The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-10-23
sermon"

DurlQS LL0 ages VI tiiS past he@IAoAAs
have been tried by trial and adver-
sites and souls thus tested have been
brought nearer to God. The virtues
of our life are made resplendent not
by Joy but sorrow. The one great i'm
pulse of the Christian life is our hope
for mortality. To attain it we have
but, to look to an example divine and
follow the adage 'if you wish to
come after Me, come take up the cross
and follow Me-" Christ has not lived
in vain and hearts no matter how
hardened can but be touched by His
sorrows.
We have lived to witness an epoch
of which our frail intellect had new
er dreamed, The scholar Of the past
has taught us his lesson Of creation.
The genius with his invention has
made US marvel at his wonders ano
vet in the midst of natures gifts, sc
MANY and 80 indescribable, we have
been brought with other nations
nearer and nearer to the portal OF
sadness.
Our cup has lot been filed like
others to the brim, yet why not pause
as men of God, to ask why is 1t thus: I:
In our temperalities we seek the
cause of failure, il our illness we
probe to the root of disease, In ou,
sorrows why not strive to learn then
origin and their rer- edy?
Life with its uncertain pleasure and
its temporal gain, will if we permit IT,
make us it's slave. Shall it's bonds ou'
fatter us while a God tries us all IN
vain.
Men must pause and think.
In all the liberty, amid which as
American citizens we have lived, re-
pardless of the worldly freedom for
which we long, and for which oui
fathers fought and sons now bleed
and die, we yet are not free, nor shal'
we ever be, for God has made US Ill.,
servants.
He is Father of US all and every
creature is our brother.
When then sorrow comes to US
when the clouds Of warfare gathers
so densly about us, when the at
mosphere is ladened with sadness and
cur loved ones are borne, as OF late
by death from our household, we
know it is God who permits it all. he
has taught us to pray "Thy will De
DONE"
Let our hearts then be moved oy
the lessons, which He inculcates, a.
God does all we'll. He knows the
weakness of our nature and BOWS
down His ear in pity upon His ser
wants upon whom He places the bur-
den of sorrow.
From our hearts then let us remove
the spirit of rebellion and let US see
the good and gracious purpose work
ing in all the trials which Coo senos
upon us.
The true hero dies. if needs be, al
the post of duty. A sincere Chris,
tan does not forget to cherish true
! confidence in God.
Tn a heavenly Father, then let VI
place our trust while we redouole oul
nravers for true and lasting peace.
We shall pass away as generation:
have come and gone. To our countr!
and to our God we owe duty which l!
more sacred. These are to be ac
complished not by others but by yol
and me.
Pray then for the needs of our ma
ton. our city our home. and shar'
with those of our midst in sorrow
heart. that feels their pain. May Go'
grant rest to the. departed ara e
those of our midst. who weep TN
grace to look meekly through the1
tears to the Coz of consolation
To all in sorrow our prayers an
our sympathy and to the NATION o.
God, grant peace which sh1i be tru
and lasting.
Joseph F. Mahoney.
Pastor, st. Annes Casholic Churcf