Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1903-02-07
MEDITATION.
Ia just Rs Necessary to Spiritual
weu-BeinE rs Is Rest
TO the Body.

There are two distinct principles in
life, both of which are absolutely nee
essary to healthy existence. These
are exercise and rest. They are life's
balances. SO much rest in one scale
means possible so much work in the
other. The harmonizing or balancing
of these two principles makes life
normal and gives promise to possibili-
ties. Nature illustrates the necessity
of these two principles in physical life
by apportioning time to each. She
gives man day for work; she provides
night for the generation of new vigor.
During the day man eXpends energy
that he may regain new supply in rest
full sleep. BY night he stores up new
strength to put ii forth again during
his working hours. Thus these two
portions of life are complementary
one exists for the other; one is inn
possible without the other. If a man
neglects rest he forfeits energy, says
Christian Work, and his work suffers
God has so provided for our physical
nature.
But His laws are no less binding
upon the spiritual life. Man must
work in order to preserve his spiritual
well-being. And he must withdraw
az times from the output of spiritual
activity to replenish and reenergize
the powers of the soul. Christ was
teaching one side of this truth when
He drew the parable of the talents.
He who buried his talent lost capacity
from non-use. They who used gained.
And again, when He said to His dis
ciples: Come ye apart and rest
awhile" He emphasizes the other
side; for He knew that expenditure
demanded refilling.
The active side of Christian life has
been emphasized again and again. And
1T should be; for its place and impor-
lance in spiritual progress and vigor
is unquestionable. Spiritual exercise
gives fiber and character to religious
life. But outward activity is only the
manifestation of the spiritual life
within. And because that life is real
ity we should treat il with at least
the same respect we pay to our ply
steal being. Both are governed by
laws that make for health when
obeyed. Either will grow debilitated,
devitalized, when the laws are dis
obeyed. If our spiritual life demands
rest for recuperation, no less does our
higher life demand that which cor
responds to physical rest, in order
that the spiritual demand may take
on new strength for wider activity.
The time of prayer and medita ton is
that time when the soul draws near
est to God and is most conscious of
His real presence. Most beautifully
has Paul II. Hayne expressed the de-
sire of the soul for prayer and medi-
tation in one of his sonnets:
Happy the heart that keeps its twilight
hour,
And in the depths of heavenly peace re-
clined
Longs to commune with thoughts of tender
power
Thoughts that ascend like angels beau
tiful,
A shining Jacob's-lad6er of the mind.
But this quiet hour in the spiritual
life is by no means a time for mere
passivity. Meditation is not stagna-
ton. 1t is frequently time of earnest
struggle. The deeps Of the soul are
often broken up. But the spirit of
God moves upon the face of the wa
ters, calling into being new energies
and new influences. Within these quiet
hours of pregnant striving are born
the forces that expand and deepen
life and mold it into solid character.
From these silent hours go out lines
of light and strength that bless Others
IS well as ourselves in word and deed.
In preparation for the positive actiy-
ities of Christian living, prayer and
meditation correspond to that time
nature sets apart for replenishing nat
1ral forces.
Is there not need for the Christian
world to more practically learn this
lesson? The age in watch we live is
rot meditative one. The mass of
men never stop to think; they do il
on the run. The unremitting CONNER
sisl spirit seems to have penetrated
every domain of life. The world of
5ush and competition has affected the
spheres of home, society and religion.
Ours Is an age of unrest, nervous. en-
ergetic, brilliant. Eternal vigilance
and ceaseless activity are the price Of
success in business. The student is
hurried through curriculum stretch
ing oper dozen Rars. His diplomas
bear wetness thd1nne has gulped down
40 much Latin. Geek and mathemat-
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