FAINT HEARTS AND FEEBLE MINDS.
By C. B. Reynolds
As we read of the progress of the cause, we cannot but feel deeply grateful to God. He is blessing self-sacrificing labor in all parts of the field. How our hearts rejoice as we learn the glad tidings. Tract and missionary work is beginning to be better understood, and so more efficiently performed. While rejoicing at the success attending others’ labors, let us ask ourselves, What have I done? We are commanded to so let our light shine before men that they may see our good works, and glorify our Father which is in Heaven. But some never even attempt to do any real missionary work; they decline all invitations to labor in the vineyard of the Lord. “I couldn’t do anything. I have no ability. I am slow of speech—can’t talk out my thoughts. I am naturally diffident; doubt if I have even one talent; if I have, I am sure it is a very, very small one. What can I do?” You desire to be instrumental in the conversion of loved ones around you; but fear to offer your poor, small, talent to the service of the Master. Let us learn from the Bible what the feeble can do with insufficient means. Read Matt. 14:15–21. How could the disciples feed two thousand men, besides women and children? Of what use were their five small loaves and two fishes—how utterly inadequate for the purpose? Well, what did they do? They gave their little all to Christ. Did Jesus increase it for them? Did he multiply or enlarge it? No! He simply blessed, broke, and gave it back to them; it was still, so far as quantity was concerned, the same apparent insufficiency. So far from having enough to help others, they had not even enough for their own needs. But when the disciples moved out in faith to obey the Lord, then their little proved more than sufficient. As they used it, it increased and multiplied. We read, “And they did all eat, and were filled; and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full.” There was not only enough, but more than enough. Let us take ourselves and all we have to Jesus. This will make it necessary to draw very near to him; when Jesus shall receive us—shall bless our feeble talent, let us use it, and we shall have not only enough, but more than sufficient; for it shall no longer be us, but God which worketh in us, both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Phil. 2:13. The dearest wish of many hearts is that friends around them should embrace the truth. They inquire, what can I do? Believe in the sacred promises of God. See Matt. 5:7, 8; Heb. 11:6; 1 John 3:22. Come, Bro. Faintheart, come sister Feeblemind, take up burden for some friend or loved one. Move out in your weakness, depending on the promised help of the Lord. Do not wait till you have enough ability of your own to ensure success. Had the disciples waited till their little had been increased to a full sufficiency, the multitude would have died of starvation; while you are waiting to feel worthy or be quite sure you have all the needed ability, your dear friends are dying unconverted to God. Believe God. Prove him now. Ask in faith believing for that wisdom he has promised. Go, go at once—make no more delay. With your heart filled with the sweet, gentle, pitying love of Jesus, go and beseech your friend to be reconciled to God—to prepare for death and the Judgment so close upon us. Do not be disheartened; even if rudely repulsed, still speak in meekness and with love. Let your friend realize you are really and truly in earnest—that you have no selfish motive, but that it is love and love alone that prompts you. Importune, be urgent, persistent, in your supplications to God for Christ’s sake to give you needed grace and wisdom, and to bless your feeble efforts. Perhaps you may find after two weeks of faithful endeavors, that you have not made much, if any, good impression. “Be not faithless, but believing.” We read in Mark 2:3, 4, of the poor paralytic, unable to get to Christ to be healed. He could not easily be moved; one never could have carried him; it was scarcely possible for two; but four carried him surely and steadily, along over every obstacle—even the worst of stumbling-blocks, the professed followers who blocked up the way. What one or135two could not do at all, four did quite readily—raised him to the roof, and so got him to Jesus. So if, after two weeks of faithful effort and unceasing importunity to God, you have not succeeded in getting your loved one to Jesus, then ask God to direct you in selecting some member of your church who will have influence with your friend; tell that brother or sister of your desire, the effort you are making, and together carry your friend in the arms of your faith to God. Let both make him the constant subject of prayer. Consult together how to best exert an influence for good. Seek wisdom of God that he may bless your words of loving admonition and sympathy. How many weeks, think you, ere you would win the victory, and unite in the glad chorus of the angels in praise and hallelujahs to God over one sinner that repenteth? This is missionary work. This is doing, not wishing, waiting. God’s promises are sure; let us no longer grieve his Spirit with doubts and fears and sinful unbelief. Let us no longer see our loved ones hastening down to death, while we stand idly by deploring our lack of ability. In wondrous love and mercy God says, Go labor in my vineyard. He is willing to bless the very feeblest instrumentality. Awake! Up! Up, and to the rescue! Although weak, be strong. “Lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees.” There is work for every one. You have no ability? Too feeble? Dare you doubt the declaration of our Lord, “If ye shall ask anything in my name, I will do it”? John 14:12, 14.