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Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Oct 26, 1915

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 42, No. 42.

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EARS

By J. E. F.

TRAIN FOR ACUTENESS—THE EFFECT OF LISTLESSNESS—THE DANGERS NEAR THE SHORE
We use the word in its plural form, for there is more than one kind of ears. There are the “hearing ear,” the “obedient ear,” and the “ears of the wise.” The Bible also tells us of the “ears of a fool,” “heavy ears,” and “itching ears.” The wise man tells us that God has made “the hearing ear.” Prov. 20: 12. Job informs us that the ear is capable of trying and distinguishing words. Job 12: 11.
The ear is a most wonderful organ, very delicate, easily injured, yet well protected. The ear was made to hear; but the ear can be easily abused, and hearing be impaired or entirely lost.
Superintendents of mission fields tell us that young missionaries sent to the foreign field, who in some cases are occupied for the first year in other work than language study, get their ears dulled by hearing the foreign language, but not being able to distinguish the meaning of the sounds. Then when they do start on language study, they are unable to learn so fast.
The common illustration of the alarm clock will appeal to all. The first morning, it is distinctly heard, but it is not heeded. The next morning, it is heard, but not so vividly, and again it is disobeyed. Finally the sound is no longer heard. “Hearing they hear not.”
Not only do we lose the benefit of our ears by not giving heed, but our hearing may be impaired or lost by very loud sounds breaking in upon the ear’s delicate membrane, such as a mighty clap of thunder or a fearful cannonade.
Seven times in the Gospels, the Saviour says, “He that hath ears to hear, let him hear,” or an equivalent expression. Seven times in the messages to the seven churches in the book of Revelation, do we read, “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.” Why this repetition of twice seven times if it is not to warn us of the Christian’s danger of abusing the spiritual hearing?
As a race, we are afflicted with torpid senses. “For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed.” And so again and again the Saviour would arouse us by asking us to use our ears.
How necessary at this time, when God has important messages for His people, that we hear aright! The enemy of our souls has his counter attractions. Earth’s songs and sounds break in upon our ears. And this din of sound impairs our hearing, and shuts out from our ears the whispering of the “still small voice” by which God would be pleased to lead us. We may be tempted to think that God is in the strong wind, the great earthquake, and the fire. But we must get away from the great noise and bustle, so that we can listen to the “still small voice.”
As illustrating the importance of listening in time of crises, the writer well remembers a rather thrilling incident in island experiences. With a number of others, mostly natives, I was making a missionary trip among the islands of the Fiji group. Pauliasi, the native minister, had been acting as captain of our mission yacht. But we were to visit islands surrounded with dangerous reefs that Pauliasi had not previously visited; so we hired a native pilot. He appeared to be a man of experience; and as he took us safely from island to island, we saw no reason to question his ability as an island navigator.
We had some experiences with calms; and on our way to one of the largest islands of the group, we were becalmed much of the day and into the night. But toward midnight, the wind suddenly freshened, and soon we were carried along in our little craft at a speed of about seven knots an hour.
In a few hours, we knew that we must be nearing the island, and hoped that we were making a straight course for the entrance through the reef. The night was dark, and the sea was rising. Peering into the darkness, we could discern the dim outlines of the high mountains, and could hear the moan of the waves beating on the dangerous reef.
Our pilot seemed uneasy, and finally he asked me if I had been on this island before. When assured that I had been there the year before, he wanted to throw off his own responsibility to take the little vessel in, confessing that he had not been inside this reef since he was a boy, and asked if I could not direct in taking the yacht inside the harbor.
Realizing the seriousness of the situation, I called to Pauliasi, and at once placed the boat in his charge, telling him of the pilot’s fear and incompetency. Even though he had never been at this particular island before, he was an experienced sailor, careful and deliberate.
There was now some excitement among the natives on board, some suggesting one thing, and some another; but as Pauliasi assumed charge, he immediately issued a command of silence, and then took his position where he could both watch and listen. Any one speaking above a whisper, received an order to be silent. The vessel must now be navigated largely by sound.
We were drawing near that fringe of danger; and if we missed our way, we must be dashed upon the great coral barrier. We could hear the roar of the breakers, and now and then we could see the white spray in the darkness as the waves spent themselves on the reef. Pauliasi at this juncture changed the course of the vessel, and ran her along, with sail shortened, parallel with the reef, or nearly so, all the time listening intently for the two points of the barrier between which the entrance must be found.
Finding what he thought to be the passage, he sailed back and forth listening to the waves beating upon the points of the reef, and then for the place of quietness between, which meant the entrance we were to take.
It was a time of intense feeling to us all. At last the order was given to sail in. Imagine our joy to know that Pauliasi had judged correctly! We were soon anchored in the calm lagoon within that coral rampart.
He had navigated not by eye or chart alone, but largely by ear. To do this, he had shut out every other sound. He had given his ear up to the one voice.
We are nearing the haven of eternal rest. But dark is the night of sin. The oncoming breakers threaten to engulf us. Now, as never before, we must listen, lest we miss the way. Every world sound must be shut out. We must educate the ear to hear the “still small voice.” “He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.” J. E. F.