p. 370 | A CHEERFUL RELIGION by F. A. Reynolds

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Jun 24, 1889

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 15, No. 24.

A CHEERFUL RELIGION.

By F. A. Reynolds

CHARITY Christianity, the true, genuine Christianity, is a cheerful religion, and any professor of Christianity who is gloomy or long-faced is not a real Christian, or else he does not understand the real value of what he has got. I do not mean that Christians should be light and trivial in actions or character. Life is solemn and earnest, and a thoughtful person cannot regard it otherwise. But there are professors who repel people by their gloomy faces and doleful words.

No Christian should ever be unhappy. That is a broad statement, but I am willing to abide by it. A Christian is one who has given himself to Christ. God is his Father—all-wise and all-powerful; all the universe is at his command. The Christian’s Father is both able and willing to do all for his loving, loyal child that he sees is for his good. What, then, have Christians to worry about? Why should they not be always happy and cheerful and contented? Isn’t it our duty to recommend

our faith and hope by our cheerful, happy faces? The promises—can't we trust them? Who made them?—The infinite God; he who is truth; he who never forgets, and who has worlds at his command. He says, "Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed."

No need, then, to worry about our food. He has said, "Do well and trust." He has also said, "Ask, and it shall be given you." And then he taught us to pray, "Give us this day our daily bread."

We are safe then on that point; he who feeds the birds of the air, who sustained his prophets in times of famine, will see to it that his children who trust him shall not suffer.

Again he has said, "If then God so clothe the grass, which is to-day in the field, and tomorrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith? And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. For all these things do the nations of the world seek after; and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you."

There, don't you see he calls himself your Father, says he knows you have need of food and clothing, and if you seek first his will, you shall have all necessaries? He does not say we should sit down and wait to have ourselves clothed and fed. In fact, industry is commanded, but it is to be secondary to "laying up treasure in Heaven," and to be prosecuted with faith in God, who can prosper if he will.

But there is another thought: I said Christians should always be happy. Can we be happy in affliction,—amidst sickness, suffering, losses, and death?—Yes, even so. Has he not said, "Cast thy burden on the Lord, and he will sustain thee?" Did you ever test this promise and find it a failure? What is a burden?—All that troubles us. Cast it on him, he will remove it, or carry so great a share of it, and so soothe us by his presence, that we shall forget it, and sing—

"Whatever is, is for the best, Because our Father rules. And if in wisdom he sees fit, Both faith and patience schools."

Yes, there's no doubt ours should be a cheerful religion, but remember the freedom from care, the happiness, the contentment, the exaltation in sorrow, come only to those who can say with Job, "Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him." F. A. REYNOLDS.