The L'Anse sentinel., 1903-11-14

be my own master: I want to go whom
please and come when please. The
prodigal son liked to have his own
way, and so he bundled up his pos
sessions and left his fathers house for
the far country where there would be
no check upon his conduct. and during
all those mad days Of pleasure he did
not cease from his own doings nor
from his stubborn way. The rich
fool who said within his heart: Soul.
thou hast much goods laid up for
many years; take thine ease. eat.
drink and be merry" lived ON the low
plane OF the physical desires and
pleasures. It was enough for him
that he had q sumptuous home. that
he was clothed and warmed, and could
take his ease and fill his belly with
good things. and have a jolly good
time He "lived to enjoy life," as
so many people put 1t. Think OF man
being ruled by the sole motive Of self
desire and appetite. And yet how
many. many are under such thralldom!
The prodigal SON wanted the gilded at
fractions and pleasures OF the far
country. and he gave up home and
friends and everything that his do
sires might be gratifed. The rich
fool wanted his ease. he wanted rare
wines and rich food. and merry COM
pany to help him enjoy his sumptnous
home, and he forgot Lazarus at his
gate and the outside world and the
God Who ruled over all. And people
to-day are being dominated by the
same self-desire which lured the
prodigal son away from home and
blinded the rich man to the higher and
better part of life. The consciousness
of God and eternity is becoming less
and less In the world. and this life Is
filling all the thought and plans and
desires.
DUT not only are mere fieshly ap.
- petites and desires holding sway
over people. but the attainments and
ambitions of this life are shutting
God out of the heart and life. When
It is declared of Israel that they
ceased not from their own doings."
l do not imagine we are to understand
that all were ruled by the lower ami
NAL nature of the appetites and lusts.
Doubtless there were many against
whom the indictment of God held true,
because they were ambitious for
worldly wealth. or power. or learn
ing or culture. Here were some who
ceased not from their struggle after
riches. sacrificing everything else
that they might pile up the yellow
gold. Others ceased not to covet pow
er. world power. To be a leader. to
dominate In the affairs of the com
munity or the state. was the ambition
of the life. and by fair means or foul
it was to be gratified. Others ceased
not to drink at the fountain OF the
worlds so-called wisdom and culture.
Their brains were SO busy with the
thoughts of man. with mans wisdom
appeared as foolishness unto them.
And II Is true to-day that the plans.
ambitions. purposes of this life ap-
pear all important Man and hiS do
ings seem SO necessary. that which this
life has to offer appears SO tangible
and attainable. and God and eternity
seem SO vague and uncertain, that
man forgets God. and the words Of His
Son: What shall 1t profit a man II
he gain the whole world and lose his
own soul?" And SO man ceases not
from his own doings. His ways seem
to him easiest, most pleasant. most
profitable. There Is a way which
seemeth right unto a man." and he
walks heedlessly and blindly in that
way. and will not see the sign posts
which God has placed all along the
route. which warn the soul that "the
! end thereof are the ways Of death. -
Blind leaders of the blind" 'Ever
learning" as Paul says, "and never
able TO come to the knowledge OF the
truth" Cardinal Wolsey said of Hen
ry VIII. when on his deathbed:
Rather than he will miss or want any
part Of his will or appetite. he will
put the loss OF one-half his realm In
danger" And man is stalking his pre-
cious soul against the pleasures and
ambitions and purposes Of the pres
ent life. This life first, let the soul
take its own chances! Is what man ex-
claims.
XY1HAT an example of Gods patience
w and mercy IL Israel. The miracu-
lous hand OF God leads them from the
bondage OF Egypt; It cuts the black wa
ters Of the Red sea and makes broad
smooth roadway for their feet; II guides
them through the wilderness; Il feeds
them when hungry, and brings forth
wells OF springing water for their re-
freshing: It smites the enemies that would
harm them: 1t throws down the Jerichos
that block the entrance to the promised
land, and gives them possessior-aId
ut, despite all this worcc..ul Leading
/ despite this faithful protection, the peo-
pie are stubborn. and persist In coins
their own way and doing N their feefingl
prompt them. Why did He not utterly
forsake themf Why did He not de-
stroy them as He did the people O,
Noah's timer We thus ask, M we view
all the marvellous history of Israel anc
Gods dealings with them. We think n
/ tho mvsterv Of the a0os how thov ~c,,,S