The Newtown bee. (Newtown, Conn.) 1877-current, 1898-05-20
The Source of Comfort.
BY PARISH.

Let us be frank. Do we not often in
dividually ask ourselves the question
Well, after all, is life worth living? Is
there any real, true and abiding peace
and happiness to be found this side of the
Vale of Tears? What is life? we ask.
Is it not like the feathery form of vapor,
which appeareth on the horizon and
then vanisheth away,
To-day we are an infant in arms, then
follows youth, young manhood, middle
| age and old age, CrOWding each other on,
! the one anxious to succeed the other.
And what a round of change life is
Death, that Dread Messenger, stalks in
and out among US, striking down loved
friend here, trusted supporter there,
till we almost cry out in the bitterness
of our affection.
How much like the changing seasons
is life! 1t seems but few weeks ago
that Old Winters storms were bowling
about our doors. Then came the trying
and changing days OF early spring, till
to-day we see nature at it's best, the buds
bursting their bonds, the early wild
flowers smiling at US from the hooks and
corners of the rocks, while the orchards
are bower of beauty and sweetness.
But this will rapidly pass away, and the
summers heat, the fall, the harvest will
BuGCGCu GdCu ULElGT dlLuOBt DS1UEC VIC are
ready. Could there be q more perfect
picture of life? How we'll the spring
time symbolZes our youth, with its
ambitions, its successes. Then comes on
the su Z mer of life, the young manhood,
with all the eagerness to conquer and
achieve. How often TO many life there
comes the period of drOuth, of disappOint-
ment, of failure in business, the death of
loved ones. And then we stand in the
balcony of fall in the prime of life, dread
Jag the approach of winter and old age.
But it is not the purpose of the writer
to bring gloom, but rather message of
comfort, that amid the storms and dis
couragements of life, amidst its failures,
and wrecks, there is q source of peace
and satisfaction which the world cannot
give. Let US turn at once to the words
Of Christ. In John 1897 we read ::
"Peace leave with you, my peace
give unto you, not as the world giveth,
give unto you" This is the message
which our Lord and Saviour, left with
His disciples, and it is q message for you
and me. Yes, thank God, life is worth
living. And this is the message which
inspires us: That amid all our troubles
we can rest serene, IL we have this real,
deep and abiding peace. And right here
| think is where many and many soul
uaS lallSu away anu lOsL uOpS' 1u6y
have tasted the love of Christ and felt
His peace filling their souls. In the
fulness of their enthusiasm like Peter
they would leave all and follow Him.
But clouds began to gather, troubles
came thick and fast. They lose their
faith in God, and before they know it are
wandering away in rebellion that kind
Heavenly Father should SO afflct them,
But let US remember IL God does send
trouble, His grace IL rich to succor; If
the night Is dark and stormy, within may
burn the lamp of faith; that though the
foes of He'll may assault us, we remain
undisturbed in our moorings, because we
know Him, whom to know Alright is life
eternal.
And so, as a layman, I would appeal
to all in trouble, to throw to the wind
ward their doubts, and take on faith in
God, which at last shall bring them to
the Haven of Rest and Peace.
Newtown, May 10, 1893.