The Madisonian. (Richmond, Ky.) 1913-1914, 1913-09-16

Ions to saunter through the meadows
of a summer evening. 1t is jour
ney having a definite end.
Our relation to or connection with
every thing in this life is affected by
our knowledge or belief concerning its
end
The interest we take in a visit to
friends is affected by the thought of
it's termination and the parting. If
we have a companion upon whom
death has set his seal, all our thoughts
concerning him are colored by the
shadow of the approaching end.
Our conversation and manner to-
ward him are Influenced by our knowl-
edge that the end draweth nigh. We're
this same friend in buoyant health
and vigor. how different would be our
thoughts and actions toward him.
The end of things makes a differ
ence about how we feel and act.
If In a journey to some distant
point we found our means of convey
ance uncomfortable and our compan-
ions disagreeable, would it not lessen
our concern about the aggravations
of the journey? If we knew that at
the end we would obtain our hearts
greatest desire? Or if, on the other
hand. everything connected with the
journey was of the most pleasant and
delightful nature, the companions
those that we loved best and the
country through which we passed the
most lovely that eye could feast upon,
would not our delight in the journey
be diminished, If we knew that at the
end we were to meet face to face
some great sorrow?
Greatest of All Questions.
II we are SO sensibly affected by
the end or the results of our little
earthly journeys, is it not wise to
give thought to the direction our
steps are tending ON the broad high
way of life?
Life as highway Is not meant to
indicate road leading in a particular
direction. 1t is a figurative term to
denote Sall the exigencies of human
life as a whole in which each individ-
ual having no continuing city or per-
manent abiding place is seeking one.
to come.
We are of necessity going some
where and the important query is,
where?
Solomon, the wisest man, thought
this an important matter or he would
not have said:
Ponder the path of thy feet"
The obvious teaching of the wise
mans injunction is that there are
paths leading in wrong direction,
and reaching an undesirable end, and
that such paths are to be avoided.
Ponder, weigh well and reflect and Sc
riously mediate upon the direction in
which thy feet are tending. There are
many paths. The broad highway of
life is but conjunction of innumer-
able avenues, along which men, wom-
en- and children are journeying.
Child of sorrow and tears, ponder
well the path of thy feet!
And there are paths of folly and
sin-paths of darkness and terror
paths of despair and death. At the
beginning some of these paths appear
pleasant and inviting and are entered
with gayety and songs-places of
amusement and fountains of pleasure
are open at every hand, but they are
only gilded saloons of folly and vice
The fountains of pleasure become
broken cisterns which can hold no
water; and the amusements, though
they thrill and exhilarate for a time,
become like the delirium of fever, that
in the end scorches and wastes like
fire.
Turn Into Right Path.
These are not safe paths, and he
who finds himself walking therein
should carefully reflect on the end
whittier they tend and turn his steps
therefrom before it is too late.
But in the journey Of life there are
paths of safety and delight-ways of
pleasantness and peace; roads of
honor and hope; avenues of triumph
and truth; highways of holiness and
happiness.
One Of the sweetest and most bless
ed experiences on the broad highway
of life is the meeting with some fel-
low traveller who proves to be friend.
true. honest, loyal and brave, and
whose hand is ever ready in difficult
places to aid US or be aided; his voice
cheering and comforting US as we
walk together either in the sunshine
or in the shade.
The way is often long. and often we
pass through desolate places which
call loudly for sympathy and cheer of
loving comrade. How blessed are
the friendships that cheer us on iife's
journey.
And there Isl one friend that every
one may have. The friend that stick
eth closer than brother. With him
as companion we cannot mistake
the right road. for his feet never trod
q wrong way. Take hold of his hand
and in due time all your hoping and
dreaming will be realized by reaching
q glorious beyond.
Here we, have no continuing city.
but seek one to come