Norwich bulletin., 1916-12-04
GREENEVILLE
Rev. A. w. Burdon Speaks at the Fed erated Church-St. Marys Parish Societies Increase Membership Personals and Notes.

Many heard Rev. A. W. Burdon. pas- tor of the Federated church, deliver an interesting sermon Sunday even ing. Rev. MT. Burdon's subject was The Dreamer,s Ladder, and he took his text from Gen. 2S: 12:13. Rev. MT. Burdon said in part:
 We call a man who is a dreamer Visionary mortal-or cracked brain. The subject of this tale was neither one of the other. He was a very hard headed, shrewd, far-seeing man. look ing for the main chance.
 He comes, into prominence first as one who could drive a sharp bargain; the second time when entering into a conspiracy to deceive his father, and the third time when beginning the journey to Pandauaram
 It would be interesting to go with him as he begins the Journey: over the rough, uneven ground, with staff for company.
 Plodding one heavy mile after an- other through the heat of the noon day, on and on. then as the night shadows sather to cast himself upon the ground, utterly spent. It may have seemed a shrewd trick for Jacob to cover his hand, face and neck with goats skin to deceive his old blind father, getting fer himself the bless Ing which belonged to Esau as birthright.
 Somehow that trick was less attrac- tive out there: with nothing but the starlight for a blanket, gootsore from forty miles of loneliness. the hard ground for couch. with a harder stone for a pillow, there to fad into a heavy sleep, an utterly exhausted man. This story is true to life then and now. There are many way sta tions on the road in life, ar whici: punishment is to be found.
 One climbs to untold heights in one field of labor. the other fulfiils his place in another. Years go on with the father reaching middle age, and he remembered the dreab. the children are living in a world of their own, stumbling into the pitfalls digged with their own hands. Lines of care fur row his face; and he asks Where have I failed in my duty and help?" The ladder of that father lacked one essential to be found in Jacobs dream ladder. There was no God at the top" If the fathers and mothers in the world could and would realize the force of this. If in their dreams for babies future included God. If the plans for son and daughter included would rot so often remain but a dream. A little boy came to bis fa- ther one day and laid his hand on his knee, looking up wistfully, tcDo you want penny. child?" "No papa, only you" What thought "oniy you" J y have 8 God. Christ, Redeerner You may be able to give your child money. Aid them to success, put them on their way to fame, but this su- prerne need is to find God. and with him at the top of your ladder of fife, you are enabled to give them Him. During storm some years ago a ship was driven out of her course and helpless and disabled. was carried in- to a strange bay. Water gave out, the crew suffered agenies of thirst yet dared no4 drink of the salt water In which their ship fioated; at last driven to extremity they lowered a bucket over the side and drank the water. That which they thought wal sea water was fresh. cool and life-giT- ing.
 That's us. We are within reach of the lifegfving fountain. All we need do is to reach out. The fact of one failure will help steer clear of fail ure in the future, we learn by ex- perience, and God.