Newport weekly independent., 1902-07-11
LTFE'S UNCERTAINTY.
According to the Old Saw, Man Pro-
 poses, but God Disposes.
Sermon by the "Highway and By
 way" Preacher in Which He Draws Important Lessons from Recent Events,
Copyright 1902, by A. N. Kellogg News.
 paper Co.)


 or tomorrow We will go into such a city, and continue there year, and buy and sell, and get gain: whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even vapor, that appeareth for little time. and then vanisheth away. For that ye ought to say: If the Lord will, We shall live, and do this, or that.-James 413-15.
 Go to Now.-Out on the western ranges where the cowboy reigns su- preme and the cattle roam almost at will, the swish of the lariat is heard as it uncoils in the air in sure pursuit of the animal which is rushing on whither it knoweth not, but still goes rushing on until the tightening lengths of the rope bring the needless creature to its knees, while the sin ewy, tough little pony, by the firmly planted forefeet and auivering launches, says as plainly as words could speak: ''Go to now" As the world goes rushing madly on whither it knoweth not, but on, on, on, making it's plans for weeks and months and years to come, needless of time and of eternity, James, with his arm nerved by the truth of God, throws out the lariat of Gods Word and seeks to bring the world up with the quick, vibrant tones of: "Go to now" Would to God that it's coils would tighten around your heart, my friend, and hold you long enough for you to drink in the message which he proceeds to deliver He would drag you from the swift, uncertain current of man. wrought schemes and plans, and wrecked purposes and desires, and plant your feet on the more sure ground of Gods plans and purposes for you and for the world about you.
 As the bottle dropped from the ves- sel's side is tossed hither and thither by the ever-restless waves and brings up uncert ainly in an unlooked-for and unexpected quarter, so the one who seeks to navigate the unknown sea of life without chart and compass from God finally strands on an un- known shore, and what a moment be- fore was smooth sailing and bright sunshine is found to be the grat- ing sands of bitter disappointment, if not the adamantine rock of eternal darkness. Man, if he would sail suc- cessfully and surely and reach port at last, must let the hand of God steer his bark.
 "Go to NOW" Across the ripping waves, which are kissing the sides of our stanch ship, while the sunlight plays in the swelling rigging and our hearts beat a merry tune, come the warning words.
 "Why so?" we shout back, as our boat speeds on it's way.
 "Because the storm and the rocks are just ahead" quickly comes back the reply.
 Our eye sweeps the vast expanse of the blue heavens a cloud in sight. The soft breeze fans our cheeks and whispers of safe journey and har- bor ahead.
 With elf-cofnplacency and inward confidence, which is fed by the pres ent moment of favorable conditions, we turn with smiling face to the mes senger following in our wake and shout: 'This ship is bound for such and such a city. Our plans were all most surely laid before we left port yester morn. Thus far we have come upon our journey and the signs are all most suspicious. Tn the city at which we feel confident of arriving we shall continue for a year, and buy and sell and get gain" And at the thought we crowd on all the canvas and go bounding forth while our i'm patient heart speeds on ahead in hope full anticipation.
 With desperate cry the voice behind pleads: "Ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life ? It is even a vapor, that appeareth for little time, and then vanisheth away"
 With some uneasiness of conscience for the words have struck home, we turn to the worldly-wise about us and stop our ears with their counsel and advice. On, on, we go with the full confidence of the favorable present while the warning cry of Gods mes senger grows faint and fainter in the distance. Aha! we have outsailed our uncomforta friend. The sun still shines, the soft breezes contin- ue to blow, and our bark, cut ting the waves, will soon be at the promised haven. With our ship laden with the rich spoil of the years sojourn in the city we will re- turn and demonstrate the fallacy of the needless warning.
 But while we are thus reasoning in our hearts, suddenly the heavens dark en with the rushing clouds of adver- sity, the flashing waves catch our now fra0iIe shin and carry it on whithe1