The Waxahachie daily light. [volume] (Waxahachie, Tex.) 1894-current, 1916-01-18
CONTRARY. WINDS subject
Of REV. BAssEIrS stHNUA

TIE Main Street Christian ehuFeH
Sunday on the subject OF "Conraf'
Winds Text: Matt. 1f:24
The minister said in part:
II had beer an eyentful day in the
lives of Jesus and his apostles lie
had just fed the five thousand peo-
pie with the five loaves and twV
fishes. The admiration of the mus
titude for Him knew no bounds. IN
their enthusiasm. they wanted 70
make him their king. Perhaps his
disciples shared this desire OF theirs
That He might thwart them In TINS
purpose, Jesus commanded HIS dis-
ciDles to enter their boat and re-
turn 10 the other side of the sea.
He then sent the multitude away
ard retired 10 the mountain that he
might be alone with the Father ID
prayer. Night came on and with II
Q terrific storm. The apostles were
ir the midst of the sea, their boat
was filled with water and they were
greatly terrified when Jesus came
walking to them on the water. he
made himself known to them, en-
tered the boat and Gained the STORM
and they were quickly at shore
Now from this experience of the
apostles with the contrary Nnds
we may learn. there may be con-
trary winds even in the path OF duty.
That in living the life and prose-
cutting the work Jesus has commit
ted to our hands we may encounter
contrary winds. The apostles were
in the path of duty when the storm
arose. Surely Jesus knew the
storm would arise. He knew that
they could not proceed against it H.
knew how terrified they would be,
and yet He deliberately command
ed them to enter the boat nnd row
to the other side. So | say under
take to live the life Jesus commands
and perform His work. Jesus himself
emphasized this fact as no other
teacher mas ever done. Again we
learn they are for our good.
They teach us our weakness and
dependence upon God. God often
leaves US alone in our trials and
Affections and bereavements that Ha
may teach us our weakness ana
cause us to depend upon Him.
They frequently alter our plans
and purposes very much to our bene-
fit. James \ Garfield had made
one trip on a canal boat and was
soon to leave on another. While
chopping wood he cut his foot. The
dye in his sock poisoned tao wound
and kept him at home. Soon a re-
vival began in his neighborhood and
he accepted Christ. Then desire
for an education awoke within aim
and he went to school and became
o. preacher of the Gospel and ultf-
mately the president of the United
States instead of a seaman. Thus
is God continually altering our
plans through what we call trials
and Affections and the like.
They develop cur faith. God
brings an increase of faith through
trial of faith. Every time we
pass through some trying experience
and God does not fail us-as He
never does-we come out with a
much stronger and more vital faith
than that with which we entered,
A young widow was struggling to
make a living for herself and three
little children. One evening she
returned TO her home after a long.
tiresome, futile tramp in search for
work. She was tired and hungry
and there was no food in the home.
Although she was accustomed to
control herself in the presence of her
children, she was broken-hearted
and threw herself down on the bed
and wept almost eonvulsively. Her
little boy watched her in great sor-
row and establishment. Presently
he stole to her side and gently sooth-
q her cheek and said: what is
the matter mama. Is Cod dead? ?"
These words went straight 10 her
heart. For the time she had for
soften the Great Helper. With
courage she took up the struggle
enew and the promised help did nor
fail. Thus is the faith OF us all
strengthened through the trials
through which. in the providence Of
God. we are compelled TO pass.
Asain we learn that II is always
safe in the path God has marked our
Il was true IN the eese Of he apes
les Of cd on TIE storm-toseed sea.
II vas true % STEPHEN. Il was true