Page:Cyclopedia of illustrations for public speakers, containing facts, incidents, stories, experiences, anecdotes, selections, etc., for illustrative purposes, with cross-references; (IA cyclopediaofillu00scotrich).pdf/304



The steamer Samaritan, on the St. Lawrence, was suddenly enveloped in a heavy fog, completely hiding the shore and every object from view. Yet the ship continued in full speed. The passengers became frightened and censured Captain Dutton and complained to the first mate. He replied, smiling, "Don't be frightened; the fog only extends a certain height, and the captain is up above the fog running the vessel."

We who fear the dangers of time and the world, often forget that God, the great Captain, is above the fog and knows just where and whither He is steering the life ship.

(1254)

GOD, THE SENSE OF

No wonder you yawn and know not what to do next if you have no God, for ennui is the mark of godlessness.

Nothing is worth while but God.

The very naming of God gives zest to life.

I love to feel God love the world through me, until I am fairly washed away by the current.

Of what moment is it whether I live or die so long as that goes on?—, "Swords and Plowshares."

(1255)

God the Source of Goodness—See.

GOD, THE UNSLEEPING

The Sleeping Buddha is one of the famous temples of China. A long avenue of large trees, with a stone pavement passageway, leads up to its entrance. Before it is an imposing gateway of colored tiles. But the pride of its interior is the wonderful figure of Buddha. A monster it is! Gross, indeed, must have been the mind which conceived it. There, lying on his side, with calm face, closed eyes, and head resting upon his hand, is a gilded wooden figure thirty feet long. It is well proportioned. His left arm is resting upon his body, and his bare feet are placed one upon the other. This Buddha is sleeping upon a Chinese K'ang. Standing about him are twelve crowned and beautifully drest images, and in front are the symbols of sacrifices for burning incense. But Buddha is asleep!

Contrast this with the conception of the God who never "slumbers nor sleeps." (Text.)

(1256)

God the Weaver—See.

God, Walking with—See.

GODLIKENESS OF MAN

Leroy T. Weeks somewhat enlarges upon the saying of Kepler in the following verses:

We think Thy thoughts, O mighty God! Thy thoughts, that thrill through space afar, That hold in place each twinkling star, And permeate the teeming sod.

We think Thy thoughts, and live thy life; Our souls are fathered by Thine own, And high as is Thy holy throne, So high we mount from sin and strife.

We live Thy life, and love Thy love; The tendrils of our souls entwine, Entwines and draws us all above, Our fellow men, as love divine.

We think and live and love and grow Like Thee, in ever-bright'ning ways; We are God-kind, and all our days Are in His hands who made us so. (Text.)

(1257)

God's Bridge—See.

GOD'S CARE

Mary E. Allbright, in the Christian Advocate, writes in rime the same lesson Jesus taught His disciples when He told them that the very hairs of their heads were numbered, and that Paul exprest when he said "for He (God) careth for you":

O! strange and wild is the world of men Which the eyes of the Lord must see— With continents, islands, tribes, and tongues, With multitudes, bond and free! All kings of the earth bow down to him, And yet—He can think of me.

For none can measure the mind of God Or the bounds of eternity. He knows each life that has come from Him, To the tiniest bird and bee; And the love of His heart is so deep and wide That takes in even me.

(1257a)