Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-10-01

Most of us need an obligation to
Keep us up to the level of our best.
One man says that he can save money,
only by contracting for life insurance,
building association shares, ETC., the
dues of which must be met. Another
says that the only way he can accom-
plish the full measure of work of
which he Is capable is by definitely
promising to do it at stated time;
thus he calls his honor to be the spur
to his industry. Likewise, few Of us
would do the measure of Christian
vervice that we should, except we
enter into covenant with the Lord so
to do. A VOW is an aid to efficiency.
Only the person who reverences his
own honor should enter into any
covenant, either with man or with
God.
In religion, not to do as thou sayest
is to unsay thy religion in thy deeds,
and to undo thyself by doing.-R. Ven
ming.
MAN Is one world and hath another
to attend him." declares the poet. In
that world of spirit, to which the
material world is only servant, the
real life Is lived. That 1t is which
feels and loves and poes and fears and
suffers and enjoys. In that realm
God walks. Therein the spirits Of
mortals hold converse with the Spirit
of God. The dignity and honor Of
this privilege may not be lightly es-
teemed. 1t is great thing to be per-
mitted to enter into covenant rela-
tions with Jehovah; to have fam
liar intercourse with the King of
kings is prize beyond any that
makes earthly courtier proud. The
simple truth that it is possible for
man to make VOWS unto God is in
itself a wonerful theme for contem-
plation.
God helps those who want to help
him. He loves to answer such pray
ers as that of Miss Havergal:
Lord, speak to me, that l MAY speak
In living echoes of thy tone;
AS thou hast sought SO let me seek
Thine erring children, lost and lone.
20 lead me. Lord, that may lead
The wandering and the wavering
feet;
o feed me, Lord, that may feed
Thy hungering ones with mama
sweet.
30 strengthen me, that while stand
Firm on the Rock and strong in thee
l may stretch out a loving hand
To wrestlers with the troubled sea-
20 teach me, Lord, that may teach
The precious things thou dost i'm
part;
And wing my words, that they may
reach
The hidden depths Of many heart"
High pledges precede noble en-
beavers.
1 uSlS 40 q WI etaAh SStiAto 1Aoh VI
parts who was the despair of his fam
lily and friends He seemed incapable
Of maturing to manhood's nobleness.
Care-free, irresponsible, idle and fool
ish he gave every promise of a
wrecked life. Then he committed
what some esteemed his browning
folly, by getting married It seem
ed almost a crime for such a heed
less, shiftless, pleasure-loving youth
to assume the cares Of home. The
unexpected happened though, in
conformity with one of LIES deep
laws. The marriage VOWS brought the
young man face to face with his man
hood obligations. TO the amazement
and delight Of all, he fronted his own
duties and shouldered his own bur
dens. A year of life under wedding
vows has made a man of him." His
natural abilities have been given OPP
portunity to develop. Responsibility
has steadied and strengthened him;
and the young man who was his fam
ily's care and problem has now be-
come it's pride. From the beginning
of, time this has been the effect OF
solemn vows, honestly assumed.
A pledge Is not a weight about
ones neck; but ladder beneath ones
feet.
A vow is often a debt. 1t was when
he contemplated the goodness OF God
to him, asking himself:
what shall I render unto Jehovah,
For all His benefits unto me?"
that the Psalmist cried, gratefully and
resolutely.
Il will pay my vows unto Jehovah"
A fair promise Of loyalty and service
is only an honorable return for bene.
fits conferred. Because God has &C.
cording to his covenant, done great
things for us, we should be willing to
pledge our best TO him.
o Jesus, have promised
To serve Thee to the end;
Be thou for ever near me,
MY Master and my Friend
l shall not fear the battle
If Thou art by my side,
Nor wander from the pathway