WORK TO-DAY; REST TO-MORROW.
By M. Wood
“As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” 1 Peter 4:10. It is quite common for professed Christians, especially in our missionary meetings, to say that to labor for Jesus would be the height of their ambition; but they have no tact for it, they have not the ability nor qualifications requisite for a successful worker in the Master's vineyard. Yet these same individuals will drive a sharp trade, make shrewd bargains, and they are year after year accumulating wealth. If you ask them to canvass for our periodicals, to sell the Health Annual, or to circulate tracts and other reading matter pertaining to the third angel's message, they are ready to present the old threadbare excuse—“slow of speech;” yet in conversation about worldly matters, where their own personal interests are concerned, they are quite as fluent as others. Brethren, these things ought not so to be. The opportunities now afforded us for improving upon the talents which God has intrusted to our care will soon be in the past; then, if we have failed to improve them, the epithet “wicked and slothful servant” will be applied to us. Jesus says of the careless, indifferent one who hid his Lord's money in the earth, “Cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” God does not require us to perform impossibilities. He places no heavier burdens upon us than we are able to bear. The Lord asks us to yield our hearts to his service; if they are “broken and contrite,” he will make us humble instruments of accomplishing good to others. Because we have not the meekness of Moses, the purity of Joseph, the patience of Job, the eloquence of David, or the devotion of Daniel, we should not become discouraged and withdraw from the work assigned us as harvesters for Jesus. God forbid that any should draw back; for thus saith the Lord, “If any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.” We have the assurance that in the closing up work of this world's history, the gifts will be multiplied in the church. The gift of helps stands quite prominent among the rest. Helps to sustain the cause of Christ by our means; helps to forward the work of God by a well-ordered life and a godly conversation; helps to preach the doctrines of Christ by making our lives a living witness for the truth which we profess; helps to bring a knowledge of the truth for this time before others, and thus hasten the coming of the Lord. What a privilege to occupy such a position. Reader, have you not some near and dear relative that is out of the ark of safety? Have you not some neighbor or friend that is perishing for the want of God's precious truth? Can you sit down quietly, fold your arms, and feel at ease, when we are right upon the verge of the loud cry of the third message? The Saviour says, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and be led to glorify your Father which is in Heaven.” It is the will of God that we act as faithful watchmen upon the walls of Zion. But those who know their Master's will and do it not shall be “beaten with many stripes.” Let none plead inability and want of tact as an excuse for not engaging in this noblest of all enterprises. We have a never-failing source of strength, wisdom, and understanding to which we may apply. And we are exhorted to “prove” the Lord; let us take him at his word and trust in his promises. Many of us profess to know and love the Lord, but in works we deny him. “Faith without works is dead.” Jesus invites us to labor for him a little while only. We must work while it is called to-day; for the night cometh when no man can work. If we should lay aside the busy cares of this life for at least a short period each day, and devote a portion of our time, talent, and means to the service of God, we might render acceptable service to him, and be laying up for ourselves a good foundation against the time to come. In seeking to help others, we help ourselves. None but those who labor for Jesus know how blessed it is to enter the whitened fields and glean for the Master. There is “resting by-and-by” for the faithful worker. “In due time we shall reap, if we faint not.” Let this fact stimulate us, brethren and sisters, to labor on as missionary workers. We are either for Christ or against him. Who will show themselves on the Lord's side? There will never be a greater need for workers, nor a more urgent call for means to forward the work of the third angel's message, than at the present time. Much time has been lost; it can never be recovered; therefore let us double our diligence to improve the small portion that remains, taking heed to the testimony of Paul: “Be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord.” 1 Cor. 15:58. M. WOOD.