LOOK ON US by J. Dorcas

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 15, 1858

"LOOK ON US."

By J. Dorcas

It is high time for us to awake, for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. If we indulge in a sleepy, drowsy state of feeling in these perilous times, let us be assured that we stand in great danger of losing our souls. The caption of this article may be found in Acts iii, 4; and it was spoken under very peculiar circumstances, it is true, and we have no doubt but that it aroused the feelings of the poor cripple. But he was not the only one that looked; for in the same verse it is said that Peter and John fastened their eyes upon him, and we have no doubt but that a considerable share of this lame man's interest (for it is said, "he gave heed unto them") was awakened by the wide-awake appearance of these two messengers of the all-seeing God. The result was, "a notable miracle."

One would almost be ready to conclude sometimes while beholding a worshiping assembly, that the people, or many of them, had no use for their eyes in the service of God. It certainly would on many occasions, now, as well as in the days of the apostles, give strength and force to the preaching of the present truth, did the hearers give the necessary evidence that they were interested in the message. There is great power, either for good or evil, in the use we make of the eye.

An Apostle, in enumerating many evils, mentions, "an evil eye." One look from the compassionate Saviour brought Peter to his feelings. Jesus, after listening to the young man's favorable account of himself, seeing his manner, that it was good, "beholding him loved him."

And I fancy that the astonishment of the disciples, at Jesus' words, came with the piercing eye of Jesus when he "looked round about and said unto them, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God." Mark x. Do we wish to encourage our ministers? "Let us look on" them when they endeavor to make known to us the right ways of the Lord. Do you wish to discourage your minister? Then gap around with a vacant stare; give no heed to what he is saying. And, let the minister that would thrill words of warning or comfort to the hearts of his audience, like Paul, behold them earnestly. J. DORCAS.