AN HOUR IN THE VINEYARD.
By A. M. Lindsley
KIND reader, have you tried it? Have you felt the satisfaction of knowing that you have the approval of the Master on labor bestowed for Jesus' sake, aside from any selfish motive? If you have not, then know that though it is the eleventh hour, yet one hour still remains in which to earn the penny and his approbation. Some excuse themselves because they have no talent in the direction of spreading the truth or soul-saving, consequently there is nothing required of them. Be not so sure of that; for it is seldom we find any that have not the one talent given them to occupy till the Master shall come, and his work shall be finished; so it is not so clear that such are excused from service. In one sense it is well to feel our weakness and incapacity; for we shall not be so likely to labor in our own strength. We shall feel the necessity of aid from a higher power, and seek to be endued with the help that comes from God. Judicious labor must certainly be that which springs from a heart deeply imbued with the love of God, and a thorough appreciation of truth. If wisdom is needed, He who has promised to supply us liberally, and upbraid not, is pledged to richly supply all our need. How then can we be excused? If we lack a spirit of labor for others, it is an index of our own barren standing, bringing forth no fruit to perfection. If we love God we shall likewise love our neighbor; for the principles of love to God are all-permeating and wide-spreading in their influence. His truth will be like fire shut up in our bones, and we cannot rest without communicating it, and the joy its possession brings to our own souls will lend a radiance to its presentation. It is Heaven-born, and must be divine in its effects. In watering others, we shall be watered ourselves. The hour in which we can work does not look to an indefinite period reaching perhaps many years into the future, but time is narrowed down till we have but a small space left us. Our diligence should be doubled, yes, multiplied twenty-fold. We are convinced of this; then what remains but to seek the aid of the Holy Spirit to give us vitality and energy to labor in love and fear, lest a promise being left us of overcoming, any of us should seem to come short of it. Ours is necessarily a work of great responsibility and sacrifice, and when the Master of the vineyard comes, it will appear whether we receive the applaudit, “Well done.” A. M. LINDSLEY.