become weaned from earth； and the dissatisfaction and discontent which sorrow thus induces are as kind and providential as the carelessness of youth。
Who does not see that it is so；that as we journey on in life there are made in our behalf preparations for another state of being；unmistakable premonitions of that fact which the author of the Epistle to the Hebrews so eloquently states； that 〃here have we no continuing city〃？ The gloss of objects in which we delighted is worn off by attrition；is sicklied o'er by care； the vanity of earthly things startles us suddenly； like a new truth； the friends we love drop away from our side into silence； desire fails； the grasshopper becomes a burden； until； at length； we feel that our only love is not here below；until these tendrils of earth aspire to a better climate； and the weight that has been laid upon us makes us stoop wearily to the grave as a rest and a deliverance。 We have； even through our tears； admired that discipline which sometimes prepares the young to die； which； by sharp trials of anguish； and long days of weariness； weans them from that keen sense of mortal enjoyment which is so naturally theirs； which； through the attenuation of the body； illuminates the soul； and； as it steals the bloom from the cheek； kindles the lustre of faith in the eye； and makes even that young spirit look； unfaltering； across the dark river； and； putting aside its earthly loves and its reasonable expectations； exclaim； 〃Now I am ready！〃 But it would appear that equal preparation； though in different forms； is provided for most of us； in the various experiences of sorrow which we are called upon to know； and which； if we would but heed them； have a celestial mission； seeking to draw us up from this lower state； to induce us to lay up our treasure where neither moth nor rust corrupts。 And in the Christian view of man as an heir of the spiritual word； does not sorrow； in this its weaning tendency； receive a most beautiful explanation？
And； because it accomplishes this work； may be the reason why sorrow always wears a kind of supernatural character。 It is true that blessings； equally with afflictions； come from Heaven； but this truth is not so generally felt。 A sharp disappointment will suddenly drive us to God。 The mariner of life sails； unthinking； over its prosperous seas； but a flaw of storm will bring him to his prayers。 And religion； reason as we will； is peculiarly associated with affliction。 And does not sorrow possess this supernatural air； not merely because it interrupts the usual order of things； but because； more than joy； it has a weaning and spiritual tendency；is sent； as it were； more directly from God for this specific purpose？ At least； after the sanctifying experience of sorrow； we hold our joys more religiously。
There are other tendencies of sorrow akin to this； upon which I might dwell； and which show the explanation that it receives in the Christian light。 The humbling effect that it has upon the proud and hard…hearted； the equalizing result which it works； making the rich and poor； the obscure and the great； stand upon the level of the common humanity；the common liability and dependence。 I might； expanding the topic already touched upon； speak of the influence which sorrow sheds abroad； chastening the light； at tempering the draught of joy； and thus keeping our hearts better balanced than otherwise。 But I have sufficiently illustrated its mission。 I have shown its use； even its beauty； in the Christian view。 I have shown why Christianity； as the universal religion； is rightly styled the 〃religion of sorrow；〃 and why Christ； as the perfect teacher and example； was 〃a man of sorrows； and acquainted with grief。〃
Let us all； then； recognize the fact that life itself is a discipline。 That for each of us sorrow is mingled with joy in order that this discipline may be accomplished。 No one reaches the noon of life without some grief； some disappointment； some sharp trial； which assures him； if he will but heed it； that life is already declining； and that his spirit should train itself for a higher and more permanent state。 In the failure of mortal excellence let him recognize the proof of an immortal good； and from the bitterness that mingles with these earthly waters； turn to drink of the celestial fountain。 Of all things； let us not receive sorrow indifferently； or without reflection。 Its mission is for discipline； but we feel it to be discipline only by recognizing its source and its meaning； 〃it yieldeth the peaceable fruits of righteousness〃 only 〃to them that are exercised thereby。〃 Otherwise； it may come and go as the storm that rends the oak； or the drenching tempest that glides off as it falls。 It may startle us for a moment；it may hurt us with a sense of pain and loss；it may awe us with its mystery； but unless it rouses us to solemn thought upon the meaning of life； to self…communion and prayer； to higher and holier action； it availeth little。 It should not smite the heart's chords to wring from them a mere shriek of distress； but to inspire it with a deeper and more elevated tone； and by the element of sadness which it infuses make a more liquid and exquisite melody。
