The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1902-08-07
LIFE'S UNCERTAINTY.
According to the Old Saw, Man Pro-
poses, but God Disposes.

Sermon by the "Highway and ny
way" Preacher In Which He Draws
Important Lessons from
Recent Events.
Copyright, 1902, by A. N. Kellogg News
paper Coz
SO Chicago, 1902
Text:-Go to now, ye 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 We know not what
shall be on the morrow. For what is your
life? 1t is even vapor. that appeareth for
a little time, and then vanisheth away.
For that ye ought to say: If the Lord will,
We shall live, and do this, OF that.-James
4:1S-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 its knees, while the sin
ewy, tough little pony, by the firmly
planted forefeet and quivering
launches, says as plainly as words
could speak: $50 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
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 its 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 ycu and for the world about you.
AS the bottle dropped from the YES
sells side is tossed hither and thither
by the eyer-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 un-
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 rippling
waves, which are kissing the sides of
our stanch ship, while the sunlight
plays in the swelling rigging and our
hearts beat 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-not cloud in sight.
The soft breeze fans our cheeks and
whispers of safe journey and har-
Dor 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
yester morn. Thus far we have
come upon our journey and the signs
are all most auspicious. 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 go bounding forth while our inn
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
1t 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
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 oul
ship laden with the rich spoil of the
years sojourn in the city we will re
turn and demonstrate the falIacy OF
the needless warning. ~ se
But while we are thus reasoning il
our hearts, suddenly the heavens dark
en- with the rushing clouds of adver
sity, the lashing waves catch our nov
fragile ship and carry il on whithe,
we would not have it go. All! how i'm