Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-08-29
BY BishopW .A.Candler

y
The Christian life is a personally con-
Quoted journey. So taught Jesus when
he said, 81 am the light of the world:
he that followeth me snail not walk in
life" John VIII, 12).
These words he spoke at the Feast
of Tabernacle, when the Jewish people
celebrated the experiences of their faith
ers during their forty years of wan
dering in the wilderness. In that long
period of wandering Israel was guided
day by day and guarded night by night
by pillar of cloud and fire which was
to them the leading of the divine pres
ence In the midst of these impressive
ceremonials Jesus declared that he was
to be TO his followers what the mysteri-
Gus Presence in the wilderness was to
the chosen people as they journeyed
from Egypt to the Land of Promise.
The journeyings of Israel in the wild
erness were not by map, nor by any
plan of military foresight. Worldly
wisdom would have selected different
and shorter route; but God in his per-
sonal guidance led tie chosen people by
His own way.
In like manner our Lord proposes to
| lead his people. Life cannot be pur-
sued with program arranged before
hand by human wisdom To one stand
ing at its outset God gives no blue print
to guide and guard. And this is far
better than any other plan of life.
There are those who wish that every
detail of life should be worked out in
advance by human skill and set out with
minute directions. But this cannot be,
and such a plan has ended always in
casuistical confusion and perplexing I'M
certainty. 1t is the plan of the Phari-
sees with all its painful regulations and
| impracticable rules. 1t leaves God en-
! tirely out of account and undertakes to
| maze every man the maker and master
Of his own destiny. Such a plan implies
that a man may take his life into his
own hands and dispose of il without
| reference to the divine purpose concern
ing him, and without regard to his place
in the providential movement which en-
swathes all human history.
Young people frequently discuss the
best method of choosing a profession
| as if the matter were to be determined
on basis of personal preference or am
| bition. In this they are entirely mis-
| taken. The work of life ought not to be
thing of mere personal choice; but il
| should be entered upon as a vocation tc
| which God has called one. With refer
| enCc TO the WOrk OF the OHTlSlldu
| istry this truth is very generally rec
ognized; but with reference to Other
lines of life most men seem to think
they may do as they please without ref
erence to Gods purpose concerning
| them. Doubtless it is true that there Is
| a peculiarly solemn and sacred call Il
the ministry; but it is equally true thai
| every mans life should be a plan OF
God. The Scriptures teach us thai
| God has a particular care for every
| man, a personal interest in him, and Z
watchful oversight over him. Such be-
ing the case, it is the privilege of every
man to shape his life under the guild
| ance of God. Discussing this trutf
Horace Bushnell says: Every human
soul has a complete and perfect plan
| cherished for it in the hart of Cod
a divine biography marked out which i
| enters into life to live. This life, right
| fully unfolded, will be a complete ant
beautiful work, and experiences led OF
by God and unfolded by His secret nur'
| ture as the trees and flowers and the
secret nurture of the world; a drama
| cast in the mould of the perfect art will
no part wanting; divine study for the
| man himself and for others; study
| that shall forever unfold, in wondroui
| beauty, the love and faithfulness o.
| God; great in it's conception, great IL
the Divine skill by which 1t is shaped
| above all, great in the mOmentous ant
| glorious issue it prepares. What
| thought is this for every human soul t.
| cherish! What dignity does 1T add Il
| life! What support does it bring to tn
trials of life! What instigation does i
| add to send us onward in everything
that constitutes our excellence! VIVA
live in the divine thought! We fill I
| place in the great everlasting plan o.
| Gods intelligence. We never Sink be
low his care, never drop out of hi
counsel"
| At the outset of life the importan
thing for a young man is not to under
take to choose a profession, but it is Il
discover the plan of God for his life ant
put himself under the divine guidance
and direction in fulfilling that plan
The selection of a profession on tn
mere basis of personal preference, Of
selfish ambition, and which leaves tn
will of God out of the account. is al
athestic thing and in the end leads t.
| defeat and despair.