“WITHOUT GOD IN THE WORLD.”
WITHOUT God! In the darkness—an orphan, alone! No Father’s loving smile; no strong protecting arm; no heart firm and true, in sunshine and in storm! No God! No God! Without that glory-crowning, joyous hour; without the wondrous beaming of that heavenly light; without His blessed benediction; without that peace which passeth understanding; without God! without God! In the world—this gay, bright, sunny world!—its hours of blissful joy; its happy days of loveliness; its nights of beauty and calm enjoyment!—the blue skies of prosperity; the glorious scenery of earth—its verdant vales and mountain heights, noble forests, flowing rivers and mighty seas; the soft strains of bird music; the sweet incense of flowers; the streamlet’s gentle murmur; the rich sunset glow; the glorious gleamings of night’s starry coronet; the thousand pleasured joys of happy existence—without one thought heavenward! No grateful tears welling up from the heart’s full fountains to him whose hand painted these glory tints—to him who filleth thine ear with sweet music! In the world—this world of beauty—without God! without God! Earth’s precious treasures—a father’s noble heart and affection; a mother’s sweet gentleness and untold love; a brother’s fondness; a sister’s warm embrace; the husband’s love; the wife’s undying devotion; the sportive grace and guileless heart of childhood—oh home, sweet home!—without one glad psalm of thanksgiving—without once lifting thine eyes from these precious gifts, clasped lovingly to the heart, upward to the glorious Giver!—Without God! without God! No morning orisons; no evening hours with “the Beloved;” no soft folding of little hands in prayer; no sweet incense burning on home’s holy altar. Oh! can it be? In the midst of all thy mercies, no God! no God! In the world!—this stormy, sorrowing, sinful, suffering world!—No covert from the tempest; no shield from the cold winds of adversity; no sure refuge in all distress; no guide in the dark hour of temptation; no high tower, where thou mayest flee from the shafts of the enemy! Alone! with thine aching heart. No hand to wipe away thy bitter tears; no comfort when the dead shadow falls across the brightest pathway of thy life; no rest for thy weary spirit; no voice of Jesus in the storm! Oh, anguish unutterable! No God! No God! In the world—WITHOUT GOD! Oh, hoary head of honor—those who wear not the crowning joy of life—whose trembling feet are pressing still the path of sin and wrong! O thou of sunny brow and laughing eye, whose heart, so set on earthly jewels, seekest not the pearl of great price! O thou child of the covenant, wandering from the fold, yet wearing on thy brow His sacred seal of love!—why will ye grieve a Father’s bleeding heart? Why will ye die? Oh, turn ye to the rod and staff—the higher glory that fadeth not away—the Shepherd’s tender care—the precious love of Jesus—else on that last dread solemn day shall yours be this fearful condemnation: Without God! WITHOUT GOD!—Christian Observer.