St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1903-11-21

Wnen they were cropping IN the DnndneS
Of the unsaved state, they permitte
Jesus to touch their eyes and give then
enough sight to see men as trees, walk
ing, but they have never desired to Obtain
any clearer sight. They are near
sighted. They do not see beyond presen
conditions, nor do they feel beyond pres
ent desires. Esal sold his birthrigh
for a mess of pottage, because he wa
hungry. He was near-sighted enough
to let a bowl of cooked vegetables eclips,
held near enough to the eye can shut ou
the great sun. And many Christian /.
snear-sighted enough to let the perishabl,
things of time shut out the things o.
eternity. Lot was troubled with near
sightedness. He could see only as far a.
Sodom and Gomorrah, and all the glorie,
of that eternal city in the Heavens which
filled the vision of Abraham were shul
out And see how much he lostthrougf
his near-sightedness! See how much hi
suffered! The glitter of this life, of pres.
ent ease, and gain and pleasure, held hix
eye, but he lost it all and barely escaped
with his life. On the whole, think, you
will be willing to admit that Abraham
had better time of it. He got more out
of this life, and he is enjoying more in
Heaven to-day, l believe, because his
eye of faith penetrated the things OF
time and fixed itself upon the things Of
eternity. He developed large capacity
for Heaven, while Lot starved his soul
on the husks of the world and barely got
into the EterDal City.
TAKE your Bible and chthrough
l its page. for the long list OF near
sighted followers Of God. " Some suf-
fered from intermittent attacks Of the
disease, others suffered perpetua1ly
from the distressing condition. Saul
belonged to this latter class His per-
sistent near-sightedness kept him con-
out of the pathway of Gods
will and purpose for him. He would
not see that his course led down and
away from God. And how many are
there who are running perilously near
TO the course which Saul took to his
destruction. A near-sightedness which
shut out all but the present purpose,
or plan, or desire. Then there afe those
who suffer from the intermittent at
lacks OF near-sightedness. There was
David. A night of debauch and pleas
ure cost him days aud weeks and
months Of agony of soul, and
distress and disgrace of life. One
has only to read the ffty-frst Psalm
TO know what his near-sightedness cost.
him. Sorrow and distress and trou-.
Bile ultimately are the lot of the near
sighted Christian. He may forget that
there Is an accounting day coming.
The near-sighted Christian does not
ook over into the to-morrows, but sees
only the desires and attractions and
of to-day. He lives from
hand to mouth, and g,,lps down any
hing that comes along. No wonder
here is spiritual dyspepsia, that there
ire deformities and monstrosities
Near-sightedness brings in its wake
. distressing array of difficulties and
-z.
A ND when the consequences of near
sightedness are realized what
'ense Of regret there is that one has
allowed himself to fall into such error.
Ind new danger is encountered here.
I realization Of past near-sightedness
not followed by a treating and cur
ng of the disease, there is soon fur
her cause to mourn continued near
ightedness. II know that l have a !
ertain disease, prudence and necessi-
demand that take means to cure
hat disease. How foolish for me to
MOURN the Ill effects suffered from the
isease without taking corrective steps
D prevent further evil consequences
md yet that is exactly the way in
'hich SO many, many Christians 20
lunderfng through life. Their career
one 1ong-continued story of regret.
egret. regret, but corrective measures
re not taken to prevent the reason for
egret in the future. It is easy to look
ackward and realize past near-sight-
dness, but 1t is another matter to have
lat near-sightedness cured. Why 70
n laundering? Why not call in the
reat Physician and seek His aid In
fecting' cure? But It is one thing
call in the Saviour and have Him
lagnose the case, and 1t is quite an
ther thing to. take His medicine.
Ihen He prescribes more faith; more
tive, positive goodness: more ma
ent waiting, you must take them all
you would be cured. Near-sighted-
ess limits the vision to the present.
ut faith reaches up and on until the
'rtainties of God are laid hold Of.
ear-sightedness prevents one from
'eing the opportunities of being good
i'd doing good. It destroys the de-
re to do good. Spiritual near-sight-
mess tends to selfishness and self
eking. But let works, the hand
alden Of faith, have her rightful
ace in the life, and another long
ep is taken in effecting cure. The
Christian may be busy
ying. Lord, Lord" and withholding
e cup Of cold water which will win
Q recognition and approval of the
aster. And with faith and works
ust be mixed liberal amount of pa
'nce. The near-sighted Christian
lows not the meaning of that word
thence. He does not know how to
ut. His near-sightedness results in
patience. He cannot see far enough
wait for things; near-sightedness
lis him he must have at once or not
all. But patience must be taken in
'eral doses, II that disease Of near
shtedness is to be cured.