The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1904-05-30

can we feel that a sympathetic COM
pany of heavenly spectators look on
as we fight the good fight of faith?
And that they grieve with US over our
griefs and lament with us over our
sins? Bless God, We know that there is
Joy in the presence of the angels when
one sinner repenteth. And, oh friends,
you who are lonely and distressed,
weary of earths wickedness and Woe
remember that:
There is no place where earths
sorrows
Are made more felt than up in
There is no place where earth's fail
ings,
Have such kindly judgment given
Thus we add to the fact of this
cloud of heavenly witnesses, the knowl
edge of what they think and feel to-
ward us in general. The text tells US
definitely what two of their company
had to say in particular, on the con-
duct of the disciples who had just
viewed the ascension. If we find their
comment somewhat keen let US rejoice
that it was sincere and true, and let
us seek to follow in the footsteps of
the disciples and find it helpful. 1t is
expressed in the words of the text
which we read again: 'Ye men of
Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into
heaven, this same Jesus whom We be-
held taken up from We into heaven,
shall so come in like manner as We
have seen him go into heaven How in
structive every one of these words
are. Heavenly visitants to the earth,
you have opened heaven for us! You
have given US a revelation of that un-
discovered country. May the pirit guide
US as we try to understand it, and APP
ply it to our souls.
The first of these lessons is already
present before our minds-the lesson
of heavens knowledge concerning US
How intimate it is! 'Ye men of Galiee.'
There is no formal presentation. These
two messengers in white apparel do
not need to wait and be Informed who
these disciples are. Nor do they tarry
to introduce themselves. They know
their men, deliver their message and
about us, and We're willing only to
briefly what it is per-
mitted for us to know about them.
But we have learned they know us
and that heaven has interests here
Have you never felt some indefinable
steal over you when you
were most alone that unseen eyes were
Watching you; that unseen intelli-
gences We're taking cognizance, and
that you We're not alone? 1t is true
Our text and many others in Scripture
proclaim it. The unseen
III 10 w dlClilHS. i he Angels are
Departed loved ones are
Satan is Watching The
Holy Spirit is watching. We are
known and well known. These
disciples far away from their
~ialiIean home, away in Jerusa-
EN- the metropolis, are recognized and
lccosted by these angels and their
conduct definitely and intelligently
commented upon: 'Ye men of Galilee,
Why stand We gazing into heaven?'
There seems to be some impa thence in
he question. Why stand We like rude.
lnlettered Galilean peasants, gazing
and gaping into heaven? Come! come!
Have you nothing to do? This Jesus
s not simply a wonder to be gazed at.
He has left you a work 20 do. Do you
ask, Why not stand gazing? Is not
liberation acceptable? Yes, but to obey
s better than sacrifice. Work is bet
-er than worship, when work is the
1uty commanded. Go We unto all the
world and preach the gospel to every