The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1898-12-17
GODS SECOND GIFT.
Dr.. Talmage Says 1t Is Better Than
This World.
Spiritual blessings and the GlOrtes
of the World 20 Come Compared
with the "SOuth Land"
of This Life.
ICopyrlght. 1881

ICopyright, lSyS.]
Washington. Nov. 20.-Taldng for his
text an oriental scene seldom noticed,
Dir. Talmage discusses the supernatu-
raj advantages of religion for this
world and the next; text, Joshua, XIV,
10: Thou hast given me south land;
give me also springs of water. And he
gave her the upper springs and the
neither springs"
The city of Debir was the Boston OF
antiquity-a great place for brain and
books. Caleb wanted it, and he offered
his daughter Achsah as prize to any
one who would capture that city. 1t
was a strange thing for Caleb to do,
and yet the man that could take the
city would have. at any rate. two ele-
ments of manhood-bravery and pa
triotism. Besides, do not think that
Caleb was as foolish in Offering his
daughter to the conqueror of Debir as
thousands in this city who seek alli-
ances for their children with those who
have large means without any refer
ence to moral or mental requirements.
Of two evils l would rather measure
happiness by the length of the sword
than by the length of the pocketbook.
In one case there is sure to be one good
element of character; in the other there
may be none at all. With Caleb's
daughter as prize to fight for, Gen.
Othniel rode into the battle. The gates
of Debir were Numbered into the dust,
and the city of books lay at the feet OF
the conquerors. The work done. 9th
MEL comes back to claim his bride.
Having conquered the city, it is no
great job to conquer the girls heart.
for however faint hearted woman her
self may be she always loves courage
in a man. l never saw an exception to
that.
The wedding festivity having gone
by, Othniel and Achsah are about to go
to their new home. However loudly the
cymbals may clash and the laughter
ring. parents are always sad when a
fondly cherished daughter goes off to
stay, and Achsah. the daughter of Ca
leb. knows that now is the time to ask
almost anything she wants of her
father. 1t seems that Caleb, the good
old man, had given as wedding pres
ent to his daughter piece of land that
was mountainous, and, sloping south
ward toward the deserts of Arabia
swept with some very hot winds. 1t
Iol 60 10 p,,f Anh
sab wants an addition of properly; she
wants a piece of land that is well
watered and fertile. Now it is no won
der that Caleb. standing amid the
bridal party. his eyes so full of tears
because she was going away that he
could hardly see her at all, gives her
more than she asks. She said to him:
"Thou has given me south land; give
me also springs of water. And he gave
her the upper springs and the neither
springs"
The fact is that as Caleb, the father.
gave Achsah, the daughter. south
land, so God gives to us his world. |
Inn very thankful He has given it to us.
But am like Achsah in the fact that l
am not satisfied with the portion.
Trees and flowers and grass and blue
skies are very well in their places, but
he who has nothing but this world for
a portion has no portion at all 1t is a
mountainous land, sloping off toward
the desert of sorrow, swept by fiery
siroccos; it is "a south land" a poor
portion for any man that tries to pu:
his trust in it. What has been your
experience? What has been the expert
ence of every man. of every woman,
that has tried this world for portion
Queen Elizabeth, amid the surround
ings of pomp. is unhappy because the
painter sketches too infinitely the
wrinkles on her face, and she indig-
nantly cries out: you must strike
off my likeness without any shadows"
Hogarth. at the very height OF his
artistic triumph. is stung almost to
death with chagrin because the paint
ing he had dedicated to the king docs
not seem to be acceptable, for George
II. cries out: ''Who is this Hogarth ?
Take his trumpery out of my presence =
Brinsley Sheridan thrilled the earth
with his eloquence, but had for his last
words: 81 am absolutely undone.
Walter Scott, fumbling around the ink
stand. trying to write. says to his
daughter: "Oh, take me back to my
room! There is no rest for Sir Walter
but in the gravel" Stephen Girard. the
wealthiest man in his day. or at any
rate only second in wealth. says: 81
live the life of galley slave. When
arise in the morning, my one effort is
to work so hard that can sleep when j,
gets to be night" Charles Lamb, ap'
plauded of all the world, in the very
midst of his literary triumph says: do
you remember, Bridget. when we used
to laugh from the shilling gallery at tbs
play? There are now no good plays tc
laugh at from the boxes" But why 90
so far as that? need to go no farther
than your street to find an Illustrate Oh
Of what | am saying.
Pick me out ten successful worldlings
and you know what mean by
thoroughly successful worldlings--picl
me out ten successful worldlings and
you cannot find more than one that
looks happy. Care drags him to busi
ness; care drags him back. Take your
stand at two o'clock at the corner of tn,
streets and see the agonized physiogo
mics. Your high officials, your bank
ers, your insurance men. your import