The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1904-07-08
A SERMON FOR SUNDAY
AN ELOQUENT DISCOURSE BY THE
HEv. W.. T. BEST.
-Faded Leaves" the subject OF Helpful
Tslk-rhe Endless variety OF Leaves
All Must stand the STORMS of Life
Alike and Come TO the same End.

ChAsM FALLS, y. N.-The following
sermon. entitled Faded Leaves" was
preached here by the Rev. William /.
Best. He took as his text I'VE al do fade
as a Leaf. lisa. 64:6.
Nature has once more been dlsrobed
OF her green foliage, "and the Stork
in the heaven knoweth her appointed
time and the Turtle and the Crane
and the Swallow" have gone 20 a
warmer region. While looking from my
study window, noticed the leaves falling
and the children playing among the dead
leaves that lay upon the grornd. j then
began 20 think of the past year. i re-
membered distinctly its birth when we
knelt together IN the Matchmaking and
reconsecrated ourselves 10 the Master.
The thoughts Of its youth revived those
pleasant memories that can be appreciated
only by one living IN the Adirondaeks.
But, oh, how changed everything appears
today The same river glides by the
door and the same mountains are on
either side OF the house, yet a cloud Of
sadness hovers DER me as i watch the
leaves fall from the trees. "Ah these
are harblngers of approaching storms the
indication that another summers warmth
and beauty Is about 10 be succeeded by
the chill desolation of winter"
1t is so difficult for us 10 understand re-
ligious truths that God was obliged 10
draw them out IN diagram upon the natu.
raj world. Therefore a minister may 60
TO almost any branch OF nature and find
sermon. Go 10 the Ant saws the
wise man Solomon. Consider the Lilies
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 he wilder winds of autumn.
whirl up in our faces, and before our
doors, seeming TO say, What about u.s."
God has commissioned us 10 carry a mes
sage 10 man, and mIngling with the dirge
OF autumn, comes the sadder dirge of the
Prophet Isaiah, I've all do fade as a
leaf"
/. The --ndless Variety of Leaves
Though there are so many different
kinds of leaves in the world IL 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 COO years of Canadian
history; the Californian pine may have
existed centuries before Left 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 ave scattered
are but as a drop to the ocean compared
earth.
God hath made of one blood all ma
tions of men" and though there are 30
many different races of mankind IL 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 religious standpoint for all men
90 not hold the same religious belief.
The main thing, however, is for all 10 be.
long TO Christ Let the fig leaf utter its
voice OF warning, the maple suggest It's
sweetness and the olive bring It's message
OF peace; yet there are time in every life
when naught can be found bu. the weep
ing willow.
Perishing, perishing Hark, how they call
Bring us your Saviour, oh, tell us G:
Him.
We are so weary, so heavily laden,
And with long weeping our eyes have
grown dim.
Go ye into all the world. I'D preach the
gospel TO every creature"
l.Some 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 20 60 up in
tins world, even If they go down in the
wealth, and then lose .heir wealth trying
get health. God has place for every man
IN this world, whether lt be in the minis
try, at the work bench, or following the
plow. Let each man find his right place
and there be at his best for God II is
useless -. leaf at the lower part OF the
tree to trying TO get 10 the top, but
IN each leaf IN ITS proper place goes to
make a perfect tree For as we have
many members in one body, and all mem.
bers have not the same office; 80 we,
being many; are one body in Christ" Let
us learn, therefore. In whatsoever state
we are Herewith to be content" run.
ming with ratence 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 ~ one bed and eat but
one meal at time In many respects
his riches only increase his troubles, and
70 rs a mistake 10 suppose that he is not
subject 10 many of the disappontments
common to men. On the other hand Jet
us not try to throw a romance about the
poor mans lot. Poverty is hard. cruel.
nrelentlng. But as surely as the different
kinds OF weather are necessity to the
leaves, so surely are the storms of life
necessary TO our highest good for
IF all were easy, If all were bright,
Where would the cross be,
Where would the nightg
But in the hardness, God gives TO you,
Chances OF proving that you are true"
Death places the leaves all on the same
level. Said a widowed lady, whose hus.
band fills a drunkard's grave, as she stood
by the grave OF the wealthy saloon keeper
who had taken his money: "Ahl you are
on level with my husband now" Yes,
death places us all on level. Where are
now the vast armies Of the AFyrians,
Grecians, Persans, Romans AZ with the
warrior 80 with the peaceful as with the
rich 90 with the poor. Millions have gone,
millions more are on their journey.
The boast Of hcraldry, the pomp Of
And all that beauty, all that wealth ere
gave,
Await alike the inevitable hour.
The paths of glory lead but to the grave. +"
III. The Decay Of the Leaf il Sometimes
Hastened by External Circum.
stances.
II may be affected by insects, excessive
moisture, excessive tkld. etc, etc Then
often the leaf - plucked from the tree
while in full bloom
The wicked shall not live out half their
days God gives every man 90 long 20
live. II he takes care Of his body (which
IL the tempe Of the Holy Gbos;) be will
probably live out he appointed days. Yet
how often We see people called from time
into eternity just az the moment when
their brightest hopes are about 20 be
realized. Moses has led Israel through
the si.derness He has borne up under
their murmurings and backslidings. and
az times he has had 20 stand alone when
% seemed az though he shoulders could
not carry the care and responsibility