The Record-courier. [volume] (Gardnerville, Nev.) 1904-current, 1918-11-22
.MORSELS Of
SPIRITUAL FOOD

OF comfort our churches and pulpits
had to remain closed by reason Of
necessity. Under these conditions we
who are wont to compass the altar OF
our God, love the habitation of Gods
house and the place where His honor
dwelleth will appreciate these morsels
of spiritual food which have jotted
down for your devotional considera-
tion.
There are two things which are
most energetically moving our hearts
and minds at this time. The Influenza
and the ending of the wQrld-war.
The influenza epidemic has been hold
ing the world. our land and also our
community in a firm grip for months.
The epidemic has caused an untold
amount {. misery and suffering and
has sounded the death knell to many
thousands of people. The daily
newspapers theDe days brought the
information that according to the
merger statistics now at hand more
people have fallen victims to the cpl
denic than have sacrificed their lives
upon the blood-stained battlefields OF
the world-war. Also in our own COM
munity the epidemic has caused many
eyes to tear and many hearts to bleed
In sorrow. The other matter of I'M
mense interest to US is the termina-
ton of that bloody slaughter In
Europe, which has continued unre-
lcntingly for nearly five years. What
source of profound relief and COM
placency. The world PEACE is
again written over the panorama of
nations. No more blood of the
worlds choicest manhood will be
shed. No more children will become
iatherless and no more wives will be
deprived of their husbands. Dread
autocracy and world-rule enunciated
by the kaiser of Germany has been
demolished and reduced to complete
annihilation. The calm of universal
democracy will soon settle upon the
whole world. A new world era is
dawning.
What kind of an attitude will you
take over against the two issues which
are at present uppermost in our minds
and which just have been referred to
If there is a christian heart beating
within your bosom your attitude will
be one of gratitude. The apostle of
the Gentiles, st. Paul, says: Giving
thanks always FOR ALL THINGS
unto Cod" Eph. s.. 20.
You may perhaps find 1t unnatural
and difficult to thank God for the
trials of the epidemic, which has been
raging, but is beginning to wane.
Your carnal heart will ask the ques-
ton How can | thank God for the
distress through which have passed?
How can | thank God in case the
dreaded malady has taken away a
dear child, father. mother, or any
wicked heart is: Abuse God by
cursing, reviling and blaspheming
Him." The answer OF the christian
heart is of different tone. The
christian has learned to open his
mouth with words of gratitude also in
days of trial. The christians eyes
have been purged that he can see mat
ters in the true light and relation.
He mas climbed to height where he
it really is. Also in evil adys the
christian gives thanks, for he has
learnt to say with troubled Job: THE
Lord hath given, the Lord hath taken
away, blessed be the name of the
Lord The christian also in days Of
distress, such as the epidemic has
brought upon many of us, confesses
with st. Paul: 1--WE know ALI.
THINGS work together for COOL t.
them that love Cod" Rom. 3, 20.
Christians GLORY in tribulation also,
Rom. 5,3. The christian knows that
trial, distress, tri5ulation, sickness,
want Is one of the efficient means in
tn, hands of our God to purify and
bria;Lten our faith which a'Cnc will
GGn.it us to the realms Of glory
above. Tribulatio2 is the hedge
which God has placed along the mar
row path to Life, IN order to keep us
securelys upon it. Therefore may orr
hearts also in the present affliction be
truly grateful.
Considering the treasure of peace
which has come upon us from God 5
hand of many blessings, we will, hard
ly experience difficulty in letting the
sweet incense of praise and thinks
ascend to the throne of Him, who Is
the giver of every good and perfect
gift. Let me point out only one
10 ID, III ho do