Mystery of suffering.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 26 June 1912, Page 3

Mystery of suffering.

The subject dealt with at the Church of Christ last Sunday is one of interest to all for all suffer more or less, Mr Milner said ••' Suffering is universal and as followers of the Christ we must not shrink from coming in contact with it, for he canie with the specific purpose of binding up the broken hearted, he himself suffered for us, thus leaving us an example (I Pet 2. 21). Sorrow is a mystery to the masses because it is looked upon as an evil, the very thing it is not, for it is the supreme emotion of which man is capable. It is the one thing in the realm of thought and feeling which quickens into action the finer forces of the soul and causes to vibrate once more attributes which have long lain immobile, The evil is not in the suffering bui in the evil which beclouds it. A child Avho being chastised for wrongdoing discerns the

good motive, and wise intent of the parent, receives there from good, while he Avho is blind to the reason for punishment, or misunderstands the motive, hardens his heart. If we recognise behind our suffering the wise design and loving motive of the Father then they are sanfcilied to our well- being. Another thing we must not forget is that there are two kinds of suffering for well-doing and for wrong doing (Pet ;>• 18). There is an immense amount of suffering which is the result of mans sin, and the latter is all the more idtenso because man is ignorant of its cause, not believing the Divine record of its origin and the place it takes in Gods plans. The evil which man does through sin God in his wisdom and mercy overrules for God. For instance Joseph was the Victim of his brothers enmity but God over ruled their design and produced good, for Joseph Avas able to feed them during the time of famiDe (Gen. 45, 5-7 50). Christ himself was the A'ictim of men's enmity, and suffered death at their hands ,but God turned it to good, making it the ground for mans salvation. But forget not the brethren' had to be repentant and recognise their defendance upon Joseph ere they could receive the benefits of Gods ovei-ruling power, ?o also ere avo can partake of Gb.ris.ts redemption we must repent and thus exercise the sublimest is no greater soothing balm, than that of kindness and lovo, ami to the broken hearted, and sorrow striken world there is but one source of comfoit and relief, and that is "Words of iove which the man of sorrow spoke and tho deeds of grace he did to all aa'llo came to, l»Jm. To those who suffer in his service, bo strong " and \\\o Qod of all grace who culled^ yP'A "Unto, his eternal glory in Christ, after that ye have suffered aAvhile, shall himself perfect, stablish and strengthen you '' (1 Pet 5. 10).