The age-herald., 1902-02-16
Dr. Talm1age's Sermon.

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 Washington February s.-In this sup ieot pr. Talmage puts a glow Of glaoness and triumph upon passages of life that | are usually thought, to be somewhat gloomy. text, zechariah xiv ', At even ing time it shall be light"
 While night in all Languages is the symbol for gloom and suffering it is of- ten really cheerful, bright and impressive. speak not of such nights as come down with no star pouring light from above or silvered wave tossing up light from be- neath-murky, hurtling, portentous, but such as you often see when the pomp and magnificenee of heaven turn out on night parade and it seems as though the songs which the morning stars began so long ago were chiming yet among the constel- lations and the sons of God were shout ing for joy Such nights the sailor blesses from the forecastle, and the trapper on vast prairie, and the beiated traveller py the roadside, and the soldier from the tent, earthly hosts gazing up heavenly and shepherds guarding their hocks afeld. while angel bands above them set the silver bells a-ringing "Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace; good will toward men,
 What A solemn and glorious thing is night in the wilderness! Night among the mountains Night on the ocean! Fragrant night among the tropical grovesl Flashing night amid arctic se-
 T0- pagnai Awful night among the cordiller- asi Glorious night mid sea after tempest! Thank God for the night! The moon and the stars which rule it are lighthouses on the coast towards which I hope we are all sailing, and blind mar liners are we if, with so many beaming burning, flaming glories to guide us, we cannot find our way into the harbor.
 My text may we'll suggest that, as the natural evening Is often luminous so u shall be light in the evening of our sor- rows of old age. of the worlds history, of the Christian life. At evening time it shall be light"
 When the Sun Sets.
 This prophecy will be fulfilled in the evening of Christian sorrow. For long time 1t is broad daylight The sun rloes 'high Innumerable activities go ahead
 
 thousand arms, and the pickax struck a niine and the battery made discov- cry. and the investment yielded it's 20 per cent and the book came to US tWeh- tieth edition, and the farm quadrupled in value and sudden fortune hoisted to high position, and children were praised, and friends without number swarmed into the family hive, and prosperity sang in the music and stepped in the dance and Id 4If., trrfu an ban quet, and all the gods of music and ease and qualification gathered around this .Jupiter holding in his hands so many thunderbolts of power But every sun | must set, and the brightest day must have its twilight Suddenly the sky was overcast. The fountain dried up. The song hushed. The wolf broke into the family fold and carried off the best lamb. A deep howl of woe came crashing down through the joyous symphonies At one rough twang of the hand of disaster the harpstrings all broke. Down went the strong business firm! Away went long established credit Up flew flock of cal umniesi The new book would not sell! A pat ent could not be secured for the in- ventionl Stocks sank like lead. The in surance company exploded! HOW much" says the sheriff. will you bid for this piano? How much for this library ! How much for this family picture? How much? Will you let it go at less than half price? Going-going-g
 Will the grace of God hold one up in such circumstances? What has become of the great multitude of Gods children who have been pounded of the frail and crushed under the wheel and cramped under the hoof? Did they lie down in the dust, weeping wailing and knashing their teeth? Did they when they were afflicted ! Inh mt When the rod of fatherly chastlsement struck them did they strike back? Be- cause they found one bitter cup on the table of Gods supply, did they upset the whole table? Did they kneel down at their empty money vault and say. "All my treasures are gone?" Did they stand by the grave of their dead, saying, "There never will be resurrection?
 Did they bemoan their thwarted plans and say, "The stocks are down; would God I were dead?" Did the night of their disaster come upon them moonless star less, dark and howling smothering and | choking their life out? No, no! At even tide it was light The swift promises overlook them. The eternal constella- tions, from their circuit about Gods throne, poured down an infinite luster. Under their shining the pillows of>trouble took on crests and pIumes of gold and Jasper ana amethyst ana All lnS trees of life rustled in the midsummer of Gods love. The night blooming assur- ances of Christs sympathy filled all the atmosphere with heaven. The soul at every step seemed to start up from it's feet bright winged joys, warbling heaven wal Tt is good that I have been af- f1icted!' cried David. 'The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away!' excaims Job. 'Sorrowful yet always rejoicing" says St. Paul. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes!' exclams John in apocalytc vision. At eventime 1t was light. Light from the crossl Light from the promises Light from the thronel Streaming, joyous, outgushing, everlast- ing lighti
 The Glory of Old Age.
 Again, the text shall find fulfilment in the time of old age. It IS a grand thing | to be young, to have the sight clear and | the hearing acute and the step elastic and all our pulses marching on to the | drumming of a stout heart. Midlife and old age will be denied many of us. but youth-we all know what that is. Those wrinkles were not always on your brow; that snow was not always on your head; | that brawny muscle did not always bunch your arm you have not always worn spectacles. Grave and dignifed as | you are now, you once went coasting down the hillside or threw off your hat | for the race or sent the ball flying sky high. But youth will not always last. It stays only long enough to give us exuberant spirits and broad shoulders