Feeding the Weary Multitude
By F. M. BURG
“But,” says one, “to give this glad tidings of the coming King to all the world is a work of such magnitude that we have little ground to hope for its accomplishment before the lapse of generations to come.” Note for a moment the case of the loaves and fishes in our Saviour’s hands. Suppose the little boy who had this limited supply of edibles had distributed them among the hungry multitudes; would their wants have been supplied? Why not?—Because naturally there was not a sufficient quantity. The only thing that made it possible for the hungry throng to be filled from this scant supply was that the food was yielded into the Saviour’s hands to be distributed. That done, the people were fed, and an abundant supply remained. That is what is needed now: we have only a few loaves and fishes, as it were, and the multitudes are to be fed. All we have—money, property, time, mental acquirements, etc.—can never of itself do the work, even as the loaves and fishes of themselves could not feed the thousands. The blessing of God is needed. And his blessing can not be given till all is yielded to him. This done, the great work before us of giving the gospel of the kingdom to all the world in this generation will be done as easily as the thousands were fed from the scant supply. This is the meaning of our week of prayer, and the annual offering to missions in connection with it. The first requisite is to give all we have to this work; then in answer to the earnest prayer of faith, God’s blessing will rest upon the offering, and as truly miraculous will be the results as when the multitudes were fed. And let none think that he will lack aught by giving all to the spread of this blessed message. Remember that when the lad placed all he had in the Saviour’s hands, and with it the people were fed, there remained an abundant supply—twelve baskets full were taken up. Will not God’s people then have more of the necessities of life if they will give all to God now for the advancement of this work, and then seek earnestly for his blessing upon the gift? Why not prove the Lord in this at this time, and make this week of prayer a pentecostal season? F. M. BURG, of Western Oregon.