按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
in a way that will glorify his Master because of his fidelity。 If he is a true follower of Christ he will carry his religion into everything that is done and reveal to men the spirit of Christ。 The mechanic may be a diligent and faithful representative of Him who toiled in the lowly walks of life among the hills of Galilee。 Everyone who names the name of Christ should so work that others； by seeing his good works； may be led to glorify their Creator and Redeemer。
Many have excused themselves from rendering their gifts to the service of Christ because others were possessed of superior endowments and advantages。 The opinion has prevailed that only those who are especially talented are required to consecrate their abilities to the service of God。 It has come to be understood by many that talents are given to only a certain favored class to the exclusion of others who of course are not called upon to share in the toils or the rewards。 But it is not so represented in the parable。 When the master of the house called his servants； he gave to every man his work。
With a loving spirit we may perform life's
83
humblest duties 〃as to the Lord。〃 Colossians 3：23。 If the love of God is in the heart； it will be manifested in the life。 The sweet savor of Christ will surround us； and our influence will elevate and bless。
You are not to wait for great occasions or to expect extraordinary abilities before you go to work for God。 You need not have a thought of what the world will think of you。 If your daily life is a testimony to the purity and sincerity of your faith； and others are convinced that you desire to benefit them； your efforts will not be wholly lost。
The humblest and poorest of the disciples of Jesus can be a blessing to others。 They may not realize that they are doing any special good； but by their unconscious influence they may start waves of blessing that will widen and deepen； and the blessed results they may never know until the day of final reward。 They do not feel or know that they are doing anything great。 They are not required to weary themselves with anxiety about success。 They have only to go forward quietly； doing faithfully the work that God's providence assigns； and their life will not be in vain。 Their own souls will be growing more and more into the likeness of Christ； they are workers together with God in this life and are thus fitting for the higher work and the unshadowed joy of the life to come。
（85）
A Knowledge of God
Many are the ways in which God is seeking to make Himself known to us and bring us into communion with Him。 Nature speaks to our senses without ceasing。 The open heart will be impressed with the love and glory of God as revealed through the works of His hands。 The listening ear can hear and understand the communications of God through the things of nature。 The green fields； the lofty trees； the buds and flowers； the passing cloud； the falling rain； the babbling brook； the glories of the heavens； speak to our hearts； and invite us to become acquainted with Him who made them all。
Our Saviour bound up His precious lessons with the things of nature。 The trees； the birds； the flowers of the valleys； the hills； the lakes； and the beautiful heavens； as well as the incidents and surroundings of daily life； were all linked with the words of truth； that His lessons might thus be often recalled to mind； even amid the busy cares of man's life of toil。
God would have His children appreciate His works and delight in the simple； quiet beauty with which He has adorned our earthly home。 He is a lover of the beautiful； and above all that is outwardly attractive He loves beauty of character； He would have us cultivate purity and simplicity； the quiet graces of the flowers。
If we will but listen； God's created works will teach us precious lessons of obedience and trust。
86
From the stars that in their trackless courses through space follow from age to age their appointed path； down to the minutest atom； the things of nature obey the Creator's will。 And God cares for everything and sustains everything that He has created。 He who upholds the unnumbered worlds throughout immensity； at the same time cares for the wants of the little brown sparrow that sings its humble song without fear。 When men go forth to their daily toil； as when they engage in prayer； when they lie down at night； and when they rise in the morning； when the rich man feasts in his palace； or when the poor man gathers his children about the scanty board； each is tenderly watched by the heavenly Father。 No tears are shed that God does not notice。 There is no smile that He does not mark。
If we would but fully believe this； all undue anxieties would be dismissed。 Our lives would not be so filled with disappointment as now； for everything； whether great or small； would be left in the hands of God； who is not perplexed by the multiplicity of cares； or overwhelmed by their weight。 We should then enjoy a rest of soul to which many have long been strangers。
As your senses delight in the attractive loveliness of the earth； think of the world that is to come； that shall never know the blight of sin and death； where the face of nature will no more wear the shadow of the curse。 Let your imagination picture the home of the saved； and remember that it will be more glorious than your brightest imagination can portray。 In the varied gifts of God in nature we see but the faintest
87
gleaming of His glory。 It is written； 〃Eye hath not seen； nor ear heard； neither have entered into the heart of man； the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him。〃 1 Corinthians 2：9。
The poet and the naturalist have many things to say about nature； but it is the Christian who enjoys the beauty of the earth with the highest appreciation； because he recognizes his Father's handiwork and perceives His love in flower and shrub and tree。 No one can fully appreciate the significance of hill and vale； river and sea； who does not look upon them as an expression of God's love to man。
God speaks to us through His providential workings and through the influence of His Spirit upon the heart。 In our circumstances and surroundings； in the changes daily taking place around us； we may find precious lessons if our hearts are but open to discern them。 The psalmist； tracing the work of God's providence； says； 〃The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord。〃 〃Whoso is wise； and will observe these things； even they shall understand the loving…kindness of the Lord。〃 Psalm 33：5； 107：43。
God speaks to us in His word。 Here we have in clearer lines the revelation of His character； of His dealings with men； and the great work of redemption。 Here is open before us the history of patriarchs and prophets and other holy men of old。 They were men 〃subject to like passions as we are。〃 James 5：17。 We see how they struggled through discouragements like our own； how they fell under temptation as we have done； and yet took heart again and conquered through the grace of God； and； beholding； we are
88
encouraged in our striving after righteousness。 As we read of the precious experiences granted them； of the light and love and blessing it was theirs to enjoy； and of the work they wrought through the grace given them； the spirit that inspired them kindles a flame of holy emulation in our hearts and a desire to be like them in characterlike them to walk with God。
Jesus said of the Old Testament Scriptures；and how much more is it true of the New；〃They are they which testify of Me；〃 the Redeemer； Him in whom our hopes of eternal life are centered。 John 5：39。 Yes； the whole Bible tells of Christ。 From the first record of creationfor 〃without Him was not anything made that was made〃to the closing promise； 〃Behold； I come quickly；〃 we are reading of His works and listening to His voice。 John 1：3； Revelation 22：12。 If you would become acquainted with the Saviour； study the Holy Scriptures。
Fill the whole heart with the words of God。 They are the living water； quenching your burning thirst。 They are the living bread from heaven。 Jesus declares； 〃Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man； and drink His blood； ye have no life in you。〃 And He explains Himself by saying； 〃The words that I speak unto you； they are spirit； and they are life。〃 John 6：53； 63。 Our bodies are built up from what we eat and drink； and as in the natural economy； so in the spiritual economy： it is what we meditate upon that will give tone and strength to our spiritual nature。
The theme of redemption is one that the angels desire to look into； it will be the science and the song of the redeemed throughout the ceaseless ages of
89
eternity。 Is it not worthy of careful thought and study now？ The infinite mercy and love of Jesus； the sacrifice made in our behalf； call for the most serious and solemn reflection。 We should dwell upon the character of our dear Redeemer and Intercesso