Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1906-06-29

that financial trouble was the greatest
blessing which could have come TO us.
1t did for us, rs n family, more than
money could ever have done. 1t has
taught us TO love each other as never
before; for love grows on sacrifices,
and God knows we have had to sacri-
fee for each other. II has taught us
not only to do for each other, but also
to do for those OF the outside world
who are now in trouble, as we were
when my daughter died and we knew
not which way to turn to get the money
TO pay for her sickness and her burial"
All. my friends, even the bitterest Ma
rah waters of financial distress may
become sweet waters for thine own
lips and for the lips OF the dear ones
Wait. friend, wait. Do not complain
now. Remember that IL you will throw
the cross into Marah waters, they shall
yet become the sweet spring Of love
and OF eternal life"
But" you say. my Marah waters
have nothing to do with n wrecked
financial fortune. There was n time
when L used to worry about money
matters and fame; but that time has
passed forever. What am worrying
about now are my children and my
husband. 1 have boy who is q rep
rebate and n degenerate have done
everything for that child. And, oh, he
is so much to me! But the longer he
lives the more depraved he seems to
get. oh, God! Why must longer drink
OF these bitter waters, made out of
the tears which have welled up from
a mothers broken hearth" Well, nv
friend. believe that even these bitter
waters can yet become sweet. Would
you like me TO tell you how this shall
BET
That Maynard Son.
In the first place. must picture your
own spiritual condition before talk
about the rescue of your son. You are
Ike tourist who Is circumnavigatinx
the globe. No sooner did you tell your
friends that you were going to he n
globe trotter" than they said, 1--WE
will come down and see you on" The
docks were crowded on the day you
sailed The band was playing. there
were thousands of people moving ON
and or the ship. After the little tugs
pushed the huge vessel out into the
deep water with your marine glass
you watched the different boats COM
ing into the harbor as you passed out.
You were sailing along day after day.
and the voyage was becoming more of
a pleasure as the weeks went by. Now
you have touched ut Gibraltar Now
you are In the Mediterranean sea. You
make lots OF friends on board. The
hours speed quickly past You have
practically no interest In what is hap
pening In the boats Of In the distance,
which you sight ever and anon. But
one day storm comes up. and the ma
chinery OF your boat Is broken. Help
less, you are being driven by the cruel
winds toward the rocks. What do you
now do? Do you run to your friends
for help: Why. they are In the same
danger as yourself. All, no: now you
anxiously sean the horizon to look for
ship. And when a steamer heaves in
sight the danger gun signals for helm.
Then with bated breath you watch the
approach of that vessel. The great
hawsers are run between the two ships.
then they become taut as the other
boat pulls you into the harbor Of safe
~. Then you cry: THANK God! Thank
God for helpi Thank God for rescued"
Now, my friends. that is the picture
or your spiritual life, and you know It.
You have been on voyage of life.
You have been singing and dancing
and making merry with few friends
on board your own ship. Rut sudden
iy you awake to the fact Sat the NOR
al and spiritual lives of your dear ones
as well as your own are in danger of
eternal shipwreck. What are you to
do? Why, today you ought to take the
gospel marine glass and sweep the
horizon and send forth the danger sig
nails Who ought you to call to your
help? Shall men come who are lust
bse you? Nay. What you need is di-
vine help for the rescue of yourself
and OF that child. 1t Is not too late.
Believe me. II is not too late. And the
way you can Bring that divine help to
the spiritual rescue OF your loved one
Is by first signaling that divine help
to come to your own rescue. Oh. my