Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1904-08-27

Ward Beecher, father is Mt last learn.
ing to love nature" He stepped up to
the side o! the old man and said: Fla
ther. how do you like the picture?
What do you like about il mostY"
well. Henry" said the old man. Il
was studying that picture to see wheth-
or the artist had aimed that gun right
Yes. think that hunter will hit the
rabbit. l think he will. | think he
will" "Ah. father" said Henry Ward.
''can you not see anything more n
! that picture than n cruel man shedding
the blood Of an innocent playful rab-
bit!'
No, Henry Ward Beecher's mind and
Lyman Beccher's mind were cast in
different mOlds. They both had their
limitations. What one could do in a
mental way the other could not do,
though both of those brains belonged
to the master minds of the last cen-
fury Now as we all have our phys
ical limitations. is it preposterOusly un-
just for us to complain because we
also have our spiritual limitations? Ii
the only way to cross the Atlantic or
the Pacific is in II steamship or n sail
ing craft is it not absurd for us to
complain because we have to sail over
the great sea of eternity In gospel
lifeboat?
If the United States government
compels us TO obey certain social laws.
enacted upon the statute books by the
dictates of its own national legisla-
tors. is II unjust for God to declare
that when we surrender our carts to
him we should come TO him in his
way and not in ours? II we have our
mental limitations and only In n fee
BILE and incomplete way can grasp the
infinite thought of God. are we not
foolish in setting up ourselves as
judges and critics OF his methods?
Ought we not rather to accept his
plans and humbly to submit ourselves
to his rule! That ia the way to true
freedom. When we accept the truth
that he has revealed to us and give
ourselves to his guidance we learn by
experience that the truth makes us
free. The finite mind yields to the
Infinite and grows into its true develop
ment. Therefore shall we not today
yield our minds and hearts to the su-
premacy of Gods WI. whose
thoughts are Mt our thoughts and
whose ways are Mt our ways"
Limitations of Freedom.
True freedom always has lis limita
lions. The Christian life, too. has its
rightful limitations. Chris. sad. Il am
the way. the truth and the life: no man
cOmeth unto the Father but by me-"
There is only one way To- God. one
dssOr, one true life. But after we have
once entered through that open door
then we are free. Aye. we may become
transcendcntly and etcrnally free. Is
not my text right wien 1t says. In
Christ the truth shall make you freeY'
The freedom he gives is the freedom
from sin, the freedom from punish
ment, but that freedom. like all Others.
can he obtained Only 10y Submitting to
Christ'S rule. In one Wy alone can
we gain that freedom. and that il by
the way of the cross. In his service
Is endless joy and pleasures for ever
more.
My brother, my sister. are you ready
to let the truth make you free? In
antebellum days there was beautiful
scene enacted in one of the southern
slave markets. \ young black girl
stood upon the auction block and was
being sold to the highest bidder. Rough
men were trying to buy her for evil
purposes. but in that group Of by
ISLANDERS was Christian gentleman.
holding by the hand his own young
daughter. The young girls heart went
out for the sufferngs of her black sis
ter, and she persuaded her father to
purchase the slave. Higher and higher
went the price. but at last the Chris
tian gentleman bought the young slave.
When the black girl was handed over
to her new master he said: Mary, !
bought you for my daughters sake.
now give you your papers of freedom.
You can go where and when you
please. You are free" What, mas
ter, am free? Can go where I will?
Then l shall go and stay with you"
| Oh. she was a slave before the auction.
| She was slave after the auction. But
now she had become a slave of love-
Will you not. o man. o woman. hear
Christ's proclamation Of emancipation
from sin? Will you not let 1.-The truth
make you free"-that is. will you not.
in Christ's name. cease to be subject
of sin, but in bondage for the love of
Christ? He died to make you free.
With his divine limitation will you not
be eternally free. yet still in bondage
| to Jesus Christ?
Lord. oh. teach me what to do:
Make me faithful, make me true.
Help me- ere too late IL be.
Something yet to do for thee
copyright 1904 by Louis Klopsch.l