Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1902-05-02


his strength that he succumbed. Neves
from the first day OF his ministry TIL
the day of his death did be put OF the
harness OF the Lords service. When
he went on iecturing tours. It was not
TO make money or TO take pleasure, but
to get away from his home tasks, SO
that be could come back refreshed to
do more valiant service for Christ.
Every family physician who entered
our home declared that the rest OF rail-
road travel had been his physical sal
vation. IL forced him to the repose
that he would no. otherwise allow to
himself.
A Woodworking Genius.
He was : genius. but he developed
every one of his ter talents by the
hardest kind of mental and physical APP
plication. No labor for him was too full
of drudgery Morning. noon and night
found him I'm his study. He took phys
ical exercise not for pleasure. but to fit
himself for the pulpit. He lived not to
eat, but he ate so that he could live. He
placed his standard very high. aud into
every sermon he put his best thought.
He used TO say to me: Frank, do not
make the mistake of many literary
men, They say TO themselves, l will
save that thought and put il into anoth-
err speech or article. Give TO the world
the best you have. Crowd everything
in that strengthens an argument, but
always strive for quality and not for
quantity" When theological student,
[ wanted To occupy for some weeks the
pulpit of a small country church. He
uttered his protest. saying. You ought
10 spend at least three months upon
your ilrst sermon, writing upon 1t from
six to ten hours day" What testi-
mony is this to his own careful work.
coming from the cold lips which are
now closed in the casket. What a
homiletic lecture il is for the young
ministers. for the young lawyers and
budding statesmen who maintain that
the oratorical art is divine gift which
has no need for struggling upon the
rough mountain side of drudgery. What
a clarion uote it is, summoning ali men
and women TO do their best under all
conditions. The lesson is as powerful
for the merchant of ten talents as for
the clerk of two talents. To him that
hath shall be given. From him that
hath not shall be taken away even that
which he hath.
There is. however. n warning that
comes from 10Y fathers intense appli-
cation to work which deserves the at
tention OF all those who are bending
their physical, mental and spiritual
energies TO accomplish something In
lifes struggle. My father had one of
the most robust physical frames ever
given to man. He had q wonderful
mind. He had wonderful body. He
could speak out of doors for two long
hours and address 10000 auditors. Yet
the last sentence would be heard as
distinctly as the first. He could do a
ten mile tramp more easily than some
men could walk around city square.
His chest was broad and deep. His
heart went on with the steady regu-
iarity OF a pumping engine. He thought
he was taking care of himself, but he
was not. About twenty-five years ago
the first danger signal was lifted when
ins, muia. like hideous specter, sat ut
the foot OF his bed and refused TO let
him sleep. Night after night he would
be up four and five times walking tie
floor. After awhile the children be-
came used to IL. We would greet him
ut breakfast, saying. Father, how did
you slsep?" and when he answered,
Not very WELL" be would look so
fresh and vigorous that we. too, were
deceived, and we would hope that he
had slept better than he thought he
did. But he could not be induced TO
spare himself. He overestimatcd his
reserve Of strength. My father ought
to have lived with that magnificent
body ut least fifteen years longer. Had
he economical his strength the best
years OF his life might have been those
last fifteen years. He died from over
work.
Ye brain workers. listen to this warn
inri Ye literary men. who are fun of
great thoughts which You are eager to
utter, beware of overdriving the brain!
Remember that you cannot take your
workshop TO bed with you and work
in the dark without undermining your
mental strength Heed today the mes
sage which comes to all. Stop before
1t is too late. God did not intend nv
father 10 go on as he was doing.
wrecking his magnificent physical
frame.
A Minister of Cheerfulncss.
My father was gospel minister OF
rnbounded cheerfulness. He believed
that there was as much true religion in
the smile seen at the wedding OF Cana
or Gaiilee us in the sob heard in a
house OF mourning. He was an Opt.
mistic Christian whose mind was free
from gloomy presentiments. Inhis youth
he grasped the great truth that God is
love. Because God is love he felt
that God approved OF his being strong
and well and happy. He always ex.
pected good things to come TO him from
the Divine Father. as a little child nat.
mally expects good things to come to
him from an earthly parent A falling
tear may, ere it drops, lodge in the
wrinkles of n. smile. A rainbow can
climb over the dark clouds OF storm. II
q member or the family was dangerous
ly sick, he was not dismayed, but al
ways felt that she would get well. II
financial trouble threatened the home
he never was apprehensive. having un
wavering faith that the God who cares
for the birds of the air and clothes the
lily OF the field would feed and clothe
him and those he loved. He was willing
10 undertake big things because he was
walking hand in hand with his Heaven.
ly Father, accompanied by the sweet
faced angel OF hope. The result was
that when trouble did come he was the
stronger 10 meet and bear 1t. And
when greater opportunities OF useful
ness came than even he expected he
was also able to grasp them and com
pei them to carry him upon their broad
shoulders up the towering heights OF
conspicuous service.
What spirit but one buoyed Ivy cheer
fulness could ever have overcome the
obstacles he conquered? He was tried
by fire literally as well rs figuratively
He had to fight the elements as wei
as the human champions OF sin. Read
the history of the first Brooklyn taber.