SERIOUS THOUGHTS.

Waikato Argus, Volume V, Issue 366, 12 November 1898, Page 1 (Supplement)

SERIOUS THOUGHTS.

Who does not long forpowpr over others ? To lead , influence, govern our follnwcreatures is certainly a natural and not uncommon desire.

As we look back through the pages of history, who do we find have made the most lasting impression on the world, who have made tho most successfully led and guided both their own and successive generations? Is it not those who fiwt learnt'to obey—to submit to a Higher Power. Milton says " Who best Can suffer, best can do ; best reign who first

Well have obeyed." Thomas a Kempis also says : " No man doth safely rule, but he that ib glad to be ruled. No man doth safely rule, but he that hath learned gladly to obey." Jesus Christ, who, as ali must acknowledge, exercised more influence over the world's history than any other, " was guided," as Maurice says, "by His Bather's Spirit whither soever He goes." He did not chooss for Himself whether Ho shall be in the city or wilderness. Here is the secret of His power. He is governed, and so exercised the highest and the most perfect government It is a mystery surely, tho deopest of mysteries ; but if we reflect upon it, a light will be thrown upon the mysteries of our life—upon that which makes our acts humourous—a light that you find nowhere else.

To bring the lessou down to our lives. We who are parents, or we who have control over the younger generation. How are we rightly to govern aud lead them ? By showing them plainly that we also are under authority. That the orders we give then) are not arbitrary, not prompted by the capricious wish of the moment. We too have to obey our commander. We take our orders from God and are bound to obey Him, as they are, us. This will at once give our authouity more weight and our rule a firmer basis.

We are governed—see that our lives are rightly ordered, that our actions are guided by a ruling principle. Smallest duties become great if larce principles are involved in them.

Can we bring all our thoughts, words and acts to bear this test: is it governed ? What a rest it is to kuow that we are governed. The circumstances of our life —our surroundings do not come haphazard to us ; every detail is ordered for us by God. " The government is upon His shoulder"

" In His service is perfect freedom" We have only to obey, to take each day as it comes, straight from God's hand and so from the calm heights of a wellgoverned mind only is it " possible to exercise the highest aud most perfect government." (F.)