Connecticut western news., 1901-12-19

that take place in many lives, and Dr. Talmage pleads for merciful interpre- tation of human behavior. The text Is way heretofore"
 In December, 1889, waded the river Jordan, and, although the current was strong, was able to bear up against 1t, but in the time of spring freshet, when the snows on Mount Lebanon melt, nothing but miracle would en- able any one to cross this river. 1t was at the dangerous springtime that Joshua and the officers of his army ut tered the words of my text to the peo- ple who were in a few hours to cross the Jordan. About that crossing we say but little, because on previous occasion we discoursed concerning that piling up of the waters into crystal barricade. We only speak of the march to the brink of the river. No stranger thing has ever occurred In all history.
 The ark of the covenant was a bril- liant chest of acacia wood, overla1d with gold, on the top of which were two winged figures facing each other. IL Wd6 Atc ACcL lOA& dho ahA OO ANOe wide Poles were thrust through the rings at the side, and by these poles the ark was lifted. This splendid box was to be carried three-quarters of mile ahead of the hosts of Israel on the way to the crossing. That distance between the box and the advancing thousands must be kept because of reverence. There was a sanct1ty In that divine symbol that they must ob- serve by keeping three-quarters of a mile away. They must watch that glittering box and follow; otherwise they would lose their way and not ar rive at the right place for crossing. They had never been there before, and they must be guided. For that reason Joshua utters the words of my text, "Ye have not passed this way hereto fore" And the subordinate officers at the head of the regiments repeated 1t, "Ye have not passed this way hereto fore"
 What was truthfully said of the an- cient Israelites may be truthfully said of us. We are making our first and last Journey through this world. It is possible, as some of my good friends believe, that this world will be correct ed and improved and purified and fio- ralized and emparadised as to climate and soil and character until 1t shall become heaven for the ransomed, but do not think 1t. have an idea that heaven is already built somewhere. Our departed friends could not wait until this world is fixed up for saintly and angelic residence. Having once gone out of the world, do not think we will come back, except as minister ing spirits to help those who remain in the earthly struggle or perhaps to look at the wondrous spectacle of a burning planet.
 Travelling New Paths.
 But, leaving that theory aside, we are very sure that we are for the first time walking the earthly pilgrimage. 'fYe have not passed this way before." Every minute is a new minute, every hour a new hour, every century new century. Other folks have gone over the same road we are travelling, but it is our first trip. New appearances, new temptations, new sorrows, new joys. That is the reason so many lose their way. They meet some one on the road of life and ask for direction, and wrong direction is given. We have all been perplexed by misdirec- ton after asking the way to some place we wished to visit Some one said to us, 'Take the first road to the right and, having gone mile on that road, take the first road on the left, and you will soon reach your destina- tion." We took the advice, but our in- former forgot 8 turn in the road or for got one of the roads leading to the left, and we took the wrong road and were lost in the woods, and night came on, and we were put to great irritation and trouble
 The fact is, blame no one for mak- ing lifetime mistakes. I pity them in- stead of blaming them. There are so many wrong roads, but only one right one. You cannot in midlife draw upon your youthful experiences for wisdom, for midlife is so entirely different from youth. You cannot in old age draw up on midlife experiences, for the two stages of existence are so diverse. What is wisdom for one man to dc would be folly for another to under take A man of nerve and pluck is not qualified to advise a man timid and Shrinking. An achievement that would be easy for you might be impossible for me. Human advice is ordinarily of little value. People review their owr successes or failures and then tell us what Is best for us to do, not realizing that our circumstances are different our temperament is different, our phys ical and mental and moral capacities different. Most of the great mistakei that have been made have been made under human advisement.
 So, also, 1t may be said to every na ton, "Ye have not passed this wa, before" Our own republic is goint through novel experiences. Could wis est statesman twenty years ago hav' prophesied present conditions? Ever, president, every congress, has new crl ses to meet and new questions to set tie. So prophecies made about coD4 tons in this country fifty years fron now may turn out as far untrue as tn prophecies made fifty years ago b the greatest of American statesme when he declared on yonder Capitt hill that 1t was unwise to think of civ uxation or prosperity the other side o the Rocky mountains, and accordin to his belief the Pacific coast would the perpetual abode of barbarians an mountain lions, and we must not thin of annexing those forbidding regions.
 4 Road of Novelty.
 Many prophecies in regard to our na ton failed and many prophecies con corning it's future will fail because 1t 1 travelling a new road. Every. step takes on that road is a novelty. Tn opinion of Monroe or a Jefferson il the far past is not of as much value a the opinion of our wisest men now
 How could men know in 1923 what would be best for this nation to do il 19O1f It Is belittling as well as un wise for our statesmen, who are quit R0uaI to fho afo tocruor, ,P tho m af Q n.