Great Truths in Small Words.
It is said that the word of God is so plain, that a fool need not err therein, and yet the fool hath said in his heart "there is no God." That is, it is the wish of his heart that there should be no God. He would do what seems to be right in his own eyes, and he will not take the Word of God as a lamp to his feet and a light to his path. Such a man is called in the Book of Psalms,—a fool. Hear what is there said of him! "Lift not up your horn on high, speak not with a proud neck"—"I have said that ye are gods, but all of you shall die like men." Such proud men now live. They look around on this bright world, so full of life and joy, and they say "All these things came by chance. There is no God!" He has spread out the green grass at their feet, strewed the earth with sweet flowers to fill their hearts with joy, yet they do not say "I will praise the name of God with a song." "It is a good thing to give thanks." They do not thank him, for they still say, "There is no God!" The moon and stars shine by night—their line has gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. But the fool does not hear the voice of God. The sun comes forth in his strength, like a strong man to run a race—the proud man feels that the light is sweet, he is cheered with the beams of the sun, but he shuts out the light of truth from his heart, and his mind is so dark, that he still cries, "There is no God!" Dear child, such a man, though he may be rich in the world's goods and wise in his own eyes, is, in the sight of God,—a fool! The wise man is one who loves and fears the great God who made all things. The sun as it shines by day, and the moon and stars by night, all speak to him of God. So does the great and wide sea—the grass at his feet—the birds as they skim the air, or sing their songs of praise, each have a voice that seems to say, God made us! It is the pure in heart who thus see God in all his works. Do you not lift up your heart, dear child, and ask that you may be thus pure? Do you say, "As for me, I will call on my God, and the Lord shall save me"—"I will hear what God, the Lord, will speak"—"Oh God, be not far from me"—"Be thou the guide of my youth"? Oh how sweet it is to have God for a friend!—Sel.