The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1901-12-18
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Taimage pleads for merciiul lnterpre-
tation of human behavior. The text IS
Joshua iii. 4. ''Ye have not passed TINS
way heretofore"
In December. 1889, waded the river
Jordan, and, although the current was
strong, I was able to bear up against
it. but in the time OF spring ffeShet'
when the SHOWS on Mount Lebanon
melt. nothing but miracle would en-
sble 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 few hours to cross
the Jordan. About that crossing we
say but little, because on a 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 bril-
liant chest Of acacia wood. overlaio
with gold. on the top of when were
two winged figures facing each other.
II was FIVE feet long and three teel
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 q sanctlty IN
that divine symbol that they must o.
serve by keeping three-Quarters OF
a mile away. They must watch that
elittering 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. ana
they must be guided. For that reason
Joshua utters the words CT my text,
"Ye have not passed this way hereto
fore" And the subordinate officers at
the head Of the regiments repeated IT,
I've 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 aud
last Journey through this world. 1t IS
possible. as some Of my good friends
believe. that this world will be correct
ed and improved and purified and TO
rallied and emparadised as to climate
and soil and character until 1t shau
become a heaven for the ranSomed. but
l do not think it. have IN idea that
heaven Is already built somewhere
Our departed friends could not wait
until this world is fixed up for sanity
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 nrse
time walking the earthly pilgrimage.
I've have not passed this way before
Every minute is 4 new minute, every
hour 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 Gestina-
ton" We took the advice. but our in-
former forgot turn in the road or Tor
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 max
ing lifetime mistakes. 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 do
would be folly for another to under
take. A man Of nerve and pluck is not
qualified to advise 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 own
successes or failures and then tell us
what is lest 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 mistakes
that have been made have been made
under human advisement.
So. also, it may be said to every ma
H.