Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-07-22
Gp&oortb league
Uopic
"Losses More Valuable Than Gain. +"
REV. SAMUEL w. GRAFFLIN.

"Losses More Valuable Than Gain. +"
If Tim. Eli. II: Cor. 30; Rom. SIS.
IRON the time when Philosophy
| first began to stretch its infant
~ fingers toward the truth until
this brilliant age, in which We are so
prone to think OF ourselves as its abso-
lutte possessors, no question has more
often thrust itself forward for discussion
only to be left unanswered. than that
which has to do with the relative value
Of pain or pleasure. loss or gain One
fact, however, has gradually become es-
tablished, namely. that the heroes, saints
and prophets Of each age have argued for
the superior value to mans spiritual ma
ture Of pain and loss, as against mere
pleasure or acquisition. Not only so, but
God, through nature, has provided that
our fear of pain should be our greatest
protection against injury, and the virtue
of temperance is most often learned from
the wretchedness that follows excess
II this be true with reference to our
temporal and physical life it is doubly so
in respect to our spiritual life; for mere
our bearing Of pain develops NOME
fortitude: our losing all for truths sake
places a value upon truth that 1t could
under no other circumstances possess. and
men have come at last not to ask, is IT
pleasant or profitable now" but rather,
''W1ll 1t pay in the long rum?
We shall leave the reading OF the Scrip
ture references at the head OF TINS article
to those who desire more careful prep
aration for the devotional meetings, and
only emphasize three thoughts
First-Giving up to gain. This Is the
law Of all life that is worth while Inc
farmer casts from him his precious grain.
and WHY? He knows that he can never
hope for more until he has thrown this
which he has into the earth. SO the
scholar gives the precious early years OF
life, the merchant lays out his capital.
the one that he may gain the coVeIeo
knowledge, the other that he may gather
gold. The law is ever the same. Losing
to gain" and as we read of the Gaining
of our Lords disciples we note That They
left all and followed Him" Later. when
they asked Him concerning the reward
attending such sacrifice, His answer fully
| satisfied them. Not until we are willing
| to lose all for His sake can we ever be-
| come opulent spiritually.
Second-It is to be noted that while the
losses we are called upon to bear are all
| temporal the gains are invariably spir-
| itual We cannot be robbed spiritually.
| We may relinqush our spiritual heritage.
| but no man can take it from us. II our
| faith in God be steadfast. So, while IT
NAV become necessary to die unto sin
| i'm order to rise unto righteousness, the
gain attaching to such sacriflCe is SO
great as to make the loss seem small.
Third-We have the thought of THE
conversations yet to come. 1t is not al
and rewards in this present life. although
| this is not infrequent concomitant OF
conduct; but true as God Himself Is the
promise that the future is big with gain
| for those who dared to lose present profit
| for Jesus sake. In the light of such
promises how paltry seems a little pres
| ent loss and how true the lines:
..Not enjoyment and not sorrow
| Is our destined end or way.
But to live that each tomorrow
Find us farther than today.
| X X
Notes.
| Miss Braxton Howell. District second
vice president, Is at Silver Bay, enjoying
the missionary conference Mr.. r. w
| Islands this week. The District president
Mr. Louis 8. Hieston, has just returned
i from a two-week stay at Asbury Park
| N. j.
The excursion given by the District
| League last Monday was not as wei
patronized as in the past. the weather be-
| ing disagreeable. Those who went had
good time however. and the District
officers lost no chance to talk up the work
for the coming fall The chapter from
Woodside, Md. furnished the surprise OF
the evening by having f1fty-two tickets
| turned in at the wharf.
X X X
The WASHINGTON district officers are try
| ing to take the lead Of the districts of the
| Baltimore conference during the season
1911 and 1912. They will have big all
| day rally at Washington Grove. August
S, and take part at Emory Grove. outside
of Baltimore, August 10. Big mass meet
| ings are being pushed for the early fall
and a big season is looked for.
y X y
The league room at Dumbarton Avenue
| Church is being refrescoed and recarpet-
| ed. They have also put in electric
lights, making 1t one Of the pleasantest
| lecture rooms in the city.