The Penn's Grove record., 1916-02-18
Joy IS IN SERVING
BY That, and That Alone, Is the
Strength of the Spiritual
Nature Developed.

Two things more contrary than So
ciety and solitude can hardly be imag-
ined. 1t is possible to have solitude
only. Such isolation from others has
its advantages. 1t is next to impossi-
BILE to concentrate thought and atten-
ton in the midst of the confusion Of
life. Yet the life that is spent apart
from others misses something of high
est worth. God has not given his un-
qualified approval to that type Of life.
At the beginning of human history he
said, 1T is not good for man to be
alone"
1t is possible to have society only.
The farm is deserted because it is too
lonely. Cities with their opportunities
for society and excitement are increas-
ing with a rapidity which is alarming.
Society has many advantages. yet the
n who lives only in society misses
something of supreme worth. God
has blessings which are given only in
solitude.
In order that life may be symmet-
rical, there must be a proper combina-
ton of the two. AS such contrary
things as winter and summer combine
to produce abundant harvests, so So
ciety and solitude properly mingled
will enrich life. Contrary as these con-
ditions many appear they seem to be
divinely welded in the familiar ex-
preston, God settles the solitary in
families" Such an arrangement may
sound impossible. When a family is
formed theirs must be intimate fell
:owship. A family composed of indi-
viduals of solitary disposition would
soon d~isintegrate. Yet in the true
family there is a place both for society
and for solitude. Common interests
and strong affections bind the family
into a unit, 81 intimate that what
touches n member of the family
brings joy or sorrow to all. Still, each
member has his peculiar disposition
and tastes, and there are districts in
his life into which others are not adj
mitted. In the family society and soil
tude may exist side by side. In the
one we find Jul strength, and in the
other we find our weakness. The
financial giants and captains of indus
try would never have accumulated
such wealth or gained such power had
they lived isolated lives. Their sue
cess has depended on their being in a
large community and enlisting the
members of that community in their
interests. Those who have remained
poor and weak have lacked ability to
relate other lives to themselves. They
have stood alone in their struggle for
existence, and in that solitude they
have found only weakness.
Developing Strength.
Strength in spiritual matters is to
be found in a proper intercourse with
others. He becomes the greatest who
Is most the minister to others. We
cannot minister to others without en-
tering into society, and it is by such
service that strength is developed.
Nor can we, without mingling in So
ciety and loving neighbor as our
self, put ourselves in line for the great
rewards of him who says, "InasmucE
as ye have done it unto one of the
least of my brethren, We have done it
unto me-"
But we need the solitude as well.
It is in the hours spent apart from
men that we are most apt to have
visions of God and be drawn to him.
1t is in such hours that our gaze can
penetrate farthest into our OWL lives,
and we discover our weakness and
need. Those who say that they are
rich and have need of nothing, while
they are poor and wretched and mis-.
cradle, have spent too much time in
society and too little in solitude. Eel
lowship with others has it's advan-
tages, so God sets US in families and
gives even wider associations, but tho
hours spent alone with God are no
less valuable.-Ths United Presby-
terrain.