SERIOUS THOUGHTS.

Waikato Argus, Volume IV, Issue 278, 23 April 1898, Page 2 (Supplement)

SERIOUS THOUGHTS.

THINGS THAT ARE WORTH WHILE. THERE ore things which arc not worth while. If a man lives seventy years, iind then leaves nothing good behind him, nothing: which will stay in the world after ho is gono, enriching it, beautifying it, sweetening its life, has it been really worth while for him to live ? But if a man spends his seventy years in lowly Christian life, fearing God and walking in His commandments. Ho perhaDs makes no marked success in his life. While others have been fighting for position, scrambling for honour, thinking meanwhile only of self, he bad been giving out his life in generous love, serving others, doing good. Ho has not gotten on in the world and his hands are empty at the last. But there is a success which is not measured by the standards of the business world." '1 here is an invisible sphere in which values are not rated by dollars and cents, but by their moral character. In that sphero a cup of cold water given to a thirsty one in the name of Christ will count for moro than the piling of a fortune for self. Hence it is that a man who has seemed unsuccessful, but nevertheless has been doing good all the while in Christ's name, living unselfishly, has really achieved a success which lifts his name to high honour. Some good people become discouraged because they do not seem to get on in life. They work hard, but as fast as they earn they must spend. A father toils through the yeurs, bringing up a family and dies at last a poor man. He feels he has failed. But consider what ho has really achieved. To begin with work itself is one of life's blessiuKS. This man's years of daily task work have built up in him many of the best qualities of true, worthy choracter, promptness, accuracy, faithfulness, patience, persistence, obedience. Work too has given him health, has kept him from many an evil, has knit in him thews of strength, has wrought in him a spirit of selfrelit! nco and independence. Consider too, the valuo of his work to his family. He has provided a home whero the wife and mother has presided with love aud gentleness Ho has educated his children, setting them an example of honesty, truthfulness, unselfishness, diligence and faith. Dwelling himself near the heart of Christ, he has mado in his homo an atmosphere of heavenliness in which Lis family have giown up. He has taught them the word of God and has given them books to read which have put into their mind and heart* pure, inspiring, elevating thoughts, sending them forth to be useful members of society, new centres of good influence, new powers for righteousness. His name may be forgotten among men, but the benediction of his life and work will stay in the world forever. If we are doing true work, we need not concern ourselves about visible results. . . It is worth while to turn away from our own cherished plans any hour to do the things of love that God sends to our hand. It is not easy for us to have our own ways broken iuto. We do not like so have our own ways broken into. We do not like to have our own pleasures and congenial occupations interrupted by calls to do services for others. Yet no doubt these very things are oit-times the most splendid things of all that our hands find to do, They are fragments of God's will breaking into the schedule of our own .vill, pieces of augcl ministry to which we are called in the midst of our wordly work. Whatever adds in even the smallest way to the world's brightness and cheer is worth while. One who says an encouraging word to a disheartened neighbour, give 3 a look to a lonely one. or speaks a sentence which may become strength, guidance or comfort to another, does something worth while. We never know how small a thing may become a benediction to a human life. Every lowly Christian who has lived a true, courageous life amid temptation and trial has made it a little easier for others to live aright, It is always worth while to live nobly, victoriously, struggling to do right, showing the world even the smallest fragments of divine beauty. It is worth while to be a friend. To stand by others in their time of joy aud hour of faintness ; to guide them when the way is perilous ;to be their counsellor in perplexity ; to inspire them with noble thoughts. It is well that we do only things that are worth while ; thing 3 that are right and true and pure and lovely, things that will last forever. " The world passeth away and the lust thereof ; but he that doeth the will of God abidcth forever." -J. R. Miller (F). Day is declining, and the sun is low; The shadows lengthen, light makes haste to go. Life is like the summer's day ; and in the first fresh morning we do not realise the noonday heat, and at noon we do not think of the shadows lengthening across the plain, and of the setting sun, and of the advancing night. Yet to each and to all the sunsec comes at last, aud even those who have made most of the day are not unlikely to reflect most bitterly how little they have made of it. Whatever else they may look back upon with thankfulness or sorrow, it is certain they will regret no omissions of duty more keenly than neglect of prayer ; that they will prize no hours more than those which have been passed, whether in private or in public, before that Throne of Justice and of Grace upon which t.hey hope to gaze throughout eternity.—Canon Liddon.