Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1906-07-06
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why one who had spoken such won
drous words before seems Indifferent
now to their danger.
Even man who has been accustomed
to take God for granted has used al
most the same words at some time of
his life. The hour of tempest, when
the uncomfortable waves of trouble
and winds of adversely seemed ready
to overwhelm him, when he had done
all that mortal might do, then it
seemed as though this God to whom he
had prayed so often, of whom he had
learned to think as a part of his life,
was absent or Indifferent
1t is the question of every soul in
sorrow or testing. Does God care any
thing about me?" 1t is more than
speculative inquiry then. Theologians
may have drawn up their specifications
OF the most high, and, in the peaceful
ways OF their lifes, they may be salts
fed with their handiwork. But when,
even into their cloistered walks, some
great sorrow or grim death has come
stalking, then, with dry lips and moist
brow they cry: Master, are you
asleep? Do you not careY
What is there at the helm Of this
great ship of life? Is there any one or
Is IT steered automatically, bllndly
holding its way and needing neither
waves nor rocks nor other craft? Has
this universe heart or only an en-
CINE at Its center? The inquiry becomes
pressing and pertinent, indeed, when
inexplicable distress and anguish that
seem all unnecessary break down all
the mans strength and courage
A man can no more content himself
with a far off being, sitting in the
heavens in royal state, winning rev.
erence by remoteness, than his own
children would be satisfied to know
him only as a sovereign. He Graves
the friendship Of that one; he longs
for compassion, sympathy, assistance
such as friend gives to friend; in
word, he looks for love. You cannot
love an absentee God any more than
you can love an abstraction or a the
ory.
But the need of one who will come
close into our lives, who aids in the
hour Of extremity does not meet itself.
The fact remains that often we seem
to be left to the mercy of the tempest
the elements do their worst and no
hand Is lifted and no voice Is heard
that still the waves. Full often the
storm seems to finish Its work and
only cllnging to the wreckage or swept
on the waves do we come into port.
Is there any answer to the great
question, does any greater one care for
our lives? If we are looking for an
answer as susceptible to demonstra-
ton as mathematical proposition we
are doomed to disappointment. 1t Is
possible to believe in providence with
out being able either to prove or fully
comprehend 1t. The child must be-
come the parent before he can under
stand the ways of the father or moth
er with him; yet he can know their
love before he can comprehend their
ways.
Nothing could do more harm that to
have the absolute assurance that an al
mighty friend would fly to our aid and
protection in every time Of danger or
need. A friend whose power relieved
us from the necessity Of prudence or
courage or endeavor would be foe
indeed. The All Wise loves man too
well and too wisely to make plain al
ways His ways of caring for him and
His purposes Of protection.
The furrowed faces and whltened
heads Of men may be the will of love
as truly as the smooth ways Of ease
and complacency. There is one at the
helm but his concern Is more for the
making Of strong sailors than for the
securing of smooth sailing The best
evidence Of the care of the Most High
for all the sons of men is not in the
immediate unbaring of his arm for
their protection, but rather in the man
ner in which he causes the wind and
the waves, the struggle with the tenn
pest, the need for the nerving Of the
soul in the hour Of peril all to work
out his will, the will of great love, the
bringing Of the mariners to his like
ness In character and soul.