Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1901-08-10


that a stronger hand than his is guild
ing events, and that behind the hand
IS warm heart
cannot consent to allow God to rule
His own universe. If we were travel
ing through strange country we
should accept the word of our guide
as final. His familiarity with the en-
vironment would render him an au-
thority, and though many things
might not be to our liking, we should
hardly take the responsibility of dis
missing him and trusting 10 our ignor-
ance rather than his wisdom. The
profitableness of the Journey would
depend on implicit obedience, for
without the guide we should be help
less. We know nothing of the new
language, nothing of the customs of
the people, and if left alone, therefore,
we should be like blind man among
pitfalls. The guide is the autocrat of
the occasion, and unless ne is the au-
tocrat the whole journey will end in
grief. He does not advise, he COM
mands. he even insists when you re-
bel, and will make no compromise
whatever. There is but one safe way
to proceed in order to insure the end
you seek, and he is master of that way.
Your sole business is to obey him, and
TO prove his ability to lead by the re-
suits which come to you.
III, therefore,-y you are convinced that
your guide is competent, you can be
quiet under the most perplexing cir
cumstances. When he assures you
that you need have no fear, that
though danger threatens he is in per-
feet control of the eIgency, you learn
70 suffer discomfort with something
approaching cheerfulness, and the fact
that you have confidence in him af-
fords serenity and even a content
ment which you could not enjoy but
for his presence. He tells you frank
ly that there are hardsh;ps TO be
borne, but no real harm can come to
you; that there are sufferings TO be
endured, but because of them you will
find yourself stronger and healthier
man in the end.
take it that life IS Just such jour
ney. as that. 1t is through a new and
strange country we are travelling. 1t
is not an easy road that leads through
earth to Heaven. Neither can it be de-
MED that our experiences are fire.
quently inexplicable. Problems pre-
sent themselves which we cannot
solve, and we wonder with a rebellious
kind of wonder why we must suffer
| while others seem to enjoy. Only one
| grim fact stares us in the face, name
| ly, that the unwelcome experience
cannot be evaded, must be met, and, IL
possible, used to our advantage.
I am ready 20 admit that there is
| apparent injustice in human life, and
| ready TO confess that I do not under
stand IL. But this I know: there are
| just two ways, and no more, in which
to meet whatever fate befalls. II I
have no faith that wisdom and love are
in control, I am the most desperate
| and unhappy being on the planet My
| doubt is source of weakness which
disables me. My mental attitude AZ
feots even my physical health, and I
am like warrior who goes into battle
| without his weapons.
Life is not profitable If you must
| go through IL on your own personal
Judgment and esponsibility.
Outside Of yourself there must be
1 someone to call on for help, for CON-
| fort, for consolation. -
The universe is dreary place with
out a God TO worship and TO pray to.
God Is the souls prime necessity,
and until you find Him and effect some
kindly relation to Him, you can ac-
| complish nothing better than failure.
But with God always in the back
| ground of your experience nothing
can happen that cannot be mastered.
| Peace of mind is the result of faith.
Philosophy cannot furnish 1t, wealth
cannot buy il, fame cannot give it to
you. 1t is the Froduct of religion
| alone. The religion which makes YOU
bear with patience, suffer with resig-
| nation and seek in sorrow and be-
| reavement the good they hide-that is
worth having. 1t is practicable, and
proves itself Divine by bringing God
and the angels close to the soul when
10 needs them most. II is like bread
TO the hungry, water to the thirsty.
Christ was calm. His heart was an
untroubled sea. Calvary did not dis
| may, Gethsemane did not disturb. The
secret Of His serenity was the pres
ence of God, which, ike sunlight, made
darkness impossible. -
Even so with us. With Heaven IN
| sight, with angels near at hand, the
dull experiences Of earth are trans
| figured by the radiance of eternity.
We eanbe cheerful. quiet, serene when
the hand OF man grasps the hand of
the Father~George II. Hepmorth, in
n. Y. Herald .-~,.,g,.,
Spirit OF True COntentment-
Does 1t rain to-day? Is il dark and