Be Not Weary in Well-doing.
By Maria L. Huntley
IN every good work there are difficulties and obstacles to surmount. This the tract and missionary workers find true in their experience, and to them the exhortation, "Be not weary in well-doing," is especially applicable. Inspiration has described the closing scenes of this world's history, and left the description on record for the encouragement of the people of God. The Lord knew that the coldness and the lack of appreciation in the world, with various other hindrances, would have a discouraging influence upon his people and cause them to feel that their efforts were useless. But they are assured of their ultimate success in these words, "In due season we shall reap, if we faint not." The text shows that there will be great danger of becoming weary and ceasing our exertions, or in other words, fainting by the way; and the result will be, we shall not reap the reward of well-doing in the end. There must be a cause for this inclination to become weary, and in this, the fact is implied that conditions and circumstances will exist opposed to the work of well-doing in which we are engaged. Let our zeal and energy, our trust and reliance in God, be in proportion to the difficulties we meet. "The good time coming" will only be after it is too late to labor for the salvation of others. Sin and sinners will then have been destroyed. If we work for God at all, it must be under discouragements and difficulties, and in a manner that will cause self-denial and sacrifice. Human strength will ever be insufficient, but it will be necessary to rely upon God for divine aid in carrying forward his work upon earth. Indeed, if we met with no difficulties, and everything went smoothly without much effort, we should at least have some cause for doubting the truthfulness of our position, or the efficiency of our work. There is a greater conflict, a greater work before us, than we have yet seen; and "if the footmen have wearied thee, how canst thou contend with horses?" We have not yet reached the swellings of Jordan. If any become weary now, it is not from over exertion, but because of a lack of interest and a failure to realize the sacredness and importance of the work. This is the kind of weariness of which there is so much danger. Let the heart become imbued with the spirit of Christ, and it will vanish like the morning dew. By his providence God is saying to every one who has received present truth, "Son, go labor in my vineyard." To each is given a work in proportion to his ability when aided by the Spirit of God. No one should be satisfied while doing less than he is able, or doing that in any but the best possible manner. Even the little child has a place, and a work to perform, if he chooses to be thus employed. So wonderful are the dealings of God with the children of men that to every one is granted the privilege of being associated with Christ and holy angels in their work of six thousand years, and finally sharing in their joy and reward. Where is earthly honor, pleasure, or personal interest, when compared with distinction and joy like this? Surely they sink into insignificance; yet how many, how very many, see only the former, and are wasting their lives in vainly trying to secure them. What a spectacle will a wasted life present in the Judgment! Dear reader, may you and I be spared the bitterness of knowing, when too late, that we have lived for ourselves only. MARIA L. HUNTLEY.