The French Broad hustler. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1896-1912, 1911-09-21
Sermon by Rev. R. B. Grinran

Sermon by Rev. R. B. GriAran.
Psalms 1z4:12. That our sons may
be as plants grown up in their youth:
That oud daughters nay be as corner
stones, polished atteI the similitude
Of ua.aoe
This text presents US subject that
should command our attention at all
times, but especially at this season
ofthe year, when millions of our
young people are seen tramping again
to the opening schools. To all OF
these is a season of labor begun, but
to many it is the beginning of new
era in life. They are entering into
new sphere and new temptations. 1t
is the placing of the foot on the first
rung in the ladder, by which they
may attain. the heights of greatness,
or from which they may fal lin
shame. 1t is the truly fitting that at
this time, we give our thought, SYM
pathy and prayers to this great host
Of young people, pressing on to be-
come the mighty natiCn of another
day.
The psalmist in making mention of
those things, that make a great and
happy people, sees that this position
wealth of focks and fields, but that
the true asset of a nations real
prosperity lies in young people of
worth. He expresses tie desire that
the sons Of Israel, may be as useful
plants or trees, grown up in youth.
and ready to bring forth fruits of the
nebler kind. unlike the useless weeds,
that are to be cast out and burned.
The daughters in Israel ought not to
to be as rough rolling useless stones,
but as corner pillars, polished and
made bright, to grace the palace of
the great King. Truly happy is
that people who is in such case
As trees and pillars are fashioned
into shape, Sc is the character of life.
Lives are made by what is, put into
them, by the atmosphere in which
they are developed. Heredity has
much influence, but training can
overcome heredity. A soul bern in
the midst of degradation and lies can
be trained into the truth. and brought
! up in the likeness of the Sea OF God.
The first part of our text lays en-
phasis on growth and development
The husbandnan cares for and ira: MS
his tree, by cultivation and pruning,
SO that it may bring forth good fruit,
and be a useful plant The second
part CT our teyt lays emphasis on
beauty of character, at the post of
duty. The sculptor takes the Rough
stone, and with his chisel he fashions
and polishes a pillar and makes it fit
to its place, as thing of beauty up
holding the palace of the King. So
says the psalmist our seas are to be
trained as useful and fruitful boughs
in the kingdom Of our Lord Our
daughters are to be fashioned under
the blessed Influences Of the. Spirit of
God, and made beautiful in heart and
stand upholding the palace of the
King cf all Kings and reflect the
glory of the light of Heaven.
In our land today there are too
many useluess, unfruitful trees that
cover the ground, too many rough
stones ever which men do stumble
and fall. The greatest question of
today is not how much, gold we can
produce. or how much cotton or corn
can be raised, but how best to train
our sons and daughters in that intel
Iectual and spiritual power for char
acter building of the no5lest kind,
Let us now in Gods light see what
we ought to do, for these the most
precious heritage that God has placed
in our keeping.
The first essential for development
in usefulness in a plant or a pillar is
to be fashioned after the plan or
purpose of a great mind All useful
things are made after a pattern. The
life of a man should not be left to
fs,,9 -
but should be developed after the
plan of God; therefore the first es-
sential in usefulness in life depends
on development following the plan
and pnrpose of the mind of God We
must seek the mind of God to know
his purpose concerning us. The
plant grows by laws of nature, in ac-
cordance,c with the plan of God, but
man as reasonable creature seeks
for and finds the plan of God by rea-
son enlightened through the Word
and Spirit ofG cd. Man is not left to
grope in darkness feeling after the
best things in life, nor is he bound
by animal instincts; he possesses
Gods revealed word by which he can
know the of life.
The second essential element for
the usefulness of plant of pillar is
that some place of Occupation be
found Likewise there can be no
success in human life without finding
the place which God has selected. AS
the master builder of a palace has a
place fer each stone, so has God a
place in life for each soul and thrice
blessed is the man or woman who
finds that place in life. Thus every
one while yet in youth must begin to
get his bearing on life as to the place
and plan God has for him, for ether
wise failure is certain. And here let
me say that great care is required for
it may take only a small thing to mis-
direct or ruin a whole life. You
may have read of the shin wrecked
on the rocks in the broad day light.
The reason was sought for and found
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