SEARCH FOR THE ABIDING

Though a transitory being upon the earth, man is ever searching for the permanent and abiding, and nothing else seems to satisfy his longings.

In this world everything is changing. The mountains are washing down. Inland seas are drying up. The Niagara gorge is growing longer. The seasons vary with the cycles. Even the sun is growing cold. Man dieth and wasteth away. Mutation is written upon all things.

Yet man courts that which will stay, and he finds consolation in nothing else. Search where he will, all is passing, passing, even the searcher himself.

There are two things, however, which have staying qualities in them, and they are backed up by the oath of God. One of them is the character of Christ, and the other is the hope of His followers. For nineteen hundred years these things have not changed one iota, and should the world stand thousands of years longer, they will still be "immutable" and furnish their strong consolation."

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And these immutable things are as inspiring as they are permanent. The progress and heroism of the world have grown out from them, and they stand forth to-day as the strongest incentives to useful living and noble daring which mankind has.

An Eternal Savior and an Immortal Hope. These are the rocks of refuge standing high above the world's mortalities and vicissitudes. They loom up like beacons on dangerous shores, as guides to safety and unbounded comfort.

Mighty men of faith and action whose records live like the years of God have steered their barks by these fadeless lights and have found secure anchorage beyond the storms of life.

No trustworthy substitutes for these established verities have ever yet been found, and really none are needed. These satisfy. They take on strength with duration, for they have in them the elements of eternity.

ANGEL OF THE EARTH

Sweet Mercy! Spirit of the skies,
Our troubled earth o'er-hovering;
On thee the helpless soul relies

When from its woes recovering.

Uplifted, bending to our need,
In tenderness unfailing,
Regardless of our guilt or creed,
Our fainting hope regaling.

In beauteous form, with gentle tread,
And silent ministration;
With eye undimmed, divinely led,
Bestowing consolation.

Since time began and misery reached
The range of human action,
Thou hast to such as have beseeched
Brought boundless benefaction.

Thou breath of God, enrobed in light,
In essence pure and holy;
Familiar with Empyrean height

And earthly vale most lowly,

On thee we fix our dying thought,
As closes life's reliance;

The sweetest peace to mortals brought
Comes through thy mystic science.

Thou peerless angel of the earth-
Supremest friend of friendless—

We crown thee queen! To death, from birth,
Yielding devotion endless!

THE A PUBLIC LI

ASTOR, LENOX

TILDEN FOUNDATIONS

PATH AMONG THE STARS

Afar in the ethereal blue,

Where stars their vigils keep,
A path awaits the brave and true
Up the eternal steep.

Into that path our feet will turn
When we pursue our quest,
And through exalting influence yearn
To gain those hills of rest.

Then fitting gifts and virtues rare
Our spirits will adorn,

As in firm faith the heights we dare
And toward the stars are borne.

And some near day, refined and tried,

By discipline made bright, Uplifted in the ether tide,

We'll take the final flight.

Earth will grow dim; the moon will wane;

The sun in space recede;

While we among the stars shall train
In high celestial deed.