmetrical perfection. This Is the
province Of timely humility. Samuel said,
Thy servant" How fitting in an answer
10 Heaven! For when the servant hears
10 hears but to serve. With such a state
heart, and with such environment.
sod's voices canno be distant: they viii
,ome s~atisfyingly laden, and we will walk
bout hearing voices that say:
'who does the best his circumstance
allows.
Does well, acts nobiy. Angels can DO
No mara