SERIOUS THOUGHTS.

Waikato Argus, Volume VI, Issue 414, 25 March 1899, Page 2 (Supplement)

SERIOUS THOUGHTS.

WRESTLING AND BLESSING. As Fsau is tho example of lost blessing so Jacob is that of blessing won, when he wrestled through one whole night with a strange, strong Power. This Power he at length recognised as his God and having wrestled victoriously and won his blessing ho received a new name, Isreal orPrinoewith Cod.

In this story is embodied the great teaching that wrestling is the condition of blessing j that the long determined •linch brings coronation and makes a new man of us, nobler and stronger than before the struggle. What would become of our muscles were they never used to resist ? How can a man get strong but by exercise and learning "how to endure?'' So with our characters, the formation of which is the objeot of all our education in God's sohool. Were we entirely shielded from all temptations and trials we could never grow strong. Each time we endure hardness and resist temptations our obaracters grow and strengthen. Marcus Aurelius, the great Emperor and philosopher compares tho mind to fire whioh " seizes upon what is heaped upon it, subdues it into its own nature, and increases by resistance." If this is true of the mind, how much more so is it of tho soul. " All things will work together for our good if only we love God and are oalled according to His purpose " for ug. " Our light affliction worketh for us more and more exceedingly an eternal weight of glory." How do we treat our difficulties ? that is a question of greatest import. Do they weaken or strengthen us? for influence us one way or the other they must. Emerson says truly: Every evil to which wo do not succumb is a benefactor. . . . \Vo gain the strength of the temptation wo resist. " Yes, it is according to God's purpose that our most dreaded evils be transformed into ministering angels and each resisted temptation will leave a blessing behind it, so that at last we can say " My temptation has becomo my strength ! for to the vory fight with it I owe my force." Another great stumbling block which may be converted into a stepping stono is in our failures " That men may rise on stepping-stones Of their dead selves to higher things." Who has not wrestled with Giant Desnair, who tells us it is no use_ to go on with our efforts, that the battle is lost and we may lay down our arms. But he too maybe converted into afriond. Half of our best experiences in life como through our failures. " Noble souls through dust and heat Rise from disaster and defeat the stronger It is hard to fail '' He who loses has to fill A harder and a truer part " But this like other ohastening from our loving Father's hand - will yield a rich harvest if only we arc exercised thereby. " From death comes life, from pain beatitude ; Chide not at loss, for out of loss comes gain ; Chide not at grief, for 'tis the soul's best food." Thus do we find that the two words that go together aro Pain and Gain, Spenser says that "Never ought was oxcellent essayed Which was not hard t'achieve and bring to end. Difficulties are things to be overcome, not to be cried over and grumblod at so let us faco thorn bravely, thereby converting them to blessing. (F). TREASURFS. Let me count my treasures All my soul holds dear, Given mo by dark spirits Whom I used to fear, Through long days of anguish Aud sad nights did Pam Forge my shield Endurance Bright and free from slain. Doubt in misty caverns 'Mid dark horrors sought, Till my peerless jewel Faith to mo was brought. Sorrow, that I wearied Should remain so long, Wreathed my starry glory The bright crown of song. Strife that racked my spirit. Without hope or rest, Left the blooming flower. Patience on my breast. Suffering that I dreaded Ignorant of her charms Laid the fair child Pity Smiling in my arms. So I count my treasures Stored in days long past Aud I thank the givers Whom I know at last.