MRS. S. A. V. YOUNG by MRS. S. A. V. YOUNG

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jul 6, 1911

MRS. S. A. V. YOUNG

By MRS. S. A. V. YOUNG

Kindlings

MRS. S. A. V. YOUNG

Did you ever try to start a fire on a rainy day after everybody had been too busy the night before to see that wood and kindlings were under cover? If so, you know how you searched the wood-box for the few tiny splinters that were left there. You remember how glad you were to find a few small slivers hanging to the split sticks of damp wood, or a little bark you could pull off from some of the pieces of hickory. What you wanted was small stuff to set fire to the bigger wood. If any one had asked you if you preferred to have kindling-wood exclusive of the larger sticks, you would have said: “Certainly not; the larger wood holds heat much longer, but I like the little kindlings to ignite the larger wood.”

To me this homely picture illustrates the usefulness of those humble, willing-hearted workers to whom is imparted no great gift, but without whose help the strong and talented workers would be greatly handicapped. Ministers come into our neighborhoods to hold meetings. They preach sermons that abound with good doctrine, but the people are not interested. They preach Christ. The people have heard of Christ, but have never seen him. They preach the love of Christ. That, too, they have heard of, but they have never seen it nor felt its power. Why?—Because none of Christ’s little ones have been before them, visiting the sick, clothing the naked, feeding the hungry, sympathizing with those in distress, opening their doors to the outcast, and by so doing gaining the love and confidence of their neighbors. In other words, the kindling has not been prepared; the little Christians have been too busy.

We can not all preach; we can not all fill responsible positions. Some of us are carrying heavy responsibilities in trying to make an honest living, and provide for our families. We feel that we have no time and no extra strength, and amount to nothing in the cause of God; but we can all live such lives among our neighbors that they will see the Christ spirit, and feel the warmth of the love that goes out from us to them. Then when the minister talks of Christ, they will know what he means; for they will have seen him in our lives. When he tells of his great love, they will understand; for they have felt its power. So if we who feel that our work is small, and that we amount to almost nothing in the cause of God, will each whittle our own little bunch of kindlings, and not allow the element of selfishness to dampen them, but keep them under the shelter of love, there will be nothing to hinder the preached word from reaching the people in all its warmth and power. The kindlings will be all ready for the coal from off the altar.

Siloam Springs, Ark.