The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1901-08-08

A SERENE SOUL.
Can Give Any Real Peace
of Mind.

And that We study to be qu:et.-I Thessa-
lonians, All.
Peace of mind is worth more than
many things which we work haSer to
acquire. It has no rela ton to that
stofcal Indifference which driftwood
feels when it tries to stem the current
and then resigns itself to fate, but is
the result of faith in the purpose and
power of God to adapt every possible
experience to our higher welfare. A
man can be calm only when he knows
that stronger hand than his Is guild
ing events, and that behind the hand
is warm heart.
Our spiritual difficulty Is that we
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 tho 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 to our ign or
ance rather than his wisdom. The
proftableness 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 he is the au-
fONrof tho xvh01o will and 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.
If, therefore, 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 exigency, you learn
to suffer discomfort with something
approaching cheerfulness and the fact
that you have, confidence in him af-
fords a serenity and even a content
ment which you could not enjoy but
for his presence. He tells you frank
ly that there are hardships 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 health hiel
man in-the end.
I take it that life is just such a 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 fre.
quently inexplicable. Problems pre-
sent themselves which we cannot
solve, and we wonder with 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, II
possible, used to our advantage.
am ready to admit that there Is
apparent injustice in human life, and
stand it. But this / know: there are
just two ways, and no more, in which
to meet whatever fate befalls. If
have no faith thai wisdom and love are
in control, 1 am the most desperate
and unhappy being on the planet. My
doubt is a source of weakness which
disables me. My mental attitude af-
fects even my physical health, and
am like warrior who goes into battle
without his weapons.
Life is not profitable If you must
go through it on your own personal
Judgment and responsibility.
Outside of yourself there must be
someone to calf on for help, for com
fort, for consolation.
The universe is a dreary place with
out 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 it. wealth
cannot buy it, fame cannot give it to
you. It is the product 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. It is practicable, and
proves itself Divine by bringing God
and the angels close to the soul when
it needs them most. It is like bread
to the hungry, water to the thirsty.
Christ was calm. His heart was an
untroubled sea. Calvary did not dis
NAV, Gethsemane did not disturb. The
secret of His serenity was the pres
ence.of God, which, like 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 canbe cheerful, quiet, serene when
the hand of man grasps the hand Cd
the Father.-George H. Hepworth, in
N. Y. Herald.
Spirit of True Contentraent.
Does it rain to-day? Is it dark and
gloomy? That is all right; there must
be some stormy days. Tomorrow the
clouds will have silver lining, or dis
appear entirely. Does the sun shine
Enjoy the sunshine. Tomorrow may
be bright, also. Are you well? En-