Evening star., 1907-05-04

not stand all tests; but the peace OF CHRIST
in the heart and the utter giving up OF
! self to Christ brings contentment that
nothing can break.
Applied Truth.
! II never complained Of my lot," said the
Persian poet Sadi. "but once-when my
| feet were sore and I had no money to buy
shoes; but I met man without foot
and became content with my lot when
saw him.
| man that had health, riches and sew
| eral houses beautifully furnished. often
moved about with his family from one
him why he took the trouble to move so
often he replied: I'm order to find con-
! tent in some Of Them" But his friend
knowing him well told him II he would
| find content in any of his houses he must
| leave himself behind.
| One stormy day the minister Of Jed
burgh called upon a member of his church,
| a very poor old man. who lived all alone.
The snow was drifting under the door and
through the rafters and there was but lit
tie fire on the hearth. The pastor greeted
him him With. What are you doing today enS
| sir. I am just sitting under His shadow
| with great delight"
Four travellers were climbing beautiful
| hill in Switzerland and when they reached
| bend In the road and stopped to rest
| a beautiful prospect spread out before
| them. How charmingw exclaimed one
green valley. what wonderful ARR
| Inen he suddenly noticed that none OF
| his companions were enjoying It
| '"rhe fact is" explained the first, II have
had no pleasure in my walk; have a
thorn In my foot"
The second was gazing down upon a
! lovely villa with discontented expression
on his face. How I wish that house down
there was mine!' he sighed enviously.
The third man looked anxiousy at some
| downy clouds that were lazily floating by.
I'm afraid 1t is going to rain! he re-
marked.
So Christians often go through life,
| burdened by some secret sin. absorbed by
some envious desire, or fretted by some
| fear, so that they wholly miss the quiet
peace and delight the good God has spread
before them.
How to Help the Leader.
II you know Of some Christian whose life
| is a contented one, tell of 1t; especially II
you know Of some of the daily trials and
| triumphs Of that life. If you are not in
| timately acquainted with one who seems to
be entirely contented ask your friends the
| question, "Are you contented?" and see
what their answers will be. Before you are
| through you will likely have an experience
to tell about. Speak of the lines that dis
| content make upon the face Tell the
story of the advertisement: ''Wanted-A
| an invalid. She must be happy" Speak
| Of the disrespect we show to God by dis
| content with the lot He has given US;
Parallel passages Timothy, W:6-S;
Hebrews. xin:5; II Corinthians. WHO;
Joshua, Wiz; Luke. iii:14; Proverbs iii "a.
Hints to the leader-The Endeavor
Hymnal-5. 8. 80. Al. IS, 62, %. III.
All My Life" No. g. and my God. I Thank
Thee" No. 80, in the Endeavor Hymnal,
| sung by quartet. or as solos during the
meeting. Open with at least three brief
notably contented lives. These papers
| should not occupy more than three minutes
each. Let some one give brief sketch
| Of PauIs life and the school through which
he had passed when he was able to say
| he was content. Compare the life of Christ
with our modern, easy, luxurious ways.
| Show how really much we have to be
thankful for and how seldom we seem to
be content with what we have. Lead up
! to the thought that only the soul that has
given up every selfish desire into Jesus
keeping can have real content. Show that
| such lie after all has the promise of the
most joy, pleasure. ease. Witness the faces
| Of many wealthy. ambitious people who
ride in their luxurious cars, robed In costly
garments, wearing faces marked by pain
and anxiety and discomfort.
Ask all members to Join in the sentence
prayers asking God to give His peace
which passeth understanding" and which
only can bring real, deep contentment.
Wise men ne'er sit and wait their loss
But cheerly seek how to redress their harms
What though the mast he now blown overheard,
The cable broke the holding anchor lost.
And half sailors swallowed in the food,
Yet lives Pilot still.
Shakespeare.
Whichever way the wind doth blow
Some heart Is glad to have II so
Then blow 1t east blow 1t west,
The wind that blows that wind Is best.
&C. A. Mason.