Evening journal., 1909-04-01
NOTES ON THE TOPIC.
By Charles e. Eastman

NOTES ON THE TOPIC.
BY Charles r. Eastman.
The great theme Of Proverbs is Wis
dom. II is that wisdom which begins
with the fear of the Lord, and which
looks to the Lord as the source of all
wisdom. For the Lord giveth wis
dom; out Of his mouth cometh knowl-
edge and understanding" Trust in
the Lord with all thine heart, and lean
not unto thine own understanding"
That wisdom to which this book thus
directs us is not only wise, but it is
the great source of well-being, pres
ent and future. Happy is the man
that findeth wisdom" Her ways are
the ways OF pleasantness and all her
paths are peace" Let our life lessons
from this book be centered around this
thought of wisdom and her ways.
1t is not religion but the lack of it
that makes people unhappy. Yet how
strangely and how widely the oppo-
site view prevails. There are many
who think Of religion not only as a
calling drudgery but as the surest
source OF moroseness. melancholy and
unhappiness in life. Their idea is that
religion is a system of suffering to
which many people are willing TO sub
NIT here in order that they may not
suffer hereafter. that religions only
happiness is I'm the future, and its
rewards after death. Instead, the real
fact is that religion is a thing Of pres
ent joy and every continuing blessed
ness 1t is the gladdest, happiest thing
in all this world. Her ways are the
ways Of pleasantness and all her paths
are peace" II is religion that gives US
the bright things in life and sin the
dark things. 1t brings untold meas
ures Of peace and Joy. It takes the
sting out OF the past. It takes the
worry out Of the present. It takes the
fear out of the future.
Let us then thoroughly learn this
lesson, and by our lives make our re-
ligion shine before the world. "A
merry heart doeth good like a medi-
cine says Solomon. Who is there that
has not realized the truth of this? why
cannot we be continually giving out
this kind OF medicine to those around
us. The writer is reminded of a busi-
ness house in Wilmington where there
seems to be such an air OF cheeriness
and hearty good humor among the
employees that it is positively refresh
ing to do business there
A word was spoken, CHEEKY word,
And it fell like a song on the cars
that heard.
And sad hearts took up the sweet re-
frain
That lightened their burdens and
eased their pain.
Frowns were smoothed from the anx-
ious brow,
Lips that were pouti-- are smiling
now.
Tears disappeared as the dew meath
tho sun,
And life grew brighter for everyone.
How much more smoothly things
would jog along IL We could get more
Of this spirit into our lives. An ac-
complished athelete was asked by an
admiring youth II he had ever studied
the art of self defense. YES" was
the quiet reply. II have both studied
and practised IT," "Ah," said the other.
eagerly. whose system did you adopt ?"
"Solomon's" was the reply. Somewhat
abashed. the youth stammered out:
"Solomon'sl And what is the special
point in his system Of trainink?"
Briefly this" replied the other: "A
soft answer turneth away wrath" For
a moment the young man was inclined
to laugh, but glance at his friend
showed him to be perfectly serious, and
a different feeling came over him as
his muscular companion said. TRY it,"
"He that hath friends must show
himself friendly" says another prov
erb III thipe enemy be hungry, give
him bread % eat-for thou shalt heap
Goals of fire upon his head" It is re-
lated Of a Chinese emporer Of the old
en- times that, hearing OF an outbreak
in a distant province. he led an army
against the rebels. promising that he
would soon destroy his foes. The in
surgents submitted on his approach,
and to the surprise Of his officers, in
stead OF the terrible example they
expected 10 see him make OF the Of
tenders. he treated them with the utmost
clemency. One OF his ministers asked
the meaning of such action after the
royal word had been given that all his
enemies should be destroyed. Il prom
ised," said the emperor, that I would
destroy my enemies. have kept my
word. for see, they are enemies no
longer. u have made friends of them"
These are a few examples of the
food for thought which may be found
in this Book OF Proverbs. II Is full OF
practical sayings which may be ap-
piled 10 our daily lives and illustrated
by our daily experiences, and there
should be no difficulty in having a live
and interesting meeting. A broader
topic could hardly be found for our
.consecration meeting. Let us make the
most of Il.
Christian Endeavor News.
The regular monthly meeting OF the
Wilmington Christian Endeavor Union
viii be held in the Second Baptist
Church, Ninth and Franklin streets
on next Tuesday evening, April 9Th.
1t was at first announced that this
meeting would be held at the Hanover
Church. but owing to special services
there on next Tuesday evening We will
meet with our Second Baptist Endeav-
orers instead
Have you made a note of that other
date. now two weeks away; Thursday
April 18th? The Annual Rally OF our
Union will be held on that evening in
the Central Presbyterian Church and