“WELL DONE, GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT.”
He who would hear from the lips of the Master these words of approval must fulfill the conditions which they express, namely, good and faithful service. Said Jesus to the young man, “Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is God.” Not that it is impossible for the human heart to partake in any degree of that goodness which is of God, but that he is the great fountain-head, from which every created intelligence receives that divine grace. There is much of the so-called goodness that often passes for genuine, but when tested by the Spirit and word of God is found labelled, selfishness. The goodness of God is unbounded, and as we partake of his holy character we shall reflect that divine grace; then, and not till then, will faithfulness take deep root, spring up, and bear fruit to the glory of God. We may deceive ourselves and others, but God, never. The Judgment will reveal every man's case as it is. The Well-done, will not be said to those who are seeking the honor of the world, nor to those who labor merely for the reward promised to the true child of God, but to him who, counting not his own life dear and conferring not with flesh and blood, labors for the glory of God and the salvation of souls. To him it will be said, “Well done, good and faithful servant, . . . enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.”—Missionary Worker.