The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1900-09-19
Sublime optimism.

n sermon preached Dy rev. Or, sea
yer of Bethany Congregational church
yesterday morning to too small audi
ence should have been heard around
the world. DIR. Seayer based his re-
marks on the visions seen by Isaiah and
Ezekiel, of the man with the sword and
the man with the measuring line, and
from these gave one of the most
thoughtful and helpful addresses which
it has ever been the privilege of the
writer TO hear. DR.. Seaver reasoned
that visions of such character could
yet be seen and had been seen all
through the ages by those of sufficient
moral aud educational discernment to
perceive them. The evidences OF the
workings of Gods purpose toward
certain end may be seen today by any
one with senses accurately trained to
see the hand of the Almighty in the
signs of the times.
The captains of the armies of the
world are the captains of the Lords
hosts, and through the blood of battle
and the wreck of kingdoms and empires,
and even republics, shall come the later
captain of the Lords hosts with book
and the people shall be taught. There
fore and in this way shall nations rise
from the ashes of their dead selves to
better things.
To those who look up, not down, out
and not in, all conditions of human life
today are indicative of the resistless
and unwavering force of Gods purpose
toward the cleansing of national life.
When wars shall be no more, having
accomplished their purpose, then will
come the "man with the book" and,
having become fitted TO receive and
assimilate instructions, the world will
be taught.
Since the existence of the earth in
gaseous state and through all the ages
past, the central thought of the AL
mighty has apparently been the final
perfection of man through evolution.
The educated man, the man who has
accutely trained senses, has an unlimit-
ed horizon of vision, and the DIVISIONS"
of future events take form among the
distant shadows for his instruction and
understanding. The man who can
only see the length of his hoe handle,
whose vision is circumscribed by his
cash-book or his menu, is dead to the
infinite revelation of the promises of
better things which surround him. The
difference is that between the horse
and the driver, the former always look
ing downward, sees only the path of
duty for the moment. It's driver looks
onward and upward and beyond and
pictures to himself visions of his jour-
ney's end.
The good doctor is an optimist
whose moral and spiritual perception
has given him proof of the working of
all things together for good, and has
also given him that most satisfactory
faith which is knowledge. Kingdoms
may fall to decay and be lost to sight,
political parties may come and having
accomplished their purpose drop into
dead past, society may be revolution
lied by the ceaseless changes of time,
the boundaries of world-powers may be
altered or obliterated, but Gods pur-
pose moves on toward the evolution of
an earth OF nobler thought and action.
To the man or woman with mind
and heart attuned to see in the present
the fulfilling of these purposes, to
catch the inspiration of them which
may be drawn from every side in every
and any day life, what cheer! What a
feeling of harmony, of hope realized,
of oneness in Gods mighty planl
Pity the human being who, earth bound,
looking downward and inward, has no
part in this stupendous scheme of the
Almighty. Discord, dissatisfaction, in
harmony, fear, doubt and despair are
his portion here.
Well might DIR. Seaver have ex-
claimed, "Mine eyes have seen the
glory of the coming of man in his per-
fection," when His kingdom shall have
come and His will shall be done on
earth.
Blessed is the man who has set his
face toward the morning, and to whom
such visions as might come to all of
us are a reality.
In the above we have not attempted
to quote DIR. Seaver throughout. We
have simply given in general way his
trend of thought as indicated by his
address, and based thereon few OBJ
servations which may be fitting.
Organization OF the Legislature.