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February 10, igog. THE PRESBYTRRTA
Prayer Meeting
"THE VALUE OF RIGHTEOUS LEADERS."
Isaiah 55: 4-5.
Week Beginning February 14.
The passage selected for our study has no reference to
merely human leaders, but is a prophecy of Christ as the
spiritual guide of his people. He is first called a witness,
then a leader and commander, then a herald or ambassador,
who wins strange nations to his following. History has been
a gradual fulfillment of the prophecy, "Behold, thou shalt call
a. mmon mai mou Knowest not and a nation that knew not
thee shall run \into thee."
If we could see time and its events from the supreme viewpoint
of our Sovereign Lord, what a marvelous vision we
would have of him as "leader and commander!" He is working
out a great, comprehensive plan of grace and glory. It is
a unit, though infinitely diversified in its administration and
operation. Much of its method is concealed. Its departments
and stages seem often to conflict. Instead of the appearance
of progress there is often that of retrogression. So
obscure and strange is the unfolding of the divine
plan that most loyal subjects are at times tempted
to complain and doubt. The way seems so steep
and winding that faithful followers, if guided only by
carnal vision, would grow faint-hearted and faithless. But he
said of himself as the Good Shepherd, "My sheep hear my
voice, and I know them, and they follow me." Not only to the
chosen nation was he to be a leader, but he was to be a Light
of the Gentiles as well as of his people Israel.
The figure before us Is that of one who governs or conducts the
movement of great numbers, like the ruler of a nation or the
commander of an army. The Scriptures represent Christ os
Lord of hosts. Lawgiver, Judge, Protector, Ruler. He is all
these and more to h!s people.
He lead3 by his providence; often difficult of interpretation;
indeed, usually mysterious; but instrumentality which he
has ordained and over which he is supreme. In our relation to
thft nrftCPOBC nf hnwon al ,'1' * ' *
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emerge day by day, closely affecting our personal lives, we
must believe that he 1b "God over all, blessed forevermore."
He leads by the precepts and imperishable principles of h's
holy word. If our minds are stored with these we have "a
more sure word of prophecy whereunto ye do well that ye
take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the
day dawn, and the day-star arise in your hearts."
He leads us by the personal presence and efficiency of his
Holy Spirit, "working in you that which is well pleasing in
his sight." He is our advocate?one who comes to our side to
help us. He undertakes for us the great cause which involves
our entire well-being. "He shall receive of mine and shall
show it unto to you."
He leads us by revealing himself. A knowledge of his personality
in all his offices and his entire redemptive work is
I a sure source of guidance. As we approximate this personal
knowledge, so shall bis leadership be intimate and constant
and our following will be faithful and unerring. "They know
his voice."
If we are to consider human leadership, we may comprehend
all in saying that men who are most like Christ are best
qualified to lead and command his people. Infirmities of intellect
or heart, of morals or volition, disqualify for learer
ship. Christ had none of these. Christlikeness implies power.
"O send ?? TS.. II-U. ? ?
?v .u, ufciu aou my trutn: let them lead me:
let them bring me unto thy holy hill and to thy tabernacles."
(Fb. 43:3).
tN OF THE SOUTH. 17
Young People's Society
THE SLOUGH OF DESPOND.
Topic for Sunday, February 21?Pilgrim's Progress Series.
11. The Slough of Despond. Psalm 69: 1-4; 13-18; 40: 1-3.
DAILY READINGS.
.Monday: Elijah in despair. 1 Kings 19: 1-8.
Tuesday: Three bitter days. Acts 9: 1-11.
Wednesday: 'the soul cast down. Psalm 42: 1-6.
Thursday: The way out of despair. Psalm 91.
Friday: Faith's triumph. Romans 5: 1-5.
Saturday: The peace that never fails. Philippians 4: 4-7.
Despondency is a matter of the heart rather than of the
head. All reason is against it.
No one has a right to despond who has God by his side.
God's presence makes a solid way through.
The slough lies across almost every one's path, but that is
far from meaning that it ends every one's path.
To many despondency is constitutional or temperamental.
They are by nature low spirited, "all their life time subject to
bondage."
People of this class are met with almost every day. They
are the ones of whom we sometimes say that they seem really
and literally to "enjoy poor health."
The best cure for temperamental despondency is more companionship
with cheerful people, and especially with the
cheerfulness and helpfulness of Christ's companionship.
in lnuuy me cause ror despondency is a low state of health.
A good physical treatment, medicine and diet, are needed
here. God expects his people to take good care of themselves.
To some despondency is the shadow cast back over the pathway
of previous sins. The shadow often lasts even when the
cloud has been withdrawn from directly over our heads.
Jacob, least of all of whom we read, should have been filled
with gloom, after all that God did for him, especially in the
darkness of Bethel's sleep and the all-night struggle with the
Angel at Jabbok.
Yet Jacob exclaimed, when his nine sons came back from
"6/f?.? iuese inings are against me." He should have
remembered God's goodness of the years already passed and
should have trusted more. He had full warrant for trust.
The cause for despondency, as in Jacob's case, so far from
justifying that condition, should produce cheerfulness of mind
and heart. "All these things" were not against Jacob. They
were simply links In the chain of God's goodness.
But Jacob was doubtless resting just then under the cloud
of his own past misdeeds. They shadowed his heart. He had
done evil. Though forgiven, his sins had left their mark. The
scars are the last thing to be obliterated where sin has made
its wound.
Blessed be God. there is a remedv. "Who is nr.?.rmc ?nn fmr
feareth the Lord, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh
In darkness, and hath no light? Let him trust in the
name of the Lord, and stay upon his God." Here is provision
for the most sorely distressed and troubled. Let him "stay
upon his God."
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of a placid lake, the mild moonbeams falling upon its bosom
with a silvery sheen, while the banks and woods around seem
to have gone to a gentle sleep; but the bird resting securely
and quietly in its nest while the hurtling clouds and storm are
raging furiously overhead and around, while the trees of the
forest bend beneath the hurricane, while all nature is torn and
rent.