DEVOTIONAL COLUMN

Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 246, 14 September 1935, Page 12

DEVOTIONAL COLUMN

PRAYER. Our Father, we would show forth in our daily lives more of the spirit of Thy servant Barnabas. Tltou hast given us good gifts in accordance with our needs, and we would not be slow to give forth to others a share of the benefits that Thou hast conferred upon us. Help us to be more ready to give ■ time, and money, and service in Thy name, so that we may pass on to others what Thou hast so graciously bestowed upon us. Forbid that we should live selfishly, or restrict our deeds only to such as may be easily convenient for ourselves, but may we have the joy of sacrifice as we see the need about us. and seek ways bv which we mav help in the meeting of that need. In Jesus name we pray. Amen. PURE RELIGION. (James 1: 19-27.) There is one “pure religion.” It has three earmarks: First, to visit the fatherless, whose Father is God; second, alleviate the sufferings of Christian widows; and third jealous care to keep one’s life “unspotted from the world.” If these evidences of Christianity are not manifested in the Church is it likely they will be seen by the outside world? “Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.” “HE KNOWETH”. We make our plans and choose our way, And think that way is best, And find that after all we may Have planned in vain for rest.

It may he that in bitter grief The cruel thorn we feel, Until the Saviour gives relief, And makes our woe our weal

We fret and worry o’er the ills Which seem to blight our life, Until we find His Spirit fills The heart that rests from strife.

From strife against the will of God, Who knows what’s best for man; And we have, leu nit to kiss the rod And bow before His plan.

Far from a Father’s love we roam, And find our way unblest, Nor know until we have come home, The Father’s way was best. THE TWO LOOKS. Till He come (I Cor. II: 26). No Christian has a right to ignore the Blessed Hope of the Church of Jesus Christ. When wo partake of the LouVs Sapper we look two ways. We look behind us to the cross, and we look before us to tlie glory. THE SONG OF SONGS. And when they had sung a hymn, they went out into the Mount of Olives. A father was telling his little daughter the story of the love of Jesus, when the child ‘interrupted him to ask, “Papa, did Jesus sing?” This verse answers tho question, for surely the loved voice of the Master must have led them in that song at the close of the Last Supper. ACCEPTABLE OFFERINGS. The man who worships will be enabled to render work that is acceptable unto God. God’s greatest servants were great worshippers. If we love God enough to commune with Him, lie will enable us to please Him. Delight in God is the fragrance of our sacrifices. The order is worship, then work. We must go to God, before we can go for God. HIS ALL. And the Lord took me as I followed the flock, and the Lord said unto me, Go, piuphesy. In a lecture at Mansfield, Dr Dinsdale T. Young said that the subject of' one of his sermon-lec-tures was Samuel Bradburn, 'a poor hoy, who once worked at a cobbler’s bench, and who became a minister and President of the Wesleyan Methodist Conference. At one Conference several ministers spoke of the sacifices they had made, one saying, that lie had “given up his all” to take up tlie work of a Christian minister. Mr Bradburn then rose, and. to the great amusement of the Conference, said, “Brethren, when I came into the ministry I gave up half a dozen of the best awls that a man ever had.”

THE DEFLECTED COMPASS. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God —I was interesting my boy ,Davirl with a magnetic compass, and I showed him that the needle always pointed to the north. Then 1 played a joke on him. I had a magnet in my pocket, and I slipped my hand in and drew it out, very carol ally concealing it. Then I began to draw my hand over the compass and make tinlittle needle go here, there, arid everywhere. David said, “What has gone wrong with it? Why, it is pointing south!” I said, “If you wait a minute perhaps we can make it point east.”. That is what some people do with tlie guidance they receive of the Holy Spirit. They make the compass point anywhere they - want it to go. because they have a magnet in their hand.—Anon.

TRUSTING. (Sally Neill Roach.) The one who trusts will never fret; He who commits seeks not to hold. Be quiet, soul 1 Read deeper yet The lesson that is being told. Thou art not left to walk alone; A Higher Power control thy day; And on through paths to the unknown The Hand that’s true will lead the way. Tire Word of God does not say when— As men count time —His work will he. In moment unexpected then, Who watches there His power will see. The darker night, the sweeter song Is granted to the trusting soul 1 And though the “vision” “tarry” long, Straight on it comes ’neath God’s control.

God’s blessing on His own abides; And, needed most, He is most near, The timid one lie never chides, But answers with some word of cheer. But yet, one hears from Him, “Be still I” When soul would quick impatience show; Ynd then fiuies peace. Who trusts His will Will surely all His goodness know.

Then, patience, soul 1 Be still and wait. Sing softlv song taught in the night. V “little while,” or soon or late. The day will break in golden light. <’or it is written in Tlis Word, — And time will prove the record true, — Salvation is of God, the Lord”; And all things come His will to do.