Evening journal., 1908-10-29
NOTES ON THE TOPIC.

The psalm which we have for our
Scripture lesson is one Of those which
are called the Pilgrim Songs, or songs
of going up to Jerusalem. They were
sung by the bands Of pilgrims that
Travelled to the holy city TO keep the
great national feasts AS they travel
ed along the rough. hilly road, threat
ened by wild beasts and bandits. we
can imagine how they would sing to.
gether this psalm of faith in the ever
watchful Lord. and how the glorious
verses would swing back and forth
from one pilgrim group TO another, as
friends cheered friends along the toll
some road. or as their exultant eyes
caught sight of Mount Zion.
We. too. are pilgrims along iife's
toilsome way. Sometimes our journey
seems lor~ and rough. Often dangers
threaten us. Often our burdens grow
very heavy. But for US. too there Is
the certainty of the Slsepless Watcher
the keeping Jehovah. The Gods of
the Greeks and other ancient peoples
were often asleep. or away attending 20
their own business. How glad VIC
NAV be that our God Is one who shah
neither slumber nor sleep.
God. in His sleepless watching. sees
so much that we do not see. He sees
our sins. but He also sees our virtues.
He sees our enemies. but He is alsr
aware of our friends. He perceives
clearly every one of our failures. but
He also sees the glorious successes
awaiting us. back of the mists along
the highway of perseverance. When
the clouds gather and the way seems
hard. when friends criticise and every
thing seems TO go wrong, let us think
of the encouraging things He sees, and
try to see them ourselves.
God has watched over our Christian
Endeavor organization. He has guided
its destinies from the start. because its
earthly leaders have submitted them
selves as instruments in His hands In
the same way He will guide to highest
success each local society of the men,
bers will Weld themselves to His con.
troll. I think that often the reason
we do not succeed In our Christian
Endeavor work is because we are toe
desirous Of doing our wn way instead
Of yielding entirely 10 Him.
Since there is for US the keeping
Lord. let us remember that while We
must carry responsibility, and ofteI
plenty of IT, we need not carry care
II is care that taxes and drains. Tn,
keeping Lord tells US. Casting all you
care upon Him. for He careth for you
The watchman keeps awake that thl
rest of tia city may sleep. If w
really believe in God as the Sleeples
Watcher. if this meeting is to meal
ANYTHING in our lives. then we mus
from this day rest in Gods care an,
love with perfect peace and implicit
confidence. Every worry is lack o
faith in our Guard.
o sentinel at the loose swung door o
my imDetuous lips.
Guard close to-day. Make sure n
word unjust or cruel slips
In anger forth. by folly spurred 0
armed with envy's whips;
Keep clear the way to-day.
And watchman on the cliff SCARE
heights that lead from heart I
mind.
When wolf thoughts clothed in guile
soft fleece creep up. o be nc
blind:
But may thew pass whose forehead
bear thea glowing seal-wor
"kind:"
Bid them Godspeed. I pray.
And warden of nv souls stained hous
where love and hate are born.
o make it clean. if swept must be wit
pains rough broom of thorn;
And quite impose. so straining ear
with world din racked and torn
MAY catch what God may sa,
But after all. is even Gods watcf
ing worth anything to us. In the lon
run. unless we watch with Him
Gould We not watch with me OF
hour?" Chist sorrowfully asked of II
three leading disciples in the Garde
of Gethsemane. He expected the,
to watch with Him. So God expec
us also TO watch. 1t will surpri: