SERIOUS THOUGHTS.

Waikato Argus, Volume V, Issue 369, 19 November 1898, Page 1 (Supplement)

SERIOUS THOUGHTS.

"!THE EYES OF THE LORD RUN TO AND FRO THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE EARTH."

God sees, in this earth, unquestionably, a vast amount of sin but many possibilities of goodness. In these lie the reason of the whole Gospel. And yet few people think of this aud fewer still work consciously upon it. It is because we are capable of salvatiou that God gave the hope of salvation and we must train ourselves to look as God looks moro for the possibilities of goodness than for goodness itself. Cod beholds much realised and accomplished goodness. I am confident that He will be a more compassionate judge than any man could be. There is an uuconscious goodness in many people. There are unoatalogued virtues—motives of absolute purity, deeds of noble selfsacrifice, unwearied patience and ungrudging kindliness ; and these the great Day will not condemn. And does not this breadth of (lods survey and the compassion with which it is accompanied affect us for good. Each man has practically the building of his own character. The materials, the power, the skill ate provided for him ; and the great edifices he has to erect is the edifice of manhood. It is for this Cod looks; for a true man is a saint, and for this purpose each man has his own watch to keep as a portion of the vaster watch of God. Many influences are around us, unbidden and unexpected ; and these are contributing much to the material with which we have to deal. To take from these what is of use for the great end, to reject what is detrimental or worthless is of itself a significant part of our life work. But besides these coincident with them lie the limits of life's great duties. More and more, men are perceiving the bendiction of the command to work. Duty is rising again with a well articulated watchword.

It is good for ourselves that we should feci God's eye to be upon us stimulatii'g us to greater courage. God notes out 1 needs and will provide a remedy. AVc have often felt the purifying influence of some strong and holy companionship of earth, and while we were under its power we spurned and scorned the strenath of every unworthy thought. l)oes"not the eense of God's presence, the sense that Hi 3 eye is upon us, work the same way ? A resolution to do what our conscience tells us to be right is always half the battle ; and this is rallied and sustained by the recollection that God and His augles are watching us. -W. M. J. (F)

I DIDN'T THINK. If all the troubles in the world Were traced back to their start, We'd find not one in ten begun From want of willing heart. But there's a sly, woo working elf, Who lurks about youth's brink. And sure dismay he brings away— Tho elf, 'I didn't think.' He seems so sorry when he's caught, His mien is all contrite, He so regrets the woe he's wrought, Aud wants to make tilings right. But wishes do not heal a wound, Or wold a broken link ; The heart aches on, the link is goneAll through ' I didn't think.' This most unpleasant imp of strife Pursues us everywhere, There's scarcely one whose day iu life He does not cause us care ; Small woes and great he brings tho world, Strong ships are forced to sink, And trains from iron tracks arc hurled By stupid 'Didn't think." When brain is comrade to the heart, And heart from soul draws grace, ' I didn't think ' will quick depart For lack of resting place. If, from that great unselfish .stream, The Golden Rule, we drink, We'll keep God's laws, and have no cause . To say ' I didn't think.' Ella Wheeler Wilcock.