SERIOUS THOUGHTS.

Waikato Argus, Volume V, Issue 330, 20 August 1898, Page 5 (Supplement)

SERIOUS THOUGHTS.

ON GOD THE RESPONSIBILITY. Some characters are self-sufficient _ and enjoy the importance that responsibility gives. But thero are many placed in positions of trim to whom it is an almost overwhelming burden. To these I speak, " Cast thy burden upon the Lord and He shall sustain thee," giving you strength to bear it. Casting all your care upon Him, for He careth for you ;" and when in prayer wo have made over our anxieties and whatever troubles us most, to God, lot us leave them with Him and not cling to them oursolves. " Lord, I am oppressed, undertake for me " is a prayer which has suited many an anxiou.'i one.

All thoughtful parents must feel the enormous responsibility that children bring with them. It is only right that

theyßhould and through that feeliug do their utmost to train for Heaven ; but remembering that God also is thenFather, and taking them daily to Him in prayer, takes away the weight of the responsibility and wo realize our position as fellow-workers with God. Besides this if we will tell our children that we are" under orders" ("I also am a man undGr authority ") that we are disobeyiug our orders if wo fail to control, restrain and teach them right, a better understanding is arrived at and th«y see that our commandments are not arbitrary and capricious. Then again in any scheme that we start for the benefit of our fellows—whether we succeed or fail, if our idea is inspired by God, Ho has the responsibility and will carry on His work in His own way though perhaps not through us. Our prayer should be as Dr. Arnold nut it " Let mo labour so to do God's will, yet not anxious that It should be done by me rather than by others, if God so will it should be." How terrible indeed it would be, had we the ordering of our own lives--what confusion would be the result ! Instead of that we must, hour by hour, take God's orders straight from His Hands recognising our own disappointments His appointments and never forgetting that on God is tho responsibility. (*) STRENGTH FOR THEE. "Thy God hath sent forth strength for thee." (Psalm 08, 28th verse. P. Book Vers. Thy God hath sent forth strength," To meet thy daily need ; Take it and use it hour by hour, His strength is strength indeed. "Thy God hath sent forth strength for thee :" O God, and can it be That from Thy glorious throne in Heaven Thy strength can reach e'en me Y "Thy God hath sent forth strength for thee :" I will believe that word, And though 1 cannot understand, I'll trust thee, O my Lord ! L. L. M. (F)