Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1903-12-05
IS connected with the sneepcot :.

is connected with the sheepcot..
1t was this fact and sense of the Divine
Presence that brought to David inspiration
and strength. We take our inspiration
partly from ideals. but also from co-opera'
| tive agencies that help lis to translate
Ideals into life God took David from
humble BEGINNINGS and led him away. little
| bv little, from the sheepcotc toward the
| throne. The boy was to come into posses,
| sion of thoughts, ideals and purposes that
| woald force him onward from point to
point; so many things are to be expected
| from the company a man keeps, the
| friends he chooses, the great souls he per-
r,its to influence and help him. David
those God. God chose hi: and a fellowship
was formed that determined career.
| How much is to be expected from such an
association!
This was a real presence. 1t IS a real
presence which God desires lis to know and
| realize. One says of great statesman:
;'He habitually practices the presence of
God and lives under Him to Christ" The
| doctrine concerning the Holy Spirit is
| teaching about the real presence of God
parable of the vine and the branches req.
resents the relation between Him and His
followers. IT is more than any earthly
love. fellowship or friendly relation. How
much these contribute to make our lives
purer, better and longer. You and I ever
more think we could have been. because
we have. had those who loved us. and gave
to lis the ministry of their love. How
much it means when the soul is related
with God by His abiding presence! How
much more comes out Of our lives because
Of This nrion! Mr.. Hurley is quoted as
saving of Mr.. Gladstone in his remarkable
biography: Life is great and noble call.
ng; not mean and groveling thing that
W are to shuttle through as we can, but an
elevated and lofty destiny" The man be.
rms more fully to understand himself and
the FOOD hn should strive to reach when he
admits to his mind ard heart stream OF
new perceptions. feelings and influences
which must come. when he allows God to
take him out of the crude. the sinful and
lead him forward. This God shapes life
and destiny.
The great pont represents Famlet as
taking in this thought and saving: 'Let
$ krow. orr indiscretions sometimes serve
MS well. when orr deep plots do pail; and
that should teach us.
There's divinity that shapes our ends,
Rough lew them how we will"
Were it not for the intervention of the
divine wisdom and will how all of our plans
and purposes would fail, just for the lack
OF the wisdom, goodness and power which
they require!
David was ONLY, rich and SIRE of the best.
as God was with him; this presence in.
voivrd glory. blessedness and fruition he
yond the measure of mans mind. The
shepherd bow. with all his limitations. is
so reinforced by God that he comes to
roval position and power.
This divine presence is rot only with
David at the sheepcote. but continues
through the long way of his entire and
chechered career. toward The good whicl, is
in Gods thought. The Heavenly Father
never left CT forsook him. There were
great DIFF titles to face. suca as belong
to every strenuous. religious life. and they
needed to be surmounted. Many imam
may, stand before mountain. but one
OF the means. that are to be taken if he
reaches the height and the other side
The difficulties which David must meet
and master are great. There were enisodes
and experiences in his life which to human
view seemed to say: "Give up expectation
and erdeavor. for YOU cannot win the
crown" j. is true that he had been called
mel when he was lad. but he afterward
lett the sheepcote. so that he became a
tried and successful soldier; the pIaudits
nf the multitude had rung in his ears, but
his apparent success excited the anger and
envy of Saul. David became an outlaw. a
nu',eu IHglClVe. ara MS lie was IN direct
neril. How could he become a king! Yet
God was with him: this was his assurance
of success. God was with him in his dark.
est NIGHT. in his deepest distress. in his
most difficult and dangerous experiences,
when friends were hopeless and no words
of assurance and chnor caroe from any h1.
man source. but amid all this he was max.
ing progress. amid the labrvinth of mrs.
terious providence, toward the throne he
YVES TO occupy.
This. then: is the word for us to-day.
The God of David will be with every one
who consents and covenants with Him. Tn
His wisdom we shall be wise: in His
STRENGTH we shall be strong. In His love
we shall frd our love will live and grow.
When He is our life we will know how
much life mesns. Tn the out.oolv which
Jesus Christ presents to us we will know
that we are going forward to a wisdom,
love end life that ere immortal.
God waits to make Himself frown in all
OF the relations of ];fn where His u~eserne
can be of service. That of which He de.
sires OF every one of NC is more unre.
stricted yielding to His presence and
power.