Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1902-07-11
LIFE'S UNCERTAINTY.
According 10 theoOld Saw, Man Pre-
poses, but God Disposes.
sermon by the "Hishway and By
way, Preacher In Which He Draws
Important Lessons from
Recent Events
<0Dpyright, 1902, by A N Kellogg News.
paper Coz

Text:-Go to now, We that say: To-day
or Tomorrow we will go into such a city
anu 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
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.
20 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 itsknoweth not, but still goes
rushing on until the Tightening
lengths of the rope bring the needless
creature to its knees while the sim
envy, 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 toscome, 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: $50 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 you and for the world about you.
AS the bottle dropped from the YES
sel's 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
our 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 head.
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 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 go bounding forth while our inn
patient heart speeds on ahead in hopper
full anticipation.
With desperate cry thevoice behind
pleads: eye 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 Sanisheth away"
With some unea siness of conscience,
for the words have struck home, we
turn to the worldly-wise about us and
stop eur 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-
ues to blow, and our bark, cut
ting the waves, will soon be
at thee promised haven. With our
ship ladensswith the rich spoil of the
years sojourn in the city we will re-
turn and demonstrate the fallacy of
efhSneedless warning.
But while we are thus reasoning in
our hearts, suddenly the heavens dark
en- with the rushing clouds of adver-
sity, the lashfng waves catch our now
fragile ship and carry it on whittier
we would not have it go. All! how i'm
potent are human strength and skill
GsA. With frantic endeavor we haul
in all sail and flashing 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 mod Oloo in 0ur faath tho