The Penn's Grove record., 1911-08-18
76e
Mountain Tops
ST Joy
and Valleys
& Depressio

Is Joy In SO doing, n u
souls feel refreshed. AS a rule it Is
far superior than dwelling In the val
leys of depression.
The mountain tops Of joy are Just
the thing on which to take a ~joy-rest.
1t is my delight to tarry there and to
enjoy the spiritual scenery. How
delightful 1t is to leave all care be-
hind and to take a bath IN the quiet
ude and grandeur Of some mountain
where your meditations are not dis
turbed and where only the whisper
ings of nature come to your heart
and ears. There is Joy on such
mountain tops that cannot be ex-
pressed In words. Such a place is the
place in which to sing the
praises of God and count over his
many mercies.
An hour spent there Is most refresh
ing to both body and soul. If you do
not believe me try 1t once, and my
word for 1t. you will be anxious to try
1t again.
Drawn Nearer to God.
But l am not certain If such enjoy
ment is as beneficial as the expert
ences often received In the valley Of
depression. 1t takes all kinds of stu
atoms to make strong men and
women. In the valleys Of depression
there are many things that draw US
nearer to God; cur hearts are softened
and we renew our intentions to live
nearer to him. The valley Of humil-
ity is a good place In which to grow
in grace and cultivate repentance.
What a beneficial change Is brought
about by internal examinations while
dwelling in some valley. 1t Is always
well to know thyself, and what place
is better calculated to do 1t In than In
the valley of humility? A residence
for a short season In that valley has
the effect of making the mountain
tops more enjoyable when you get
there. 1t Is always after a severe
storm that the sunshine is best appre-
ciated. No real sorrows mean no
real joys. Coming out of darkness
into light is a pleasure we all enjoy.
The shadows of troubles have their
use, and blessed is the man or woman
who can profit by them.
l know as well as any man how de-
lightful 1t is to live on mountain tops;
but, nevertheless, I have often felt
that a residence In some valley Is
good for my soul; for 1t has the effect
of putting down spiritual pride and of
making new resolutions to serve God
more faithfully In the future.
A tumble from a mountain Of Joy
into some valley is not very pleasant,
but it Is yours to rise up again on
pinions of faith and enjoy the luxuries
again of being far away from the
world and all of its sorrows and
cares.
What you like and what Is best for
you are two different things. God
knows best, so be content and trust
him always.
Profit From Hard Lesson.
There are lessons to be learned
both on the mountain tops of Joy and
In the valleys of depression. Learn
your lessons well and profit from
them. A change is good. To live al
ways on the mountain tops of Joy
would stunt you, and to live continu-
ally in the valleys of depression would
be injurious to you.
After bathing in the cold waters Of
depression what a happy change 1t is
to bask on the hilltops Of joy; to feel
the presence of Christ and to have
your mouth filed with praises.
AS human beings we need changes,
and 1t will be well with US If we can
get into the habit of taking pleasant
" all the circumstances that God sur
rounds us with.
Rejoice and be glad that you have
enough to eat, clothing to wear and a
home to reside in. Do not walk about
with your head hung down, but lift
up your eyes to Heaven and drink in
all the pure pleasures that come your
way. In this world, in the language
of the negro hymn, you will be Some
times up and sometimes down." but
do not get discouraged, knowing that
your Fathers hand is eve extended
to keep you from falling.
In my old days my testimony Is
that goodness and mercy have fol-
lowed me all the days of my past life,
and why should | not trust him the
remaining days of my existence?