“HOPING FOR NOTHING AGAIN.”
By Nellie F. Heald
Neither the worldling, nor he who has taken the name of Christ without receiving him into his heart, can appreciate this injunction of our Saviour, “But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again.” The motive which prompts the selfish heart to labor for the benefit of others, is the hope of receiving as much or more in return. Among the votaries of the world we everywhere observe this principle, molding and guiding their conduct. Though the worldling may look for the reward of his labors here, may do good and lend, hoping to receive as much again, not so the servant of Christ. He must be actuated by a different principle, must labor earnestly, lovingly, patiently, hoping for nothing again, seeking not to promote selfish interests, but the glory of the Master. To this pure, unselfish, elevated purpose all else must be made subservient. In his social relations the golden rule must be the principle that molds his character, and governs his conduct. In the life and character of our dear Saviour we find the principle of self-denial illustrated in all its beauty and completeness. He healed the sick, gave sight to the blind, comforted the sorrowing, raised the dead, did good to all, “hoping for nothing again.” No doubt his loving human heart often yearned for human sympathy, when it was denied him. “He was despised and rejected of men.” Though he was “acquainted with grief,” yet he never spoke of his sorrows, never mentioned his trials. Even in his last bitter agony there was but a shadow of reproach in the question, “Couldst thou not watch with me one hour?” Shall we, then, cherish a spirit of complaint at trials far lighter than those which the “Man of sorrows” bore? Behold him as a missionary worker! With what earnestness, power, and love he labored to teach men the way of life, and to enlighten their darkened understandings. Of him it may truly be said that he never lost an opportunity of doing good either to the bodies or souls of men. When in extreme weariness from his arduous and multiplied labors he sought for rest and retirement in a desert place, with his few chosen disciples, even though he went by ship privately, he could not escape the watchful eyes of the multitude. They ran out of all the cities and came together unto him; and when he beheld the eager crowds that sought his presence, hungry for the bread of life, he forgot his own need of rest and refreshment, and his heart melted with compassion toward them, “because they were as sheep without a shepherd, and he began to teach them many things.” When he had ministered to their need, and retired to the solitude of the mountain to pray, he saw his chosen few out on the raging sea, toiling with the waves, and he could not rest till he went to their relief. Though by one word there on the lonely mountain, he could have caused the wind to cease and the sea to be calm, yet he chose to go to them. But how did they receive him? They were troubled when they saw him; and though he spoke to them words of love, betraying his tender solicitude for their welfare, saying, “Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid,” yet they recognized him not; for their hearts were hardened. This is sometimes true of his chosen ones to-day. They sometimes fail to recognize the voice of Jesus and are troubled at his presence, when, in the midst of a sea of trials, they are tossed with the waves of affliction, and he comes to them walking upon the troubled waters, sweetly saying, “It is I; be not afraid.” But Jesus did not leave his disciples because they received him with suspicion and coldness; and like him we must not cease to carry sunshine to those around us though they in return throw a dark shadow over us. We are co-workers with Christ in the world's wide missionary field; and he said, “I came not to do mine own will, but the will of Him that sent me.” “I seek not mine own glory.” “If I honor myself, my honor is nothing.” We are sent forth by Christ, not to do our own will, but the will of Him that sent us; not to seek our own glory, but his. Avoiding all self-display, let us hold forth Christ and the truth, giving heed to the injunction, “But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest.”