But while we are thus taught to chasten our views of life； and to hold even our joys with seriousness； and with wise forethought； let us not look upon things with any morbid vision； or cast over them a monotonous hue。 Let us not live in gloom and bitterness。 The Christian； of all others； is the best fitted for a cheerful and proper enjoyment of life； because he wisely recognizes the use of things； understands their evanescent nature； and sees the infinite goodness that has so ordained it。 He is not surprised by sudden terrors。 He is prepared for sorrow； and thus can rest in peace with the good that he has； while those who bury heart and soul in the present enjoyment； and know nothing but sensual good； are broken down by calamity。 The sudden change； like a thunder… gust； puts out their light； and darkens all their life； and it is they who are apt to fall from the summit of delight into a morbid gloom； while the Christian； with his balanced soul； inhabits neither extreme。
Finally； let us remember that it is not the object of sorrow to overcome； but to elevate； not to conquer us； but that we； by it； should conquer。 It converts the thorns that wound us into a crown。 It makes us strong by the baptism of tears。 The saint is always a hero。 This explains that grand distinction between Heathen and Christian art； of which I spoke in the commencement； that expression of power blended with agony；of celestial beatitude refining itself upon the face of grief。 Christianity has made martyrdom sublime； and sorrow triumphant。 Christ is 〃the Captain of our salvation；〃…the leader of 〃many sons unto glory；〃 for he was 〃a man of sorrows； and acquainted with grief。〃
Christian Consolation in Loneliness
〃And yet I am not alone； because the Father is with me。〃 John xvi。32。
These words are found in the farewell address of Jesus to his disciples。 They were uttered in the dark hour of coming agony； and in the face of ignominious death。 Because Christ was divinely empowered； and possessed the spirit without measure； let us not suppose that to him there was no pain or sorrow； in that great crisis。 With all his supernatural dignity； he appears to us far more attractive when we consider him as impressible by circumstances；as moved by human sympathies。 He is thus not merely a teacher； but a pattern for us。 In all our trials he not only enables us to endure and to triumph； but draws us close to himself by the affinity of his own experience。 We see； too； how the best men； men of the clearest faith； may still look upon death with a shudder； and shrink from the dark and narrow valley； not because they fear death as such； but because of the agony of dissolution； the rupture of all familiar ties； and the solemn mystery of the last change。
But death and suffering； as Jesus was now to meet them； appeared in no ordinary forms。 He was to bear affliction with no friendly consolations around him； but alone！alone in the wrestling of the garden； and amid the cruel mockery。 Not upon the peaceful death…bed； but upon the bare and rugged cross； torn by nails； pierced with the spear； crowned with thorns； taunted by the revilings of the multitude； the vinegar and the gall。 He must be deserted； and encounter these trials alone。 He must be rejected； betrayed； crucified alone。 And as he spoke to his disciples those words of affection and holiness…those words so full of counsel and sublime consolation…he remembered all this； he remembered that they who now clung to him； and listened in sorrow to his parting accents； would soon be scattered as sheep without a shepherd； and leave him to himself in all that shame and agony。 But even as he foretold it there gleamed upon his spirit the sunshine of an inner consciousness；a comfort that no cloud could darken； and instantly he added； 〃And yet I am not alone； because the Father is with me。〃
Having thus considered the circumstances in which these words were spoken； I now proceed to draw from them a few reflections。
I would say； then； in the first place； that the great test which proves the excellence of the religion of Christ is its adaptation to man in solitude；to man as a solitary being； because it is then that he is thrown upon the resources of his own soul；upon his inner and everlasting life。 In society he finds innumerable objects to attract his attention and to absorb his affections。 The ordinary cares of every day； the pursuit of his favorite scheme； the converse of friends； the exciting topics of the season； the hours of recreation； all fill up his time； and occupy his mind with matters external to himself。 And looking upon him merely in these relations； if we could forget its great social bearings； and the harmonies which flow from its all…pervading spirit out into every condition of life； we might； perhaps； say that man could get along well enough without religion。 If this world were made up merely of business and pleasure； perhaps the atheist's theory would suffice； and we might feel indifferent whether controlled by plastic matter or intellig