Cast
your bread on the surface of the waters, for you will find it after many days. Divide your portion to seven, or even to
eight, for you do not know what misfortune may occur on the earth.
Ecclesiastes
11:1-2
Something,
my God, for Thee,
Something
for Thee:
That
each day’s setting sun may bring
Some
penitential offering;
In
Thy dear name some kindness done;
In
Thy dear love some wanderer won;
Some
trial meekly borne for Thee,
Dear
Lord, for Thee.
Something, my God, for Thee,
Something
for Thee:
That
to Thy gracious throne may rise
Sweet
incense from some sacrifice–
Uplifted
eyes undimmed by tears,
Uplifted
faith unstained by fears,
Hailing
each joy as light from Thee,
Dear
Lord, from Thee.
Something, my God, for Thee,
Something
for Thee:
For
the great love that Thou hast given,
For
the great hope of Thee and heaven.
My
soul! her first allegiance brings,
And
upward plumes her heavenward wings,
Nearer,
my God, to Thee, Nearer to Thee.
SYLVANUS
PHELPS
I believe that no Church can expect to prosper, or to get God’s blessing, that
does not try to do good to bless unbelievers. There is still another reason,
personal to myself and therefore somewhat selfish, a desire to keep myself in
work, and not get rusty in the quiet of a country parish. With some spare time
on my hands why not employ it in doing some little good in God’s world, even
though it should entail labour and trouble and botheration. One day or other
the world will slip through our fingers, and all we hold dearest in it. Only
the good we have done will remain.
That cannot pass away. It is written down in the memory of God, registered in
the books of His Divine Retribution.
We will need it all when we come to give in our account of our service
and go to get our wages—our love, and kindliness and faith, and unselfishness,
and well-doing—we will need it all and more than all when God puts the question
to us: ‘Of what use have you been in My world? What have you done with the
talents and the time I gave you?’
REV. JAMES MACGREGOR
Life
and Letters
But
let us remember how God’s work and gifts are unappreciated. The multitude
crowds into the music-hall and gazes with rapture on some vulgar stage scenery
painted in glaring ochres, whilst God’s bright landscapes full of perfect
beauty solicit their eye in vain. There is a great crush in the public gardens
to witness an exhibition of fire-works—small tricks in saltpetre; but the eager
crowd turns its back on the moon walking in brightness and God’s heaven sown
with stars. And men treat God’s government and grace as they do His handiwork,
ignoring Him who is wonderful in counsel, excellent in working. Yet for all
this He does not suspend His beneficent action; He continues His glorious and
generous administration, whatever may be the response of His creatures. He
makes His sun to shine upon the evil and the good, His rain to descend upon the
just and the unjust, despite the thanklessness of the far greater portion of
those who are so richly and undeservedly blessed. How largely the sublime work
of the Lord Jesus is unrecognized! “Where are the nine?” is a mournful question
still on our Master’s lips. But He does not fail, neither is He discouraged
because of the blindness and heartlessness of those whom He suffered to redeem;
He pursues the thankless with offers of grace and blessing. We are far too
anxious about acknowledgments and congratulations. It is natural, perhaps, that
we should suffer some sense of disappointment, but have we not considerations
and motives to lift us far above such discontent? It is rather the gratitude
than the apathy of men that should leave us mourning. Let us work in the spirit
of a noble faith and consecration, knowing that what we give and suffer will be
lightly esteemed among men.
There
is no labour lost
Though
it seem tossed
Into
the deepest sea.
In
dark and dreary nights,
’Mid
stormy flash of lights,
It
cometh back to thee.
Fear
not to labour, then,
Nor
say, “I threw my time away!”
It
is for God, not men,
To
count the cost and pay.
J.
HAMILTON
JAMES HASTINGS
Ecclesiastes
