“With Both Hands Earnestly.”
This is the way the wicked work. The burglar, the miser, and the ruiner of men's souls, do their bad work in this way. All success requires just such work. The men who have done anything well were not lazy. The great masters of art or science became such by dint of persevering, enthusiastic toil. They would say that “genius” means the talent of working with “both hands earnestly.” If we only could see in the church of Christ more such workers as we see engaged in the business of the world, how rapidly the world would be changed for the better! But alas! we find many who work with neither hand for Christ. They have not lost their hands by accident; even if they had, they might be told of the paralytic who could not move either leg or arm, and nevertheless taught himself to paint pictures, which were gems of art, as well as of patient effort, by holding his pencil between his teeth; but they do not feel like doing anything for Christ. “Hands have they, but they handle not.” They lean upon the fence of the Lord's vineyard, looking at the work to be done, lamenting the lack of laborers, but not lifting a finger to help. They cannot be familiar with the epistle of St. James. They have considerable to say about salvation by grace. “Not by works of righteousness which we have done,” will have to be their plea at last. They seem to regard the church as a hospital or boarding-house, where they can sleep, be fed, and keep warm with a “comfortable hope.” There are also many one-handed Christians. These appear to be only one-half converted. They are not wholly idle, or without interest in the cause of Christ; but they have no eagerness to succeed in Christian work. They do just enough to appear respectable Christians. They can exhort sinners “with both hands earnestly” across the prayer-meeting room to come to Jesus; but their zeal is all used up at the close of the meeting. They have times of starting up to do something for the Lord, but they do not keep at their work. They have no passion for winning souls to Christ. They do not hunger and thirst after righteousness. They cannot say, “Rivers of water run down mine eyes, because they keep not thy law.” Therefore they do not work “with both hands earnestly.” If any one would accomplish even a little for his Saviour he should try to do a great deal. If he be content with doing only a little, he will fail of doing even that. Let him imitate the enthusiasts in art, and do with all his might whatever he has on hand to do, and he will be blessed with the joy of success. If one has very much love for his Saviour, he will do his best. A Christian is one who wishes to do all he can. He will train himself for more effective work. He will live for this. Reader, do you ask, How can I have this spirit? Then think a great deal of Christ; talk with him often about this, and about his death on the cross for you; and begin, without waiting, to do something for him “with both hands earnestly.” Then you shall hear him say to you, “Well done.”—Christian Banner.