01.00i. INTRODUCTION

INTRODUCTION

Those who have been awakened by the gracious influence of the Holy Spirit, to a sense of the solemn realities of life, and have been taught to consider themselves but as stewards of the grace committed to them — will count no hint unacceptable which may aid them in faithfully discharging their trust, however homely may be its dress, or humble the form in which it presents itself to their notice. And although it may be said that the subject has been already well near exhausted by the many who have written upon it, it is nevertheless true, that, without encroaching on ground already occupied, some corners are yet left whence another hand may gather up the "fragments that remain." When the claims of Christian duty, long neglected, are at length recognized in their full force — so many seem all at once to start up around us, that the mind is almost paralyzed by their number. There are not only those more obvious ones duties, whose authority all must acknowledge, but also those "minor moralities" of life, which are not recognized as binding, until our eyes have been opened by the anointing of the Spirit to perceive that our work lies, not so much in the importance of the services which we render — as in the spirit in which they are performed. It is then seen that the smile which lights up a cheerless home, like sunshine on a rainy day — the word of encouragement which strengthens one, who, perhaps, is growing weary in the daily struggle — the spirit of self-sacrifice in the little things of life — all these are as really work for God — as the more conspicuous duties of the pastor or missionary. And while all are called to the work which is unseen — but few are appointed to that which is seen. Delicacy of health, or the pressure of outward circumstances, may preclude many from active labor — but that labor which lies beneath the surface remains to them still.

It is, however, rather to those who are bewildered by the variety of work — than to those who need to have it pointed out to them, that we wish chiefly to speak. They feel at times ready to shrink back in helpless despair from the task which lies before them, and which, however greatly it may be lightened by that constraining love which dwells within them — seems still a burden too heavy for the feeble flesh to take up.

There is the home sphere, where, perhaps, an anxious mother’s cares are to be shared and lightened — or grown up brothers are to be won to love the family hearth as the happiest place on earth — or the labor may devolve upon the elder sister, who is, at once, the teacher and the playfellow, the sharer in every joy, and the comforter in every sorrow.

There are the Sunday School — the Tract district — the Missionary Collectorship — all involving no small amount of mental and physical exertion.

There is correspondence, in which every letter is to be consecrated as a channel of heavenly fellowship — by which the bonds of friendship are to be drawn yet closer, and the ties of earth are formed into ties for Heaven.

There is the work of mental culture, without which all the rest will be much less efficient, for none but a well-stored and regulated mind can possess a very beneficial power over others.

Besides all this, there is work "with which a stranger cannot intermeddle with" — the struggle with heart-sins, the breaking of heart-idols, the "bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ." And these are to be carried on in the midst of ever-recurring interruptions from without, and of countless hindrances from within. Is this an overdrawn picture? Does not its reality call forth from many a heart, though braced by the spirit of loving service — the almost faithless utterance, "Who is sufficient for these things!" But on this point we believe that a great amount of misapprehension exists. Many choose work for themselves, which has certainly not been marked out for them by their Heavenly Master — and, as He will give support only under the burdens which He Himself imposes, they cannot wonder if their strength fails them. To illustrate our meaning, let us take as an example, the labor of Sabbath School Teaching. It is one in which every young Christian, more especially in a town, feels almost imperatively called upon to engage. And surely none can over-rate its importance, or calculate its vast influence upon the "Church of the future!"

Yet we are far from believing that it is a duty incumbent upon all Christians. When the spirit has been worn by the duties and engagements of the week, it needs the quiet rest of the Sabbath as a well of refreshing along the way. It needs to have its faith confirmed, and its love quickened — by renewed consecration to God, by self-examination, and by yet more fervent application for the empowering of the Holy Spirit. We would not, indeed, selfishly consult our own ease and comfort, when souls are perishing around us. Nor is a mere contemplative quietism the atmosphere in which our Christianity will flourish best. It will be ever strongest when we follow most closely in the steps of Him who "went about doing good."

Still, when, as is frequently the case, the Sabbath hours are the only time which can be devoted to quiet communion with our Heavenly Father, without fear of disturbance. He cannot be well pleased when we rob Him of them, even to employ them in His active service. It is true, that time may be redeemed from sleep — that, after the pattern of our great Example, we may "rise a long while before day," but there are many to whom this is physically impossible, and who would thereby be rendered unfit for remaining duties. And when the little ones at home are untended, when they are left without an elder sister’s care — to spend the hours of God’s holy day in private religious duties, it cannot be but that the lower duty has taken the place of the higher, in a manner most displeasing to Him who has appointed a "time for every purpose."

Again, we believe that not all, even of those whose position leaves them free to dispose of their own time in their own way, unfettered by any conflicting claims of duty — are, by any means, called upon to undertake an office for which, in many cases, they are not fit. There may be a thorough appreciation of truth in the mind of the teacher — while yet there is almost entire inability to impart it to those of the children. It is not all who possess the talent of communicating Scripture knowledge. And thus the place of a more efficient teacher may be filled up, and the children deprived of instruction, which they might otherwise have received.

Remember, that to each is assigned a special work by God, for which each is especially fitted. Do not, then, hastily seize upon work, which may not be yours, although it is that of many others.

We are far, very far, from depreciating the value of Sabbath School labor. It is a sphere of usefulness second only to the public ministry of the Gospel — and almost matchless in its power to counteract the agencies of evil, and to bring the masses of the population within the influence of the truth as it is in Jesus. We would only entreat our readers to make sure that, while engaging in it, they are leaving nothing else undone — that they are not in danger of neglecting their own vineyard, or undertaking what they are not qualified to perform.

We have given but one instance — yet it is sufficient to show that there is danger, even in the service of our Heavenly Master, of "running where we are not sent." Let us see that the path which we follow is not a self-chosen one — that it is marked out for us only by the light which beams from a Savior’s cross, and not by the wandering sparks of our own imagination. Of one thing we may be assured, that He who has redeemed us with the costly price of His own most precious blood, will be no hard task-master. He will require of us no more than we are able to render; so that we need never shrink back from duty, with the withering thought that we have not strength for it. Strength, indeed, we have not, for anticipated labor — but the "grace comes with the burden," and there is help treasured up for us in Jesus, for every moment’s need. It is well that, realizing our own weakness — we should be kept clinging to Him in the helplessness of need. Our aim, therefore, in the following pages, will be not so much to mark out work which is obvious and unmistakable — as to offer a few hints on that which may be more easily overlooked. In so doing, we would add nothing to a weight which many already feel to be more heavy than they can bear — but rather point out one or two ways in which it may be lightened. And we would, moreover, endeavor to show, that even for those who are utterly incapable of enduring the "burden and heat of the day," there still remains —

"A work of lowly love to do
For the Lord on whom they wait." On some other subjects, also, we would say a few words of counsel and sympathy, which may, perhaps, assist some young pilgrim in the Zionward way — to disentangle the web of daily duty, and to bear the hidden cross, which is laid upon each faithful follower of the Crucified One.