The age-herald., 1901-02-04
toying every 6leasure, and deiighting Itself in thingssit had prepared. And when

toying every pleasure, and delighting itself in thingss it had prepared. And when I turned myself to all the works which my hands had wrought, and to the labors wherein had labored in vain, I saw in all things vanity, and vexation of mind. and that nothing was lasting under the sun" A celebrated author, commenting on these words, came to the conclusion that all Is vanity, except to love God and serve Him alone"
 The second form under which the spirit of discontent makes it's appearance is de- jection and sadness in misfortune. We read in the Book of Kings of the great prophet Elias. Being afraid that King Achab might put him to death, he wanders about the des- ert, and being overcome by hunger and fa- tigue he sits down under the shade of tree. All his former courage has left him, and in the sadness of heart he mournfully exelaims: Ut is enough for me, Lord, take away my soul. Let me die" Is not this weariness of Elias lively image of our own dejection of spirit? When visited by afflictions, instead of bearing them with patience We fret ourselves into a state of misery, and make others around us as mis- erable ourselves, as if, indeed, we were the only one in the world that had any right to sympathy. When heavy trials cast their dak shadows over us, instead of stand ing as Mary did, erect under the cross, we fall to the ground, rebelling against suffer- ing, discontented with our lot and wishing to die, not to be united with God, but to get rid of the burden which God has placed upon our shoulders.
 Selfishness.
 On all sides we hear the complaints why this bitter chalise for me? Why 1 af- fiicted with this sickness and this poverty? What have 1 done to merit much suffer- iEg? We even go far as to accuse the Creator of injustice, asserting that He has reserved His wrath for small portion of mankind. But why do We complain so bitterly? Because we are not willing to suffer the most trifing affliction, because in our selfshness wish only to enjoy life and have a good time of it here below. Still we pretend to be Christians! What does that mean? It means that we are the fol- lowers of-Him who said: If you wish to be my disciples take up your cross and fol- low me-" Even suppose for moment my dear brethren, that God would go far to renounce his own will to conform himself to yours. Even suppose, I say, that He would leave the government of the world in your own hands, would you be satisfied? Not at all. We would be like David trying to walk in the armor of Saul. He said to Saul: q cannot go thus, for I not used te it. Give me my staff, my script, and my sling, for I am accustomed to these, and with these will fight the giant" The ap- pleation of this parable is plain. It teaches us that God employs different means to bring about the salvation of His creatures. But the mind of man is so perverted that he cannot understand how the lot of others would not be as useful for his eter- nal welfare, as the gifts he has received from the hands of an all-wise Providence.
 The Pagans have a story in their litera- ture which is very much to the purpose. Y seems that some individuals complained to Jupiter that he treated them unjustly, as he had singled them out as the objects of his displeasure The god, wishing to show that hewas impartial, issued a proc ,lamation by the oracle that all who had grievances should notify him without de- lay. Straitway everybody in the world handed in a list of troubles. The god, sec treated alike ther no just ground for complaint.
 Lack Solid Virtue.
 The root of our discontent is a lack of solid virtue. man without solid virtue sembles a ship that has not the sufficient