Joy in Service; Forgetting, and Pressing Onward; Until the Day Dawn | Page 9

if for no other
reason than that men may be reminded that some of them are insoluble
by us, and that what we do know concerning them may be fairly and
wisely stated. But I think it clear that they should not be allowed to
burden us nor to keep us back from the performance of practical duty.
For, mark you how progress has been made even while these dark
questionings remained unsolved. Jesus and the apostles did not attempt

to answer these philosophical questionings which had been and would
be raised by inquiring minds. They gave us certain positive, practical
truths, and told us to test them by actual trial, and obtain the good
which they would be sure to bring. Christianity in later years did not
triumph by confuting the objections raised against it on the part of
culture. It answered many of them indeed, but its triumph came from
the practical religion which it introduced, and from the effects of faith
in Jesus which blessed individuals and society. So, while the human
intellect has been wrestling with the giant problem of life, the being of
God has silently been established. Overhead has been the battle of the
elements, as on earth the quiet growth of the seed of truth which fell
from the Master's hand. While the Titans have been warring in the air,
the power of God's love and the offer of his Gospel have been making
the world better. The laws of Christ have been closely applied to
human conduct; the beauty and the majesty of Jesus have won their
way to the hearts of millions. Thus progress in righteousness, in the
love of God, and in the practical application of the Gospel, has gone
forward, while these profound problems have remained, and hover like
clouds above the fretful world.
I judge, therefore, that in view of these facts it is worth our while to
forget these doubts and questionings. History has proved that many of
them are both hopelessly dark and have nothing whatever to do with
the attainment of happiness and peace of mind. That they will ever
cease to engage the attention of some would be too much to believe.
Every new generation will undertake the task of settling them. But it
will soon be glad to leave the task to generations following. It is,
therefore, not material for a man to consider them. There are things
before him which can be done and questionings which can be probably
solved. His own personal Christian duty is as clear as sunlight. That
Christ is worthy of his following is manifest to every unperverted mind.
That men need to have Christ's teachings taken home to them, and that
man himself needs to practically walk with Christ and do his service,
the clear facts demonstrate. It is worth his while to forget those doubts
and leave those problems unsolved. It is not wise to let them burden
him or keep him back from service. Let him leave them behind him,
and bend his strength to the racetrack of acknowledged duty, and

perhaps when he has reached the goal he may be in fitter condition to
deal with them. I am certain that then he will thank God that he did not
let them hold him back from the glorious prize.
II. Again, it is worth our while to forget our trials and sorrows, through
absorption in the pleasure and gains of Christian work. Not everyone
by any means can do this. Not a few dwell on the trials they have had,
until they become veritable burdens, invisibly borne on weary
shoulders. Under the palsy of regret, energy for new duties becomes
enfeebled. Some are embittered by regret, fretful under the apparently
hard ordainments of Providence, carrying within their mind sour
thoughts of God and of those who are more fortunate, so that the world
grows dark to them, loses its beauty and loveliness, and life ends in
welcome death. Others simply grieve, striving to be patient and
submissive, but knowing not what balm to apply to their wounds or
where to find consolation. Few things are sadder than the spectacle of
such cherishers of bitter memories; and yet how they nurse their regret
and attach an almost sacred dignity to their sorrows, and refuse to
undertake the duties and privileges which are before them, as though
fettered by the past.
On the other hand, it is only fair to remark that human nature shows
marvelous elasticity and capacity to forget. The really wonderful thing
is that men and women are so well able to forget the trials and sorrows
through which they pass. When we think how heavy these are in nearly
every life--how bitter the partings are as we journey along the pathway,
how much disappointment