Three Crowns for Servants.
By Marcus Rainsford
HAVE you ever remarked that the three crowns spoken of are all for servants? First, is the crown of righteousness: "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith; henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day." There is a crown of life: "Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life." Then the climax—may we all claim it—you that feed the flock, you that go breaking the bread of life and telling of the Saviour's love and trying to win others to life: "When the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away." It is the business of a good master to supply his servants. You do not expect your servants to serve you out of their means, but out of your means. I have known the servants in a house—I wish there were more of them, but they are a generation that is fast dying out—that were so incorporated into the family, felt so identified with the property of the family, that I have heard them speak of "our horses," "our coaches," "our children." Brethren, your privilege as servants of God is to claim all he is and all he has to strengthen you for your service. Is not this a great privilege—the privilege of service?—Rev. Marcus Rainsford.