Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-06-08

narnOnies or hope CULVER In the air; to
some II IL the sweetest OF heavenly
music: to others II is harsh and mean
Ingless.
II this be true OF all Of our spiritual
experiences. II is especially so OF wisdom
from on high" for God imparts His
priceless gift of divine wisdom gladly To
those who are eager to receive Il. but
never squanders II upon those who fail
to appreciate its value or who might mis-
use Ii.
Two lessons are given us: The first Is
Daniels song of thanksgiving after God
had revealed to him the nature and in
depreciation OF acknowledgements dream
The second is the closing paragraph OF
the second chapter OF First Corinthians.
in which the apostle makes clear TO those
ex-worshipers of Aphrodite that the
truths of God are spiritually discerned.
From these scriptures and the topic we
draw three thoughts.
/. TRAINING AND TRUE WISDOM
There Is no greater mistake made again
and again by the casual observer than
that which leads him to believe that
ignorant and unframed men are capable
of great achievements. 1t is not true
now, and never has been We may oc-
casionally find some rare spirit for whom
self culture has done what Is ordinarily
shepherd king" is poet and warrior long
Deiore he comes to the throne, and Lin
coin, 1.-The rail splitter" carried self-cul-
ture to its limit.
Not only SO, but we believe that with
out exception these exceptions to the rule
were men who drew upon the Infinite for
wisdom and for strength, and thus Esop.
David, Shakespeare, Lincoln and their
kind not only schooled themselves. but
drew upon the heavenly treasury for in
spiration and upon the divine oracles for
illustration and example.
When, however, we come to look at the
great and abiding deeds OF men, we find
their authors furnished for their task
with scholarship and training OF the best
II is easy for us to speak OF the apostles,
as did the Scribes OF old, as uniearned
and ignorant men," but they had at least
enjoyed three years or more OF sitting II
the feet OF the greatest Teacher earth has
known.
With Daniel, of whom our lesson tells,
we find him foremost scholar or an age and
cult noted for scholarship, while the au-
thor of the Corinthian letters was a grad
uate Of one of the finest schools of his or
any age. So with Luther. Calvin and Wes-
ley, and all the saints and statesmen
of whom we know whose work abfdes-
They first equipped themselves for any
sphere, then craved Gods blessing on their
gifts, and He poured out upon their splen-
did powers the added gift OF wisdom
from on high.
IL.
have vision are not necessarily visionary;
indeed, they seldom are, for vision Is that
gift Of faculty or soul by which we see
beyond the narrow rim of the nearby
horizon Of events and grasp the larger
plans OF God. True vision, Spiritual
sight" liz given to those who bring Their
eyes TO God, that He may teach them
how to see right things, large plans the
good In every man, that, seeing, they may
more quickly do the work and viii OF
God.
III. THE HOLY SPIRIT THE DIVINE.
TEACHER-The problems OF this world
did not pass with Daniel and with Paul
Hence those who seek for wisdom 10 DIS
Germ and grace to carry out the plans oil
God stand in sore need OF guidance day
by day. God has not left US lacking al
this point, but when the risen Christ gave
HIS last blessing to His followers he
coupled with His promises of power TO
do the task which He had set the further
pledge that wisdom should be given to al
who sought to know the way of God and
truth.
That promise has been kept. The Holy
Spirit never yet has failed to point the
way when the true servant or ms Loru
cried out for guidance in his God-gfven
task.
Before US les a world that must be
won: above us sits a God who gave His
Sop that world to save He died that
all might live; and unto us is given the
glorious privilege OF telling those who
know Him not how blessed Is such
knowledge and how great the joy that
springs within the soul surrendered 10
His will. And, best of all. the Holy Spirit
is given, to give US wisdom, vision. love
to carry out the plan. Let US ask large
w. lest the work be given to others
worthier of such confidence.