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February 9, 1910. THE PRESBYTERI
for the reason that we could be faithful only with a
few. The man}' things will come in the life hereafter,
if we've been faithful in life here. Let us, then, never
make light of what we have, but remember that God
who bestows, is the judge of what is best for us, and
He expects us to show our appreciation of what we
have by making the best use of it and to count on him
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part of us, it will help us greatly in solving the problems
of life along many lines.
i. The Problem of Needless Care.
There is such a thing as needful care, as where
in the Sermon on the Mount, we are urged to seek first
the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these
things will be added. There is also such a thing as needless
care where in the same chapter we are warned
against worrying overmuch about what we shall eat
and what we shall wear.
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let us stop and think on "what we have in the house,"
and not worry about what we have not. A young man
in Knoxville was recently bemoaning the fact that he
had lost his position, and the outlook was very blue.
Then he was reminded that he still had a strong body
with two hands and two feet, and every member intact,
more than others had; a clear brain, more than others
had; many friends, more than others had. Thus he saw
that there was much in the house for him, and, if he
would only begin to pour, God would help the empty
vessels and supply the urgent need. So we are enjoined
to '"be rnrpfnl tor not Til nor " nnrl hrn?r ? "Tr^ I?
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prayer and supplication with thanksgiving (for what
we have by using it) let your requests be made known
to God?and the peace of God, which passeth all understanding,
shall keep your heart and minds in Christ
Jesus."
2. The Problem of Service.
There are numberless calls to service, and well for us
that there are, for it means a blessing to us in ourselves
and a blessing through us to others. But then the problem
arises, "How may I be of service? If I only had the
money of another, how much I could do!" You are not
responsible for the money of another, but you are responsible
for what you have in the house, be it money
or something else. Money is a great means of service,
but not the only one. If "silver and gold have I none,
then such as I have" must I give. A traveler up a steep,
rocky road is prostrate under his heavy burden. I meet
him, but being physically unable to lift a part of his
burden, shall I pass him by without helping him at all?
Physical strength have I not, but "such as I have give
I to thee," and I sit down by him assuring him of my
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er's interest in him and desire to lighten his burden
helps him to rise up and with a new purpose and a new
strength to bear it on his rough way. A dear old saint
in South Georgia was longing to do her part in spreading
the kingdom of God. Others were giving "silver and
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guivi, uui ui mis sue nau none, csnail she told her
hands and do nothing? Never, so long as there was
something in her house. She had a little land and a
portion was set apart as the Lord's acre. She cultivated
it with care and the full harvest was never wanting?
and thus she did her part in spreading the kingdom and
inspiring others to do theirs. So, if we can't do like
AN OF THE SOUTH 165
others, let us never fold our hands in delightful indifference,
but find out speedily what we can do, and do it,
relying upon God to do where we are powerless.
3. The Problem of Spiritual Growth.
As new-born children of God, we are babes in Christ;
but babes we can't remain, for then our influence and
our work would always be a minor one. We must de
veiop, it we would be strong in our lives and mighty
in our influence for good. How, then, shall this development
come? How shall there be more faith, more
hope, more love? By beginning to pour. Taking the little
we have and using it till it enlarges under God's
blessing. As to faith: A young man had only a little, so
little that he trembled at the suggestion that he must
use it and trust Jesus as.Saviour and Lord. But no
sooner is this done than he takes another step by being
willing to invite others to church, then another to lead
in prayers, be it ever so faltering, then another to be'
come Sunday-school superintendent, and in time a man
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ian.li auu a gicm spuiliicii iuixc in ine community.
As to hope: There is much that is uncertain and
discouraging, but the promises of God are always sure,
and upon these we can stand, and as they radiate into
the sunlight of experience our hope and courage must
grow. As to love: A young lady, going as missionary
to China, finds the greatest obstacle to her success in
her lack of love for the people, except a little pity here
and there for their physical need. How shall she enlarge
her little love??for this she must do before she
could enter heartily upon the work. She uses her little
pity, and it grows to larger love, and this to still larger
till her heart is fired with a burning love for the souls
of those she came to minister to.
There arc empty vessels all around us, and not a few.
Let us fill them?beginning to pour with the oil we have,
be it ever so little, and count upon the Lord to increase
if o n ?4
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Knoxville, Tenn.
There is no better way to show our trust in God
than to busy ourselves with the thing he asks us to do.
?Maltbie D. Babcock.
THE PILGRIM.
We Pilgrims wear but hodden-gray.
Of coarse and homely frieze.
Yet, singing softly on our way
Chant hymns of high emprise.
To Christos, Master Saviour, King,
Redeemer, Prince of Peace?
To Him the holiest anthems sing,
While endless years increase.
The mind our only hermitage,
Deep-hidden where we may
Implore our promised heritage?
Communion, ere we stray.
'Tis not in cloistered calms apart
Would we our homage pay,
But 'mid the busy crowded mart
Keep vigil, day by day.
There suffering, tempted, wayward ones.
Whom want or wealth beguile,
May halt, to note when words or tones
Reflect the Saviour's smile.
?Mary Louise Gaines.
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