St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1902-07-26

1 hPl1oll LII lAC OlAt"NhU VI LIS Lax
rant Christian life. Down on his
knees in the dust goes Paul, and he
beseeches God, not once nor twice
but thrice, that it might depart from
him. Then, like the rift in the dark
cloud through which the golden glor-
les of the splendid sun come stream
ing, illuminating and Transforming
that which has been dark and forbid
ding into a glowing, glistening noun
tain peak of heavenly beauty-then.
Paul finds in the marvellous love and
wisdom of God his thorn in the flesh
is to become all aglow with the glory
and power of Christ; that, instead of
being removed according to his agon-
lied and repeated petition, it is to be
transformed and become a subduing.
softening influence on his life. 1t is
to be no longer thorn of sorrow.
but fragrant rose of gladness. and
his heart breaks forth into song as he
exclaims: "Most gladly, therefore,
will I glory in my infirmities, that the
power of Christ may rest upon mel"
His thorn has become Gods golden-tip-
ped goad to better service.
The Thorn in the Flesh.-Perhaps
there has been no incident in the life
of Paul over which there has been
more speculation than this thorn in
the flesh, and the curiosity to know
just what that thorn was. AS though
exact knowledge in this respect would
aid in better understanding the ex-
perience and learning it's lesson. lam
decidedly of the opinion that Paul
under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit
left the nature of the thorn indefinite
in order that the followers of Jesus
Christ might realize that their infirm-
ity, their thorn in the flesh, whatever
it might be, could be trea ted in the same
way as that of Paul, and become glor-
iously transformed even as was his.
You see if Paul had been explicit, the
brother with a similar thorn would
be claiming monopoly of this blessed
experience, and "Me and Paul. would
be his theme, and many poor, dis
couraged brother with different kind
of thorn would go sadly away bear
ing his unchanged thorn with him.
A thorn is thorn whether you find it
on a rosebush or thistle, and the
same hand can turn the point of both
from piercing the tender flesh. So the
Lord can deal with all thorns in the
flesh and transform them into minis
tering influences.
Paul's undoubtedly was a desper-
of his 90
born nature as to tax the utmost pow
er of Christ to help him bear it. AS
Paul. under the direct inspira ton of
the Holy Spirit, was made to declare
himself the chiefest of sinners in order
that he might become the great exam
pie of the saving power of Jesus Christ,
so in his thorn he gives encouragement
to all similarly afflicted. If the Lord
was able to transform his thorn, if
His grace was sufficient to soothe the
decorations made by its lancet point,
then there is hope for you and me,
and we can "come with boldness to the
throne of grace and obtain mercy. and
find grace to help in time of need"
These thorns are present in every
life to greater or less degree. A
thorn in the flesh is an irritating in
fluence or circumstance in life, any
bodily infirmity. any weakness, any
hurtful lust or desire. These may be
classified under two divisions: Thorns
of a permanent character, such as
physical deformity or weakness, and
the temporary thorns of daily trials,
difficulties, burdens, perplexities, mis-
fortunes, prosecutions, etc. PauPs
thorn was undoubtedly of permanent
but his experience has it's
no less to the temporary,
petty thorns of the daily life. 1t is
the little foxes that spoil the vines.
and it is not so often the great thorn
which wrecks the life and destroys
Its peace of mind and it's usefulness,
as it is the many little thorns. You
may have in your life the permanent
thorn. You know what it is. You
most certainly have the little thorns
piercing your weary feet day by day
and pricking and irritating the busy
hands. This experience of Paul is for
you, and if you will but learn his secret
you too can rejoice with him because
the power of Christ can rest upon YOU
and make that thorn, big or little,
means of grace and the stepping-stone
to more consecrated, efficient service.
Your thorn may be a boorish, selfish
of your home, an unapprecia-
tive, exacting employer in the Office,
= rude jostler on the street, but what
ever it is or wherever 1t is met with,
there can be blessedly manifested the
power of Christ which is made perfect
in your weakness.
Persistent Praysr.-With his thorn
yoading him to madness, Paul finds
refuge in prayer, the Christians sure
haven in the time Of darkness, doubt
and difficulty. Three times he goes to
the Lord and pleads his case. How
many hours and days of agony and |
darkness are included in the three
times that Paul sought the presence
Of the Lord, he does not say; certain it
is that Paul's was no hastily-uttered |
prayer, no rushing into the presence
If the Lord and a rushing out again !
% some task of tent-making to make
sure of his next meal and lodging.
With his closet door shut and just |
one request on his lips he pours out
ais soul before his Lord in anguish OF |