Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1903-07-22
MANS REsPoNsIBlLIrv.
BIZ Alfred Anger. IN. ID

And 1t came to pass, when the evil
spirit from God was upon Saul, that
David took an harp, and played with
his hand; 50 Saul was refreshed, and
was well, and the evil spirit departed
from him."--I Samuel xvi, %.
God has again and again in his mer-
cy shown us by bitter experience that
the sight and study OF the beautiful is
Of no avail against the insidious work
ings OF the uncovered heart. The
emotion that wakens us up from our
lethargy, that for the time being stills
in us the troubled waters Of human
strife, and the madness of til govern
ed passion, is but for the moment, If it
is not sustained by inspiration from a
more permanent and abiding source of
good. We need awakening. we need
the stilling OF the waters. we need the
inspiration of the moment. but we need
afterwards to live by the regnIative
virtue of faith that stays on from
day TO day.
Yes, we are not to neglect. still less
despise. the stimulus of the moment.
We need it alike in our moods of turb-
ulence and in our moods of lethargy
We need 1t TO calm and also to inspire.
Our error ard our danger lie in imag-
lining that we can trust alone TO these
moments that they will do for us what
they were never meant to do. Their
place in oat education is that of wit
nesses and reminders rather than that
of permanent forces and guides. The
harp of David brought all heaven be
fore the eyes" of Saul, but when the
music passed into silence the evil spirit
came back Yet he (SauD, we are sure,
was responsible for these moments,
for he should have been the better for
them.
We. too, are responsible for such mo-
ments, for they are witnessed TO a
world of beauty, goodness and har-
mony lying above and around us; so
near, did we but know 1t. TO every one
of US. But, 0. so easily lost sight of,
so easily forgotten. Such awakenings,
such pleadings. as those which the
young David brought 10 the stubborn
and malignant king, are youchs.fed to
us through million channels of Gods
universe.
Beauty OF nature, beauty of art,
beauty of pathos in human character
and vicissitudes of human life are all
witnesses and foretastes of the things
which God has prepared for those who
love him. We dare not trust to them.
God is a jealous God, and for the love
of us will not brook that his witnesses
are accepted as his equivalents. If we
trust to them for that which tl,ey can
not achieve we shall reap only disap-
pointment and disillusion, if not ship
wreck.
Such is the moral of the story,
whether as applied to the individual
life or that of the community. Let us
thank God always for the times and
seasons when some special visitation
of his mercy. or some special realiza
ton of our brotherhood, has lifted us,
If but for a season, above our common
level of Indifference But let us also
remember lA2t we dare not trust to the
thing lasting. fo~ besides that reaction
is inevitable, there can be no perma
nent healing but in the Spirit of God,
and in the daily bread of his grace, in
the gradual strengthening of charac-
ter. and the daily repentance Of the
daily failure.
The tumult and he shouting dies,
The captains AMI the kings depart;
Still stands thine ancient sacrifice,
An humble and contrite heart.
There is one thought that win be
constant arising In the mind of the
true lover o" music, and it will resolve
itself into the question. What can /
do, what can ! give to lessen the dis
cord of the world and so make human
life more musical? And pray believe
me that the only way in which this can
be brought about is by each one living
unselfishly, living a real and blessed
life of self-denial. AT all times give
generously, and constantly guard
against the perilous resource of tex
cuse." Take fresh courage and make
new effort on behalf of those whose
needs are so sore. and you will know
of truth that Music. when sweet
voices die, vibrates IN the memory
and whispers most blessed incentives
TO new conquests over self in the days
that may lie before you.