59 Sermon Illustrations on Contentment in Christ

A young Swedish girl was very homesick. “You ought to be contented, and not fret for your old home, Ina,” said her mistress, as she looked at the dim eyes of the girl. “You are earning good wages, your work is light, every one is kind to you, and you have plenty of friends here.”

“Yas’m,” said the girl; “but it is not the place where I do be that makes me vera homesick; it is the place where I don’t be.” (Text.)

— LOUIS ALBERT BANKS

Softly, oh, softly the years have swept by thee, Touching thee lightly with tenderest care; Sorrow and death they have often brought nigh thee, Yet have they left thee but beauty to wear. Growing old gracefully, Gracefully fair.

Far from the storms that are lashing the ocean, Nearer each day to that pleasant home-light; Far from the waves that are big with commotion, Under full sail and the harbor in sight; Growing old cheerfully, Cheerful and bright.

Past all the winds that were adverse and chilling, Past all the islands that lured thee to rest, Past all the currents that lured thee unwilling Far from thy course to the Land of the Blest; Growing old peacefully, Peaceful and blest.

Never a feeling of envy or sorrow When the bright faces of children are seen, Never a year from the young wouldst thou borrow-- Thou dost remember what lieth between; Growing old willingly, Thankful, serene.

Rich in experience that angels might covet; Rich in a faith that has grown with thy years, Rich in a love that grew from and about it, Soothing thy sorrows and hushing thy fears; Growing old wealthily, Loving and dear.

Hearts at the sound of thy coming are lightened, Ready and willing thy hand to relieve; Many a face at thy kind word has brightened; “It is more blessed to give than receive.” Growing old happily, Ceasing to grieve.

See ATTAINMENT, SUPERFICIAL.

UNHAPPINESS OF THE GREAT

How well do the instances cited below illustrate the oft-quoted sentence of Augustine, “Restless are our hearts, O God, until they rest in Thee.”

Sheridan, idol of his day, had for his last words: “I am absolutely undone.” “Take me back to my room,” sighed Sir Walter Scott; “there is no rest for me but the grave.” Charles Lamb said: “I walk up and down thinking I am happy, but feeling I am not.” Edmund Burke said he would not give a peck of refuse wheat for all the fame in the world.

When John Quincy Adams was eighty years old he met in the streets of Boston an old friend, who shook his trembling hand, and said:

“Good-morning! And how is John Quincy Adams to-day?”

“Thank you,” was the ex-President’s answer; “John Quincy Adams himself is well, sir; quite well, I thank you. But the house in which he lives at present is becoming dilapidated. It is tottering upon its foundation. Time and the seasons have nearly destroyed it. Its roof is pretty well worn out. Its walls are much shattered, and it trembles with every wind. The old tenement is becoming almost uninhabitable, and I think John Quincy Adams will have to move out of it soon; but he himself is quite well, sir; quite well.”

It was not long afterward that he had his second and fatal stroke of paralysis.

“This is the last of earth,” he said. “I am content.” (Text.)

Do not slice pieces out of your manhood, and then hope to fill up the vacancies with bank notes. He who loses manliness or godliness to gain gold is a great cheater of himself. Keep yourselves entice for God, and for His Christ, and let all other matters be additions, not subtractions. Live above the world. Its goods will come to you when you do not bid high for them. If you hunt the butterfly of wealth too eagerly, you may spoil it by the stroke with which you secure it. When earthly things are sought for as the main object, they are degraded into rubbish, and the seeker of them has fallen to be a mere man with a muck rake, turning over a dunghill to find nothing. Set your hearts on nobler things than self.