Five of Them Were Foolish.
By A. P. Lawton
“THEN shall the kingdom of Heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.” Matt. 25: 1, 2. Read what follows. The solemn and stirring warnings which this chapter contains should be sufficient to arouse all who have faith in the promises or threatenings of the Bible. I am often led to say, If these things are so, I am not a Christian. The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few—home cares are consuming God’s people spiritually. What shall we eat? and what shall we drink? and wherewithal shall we be clothed? seem to be the questions. The same that keeps the world from embracing the truth, keeps the church in a lukewarm state. There must be a letting go of earth, before we can take hold of Heaven, and enjoy the benefits of being a Christian. A few feeble efforts, and then a settling down again, will never gain eternal life. But you say you have to work for a living. All right; only learn to keep the sword of the spirit in one hand, while you work with the other; and let the wall go up. When help is needed, be ready to respond, Here am I, send me; only do not mistake another’s work for yours. In great humility cry, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? With many, it is too much work to be a Christian. A little more rest, and who shall say that this midnight slumber shall not prove fatal? Blessed are they that do his commandments. This perpetual round of ceremonies without the Spirit, is Satan’s easy chair, to lull into greater security. We must not rest till we can say in truth, I live, yet not I, but Christ liveth in me. A relish for Heaven and holiness must be cultivated here. Heaven could not be enjoyed by the impure if it were attainable by them. Oh! that the world could be aroused to understand the loss they are sustaining in refusing to come to the fountain that is open for sin and uncleanness. A. P. LAWTON.