The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-10-30
CENTER

trailer craft in the treacherous Yellow Sea- and l can testify that the might of man is impotence when the sea lifts up its head. s Jesus slept in a storm at sea; and the same untroub1ed heart seems to have been in PauPs breast The con- trast between his course and that of Jonah, in sthese same waters is worth lrecallfng. Paul could trust God which, ever way the wind blew. Faith is not faith which disappears when trouble draws near. Some persons think they have reason to rebel against God when-' ever Ills mysterious providences touch. them. as in the death of a loved one. Genuine faith though. cries with Job.. Though He slay me. yet will I trust Him.S
 Too Much Cargo.
 Caught by the sailors old enemy, the Nor theaster (which the translators con- ceal under the Greek name "Eurocly- don'' or "Euroquilo") the vessel was al- lowed to drive. Undergirding the ship with cables. to strengthen the imper-s filed hull. while under the lee of a little island, they took in sail and cast Off once more, to escape the treackerous sands of Syrtis. Now it became neces- sary to begin to throw overheard the needless furniture of the ship--using discrimination at first, but afterward giving to the waves what they had at first thought necessary to keep. Even the cargo had to go by the board, In this blind driving over sunless. star less sea, with, of course, no mariners compass to direct the helm.
 The lesson Is one for life as we'll as for seamanship. Many human craft are in peril in today's stress because they are too heavily laden with goods. Buoyancy and freedom are sacrificed to E< =. skf .~I so elaborately that their sailing powers are hindered. There Is good reason for the voyage of 'the simple life" Thous- ands of perplexed and storm-tossed men and women need nothing so sore ly as to cast overheard the luggage and freight with which they have be- tions cumbered because of artificial mo- tions of success and social position and provision for the future. In the name of sarety and peace-yes and rever- entiy. in the name of God--let us throw over the rail our fine houses and many servants and cluttered heaps of costly clothes and our visiting cards and our multitudinous offerings at the shrine of Mrs. sGrundy. and let us sail free to a harbor of rest. What is the use of saving cargo and gear and ship if the spirit-life; and life consists not in an abundance of things.
 Calm in Crisis.
 The experienced seaman on Paul's ship were in something resembling what is colloquiaiiy called "a blue junk" Even the impassive Roman captain was in despair. The limit had been reached: hope was gone. Then emerged the royal-hcarted Paul. Crises reveal the great. Tn times of panic, it is the strong soul who has been in the quiet with God who comes to the help of his fellows. And such a one is bound to be an encourager and heartener. At Ladysmith the British court-martialed a man for being a discourager. In time of danger and anxiety, it is a first duty to disseminate hopefulness.
 Paul could do this for he had reason to exhort his companions to Fear not" and to Be of good cheer" The ground of his faith was this: For believe in God.1 That is the secret of assurance There Is more soul-nour- ishment in that bread than-ih a barrel of sentimental Don't Worry gum drops. When in calm confidence person can say God. whose am and whom serve" he Is in position to impare his peace to fellow men. The way to share our faith is to share our God. Trust in Him Is the only ade- quate refuge in the storms of life.
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