The Pleasantville press. (Pleasantville, N.J.) 1912-1929, 1916-01-15

willing our condemnation, has given
for us his Son." The text we have
chosen makes clear the pathway to
peace for human hearts.
First, we are to be careful for
nothing" This exhortation has been
misapplied by some. They are truly
careful for nothing and think they
have cast their care upon God. But
those acquainted with all. the circum-
stances inform us that they have only
cast their cares upon their husbands
or wives or friends, who must bear
the burden for them. For such peo-
pie to talk of trust in God is sheer
hypocrisy. There is a proper sort of
carefulness which is commended of
by st. Paul in the very epistle from
which our text is taken philippians
2:20). The revised version makes clear
the meaning of the apostle in our
text by the translation, BE anxious for
nothing"
Again, we are to be %prayerful about
everything. Some good people are
wise about what is written in this
regard. They tell us we should pray
only about spiritual matters; but the
text says Everything" The old mys-
tics wen went so far as to say we
should have 40 desires, but should
only pray, "Thy will be done" To
say the least, this would be very I'M
human, and we are glad to be as
sured by the text that it is not the d.
vine requirement. The Father wants
US to tell out our hearts freely into
his ear, and we can see at once the
relief this affords, and how it is re-
lated to u peace. Questions may
arise as to the need of telling God
all when he knows all. Whether we
can answer them or not the fact re-
mains that we are encouraged in
everything by prayer and supplica-
tion," to make our requests known
unto God.
Henry Clay Trumbull vas a very
practical man, to whom prayer was
a reality. He believed that in lit
orally everything he should make his
requests known to God. On M occa-
sion just as he was leaving for the
train he mislaid the manuscript of
al address he was to deliver. He
had put it in his pocket and it had
disappeared most mysteriously. He
at once had to prayer. He
testifies that Immediately it was sug-
gested in his mind that he look in
his inside vest-pocket rather than in
the pocket of his coat, and 10! the
missing document was found. God
will answer in various ways, but our
part is plain: In everything make
your requests known to God"
The third direction to those who
seek peace is, that our prayer should
be offered with thanksgiving" This
element is so generally omitted; as
Spurgeon said, Complaint is the
largest tribute heaven receives" But
we may be thankful, literally, in
everything. The very privilege of
prayer should make us grateful, for it
gives us access to the most holy place.
The fact that all comes to us from
confidence that we may be thankful
for all. 1t will be seer at once that
a grateful heart will help us on the
way to peace.
Then follows a promise that "the
peace of God, which passeth all un-
derstanding, shall keep Tor guard)
your hearts and minds Cor thoughts)
in Christ Jesus" The figure is a
beautiful one. We are seen as shell
tered in Christ as in a fortress, while
peace like a sentinel guards the door.
The completeness of our protection is
suggested by the expression hearts
and thoughts" j.. e., the whole inner
man and the very workings of that
inner man, in detail, shall be guarded
by peace. 1t is to be noted that this
is a definite promise to those who are
anxious for nothing, prayerful about
everything and thankful for anything.
A gloomy Christian told a happy
colored woman she did not see how
she kept so joyous. Suppose" said
she, you grew sick, or your en-
ployer died, or some other dreadful
thing were to %happen?" The happy
saint interrupted: stop, honey; l
never supposes. The Lawd is my
Shepherd. It's all dem 'supposes' as
is maxim you so miserable. You'd bet
ter give dem all up and just trust de
Lawd."