El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1899-02-06
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
1.-THE Problem OF Human Sufferlng''

''The Problem OF Human Suffering
Rev. H. w. Moore of the Presby-
terrain church preached yesterday on
'The problem of human suffering
from the text: "Man Is born unto
trouble as the sparks fly upwards. "
Job ST.. The following is part OF the
discourse:-
The problem of human suffering has
puzzled the wisest of the human race
ever since the first nerve throbbsd
with pain or the first sorrow swept the
soul of Adam and Eve. Philosophy
and religion, saint and infidel have
dropped the plummet to fathom the
question: Why these tears from un,
numbered mourning hearts and what did
Jesus mean when he said, blessed
almighty tyrant sitting on
the throne of the universe
who holds in his remorseless
grip us children of clay, or is he faith
er, friend, kind, wise, tender, good
Some in attempting to answer this
question have grown skeptical and bit
ter and have done nothing to heal the
worlds heartache. Others have be-
come cynics. misanthropes, crying con-
tiuually: "Who will show us any
good?" While others-those who
trust God-see in every tear and pain
the hand of the Divine Sculptor or the
wisdom of some Heavenly Commander
leading men TO grander conquests.
The book OF Job, dealing with this
great problem, is regarded by Carlyle,
Lew Wallace, Milton and host OF
famous men as the sublimest produc-
tion of the human pen. 1t is as stately
as Milan's cathedral, heroic as
marching crusader, grand as the Alps
ice-crowned solemn as the awful sky.
Through it rolls the clash and Onses
of victory and vanquished, another On
set, another victory until the drums
beat, the banners wave in triumph, I'M
til all down the centuries comes this
voice: "God is just aud kind and good
and all things are working to glOri-
Gus end.
The story is this: There lived back
in the twilight of history a man of God
whose name was Job. He had wealth
in abundance, beautiful children,
happy home. He was upright, wOr-
shipper of God, the most piOus of all
the men of the east. Suddenly all
things chsnged-God permits Satan to
destroy his wealth, his children are kill
out blessed be the name
of the Lord" Satan, foiled in getting
Job to curse God, asks permission to
inflict Job with an awful disease. He
says he can make Job curse God to his
face. God allows the aff1iction. Jobs
wife deserts him His three friends.
wise ard good, try to get Job to repent,
by telling him he is great sinner be-
cause great sufferer. This old idea
of suffering shocks Job. He protests
that he is not the wickedest of men.
Job says some ridiculous things but he
never loses his faith in God. God fin
ally sends messenger to Job-Elihu-
telling Job his views are wrong. That
God is not angry but loves him. That
suffering in his case is not the
sign of Gods displeasure. God !
would teach Job OF the wisdom of God.
He would bring out more graces in his
life. Then God out of the whirlwind
calls out to Job in sublime oratory and
says; Job, If you are SO wise in ortiz
cising my divine government answer
me, sWhere vert thou when laid the
found cations of the earth. When the
morning starts sang together and
all the sons OF God shouted for Joy?
made the sea, put instinct into hare.
lion, bird?' Job is humbled, he lays
his hand on his mouth and says: IL
repent in dust and ashes" He is full
ly cured of his disease, has once more
q happy home, and is wealthier than
ever. He sees now that God ts good and
just and kind.
Oh how glib we are in criticising
Gods prudential government. Have
you ever passed down street where q
new building is going up. Inside the
Enclosure, the rough scaffolding. you
hear hammers strike, trowels ring,
saws and chisels making great din.
By and by when you pass that way
again and the scaffolding is taken |
down you zee a magnificent building. |
You enter the rooms and see |
the splendid frescoing. the beautiful |
So God is at work on
lives. He uses the hammer and saw and |
brush, and by and by when we reach |
heaven and the scaffolding of our
body is taken down we shall !!
see his splendid work. Hawthorne |
says woman is never SO beautiful as
when she has passed through suffering !
or trial.
Oh how trials test one. If endur-f
ed rightly it burns up the dross of |
pride, selfshness. jealousy, and leaves |
the pure gold of love, hope, gentleness, |
tenderness A famous man
once said: "My mother was an invalid
or twenty years. One night at 2 o.
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