The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1904-02-26
EpwoRTH LEAGUE.
March O. "Chrfst etfllin@ the storm
of Liee."--Pa. cvti, 23-31.

|
"They that go down to the sea in
ships, that do business in great waters
these see the works OF Jehovah and
His wonders in the Deep"
There is unceasing fascination in the
ocean from whatever point of view it
may be seen Whoever has stood on
the bluff at Highland light, near the
end of Cape Cod, and looked on the
beach far below, with the long ocean
swell breaking gently upon the sands
In pleasant weather, and has lis
tened to the lightkeepers as they have
told of the great storms, when the
surges beat at the base of the cliffs
with shock which shakes the mass
i've lighthouse till the lights in the
lantern tremble and the spray dash
es far over the top-whOever has
seen the steamers and white winged
ships swing past this point as they
come and go from all parts Of the
world does not feel the sublimity of
this passage from this wondrous song
of alteration. How impressively the
Iittleness of man and the majesty of
God come to one as he gazes afar over
the waste Of waters! How felicitously
this sentiment is expressed by the
psalmist in this selection!
1t IL God who commandeth and rails
tn the stormy winds, and they full
fill His word. Whatever our science
may teach US as to laws and modes Of
nature, our religion goes beyond all
this, and deeper than all philosophy al
80. and teaches US Of the cause and also
inspires the spirit Of alteration and
trust This is more than the emotion
Of awe at sight of immensely and
boundless power or any natural phe-
nomenon. 1t is the worshipful reverence
of devout soul trusting the Fatherly
protection of Him who holds all pow
ers of natural and spirit worlds in His
grasp and uses them to accomplish His
own desired purposes.
"They cry unto Jehovah in their
troublew Many never would think of
Him if they did not get into trouble
from which they find no one else able
to deliver. Their cry to Jehovah is the
outcome of desperation and despair.
Though they have neglected Him and
refused obedience and only seek Him
in distress. He does not refuse their
prayer. He bringeth them out of
their distresses.' He bringeth them
to their desired haven" He makes tie
storm a calm and the waves are still.
and they are glad because of the quiet
ness.
How true all this is of experiences I'D
every department of life! Not only on
the coast and great lakes and mighty
rivers can this psalm be read as an ex-
preston of experience, but whoever
knows heart trouble and anxiety, who
ever becomes conscious of the powers
of sin and worldliness beating against
him with almost resistless force, knows
the deep relief of the calm which fol
lows the true appeal to Christ That
night on Galllee when he spoke peace
TO the waters and saved the frightened
fishermen lie the prose comment OF the
New Testament on this poetical burst
of praise from the Old Covenant.
We need to look into our own lives
and recognize how often the Lord has
delivered us from the peril Of great
waters We will praise Him not only
for deliverance and calm. but also fol-
the tempest if the stormy wind has
aroused us from our forgetfulness &c
recognition of our dependence on
God.
"Oh, that men would praise Jehovah
for his loving kindnessp
If on a quiet sea
Toward heaven we calmly sail,
With grateful hearts. o God. to Thee,
Wen own the favoring gale.
But should the surges rise
And nest delay to come.
Blest be the tempest, kind the storm,
Which drives US nearer home.
Soon shall our doubts and fears
All yield to Thy control;
Thy tender mercies shall illume
The midnight of the soul
Teach us, in every state,
To make Thy will our own,
And when the Joys Of sense depart
To live by faith alone.
"A. M. Topiady.