The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1908-04-12
ter--AQuiCkener of Faith
BY
BY REV. CHAS. p. HALL.

JOUu NlllIOn OuCe Sdlu lHdI IL WdS
an impiety to labor over books from
the turn of spring to the autumn
equinox, recognizing in that state
ment the natural joyousness that
takes possession Of mems hearts with
each return of spring. Easter al
ways brings the recognition of spring
ing life in nature to mind with a re-
newed force and meaning, while the
heart leaps in its joy and we uncon-
scdOgsly share in the joyous songs
of the birds and the cheerful glow
of the sun, the rich green of the
trees and the yelvety strength of the
life cleaning from meadow and forest
we go whistling in harmony with the
mocldng bird as he cheerfuIly calls
his mate, or mOcbs the quail or the
red bird impartially in gleeful,
CHEEKY way-we glow with warmth
of good fellowship and cheer, in
sympathy with the face of nature,
and rush and desire to be at one
with mother earth in this youthful
ness of spirit finds vent in the
cleaning OF yards. the making of gar
dens, and furnishing of our fishing
tackle that we may gather close TO
her breast and hear the beating Of
her heart, and the whisperings of
her love.
We have an unfailing satisfaction
in the annually renewed freshness and
life of earth, the resurrection from
the seeming death of winter unto the
joyous, brilliant glorious life of
spring on the part of living things
Our natural impulses anticipate the
first blossoms. We eagerly watch for
the first blue birds, and we grow i'm
patient always when spring is belat-
ed Sometimes | wonder if we real
ize our own faith in immortality. our
own trust in the power Of God. as we
sec that power expressing itself in
the violets that sprinkle the emerald
carpets upon the thousand hills. and
bordering the aisles of the forests
with the purity of the delicate wind
flower. Yet this faith is in us, nay,
part OF our being, a sympathy of our
life with that of nature from which
we cannot be free if we would. Every
farmer following the long burrows
across the field with his sack OF po-
tatoes, or his measure of corn or
cotton seed to be buried and die their
death in these long rows. buries them
in the absolute faith of resurrec-
ton life that can come only through
the, death of that he Sows He is
taking his part in the great mystery
of death passing into life that ls ever
going on about us. Except the corn
of what fall into the ground and die
II abideth alone: but if it die. it
bringeth forth much fruit is the
primal article of faith in the farm
er's life-. and each recurring easter
tide rouses the faith and inspires the
life anew towards God. How to he
Joyous enough; how to give true ex-
preston to what we feel is never a
problem with us that we are con-
ecious OF, yet the fact is that natural
~, easily the soul pours itself out
I'm praise. song, service and the at
tempt to become in all things in har-
mony with Gods creation.
A QUlCkENER OF FAITH.
This natural uplift of soul, this ma
tive Joyousness over the conscious
ness of the recognition of the same
law OF immortal existence in US that
IS finding its demonstration in ma
ture about us. is a quickener of faith,
a token OF another and nobler awak-
ening that may take place in us
the rousing of life from the cere-
ments of immoral and sinful exist
ence to the freshness, vigor and ac-
tivity OF spiritual aspiration and en-
deavor. This thought takes me back
TO Job and his ''comforters," who
tried to make him feel that unrepent-
ed sins were alone responsible for the
HlsIOrIuueS ana SunerlnSS that had
befallen him, and of his faith in the
Justice and mercy of God. He knew
that his soul was beyond the reach
OF such troubles as his friends threat
ened him with, but his struggling
faith rising firmly to the assertion
of his immortality, realizes that life
lis too short for the vindfcation he
eeeks from God. but steadfast stilI.
he bursts forth, with an exultation
in the assertion not to be repressed.
II know that my vindicator liveth."
"He knoweth the way that | take.
when he hath tried me, ! shall come
forth like gold" The vindication
which his friends could not under
stand. he would have when his soul.
naked and unafraid, stood in the pres
ence Of his God. The assurance of
his immortality, so strong in him
that disaster could not kill il, kent
morally clean and preserved his in
tegrity before God, in spite of the
criticism, and condemnation even, of
his friends. That is the kind of
moral resurrection aroused in men
today whose faith becomes crystal
lived into life when it is thoroughly
brought home 10 them that we are
Immortal souls, destined for Gods
presence. The old ties have less
hold upon us, the old sins are put
away from us. the old desires die in
us. the old man wrapped in the cere-
| ments OF heshly lusts and material