Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-01-06

There is always kind of solemnity
In the ending Of anything. and par
ticulariy In the ending of the year. We
look backward and realize how much
has ben left undone; We look forward
TO the future and wonder whether We
can succeed in approaching our ideals.
Behind are the shadows, before are tho
clouds. Yet this is 4 gloomy condition,
and II profits nothing. We cannot re-
call the past. we can only ask for
pardon to rest over It's failures and u
blessing to crown its successes. we
cannot govern the future. we can only
pray for courage to go forward and
do our best AS men and Christians we
should like st. Paul. forget tho things
that arc past and reach forward unto
the things that are before US. In other
words. we should plan for the future
Now. this planning is limited by Ger
tain facts: First. we cannot tell what
the future may have in store Tor us.
Our plans may be completely upset DF
Gods plans. Second. We may not De
able to attain in any measure inc ca
cellcncc OF our plans. Mans ideais arc
aiways-must always be-hieher 'hsH
any possible realization. Third. We 90
not know how long We may nv.
rich man planned for many years OF
case but the decree went forth tna'
he must din the very night or the ga
when his plans were laid. Ana iour'n'
our plans may be unw'se. proving as
We pursuc them that we nave nov
known how to bring the ,n'nEs w. 80
sired These four limitations thro" VS.
b,ck upon principles. while We disr"
rard particular action. II say ! WIZ
do certain things. | am met by in'"i
roration points. Can J. VIII J. nc apr
10 do thcm? But II say WIZ o.
ruled by certain prahc,p..a on the
matter what happens. am on IN.
-, road for nothing can overtid"
n,inc,,,es Of conduct or rules oil oci'ci'
- e we'll for Us. then. TO s'u'! '"e''
nr inciplcs.
AND SPIRITUALLY READY
The nrst is this: must ne mo- a." a..
and spiritually ready. inc 49, %, anourh
-, h.d neglected 10 carry OIL chouEn
- rnnlcnish their lamps. lhcy WI"
,rc,r,hcncd by high Ideals a. lhcs
started out. They did not kno" ,,.
love OF God. and their LOYALTY 10 n,''
had all gone. II is the Ola iesso" ,,.s
80 49, learning now from the "ori"
,.,hc lesson OF preparedness.
20 NECESSARY TO he ready Tor any
attack when the enemy ~ threa'en'hh'
l, 10 necessary for ME 10 naNc 49,. 49,.
hear. and right spirit ~ WOMB ~
nov should he met. the experiences
." ~ ,uturc must love righteous
.nd hatc iniqui'v. ! must oe
nI.d With Gods Spirit 10 Euidc nc.
I must have faith and nope Al" 70,
must hold TO the right no
how op,ctca II me tho t"rEcs VI 80
nav be Now this Is possible Tor eVers
Nav We can all put on the ar'no' %
which g, Paul speaks tEph, VI Isis
We can be loving and brave anu
and loyal whether the days DC oa'n
or bright We can pray ana man" -,
God and read the iable ana 20 "
church and try 10 help the weak. no
matter what may come. Spiritual pre-
naredncss-that is what GOO asns 10
lie does not tell Ne 10 make Sreat ana
exact plans az TO what We snan " W
barc We shall 20 in the days 10 como
hut He does tell us 10 he ready WIN
true hearts and loyal faith for what
ever in His providence we may DC
called upon TO meet
COD Is WORKING
VIZ OUT HIS PURPOSE
A second principle Is assure
God is working Ills purpose out Sho
because lie is God and therefore per
,ec, tina. purpose NUTS he for the
nnnl happiness OF all his children:
and again, because lie is God. and
therefore all-powerful. Ills purpose
cannot be defeated. 1t Is this trntI'
the worlds history. They cr.ed: one
thing We know. that the Lord God
has a plan and II will finally be re-
vealed." And SO strong did this make
them that they did not care very Wuch
what happened to them. Whether they
rnrn hsro or there. whether they were
At rest or in conflict whether the.
had friends were alone. mattcrcd
little. so long as they trusted theli
leader. Soldiers know what 1t - Ia
go out. almost hindly. and obey COM
mands. when they trust their COM
mandinE officer. One or the secrets
of Ma poleon's power was the confidence
ne inspired among his men. The IL
tie child had no fear when he holds
his fathers hand And il am con-
under the mastery Of the King Of
kings. who loves and ca res for His
people. then can go forward and
meet anything and everyone without
tremor: and my life will work Itself
into the plan OF God and become
Part Of It. l must have assurance in
the final triumph OF Gods will. which
is righteousness and peace
NoT ADoNIs IN WORKING
OUT A BLIND FATf:
a third principle is fellowship with
God. The Father OF His children does
not use them as pawns 10 accomplish
His purpose. We are not atoms in the
working out OF n blind fate We ar.
not even dead stones in the formation
OF mosaic or unconscious threads in
the weaving OF the tapestry OF the
future. Rather are we living stones
OHTHelSes DuIiulnR up the tempta
' which shall a last be the glory Of
God and humanity. I am a worker to-
Eether with God. not only to work out
with Him my own salvation but TO
help in the establishment OF His king
dom Of universal righteousness. Ii is
my Lord and T. that must bring the
future good. God can do II alone, OF
course. and thereby ] am honored and
inspired NV Lord wants me, 7 can
not. unless am miserable coward
or wrapped up in my own conceit. BIO
Indifferent to such a decla ration az
that. After all. Christianity is n
splendid democracy. The truth OF
Christ coming to earth and living the
human life and battling with human
trials proves that. We are all inter
ested in the work of redeeminE the
world and ourselves. II is our king
dom, because il is our Fla theirs king
dom which We are seeking. am not
subject under the authority OF a sell
fish sovereign. | am a citizen OF a
country where God calls every man
to service and usefulnetss to build up
the new Jerusalem.
And this fellowship with God leads
fol N nj