SUNDAY COLUMN.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 27, 16 September 1911, Page 7

SUNDAY COLUMN.

“Houses full of all good things”— Dout., 6:11. ' SERMON BY~REV. W. A. L. TAYLOR, 13. A. When we talk about, “good things” our thoughts are in danger of flying to the kitchen, the, larder, and the diningroom. That is a very old habit of man. Thousands of 'years ago there were some people wil'd referred to a good time they enjoyed When ib.hy had plenty of vituals and 'were well. The children of Israel had together with a- most sublime faith 1 , the indst mundane conceptions; they looked for reward of their services ' of God in flocks and herds,- vineyards and harvests ; it was material possessions oii which they had set their hearts. And there is no need to despise these things. Man has a'/body h!s‘ well as a soul, and very much of our happiness is bound up "with material pleasures and comfort. The luxuries of life may be put to very good use. Dainties and delicacies of the table, pretty dresses, finely bound books, beautiful pictures—all are ours richly to enjoy. Consistently with love to our neighbour, we are right in seeking all the luxuries we can afford. But there is deep and constant need for us all to be careful lost we think too niuch of material things—-lest our standard of happiness be low and earthly., - ~

In order to see what areu really “good things,” let ns turn to' the Word of God, and there we read; “It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord.” Ah, that lifts us on to quite a different plaph'. above .-Vll selfish care for satisfaction. Gratitude is one of the best things , in Ijfo, whether .we have much or little; whether our way is flowers; Or'hard with stones, the world 'jsmiles upon us or ff.owjpv “Hp tha,ij;h;ith a merry heart hat Si-a continual.-feast.” It does not depend so much upon the menu as upon the heart. That old cynic, Dean Swift, was quite right in replying to Bolingbroke, who was pressing for him to come and dine, and pjomising to_send on the bill of fare. “No,” wit, “send me your bill of cqnjpftny.” Ah, tl)p,company has a very i important * Rearing on the,feast, and it matters more how the heart be furnished than hO'w the table is spread. The host companion for any meal is a grateful.,heart, a thankful spirit. Ho\y_ gratitude lifts us up! How it lightens the burden! How it shortens the way! Swedt is it in the sight of God, and fragrant; everywhere on earth. How slow, of heart we are to see the infinite and' ii)lnimorahle mercies of God! And every day we falter in our great, task of happiness. Oh, to practice the grace of thanksgiving until we are perfect in it. Never, to come downstairs without a “glorious morning face,” beginning each new day with real cheerfulness. If we cannot get up with the "sun, we must never get up without ithe sun; for if we do we shall he of no use to anybody and no profit to ourselves. Then, if you cannot rise with the lark, rise like the lark—with his full song, with his blithe spirit, and pour out your happy music till the day is done. We wore shown the other day some plants which had never seen the sun ; they had been grown in acetylene light—and they looked like it. No’ scarlet and blue• and gold—they seemed, poor, drab, .shriveled, withered things. And how. qftcn. our lives are dull, and hopeless, and feeble, when if wo did but walk in,the light, the shining light ofiGodhs face,' our virtues would glow in fainbold hues, and our graces would glitter with soft and splendid radiance. Now, if we turn to another pl.vc, we read; “It is a good thing that the ■heart bo established with grace.” Surely one of life’s best equipments is a strong, sound heart. Nearly everything depends on that. If the heart be weak, uncertain, unreliable, how it handicaps the man! From how much it debars him! How it curtails his energies! And it is upon.the heart that great strain always falls. The mind has: its burdens, its many ctoblems and perplexities, but the larger share of the human load; rests upon the heart. Failure there is failure' at. all points. How good a thing then is it that the heart ho established with grace. Built up, secure against all, attacks, equal to the demands-made, upon it. How many patent preparations there are to-day for giving us strength and building up the system’. We live in an age of tonics and,foods of many kinds, that are' supposed to produce vigour and vim, and all the other desirable qualities. But the one restorative to be desired beyond all is the grace of God. A medical authority was tolling us not long ago that we ought to live to lie a hundred years old. But surely the main question for a man is not how long he can live but how strong. It is not at all

a matter of length but of depth. The great boon we arc waiting for. is not the prolonging of human existence, but its deepening, enriching, strengthening. A. long life is of no use to tho world unless it is a godd one.. The sad fact is that many people live much too long as it is. , The amount of the years is a second consideration, the amount of grace is the first thing. And there is no limit to' that for “He giv.eth more grace.”

Considering the “good things” of life, there comes to mind an old question that was asked: “Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?” apd the answer so quickly given, “Come and see”’ The unexpected comes to pass, and out of the most unlikely places the world’s wonders take their rise. So it is that out of Nazareth caihq all’ our .help and hope. We know something of the good tilings that came out of Nazareth—something of that beautiful unselfishness, brave endurance and wonderful humility. We know that it was out of Nazareth there came that shining example which for ever dazzles and attracts all eyes; that voice of music which breaks in so gently upon the world’s strife and clamour, and enchains every ear that hears; that love which led man’s Saviour from tho lowly manger to the bitter. Oh, to come and see, and hear and feel! “For I know that in me dwelleth no good thing.” No Jindced, not until Christ lives in my heart. But once Ho is there, enthroned supreme, nothing is wanting. The late Dean Hole, who knew so much on the subject, said that, “he who would have beautiful roses in his garden must have beautiful roses in his heart.” , So true it is that, flowers grow best in the gardens of those, who love them. And if;the Rose, of,Sharon be found in the heart, then all the sweet and tender blooms of grace will soon be filling our life with wondrous, fragrant joy. Jcsu, thou joy of loving hearts, Thou fount of life, thou light of !' men, > Front the best bliss that earth imparts, ■ We turn unfilled to thee again.”