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THE MAN OF MACEDONIA

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Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 6, 1876

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 47, No. 14.

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THE MAN OF MACEDONIA.

By Author of “The Old, Old Story”

BY THE AUTHOR OF “THE OLD, OLD STORY.”
“Oh for a vision and a voice to lead me, To show me plainly where my work should lie! Look where I may, fresh hindrances impede me; Vain and unanswered seems my earnest cry.”
Hush, unbelieving one! but for thy blindness, But for thine own impatience and self-will, Thou wouldest see thy Master's loving-kindness, Who by those “hindrances” is leading still.
He who of old through Phrygia and Galatia Led the Apostle Paul, and blessed him there, If he forbid to “preach the word in Asia,” Must have prepared for thee a work elsewhere.
Courage and patience! Is the Master sleeping? Has he no plan, no purposes of love? What though awhile his counsel he is keeping? It is maturing in the world above.
Wait on the Lord! In his right hand be hidden, And go not forth in haste to strive alone: Shun—like a sin!—the tempting work “forbidden,” God's love for souls, be sure, exceeds thine own.
The Master cares! Why feel, or seem so lonely? Nothing can interrupt real work for God: Work may be changed; it cannot cease, if only We are resolved to cleave unto the Lord.
None are good works, for thee, but works appointed: Ask to be filled with knowledge of His will. Cost what it may! Why live a life disjointed? One work throughout! God's pleasure to fulfill!
But if indeed some special work awaits thee, Canst thou afford this waiting-time to lose? By each successive task, God educates thee; What if the iron be too blunt to use?
Can walls be built up with untempered mortar? Or fish be caught in the unremended snare? Must not the metal pass through fire and water, If for the battle-field it would prepare?
O thou unpolished shaft! Why leave the quiver? O thou blunt ax! What forest canst thou hew? Unsharpened sword! Canst thou the oppressed deliver? Go back to thine own Maker's forge anew!
Submit thyself to God for preparation: Seek not to teach thy Master and thy Lord! Call it not “zeal.” It is a base temptation. Satan is pleased when man dictates to God.
Down with thy pride! With holy vengeance trample On each self-flattering fancy that appears! Did not the Lord himself, for our example, Lie hid in Nazareth for thirty years?
Wait the appointed time for work appointed, Lest by the tempter's wiles thou be ensnared. Fresh be the oil wherewith thou art anointed! Let God prepare thee for the work prepared!