The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-15

country could not have a peaceful and pleasant journey unless he knew the way or had a guide in whom he could trust. He will come to by-paths and to many places where the road divides. His mln1 will be perplexed unless there is soma star to guide him or some certain mark Ey which he can assure himself that he is travelling the right road. Many an earnest child of God passes along tho Journey of life with perplexing doubts ani fears that burden the heart and make sad the life, who has the glorious privi- lege, if only he would listen to the Di- vine Voice, of rejoicing and singing, T know in whom I have believed and am which I have committed unto Hin against that day. Why should the Christian be troubled when the Savior says, Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you; not as the world giveth give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let 1t be afraid. The Comforter, which Is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in My name, he shall teach you all things and bring all things to your remembrance, what sovere I have said unto you With this assurance there is no need for worry or trouble, but without this Voice, perfect reace is impossible for the Christian.
 Another and last value here men, tioned is the aid in understanding and interpreting scripture. A working knowl- edge of the principles and phraseology Of every department of knowledge is nec- essary to the understanding of that sc- ence. To read medicine one must fur nish himself with the technical terms rsed in that science. To understand philosophy, one must be familiar vita philosophical terms. This knowledge caa be gained by study and investigation, but there are other eases of knowledge which cannot be obtained by study, but are the result of experience only. In fact, all knowledge ia based on experience, either directly or indirectly. The child can un- derstands only as by experience it learns the meaning of the things with which it comes in contact. Speak of the sen- sation of pain to a child who has had no suffering and 1t does not understand what you mean. Experiences that are perfectly familiar to people of mature years are all mystery to the child The same is true of people In their sym rathies one for another. We cannot tru:v sympathze with even our dearest friend in a deep sorrow till we ourselves have passed through similar trial. mother stands by the side of her dead child. She IS crushed with grief. Friends try to sympathize but cannot because they do not know her grief. Another mother who as lately laid away her child comes ani instinctively she knows the secret of this mothers grief.
 ''This Is true in all questions of experi- ence and without experience 1t is im- possible to understand these deep emo tons of life. So in religion and the Bible there is a great deal that cannot be un- oerstood till we have had this witness in our own hearts. Much of the scrip ture deals with the question of assur- snce and the inner spiritual life, and can be interpreted only by one who has this witness in himself. Paul sets forth this fact very clearly. But God hath revealed them unto by his Spirit; for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of man. save the spirit of man !" hich is in him? Even so the things of God knoweth no man, bat the Spirit of God. But the natural man receiveth not tte things of the Spirit of God; for they arc fooishness unto him; neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.' If we had this witness much Of the scripture that Is now mystery would become plain truth.
 Surely these with the many other ad- vantages of the witness of the Spirit ren- der it important; yea, almost imperative. tnat we should strive after this witness till we have the full assurance of faith that comes to us from the testimony of our own conscience and the Voice of God speaking directly to the soul"