The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-02-09

right path. that all 10 we'll. 80 thinks
the stranger on Dartmoor He thinks
how green and pleasant the turf looks
It Is quite safe to walk there. Then
suddenly he makes false step, and
the bog swallows him up. So We may
come to a sudden temptation in our
way, and we go on. thinking we are
/ safe, and suddenly sink into the quick
SAND of sin. The traveller. when he
started from home. never expected to
sink in the bog Eve never expected
danger when she listened to the SER
pent. David meant no harm when he
looked at Bathshebs ST. Peter was
quite sure of himself when he boosted
OF his fidelity. when We are quite
| sure Of ourselves we are most in dan
ger; the pit is close 10 US.
Brethren, do not trust in yourselves.
In your own sire 9Th: do not count
up your virtues. but look for the spots
on the white robe You know that
you have sinned, that you have been
down in the depths: then DRY unto the
Lord out of the depths of sin. and say,
"'Deliver me out of the mire, that
sink not" DO not be afraid TO cry.
for with the Lord there is mercy. He
will deliver your eyes from tears and
your feet from falling; out OF the
depths OF sin cry unto the Lord.
Then there are times when all of
us need to cry unto the Lord out Of
the depths of melancholy and depres-
sion. For all of us there are days
when we are brought very low, down
in the. depths. Do what We may, we
cannot help feeling miserable. II
seems as though the sun would never
shine again. the clouds return after
the rain. It seems as though God had
forgotten TO be gracious; all the day
long We moan in our prayer and are
vexed: in the night season We take
no rest: look where We will. all seems
dark The hottest OF Gods people feel
this at times. They try to believe that
il is all for the best: but their faith
is weak, and they cannot see the light
y.
the darkness and in the deep. and.
like Elijah. they cry: Take away my
life. for I am not better than my
fathers
All, brethren, every true servant OF
God knows that depth. What shall we
do then. when the horror OF the great
darkness falls upon US? Let US cry
unto the Lord He brought us low
that He might lift US up: He puts
us in the dark that we might turn to
the light. Out in the sunshine we
trusted In ourselves, and thought we
should never be moved: God turned
away His face and we were troubled:
down in the depths VIC learned our
weakness, and We cried: Lord, save
me: 1 perish" Oftentimes in the deep
est pit OF dependency We find the
precious jewel OF faith.
Then there are times when We all
cry unto the Lord out of the depths
Of sorrow. Sooner or later the dark
messenger stops at every door and
crosses every threshold. Sometimes
out of the depths of our sorrow We
murmur and complain. Who are We
to question the Almighty? He is
the Potter who forms the clay into
the right shape; He puts US through
the fire OF trouble that He may bend
bereaves US. removes our money. or
our friends or our home, TO open our
eyes. to make US see clearer. to teach
us 10 look up to God. 4 man at the
heaven above him: so God sometimes
casts US into the deep of sorrow that
we may look up and seek those things
that are above.
Again, there are times when we have
to cry unto the Lord out of the depths
OF illness. 1t is a weary depth. Yet
Gods servants learn to cry out of
that depth. Illness is a waiting work
and In the hours OF sickness we ought
70 wait for the Lord. The Psalmist
said. MY soul waiteth for the Lord
more than they which watch for the
morning" So when the trial time
Of sickness comes to US. we should
wait and watch for the Lord. and cry
70 Him for light. for comfort for
patience. for resignation-and We shall
not cry in vaini
Lastly, we must all come to the
depth of death. II We have cried
unto the Lord throughout our life. we
shall know how to cry out to Him in
death. We shall ask Him who has
led US all these years TO guide Us
through the last depth Of all We
shall trust Jesus Men talk Of going
down to the darkness Of death. II is
not dark TO Co.'S servant The world
grows dark. but Paradise grows
brighter. and we say. Let me go. for
the day brsaketh-"
-Z----
The possession OF automobiles
nowadays f. no criterion of riches"
observes Justice Timpkins. Of New
-ax