The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1918-02-08
eRuMRLINe OR SINGING?

But about midnight Paul and Silas
were praying and singing hymns unto
God, and the prisoners were listening
to them. Acts xvi. %.
When things go wrong think /of Paul
and Silas at Philippi, and / perhaps
you will find that life is NIT so tan.
gled. after all.
Don't get the notion tn ht you have
to thank God for everything that hap
pens, but learn to rejoice in the fact
that God reigns and will override ev-
cry happening for gobd.
Paul and Silas went to Philippi to
give help. but thgre are few people
who want what they really need; so
they found welcome only from few
women at a riverside prayer meeting.
An evil bust hess was iDterfered with
and, as is az ways the case where re,
ligion interteres with profits, opposi-
ton was afoused.
Then came the beating and impris-
onment. With bodies torn and bleed
ing from the stripes of the lictors,
Paul and Silas were thrust into the
most dismal part OF the prison and
theF feet made fast in The stocks.
Al midnight--the time when
Wounds OF body and mind are most
painful, the hour when loneliness is
most keenly felt. when burdens seem
weighted with unusual heaviness and
problems are most perplexing then
they began to pray and sing
They were simply following habit
they had no special brand of relig
ion for extraordinary occasions Al
religion that is worth while covers
the whole Of life. We are not crea-
lures of circumstance Faith empOw-
ers US To rejoice in God at all times, !
in all places and under all circum- /.
stances. What man is rather than
where he is accounts for his joy. !
What a man is not what he has, ev-
licences his worth.
They believed God: 50 at the most |
trying hour. under adverse circum-
stances, they sang the song of faith,
which was followed by the earth
quake chorus.
Think OF what their faith did for
them, but, better still. consider what |
it did for others! The real test of our
religion is what others get from it,
Pharisees have always enjoyed their
religion. but it has often been a bur
den TO others
The prisoners were listening to
them. Of course they were-they
were listening eagerly All the world
over the same thing is going on.
When men sing instead of grumlEe
the song is sure to reach listening
prisoners and help them to a new
view OF life. better thought of their
fellow men and right ideas of God.
When a man believes in God truly
the song naturally springs up, and
aven though adverse circumstances II
shut one up in the darkness of an in
ner prison and stocks hold the feet
fast. so that there is no possibility of
freedom, if the song goes forth men
will listen and profit. We are never
without opportunity
If you are shut in remember that
you are the only one who can shut
God out
Helen Campbell has written G
"PrisOners of Poverty but while
there are prisoners of so many kinds
that they cannot all be named the
fact remains that each one may sing
and everyone receive help.
It was when George Matheson fac
ed the burden Of coming blindness
and felt the keen stab of rejection,
that he sent forth the song. 20 Love,
That VIII Not Let Me Go The buf.
lettings of disease could not make
Robert Louis Stevenson hush his song
of thanksgiving.
When you are shut in from some
things always remember that you
may be shut in to something better.
Don't grumble-sing! -Horace E.
Coodchild, Pastor of First Baptist
Church, Middletown, y. j., in New
uo~o1d