The Savannah morning news., 1902-08-11
HOW GODS HELP is GIVEN.
Rev. Ed F. Cooks Words of Comfort
at Wesley Monumental.

at wesley Monumentai.
Rev. Ed. F. Cooks sermon at Wesley
Monumental Church yesterday morn
ing from Psalms 54:4, was very prac-
tical and helpful to the large congre-
cation. The text was. God Is My
Helper"
Mr.. Cook said the truth was as old
as the Bible and confirmed by myriads
of human experiences. 1T is impor-
tant. however, for US to know how our
loving, heavenly Father helps; for we
may expect things He never grants
and lose the things He offers to give.
There is a right way and a wrong way
to look at Gods dealings The wrong
way sets US to murmuring and COM
planning; the other gives us wonderful
hope and inspiration. There are many
ways in which God helps His people
that are readily recognized, but if we
study the nature of God, our wise,
loving, holy Father, we viii know that
He often helps US by sharp discipline
that tries us fearfully.''
Such discipline, said the preacher, is
necessary to the development of strong
faith and stalwart character. AS
moving the grass helps to beautify
the lawn and as the grapevine is rem
dered more fruitful by pruning, so
God finds that beauty and fruitfulness
of Christian character is promoted by
the cutting and pruning processes of
suffering. That such tests are needfui
and adapted to the character of the
person tried Mr.. Cook illustrated from
the history of Abraham, David and
Joseph.
AS head winds make a steamers
fires burn more briskIy under the
boilers, so adversely often drives
true Christian ahead in his spiritual
life. Mr.. Cook said that every
thing that makes man purer
humber, Drawer stronger, holier is
mighty help. God therefore, helps us
by sending into our lives those eXper-
fences, hard and bitter as many of
them are that tend to develop purity,
humility, bravery, strength and holt
ness.
The preacher said, God helps us fur
Their by helping US to carry life's bur-
dens. He pictured the great army of
over-burdened people in the world
and spoke of the restlessness and dis
ing out of the burdens and disappoint-
ments of life. He said, burdens bene-
fit us only as we let God stand with
us under the load. Then He is will
ling to do cast thy burden upon the
Lord, and He shall sustain thee"
Psalm 55:22. Cast all your care upon
Him. for He careth for you" first
Peter, ST. There is no place in true
Christian life for foolish anxiety or
needless worry. When God says give
over to me what will break you down,
He means it and puts our faith to
the test.
Mr.. Cook referred to Paul, the great
apostle, as an illustration of the calm
strength and triumphant faith of the
man who has God for his help. Sus-
tanned by the grace of the eternal. in
spirit of bitter antagonisms, ship
wrecks, stripes and imprisonments He
moved steadily on to the mastery;
never murmuring, never fretting, but
fighting every foe of the kingdom of
grace, rejoicing in tribulation and
claiming victory through Christ. In
the very midst of his tragic life he ex-
horts his brethren, BE anxious for
nothing. Calm faith in God is ever
triumphant"
Mr.. Cook concluded with words of
earnest exhortation to the young men
and women who are working their way
amid difficulties and discouragements
He said in part: God is on the side
of the true man. Victory is assured
the faithful in purpose, the trustful in
heart. Then let us face up life's high
way. meeting duties. difficulties
and dangers with cour-
age born of faith. Fear Meth
er failure nor defeat, but trust
the Eternal who is our Helper in every
hour of need. As long as God leads
victory is assured