, 1899-03-31

be no possibility of prejudice on Gods
part as in the case of a mans own judg-
ment of himself. We can feel assured
He sees us just as we are.
So much for the judgments to which
we are all exposed. How then shall we
gard them? Certainly it is a very shall
low way to care most for the Judgment
of the world and of our fellowmen and
to take no thought of Gods opinion of
us. There are men, however, who are
doing this sort of thing continually.
Certainly a more manly way would be
to have regard for our own conscience.
Paul suggests to us a better way still.
He says we can't be trusted to Judge
our own selves. He had come therefor
to the position where he vas not simply
trying to please men or to please him
self even; but he was interested in
leading a life that would be well-pIeas-
ing TO his God. 1t was Gods just and
favorable Judgment that he was anx-
ious to win.
The student who has passed from
US was known in these four ways, and
was exposed to these same four iudg-
ments. While he was here in this col
lege, for we had begun to know him and
form our Judgment of him. We knew
him as a handsome and noble boy; we
had only begun to know him on the
street, in the classroom, and in the
society room. We saw him upon the
foot-ball field, and We formed u judg-
ment of him for a little way; but there
was another George Sheldon beyond the
boy that we knew. There was the boy
as he was known in his own native
town; the boy as known in his home;
the boy known by brother, by sister, by
father and mother. What high am
billions those fond parents had for him;
he was the pride Of tie family; he was
the boy in whom they placed their
hopes; they had anticipated the time
when he would graduate and come. back
to his home, bringing his laurels with
him. AS well as some of us may have
thought we were acquainted with
George, we are sure that in his old
home he was known by his friends and
relatives there better still. AS much
as we had come to be attached to him
here, We know he was honored and low
ed wen more by those who were privi-
legged to know him longer. Besides
the George We know, there was the
George as he was known at home and
in his own town.
Then there was the boy as he was
known to himself, in his own heart and
in his own life. From what l knew of
George Sheldon l believe he was con-
scientious-I have every reason to be-
lleve it. The report m to me that
in his home he was always dutiful to
father and mother, he had a warm af-
for his brothers and sisters; he
was a staunch friend to those who were
his friends. He had an open nature,
and I believe him to have been an ex-
enlpIdfy young maj.
But above all we are reminded this
afternoon that there was another
George still whom God sees. We are
all of us responsible before Him and
open to His judgments. Not that I
would have you think that He is an tn
just God or a hard judge. But on the
other hand l believe He looks down up
us in great pity. God is with those
who would help to make something Of
themselves; and over and above all we
may be doing for ourselves God is busy
l like to think trying to help us in our
upward progress. What Gods judg-
is Of you or mel cannot attempt
to tell you; l can only assure you that
it will be just. Strange as his dispen-
sations of his of his providence may
seem to us in the taking of this young
life from our midst, yet have no doubt
the Heavenly Father in his infinite
wisdom has some good purpose in it
all. Beyond the clouds that lower in
the sky for the moment is the sun for
ever shining.
A friend of mine told me of his ex-
perience in crossing the ocean. The
captain of the ship seemed gruff in his
manner and at first was unpopular
among all the passengers. But in the
time of storm that very severity was
1000 80 tho 40 rnir q -traD uth anrlarppt-
ly. They had a stormy passage, bun
reached port in safety, owing to the
captains good seamanship very largely.
Then they all had nothing but praises
for him and were ready to shower their
gifts upon him. And may it not be so
with us by and bye OF our arrival in
port eventually? The Great Captain
we must remember is carrying the bur-
den and care of all the world. What
his severity at times may be only
only for our own best good. The poet
True is the heart of the universe,
And kind and loving I know as true,
Though seems it that life is a frown
and a curse,
Yet true is the heart of the universe.
when he has carried his lovings
through,
And into the better has grown the
worse,
shall seas when clouds from the
sky dispense