Evening star., 1909-06-27

| which it was important he should take
passage across the lake. AS he was run
ming along the wharf he noticed the boat
churnng and splashing as he thought
outward bound: so he made a grand run
and jump and as the boat was only eight
or ten feet from the wharf leaped on
board. When. to his folly and humilia-
ton. what do You suppose he learned?
The boat was coming in. He was dis
tracted because he thought the boat was
leaving him. when it was really coming
his way. Joseph no doubt thought 1t was
calamity that embittered his brothers
against him. sold him into slavery In
Egypt. imprisoned him as a malefactor
but these were the successive steps OF
Gods way toward his exaltation and i'm
mortality.
have so bungled things in Egypt that 1t
was necessary for him to become mis-
erable exile in the desert. but 1t was
Gods way of training him 20 be the
great deliverer of Israel and revelation OF
God to men.
David thought it was strange that he
should be doomed as the anointed of God
to be a miserable fugitive from the wrath
of Saul but this was Gods way Of pre-
pairing him for his exalted mission. Nc
kinley thought 1t was hard, no doubt. to
be defeated by Mr.. Reed for the Speaker
ship of the House of Representatives, but
| it was Gods way of making him Presi-
dent of the United States Roosevelt bit
terly resisted the political coup that would
shelve him politically by making him Vice
President. but this was Gods way OF
making him President. l might go on
| indefinitely with illustrations along this
| line, but / have given enough to sno "
that God moves in a mysterious way lis
wonders to perform. He leads us some
times through dark paths into ways that
are outside our knowledge. What seem
| to us life's greatest calamities from God S
viewpoint are blessings in disguise. What
folly, then. by distraction to fall and
cripple ourselves over the objects and
events that God expects us to use as
stepping stones to higher things! II we
are in line with the purpose of God, we
know that all events are Gods stepping
stones for US toward the higher life-so
that worry and distraction with God
children is all folly-all the ships OF
God are for us and coming our way
| Burns again speaks wisely to US here:
Then let us cheerful acqulesce.
| Nor make scanty pleasures less
By grieving at our state;
! And even shou dmisfortunes come
| They wha set her hae met wi some,
AUS thankful for them yet.
| Tho losses and crosses
| Are trials quite severe,
/ There's wit there,
| You'll get there:
! You'll get nae otherwhere.
Now. you may not think 1 am too Sc.
we're when / say that distraction is all
| folly. No so. 1 have not said all. when
say this.
1 must go step farther and say that
worry and destruction are positive SIN
Why, you say, ! never thought about y
in that way before. You ask me DO
mean to say that worry Is sin? 1t would
be small thing that | should say II
| God says so. Listen: Thou shat noi
not bear false Witness" Thou shalt not
be distracted. God practically uses tht
same language In regard to worry as ne
does to stealing, etc.
Because the commandment is not iouno
/ in the decalogue 1t is none the less bind.
ing. God places worry under the ban OF
His dixine law. He fcrbids 1t. worry
is a sin in the sight of God. But yot
| ask wherein Is worry sin
| l. 1t disobeys a Divine command.
/ @ Distrusts Gods wisdom and power.
| g. Doubts His promises.
T. Hinders possibilities Of service.
) Spoils our temper, destroys happi'
ness, etc.
as folly and sin, do not represent the true
| attitude of the soul toward life's prob
lems They represent the soul as crlng
ing, trembling coward in the presence ol
Its destiny.
It is true physical conditions and tenn
peramentaI conditions predispose to Wor
| ry It is easier for some to be cheerful
hopeful and optimistic than 1t is Tor 9th
ers. But because worry Is more natlve
| to some than others this does not excuse
it, There is escape for all, as there Is
| from every folly and sin.
What is the remedy? 1t is pointed ou
in the text To whom does the child turr
in. the hour OF It's danger? To the parent
If it could get into the bosom Of mothe.
| or arms of father 1t would have perfec'
peace We are all children of God by faitf
in Jesus Christ. In the hour OF perplexits
and responsibility the native tendency OF
the soul is to turn to God, and If we reach
the bosom of the Divine Father His ra
diant face will dispel all the clouds Of
care The text says: Bring all your re-
quests unto God" Oh. but You say yol
do come to God. When do you come
When you have blood poisoning or wher
you are drowning? You come to God II
desperation. What does the text say
In everything come to God. Bring al
your requests unto God. God must be oul
ever-present friend. What is the secret
of Gods blessing? His spirit, His word
His promise, His service. What Is the
reward? Worry will give way to peace
The peace of God that passeth all un
derstanding will guard your hearts ane
thoughts through Jesus Christ.