THE THREE-FOLD PURPOSE

Northern Advocate, 19 June 1937, Page 14

THE THREE-FOLD PURPOSE

Being an address given by Mrs (Captain) Smith, of the Salvation Army. Text: “Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” — Matthew 28:20. THE words of our text were the inspiration of Dr. Livingstone’s wonderful life. As he loved and lived and died for the people of Africa, they were his mainstay in weariness and danger. It seems to me that the three-fold purpose of Livingstone’s life, as inspired by the Presence of Christ, can be expressed in' Evangelisation, Exploration and Emancipation. When I consider this three-fold purpose of the •life of this great man, it seems to me that our lives should be expressed in the same trinity.

(1) Evangelisation.—Dr. Livingstone went into Darkest Africa to tell the needy souls there the story of the Evangel. He left his wife and children for years, and made many other sacrifices in order to tell the people of that great continent the story of God’s' love.

The same principle animated the life of the venerated founder of the Salvation Army. “Go!” he cried to his followers. “Go for souls, and go for the worst!” And that great purpose should animate the life of every Christian. “Men die in darkness at our side, without a hope to cheer the tomb. Take up the torch and wave it wide, the torch that lights earth’s darkest gloom.” Evangelisation leads us to answer the call of Jesus, “Take up the cross and follow Me.” In response to that call, men go to the streets and lanes, preaching the story of a Saviour’s love.

(2) Exploration.—Dr. Livingstone traversed the dark depths of the jungle, crossed unknown rivers, and died in a little grass hut surrounded by a few dark-skinned people,, in his endeavour to search out the history and mysteries of this dark continent. Now, exploration should lead you and me to seek into the mysteries of God’s Word. “Search the Scriptures,” might well be a call to us. For in the Scriptures we discover God’s will for us. Do we thus seek until we find? Do we knock until we receive an entrance into the riches of His Grace? It is this same spirit of exploration which leads men and women to attempt the impossible. “It laughs at impossibilities and cries, ‘lt shall be done.’ ” It is this which makes the world call the explorer a fool. In the same way, we must be prepared to face the laughter of the world as we go forth to serve our Saviour. We must be explorers seeking sinners in the darkness of the world. There are many still waiting to’ be found and told the story of the love that will set them free, and what can surpass the glory of discovering and bringing a new soul into the family of God?

(3) Emancipation. —One of the greatest things to be done by Livingstone was to expose the horrors of the slave traffic and to do much towards suppressing it. He was also able to liberate many of the people from their dreadful customs, the so-called religious rites and superstitions that Were chains binding them securely.. Now, emancipation must commence in our own lives. There are many weaknesses, bad customs, fears, secret sins, keeping us chained, sealing our lips, and holding us back from service. We must ask “The conquering Saviour to break every chain.” Then that "emancipation will free us to help in the liberating of other sin-bound slaves. On every hand we see the slaves of sin, bound by the chains of pleasure and evil habits. Surely, then, there is a crying need for Christians who burn with the desire to liberate them.

It was the knowledge of the fact that Jesus was with him that led Dr. Livingstone to service and success. And this can be the source of our inspiration, too. Paul realised that fact, and was able to say, “I can do all things through Christ which strengthened me.” Isaiah, too, had discovered this, and was able to say, “The Spirit

The Sabbath Hour

of the Lord God is upon me.” We,

of the Lord God is upon me. We, too, can find the same source of strength and inspiration. Livingstone’s success can be ours as wo discover his secret. Here, then, is a call to service, and the promise of aid and success. We are called to Evangelise, to Explore and to Emancipate through the power of the Spirit. What is your life worth in service to God? Do you do anything worthwhile? Will you rise to the challenge, and cry, “Oh, pour it in my soul; The spirit of Emmanuel, oh, pour it in my soul?” PRAYER O Gc-d, we pray that we may hear in our hearts the call to evangelise the world. May every needy soul be unto us an invitation to declare the glorious emancipating Gospel of Jesus Christ. Grant that the dark corners in every life may be illumined by the Light of the World as reflected by us. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. Suggested Reading: Matthew 28:1620. Items Of Interest Rev. Leslie D. Weatherhead, who is now minister of the City Temple, has been succeeded at Brunswick Methodist Church, Leeds, by Rev. W. E. Sangster. Mr Sangster, who is still a young man, has already become famous through his books, “Why Jesus Never Wrote a Book,” “He is Able,” and “God Does Guide Us.” * * * According to the “Expository Times,” a new book by the' Rev. Principal John Dickie, D.D., of Dunedin, has been published. It is,called “Fifty Years of British Theology.” * * » . . m The death of Lord Radstock has removed one of the most respected members of the little group of peers who carry on the evangelical tradition which was introduced into Victorian “society” by men like Lord Shaftesbury. He appeared only occasionally on the public platform, but he gave his life to the service of good causes.

Dr. Adolf Deissmann was well known throughout the world for his scholarly books and articles. His death has removed from this world one who did much to throw upon New. Testament study light from the ruins of Asia Minor. , Dr. Deissmann was a patriotic German, but during the Great War he made a practice of reading a portion of the English New Testament each day.