The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-10-01

Scout is trained to self-control and
vigilance and helpfulneSs; and 1t is
really amazing the frequency Win Win
which the British press reports the
Boy Scouts on the spot in time TO et-
feet rescues and prevent accidents. on
one occasion they even saved an arr
ship and its master, who had by mis-
hap fallen on the edge of a preciplce.
1t is not that Boy Scouts have more
opportunities than other boys, but SIM
ply that they are ready for those which
come. John J. Ingalls,. br1lllant
though superficial statesman would be
forgotten except for the one vital word
he has written, his lines upon "Oppor-
tunity':
master of human destinies am I!
Fame. love and fortune on my foot
steps wait.
Cities and fields I walk: I penetrate
Deserts and seas remote. and passing
by
Howell and mart and palace, soon or
knock unbidden once at every gate!
If sleeping, wake: if feasting. rise be-
fore
I turn away 1t is the hour of fate.
And they who follow me reach every
state
Mortals desire, and conquer every foe
Save death: but those who doubt or
hesitate
| Condemned to failure, perjury and woe
Seek me in vain and uselessly implore:
I answer not, and I return no more"
Equally among older persons is
there demand for readiness to meet to-
morrow. An unwonted stirring has
been noted among the laity of late
years. VIII this eventuate in a reso-
lutte preparation for the opportunities
of tomorrow? The passing of the pro-
fessional ecclesiastics is imminent:
will the informal and trained and dis
interested layman be ready to take
their place? Are the interested men
of today getting a grasp upon the facts
and factors of organized religious life
and service so that they may really
lead in the work of tomorrow? No
shallow emotionalism will suffice; the
foolish virgins typify that sort of in
adequate religious interest The train
ed laymen who master the conditions
Of today and accustoms himself to
speak upon them in public, finds him
self indeed in both politics and re-
ligion. The wise man of today is fill
ing his reservoirs with the oil of
knowledge of world conditions. broad
missionary facts and tendencies, of
social movements. of theological
thought; for tomorrow's opportunity
is coming in unexpected guise as well
as in an unexpected noment.
Facing the Inevitable
Some persons put their heads under
the bedcOvers when an alarm comes
in the night. Ostrich-wise, they try
to ignore danger rather than meet or
avert it. The better way is to face
the inevitable. The parable which
Jesus told has two principal points.
One is that there is a sure day of
judgment, when the Son of Man holds
all to an accounting. He means it to
be a time of joyous meetings and rec
ognitiOns, and so he pictures it in the
guise of a wedding festival. But the
main teaching is that, however long
it may be delayed, the coming is sure.
Men may engross themselves in ma
terial pursuits, and for a time forget
the unacceptable reckoning with God.
But the coming is as sure as its hour
is unpredictable.
Therefore-and this is the second
lesson of the parable-watch by be-
ing ready. They who are ready for
God, are ready for anything else. All
who are truly prepared for death are
most effectively prepared for life.
Watching for the Lord is not any such
silly performance as was witnessed at
DuXbury a few months ago, when a
group of poor, ignorant fanatics wait
ed in ascension robes at a certain
hour for the coming of Christ. Jesus
doesn't want to find his friends idly
looking into heaven for him: he would
rather find them busy about his tasks,
in his spirit, among the men and worn-
en- whom he loved. Working is best
watching.