WHAT WE NEED IN ILLINOIS.
By F. M. T. S.
Something is required for the success of our Society, and it behoves us to look into the matter, to see if we cannot find and apply what is needed. In case of sickness, we first determine the disease, then apply the remedy. That we are gaining ground is evident; but that we are not up to that high standard which we ought to be, is also apparent. We lack promptness in action, which, if persisted in, will eventually make us a powerless member in the General T. and M. body, to which Illinois belongs. Action without purpose is useless, but for us to have no purpose when we think we are the bearers of the last message which God has sent to the world, is simply to deny our professed belief. It is like building with one hand and tearing down with the other. Noah had a purpose, and his actions supported his announced convictions. If he had lain supinely under some shady tree, wished the cause of God all success, and hoped for a speedy completion of the ark, yet never put forth his efforts for its construction, when God closed the door, Noah would have been on the outside. Do we say that Noah, being a leader, ought to devote all his energies to the promulgation of the communication from the Lord? This does not excuse us. 1 Cor. 12:20 says, “Now are they many members, yet but one body;” and in verse 22 we find that the members of the body which seem more feeble are necessary. What does necessary mean? That which we cannot well do without. If the ear were to give up its office because it could not grasp or make gestures like the hand, where would we be? Take another illustration: When the commanding officer gives his men the order to march, suppose about half of them think themselves of no particular use, and do not obey, but remain inactive; and all from this excessive feeling of humility, that their doings amount to nothing. What would be the effect produced? Imagine the straggling appearance of such an army. Over such a foe as that, victory would be an easy matter. Shall we present such a careless appearance to our enemy whose great strength and subtility is described in Eph. 6:12? “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places;” and this foe is represented as so formidable that we need the whole armor of God in which to array ourselves for a successful contest. Now shall we be “so humble” as to do nothing because we estimate our powers low? This estimating our powers whether high or low is a view of self in either case. Let us take our eyes off ourselves, and looking at the great cause, the salvation of souls in a short time, take our stand in the formation of so orderly a body that our tiny selves will be lost in the appearance of the straight lines. We are not attracted by the personal appearance of soldiers A, B, or C; but we look at the company as a unit, admiring their simultaneous movements; yet A, B, or C, by thinking he is useless, may spoil the whole design by not doing what is expected of him and that which he is perfectly able to do. Let us turn from these simple illustrations to the demands of our Society. We are told when drawing a straight line to place our eye on the objective point and draw to it. Is not order the objective point and prompt action the drawing to it? Let us remember the swiftly flying moments are bearing us past the working period. In the work of the Lord, let us learn to be prompt in the execution of small duties. Is there a letter or card to go out, let the next mail contain it; is there any information to be gained or given, let it be immediate. Is it fair to have a letter of inquiry from one uninformed lay by three or four weeks before it is answered? Does not the King’s business require haste? Do not plead your secular labors, for all have those, and yet some leave them, to attend to working in the more important matters. Are not there some unnecessary things to which you are giving your strength and time? Let us not merit the curse of Meroz. You all know what Meroz did; simply nothing. What did the man with the one talent? Just nothing at all. Do we want his penalty? Christ says, “He that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.” Are you scattering that which the Saviour has earned, working against him? Yes, you are against the Redeemer if you do nothing. Let us from this moment resolve together, to do, and do promptly. F. M. T. S.