IT ALL DEPENDS by Sumboulos

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Feb 3, 1904

IT ALL DEPENDS.

By Sumboulos

Is Your Case That of Brother B?

THERE are many good souls in this world who are always finding coldness, and opposition, and unappreciativeness, and trouble. Brother B. is a member of a church, and he complains of its coldness. The members do not speak to him, or they do it in a formal way, or they merely nod. Or if one speaks, he is an officer of the church or some society, perhaps, who wishes to solicit means some other time.

We ask this complaining soul: "Do you mingle with the members? Do you seek to greet each one or as many as you can before and after service?" And the reply is frequently something like this:—

"No, I don't. If they do not wish to speak to me, they needn't. If they can get along without me, I can get along without them. I'll show them that I am not dependent upon them. Why, I went over to the Anything Church the other day on Easy Street, and they seemed so glad to see me, so many shook hands with me, seated me well up in front, and asked me to come again; and I think I shall go."

"But do you think you will go there permanently, Brother B?"

"Well, I can hardly say that. I do not like their teaching in all respects. The Bible does not seem to be regarded as I was taught to regard it, and—well, I don't know."

"But, Brother B., did you ever think that you were a member of your own 'cold,' 'unappreciative' church? that you were a member of its members, a part of its body? that upon equal members obligations are mutual? that as a Christian, it is your duty to do unto others as you would that others should do unto you? Did you ever show yourself a warm-hearted brother to those around you? Did you ever stand in hearty approval of the plans laid or proposed for the pushing of the work, or were you in opposition to them, because of some imperfections of the human? Have you shown an appreciative spirit? We know that the elder is not perfect, nor the deacon, nor the Sabbath-school teacher; but do you not know that they have studied and prayed and labored hard to do their work in an acceptable way, despite the grumblers and critics? Have you shown that you appreciated their faithful effort and purpose?"

"Yes, there has been trouble in the church; but there was trouble on the Sea of Galilee and in the boat which bore the disciples one night of long ago. Satan was bound to destroy that boat and those who were in it; but Christ spoke, 'Peace, be still,' and there was a great calm. The old ship Zion is out on the tempestuous ocean of time. Satan is bound to destroy her and the souls within. He will bring the storms without, and raise fears and doubts and quarrels within. Now, Brother B., what are you doing? Are you speaking peace in Jesus' name? Or are you among the troublers?"

"Do you not know, Brother B. (and there are many in Brother B.'s family), that very, very much depends upon your attitude toward a matter or thing or cause? Place yourself in a right attitude toward God and His work and church. What did you enlist in God's army for? Was it for service or to be served? Did you wish to be a blessing to the church, or a burden? Did you elect to be among the drones in the hive, or among the workers? Did you think that others ought to furnish all the means and labor and the warmth and the handshakes and the smile of welcome or gratitude or appreciation, while you sat back among the sulkers and leaned instead of lifted, and absorbed instead of dispensed?"

"Put yourself on the other side, dear brother, and see what a change will be wrought. See how sun-shiny and warm the church will become. Let Christ in and thaw out your own soul, and warm up the cockles of your heart. Seek to be useful in helping, not worse than useless in hindering. Bless, and blessings innumerable will fall upon your pathway. Try it."