Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1904-07-07
"FADED LEAVES"
A Brilliant Sunday Sermon by Rev.
". 7. Best.
All Must Share the Storms Of Life Alike and
Come to the Same End.


VHAsM FALLS, N. Y.-The following
,ermon, entitled "Fadcd Leaves" was
sreached here by the Rev. William. 7
Best. He took as his text 1--WE all do fade
rs leaf. lisa. 64:6.
Of her green foliage, "and the Stork,
IN the heaven knoweth her appointed
time and the Turtle and the Crane
Ind the Swallow" have gone to
warmer region. While looking from my
study window, noticed the leaves falling
and the children playing among. the dead
leaves that lay upon the ground. l then
began to think of the past year: l re-
membered distinctly its birth when we
knelt together in the Matchmaking and
seconsecrated ourselves to the Master.
The thoughts of its youth revived those
pleasant memories that can be appreciated
only by one living in the Adrondacks
But, oh, how changed everything appears
to-day! The same river glides by the
door and the same mountains are on
either side of the house, yet cloud OF
,adness hovers DER me as l watch the
leaves fall from the trees. "Ah! these
are harbingers of approaching storms; the
indication that another summers warmth
ana beauty is ABOUT 10 NC suCCccucu ny
the chill desolaton of winter"
1t is so difficult for us to understand re.
tigous truths that God was obliged to
draw them out in diagram upon the natu'
raj world. Therefore a minister may go
TO almost any branch of nature and find
wise man Solomon. Consider the "Lillies
of the field" says Christ. Bush and brook,
beast and bird, day and night, the chang.
ing seasons all abound with spiritual
lessons, and the faded leaves, blown wildly
about by 4he wilder winds of autumn,
whirl up in our faces. and before our
God has commissioned us to carry mes.
cage to man. and mingling with the dirge
of autumn. comes the sadder dirge of the
Prophet Isaiah, 1--WE all do fade as
leaf"
l. The .Indless Variety of Leaves.
Though there are so many different
kinds of leaves in the world it is doubtful
if there are two leaves of any class ex.
actly alike. Then all species of leaves are
not found on one tree. The king of white
oaks may witness 600 years of Canadian
history; the Californian pine may have
existed centuries before "Leif the Lucky"
discovered Ninland; the Parliament Oak
has seen 1900 years of European progress;
the cedars of Lebanon date their birth
from the time of the flood and the Boa.
bah of Senegal claim to be over 5000 years
old; yet the leaves they lave scattered
to the number that have fallen to the
earth.
God hath made of one blood all ma
tons of men," and though there are SO
many different races of mankind it is
doubtful if there could be found two men
of any race exactly alike. They differ as
do the leaves. Especially is this true
from a religious standpoint for all men
do not hold the same religious belief.
The main thing however, is for all to be.
long to Christ. Let the fig leaf utter its
voice of warning, the maple suggest its
sweetness and the olive bring its message
when naught can be found but the weep
ing willow.
Perishing, perishing, Hark, how they call
Bring us your Saviour, oh, tell us os
Him.
We are so weary so heavily laden,
And with long weeping our eyes have
grown dim
"Go ye into all the world; md preach the
gospel to every creature
lISome Leaves Are Higher Up in This
World Than Others, But All Must
Stand the Storms of Life Alike and
Come to the Same End.
Some people are determined to 60 up in
this world, even if they 90 down in the
next. Men lose their health trying to get
wealth, and then lose their wealth trying
get health. God has a place for every man
in this world. whether it be in the minis.
try at the work bench, or following the
pillow. Let each man find his right place
and there be at his best for God. 1t is
useless ior leaf at the lower part of the
tree to J c trying to get to the top, but
m m eacn ea IN ITS proper place goes to
many members in one body, and all mem.
bers have not the same office; so we,
being many; are one body in Christ" Let
US learn, therefore, in whatsoever state
we are Herewith to be content" run.
ming with l'atience the race set before us"
and we shall as surely hear the 'well
done as the man with the greatest mum.
Der of talents
The millionaire can wear but one suit
OF clothes, sleep in one bed and eat but
one meal at time. In many respects
his riches only increase his troubles, and
1t Is mistake to suppose that he is not
subject to many of the disappointment
common to men. On the other hand, let
us not try to throw romance about the
poor mans lot. Poverty is hard cruel,
unreIenting. But as surely as the different
Kinds OF weather are a necessity to the
leaves, so surely are the storms of lie
necessary to our highest good; for
eff all were easy, if all were bright,
Where would the cross be-?
Where would the night?
But in the hardness. God gives to you,