Connecticut western news., 1899-10-12

In the village of Hamelin, tradition says, there was an invasion of rats, and these small creatures almost devoured the town and threatened the lives of the population. and the story Is that a piper came out one day and played a very sweet tune, and all the vermin followed him, followed him to the banks of the Weser, and then he blew blast, and they dropped in and dis appeared forever. Of course this Is fable; but I wish I could on the sweet flute of the gospel draw forth all the nibbling and borrowing annoyances of your life and play them down into the depths forever. ...#
 Aids to Spiritual Wealth.
 How many touches did MT. Church give to his picture of "Cotopaxi" or his Heart of the AndesY suppose about 50,000 touches. I hear the canvas say ing: "Why do you keep me trembling with that pencil so long? Why don't you put it on in one dashT" "No," says MT. Church; II know how to make a painting. It will take 50,0OO of these touches" And want you, my friends, to understand that 1t Is these ten thou sand annoyances which under God are making up the picture of your life, to be hung at last in the galleries of heav- en, fit for angels to look at. God knows how to make picture.
 I go into a sculptor's studio and see him shaping statue. He has a chisel In one hand and a mallet in the other, and he gives a very gentle stroke click, click, click! I say, "Why don't you strike harderT "Oh," he replies, "that would shatter the statue I can't do it that way. I must do 1t this way" So he works on, and after awhile the features come out, and everybody that enters the studio is charmed and fas- cinated. Well, God has your soul under process of development, and 1t Is the little annoyances and vacations of life that are chisehng out your immortal nature. It Is click, click, click! I won- der why some great providence does not come and with one stroke prepare you for heaven. An, no! God says that Is not the way, and so he keeps on by strokes of little vexations until at last you shall be a glad spectacle for angels and for men.
 You know that large fortune may be spent in small change, and a vast amount of moral character may go away in small depletions. It Is the lit tie troubles of life that are having more effect upon you than great ones. A swarm of locusts will kill grain field sooner than the incursion of three or four cattle. You say, Since lost my child, since I lost my property, I have been different man." But you do not recognize the architecture of lit- tie ann0yances that are hewing, dig ging, cutting, shaping, splitting and in- terjoining your. moral qualities. Rats may sink a ship. One lucifer match may send destruction through a block of storehouses. Catherine de- Medici got her death from smelling a poison ous rose. Columbus, by stopping and asking for piece of bread and drink of water at Franciscan convent, was led to the discovery of a new world. And there is an intimate connection be- tween trifies and immensities, between nothings and everythings.
 Now, be careful to let none of those annoyances go through your soul unar- raigned. Compel them to administer to your spiritual wealth. The scratch of sixpenny nall sometimes produces lockjaw, and the clip of a most in- finitesimal annoyance may damage you forever. Do not let any annoyance or perplexity come across your soul with out its making you better.
 Conquer Small Troubles.
 Our national government when 1t wanted money did not think 1t belit- tling to put tax on pins and tax on buckles and tax on shoes. The indi- yidual taxes do not amount to much, but in the aggregate to millions and millions of dollars. And would have you. o Christian man, put high tariff on every annoyance and vexation that comes through your soul. This might not amount to much in single cases, but in the aggregate 1t would be great revenue of spiritual strength and satisfaction. A bee can suck honey even out of a nettle, and If you have the grace of God in your heart you can get sweetness out of that which would otherwise irritate and annoy.
 A returned missionary told me that company of adventurers rowing up the Ganges were stung to death by flies that infest that region at certain sea- sons. The earth has been strewed with the carcasses of men slain by insect annoyances. The only way to get pre- pared for the great troubles of life Is to conquer these small troubles. What would you say of a soldier who refused to load his gun or to go into the conflict because 1t was only a skirmish, saying: "I am not going to expend my ammuni- ton on a skirmish. Wait until there comes a general engagement, and then you will see how courageous I am and what battling will doT' The general would say to such man, "If you are not faithful in a skirmish, you would be nothing in a general engagement" And I have to tell you, O Christian men, If you cannot apply the principles of Chrfst's religion on a small scale you will never be able to apply them on a large scale. If had my way with you, would have you possess all pos
 
 you each one garden, river flowing through 1t, geraniums and shrubs on the sides and the grass and flowers as beautiful as though the rainbow had fallen. I would have you a house, a splendid mansion, and the beds should be covered with upholstery dipped in the setting sun. would have every hall in your house set with statues and statuettes, and then I would have the four quarters of the globe pour In all their luxuries on your table. and you should have forks of silver and knives of gold, lnlaid with diamonds and amethysts. Then you should each one of you have the finest horses and your pick of the equipages of the world. Then I would have you live 150 years, and you should not have a pain or an ache until the last breath.
 Gods Blessings.
 Not each one of us?" you say. Yes,