The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-01-15

No one, however. realizes all his ambi-
tions-irdeed, not all are worth realizing.
There Is always "A something which mars
happiness OF anguish I'm
every condition. spUts weaker than others
in the strongest bar OF steel. the capabii-
ity OF tarnish In the purest gold, spots on
the sun. A. persons weak nesses-conse-
queutly his sources OF suifering-mny iie
Just beside his strongest trait OF character.
Ho may bs honest, but oyerexactinR;
strong wilIed. but obstinate; eoonomioal
but penurious; just, but unmercifui;
courageous, but censor ols; sfectionate,
tut passionate. Unselhshness may
sharpen daggers that pierce tne hoart and
Intensity of affection may be pledge ol
keenest pangs.
A person, It may be, acquires riches.
but health is gone, or domestic happiness
has taken departure. or waters oil griei
are flooding tbs soul. Pre-eminentiy
successful along some lines, he Is con-
spicuously unsuccessful along others III
takes but little TO render n person iniser-
able, IL taken much 10 render some
happy. AS IL needs only triiie To pre-
vent wealth from producing coDtentment,
Is IL a mark OF wisdom to sacrifice Tor
Its acquisition that which is OF more
value-Bealth. comfort, reputation. char
acter principle, conscience-th6 hope or an
eternal worldy "a mans life consisteth
not In the abundance OF the things he
possessetb. " Does the river consist in the
drift wood it Is carrying to the ocean
"Fine feathers make nne birds. but a
fine residence and fine equipege are
not capable or always making ths heart
merry.
or those who covet fame, some win the
prize, but cares increase, responsi biliiies
augment, disappoiDtments multiply ana
arrows of envy become keener and more
numerous. He who courts public favor
court. iioKle uamsel, one who, disqual-
fled 10 bestow happiness, may Halter
litfleness and coDtemn greatness. In
history there are few saddsr chapters than
these which record the cares, worries and
reverses Of some who acquired prominence
Moses was n mighty iran, but he WAS
driven into exile. and sleeps in an un-
known grave. Elijah was q rare speci-
men of true greatness, but Abab's folly
and .Iezebels hatred came near drivir 4
him to suicide. Daniel was great man,
but for his peculiar species OF greatness
NebuchadnezzAr thought lions den the
fittest place Isaiah was man OF rare
strength OF character, but Manasseh laid
him between two planks and sawed him
in twain.
such as desire to see the EMPTINESS CT
human greatness would do well 10 READ
the biographies Of the kings, sixty in
cumber who during six hundred years
ruled the Eastern Roman empire, Its cap
itnl. Constantinople, and they may be
inclined to thanK God that thew are per-
mitted 10 live I'm obscurity. To soms
politicians We might say. Thy god, y
sycophant. hath cast thee ofr'-and
there are more 10 II low I'm Greater New
York and boss-ridden Phil ladt lphis, men
In the sunshine OF prosperity. but lep-
rous all over. Is the Scriptural admon-
ition, BE bumtle," unworthy Of noticeY
Ths man who Is OH his back In the cellar
can get no lower-one thing for which
he may lie thankful The man on the
housetop may grow dizzy. and. falling,
may suddenly terminate his txlted
career Most persons desire to be on the
mountain summit; few prefer the val
ley, though the winds are less 1Ierce and
the storms less violent.
.On every human life, however dark
the overhanging cloud, there may be
sunshine. 1t Is never SD dark that IL can
be no darker. DiscoursRements are
never so many shat there are no grounds
for tbankfulness. A cloud on every path
way. and sunshine possible in every
heart A burden on every life, and no
soul that msy not thrill with JOY. A
crouk In every lot, and no crook so tortu
Gus that IL may not end In celestial bliss.
No trial without lts alleviatiohs Poverty
inspires energy. fosters self-reliauce,
prompts TO industry and teaches US To
prize the blessings we have without
murmuring over those we have not Ill
health forces attention 10 the laws OF
health, sweetens tire disposition and di-
rects attention 10 the nearn6ss OF eter-
nity's curtain. bereavements have their
alleviating compensations. Obscurity has
its special advantages. Physical disabili
ties have their compensations The deaf
are saved from hearing much that Is bet
ter never heard. The blind can SEQ no
frowns The cripple is excused from run
ming errands The person who cannot
read Is delivered from the temptation 10
read the account OF the last football
game the last puRilistic encounter, the
most recent testimony In the Nack-lhorn
trial and the nious gush emitted In pris
on walls over criminals.
1t is well To observe that each persons
lot, all things considered. is not widely
different from that OF others. The noun
tain has both rocks md sunshine; the
valley floods as we'll as waving hnrvcsts.
The eyes that shed tears can beam love.
JOSEPH :. VAN DYKE, d. d..
Pastor rresby terian Church. Glassboro,
". j.