Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1904-09-07
LIFE Is Bot = DREAM.
n. phAg q, Ta..l

HeAo4u, rear @. tne Lord IS Wisuolh.
job. xviii. %.
The world must be moe to use
than place Of temporary amusement
or suffering. The splendors with
which II is decked and which. we have
the ability to admire. the wisdom with
which it is animated and the clio
qnence with which ii sparAles which
we have Il desire 10 understand, roc
ommend it as sphere of infinite hui
man possibilities. What message IS
born by the glittering star that draws
our attention TO the upper regions
where the miracle of day is W fought
and the mystery of night is woven.
What Il lesson is taught by the ocean.
the law of obedience as well as by
the raindrop that come down Ike II
tear of sympathy and the assurance
Of blessing. How much thought may
be gathered from the blooming field,
wearing the smile of successful toll,
as well as from the dreary desert, sad
ly emblematic of a Iife without a yir-
tue! How instructive and inspiring
are all these phenomena N the factory
and creation of God,
Yet it is not seldom that we lose
sight of s. the world around US and
question the reality of ali existence
Skepticism is epidemic. 1t seems shal-
low and ludlcrous that we should ever
come under its influence. What non-
sense, we say. to doubt facts and 20
dispute our own existence. Yet that
Is the philosophy we are likely to es
pouse when things 90 against us. Has
never a feeling come over yoI of your
utter inability to understand yourself,
Il feeling OF dlmmed consciousness, a
feeling that made the universe appear
ike mass of decisions? How Singh
larry things shape themselves when
we think of how much of our aspira-
tons, endeavors. and expectations re-
Iuan an unrealizable fact, aud how
much Of what we cherish and fondle
leaves nothing more behind than
sad recollection! Is il not in the
shadow OF such reflections that we are
wont to say. Life is but Il drealnE"
is dream?" We mean by it that
there is nothing reliable in this world
Life is Il dream" implies all that
skepticism designates, 1t IS the
theory of double in nutshell the
ouintessence Of the skeptic ph $50
ply. With most of us sketicism IS i
passing malady. II comes and goes.
But when Il becomes chronic we are
poor indeed. The Bible recognizes the
power and acuteness of sllepticism and
made provision against it. The Book
Of Job and that Of Ecclesiastes are cal
culated to counteract evil. to which
there is a proneness in human nature.
The leading thought is in both the
sGme-namely: Fear of the Lord
Il at is wisdom is. fear of or
what is the same, faith in God. must
be the supreme fact of our existence.
Skepticism as a rule. finds an open
door where worship Of God is made
subservient to our worldly purposes.
People who uphold religion for the
sake of Obtaining valuable returns in
this world will lose faith in God when
their expectations do not blossom into
actual qualification.
Quite different it is when we place
religion and spirituality above our
temporal interests What If worldly
treasures are Mt our command. we
will regard them as gifts of God, and
will cheerfulIy invite oUr fellow men
to share with us more or less those
benefits and advantages. And what if
and dlsappontments over
shadow our path. we will soon rise
above them and find comfort III the
belief that in the management and
economy Of kind Providence MI work
for the accomplishment of good end.
es, indeed. let us appreciate fear of
or. what is the same. faith in God.
as the supremacy of wisdom, and we
are masters of conditions. and re-
main firm and unembarrassed amidst
all the varied scenes and experiences
of our limited pilgrimage.