The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1903-12-03

the rec9mpense OF the rS""!i. GU
his % on the block and pour out his life on
the high altar OF martyrdorn because OF
the power of the "afterward'' In his soal.
Even Jesus endured the cross and de-
spised the shame for the jey that was set
before Him" And. my brethren, II We
run with patience the race that is set hs
fore us, we must keep looking forward,
looking unto Jesus, the Captain OF cur
salvation, who was made. perfect through
suffering. This seems to be the divine, or
der-frst the dark, then the light; lrst
the cross, then, the crown. And that cross
The late DR.. Maltbie Babcock said,
somewhat ingeniousiy, but vary helptullyg,
that il you take, the sharp; severe word; w
.discipline.' and discard the final "e.
which is of little or no value. anyway, and
substitute final g." you have, the ten
der and gentle word "diseipiing.". That 's
really what the present chsstenings mean
you are being made disclp!eIyou are
taking Christ's yoke upon you and learning
of Him as He has invited you to 90: You
are entering into the fellowship of His sui
Him. we shall also reign with Him-atter-
ward!"
After all, how blank and dull and sadly
monotonous life would be without Its
crises of pain. The problem of .pain-howT
it has vexed US and how pain has panied
us. and vet how it has enriched US! AS
many a spice plant gives forth its most ira,
Grant perfume only when bruised ana
crushed. so a human heart does its best
for other human hearts after some soften
ing grief has visited it. Nartineau SAID:
ga world without contingency Or an
agony could have no hero and no SAINT.
yr1, &c, Ia ~ o1rSi al
lvric without the surprise OF sorrow ana
tbe sigh of fear. Whatever touches and
ennohles US in tie lives and voices OF the
past is a divine birth from human doubt
and pain oe
| feet that 'all that is not statue must De
hewn away" At first our lives are like
rough and quite meaningless block OF mar
bic. with many too sharp angle and many
! b!emish. And as Michael Angelo SAID OF OF
| the stone thrown on the rubbish hea ap; Il
zee an angel there ana I must get him
| ont !" so God sees the best there is in you
and He is determined to bring i; out. even
| If He must needs use chisel and mai!et;;
| Ana now the blows are struck. the chlset
| cuts deep. the chips fly. "Ihe more the
marble wastes the more the statue grows:
Thus continues the divine sculptor HIS
work and labor of love, until there stands
forth. afterward, 8 glorious soul OF maJes'
tic dimensions and Christ!ike beauty. :.
"'Tis the Master who holds the ehise',
! and day by day
He is chipping whatever envIrsns the tsrn'
That nds, nndsr His skilful cutting the iorn
Wrought silently out int beauty, Of such
OF fsuItiess and full perfection, that angel
Shall gaze on the finished product with
That even His matchless patience s9uld
| grave His own
Features upon such fractured and stubborn
stone"
| There is, unfortunately. another side r.
this proposition. For the wicked as well
as for the righteous there is en- afeer,,
ward" Over that melancholy. scene
would gladly draw the curtain OF compete
silence. would fain hold my peace anG
speak net at all of the wretchec seque
which in the very nature of things must
| be theirs who hur1 defiance at Gods be
nevo!ent laws for the souls Of men.
inst as the tears of the righteous nov
shall afterward he transmitted into eterna
gems. sparkling forever in the light o.
heaven. so the very gems Of the wicked
the tawdry tinsel and ,trinkets and toy toy
that now seem 80 bright and attractive
will be found. afterward. to be but the
perishable accessories Of mad nightmare
Of revelry and rioting;, The empty, idle
fallacies with which they .sported here
killing time and killing souls. shal! after
ward become whips that lash them forever
scorpions whose sting is eternal: tears that
are never wiped away, but WHICH uneeas
iaely scald and ecarify the soul like biting
| acids eating the heart forever. >, >,
For the devils dupe the inevitable order
is just that-now little temporary pleas
ure, just enough to bait the soul success
fully; and ,afterward, deso!ation and an
| puish indescribable -
So, to sum it all up--what kind Of an at
terward are you going to have? That de
bends on what kind of a present you ar are
having. Would you not prefer to SUITE!
Affections with Gods people and afterwarc
have glory unspeakable than TO enjoy :. tn
pleasures of sin for season: and after
ward suffer the inevitable aftermath O.
despair? Say eyes" to that proDositlor
and will say "Amen."