Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1904-10-01
THE HELP OF HEADWINDS
How the Adversities and Hindrance:
of Life Develop and Train the
Christian Character.


Human life is voyage, but our
Heavenly Father does not give Us the
control of the weather. If He did, We
should be apt to choose nothing but
smooth seas, fair winds, full cargoes,
and secure harbors. God is wiser than
We are, and He no more consults us
than l consult my grass-plot as to when
l shall use the mower, or my grape
vines whether l shall prune away the
surplus branches.
On a certain night we are told that
Christ Jesus directed His disciples to
cross the lake of Galilee. He knew that
storm was coming, but He did not
tell them. They found it out for them
selves before they had gone very far;
and Peter, who was an "old hand" on
that lake, had never known a rougher
night or an angrier sea. The wind is
right in their teeth. and the waves ham,
mer the bow of their fishing-smack like
iron sledges. With all their sturdy pulls
at the oars they make but little head
way. They are learning some lessons
that night; and so are some of my read
ers who are now passing through storms
of trouble and are enveloped by the
darkness of a mysterious Providence.
says Rev. DR.. Theodore l.. Cuyler. in
the Christian Work. They are learning
the blessings of headwinds. and what
spiritual hope they bring to us.
Prosperity very often breeds self-con-
ceit both in Christian. in church and
in nation. We take TO ourselves the
credit When we are hard up we are
apt to call upon God for what we need; ;
when we have got II we are equally apt
to set 1t down to our. own skill or orr
own seamanship. Prosperous churches
congratulate themselves on The eli.
quence - -tsrit~ "a 'hsf-- -,ssss.
90 a. ssna->..---. - l.s-ttv.
and OF nsf.aSs contrtbui ion-
boxes. u aen The chlidren of Israel ~
things to their liking. they forgot God
and turned idolators; when calamlties
overlook them they were driven back
to God. and cried Justify for His de-
livering arm. One of the subtlest forms
Of sin Is self-directlon. We ignore God
and set up a will and choose a way OF
our own. He is too wise and too loving
TO allow this, and He often sends stiff
gale into our faces for our chastisement
and correction. Whom He loveth He
chasteneth; the self-willed and the re-
bellious are left 60 so on the rocks,
| Headwinds strengthen the sinews ant
develop strong characters. Many Of oul
Americans who have attained to the
highest work Of honor and usefulnes.
were seasoned" in their youth by sharI
adversely. AS Joseph was prepared BY
a pit and prison for the premiership
of Egypt so Abraham Lincoln was edu
Gated for his high calling by sever,
study of few books in log cabin. an,
by eating the tonic bread Of a labori
Gus poverty. II he had been born il
the brown stone mansion of a great cit,
and reared in luxury, his biograph,
would have read very differently. an,
perhaps history might never have heart
of him. Probably the best part o
George Washinston's training for hi
destiny was his rough experiences i
the frontier wilderness. seriousl
doubt whether the luxurious style c
life in some of the highly endowed uni
versities turns out as stalwart a typ
of intellectual manhood as was pre-
duced in the plain uncarpeted rooms {
the old-fashioned primitive-lookin
colleges. Silver spoons and soft ra
ment are not the regimen for heroe
Smooth seas and gentle breezes nevt
make a sailor.
The great purpose of our Heavenl
Father in this school-life on earth
to develop a vigorous characte
Count it all joy, my brethren" said tn
Apostle James, when ye fall into man
; fold trials, knowing that the trying
, ! your faith worketh patience" Afili
lions often come upon bad people Il
| their sins; but God sometimes senC
Affections upon good people TO NAL
them still better That hard rowir
in the night-storm on Galilee prove
the disciples pluck and gave new fib,
to their sinews. They were learning
endure hardness" and were rehear
ing their subsequent experiences in Il
teeth of prosecuting Sanhedrins al
bloodthirsty Herods.
Adversely brings out the graces al
y, the beauties Of the noblest Christie
character. AS a fine mansion is oftt
concealed II rich summer foliage, b
stands out IN its architectural beau
when wintry winds have stripped &
trees bare, so we find that many Chri
u tians show their graees to better a
vantage when God has let loose. the tel
= pests on them. The furnace Of afIlicti
is heated up for gold-not for gray
= stones. Then, too. the seasons of tr
n make us more watchful. In smoo
!, weather the sailor may swing In
hammock; but aspiping gale brings
hands on deck, and shaEpens the e
OF the 'Iook-out5fat the bow. DAY
d never felI' during his seasons Of SIEVE
trouble; it was the warm sunny day s
> prosperity that brought out the adde