The age-herald., 1900-04-08
THE MURMUR
 OF THE WORLD

consecration and prayer; the time Of spiritual peace, and promise of gladness hopes fulfllment in blessedness.
 "The Masters work may make weary feet
 But it leaves the spirit glad
 This gladness is not like unto the hilari- ty of riotous living, the fieshpots, wanton- ness: it Is a brimming measure of joy drawn of truth, sweetness, light, life, self renunciation! It takes no count of gross ness, does not reckon the dross in the erucible that is white-heated in the worlds work-place It inspires no wish to paint the lily. nor to gild gold The lily is beau- tiful enough, the gold requires no chemist hand to burnish it to fuller brightness. Weary feet are bathed in restful flowers, and about the head used to bending to- ward the altar there is crown of light. The glow of the penitential evening, the rays aslant the place of prayer, are filled with the symbols of nobler aspira- tions the while there rolls music soft and low, and of transcendent promise.
 Youthful maidens making their way whilst they smile, lettering when pen- sve, laughing in gleeGulness or fearful in trial; little children at play or asleep, romping afield or resting upon loving breast, in pain or in gladness-these all are living hopes and promises Of the worlds greater glory, the regeneration and the saving of mankind from the curse that fell because of supreme law disobeyed. They point the way to heaven. whilst primal wrong still works human woe. They give us teaching in the ways that lead to peace, contentment, happiness in the world which we inhabit for a space, and would lead us to that sinlessness which fits for whatever may be of bliss where time is unmarked: for all that life of love unmeasured by the course of years. From youth we obtain inspiration to strug- gle fuIl-limbed and bravely with doubts, fears wrongs and repressions The 1nno- cence of youth is hope and stay and prop of mankind of empire, of the world in all its splendor Thus the admonitlon ot philosophy that early marriage makes us immortal and that the man who resolves to live without woman and the woman who resolves to live without man are rebels and apostates.
 Revond the Easter altar looms the bridal tho lilies of the one fading for the roses of the other which. too, shall fade' each leaving the abiding essence of love; adora- tion for the infinite affection for the hnite. And inc pious maiden in the penitential lime has mingled with humble devotions proud hopes that spring from bridal raj ment fashioned whilst the heart did beat to the prisons of the faithful: for it is the dutiful child of the church that becomes the unauestioning bride of the undouoting bridegroom. and 50 they live and do good fl,aS cot It is appointed that marriage be blessed sacrament and bridal ones without prayer shall be welded ones without hope. The state may make such law as passionate clamor or erring unfaith of the hour de- nland; but men and women are subject all to a power eternally regnant above all the wisdom and all the foolishness of all the world. Therefore, the bride shall make her raiment in the time of penance, for 1t is to be for her a robe of the altar Little girls the world about are clothed in white when they kneel for the first communion in the place of worship. So also with the young bride when she bends the knee there in the marriage covenant! It is well: 1t is poetry, music, beauty, love-t is relig- icn.
 Here in the valley and around about we are beginning, most of us with reluctance, a tiresome week of worldly trial and anx- iousness, and in the fussiness and turbu- lence of it all we are liable to be forgetful of things we justly owe to the state, to ourselves, and to each other. Passionate pleading and political promising will be plentiful enough to tempt us from pursu- ing the even tenor of our way and our duty. Men worthy and men perhaps un worthy seeking place, some to serve us, others to serve themselves. It is duty binding upon such of us who are not ask ing place to assist as best We may the calling and election of the men whom we deem worthiest, without regard to whimsi- cal cant or personal prejudice We are called upon to choose men who shall serve us, not men whom we shall serve. Power of mastery is by law vested in the people: fools we should be not to hold to that which we have. And let us pray that we go about this business of choosing public servants good-humoredly as well as wisely If there be a ,,me above all other times when evil passion should not prevail it is election-tme And it should be remem- bered that it is given to every citizen to vote as he will. The exercise of that right will arouse the anger of no man worthy of respect.
 Pardon, my beloved, this passing refer ence to politics, term abhorred by multi tudes; but you are besought to get quit of the thing for the moment goodnaturedly and properly. Be just and fear not Be merciful as you may. To the tales of scan dal-mongers and slanderers suffer your ears to give no heed. Beware of falsewit- ness and false-witnesses. Remember that in religion this is called Holy Week. Re- member that he serves the state best who best serves the church. Almost all of the commandments have been embodied in statutory law. And remember also that the men who seek our suffrages are come to time of trial and anxiety for them- selves and for those to whom they are dear. For them the result of political un- xx-i1 C., s,,