p. 159 | NOAH'S CARPENTERS by Rev. H. M. Booth

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 18, 1876

FromThe Review and Herald, Review and Herald, Vol. 47, No. 20.

NOAH'S CARPENTERS.

By Rev. H. M. Booth

“What became of Noah’s carpenters?” asked Dr. Spencer, of Brooklyn. He had just stopped the librarian of his Sunday-school, as they were passing on the street. This question followed their greetings. The librarian was a young man who had grown up in Dr. Spencer’s congregation, but had never united with the church. He was very active in all work that was not especially religious; and was really of great assistance to his pastor, but he had thus far neglected his own soul.

Dr. Spencer knew him very well, and with that ready wit, which appears on every page of the “Pastor’s Sketches,” he shot this question into his heart. The young man looked up into the doctor’s face, then smiled, and then answered slowly: “I suppose, sir, that they were drowned.” “That’s all,” said Dr. Spencer, “good by,” and so they parted. The question, however, was remembered. It made its own application. The young man began to realize his position and danger. He became anxious, and very soon he sought and found the Saviour.

We suppose that Noah must have had carpenters to help him build the ark. There is no evidence that the ark was miraculously built. On the contrary, Noah was a long time at the work; for during this time he became a preacher of righteousness to his generation. Yet, although men saw him build the ark, and heard his warnings of the flood, and even worked with him in providing a refuge, they were all drowned when the waters came, only Noah and his family, eight souls, escaped.

Have we any of Noah’s carpenters in our congregations now? I think so. There is that man who served so effectively on the building committee of our new church. He made the first suggestion that we should have a new church. He gave the largest subscription. He brought his own architect to see the ground, and had him prepare the plans. He has worked most industriously, and for what? Why! to provide a house in which sinners may hear of Christ’s salvation. And yet this man, one of our most useful citizens, has never learned to call Christ his Saviour. He is not in the ark. If the flood should come now, he would be lost. Surely he looks like one of Noah’s carpenters.

That trustee who takes such good care of the church finances resembles Noah’s carpenters. He is a good friend to the ministry, and especially to his own pastor. A debt has been unknown for years. He keeps everything snug. And he does it by close attention and hard work. Yet, at the communion season his seat is vacant. He is not a Christian. His moral character is blameless. He is as amiable as the young ruler of the New Testament; but he lacks the one thing needful. He is still a lost man, although so useful to the church.

That philanthropist who gives his money so liberally to every Christian work looks like Noah’s carpenters. He is building an ark; others, even heathen men and women, are securing a blessing which he refuses to accept himself, and he is giving it to them. They will enter the kingdom of Heaven, and he may be rejected. He has never learned the name which is the only password of entrance. He will perish if he does not accept of the salvation which Christ offers.

But will not God regard the work these good men are doing? Can they not hope to be saved, because they are working on the ark? Is it possible that they will be lost when they have done so much for Christ? Let our Lord himself answer a question so important: “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

Noah’s carpenters still abound. Every pastor has the assistance of one or more of them. How is it with you, dear reader? Remember that you may have many warnings and reject them all. You may work upon an ark, and be drowned in the flood; you may save others and be yourself a castaway. Secure your own salvation by securing an interest in Christ. Trust only in him. He is the ark in which you may be saved.—Rev. H. M. Booth, in Christian Weekly.

We should add to this article a postscript, to the effect that Noah’s carpenters do not all leave their seats vacant on communion Sunday. He is a Noah’s carpenter who renders his service for wages, not for love; he is not one who renders it for love, not for wages. And the great day will reveal, we trust, some love-workers outside the church; we fear, some wage-workers within it.—Eds. Christian Weekly.