SUNDAY READING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XIX, Issue 6422, 17 June 1882, Page 3

SUNDAY READING.

HOW TO SHINE. I The intensity of light emanating from a given point is in the universe ratio of tho distance it traverses. A candle one foot distant gives a light sixteen times as bright as when removed to a distance of four feet, and is hardly visible at a distance of two miles. Religious influence, though not subject to precisely this law, nets very much in the same way. Christians often affect their fellow-men feebly or mightily as they approach or recede from them. Many remain at too great a distance, either in body or soul, from their neighbours to do them much t;ood. If, instead of shining upon the impenitent from afar, God's children should walk by their side, and call at their homes, and talk in a simple conversational way of the crucified Nazarene, gladdening results would frequently follow. Very few arc so richly luminons that, like Whitefield and Spuriieon and Moody, they can win thousands to Christ by shining down upon them from the heights of a pulpit. Most people can accomplish little except in the immediate vicinity of those whom they wish to help. Our race is to bo evangelised, not mainly through the instrumentality of a few great over-mastering influences, but through the action of many insignificant ones. I

The world's food consists largely of little grains . which, though they singly seem scarcely worth saving, aggregate into shiploads and nourish whole nations.

The world's salvation is to bo secured, not through the dazzling brilliancy of a few extraordinary workers, but through the aggregated effort of numberless toilers, upon whose unpretentious labours the Divine blessing shall fall. Yimr co-oporation and mine, Christian friends, is needed in this evangelistic movement; and by drawing a little nearer to those whom we wish to spiritually influence, what we say and do, feeble as it is, will be made of some service.

God's children should shine upon men, not only nearer by, but from varying standpoints and at different angles. A direct influence, like a direct sunbeam, is sometimes unpleasant; it scorches rather than warms ; it repels instead of wins ; oblique rays will often melt what perpendicular ones would harden. In many cases victory can be won by a (lank movement, where an assault in front would bo disastrously repulsed. Myriads of unconverted people will grow stubborn under coercive measures who would yield to persuasion. If, instead of embarrassing our neighbour by vigorously exhorting him to repent, we would courteously look arms with him, and talk lovingly of the Master, he might possibly go with us to Christ, as Peter did with bis brother Andrew. A straight glance of tho eye, or an authoritative tone of voice, would often prove a hundredfold more effectivo if the glance was soltened by a tear, and tho toue made tremulous by a heartfelt symEathy. Few .enjoy facing the king of day, ut cveryhody gazes with delight upon his modified glare as thrown back in reflected beauty from earth; air,, and sea; it is the sun's oblique beams which weave for us the manifold colour-charms seen in landscapes below and clouds above ; it is indirect religious influences, such as shine out from sanctified hearts and consecrated lives, which, in like manner, do most toward Christianising mankind ; a loving act is often more beneficial than a blazing exhortation. What our race most needs is not a multiplication of forcible talkers, but of good Samaritans. Christ's life and miracles, more than His sermons, proved His Messiahship, and made Him the world's hope. The more htimane Christians are, the more godlike they will be. A religion which fails to render men brotherly is uot tho religion of the New Testament. Man's spiritual welfare can sometimes be most advanced by bettering his temporalities. The lowest forces in God's universe are related to the highest, and an outcast's soul may, perchance, be reached by putting into his emaciated band a crnst of bread. "Ye are the light of the world," and through proximity, variation, and indirection are to " let your light so shine beforo men, that they may sec your good works, and glorify your Father which is in Heaven."—The Rev. J. S. Breckenridge.

THE NAME OF THE LOUD. Our salvation depends on Christ, and not on our emotions regarding it. They may resemble the waves of the ocean, hut He and the safety of all that is in Him arc as stable as the stars. The security of the saint is rooted in the fact that God has a hold of him, and not at all in his consciousness that he has a hold of God. His comfort may be affected by the latter, but his safety is due entirely to the former. . But what a blessed privilege it is to the desponding believer to be permitted to keep ontrustiugt My Bible would not be so precious to me as it is to-day if I could nofc read these words in it, "Let him trust in the name of the Lord, and stay upon his God." When we cannot see, it is an unspeakable blessing to have some hand to cling to ; and wbeu the hand is God's it is all right. Then, let us take the full comfort from these sayings. "Let us trust in the name of the Lord." What is that name? The Lord God, merciful and gracious, long-suffering; forgiviug iniquity, transgression, and sin ; and who will by no means clear the guilty." Therefore I need not despair about my guilt, for there is forgiveness with Him. What is that name? It is Jehovah Tsidkcmi—the Lord, our righteousness. Therefore we may in Him have "boldness in the day of judgment." What is that name? Jehorah Kopheh—the Lord that healeth thee. Then I may bring all my spiritual maladies, and this of despondency among them, to Him for cure. What is that name ? It is Jehovah Jireh — the Lord will provide.. Therefore in every time of strait- 1 may rest assured that He will give me that which is needful. What is that name? It is Jehovah Nissi—the Lord my banner; and as I unfurl that signal and wave it over me, I may see in it the symbol of His protection. What is that name? It is Jehovah Shalom —the Lord of peace ; and so, beneath His sheltering wing, I may be for ever at rest."

