The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-01-27
Contrary Winds.

"lio s1w them toiiing in rowing. for tie
wind was contrary Unto them. Mark ~.
as
The winds are always contrary TO those
who have any high ANA earnest purpose
ir lie. Careless sailors drifting on the
currents. with no ann but pleasure. ind
lie "a pastme-for time
but those who have a pilot. a compass.
laid-out course. ana are fro haste upon
tae errand OF Heaven, are kept to the
fJu strain OF vigilance. lest tine wind
should sweep them backward: often hand
weary and heart-weary, they are tempt
od 60 give up an effort and let things
drift.
An earnest purpose alone gives us the
measure of the influences which surround
us. The stirring OF a high and cody
purpose in life is like swinging round
with the head to the current Thence
forth evory moment must be an effort,
every thought prayer. or the stream
VIII sweep YOU away.
Zee patient firm. courageous; struggle
on. and strength Will flow into YOU from
unseen springs Life Will gather force
ass it breasts the pillows. 1t Will sweep
onward with ever strengthening impetus.
and things will learn at length that they
must follow you.
Without question. life is A hard matter
u the earnest soul. the night is dark,
tie toll hard. But faith directs us to
look steadily at Him for whom the night
was darker stin and the toll harder. but
who now Is seated a radiant Conqueror
at the right hand OF the throne Of God.
lot us look at the broad fact OF the
contrariness Of the currSnt in life. We
10 not mean the shock OF some great
storm. which tears Us from our anchor
and dashes us. manned and wrecked. on
rock-bound shore. Happy they who have
never been seized and swept helpless,
by some great tempest OF calamity 1t
is not. then. of storms We speak but Of
tic constant, steady set or the current
against Us.
with one IT IS a lifelong struggle to
fuifl the duty of some uncongenial call
ing-with no hope of escape and yet
all the while conscious OF hidden power.
Perhaps the current Is too strong; and
some. 10y the hottest and most noble rea-
sons. are bound 10 conditions which make
thcir ifo-cruise a round of hard and I'M
lovely duties until death.
There arc others who are crossed IN
their dearest hopes. Life with them is
one long and sad regret. They pull
steadily and bravely at the oars Of duty;
but the thought is never absent, Il
might be sweeping. with every sail spread
on "a golden. sunlt Hood; and. instead Of
this weary loneliness. have had TO the
/ FUN sympathy. tenderness and love-
/ Thoro arc others with a weak or Grip
/ u,cd body. enshriniug a spirit Of noblest
faculty They writhe and raEe. until
they learn patience unJcr tho discipline
+ OF life.
And there arc others. whose homo in
ruence is married 10y some habit which
brings darkness and distress to those
who are dearest IN vain they strive TO
curb il. st seems 90 have f1u mastery
And set ever and anon ny "a new effort
progress. ~ slow. Is made. and most Of
us and that something SIS always rising
up 90 cross u.s. as il 90 teach us that this
is not our rest
Happy those whose dearest do not keep
their heart-strings strained 70 bursting,
Happy the patriot whose soul is not wrung
bv his country's sorrows and burdens.
why are we thus kept always under
stran2 Goa lets the wind be contrary
to teach us TO set ourselves against 10
and master st. that We may remain mas
tor forevermore We are kings. and we
,rrrt conquer our kingdom. Life and its
mystery is only explained by eternity.
lVc unlcrs tand but dimly now. yet as
v. mount higher, we shall comprehend
what is true progress. and tho strength.
psueucc. courage. hope stored np With
.a These arc the true gains OF li,. God
viii not suffer Ms 20 rest on any thing
else True rest besins only when tire
current % our thought and wiI runs