“GO WORK TO-DAY IN MY VINE-YARD.”
By Martha D. Amadon
While reading from time to time the earnest appeals and experiences of those who are heartily at work in the Tract and Missionary enterprise, I thought of the words of our Saviour, “Go work to-day in my vineyard.” The work that is being accomplished by these efforts is proof that God favors them, and wherever we can see work to do for our friends, we should prayerfully ask the Lord’s guidance that we may do it well. No one need be ignorant of the importance of the work and the sacrifices devoted ones are making to advance it, if he will but look about him. It is an easy thing to indulge in useless luxuries, and it is never easy for the natural heart to exercise self-denial. Only by a constant supply of heavenly grace do we learn to love the self-denying way which presents to us daily crosses. The question comes home, What am I doing? Do I realize the deprivations and excessive labors others are making for the truth, and feel that I cannot rest till I do something? Does the long-suffering of God towards me cause me to feel that there is something for me to do? I have friends whom I want to see saved by the truth; but is there in my own heart a spirit of sacrifice and consecration commensurate to the work? I would that this thought might come home with greater earnestness, until a full surrender enables me to work successfully for my Master. Probation is still ours, and the time for work is not over. The fields are white and ready for the harvest. Sometimes sending a copy of the SIGNS, REVIEW, HEALTH REFORMER, a tract, or even writing a letter, to a friend opens the way, and awakens an interest. Then how carefully should the work be followed up! Prayers and encouraging words are needed. If any lack wisdom, let him ask of God who giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not, and it shall be given him, is the promise of the inspired word. In remaining idle, we lose a sense of God’s love, of the time in which we are living, of the work being done for the Lord’s people just before his coming, and, it is to be feared, the work needful to be done for ourselves. “The heavier cross, the stronger faith;
The loaded palm strikes deeper root;
The vine juice sweetly issueth
When men have pressed the clustered fruit;
And courage grows where dangers come,
Like pearls beneath the salt sea foam.”