The Spread of the Gospel.
By J. O. Corliss
God might have commissioned the angels to preach the gospel to the world had he seen fit to do so. But he who knows altogether the needs of fallen man, ordered it otherwise, as we may believe for the best of reasons. Knowing what we do of man's natural tendencies, it is easy to see that such an arrangement, instead of ennobling man, would have confirmed in him every trait of his naturally selfish character. Besides, it is difficult to understand how man could have been led to fully appreciate gospel privileges, on the principle that whatever costs little or nothing, is generally (and quite correctly too) estimated according to the sacrifice required to obtain it. A sinner cannot purchase his own pardon at any cost, yet in order to secure the gift of God through Jesus Christ, one must comply with the conditions upon which that pardon is granted. These conditions are a forsaking of former ways and associates, and a yielding of the will to the will of God. The peace and joy received in return are considered worth more than that which the world bestows, because of the prospect of eternal life which they afford. But no one can afford to rest satisfied with the first pleasurable sensations of this new relationship. As soon as one is really adopted into the family of God, the interests of the Father's household become his interests, and it will be his delight to follow in the footsteps of him who said, "I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me." John 5:30. To accomplish God's will it was necessary for Christ to suffer and die, because the will of God is that "all should come to repentance." 2 Pet. 3:9. We perform God's will when we cease to do evil and learn to do well, because that is a step to our salvation, which is the will of God, and which Christ said he came to do. See John 6:38-40. But by fulfilling these conditions, even, we do not purchase our pardon. Christ's own blood alone can do that; but by observing these stipulations we do become co-laborers with him in his work and thus cultivate his character. His love for fallen humanity made him suffer and die, and if we partake of the same spirit which caused him to sacrifice for us, we, too, will cultivate a love for others, and have that desire for their salvation that will engage us to sacrifice somewhat to that end. Had the gospel commission been committed solely to the angels, man could have had no such interest in the salvation of his fellow-men, but as soon as he should have tasted the sweets of pardoning love, he would there and then have settled down satisfied in the thought that his own sins were canceled, and he had nothing further to do. What object could one have under such circumstances to attend prayer-meeting? He would have nothing to do with encouraging others to be steadfast. Or what would he care about attending public services, except to receive a personal benefit? Such a religion would be selfish in the extreme, and just the opposite of what the Bible recommends. If such would be a false religion, then the true must be just the opposite, and will lead its possessor to interest himself in behalf of those who have not yet yielded to the call of the gospel. In other words the gift of pardon bestowed will cause the recipient to feel an obligation to help others to see and feel what he himself has experienced. It may be true that some never have such impressions, but those who get proper views of the work of Christ, and their relation to him, through a profession of faith, cannot fail to have some yearning in this direction. It is true that all are not, and some, for certain reasons, never can be qualified to teach the gospel in a public manner. But though they may lack in this qualification, they may become assistants to such laborers in various ways. And the most profitable way for each to engage in the work will be made manifest to them, if, while constantly asking, "Lord, what wilt thou have me do?" they daily assist through the avenues that open to them. In writing his epistle to the Romans, Paul expressed this sentiment when he said (chap. 1:14, 15): "I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the barbarians; both to the wise and the unwise. So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also." This was not a mere matter of choice with the apostle, a means of livelihood in preference to some other calling. He says in 1 Cor. 9:16: "For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of; for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is me if I preach not the gospel." Since he had the talent to do so, the apostle well knew that he could not refuse to carry to others the message of good tidings that had blessed his own heart, and freed him from his sins. It was the same spirit that actuated Whitefield and his coadjutors in their extended labors. Wesley, with his comprehensive view of gospel work, announced: "The world is my parish." Dr. Adoniram Judson, also, felt these longings to an intense degree. In all these cases the men were held up in their work by the consolation that their lives were being given for others' salvation. On some occasions, when the thought came to them that they were not seeing accomplished what they desired to see, their anxiety was almost unbearable. Especially was this the case with Mr. Judson. It is said that at one time he conceived a strong desire to preach the gospel to the Jews. But though he looked for the way to open, and even prayed to that end, his desire was never gratified. All through his life he lamented the circumstances that forbade him carrying out his cherished desire. But one day near the close of his eventful life, when he was feeling much depressed at the thought of his supposed failures, Mrs. Judson read to him a letter from a missionary near Constantinople. This letter stated that a little book had been published in Germany giving an account of Dr. Judson's life and labors; that it had fallen into the hands of some Jews, and had been the means of their conversion; that a Jew had translated it for a community of Jews on the borders of the Euxine, and that a message had arrived in Constantinople asking that a teacher might be sent to show them the way of life. When Dr. Judson heard this his eyes were filled with tears; a look of almost unearthly solemnity came over him, and, clinging fast to his wife's hand, as if to assure himself of being really in the world, he said, "Love, this frightens me. I do not know what to make of it." "To make of what!" said Mrs. Judson. "Why, what you have just been reading. I never was deeply interested in any object, I never prayed sincerely and earnestly for anything, but it came; at some time—no matter how distant the day—somehow, in some shape, probably the last I should have devised, it came!" And thus died that good man, with the thought that his desires in behalf of the Jews were being granted. Though he could not himself go among them, his life was an example that God made the means of conversion to them. Thus it may be with every one who loves God. Though he may not be able to do that kind of labor he would prefer, he may labor for the advancement of God's cause and the salvation of souls in another way, and, if faithful, God is able to bring about the desired object in a way that was only known to him who is the disposer of events. Let each, then, work in his sphere with godly zeal. If his part is to only contribute to the finances of the cause, let him do that cheerfully, knowing it is an essential part of the great work. But if any are privileged to do more (though this part may not be neglected), let them rejoice inasmuch as greater opportunities are offered them to bring souls to a saving knowledge of the truth, and thus bring to themselves more of the joy of Christ. J. O. Corliss.