Trafalgar Castle School - Yearbook (Whitby, Ontario Canada)

Page 14 text:

u vox COLLEGTI ster it is: To regard with profound respect and affection, often mingled with awe. What are the things most sacred to lis as a Christian people? First, we should reverence our- selves. Our bodies are the temples of the Holy Ghost, and we should keep them just as beautiful as we would wish a temple to be. Second, we should reverence our parents, because we owe our lives to them. Thev have given us their ten- der affection, they have watched over us from day to day, and how un- grateful we would be if we were un- kind or disrespectful to them: Third, veneration for institutions. Most of our institutions have been given to us by (jod. To the churches we owe a great deal of respect. We should not speak of the church, or of anything pertain- ing to it, in a slighting way. Dow important it is for us to show high respect for anything pertaining to the sanctuary was vshown in the in- stance when the Israelites were re- moving the ark of the covenant, for fear it would fall, one man put forth his hand to steady it and was imme- diately struck dead. The home is also a sacred institu- tion. Hillis uses these words : Home also sustains vital relations to men ' s thought of God. Every age and generation makes its own pic- ture of the Unseen One. One test of the civilization of a people is infal- ible — its mental picture and concep- tion of the Infinite. In the far-off times of Homer, when youth and health and beauty were the ideals, the gods were eternally young, serene and happy. In that age, when men were insensible to suffering, the gods were pagan, having hearts of iron and thrones of marble. W hen the monarchial idea develop- ed, and thrones were erected, God ' stood forth in the form of a King and Ruler. In an age when men re- vered power, God became the thun- derer, and the earthquake was the stroke of his anger. But with the home and its gentleness and the soul of the parent came the thought that God was the father. These rude thoughts of God belong to an age that had no home in the true sense of that term. Once the father became all gentle and the mother all helpful in the home, the bright centre of all delights, each man exalted his thoughts of God. God became an in- finitely kind being, with more than a mother ' s love. Having seen an earth- ly father love his wandering child, the more he needed pity, and help, man opened his theology to draw a black mark across those pages that made the Heavenly Father pass by as non-elect-ous of His erring child. An earthly home, full of love for six days in the week, made it impossible for men on the seventh to think of God neglecting or passing by one- half His children through all eter- nity. Theology has done something for the home, but the home has done vastly more for theology. We should not invade the privacy of anyone else ' s home; and as to our own homes, what are our feelings for them! How often has it been that a daughter has left home and stayed away for many years. Her thoughts have been continually of her home ; and suddenly a great desire seizes her, she feels that if she could only get one glimpse of the dear old home

Page 13 text:

vox COLLEGII 13 Y. W. C. A. The desire of each heart is its praver, therefore each one prays un- ceasingly, wisely or unwisely. Every kind act passed on and every unkind one repressed, is a step toward God. We have come to the close of an- other year, a bright and happy one, vet as we look back and review our association work, we realize how much could be improved. Another year will come for us, if our Heav- enlv Father permits and each must put into use the knowledge which experience has taught her in the past. We wish every success to the coming editor who shall take up this office. That feeling of depressing and dis- couragement that seizes us, how it hinders our development in Christian life ! One has such a happy disposi- tion, or such a -pleasant environment that despondency seldom touches her soul. With another, it is a habit of mind. Life becomes a burden, and a cloud casts its shadow over the whole personality, darkening the face and weakening the intellect — a cloud which spreads to others. The gloomy face is attributed — however unjustly — to religion, and the Kingdom of God is hindered in the heart of that desponding person, and in the hearts of those about her. Now, girls, is it necessary for any Christian to be in this state of mind? Are there any circumstances that should prove overpowering to her j eace of mind? Jesus said Himself, Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden and ' I will give you rest. Also take my yoke upon you and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly of heart and ye shall find ' rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden light. We are sure His kind and loving words can- not be misunderstood. There is no trouble that we may not take to Him, and if we take it to Him in the right spirit He will either remove it or help you to bear it patiently and cheerfully. vTune 12 was the closing Sunday of the Y.W.C.A. The choice of a life purpose was given by our president, Miss Keagey: It was a splendid talk, her words held the attention of her entire audience and the chapel was crowded to the doors. Her life here in the College created an influence which will not be forgotten by us. Reverence for Sacred Things. W hat would human nature be if incapable of reverence? If we pause to imagine such a thing for a mo- ment, we will of necessity come to the conclusion that, without rever- ence, the w orld would be utter chaos and that there would be no such thing as morality — much less relig- ion — in existence among us. There- fore it is necessary for us to rever- ence someone or something. Let us consider the word reverence and its meaning. According to Web-

Page 15 text:

vox COLLEGII 15 again, what joy it would bring to her, and she wanders back. It shows that the sweet and happy memories of that home were sacred to her. What are our Sabbath days to us? It seems to me that the last thing each of us should do before falling to sleep on Saturday evening, or the first thing: when she wakes on Sun- dav morning, is to thin k, How much this day is going to mean to me, and she should try to make it the very best she can. We should ask ourselves ' the question l)efore we ven- ture to do anything. If Christ were on earth and in mv place, would He do such and .such a thing on the Sab- bath ? I wonder if He would be pleased to see me do that? Whatever the conclusion is, it should be conscientiously followed. Therefore we should trv to reverence our Sabbath in the highest sense. ' The day should bring forth a great deal of fruit to our spiritual natures. But oh, how often this sacred day is used for gross amusement and plea- sure, and the soul ' s library day turn- ed into a kitchen day. Fourth, profanity. It seems to me that one of the most displeasing things to our Heavenly Father is swearing. Swearing is counted irre- verence to God. Ye have heard what was said bv them of old: Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shall per- form unto the Lord all thine oaths. But I say imto you, swear not at all; neither by Heaven, for it is God ' s throne; nor by the earth for it is his foot-stool. There is also a more subtle pro- fanitv of God ' s name. When novel- ists depend upon an irreverent use of the name of the Deity for their wit and when readers read indirect and veiled allusions to religion, re- verence must suller grievously. Re- verence or irreverence to God is shown by the way we treat the poor, the Bible says, He that di.spiseth the poor dishonoreth his Maker, and Pure religion and undeliled be- fore God and the Father is this to visit the widows and the fatherless, and to keep ones self unspotted from the world. From this we come to the conclusion that we should honor God by being kind to any of His weaker creatures. Lastly, our reverence for the Bible should ])e profound. Since God has given us this beautiful book, what does it mean to our spiritual wel- fare ? It is God ' s word, and there- fore very important. It is a revelation from God and a guide for the Christian life. What would our lives be without it. It simply means that we would know practically nothing of Christ ' s life and his great work. Bv means of this book many lives are brought to Christ. Therefore, let us be careful not to reject any of its truths. Whosoever shall break one of these least commandments and hall teach men so, the same shall be call- ed least in the Kingdom of Heaven ; but whosoever shall do and teach them the same shall be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven. E. K. HINSON.