The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1919-06-20

excellent address delivered at the
commencement on Sunday by the
Rev. M. L. Stirewalt to the college
Y. NJ. C.. A:
There constantly abides with us
the duty of maintaining and defend
ing the principle Of Democracy.
Everywhere the principle of self-gov-
ernment is appealed to and applied,
sometimes with startling rapidity.
The consequent rejection of all re-
straints and adjustment to the new
liberty and conditions naturally
cause disturbances. New and diff
cult problems press for solution.
Confusion and uncertainty prevail.
In the midst of this reconstruction
people everywhere will have large
need of morale. Our Christian re-
ligion is again drafted into service to
supply humanity with hope and con-
fidence. Many will turn to worldly
pursuits in vain attempt to secure
the necessary aid. But a stable and
happy estate can never be obtained
solely from an adjustment of extern
al conditions. The true sources lie
within. Cy properly relating the
two the desired result is obtained.
That we may be ready and useful IN
the period now upon US let US take
a primary lesson from the first
Psalm on, "The Essentials of True
Happiness"
First. Take delight in what God
proposes.
There are numerous proposals for
the adjustment of national and indl-
'vidual affairs. The Psalmist advises
that one can not be happy in the pro-
posals of the goddess. The principle
is that one should never be led by
that which emanantes from or en-
courages that which is evil.
There are divine proposals that
meet every need. The law OF God
in the old testament with the en-
1arged application of Jesus Christ Of
fers a solution for every problem.
Every question now before US
throughout the world may be re-
duced to a plain question Of right
and may be judged in the law OF
God: sThe law of the Lord is per-
feet" "The statutes Of the Lord are
right"
But our need is to take delight in
the law of the Lord. That is a
strong demand. The lack is not in
God, the law or gospel or the church
but in the people. Happiness is part
ly a matter of our wants. Let US
school ourselves to want what God
proposes. Men are too much en-
gagged in governing human affairs
sby their own proposals rather than
sthose of God.
Second. Take part in what God
sdisposes.
In classic imagery the text pic
stures the happy man as one who IS
useful, by Gods grace, in effecting
Gods plans. The happy man is like
"a planted, nourished, evergreen fruit
clearing tree. To him the assurance
is piven that whatsoever he doeth
shall prosper The ungodly man,
who can never be truly happy, is like
dead, useless, discarded chaff, Men
should diligently seek out the set
tied plans of God and allow them
selves to be engaged in His service
in their execution. Happiness is
partly a matter of our surroundings.
In the church, fed by word and sac
-raments, and bring forth the
peaceable fruits of righteousness one
may be happy even in distracted
and confused world.
Third, take notice of what God i'm
poses.
Reversing the order followed in
the Psalm we notice three tests
which God imposes on every mans
work. In preparing to meet them
we increase our happiness. Every
work Of man must be open to God.
:Nae attempt to hide is not only I'M
possible but also detrimental to hap
pinesk. To be happy life must be
kept open before God. A second
test lis in the approval of righteous
fello llow-men. The appreciation OF evil
men is not desirable but every one
wants the appr' al of the just man
upon his work. A third test cores
in the final judgment of God which
x.1 oo,,or tha deeds and words OF