8. Why and for what may every child of G.o.d rejoice?
"I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my G.o.d; for _He hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, He hath covered me with the robe of righteousness_." Isa. 61:10.
9. Against what are Christians warned?
"_Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured_, and were destroyed of the destroyer." 1 Cor. 10:10.
NOTES.-"There are those who take to gloom as a bat to darkness or as a vulture to carrion. They would rather nurse a misery than cherish a joy. They always find the dark side of everything, if there is a dark side to be found. They appear to be conscientious grumblers, as if it were their duty to extract some essence of misery from every circ.u.mstance.... On the other hand, there are rare spirits who always take cheerful views of life. They look at the bright side. They find some joy and beauty everywhere.... In the most faulty picture they see some bit of beauty which charms them. In the most disagreeable person they discover some kindly trait or some bud of promise. In the most disheartening circ.u.mstances they find something for which to be thankful, some gleam of cheer breaking through the thick gloom.... When a ray of sunlight streamed through a crack in the shutter and made a bright patch on the floor in the darkened room, the little dog rose from his dark corner and went and lay down in the one sunny spot; and these people live in the same philosophical way. If there is one beam of cheer or hope anywhere in their lot, they will find it....
We have no right to project the gloom of our discontent over any other life. Our ministry is to be ever toward joy. There is nothing so depressing in its effects upon others as morbidness....
Discontent helps nothing.... One never feels better for complaining."-_"__Week-Day Religion,__"_ by J. R. Miller, D. D., pages 236-241.
"How many people," says Jeremy Taylor, "are busy in the world gathering together a handful of thorns to sit upon."
"As a little girl was eating, the sun dashed upon her spoon, and she cried, "O mama, I have swallowed a spoonful of sunshine!"
Would G.o.d that we all might indulge in the same beverage!"-_Talmage"s __"__One Thousand Gems,__"_ page 56.
10. Even when persecuted, what are we told to do, and why?
"Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man"s sake. _Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven._" Luke 6:22, 23.
11. When beaten by the Jewish rulers for preaching Christ, what did the apostles do?
"And they departed from the presence of the council, _rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name_." Acts 5:41.
12. After receiving "many stripes," with their feet made fast in the stocks, what did Paul and Silas do while in prison?
"And at midnight Paul and Silas _prayed, and sang praises unto G.o.d_: and the prisoners heard them." Acts 16:25.
13. What a.s.surance is given that the child of G.o.d may bravely endure every trial and hardship of life?
"And we know that _all things work together for good to them that love G.o.d_, to them who are the called according to His purpose." Rom. 8:28.
14. How constant should our rejoicing be?
"Rejoice in the Lord _alway_: and again I say, _Rejoice_." Phil. 4:4.
NOTE.-"Good cheer is the hall-mark of a brave and healthy soul. To give way to gloomy thoughts, otherwise the "blues," is a sign of weakness. This isn"t a.s.serting that no one but weaklings is attacked by the blues; but it is one thing to be attacked and another to rout the disturber. And that is what the brave soul does. There may be a very real and tangible reason why the heart faints and halts, for life is serious, and the world full of unexpected trials; but to sit and brood over a trouble only makes it look larger and larger until it finally obscures the horizon line, and darkness descends upon the soul. Wherefore, the thing to do is to cast aside all thoughts of worry for a moment,-just say to yourself, It is only for a moment,-and when you return to it again you will be surprised to find it has lessened in size and importance."-_The New World._
When things don"t go to suit you, And the world seems upside down, Don"t waste your time in fretting, But drive away that frown; Since life is oft perplexing, "Tis much the wisest plan To bear all trials bravely, And smile whene"er you can.
Christian Courtesy
[Ill.u.s.tration.]
Moses Defending The Maidens. "But Moses stood up and helped them, and watered their flock." Ex. 2:17.
1. What should be our conduct one toward another?
"Love as brethren, be pitiful, _be courteous_." 1 Peter 3:8.
2. How many should we honor?
"Honor _all men_. Love the brotherhood." 1 Peter 2:17.
3. Whom should we salute?
"If ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?" Matt. 5:47.
4. What respect should be shown the aged?
"Thou shalt _rise up_ before the h.o.a.ry head, and _honor_ the face of the old man." Lev. 19:32. See 2 Kings 2:23, 24.
5. Whom especially should children honor?
"Honor thy _father_ and thy _mother_." Ex. 20:12.
6. How should faithful gospel ministers be regarded?
"Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of _double honor_." 1 Tim. 5:17.
7. What is the basis of true Christian courtesy?
"Charity [love] ... is kind; . . . charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own." 1 Cor.
13:4, 5.
NOTE.-Genuine Christian courtesy is the outgrowth of love, and manifests itself in thoughtful consideration for others.
Confessing Faults And Forgiving One Another
[Ill.u.s.tration.]