The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-09-17
Sunday Sermon.
TRUSTING GOD.

WI help thee.-Isaiah, XIII, Is.
"a promise depends for its value ON the
character of the one who makes it, Ii
person is simply kind-hearted and sym
patnetlc but powerless to help, his prom
Use Is not to be depended ON III an emcr-
gelcy' hen Il guide says he will show
you the way and then proves that he docs
l4ot himself know it you are both of you
Hkely to get lost 1t is not the willing
MISS 10 save, but the ability to do 50,
when you must look to in time of trOu-
ble. hen, however, you are sure that
ne VINO offers assistance is a giant whom
no danger can overcome and whose per-
SONAR anxiety for Your safe arrival will
prompt him to do his utmost, you are in
position which enables you to be calm,
seiI-possesSed, fearless and absolutely
trusttui III any circumstances.
Inc great wonder TO me is that God
should make any such promise but since
lie mas seen fit to do so | have but ONE
duty, and that is to place implicit conf
dence in Him. If !, have amy doubts on
the subject they are an element of weak
ness and | shall come to grief When
Peter walked ON the water it was be-
cause Of am impulsiye faith, hut as soon
as the impulsiye faith changed to i'm
pnlslve doubt he began to sink. What
we need, therefore, in our religion is not
a generous impulse, but a sound and
dependable conviction.
l cannot quite see why God should be
at such pains to make us trust Him.
though l ann grateful that it is so. If
lie were to leave us to our own devices.
should not be surprised. What there
IS III human mature that not only causes
dilm TO pity us as a father pitieS his
chldTen, but to reveal the secret of
mighty and glorious life, is beyond MY
comprehension. As / examine myself |
cannot discover anything in me that is
worthy of so supreme an effort as He is
constantly making. Ii we were profound
~ grateful and appreciative, if we made
the highest use of the opportunities
Which He affords, that would be differ
emit matter. But we aro seIf-wilIed
creatures, who dictate to Providence, DIS
obeylng the laws of spiritual deyc.oo-
ment, satisfied with mean pleasures when
the noblest Attachments are within reach
and living lives which practically shut
Linn out from intercourse with us.
If we were in lifeboat on A tempestu.
Gus sea when it was necessary in order
to reach the shore that each man should
trust the superior wisdom of the captain
and obey his commands without ques-
honing them, and we should thereupon
break into open mutiny not only doubt
ing. the captains knowledge of the situa-
tion but defying his orders and
doing as we pleased, we Shout
he regarded by those ON the
strand and who were interested i'm air
safety as pursuing very foolish and
neIulous course. In like manner / in!a-
CINE the angels look down upon our mn
wisdom, our marrow self-seeking. oa'r sat
isffaction with the mere toys of life when
great issues are Mt stake, with boIndIess
establishment. God desires to- live in uui
hearts, but we Will not have HIM. lie
has revealed the path from earth to heav-
en-. lItt we choose to travel in ways %
our own. He does what He can ami we
undo His doing.
But He is still patient! His promise
still holds good. He is not vet weary.
tie is still immanent, listening to elir
cries. answering our prayers, lifting Us
mp when we stumble, drying olIr eyes in
the hour OF bereavement and Illuminating
cur nights with the bright hope of res
direction. Heaven is close at hand. but
we will not see it, The air is peoplcd
with angels, but we are blind Sweet
serenity of soul, the calm of conscious
strength and protection lis within reach,
but we are restless, unhappy. troubled,
nntrustful, suffering what we need MT
suffer If we only had larger faith. orr
days disappointment, our future dark
ened by the uncertainty which cuncs
from doubt.
We want religion. No creed can sails
fy our need. God asks for the heart, not
fer our intellectual speculation. The
child believes in its mother, and whtr
frightened filings itself upon the mothers
bosom. We must have the religion of
childhood. As certainly as the mother
shields her little one SO surely will God
shield you. She is strong to meet the
coming danger, but He is stronger. Size
has only her humam strength, but H.
mas omnipotence.
There are mighty struggles through
winch YOU must pass. They WIFI ta5 you
heyond Your utmost if you rely on your
own power alone. But what cannot YOU
acMeve, through what stormy paths will
you be unable to find your way, il your
right hand is in His hand? You will
weep for the loss of loved ones. 1t is
the inevitable necessity of this lower
life. Can you bear the ordeal if yon
have no hope? Your twilight of sorrow
becomes the midnight of despair. BIT
yonder there lis q light in the sky. 1t is
the radiance of Immortality which fills
yaFr heart with gladness. Your faith,
in like MANNER fills the earth with glory.
but without faith You are of all men most
miserable.
God lives. The Father is at hand.
Heaven is the great reality and all else
is dream Religion tells You to touch
the hem of Christ's garment if yol
would be healed. Be of good cheer be
brave, be patient, be quiet. Then will
all be we'll when. like child with its
father, You take His hand and trust in
Ills power to lead YOU Alright
GEORGE III. HEPWORTH.
ITO THROW GOOD MONEY