Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-05-12

tinue iifcS struggle. Clouds and dark
ness surround US, the way Is hidden.
burdens press heavily and Il multitude
of voices shout contradictory COM
mands. There are so many issues IT
stake and so many things TO do that it
is difficult to hold oneself steady. III
only everything would stop for just
five minutes what a relief II would
be-" cried a friend a few days ago. But
things will not stop and the rush of life
Will be increased rather than d.
minished as the years go on. We must
either keep UP with the procession"
or be left behind; nay. rather. II We
do not keep up we Will be crushed
under tho mass OF things There Is
no time TO stop-hardiy time TO think.
Leisure has virtually lost its meaning
and calmness is a forgotten art. Ii IS
condition thst faces us to-day. not
theory. I'VE arc living, we are work
ing in grand and awful time" SANG
good man many years ago; l hardly
know what he would sing IL he were
on earth to-day.
But we must persevcre. There Is
light ahead. All this rush OF life has
a real meaning hidden underneath the
surface motion. While much OF the
excitement is needless. still there Is
pressure onward and upward which
makes 1t fine thing to live and calls
for faith and courage. We Christians
know Whom We have believed and We
sure that He is leading US on
Himself going before us. II We give
up We ar@ resignins from q glorious
opportunity. If we loso heart we arc
falling to do our part He that shall
endure unto the end shall be saved"
cries the Master. and endurance means
not sitting still or resting. but press
ing forward
WHEREVER THERE Is LIFE
THERE MUST BE STRUGGLE
Wherever there Is life there must be
struggle. Activity Is q sign OF life: con-
tinued stiffness means death. II is by
meeting and conquer!ng obstacles that
we grow in character and advance the
cause OF Christs Kingdom. There Is
always goal toward which we arc
pressing and the difficulties IN the way
give birth 10 miracles. Life is cduca-
ton. not probation. The few years We
live on earth are the school days to
prepare us for 4 splendid and lasting
sphere OF usefulness. and while We are
to prepare the world for the second
coming OF Christ. as John the Baptist
prepared the way for His first coming.
we are also being prepared ourselves
for greater experiences. The parable
OF the talents teaches US this And the
glory OF lie lies in this double pur-
pose. / am both a factor and a pro-
duct ! am TO do many things and by
the doing am 10 IL myself TO do
other things. Il Is for me 10 do my
share IN turning the world 10 God;
according 10 my fidelity Will be my
growth in grace.
spoke o. the rush o: lie. Per-
severance demands however. an in
ward caimness no matter how press
Ing the duties OF the day may be. Toll
answered from tranquility Is the fine
expression o. Matthew Arnold. There
must be the little sanctuary o. the
heart where Christ is ever present 10
which we can 20 in the most pressing
hours and whence We can gain courage
and assurance.
love the story-ot Chr!srs sleeping
in the boat while the storm was raging
on Galiice. Il pictures lies battle with
sin and ignorance, and the presence OF
the Lord Of Life who controls and is
ready 10 bring peace. The reason We
are tempted 10 give up is that we
forget Christ and give place to worry
and fear.
A QUIET MIND WILL.
HELP TO PRESERVE
A good Scotch preacher once said.
when worry knocks at the door. send
iaith TO open 10 him: and when faith
hlnss wide the door. 10. there is no
worry there" \ quiet mind viii helm
not only sap our strength and courage.
but II VIII also close our eyes and
ears SO that we cannot see Christ or
hear His voice
II helps us also TO persevere when we
know that progress is sure. what is
the usc: Is the cry OF one who forgets
mat all worthy effort is bound to
BRING nearer the desired good. l grow
discouraged with myself. The old
temptations keep coming. and at times
they get the better OF me and I fall. 1
cannot mark any advance toward
the goal or perfection. / cannot meas |
ure any progress But / am making
progress / am advancing every time
tIy. every time l get UP from a fall
tho growth OF goodness. Satan knows
ne ls beaten In the long run. and that
Is why he seeks TO trouble us and
make US afraid. He knows perfectly
wei that God is supreme and thar ue
IS working His purpose out and thar
every chiid OF His who trusts Him
una tries 10 do his best is bound nnaI,,
to succeed. What Satan does-.nd :,
Is all ne can dos to make tho VIZ
olilcuit, to keep obstacles in tho nah
ana 70 tannt us with his miserable
rs ne cannot defeat Gods children
ie can no more keep me from adj.
alc"Is Inan he can keep the grass
ing on the trees. The d.ar Goa az
1u r my growth He tells me that il
heeP on trying to do Righteousness
10 help my brothers. to lead mo, ~
I'm, I'm Sfnll hnally awake ana find NV
ser an mat lie and alike long for me
~ p. VIII rely upon His word.
therefore and pcrscvcre.
yet ctcrna! vigilance" IS tho nr;,o
not only of liberty. but of chr;s -.
righteousness. l must fight ev;, ~
evil VIII get the better of me. / mus,
ho'd my mead erect and face the visio,,
OF glorious future and do all can !
TO help in Gods plan. ! must rira 49,,
INC weapons lie provides for me-
mus pray and read my Guide Book
ana 60 to church and believe in e,hr;st
as my fedeemer. WEAKNESS of ,hc
iohs oattio is often caused by per,ect
oil these aids. OF course. | will @rou,
tired II | do not rest from ,imo ~
'ime at my Masters feet. OF course
VIII lose my way if ] do not read in |
the bible the message of my Com.
man And ] think We have here
the reason for the Christian "s!ackers"
1AO