The Bolivar bulletin. (Bolivar, Tenn.) 1888-1946, 1902-07-11
LIES 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 Coz
Chicago,

paper Coz
Chicago, 1902.
Text:-Go to now, We that say: To-day
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's your
life? 1t is even vapor, that appeareth for
a little time, and then vanisheth away.
For that We ought to say: If the Lord will,
we shall live, and do this, or that.-James
4:13-15.
Go to Now.-Out on the western
ranges where the cowboy reigns SUI
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
whittier it knoweth not, but still goes
rushing on until the Tightening
lengths of the rope bring the needless
creature to it's knees, while the sim
envy, tough little pony, by the firmly
planted forefeet and quivering
launches, says as plainly as words
could speak: go to now" AS the
world goes rushing madly on whittier
it knoweth not, but on, on, on, making
its plans for weeks and months and
years to come, needless of time and of
eternity, James, with his arm nerved
the OI OOU, I'LL OhS OuN bhS
lariat of Gods Word and seeks to
bring the world up with the quick,
vibrant tones of: $50 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 yes
sells side is tossed hither and thither
by the ever-restless waves and brings
up uncertainty 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 I'M
known shore, and what moment be-
fore was smooth sailing and bright
sunshine is found to be the graf
ing sands of bitter disappointment if
not the adamantine rock of eternal
darkness. Man, if he would sail sue
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
orr stanch ship. while the sunlight
plays in the swelling rigging and our
hearts beat a merry tune, come the
warning words.
"Why SOP" we shout back, as our
boat speeds on its 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-not a cloud in sight.
The soft breeze fans our cheeks and
whispers of a safe journey and har-
Dor ahead. With our glass we follow
the roll and swell of the mighty wa
ters as they catch the sunlight and
break it into million flashes of bril-
liant beauty; but we search in vain
for the sign of the rocks ahead.
With self-complacency 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
vester morn. Thus far we have
come upon our journey and the signs
are all most suspicious. In the city
at which we feel confident of arriving
we shall continue for year, and buy
and sell and get gain" And at the
thought we crowd on all the canvas
and 60 bounding forth while our i'm
patient heart speeds on ahead in hope
full anticipation.
With desperate cry the voice behind
pleads: eye know not what shall be
on the morrow. For what is your life :?
1t is even a vapor, that appeareth for
a 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
uncomfortable friend. The sun still
shines, the soft breezes contin-
ne 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
fragile ship and carry it on whittier
we would not haveit go. All how i'm
potent are human strength and skill
now! With frantic endeavor we haul
in all sail and lashing ourselves to the
wheel, endeavor to steady the ship
in her mad careening.
The wind shrieks around our head
as if all the imps of darkness were let
loose in their fury. Their voices cast
in mad glee in our teeth the warning
we had heard during the fair and
promising weather: go to now. For
We know not what shall be on the NOR
row" Alas! it is too late now! The
relentless storm of our own selfseek-
ing and human wisdom is about us,
the rocks are just ahead. The next
mighty wave catches our helpless ship
of human plans and, dashing it upon
the rock, grinds it to pieces. The roll
ing waters cover the wreckage of shat
tered purposes, and perhaps we learn
the lesson James would teach us, but