The Presbyterian of the South : [combining the] Southwestern Presbyterian, Central Presbyterian, Southern Presbyterian. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1909-1931, August 11, 1909, Page 16, Image 16

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TH Contributed OUR BRIGHTSIDE LETTER. "BE CONTENT, I PRAY THEE!" In the days of boyhood we sometimes spent a week or. more in a home that had the sweet name of 'Contentment." And our memory tells that it was a proper name. Contentment dwelt there with the friends of those days. Certainly the name of that home impressed uiv u-Ji nuu i-ame una weni ana lauglit its good lesson. Whatever the lot is, wherever the home is, if contentment come and abide with us, that is happiness itself. "Poor and content is rich, and rich enough." We have the authority of the master of English literature for that, and he was wondrous wise. There is a species of contentment that is unworthy of manhood and shduld not he welcomed at any door. It spells indifference and sloth. It excludes ambition and fosters no aspiration for any higher life. It folds the hauds to sleep and clcses the eyes to any vision of larger, better things than we have. There are places and times in which it i3 a wrong and a shame to be content. Contentment is a sin against one's self and against the Maker, too, when it rests on any unfulfilled manhood, any unused opportunities, any heights attainable that are not climbed. We would not nave any boy or girl contented uutil they have made the best of themselves and done the best they can for the world around them. There is a contentment also that comes from ignorance and dullness. The stolid peasant whose life is shut in by the narrow limit of his remote hamlet, and the lonely mountaineer in the darkly shaded valley, from which he has never gone out into the world, grow contented in stupidity, because they know nothing better. They have no thought or imagination of any other life, and want no other. Free from m?nv of the cares of life, shut in from many evils of which they have not heard, it is a poor and narrow lot, and their contentment is merely an indolent consent to things as they are. But there is contentment that is worthy and right, and enriches ^nd sweetens life inexpressibly. To be content is to be "contained within limits," to be satisfied within the lines that are drawn about us and our lives. One may accept cheerfully the limit drawn about him?the nome, the work, the opportunity, and yet entertain ambition. One may dwell In peace in very narrow conditions, and yet have courage for adventure and nope of larger things. It is me contentment tnat is alive and active and uses each opportunity and climbs up each round that is happy and peaceful. "The noblest mind the best contentment has." The mind that looks up and aspires, that goes forward when the way is opened, is the one with which the purest and sweetest contentment dwells. But the contentment that is the fruit of faith in God and submission to his * r E /TERIAN OF THE SOU' will is that kind that is most stable and abiding. "Godliness with contentment is great gain." That is the mingling in the cup that makes the richest, sweetest draught. Whatever gain may come by discontent and restless ambition and eaeer Dursuit. this is trim that the far greater gain comes where godliness is united with contentment. The gain is in character and in influence, and in peace and heart satisfaction. "For I have learned," writes Paul to the Philippians, "in whatsoever state I am, there with to be content." What a wise and gracious lesson it is to learn! One would like to go to that school where such lessons are taught. And we know who the teacher is. "Come unto me, ye weary and heavy laden and 1 will give you rest." "Be careful for nothing,?let your supplication he known unto God with thanksgiving, and the peace of God which passeth all understanding shall keep your minds in Christ Jesus." Do you remember this verse in the letter to the Hebrews? "Be ye free from the love of monevi. content with such things a3 ye have, for himself hath said, 'I will in no wise fail thee, neither will I In anywise forsake thee!" J. P. S. "COVENANTER COMPANY NO. 75." F. Louise Mayes, Leader. Covenanter Company No. 75, of Second church, Greenville, S. C., have been a hand of faithful workers for almost seven years and have accomplished much in that period, which has gladdened their leader and comforted their parents." Their last achievement, however, eclipsed anything th^t we know of within the range of Covenanter work? viz: the organization of a state-wide young people's federation of the Presbyterian church in South Carolina. 1 wculd like to give the history of the work by my boys in order to show, first, how Ihe energies and enthusiasm of our young people can be crystalized into mighty forces for the accomplishment of good, and second, as an encouragement to other small bands who are afraid to undertake "big things." On Easter Sunday, two young men of Covenanter Company No. 200, came from Westminster, a neighboring town, to meet with Company 75 for mutual benefit which would arise from interchange of ideas and discussion of plan of work and study. The leader was absent, being out of the city for ten days and the boys were left to their own devices. After discussing the lesson for the day, which was the life of John Knox, LUCJ cgnu ww oiiwan Ui tilt; UUillflUUS Calvin celebrations which were being planned, when one of the Westminster lads remarked that he wished we could have the Covenanters from all over the State to meet In Greenville and discuss Covenanter work. They viewed It from all sides and separated with no fixed purpose, but with an earnest desire for the meeting. The leader was told of the fine meeting and the enthusiasm which pervaded it on her return and it was decided we couJd have a state-wide Cove rH. August ii, 1909. nanter meeting on July 10th and 11th. To this end committees were appointed to look after every detail and the work was systematically begun after gaining the consent of their pastor, who is always ready to cooperate with the boys in any laudable undertaking. They had gone so far now that they dared not turn hfjplf QllH vot thou 11 A A 1 1 ....w vu<;j UCUU1CU U. UlLltJ WU?U they faced the fact that thirteen boys between the age of fifteen and twenty-two had undertaken a state-wide organization. But they are buoyant, brave fellows and not a few have the blood of the Covenanter and Huguenot coursing their veins, so on they went with a brave front, undaunted by the magnitude of the undertaking, now that enthusiasm was waning and cold facts and figures with relentless insistence were coming in view. A week before the meeting, in answer to their correspondence, they found to their dismay and regret that of the eight Covenanter bands in the State there were only about four active. They then decided to broaden their lines and invite the young people's societies of tne State. This they did through the Observer and by correspondence ana tne result was thirty-one delegates from Christian Endeavor, Miriam and Junior Miss'on bands. The first meeting was Saturday evening, 8:30, when with banners flying the Covenanters marched in the church and up the aisle singing ' The Son of God goes forth to war." It was a scene which quickened the pulse of any one interested in the youths of our land, and swelled with pride the hearts of Presbyterians. The-boys furnished the music stirring and beautiful it was for the evening. The president of Company 7o, Mr. W. K. Allen, made the welcoming address. Mr. Allen Nours, of Westminster made the response. The pastor, Dr. Davis, then took charge of the meeting and presided until an organization was affected on the next day, which was named by a committee on organization, The Westminister Federation of Young People's Societies. The Covenanters, Company 75, failed in organizing the state-wide Covenanter Convention, but they were the originators and prime promoters of the South Carolina Federation of Young Peoples' Societies. This is not the first time this Company has distinguished itself, having won the banner offered by the General Assembly at its meeting in Mobile for the best life of a Biblical character, besides tieing the next year for a similar prize. We are proud of these boys and we wish the young people of the State to know their names, we give them below. Co^nanter Company No. 75 ^ Chas. R. Bailey, R. E. Allen, Jr., W. Kirk Allen, Robt. McF. Hammond, Fred. Holland. Raymond Mallard, Trenholm Mallard, Geo. Mackey, Harold Seyte, Albertus Spain, Ovid Spain, John Price* Whltner Carey.