Preparation for Service
By Mary E. Kenniburgh
CHRIST’S preparation of thirty years fitted him for his short ministry of three and one-half years. Yet the sacred record tells us that if all the acts that Christ performed were recorded, the world itself, perhaps, would not contain the books. Where was his education obtained? In the lowly town of Nazareth, in the humble home of Joseph and Mary, he toiled patiently at his trade; and though his mission was to redeem a fallen world, he patiently waited until his preparation was complete before leaving his quiet home to carry salvation to a fallen race. The artist, in the untouched block of marble that lies before him, sees as it were the perfect form that he purposes to make from it. God sees in each one of us, misshapen and distorted blocks of marble though we be, the perfect form of a Christian character which he will perfect in us if we only submit ourselves to him. As the artist hews the stone and carves it little by little, spending many weary hours of labor upon it, polishing and finishing it to conform with the creation in his mind, so God will fashion and mold us. Often the preparation is painful: we must pass through the fiery furnaces of trial till all the dross is consumed, and God can see in us the perfect character he wishes us to possess; until he can look upon us as he did upon his works of old, and say, “It is very good.” As the vine must be pruned almost to the ground, and the branches cut away, and even many of the buds nipped off, that more strength and better life may be given to those remaining, so our lives must be pruned and pared: we must put away all our heart’s idols and desires. All our ambitions except the one that prompts us to be a true missionary must be laid at the foot of the cross. Christ lived his whole life in close communion with his Father. Many hours were spent in earnest petitions and agonizing prayer, and in Gethsemane Christ bared his heart to the Father, and strength was granted for his trials. Prayer is the most necessary part of our training. We must live so close to God, and yield ourselves so entirely to him, that our lives may truly be hid with Christ in God. Prayer is the bond that unites us with heaven. The Father’s ear is ever willing to hear our petitions, and to send us strength in our time of trial. We must realize more fully the power of prayer. We must go to Gethsemane, and there with Christ battle with self and all our weaknesses until we become conquerors as he did; for strive as we may, we can not miss it in our way. All paths that have been or shall be,
Pass somewhere through Gethsemane.
All those who journey soon or late
Must pass within the garden’s gate,
Must kneel alone in darkness there,
And battle with some fierce despair.
God, pity those who can not say,
“Not mine, but thine,” who only pray,
“Let this cup pass,” and can not see
The purpose in Gethsemane. Many noble characters have passed through that garden, have received their preparation, and have laid down their lives for the hope that was in them. After many years of toil among the South Sea Islanders; Bishop John Patteson at last gave his life for them; and “it is hardly possible to read the record of his sacrifices, his labors, his perils, and his cares without being vividly reminded of Paul, the prince or model of all missionary laborers.” The bishop landed on the shore, and was seen alive no more. Mr. Atkin, another missionary, was struck with an arrow from the islanders in a canoe; but in spite of suffering and weakness he crossed the reef to seek the bishop. A canoe drifted toward them; the body of a man was seen in it. They came up to it and lifted the body, with the placid smile still upon the face, into the boat. The next morning the body of Bishop John Patteson was committed to the waters of the Pacific; and Joseph Atkin, reading the burial service, even then recognized his own doom in a body stiffened from a poisoned arrow, which soon after caused his death. A group of humble Moravian missionaries were asked, when nearing the West India Islands, “What will you do on landing if you find that all your brethren who came here months ago to work among the slaves have perished?” They answered, “We will take their places.” Part of William Carey’s training was received at the shoemaker’s bench, but it helped fit him for his forty-nine years of labor for the good of India. The memory of such men as John Williams, the martyr missionary of Polynesia; Judson; Bishop Hannington, the martyr of Eastern Africa; and Livingstone, who cheerfully gave their lives for the cause of Christ, shall live forever; and we who are left have the same privilege of carrying the gospel message to those who are still groping in darkness. “Many never attain the position they might occupy, because they wait for God to do for them that which he has given them power to do for themselves. All who are fitted for usefulness must be trained by the severest mental and moral discipline; and God will assist them by uniting divine power with human effort.” “Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.” Heb. 12:11. “Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” 2 Tim. 4:8. Who is there that would grow faint, even though the way be rough and thorny, with such a reward in view? Now, the sowing and the reaping,
Working hard and waiting long;
Afterward, the golden reaping,
Harvest home and grateful song.
Now, the pruning, sharp, unsparing,
Scattered blossoms, bleeding shoot;
Afterward, the plenteous bearing
Of the Master’s pleasant fruit.
Now, the long and toilsome journey,
Stone on stone to carve and bring;
Afterward, the perfect beauty
Of the palace of the King.
Now, the spirit conflict riven,
Wounded heart, unequal strife;
Afterward, the triumph given
And the victor’s crown of life.
Now, the training, strange and lowly,
Unexplained and tedious now;
Afterward, the service holy,
And the Master’s “Enter thou.”