Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1909-08-07

equal to the task chat had been given
him, end yet the task was one he
could not shirk. In this eerase OF
weakness he took all lids heavy burden
to the Lord. Every hour. and every
and hunger, and thirst, he appealed
to God. Lord, thou hast been our
dwelling place in all generations"
Homeless he was. at the head OF an
untutored people, in a strange land,
beset by danger, anxious beyond ex-
preston, and all his care, his small
and large perplexity, he took to God
that he might have strength to bear
and wisdom for his guidance. There
was little help for Moses among the
people. He was their lawgiver and
judge. He was left we'll nigh alone to
struggle with the problem which
came thick and fast in the new life.
He had his own dsscouragernents to
contend with, and he had to meet the
waves of discomfort thrown in upon
him from the camps of Israel. Moses
was greatly tried.
The easy thing to do is to surrender.
What is the use? 1t is easy to UNDER
stand that Moses might have said that
lif the Israelites did not care to be
free there was no reason why he
should make himself miserable on
their account; If they wanted to go
back to the feshpots of Egypt. and
subject themselves again to Pharoah
! there was no reason why he should
wear out his life in their behalf. 1t
| is easy to understand that Moses
might have taken this view, and act
ed upon it, for it is such a very COM
mon view among men. The enthu-
siasm of people runs high, and it
sinks low; and SO it is they gain
ground and forthwith lose it ALL
There is a great lack of steadtastness.
When the skies are fair there is much
assurance, and when the shadows fall
the hearts of men pursue them into
the blackness of night. This variable
ness is not to be put down to de-
f1cient physical courage, but it is
to be charged TO the weakness of
| spiritual perception. Men choose
wrong leaders, and they are led into
increasing difficulty; and men make
good choice of leadership, and in the
confusion of conflict they lose sight
1 of them, and are lost. They need the
relation of the spiritual life, which is
as a bond, or as hand that may be
felt
i Moses did not know what day
might bring forth. But he knew full
we'll that 1t was for him to follow on
while his strength lasted. He appre-
ciated the brevity of human life, and
/ he understood that one life mast over
! lap another in the execution of the
eternal plan. For a thousand years
I in thy sight are but as yesterday when
/ it IS past. and as watch in the night"
Moses was as one appointed to a
watch. and he sought to be faithful
( in his time More than this has no
man TO do, and less than this can no
man do and answer Well to his own
soul
If life is no more than picnic 1t
mus. end in WEAKNESS and disappoint-
ment The fruit of life is from the
/ work of 1t, and seed bearing good
fruit must be nurtured and have time
/ to grow. Patience is the sweet COM
panion of faith. so teach us TO num-
Der our days. that We may apply our
hearts unto wisdom"
Let thy work appear unto thy serv-
dren" That is great philosophy, and
/ being that, it is great religion. The
glory of the present is the light re-
4 nected from the past, and the glory
of the future may be heightened by
the work of the present. Moses was
content 10 do the work of his time
and trust the Lord. His was genuine
work. performed not for his own glor,
but for the glory of God.
The prayer of Moses was not ex-
travagant in its requests. He asked
nothing as charity subject His de-
pendence he acknowledged but ht
recognized that opportunity to worl
had been offered, and that it was fol
his strength, to improve that OPP
portunity He did not bother tn,
Lord with petition that he be pait
in advance He did not ask that HI
be seen and praised of men. or tina
they fall down and worship him a
they had fallen down and worshippet
the golden calf. His ambition was t
serve God, and as a servant of TIL
Lord he labored among his people
Otherwise. in this faraway time, tn
living would not be praising Moses.
Men who serve themselves do no
last long. The days Of their year
may be three score years and ten, an
by reason Of strength they may b
fourscore years, but when they fl
away they leave scarce memory be
hind them. They have taken the fiel
with them. and all the seed plante
; therein. No flowers spring from thei
graves, and no glory from their live
reflects itself upon the morning sky
They have lived improbable live.
They have died in poverty. Let tn
work appear unto thy servants, an
thy glory unto their children" Their
are many who struggle to save thei
lives, and lose them.
The glory of man is the reflecte
glory of God, as the light of tn
world, in every day and in every nigh
is the reflected light of the sun.
Moses did not pray that he be re
lieved from care and anxiety. He di
not complain of work. He was willin
g to work. All he asked was that h
might be led in the right way and
the right things. He looked forwar
TO a time Of gladness for his peopl,
r not because of special favor, but he
cause they had made themselves fire
in the Lords service. He did not ex
pect for them that they would rea
where they had not sown. He did nc
! expect the Lords way would be mad
srIiboT ddiinate, but he had great a1op
that his people would make the Lord
way their own.