“Christ’s Object Lessons”
ALL great enterprises are marked with simplicity. It was Christ’s gentleness that made him great. What a simple thing to mark the character of the humble man of Nazareth with the stamp of greatness above all men that have lived upon the earth. “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” What a simple method of letting “all men” know that we are disciples of Christ!—so simple that we stagger at the thought of its possibility. Yet after the ascension a few fishermen and other common men who had been associated with Christ, with sincere love for him and for one another, proved that simple statement, and to their surprise saw the only great Pentecost of which the world has any record. It did not cease with the gift of tongues and the conversion of three thousand souls that day. The sick were healed; the prison doors were opened; and the world, even “all the world,” heard the gladsome sound of what was done, and said, They have been with Jesus and learned of him. All men knew they were his disciples, by applying the rule of the Master, Love one another. It was simple; but it worked. In building the ancient tabernacle, the Lord called for offerings from all the people. “Of every man that giveth it willingly with his heart ye shall take my offering.” It was to consist of different materials, from gold to goat’s hair, according to the ability of the donor. No urging was to be done. It left the man shut in with God to make his offering. He made it to the Lord, and not to man. He made it to please God, and not to please man. What a simple plan! It looks too simple to amount to much. But it succeeded, and the people had to be restrained from giving because they brought too much. God’s plans are always simple. His method is always to distribute the work among all his people, that all may share in it, and not some be eased and others burdened. He distributes so that the yoke is easy and the burden light. When the heart of his people is so linked with him that all hear his voice, and unitedly respond to his direction, his work always moves steadily on to triumph. “All things are possible to him that believeth.” He thus tests his people and accomplishes his work. Those who do not heed his voice in the field of training will not be permitted to hear him welcome the laborers from the field when the harvest is gathered. The “Well done, thou good and faithful servant,” is not spoken to a denomination, but to individuals. All who are gathered with that throng come from fields of labor to enter with a hearty welcome into rest. “To every man his work.” Not one idler is called. My brother, my sister, what are you doing? Do you say, “No man hath hired us”? The Master says, “Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive.” The eleventh-hour call is sounding. Will you respond? Do you inquire what definite work the Master has called upon you to perform at this time? I would answer: There has been a direct call upon all this people to arise as one man and sell “Christ’s Object Lessons.” The plan is simple. All are to bear a part in it. The object is threefold. First, to train