Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-04-07

with our minds upon other things, but
eaaer fed-hot, burning sentences from the
depths Of ouf hearts; we should hasten
eagerly to His house every time re ne1
ana We ss0a do Try 80 1ss
would like to have US dc.
Dr. Cox In his paraphrase of our passage
often get little help or comfort from the
worship of God because you come to 1t
with preoceupied hearts, just as man
gets little comfort from his bed because
his brain, jaded and yet excited by many
cares, will not suffer him to rest.
Hence 1t is that you promise more than
you perform. and utter prayers more de-
vout than any honest expression OF your
desires would warrant, and offer sacrlnces
to avoid the charge and trouble OF oDedi-
ence to the Divine laws. And as nave
shown you more excellent way Oh Trans
acting business than the selfish grasping
mode to which you are addicted, SO also
l will show you more excellent style OF
worship. Go to the house of God with
straight foot foot trained TO walk IN
the path of obedience. Keep your heart,
verified from the simple and devout homage
It should pay. Do not urge and press II 10
a false emotion, to a strained and insincere
mood. Let your words be few ana rever-
ent when you speak to the Great King.
Do not vow except under the compuision
Of steadfast resolves, and pay your vows
even to your own hurt when once they are
made. Do not anger God. or the anger OF
God who, as you believe, presides over tho
altar with idle unreal talk and idle haiI-
meant resolves, making vows of which you
afterward repent and do not keep, pleading
that you made them In error OF iniirmity.
But in all the exercises of your worship
show a holy fear Of the Almighty; ana
then, under the worst of oppression or Tor
tune and the heaviest calamities OF time,
YOU shall find the house of God sane
tuary and In His worship a strength,
consolation and a delight.
Applied Trush.
1t is said that a rich heather. very much
frightened during storm at sea- vowed
to Jupiter If he would save him he would
sacrifice a hundred oxen. When the storm
abated he began to think seven oxen were
enough for his offering. AS the waters
grew quieter and he began to approach his
port his sacrifice gradually dwindied down
to one oxen. and then to sheep. w men
at last he was safe on shore he thousht IL
few dates would be enough. But he ATE
up the dates on his way TO the altar anu
nothing was left for sacrifice put the
shells 1t is thus We vow our VOWS TO Goo,
and when the time comes to perform VIC
gradually lose interest IN the saerihGs ta a,
finally have nothing to present our FatHer
but the shells Of our own coneeit, empty
words which our hearts are not utterins.
How to Help the Leader.
Say honestly, in the meeting. under what
circumstances you made your pledge. how
well YOU have kept it, what have been the
most helpful things about it to you, what
the hardest to keep, and whether you IN
tend to keep it better in future. Say what
especIal feature you think needs looking
after in your case.
Parallel passages-II Kings, ii:fI; Psalms,
lxyi:l3, IA Jonah, ii.9; Malachi iii 10; Exc
dus, xix:5; Psalms, xxv:lo; PSALMS
ciii1T, IS
Hymnal-2O, A. As, so, 1877, 294.
Do not fail to have the printed 'piedee
before the eyes of the meeting lake II up
by clauses IL possible. giving at least Hpe
minutes to each clause, showing now the
pledge embodies the principles of the Chris
tan church as regards the dutY OF us
members Purposely omit the clause at th5
beginning about Christs help until you
have finished the other clauses. Try 10
show how Impossible 1t would be to keep
this pledge perfectly without Christs help.
Try to show the solemnity or our pleuse
and urge upon the lockout committee that
they should allow no one to rush into sign
ing 1t without first thoroughly understand
ing it. Ask members TO suggest what
makes us grow half-hearted in pIedge-
keeping and how we may avoid TINS, f1nally
bringing in the first clause In the pledge.
At this noint 1t would be well to call at
tention to a trumphal arch drawn upon
the blackboard supported by heavy col
umns, these columns lettered with the
clauses of the pledge which contain our
part of it, the arch lettered with 600
part. Trusting in the Lord Jesus CHRIST
for strength" Call attention to the fact
that the arch is upheld by the columns,
God cannot give US the help IN doing these
things unless we do our part and try our
best to perform, and ask His help.
Said not So that would sin no more'
Witness, my God, did.
Yet | am run again upon the score;
My faults cannot be hid.
What shall do? Make VOWS and break them stlll'
NV good cannot prevail against mine III;
The business will be crost.
Oh say not So thou canst not tell what strength
Thy God may give thee at the length
Renew thy vows. and II thou keep the last
Thy God will pardon all that's past.
Vow while thou canst while thou canst vow thou
mayst
Perhaps perform It when thou thInkest least.
Thy God hath not denied thee all
While He permits thee but to call.
Call to thy God for grace TO keep
Thy vows; and If thou break them, weep
Weep for thy broken and vow again.
Vows made with tears cannot be still In vain.
Then once again vow to mend my ways;
Lord say amen and Thine be all the praise