The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1904-06-03
n. Then there can be no excuse fcr


honey isoM the fragrant flower. 80 we must
earn 20 appropriate the good IN every
thing, 10 our own growth and rthnemCL..
Lille everywhere = sustained Uv app-oprlct-
INC the outward 10 itself. The ErSal m
teAlc's which teach and bless the world
to-day are l.eat and capable because oi this
APPROPRIATION oi know ledge. To the good
belongs the best Of two worlds. i; was
once thought that the Christians word
was exceedingly limited The Bible,
hymnsl, a long sermon aud d-cary prayer
meeting were all that the Christian had
any right to Anything else would chill
ms teryor and narrow his vision and
tarnish ms soul. Thank God. that day Is
so lar behind us. To-day We know that
everything within reach and everything
within sight Is ours, II We love God, 20 be
used IN the advancement and enrichment
Oi our lives.
Look al il a moment Take an inventory
Try 10 ltemIze the blessings of the good
God. Explore the word Of art, the produc;
OF the centuries. II Is ours, Tor God made
the beautiful. What a store house of les
sons and inspirations and soul delights are
the art galleries OF the world! The WIN
dows IN cathedrals and churches have for
ages been telling the story OF Christ. The
NGtlv!ty.' hy Burne-Joues. Is the pride of
England. The TRANSPORTATION, by Raph-
aei. the CORY OF Italy. These are but sam
pies of the beautiful IN art, which are ours
for the delight and culture OF the soul.
All sciences and lteratures belong To us,
for God j. the Author OF al truth. Shakes
peare and Booth and De Reszke, these
and the host OF others like them, are ours
TO charm away our cares and rest of mind
The mdrketplace crowded with the yield Of
the field, the wealth OF the mine, the prod
uct OF the factory y ours, ior God Il lmn-i-
nent IN nature and industry and human
he HI-
cine, the hmItless pleasures IN travel-all
tins - ours. available and usah.e assets
To make life rich and happy aud good
All this Is the product OF the past, the
gIlt Of the good God. Its presence should
shame badness out OF existence. How can
people be bad when they think Of the
goodness OF Cod What are we doing with
LIES assets: They are the raw materials
out OF winch We may weave the souls ser
aphIc robe; they are the steps by which
We ascend TO the home OF perfect day
They ere 10 our spirits wha, AR and dew
and sunlight arc 10 the seed. Plants
grow by appropuatlng things ab extra TO
Their use souls grow 10y doing the same
way. The business of life IS to convert
all these forces and gifts into life and
character. The soul must drink IN It's
full of God and rise TO the perfect lie IN
the endless day beyond the stars.
What we need TO know to-day is the
proper use of things. That means study,
the exercise OF the mlad. Others have
studied and thought for US. The result is
the locomotive, carrying Us sixty miles an
hour; the electric wire, by which we talk
20 a friend 1000 miles away. If wealth
Is 10 benefit the owner OF IL. he must use
it and use 1t wisely. So, II we are 10 feel
the stimulus and reap the benefit oil the
accumulatons Of the ages, as hfe's assets;
II these are to answer their need, IN the
making OF man-we must study and
think and pray. In the right use OF these
Is the making OF a holy character
All that has been said IS. we believe,
true. But II Is not the whole truth We
must 60 step further. Man has heart
conditions and soul needs, which neither
nature, nor science, nor Scripture, can
meet. Man needs a God. God is every
where. God Is IN the sunlight which
bathes ms every day with It's warmth and
glory. He Is IN the bread which we eat;
he is d. the music which comes floating
through the ar, making the heart to dance
Tor JOY. But TINS God Is too vague, too
vast, too Imporsonal. Can this God be
personal---very. 1t ls Gods eternal purpose
to adapt Himself 10 the limitations and
needs OF His children. We do not think
OF God merely rs Power, or Majesty. or
Holiness. God Is Love. Love is the win
uluC thing. Love cOnquers. Lore Is bent
on drawing home to the Fathers heart all
His WdyWard and lost ones. The human
heart cries for God WHAT kind of a God?
Not the God Of the atheist, not the God of
tie Dciat, not the God OF the narrow
theo,ogIan, Eut the Eternal God And
jesus Christ has revealed Him 10 the
world. TINS Jesus Christ and this God
are ours ! his completes the list There
- nothing more that can be added. Flow
crs, plctures music, ships, railroads, tele-
phones, philosophy, science, religion, hu-
man icliowshps, friendships, loves, plus
God and Christ. All are yours. Don't
complain OF poverty any more; never be
air2id ot failure; never agaln say j can't
Goodness does not mean exemption from
the common lis oI life. Every life has It's
burdens. every heart has ITS own secret
sorrow. We would not Minimize the cares
which arc ncv. table. They a:e hot joy-
Gus hu, ylevous Many tears are shed in
the private chamber Many feet are tread
ing lonely paths And blessed he God. our
hcaveu,y Father knows II al. The Christ,
the Saviour Of Men. is touched with the
feelings OF our Iu.rmitIes. All the love of
the Deity, all the power OF the Almighty.
all the compassion Of the Lover OF Souls.
IL for Us Look ~. then. He o. good
cheer. lis better further on. In com
paEy with the Saviour, nothing can harm
US. The path OF the good - a. the shining
light. shining more and more unto the
perfect day.
Loose me from carth's enclosure, from the
suns
Contracted circle set my heart at large;
Eliminate my spirit, glyC u range
Through provinces OF thought yet uncz.
plored
Teach me- by this stupendous scafa,dnc.
Creatlons golden steps, 10 ciImD TO 1Lee."