The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-08-21
THE SUNDAY PULPIT
THE LORD WILL CARE FOR YOU.

of life even when standing under the
shadow of a bitter experience is called
an OptimiSt.
The man who always sees the cloud.
but never its silver lining, who predicts
that there will be lightning. and floods,
and plaques tomorrow, in spite of the
sunshine which floods the earth today,
is called pessimist.
| have ofen noticed that a dog when
free to do as he pleases is sure to choose
sunny spot to lie down in. He
stretches himself at full length, and i'm
his own peculiar way expresses the
pleasure he takes in his good fortune.
His very yawn and his look of happy re-
posefulness constitute a language that
we all understand. and it tells us of the
happiness which he enjoys.
| respect the dog for the sensible view
of life which he takes. and would fain
follow his example. In this one regard
he knows great deal more than some
men and makes better use of his op-
portunitieS.
OF all people in the world the most
irreligiouS is he who looks ut the evils
of life so persistently that he cannot rec
oenize any good in it, and of all hurtfuI
habits which characterize mankind the
most injurious is the habit Of keeping
ones eyes open to catch glimpse of
the disagreeabe and keeping them shut
whenever a moment of good cheer is APP
preaching. Such habit is demoralizing
and spiritually weakening. 1t seems to-
be continually assuring us that Gods
providence has fallen into sound sleep
from which there is no waking.
l am thorough 0ptimiSt, and | take
Ill, -, e 70
rob me of my feeling that things will
come out all right in the end you would
take from me the possession which |
prize most of all.
This optimism is not the result Of tenn
permanent. but of conviction. With the1
dog who lies in the sunshine il is in |
stinct, but with mankind it is the pro-
duct of careful use of the reasoning |
faculties. The instinct of the dog and
the brain of the man lead to the same
conclusion. namely. that whenever there
is sunshine it should be appropriated.
1t is just as much duty to put the
hard experiences of life away and to keep
in mind its possible enjoyments as it is to
be pure hearted or charitable. Never
dwell on your misfortunes. though they
be many. for it will embitter the soul and
render it unfit for the work of the flu
ture Brush aside unpleasant memories, |
so far as lies in your power, and even
try to forget them. There is no use in |
living over again and again the scenes
through which You have passed. wheth-
er they refer to the evil you have done
to others, the evil that others have done
to you, or the unavoidable sufferings
which you have have borne. God has
said that so far as He is related to your
mistakes they shall be "huried in the |
depths of the sea-" and if He can for
get them forgetfulness is one of the
virtues which ought to be practised on
our part. 1t is not what you have
been in days gone by. nor what you have
done which is most important but what
you arc to be and do in the future.
We can find much that is beautiful
in nature and in life if we will but look
for it. The world is to the thoughtful
mind a never-ending panorama, with its
stars, its ocean, its hills and valleys, its
crops and its clouds. its flowers and
fruits. 1t is an awe inspiring mystery,
q realm of wonders that must needs {
rouse the dullest soul to worship. The
change of n seed into saDling; the
transmutatiOn of Il blossom into an APP
pie or cherry; the chemistry by which
from the rugged soil color and perfume
are extracted-these are miracles which
lead thoughtful mind along a narrow
upward path whose terminus is the
throne of God Himself
And q human life is full of beauty and
mystery. too. The tears you shed and !
the reasons for shedding them; the laugh
fer that fills the air and the causes
which produce it; the slow development
of the child into a man; the gradual sun
rise of ideas in his soul until the whole
being is flooded: the love that draws
him to his mate: the home which the two
will make when they have found each
other: the sorrow that breaks the heart
when the old parent or the young child
is taken away: the grave, which is as
much a part of the home as the rocking
chair or the cradle-whO can fail TO wor- |
ship the unseen but allseeing God as he
contemplates these things?
And add to this the thought. the GER
tainty that there is no death. only depart !
ure and temporary separations; that UNI
known and unmeaSured influences are
about each one of us; that what we call
heaven is just on the further side of the
churchyard. You may call that optim-
ism, but it would be better to call it the
truth, FOR truth ii Is. II DrliSS tue
cheerfulness of resignation; it stirs the
deeper ambitions of the spirit; it takes
the various experiences of life, just as
the composer takes the various notes of
music, and sets them in such relation to
each other that a symphony is the re-
suit
1t is true that there are wearsome
days and sad hours. The glorious Christ
went through many of them, and we
therefore could hardly expect to avoid
them. They are stepping stones toward
heaven. They are as necessary to the
soul az food is to the body. But if we
meet them bravely and with undimmed
faith we shall go through them unscath-
ed. The angels will keep you company
and see that you fail not and fall not.
Keep the heart fresh and your confidence
in God mistaken. Then you will some
day be welcomed on the other shore by
those whom you have loved on thisl
earth.
GEORGE II. HEPWORTH.
THE BEST REMEDY FOR FLUA.
ATNgt