WELLS SPRINGING UP by H. A. St. John

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Mountain View, California · Mar 7, 1906

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 32, No. 10.

WELLS SPRINGING UP.

By H. A. St. John

"BUT whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life." John 4:14. Beautiful representation of a living Christian. Many wells supply good, cool water; but if you would get the water, you must needs draw, with a pump or otherwise. Then there are some wells, not so numerous, however, that spring up to the surface and overflow continually, freely giving, with but little effort on the part of the receiver. Such wells are the truest representatives of a whole-souled Christian life.

On my father's farm we had a well at the door. In this well was a pump. This was the rule among all the neighbors—wells with pumps for getting the water. When we wanted water, we went to the pump, worked the pump handle, and caught the water from the pump spout. Sometimes, oftentimes indeed, our pumps would get to leaking and go dry soon after the handle was still. It was necessary then to pour in some water, and work the handle vigorously, in order to get water out. Sometimes, however, this plan would not suffice to bring water from the well. With squeaks, groans, and a gurgle, the water poured in immediately went out, and the pump became dry and useless. Then it must needs be thrown aside, or repaired.

I remember going with my father one day on a journey into a neighboring community. On the way I beheld something that riveted my attention, and interested me immensely. At once I exclaimed, "O papa, see that pump! the water is pouring out of the spout, and there is nobody pumping; the pump has no handle!" I had many questions to ask. Nearly sixty years have passed since that day, but the impressions are seemingly as vivid as if it were but yesterday. My father told me that was an artesian well, that it flowed all the time just like that. It flowed wherever the owner wanted water, and neighbors also were refreshed by the life-giving stream.

Seldom, if ever, do I read the words of our Saviour, about the water that He would give us, being in us a well of water springing up unto everlasting life, without thinking of that incident in my early life. Many church members are like pumps with handles. If you want to see their faith revealed by their works, you must first work the handle with a good sermon, an exhortation, or earnest appeal; then good works will follow for a season. Then comes a cessation, to be followed by another stirring-up by human agency.

Other members are like the pump that has run dry. First you must pour in, provoke with love and good works, then you may get something out while your effort continues, but no longer. Others still are like the pump that can not be started. There is a squeak, a groan, a gurgle, a murmur, and all is over. All you have poured in is like the words that go into one ear and out of the other.

Then there is another class of church members, in the minority, we are sorry to say, who are like the artesian well. They are constantly drinking at the flowing fountain of living water that Jesus gives, and this water is ever in them as a well of water, springing up unto everlasting life. Like Jesus, they are ever doing good unto all men, as they have opportunity, especially to the household of faith. They are not only watered themselves, but are ever watering others also with the gushing overflow of love and good works. Such are the ones, who by patient continuance in well doing are seeking for glory, honor, and eternal life.

From the rock smitten by the rod of Moses in the wilderness came forth a stream of living water which continued to flow and follow the children of Israel all the way through a dry and thirsty land. So Christ, as the rock, smitten by the rod of divine Love, continues to flow and follow the Israel of God through all their pilgrimage in this wilderness world; and all may be so constantly filled, that they will constantly flow out to a thirsty, dying world, disseminating the life and light of God to all around.

When the members of the remnant church of Christ shall have in them the water that Christ gives, as a well springing up into everlasting life, the world will soon know it, and see it, and many will come, drink, and thirst no more. Jesus still invites, "And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely." Rev. 22:17.