Norwich bulletin., 1918-01-12
What can be said for such vie1

What can be said for such View of life as this--a view that sends a Turkish soldier into battle with self regardless abandon? Very little can be said in praise of it if it robs one of initiative and resource, making him merely an automaton, mere cog in the world machine. A man is much more than that, as he him. self knows in his best moments. He is master of his fate and captain of his soul. He makes his own charac- ter, and, mainly, his career. Any sort of fatalism that blurs the essen- tial fact of moral freedom is a false and pernicious theory.
 Would it not be better to view one's life as part of a plan in which he is allowed to cooperate with divine forces. Doing his best, he may be conscious that his puny efforts are cnnlprehended in an infinite program for humanity. He is not, therefore, 8 creature of chance, a bit of sea weed driven haphazard by winds .an9 waves. A distinct purpose of the Almighty is expressed in his life. as in that of each life about him. That purpose will be fulfilled, if the in dividuaal be faithful to his task. There is a true sense, then, in which each one of Us bears a charmed life. One lives under providential law and he is immortal till his work is done The more of that. sort of fatalism we have, the better.
 We have here the secret of that "Olympian serenity" which has sus- tained great souls in all ages. These have felt that they did not. belong to the herd of stupid indifferent, or or dinary persons who were conscious | of no errand in the world. eL When Julius Caesar was being 'ferried across wide river in a storm, his companions in the frail, open boat became terrified. "Pluck1 up your courage" he called to. the frightened oarsmen, you carry Caesar!' The great Roman had a presentment that his opening career was not to termi- nate in that s1uall.i He had a pro- | found belief in his star.
 | But a better example of fortitude | because grounded in Christian faith
 was that of the Apostle Paul, when the numbering old wheat ship on
 which he sailed to Rome was going i to pieces in a Mediterranean tempest 1 Angelic voices had bidden him to be
 of good cheer. because he should yet
 stand before the emperor The lit 1 tie tent-maker took the promise at ] full value calmed all the passengers and put new hopes into the waver- ing captain. Paul had a revelation
 that the gospel must be preached te the western world and he felt thai ] the ship could not sink that bore its ; foremost herald and exemplar.
 Ali conviction of ones own signif
 canoe is not only allowable but nee. i essafy, if life is to be strong and con- fideIft. We humans must realize that
 we are here for something in partie- ular, T must work the works ot
 him that sent me while it is day.
 said Jesus. This sense of mission, o
 belonging to a cause that could no 1 be defeated gave to his whole lift the touch of victory.
 Some measure of such confidence k
 begotten in any of us to whom these human years mean opportunity. Ons
 is allowed to feel that he shall no
 depart hence till he has done his bit
 The only sort of fatalism worth enter taining as life philosophy is tha
 which springs from faith in the righteous and loving purposes of Coo for individual lives. r,. I know not where his islands lift Their fronded palms in air ', F. l only know I cannot drift l Beyond his love and care.
 THE RARSON.