Connecticut western news., 1899-05-11
A Great Mission.


 plans for the future. The most insignifi- cant affair in your life became the sub ject of mutual consultation and adver- tisement. You were so happy you felt you never could be any happier. One day dark cloud lowered over your dwelling, and it got darker and darker, but out of that cloud the shining mes aenger of God descended to incarnate an immortal spirit. Two little feet started on an eternal journey, and you were to lead them, a gem to flash in heavens coronet, and you to polish 1t {; eternal ages of light and darkness watching the starting out of a newly created creature. You rejoiced and you trembled at the responsibility that in your possession an immortal treasure was placed. You prayed and rejoiced and wept and wondered; you were earnest in supplication that you might lead it through life into the kingdom of God. There was tremor in your earnestness. There was a double inter est about that home. There was an ad- ditional interest why you should stay there and be faithful, and when in a few months your house was filled with the music of the child's laughter you were struck through with the fact that you had stupendcus mission.
 Have you kept that VOW? Have you neglected any of these dutiesf Is your home as much to you as it used to be 2 Have those anticipa tions been gratiied 2 God help you in your solemn reminis- cence, and let his mercy fall upon your soul if your kindness has been ill requitedl God have mercy on the parent on the wrinkles of whose face is writ ten the story of a child's sinl God have mercy on the mother who, in addition to her other bangs, has the pang of a child's iniquityl Oh, there are many, many sad sounds in this sad world, but the saddest sound that is ever heard is the breaking of mothers heart
 Sweet Memories.
 I find another point in your life his tory. You found one day you were in the wrong road You could not sleep at night. There was just one word that seemed to sob through your banking house, or through your office, or your shop, or your bedroom, and that word was eternity" You said: "I'm not ready for it. Oh, God, have mercy I" The Lord heard. Peace came to your heart In the breath of the hill and in the waterfalls dash you heard the voice of Gods love. The clouds and the trees hailed you with gladness. You came into the house of God. You remember how your hand trembled as you took up the cup of the communion. You re- member the old minister who conse- crated it, and you remember the church officials who carried it through the aisle. You remember the old people who at the close of the service took your hand in theirs in congratulating sympathy, as much as to say, Welcome home, yori lost prodigall' And, though those hands be all withered away, that com munion Sabbath is resurrected today. It is resurrected with all its prayers and songs and tears and sermons and transfguration. Have you kept those vows2 Have you been backsliderf God help you. This day kneel at the foot of mercy and start again for heav- en. Start now as you started then. l rouse your soul by that reminiscence.
 But I must not spend any more of my time in going over the advantages of your life. I just put them in one great sheaf, and call them up in your memory with one loud harvest song, such as the reapers sing. Praise the Lord. ye blood bought immortals on earth Praise the Lord. ye crowned spirits of heaven
 But some of you have not always had a smooth life. Some of you are now in the shadow. Others had their troubles years ago; you are mere wreck of what you once were. I must gather up the sorrows of your past life, but how shall l do itf You say that is impossi ble, as you have had so many troubles and adversities. Then I will just take two-the first trouble and the last trou ble. As when you are walking along the street, and there has been music in the distance, you unconsciously find yourselves keeping step to the music, so when you started life your very life was musical time beat The air was full of joy and hilarity; with the bright, clear oar you made the boat skip You went on, and life grew brighter, until, after awhile, suddenly a voice from heaven said, "Haltp' and quick as the sunshine you halted, you grew pale, you confronted your first sorrow. You had no idea that the flush on your child's cheek was an unhealthy flush. You said it cannot be anything serious Death in slippered feet walked round about the cradle. You did not hear the tread, but after awhile the truth fash ed on you. You walked the floor. Oh, if you could, with your strong, stout hand, have wrenched that child from the destroyer You went to your room and you said: "God, save my child God, save my childr' The world seem- ed going out in darkness. You said, "I can't bear it, can't bear it." You felt as if you could not put the long lashes over the bright eyes. never to see them again sparkle. If you could have taken that little one in your arms, and with it leaped the grave, how gladly you would have done 1t If you could let your property go, your houses go, your land and your storehouse go, how glad ly you would have allowed them to de- part if you could only have kept that one treasurei
 Gods Consolation.
 But one day there came up chill blast that swept through the bedroom, and instantly all the lights went out, and there was darkness thick, murky, impenetrable, shuddering darkness. But God did not leave you there Mercy spoke. As you took up the bitter cup to put it to your lips God said, Let it pass, U and forthwith, as by the hand of angels. another cup was put into your hands. It was the cup of God s consolation. And as you have sometimes lifted the head of wounded soldier and poured wine into his lips. so God puts his left arm under your head and with his right hand he pours into your lins the wine of his comfort and his