SERIOUS THOUGHTS.

Waikato Argus, Volume IX, Issue 767, 29 September 1900, Page 1 (Supplement)

SERIOUS THOUGHTS.

READY ! Canon Goue, commenting on the Christian's armour described by St. Paul in Ephesiaus VI , says : " Ami as the feet of the soldier must be well shod not only for protection but also to facilitate free ■movement on all sorts of ground, the Christian, tco, is to be so possessed, with the good tidings of peace that he is " prepared " to move and act under all circumstances—all hesitations and delays and uncertainties which hinder movement goue—his feet shod with the preparedness which belongs to those who have peace at the heart." Now it isof this preparedness or rearliness that I wish to write. It is not to many of us that the privilege is given to do great things for God. Most of us lead quiet, uueveutful lives, and " the daily round and common task " must furnish us with our work. It is " The common deeds in the common day AVliich are ringing the bells in the far away."

Wc read the live 3 of heroes and perhaps wish that such opportunities as they had might he granted to us. But we forget that those coveted opportunities would have been of no use had the heroes themselves not bed ready for them. The courage we so much admire in Grace Darling did not blo-som out on that eventful night, hut had been gradually developing in her quiet life, uu'il, when occasion presented, she was muly, and did the deed which made her name so famous. Can we believe that Sir Philip Sidney was selfish, jjreeily, or undisciplined up to the moment when he gave up the refreshing life-giving draught of water to his suffering fellow soldier ? No ! We cannot jump into being heroes, but great deeds are the outcome of the previous life. We must always be ready, looking out for opportunities, as

I Stv Paul saya: If the readiness is there, it is accepted." A as! how ma>y chances of doing God's will we let slip by unnoticed. We want to make the very most of our life here, as the same opportunities will never occur again. A ready, willing mind is the attitude God loves in His children. "If ye he willing and obedient" was said of o'd " ye shall eat the good of the land." Like David's devoted followers, in his moit bitter hour of trial when he fled from Jerusalem, leaving it to his rebellions yet favourite son, we should say: Behold thy servants are ready to do whatever my Lord the King shall choose." It is not so much the doing of God's will and the being ready and willing to-do it. Jesus said : If any man willeth to do His will, he shall know A soldier must hold himself in readioes3 to do whatever his captain orders. He cannot pick and choose his work or locality. Thank God, we are a's» " under authority " " I dare not choose my lor, I would not if I might." I The eiptain of our salvation determines our work and oik circumstances, but we jiiust be ever on the alert for further ord;rs. Every visitor that comes, every interruption to our plans, every call on our sympathy we must take as work sent from God. Oh ! the privilege it is to feel that ut any moment we miy be (Jailed upon to do some work for the glory of God or the bum-fit of our fellow-men ! " 0 Almighty aud most merciful God ot Thy bountiful noodness keep us, we beseech Thee, from all things that may hurt us ; that we, being teady both in body and sou', may cheerfully accomplish those things that Thou have done; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen." (F).