The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1910-01-14
SATURDAY sERMoNETTE.
(By Rev. Geo. II. Mack
IN LIE MlosT o. suFFgRINe.
~#% $3.50 **&**

IN HE MUS VI our EHlN6-
"All things work together for good
to them that love God"
I suppose no words in the English
language are more often quoted to
give solace in suffering. We must
have something to help us bear the
load and the faith in a good TO come
out of it all is comforting.
The condition imposed is that we
hold a certain attitude-love to the
God who allows the sorrow. Not a
rebellious spirit will reap benefit, not
a self-contailad stoicism. Thee Yen
der impossible the flow of spiritual
good into the soul. But the one who
not only submits to and accepts the
dispensatipn. but who acts upon it in
a way harmonious with Gods purpose
will reap the good. Not my will, =
that is submission; but thy will"
that is hearty acceptance of and acting
upOn . better plan, as we hold in
faith. There must be a certain soul
soil in which the seeds sown in time
of sorrow may greminate and fructify.
But shall we receive a good equal
to all the suffering Shall we receive
equal measure for all the i'll?
But who shall so forecast the years
And find loss in gain to match?
Or reach hand thro' time to catch
The far-off interest of tears?"
The two elements are not alike in
kind and should not be weighed
against each other. But there is no
doubt that the trustful soul will be
conscious of great additions to his
moral and spiritual power.
"They that SOW in tears shall reap |
IN joy"
But we cannot believe that to the |
Individual it all comes back, and we |
nave to introduce another beneficiary |
the race In every form of life the |
Individual suffers for his kind and so
10 we. The sufferings from tubercu-
osis may not bring an equal good to !
he person, but If the lesson is learned
" society and thereby man is spurred /
o efforts that deliver his race of the
courge, who shall say that we do not
cap the far-off interest of tears?"
And here we come upon the great
ruth God would teach US, that with
lis Son we are to suffer vfcariously.
mo man liveth unto himself and
yhen he suffers the same ties that
ind him to his race bring the fruits {
his sorrow to his fellows. II
The mother for the babe, the father
Or his hayward son, the reformer for J
hose satisfied with an evil condition Y
OF which they will not deliver them s
elves. 1t is the law of all moral and t
pirituai progress-the race advances t
y the sufferings of her members, the a
reater the impulse forward The e
Icarious sacrifice of Christ form the t
reat example and proof of the law Ii
nd we can little estimate what the p
orld has gained from it, It is our
-ivilege to know "the fellowship Of
Is suffering" to enlist under his +
andards and work the divine work il
r The world with Him. I'll
If we willingly accept this principle p
suffering for others we shall see r;
II return from our sorrow. And we il
ay say that if we do not accept 1t n
llingly yet be required to render the
rvice though unwillingly. And I'M r
Hing service helps not the soul. Z
The greatest prayer the heart can
ay is "Thy will be DONE" God
orks wonders with US and for our
lows when he hears that prayer,
lcerely from the heart. L