The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-01-14
HELPS,

They used helps."-Acts xvii. IL
When st Paul, who had appealed to
Caesar. WINS on his way to Rome by
sea, tho vessel was ovcrtaken by a
furious storm. and became less equal
TO tho struggle each moment The
strained and battered timbers even let
the water IN. The crew tried to give
the weakening ship some help by pass
ing strong cable round the hull; then
overheard to tighten tho vessel and
save the lives OF those IN tho ship.
From that shipwreck of st. Paul we
may draw many spiritual lessons. We
only have space to take up one-that
of our need OF using helps
We are all in a measure like ships at
sea, hoping TO reach their destination
our haven being Paradise. OF course,
like tho ships. we must encounter
many dangers or the wide scn OF life
The wavcn OF the world often rago md
swell horribly. We lind the rocks of
temptation very numerous. There ls
continual mutiny going on within
us-the struggle between good and
eVh. OFTEN We are driven by furious
tempest-the rushing wind of some
empowering passion. All OF thNse
things weaken us even as tho ship ia
Injured By tho constant beating OF tho
wind and waves In times of storm
Then comes the timo when we must do
as tho sailors on the Alexandrian vcs-
sci which carried st. Paul We must
tighten the ship and use helps. Many
craft has conc down from being
overloaded. Many Christian has
started prosperously on his voyage to
heaven and been lost for the Same rea.
SON Sometimes men overload them
selves with tho desire for Erent
wrecked. On board there was great
deal of money, ana after every one had
been taken from the sinking ship ex-
cept one of tho sailors. he was found
on tho deck hlling his pockets with
gold. He was warned that tho shin
was sinking rapidly, but SO eager was
he TO secure riches that he nlled his
pockets until he was unable TO escape
with the load he amassed. How many
of US do the very Same thing, risk and
even lose our spiritual lives for tn,
accumulation OF wealth to ;he exclu-
sion OF all other things Again we nnd
ourselves overladen with worldly am
billions or our own business affairs.
until We have no time for higher
thoughts We may even BIO heard TO
say when spoken to OF religious OBJ
serVances, that we have no timo for
anything but GU. trade. This beln z
true. We may go On until. overladcn
with the sin OF neglect we no down
In the great sea OF eternity with these
words ringing IN our cars: What shall
1t PROFIT n man II he gain the whole
world. and lose his own soui?" b.
setting sins and BAD habits creeo IN
10 wreck our souls II We do not guard
against them and put out of our lives
all that binders us from making sniri.
tual progress. Even as Il captain mus,
sometimes sacrifice merchandise very
precious to him and cast Il overboard
to tighten the ship and Rave tho life
OF his crew. we must have TO give up
some habit or pleasure dear to us be-
cause It may be the means of losinc
FOR us eternal salvation. I'VE are not
sufficient OF ourselves our helm com
eth from the Lord, and we must ask
for help and guidance. casting awav
what hlnders us. Foremost amongst
the means and helps provided by Goa
are the services and sacramento or
GODS holy churches, where wo hear
Gods word and arc told OF chris,'s
| life; then the study of our Bible and
prayer. which will lead Us to help 9TH
eTs even as we arc helped. Try to help
! others and God will nelp you.
Colonel ny, 40 a.,