Shine As Lights # 5

Shine As Lights # 5

We read that the late Michael Faraday, after giving a lecture on some scientific subject before the great and the noble in the land, would go down to some of the lowest parts of the city and give an earnest loving address to some twenty or thirty of the poorest, telling them of the Saviour's love.

But a few weeks ago, I was told of an incident in the life of the late Rev. George Fisk. While Vicar of Darlaston he heard one night of two men who were about to fight, and a large concourse were assembled in a sort of natural amphitheater to see them; so he took his Bible and went to the place. When he had reached it he went into the middle, and said he would speak to them until the combatants arrived. Then he read and spoke to them very plainly of judgment and righteousness and the mercy of God; and when the men arrived, they sat down on the edge of the crowd to listen, and then all went to their homes in peace.

Here was the spirit of cross-bearing in a very practical shape; and very blessed would it be if Christians were to be as bold and courageous for their Master.

We must be most careful over the employment of our time. It is our greatest talent, and we must throw none of it away. Every hour, every moment must be spent as under the eye of our gracious Master.

In our toil, in our recreation, in our seasons of pain and suffering, let us still be living our life before Him; rejoicing that He is near and accepts all we suffer or do as service acceptable in His sight.

Who shall tell how much may be done for the glory of God and the good of others in the intervals of time which we are apt to regard as necessarily wasted?

We are told the gold sweepings at the mint last year amounted in value to many thousands of dollars. Our fragments of time are gold dust; and we must not throw them aside as worthless, but gather them up that none may be lost.

We must let the light shine very brightly in our own home. The nearer you come to a candle, the clearer you see the light. Home is the chief scene of temptation, at least in many cases, and it is the sphere where we have the greatest opportunity for showing what kind of person we are of. We must lay aside self-pleasing. Our aim must be to do the most good that we possibly can, to those who live with us; so we must think of their comfort and happiness as much as our own. We must not consult our own convenience and leave everything else to take its chance.

An unselfish generous spirit will be constantly on the look out to add a few grains to another's pleasure, or to diminish a little of their load of sorrow or care.

We must learn the holy art of showing kindness and courtesy in all the affairs of everyday life. We might well multiply our gifts, though they be but as the cup of cold water, costing us but little, but often bringing much gratification to the one remembered.

We must strive to be quite content with God's appointing, wherever our lot may be cast. High or low, as our position may be, let us say to ourselves, "God has placed me here, and here I will endeavor to do His will. By meekness and gentleness, by patient industry and perseverance, by congenial love and cheerfulness, by forbearance with the evil, by watchful consistency in my walk - I may glorify my Father in Heaven as much as if I were preaching the Gospel or ruling a kingdom."

Very especially let us beware of touchiness. When through burdensome duties, infirmity of body, the distraction of many coming and going, we become irritable and speak short and sharp, we are losing altogether for the time, the mind of Christ.

~George Everard~

(continued with # 6)