Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1911-12-21
HERE AND THERE
SABBATH REFLECTIONS

Falling back on universal ultimates,
we may at least assert that we are here
on the earth and moving about; and
that certain of our movements are bene-
fetal while others are detrimental to
ourselves and associates. Now comes
the inevitable conclusion that if we
were at all times sufficiently wise to
distinguish between the BENEFICIAL and
detrimental move those movements that
constitute our earthly careers would be
a blessing. Right here we are nudged
by the duty of education, of educating
ourselves. of increasing our practical
knowledge and of keeping ignorance at
the minimum. 1t should be our aim to
so conduct ourselves as to leave balance
in favor of our existence and thus re-
move Gods regret that He ever made
man. Let us ever remember that the
severest penalty of an evil deed is
wrapped up in the deed and is promptly
delivered when the deed is done. We
likewise receive our rewards for good
deeds. When we refrain from doing an
evil act our greatest reward is the de
cided gain in moral strength and virtue
and our ascension to higher plain of
being. When we do wrong the effect
of the act upon us as organisms
is reversed we lose heavily in
moral strength and virtue and descend
to a lower plain of being This is a
most severeand just punishment. Stop,
now, think on this point momeEt and
you will clearly see that when you
mediate IA vile act your very thoughts
are corroding away the sacred ties OF
brotherhood, the ties that bind you to
God and decent society and will ultl
mately make it necessary to isolate You
and limit your movements by the walls
of a prison or an asylum. The greatest
benefit derived from prayer is the clean
sing effect the practice has on human
life. The very humble attitude of
prayer makes man receptacle. of the
all pervading essence of Divinity. II
cannot be denied that a a sensativeness
| to the presence of God has q marked
1 influence on human conduct a con
seriousness that God is scrutenizing our
| defects, faults, and waywardnesS
kindles sincere desire to win His ap,
/ proval. This sincere desire is true
! prayer. Silently, secretly let it burn
into the very fibers of your being Ii
! is burning the vileness out of your
nature. 1t is cleansing the earthly
home of your soul, and giving you
power to assimilate Divinity. Do not
attempt to express it. Words will
weaken it, defle it, for, "A long oral
I prayer the words of which are carefully
arranged with a purpose to win the ad
miration and approval of a critical au
dience does seem but u tawdry piece OF
/ profanity. The value of revival is
of converts induced to make noise
around the mourner's bench as it is by
the trend it gives to thought. The
! date of q revival is seed time. The
seeds then sown will doubtless need
some careful cultivating before the
beautiful harvest Is realized. l cannot
but regard the anxiety of an evangelist
to create sensational demonstration
as dangerous. 1t is pretty certain tc
do violence to the tender shoots OF
/ Christianity and often turns the whole
affair into nauseating burlesque. So
after all it does seem that we must take
up the problem of our own salvation
and work it out with fearand trembling.
Know thy self. Study your weak
points and place trusty guard there.
Remember that You yourself are your
greatest enemy, and when you conquer
yourself you have cause to rejoice A
great victory has been won.
The Audubon papers came out day
late last week. We were amply recon-,
pensed, however, for waiting. They
brought us very pleasant surprise.
The Advocate swelled up and turned q
glowing pink with Holiday enthusiasm.
The Republican was a sparkling gem
that kindled the fires of good cheer
wherever it fell.