When any one ceases to care for his home, it is one of the worst possible signs of moral sickness. It is a small attainment to be great in foolery, and to be useless for all practical purposes; yet many are in that condition. It is a great pity when the man who should be the head figure is a mere figure-head.
This is called “fishing for compliments,” and it is not even so profitable a business as fishing for sticklebacks. They say, “It is the pace which kills,” and it may be so; but it is far easier to make a great rush than to plod steadily on through a long life. It is no more to be kept in the purse than snow in an oven; at least, so I find it.
Pecuniae obediunt omnia.” All things obey money.” This saying comes from the Latin, but it is true iu English. It is a pity it should be so; but, with worldly minds, to be rich is to be good.
SAYINGS OF A MORE SPIRITUAL SORT
The love of Christ constraineth us.” It is the most powerful of the forces which work for good. This may come from either side of the house, and it is equally bad whoever is the first hand at it. People who can run in so quickly wait till the last moment; till we half think that “ the nearer the church the further from God.”.
That one consideration is the greatest expounder of the possible.”‘ The sons of need are driven to exertion: their muscle is tried and strengthened, and we get a race of sturdy, independent men. It is said that “other people’s trials are easy to bear.” Nay, some go the length of saying that “the. Two aged women of a village where John Foster preached gratuitously, were greatly divided in opinion respecting him — one setting him down for “a perfect fool,” the other “longing to hear that good mau all the winter.”.
To-morrow” is the devil’s great ally — the very Goliath in whom he trusts for victory: “Now” is the stripling sent forth against him. There are men also of this breed; and indeed the English stock has a full share of obstinacy in it; so that one said “The erest of the southera English is a hog, and their motto is, ‘ We wun’t be druv’.”. We say, “The old ferry-boat will carry us ,over the river yet once more”; and so the worn-out man may yet again serve his God.
I know that there are at this moment in the town of Chambery many ladies much better qualified to educate your children than the Sisters of the Sacred Heart.” The ladies looked surprised, exchanged inquiring glances, and at length begged the king to point out the pious teachers of whose existence they were ignorant, “The pious teachers,” replied Victor Emmanuel, bowing more courteously than before, “are yourselves; your daughters can. When man or woman dies, as poets sung, His heart’s the last that stirs; of hers the tongue.”.
SAYINGS A MORE SPIRITUAL SORT
If our hands have been full of March, with the tempests of unrighteousness, our eyes must be full of April with the sorrow of repentance; and then our hearts shall be full of May, in the true joy of forgiveness.” — T. Poverty in the way of duty is to be chosen rather than plenty in the way of sin. In the very seeking of a benediction grace is put into action, and is strengthened by the exercise.
Some one prayed for you when you were yet unsaved: return that effectual prayer to the treasury of the church by pleading for others. Prayer is God’s rod which fetches forth streams of blessing from the Rock of affliction. Open it will, for so runs the promise of our faithful God, “To him that knocketh it shall be opened.” “If the angel opened the door of the prison to let Peter out it was prayer that opened the door of heaven to let the angel out.”.
Prayer must not come from the roof of the mouth, but from the root of the heart. From that room he went forth strong in the strength which never failed him; never again was he tempted to sever work and prayer. Preachers are apt to think more of their own credit as God’s messengers, than of the credit given to God’s messages.
Gordon says, “We would commend a faith that even seems audacious, like that of the sturdy covenanter Robert Bruce, who requested, as he was dying, that his finger might be placeit on one of God’s strong promises, as though to challenge the Judge of all with it as he should enter his presence. The Lord makes his children see their sin in the smart which it brings upon them. It has been done in several cases; and in the process many good purposes have been answered, for the people have been trained to independence and generosity.
Said the mortgager to the mortgagee, Lend me the money, and then you’ll see, Quick and well seldom go together. If in the course of your calling you must needs speak with bad men, have done with them as soon as ever you can, and be on your guard all the while. Once off into the land of Nod, we are to the east of Eden, and care not whether it rains or snows.
SAYINGS OF A MORE SPIRITUAL SORT,
It is a great thing to have an eye for goodness everywhere; but it is a disease to be always spying out the faults of the truly excellent. To the estate it is a balm, to the temper a calm, to no wise man a harm. The medium between reserve and resolve, Between restraint and energy, is hard to hit; but it is the golden mean.
As a defense it wards off ten thousand ills; but as a pretense it is the worst form of deceit. That is to say, it is far better to avoid a wrong action than to do it, and have to repent of it. It is the heart’s medicine, and the sooner it deals with the disease of sin the better.
It is sifted out of the sand in minute particles, which, melted together, produce the rich ingots that excite the world’s cupidity. It is easier to keep your footing in the low dungeon than on the lofty tower. We may get more money, but we cannot buy more time: it is not in the market.
Having felt the power of water when it is boiling, they are afraid of it in all conditions. On the other hand, it is hardly the right thing to be looking oat to get articles at less than their worth. It is out of its element, and returns to its proper condition as soon as it can.
She’s black,” said one, “but she has a sweet smack.” If a woman cannot be said to be good-looking, yet it is better if we may say that she looks good. It is the natural behavior of the natural mind, the mother-tongue of the sons of Adam. All time is not lost which is spent in bed: sometimes it is true economy to be well rested before getting to work.
You must have borrowed some of that discourse: it is too full, too deep to be all your own. Yet the Italians say, “One would not wish to be alone even in Paradise.” If it were to last always there would be no charms in solitude, but an occasional interval of it is the joy of good men.
