Evening journal., 1909-02-19
NOTES ON THE TOPIC.
BY Charles F. Eastman.

we nave lot our topic this week the
second of the monthly Pilgrims Pro-
gress series. Last month we saw
Christian starting out on his journey
from the City OF Destruction, and we
now come TO the first difficulty he
meets on his road, the Slough of
Despond. The Scripture lesson given
us seems especially pertinent to the
topic. and we can readily see, that the
writer OF the Psalms selected knew
what it was to be deep in the Slough
Of Despond, and knew also that God
is the one true help that could deliver
him dNt OF the mire.
This Nsection Of Pilgrims Progress
which this topic covers is not long
one. extending only from NOW I saw
in my dreams that just as they had
ended this talk 20 And thus much
concerning Pliabio" II is hoped that
the Endeavor leaders of this meeting
will not fail TO have all Of this section
read. The most interesting way to do
this is to have the parts read. or
nemorized and given without the book,
by three different endeavorers, one taxi
ing the part Of Pliable. one of Chris
tian, and one of Help, the leader TAX
ing the narrative portions. and the
others, who will stand before the So
ciety, coming in promptly at the proper
places. This will require little prac-
tice, but win be well worth the trouble.
In our first lesson of this series we
saw Obstinate aud Pliable trying TO
discourage Christian from his new
course, which ended with Pliable be-
ing persuaded to take the journey with
him. The topic Of conversation be-
tween them as they journeyed together
Is happy and joyous. for they talk of
tho dazzling glorles Of Heaven with its
shining garments. it's golden harps and
its glittering crowns. They were talk
ing more of future glory than Of pres
tnt duty. and in consequence they both
auddenly fell into the Slough Of
Despond.
This second scene in the story is GER
tainly true to life. The young Chris
tian ctarto out with high ideals and
lofty hopes. but being Needless" as
Bunyan puts It. he finds himself be-
fore he realizes it in the bog Of de-
spcndency. that miry place which is
always ready for anyone who enters
some noble path. How many young
Christians have failed just here Start
ing out with their happy thoughts and
their high aims. they suddenly find
themselves in doubt. discoura cement
and misery. Satan fights some Of
his hardest battles with the Christian
just AZ the start How necessary
that we be alert. watchfui. and humbly
/ denendent on God wisdom and guild
ancc. How necessary that we heed
the Saviour's words. Watch and pray,
that We enter not into temptation
Rit see what a test Of character this
difficulty proves. Both Pllable and
Christian have tnc same fall, and Of
the two Christian seeme to fare the
worst. for by reason of his burden, his
consciousness Of sin, he seems to sink
I deeper and peeper into despondency.
But all the time lV does not lose hope,
/ but keeps struggling towards the side
nearest the Wicket Gate. while Pliable.
angry and offended by this sudden de-
acent from. crowns and harps and daz-
/ zling glory of which they have been
I speaking. pulls himself out at the side
from which he fell in, the side nearest
his home. and the away he goes back
10 the City Of Destruction. And here
I we see the test of the true Christian.
We all have our Sloughs of Despond,
but one will get out Of Il at the for
ward side and the other at the back
ward side, and thae makes all the diff
ference in life.
It Is easy enough to be pleasant
When life flows by like a song;
But the man worth while is the one
VINO will smile
When everything goes dead wrong
Tor the test Of the heart is trouble
And it always comes with the years,
And the smile that is worth the praises
of earth
Is the smile that shines through
tears.
It IS easy enough tO he prudent
When nothing tempts you 10 stray,
When without OF within no voice of
SIN
Is Turing your soul away.
But it's only a negative virtue
Until n is tried by fire;
And the life that is worth the honor OF
earth
Is the one that rcsists desire.
When the Pilgrim has done his best
and cannot by his own strength gel
out of the mire, then comes Help and
says, Give me thy hand" This kind
messenger comes from Christ. Read
how Paul was thus delivered from the
Slough of Despond QI Cor. II: SD
One of the first questions Help asked
OF Christian was. why did he not looi
for the steps which had been placed
BY the Lswgiver through the midst OF
the Slough. What a natural ques-
tion. Surely the loving Heavenly
Father would not allow a swamp in the
path of his children without placing
steps across IL. These steps are, Gods
promises, Gods commands. Gods love
communion with Him. and service fol
Him and our fellow men. These viii
carry us over any Slough. How neces
sary that we pray and read the Bible
every day. that we may always be able
to find these steps when needed
And don't forget that last step, ser.
vice The Pliables who fail are usually
those whose religion is merely whai
somebody has told them, without
foundation on Gods word or expert.
ence in Christian living and serving.
whenever you are feeling blue
Something for someone else go do"
Most Christians are liable to have
times Of dependency. or as we com
monty call it. the blues. Remember
that the best way out of the Slough OF
Despond is to help someone else out
This swamp is different from others
You may be sinking into deepest mire
but give a helping hand TO someone
at your side and you will find it is
helping you out as well. The more