Thoughts From “Christ’s Object Lessons”
By Frank F. Fry
Those who handle the bars of gold and silver at the mint in the process of coining money, are liable to become indifferent to the full value of the metal which they are handling. As I stood and watched the men guiding the long plates of gold through the machine that coined and stamped upon it its value, their manner did not seem to differ in any way from those who guided the plates of steel through the great rollers that made the steel rails in the large steel mills. There is a possibility of handling a precious article without realizing its worth. I have many times wondered if we have not come short in our appreciation of the book “Christ’s Object Lessons.” Have we searched out the precious gems of truth that are within its lids, and applied them to our own individual lives? Are we enthusiastic in the matter of presenting this precious book to others unless we realize its worth ourselves? Perhaps it would not be amiss to suggest a thorough reading of this book before we attempt to sell it to others. If we have read it through once, it will bear reading again. If we have learned the lessons it contains once, they will bear a review. Success in selling this book, as in selling all others, depends largely on whether or not we can prove to the people that the book has been a help and a benefit to us. We should call attention to particular paragraphs that have had an uplifting influence upon our own lives, and read the beautiful thoughts that have been an inspiration to us. In my work in canvassing for the book I have made use of the following thoughts as particularly helpful to me: — “Leading thus from the natural to the spiritual kingdom, Christ’s parables are links in the chain of truth that unites man with God, and earth with heaven. In his teaching from nature, Christ was speaking of the things which his own hands had made, and which had qualities and powers that he himself had imparted.” — “Christ’s Object Lessons,” pages 17, 18. Christ’s mission to this world was to reconcile man with God. He could not do this without removing the veil that obscured the truth. The blight that was cast over the face of nature by sin, had for many years hidden from men’s minds the precious truths that were to acquaint them fully with their Creator. None was more capable of drawing out these truths than Christ the Creator. “Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.” Matt. 13: 13-15. “That with which the parable of the sower chiefly deals is the effect produced on the growth of the seed by the soil into which it is cast. By this parable Christ was virtually saying to his hearers, It is not safe for you to stand as critics of my work, or to indulge disappointment because it does not meet your ideas. The question of greatest importance to you is, How do you treat my message? Upon your reception or rejection of it your eternal destiny depends.” — “Christ’s Object Lessons,” pages 43, 44. The Saviour’s words in presenting the parable of the sower are familiar to us, so familiar, perhaps, that they really may seem commonplace in our estimation. Let us not consider them so. If we have really learned the lesson of the parable perfectly, we shall never be found criticizing the minister in the particular way and manner in which he presents the truth; but, on the other hand, if he gives truth, we shall be examining our own heart to see what kind of soil it will furnish for the germination and growth of seeds of truth that may have been sown. There were three grades of poor soil, as well as three grades of good soil, but only one grade that brought forth a hundredfold. “Christ’s lessons in regard to prayer should be carefully considered. There is a divine science in prayer, and his illustration brings to view principles that all need to understand. . . . Our prayers are not to be a selfish asking, merely for our own benefit. We are to ask that we may give.” — Id., page 142. When the Lord said to his disciples, “Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves; for a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him?” he was teaching them how to pray, and was fully granting their request when they said, “Lord, teach us to pray.” “However small your talent, God has a place for it. That one talent, wisely used, will accomplish its appointed work.21By faithfulness in little duties, we are to work on the plan of addition, and God will work for us on the plan of multiplication.” — Id., page 360. There is a wide range in which we can be endowed with talents, and none of us has less than one talent. The mental faculties, speech, influence, time, health, strength, and the means that the Lord has entrusted to our care, are all talents. The Lord desires us to trade with his goods, and not join the great army of his creatures that hide their talent in the earth. There are many beautiful thoughts presented in the book “Christ’s Object Lessons” that seem to bring to the surface the underlying principles of the gospel of the kingdom, which the world and professed Christians seem to have almost lost sight of. The thoughts presented above are just a few of the many to which attention can be called when presenting the book to the public. The book will win its own way into the homes of the people if it is given a chance. It has blessed many a home, and it will be only when we all fully realize what a good book it really is that it will be circulated as it deserves. Let us allow our hearts to be kindled afresh with a love for this blessed work of selling “Christ’s Object Lessons,” and soon this people will be free from the reproach that is still in a measure resting upon it, and many thousand more homes will rejoice in the help and courage that the book brings to them. If all will do what they can just now in the promotion of this work, it will not be long before the jubilee song of freedom will be heard throughout our borders.