The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1910-07-06

we do not fully appreciate. We need
increasingly in this age of material
ism the consciousness of Gods re-
ality.
In the third place we have revealed
to US in this incident how the vision
of the higher life and it's forces may
be obtained. This young man saw
the vision of the army-covered hills
because he was in the companionship
of Elisha. The ~conradeships of life
will very greatly determine what the
outlook of the soul shall be. In an
swer to the question "Is life worth
living?" it often may be said that it
depends upon whom we live with. No
matter what strength of purpose we
may have our high desires are always
modified by circumstances and peo-
pie who are near about US. Edward
Everett Hale said that he made. 1t a
practice tc spend at least one hour
every day in the presence of a supe->
rior. Thus books may come to infu-
ence us more largely than We dream
Of. A summer days reading some-
times has determined a campaign for
truth that has meant great things for
righteousness among men.
Probably underlying the organiza-
tion uf the Church Of God there Is
| this subtle philosophy or principle
that by association with people OF
high thought ard noble purpose and
mighty resolve, our eyes may be
lifted to the SUBMITS toward which
We, should eagerly press. But there
was also the determining influence Or
prayer that made possible the vision
of the higher resources of life. Elisha
prayed and the young man saw Things
in a different light. Both Browning
and Tennyson have reminded US that
prayer is an important fact,r in life's
activities, and that many 2 battle has
issued in victory Or defeat, as the re-
suit of ~steadfast prayer. Many a
prodigal has come back to the Faith.
er's house and many a hayward heart
has returned to the statutes and tes-
timonies of God because, in a quiet
place, ome heart has ~fervently be-
sought the .intercesslon Of the Most
High. It seems to be a great thing to
be able to beget a vision Of the Higher
things in another soul by the word OF
prayer, and Yet it is true that many a.
life would have gone unblessed and
many a mind would have been per-
manently beset by doubt were 1t not
for the praying soul that has been
persistent before the throne Of God.
But supremely the vision Of the
higher life Is the gift Of Cod. How
ever eager Elisha was that the larger
vision might be given to his friend,
an6however ~fervently his soul poured
itself out in prayer, the eyes were
opened and the young man saw be-
cause God uncovered his eyes. Some
one in critical mood once said to u
M. W. Turner, ri never saw such sum
SETS" and Turner replied, Don't you
wish you could?" J IN
If life Is ever to be successful.-n
we are ever to enter into the mastery
Of ourselves; If ever we abandon the
| disposition to shirk and dodge LIES
responsibilities and duties, twill be
made possible largely through the
greater outlook on life which shall be-
ours. When our eyes are opened and
we see ife's'problems in their proper
setting, and then appreciate all the
resources and reservations which are
within the reach of those who try to-
do Gods will, We shall go forth with
the step of conquest and enter into the
larger victories. which reward those
only who have had the larger vision!
It is vitality important that we should
always be on the lookout for God.