Encourage the Desponding.
By M. E. Piper
We find, in looking over the history of the lives of great men, that there are times when even the stoutest hearts will quail, and those who have achieved great victories in the cause of their Redeemer, sometimes falter amid the darkness and trials of the way. But, when the battle presses hard and Satan contends for every inch of ground, how is the feeble strength revived, and how are the drooping hands sustained, by timely words of courage and hope from one who also has known what sore temptations mean. Let us ever be ready with words of true comfort and consolation for those who seem to be yielding to discouragement. Who can tell what good may result from such efforts in the strength of the Lord? Hear a conversation between two good men who believed and preached the gospel of Jesus Christ in the midst of persecution by the papal church:— “Berthold Haller, a man of meek disposition, confided to Zwingle all his trials; and Zwingle, the strong man, inspired him with courage. ‘My soul,’ said Berthold to Zwingle one day, ‘is overwhelmed; I cannot support such unjust treatment. I am determined to resign my pulpit and retire to Basle, to employ myself wholly in Wittenbach’s society, with the study of sacred learning.’ “‘Alas,’ replied Zwingle, ‘and I too feel discouragement creep over me when I see myself unjustly assailed, but Christ awakens my conscience by the powerful stimulus of his terrors and promises. He alarms me by saying—“Whosoever shall be ashamed of me before men of him shall I be ashamed before my Father;” and he restores me to tranquility by adding, ‘Whosoever shall confess me before men, him also will I confess before my Father. O my dear Berthold, take courage. Our names are written in imperishable characters in the annals of the citizens on high. I am ready to die for Christ. Oh! that your fierce bear-cubs, added he, would hear the doctrine of Jesus Christ, then would they grow tame. But you must undertake this duty with great gentleness, lest they should turn round furiously and rend you in pieces.’ “Haller’s courage revived. ‘My soul,’ wrote he to Zwingle, ‘has awakened from its slumber; I must preach the gospel. Jesus Christ must be restored to this city, where he has been so long exiled.’ Thus did the flame that glowed so brightly in Zwingle’s bosom re-kindle that of Berthold, and the timid Haller rushed into the midst of the savage bears, who, grinding their teeth, says Zwingle, sought to devour him.”