GO TO JESUS. Gloomy, burdened soul, go to Jesus. Go just as you are. Go, though your sins seems too great for forgiveness ; thoujh you are conscious of having sinned against light and knowledge, against lovo and grace ; though you have sinned wilfully and awfully. Go to Him. Many as great, and possibly greater, sinners than you are have been thore before you, and found pardon. Don't be deterred by the painful fact that you liave been to Him many times before on the same errand, and as often promised never to grieve him in that particular way again -- have vowed solemnly to do so no more. Go to Him. "Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow ; though they be red like crimson, Iho.y shall be as wool." He knows what sore temptations means. He is a Brother born for adversity. He "is very pitiful anil of tender mercy; yea, like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear Him. For He knoweth our frame ; He remeinbereth that we are dust.' The more powerless you feel to conteud with your peculiar temp-tation,-and the more condemned and guilty you feel on account of past falls and failures, the moro urgent reason you have for goiu,' speedily to Him. He alone can succour you. He was " tempted in all points like as you are, yet without sin"—Ho who is the Advocate with the Father." Come, therefore, boldly in His name unto the throne of grace, "thatyou may obtain mercy, and lind grace to help in time of need." His blood cleanseth from all sin. His Spirit makes all things now. Oh, then, behold the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world, both in its guilt and in its power.

A BEAUTIFUL INCIDENT. A man blind from his birth, a man of much intellectual vigour, and with many engaging social qualities, found a woman who, appreciating his worth, was willing to cast in her lot with him, ami become his wife. Several bright, beautiful children became theirs, who tenderly and equally loved their parents. An eminent French surgeon while ill this country called upon them, and, examining the blind man with much interest and care, said to lvim, "Your blindness is whollyartificial; your eyes arenaturallygood, and could 1 have operated upon them twont3*

years ago, I think I could have given you sight. It is barely possible that 1 can do it now, though it will cause you much pain." " I cau bear that," was the leply, " so you but enable mo to see." The surgeon operated upon him, aud was gradually successful ; first there were faint glimmerings of light, then mora distinct vision. The blind father was handed a rose ; ho had smelt one before, but had never seen one; then he looked upon the face of his wife, who had been so true and faithful to him ; and then

the children were brought, whom he had so often fondled, and whose charming prattle had so frequently fallen upon his ears. He then exclaimed, *'Oh, why have I seen all these things before enquiring for the man by whose skill I have been enabled to behold them 1 Show mo the doctor." And when he was pointed ont to him, he embraced him with tears of gratitude and joy. So, when we reach Heaven, and with unclouded eyes look upon its glories, wo shall not be content with a view of these. No, we shall say, "Where is Christ? He to whom I am indebted for what Heaven is; show me Hi.n, that with all my soul X may adore and praise Him through endless ages."

SELECTED. Ono of the greatest blessings you can enjoy is a tender, henest, and enlightened conscience. Live by the day ; you will have daily trials, and strength according. Leave tomorrow to the Lord. lie who is false to the present duty breaks a thread in the loom, and will see the effect wheu the weaving of a life-time is unravelled. Gratitude is a means of "race. Many a mortal would be consoled in bis mere annoyances could he get a glimpse of the real trouble from which God saves him. Others, in comparatively light affliction, would cease murmuring could they realise the heartbreak that abides with some else. There is always firm ground for thanksgiving to God for deliverance from that always possible greater troublo. Bo willing to do good in your own way. David would not undertake to slay the giant in Saul's armour. He had not proved it. You may not be able to give a Bible-reading or conduct a prayer-meeting, and perhaps you cannot even take a class iu a Sundayschool. Don't fret. A well-made loaf of bread, a basket of clothes neatly mended, may be n means of grace. God does not demand impossibilities. It is often one's first duty to keep well, bright, and rested for others' sakes. We need none of u3 be disturbed if • we cannot wield another's weapons. But our own must not rust. God always has an angel of help for those who are willing to do their duty. How often have we been afraid to undertake some difficult work for Him ; but as soon as we laid hold of it the rock of hindrance was removed. The tempter told us that if we attempted to save some hardened soul, we should encounter an immovable adamant. We held faith enough to try ; and prayer brought the power which turned the heart of stone to flesh. Evermore the adversary is busy in frightening us from labours of love for our Master.—Theodore Cuyler.

TJIE GOLDEN GATE. The followinirnewsong by Mr. McGranahan it is believed will prove a great favourite :— Our hearts arc filled with joy to-day— We've sighted the Golden Gate \ Its lfght is beaming o'er our way — We've sighted tho Golden Gate ! Toss'd on the sea, we've sighed for home. O'er oceans wide for this we've come ; The voyage now is almost done — Wu've Bighted the Golden Gate ! Clwrus :—Then sing, O sailor, sing ! Let joy our hearts elate. Tho light has cMne, We're almost home— We've sighted the Golden Gate \ Th°y've signalled us from off the land. Our friends are gathering on the strand ; That M'e of cntrsnco should not fail, We answered to the Pilot's hail; With Him on board wo safrlv sail— Wc'vq sighted the Golden Gate ! How light the trials that have come, Forgotten now in sight of home ! The clouds and storms will soon be past; Then sheltered the stormy blast, Willi sails all furled and anchor cist — We've sighted tho Golden Gate ! Our God, with grateful hearts to Thee, Onco lost on life's tempestuous sea. Our Lord anil Saviour, soon at home Tho grace that saved we'll gladly own ; ' 'Twos all of grace, and that alone— We've sighted the Golden Gate !