The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1898-04-07
NO.. E..

uSeu TO take the sheep upon the noun
talns in the summer. and dwell in the
valleys in the winter. The sheep being
out OF doors perpetually, their w.ol
was better than if they had been kept
IN the hot atmosphere of the sheep-cot.
Wells We're dug for the sheep and COW
cred with large stones. in order that
the hot weather might not spoil the
water. And then the shepherd led his
flock wherever he would: nobody dis
puted his right. So the Lord our Shep-
herd has large pasture ground. He
takes us in the summer to the noun
talns, and in the winter to the valleys
Warm days of prosperity come, and we
stand on sun-gilt Sabbaths, and on
hills of transtiguration; and we are
so high up we can catch a glimpse of
the pinnacles of the heavenly city.
Then cold wintry days of trouble come,
and we go down intothe valley of sick
ness, want and bereavement, and we
say: is there any sorrow like unto my
sorrow?" But, blessed be God, the
Lords sheep can find pasture any
where. Between two rocks Of
trouble tuft of succulent prom
ises; green pastures beside still
waters; long sweet grass between
bitter graves. You have noticed the
structure of the sleeps mouth? It is
SO sharp that it can take up blade Of
grass or clover-top from the very mar
rowest spot. And SO Gods sheep can
pick up comfort where others can gath
er none. The secret of the Lord is
with them that fear Him." Rich pas
ture, fountain-fed pasture, for all the
flock of the Good Shepherd
The hill OF Zion yields
thousand sacred sweets
Before we reach the Heavenly fields,
Or walk the golden streets.
Lastly: Consider the shepherds fold.
The time of strengthening was very
glad time. The neighbors gathered to-
gether. and they poured wine and
danced for joy. The sheep were put in
place inclosed by wall, where it
was very easy to count them
and know whether any of them
had been taken by the jackals
or dogs. The inclosure was called
the sheep-fold. Good news I have
to tell you, in that our Lord the Shep-
herd has sheep-fold. and those who
are gathered in it shall never be struck
by the storm, shall never be touched
by the jackals of temptation and trou-
Bile. 1t has high wall-so high that
no troubles can get in-so high that
the joys can not get out. How glad
the old sheep will be to find the lambs
that left them good many years ago!
Millions of children in Heaven! Oh.
what merry Heaven it will make!
Not many long-meter psalms there.
They will be in the majority, and will
run away with our song, carrying it up
to a still higher point of ecstacy. Oh,
there will be shouting! If children on
earth clapped their hands and danced
for joy, what will they do when. to the
gladness of childhood on earth is added
the gladness of childhood in Heaven?1
1t is time we got over these morbid
ideas of how we shall get out of this
world. You make your religion an un-
dertaker planning collins and driving
hearses. Your religion smells of the
varnish of a funeral casket. Rather
let your religion to-day come out
and show you the sheep-fold that
God has provided you. All, YOU
say, there is river between this
and that. l know it; but that Jor-
dan is only for the shecp-washing, and
they shall go up on the other banks
snow-white. They follow the great
Shepherd. They heard His voice long
ago. They are safe now-one fold and
one Shepherd.
Alas for those who are finally found
outside the inclosure. The night Of
their sin howls with jackals; they are
thirsting for their blood The very
moment that lamb may be frisking
upon the hills, a bear may be looking
for it from the ticket.
In June, 1915, there was verv noble
party gathered in a house in st. James,
square, London. The prince regent
was present. and the occasion was
made fascidating by music and ban
quoting and by jewels. While
quadrille was being formed. suddenly
all the people rushed to the windows.
What is the matter? Henry Percy
had arrived with the news
that Waterloo had been fought.
and that England had won
the day. The dance was aban-
doned; the party Dispersed: lords. ladies
and musicians rushed into the street,
and in Is minutes from the first an
nouncement Of the good news. the house
was emptied of all it's guests. Oh. We
who are seated at the banquet of this
world, or whirling in its gayeties and
frivolities, if you could hear the
sweet strains of the Gospel trumpet
announcing Christ's victory over
sin and death and hell, you would
rush forth, glad in the eternal deliver
ance! The Waterloo against sin has
been fought, and our Commander-in-
chief hath won the day. Oh, the joys of
this salvation! do not care what met
aphor. what comparison you have; bring
it to me, that l may use it, Amos shall
bring one simile, Isaiah another. John
another. Beautiful with pardon.
Beautiful with peace. Beautiful with
anticipations. Or to return to the pas
toral figure of my text, come out of the
poor pasturage of this world into the
rich fortunes of the Good Shenhard