The Republican journal., 1910-07-07
Resources in Trouble.
flames E. G. Sawyer. Lid, in the Christian
Advocate


flames E. c. Sawyer. Lid, in the Christian
Advocate.
The fellowship of suffering is world
woe. IL IS mark of the nobility as
well as OF the kinship of humanity. Into
| every lie great trials come. The gates
OF heaven are OF pearl. Through tribu-
latlon we enter in. There are some who
are Tor years remarkably exempt from
serious anxieties, disasters and SORROWS.
but even to them the days of trial finally
and inevitably come. The vast ma or;tyy
taste the bitter cup early in life and arc
called to drain it more than once Tho
forms of trouble are manifold. Millions
suffer cruel poverty. Many are afflicted
by great business heverses. others he
come manned for life, MANY more are
chronic invalids. Those who have been
counted fortunate are often suddenly re-
duced from prosperity to penury. All
sooner or later are subject to agonizing
oereavements. There are many who
from the beginning are continually pur-
sued by trouble. To others life's great
est sorrows come with startling sudden
ness and awfulness, like the violence of
the terrible and destructive tempest that
swiftly darkens the sky on a peaceful
and smiling summer day, filling the whole
horizon with blackness, illumined only by
fierce lightning. Many are by their
troubles made despairing and rebellious;
they are crushed by their disasters. 9th
ers suffer and grow strong. How may
we be prepared to bear trouble? How
may we be forearmed against all the
storms of life? 1t is easy to ask such
questions as these. 1t is not so easy to
answer them. The mystery of suffering
is SO deep that nothing but faith in the
personal and infinite love of God can il
illuminate it.
But we can endure, though we cannot
perfectly understand. Some elements of
endurance are readily apprehensible. One
OF the elements Of serenity and strength
in times of disaster and bereavement is
the habit of. faithful and regular labor.
He that has some definite task for which
he is responsible will be strengthened to
endure by his habit of faithful service.
Work is one of Gods angels of comfort.
The man on whom rests some great re-
sponsibility, like the management of a
difficult business, or the command of an
army in active service in time of war, or
the command of ship at sea, or some
great engineering or architectural I'M
dertaking, cannot supinely surrender to
trouble. He must carry through his I'M
dertakings, though his heart be break
ing, and his necessary devotion to his
tasks may be the very thing that will
keep his heart from breaking. A smaller
responsibility may serve similar help
full purpose, especially if it involves the
daily discharge of a regular round Of
duties. To grid ourselves for the hum
blest Of daily duties strengthens the
heart to bear trouble. The frmness of
the will required by fidelity to duty tends
to restore serenity to the agitated and
distracted heart. Active employment is
an antidote to morbid brooding. Richter
says: ga busted heart is like vessel of
water swung around; hold it still and it
runs over"
Intellectual resources are of great value
in seasons of trouble and distress. We do
not mean that they supply philosophy
which can explain the mystery of suffer-
ing, or that they can tenderly comfort;
but love of books, or of science, OF of
the beauty of nature has broadening
and Strengthening influence on the mind
and heart. A wide outlook on the world
of nature and of men will minister to
noble endurance and supply many a
source of distraction from the continual
contemplation of personal affection.
A nobler and more effectual relief from
undue dwelling upon personal sorrow is
found in sympathy and care for others.
How terrible it would be to be entirely
comfortable in a world like this, to be
entirely outside of the fellowship of suf-
fering, to be free from sorrow, with
heart-break all around us, to have no
capacity for sympathy. Better tremble
., III +Lo, To lo
renely and complacently at ease in sell
initiation into the common fellowship of
Of those about US, unselhsh devotion to
their comfort and the habit of minister
ing to their needs and sympathizing with
them in their trials, will greatly steady
and strengthen US in seasons of severe
disappointment or personal bereavement.
Our unwillingness to burden others with
our griefs will help us to bear them brave
ly and quietly. Self-sacrifice does not
create insensibility to suffering, but it
gives strength to endure it with forth
tude.
The supreme source Of resignation and
comfort in suffering and sorrow is sur
render to the will of the loving heavenly
Father and trust in His infinitely loving
heart In the character and the suffer-
ings of Christ the infinite Fatrerhood is
clearly revealed. An inward assurance
of filial relationship to God is an unfailing
support in trouble of every sort and every
degree. When He takes US in His arms
and holds US close to His heart, we know
that we are comforted. Gas one whom
his mother comforteth, so will l comfort
you; and We shall be comforted." Then
endurance is TRANSPORTED into joyfulness.
Newtonville, N. Y.