On Business Principles
By Adelade D. Wellman
WHEN we are advised to secure any certain article, divers questions arise; as: Do we need it? What would be the advantages in having it? Can it be obtained? How can we get it? Shall we have it? Letting the indefinite “it” in the foregoing sentences refer to the Spirit of God, how shall we answer the question, “Do we need it?” This question is already answered in John 15:5, where Christ is quoted as saying, “Without Me ye can do nothing.” For “Me” we may substitute “the Holy Spirit,” for “the Holy Spirit is Christ’s representative.” Giving the same meaning to the pronoun in the second question as in the first, we have the query, “What would be the advantages in having the Holy Spirit?” One answer is found in Phil. 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” A great advantage that surely is. Others equally — that is, infinitely — great are mentioned in John 14:26, 27. Read the statements made therein; also, as a climax, John 8:12; and, incidentally, Matt. 6:33. After receiving such assurances as these, any sane person, it would seem, must feel impelled to inquire, “Can it be obtained?” One who is fully qualified to answer, has done so in the words of Luke 11:13: “If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him?” Next we wish to learn whether so desirable an object is within our reach. The terms are given in Isa. 55:1; and certainly they are most favorable. No one is so poor as to be unable to meet them; and yet, the richest man must give his all, but that is an extraordinarily5small amount compared with the value of the thing to be procured. The final question is, “Shall we get it?” Perhaps no one would wittingly forfeit such an opportunity; yet by procrastination many lose it. Sound business policy would prompt one to seize it promptly. “Now is the accepted time.”