XVI. By Exhortation. "TURN you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out My spirit unto you, I will make known My words unto you."-PROVERBS i. 23. "WHATSOEVER ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him."-COLOSSIANS iii 17. WORK while daylight lingers, Christian! For poor dying souls-Salvation; SIXTEENTH DAY. THE work which duty demands at the hands of the Christian is a reasonable service." God does not require you to do impossibilities; but simply that kind of service which it is reasonable and dutiful to give. He has enjoined attention to that golden rule: "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might." As there must be a motivepower in the soul to call this duty into exercise, let that motive be not only your love to Christ, but His love to you. It is at all times the greatest luxury to do good, and the doer of the largest amount of good is the longest spared. Remember it was the barren fig-tree that was ordered to be "cut down." The Redeemer saith, "Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit." Possibly there are some who will ask the question, "And what can I do? sur rounded as I am with numerous cares and toils daily? I often feel, as it is, that my burdens are far too heavy for me." We know it well, Believer; but many of these troubles are from without, and ought to cause you little or no anxiety. They are not from within, therefore they can be met by a greater resistance than the force they bring. Many of these should be plucked up, as we do a noxious weed; while others may be met with the direct attack of a determined, prayerful resistance. The worry and strifes of the world in which we now are may threaten to overwhelm us-and it is the worry of life that often kills-but sometimes these can be got rid of, as we throw off approaching disease, by a great physical effort. Some troubles can, in like manner, be expelled by mental vigour; pushing above them, and living beyond them; and instead of your suffering them to cast you down and bruise you, you put down the foot of determined resistance, and crush them! While the day of life is so brief, and the labour to be done is so great, what a trouble it often is to find ourselves robbed of our valuable time by thoughtless intruders. It is mentioned by an aged American minister, that in the early part of his ministry, being in London, he called on the celebrated Rev. Matthew Wilks. Mr. W. received him with all Christian courtesy, and entered into conversation, which was kept up briskly until the most important religious intelligence in possession of each had been imparted. Suddenly there was a pause; it was broken by Mr. Wilks. 'Have you anything more to communicate?” "No, nothing of special interest." "Any further inquiries to make?" "None." "Then you must leave me; I have my Master's business to attend to-good morning." "Here," says the minister, "I received a lesson on the impropriety of intrusion, and on the most manly method of preventing it." XVII. By Admonition. "THOU shalt in anywise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him."-LEVITICUS xix. 17. "WHEN Thou with rebukes dost correct man for iniquity, Thou makest his beauty to consume away like a moth."-PSALM xxxix. 11. "Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men."-1 THESSALONIANS V. 14. WORK while daylight lingers, Christian ! Heed not what men round thee call it, Be it pride or madness; Work for Christ! be constant-fervent He'll reward each faithful servant! |