17 Sermon Illustrations on Devotion

"It is a strange constancy of fixedness that is attributed to the priests at Jerusalem, who, when Faustus, Cornelius, Furius, and Fabius broke into the city with their troops, and rushed into the temple ready to kill them, yet they went on with the rites of the temple, as if there had been no assault. And strange is that other instance of the Spartan youth, that held the censer to Alexander while he offered sacrifice. A coal lighting upon his arm, he suffered it to burn there rather than that any crying out of his should disturb the worship." These instances are a

shame to Christians, that we do not more intensely fix our hearts when we are in the service of God; instead of which, many may be seen looking hither and thither, and turning their heads to the door to observe every newcomer. Even in our private devotions, how soon we are distracted and carried away from the point in hand. Our minds flit and fly, like birds on the hedges, which have scarcely time to settle, for as one passenger moves along the road and then another, they are ready for flight at once. At the sound of every footstep the bird is on the wing, and thus some hearts are the prey of every trifling circumstance. Saints have been undisturbed amid a crowd, while others find their prayers crowded out when they are alone. O Lord, assist me in my communion with thee, that my whole soul may be set upon it, and not a single thought may wander from thee. Let not even pain and care prevent my whole heart from adoring thee.

I have for many years made it a practice to read through the Bible once a year. My custom is to read four or five chapters every morning immediately after rising from my bed. It employs about an hour of my time, and seems to me the most suitable manner of beginning the day. In what light soever we regard the Bible, whether with reference to revelation, to history, or to morality, it is an invaluable and inexhaustible mine of knowledge and virtue.

— John Quincy Adams

We read a pretty story of St. Anthony, who, being in the wilderness, led there a very hard and strict life, insomuch as none at that time did the like; to whom came a voice, saying, "Anthony, thou art not so perfect as is a cobbler that dwelleth at Alexandria." Anthony, hearing this, rose up forthwith, and took his staff, and travelled till he came to Alexandria, where he found the cobbler. The cobbler was astonished to see so reverend a father come to his house. Then Anthony said unto him, "Come and tell me thy whole conversation, and how thou spendest thy time."—"Sir," said the cobbler, "as for me, good works have I none; for my life is but simple and slender. I am but a poor cobbler. In the morning when I rise, I pray for the whole city wherein I dwell, especially for all such neighbors and poor friends as I have; after, I set me at my labor, where I spend a whole day in getting my living. And I keep me from all falsehood, for I hate nothing so much as I do deceitfulness; wherefore, when I make any man a promise, I keep it, and perform it truly. And thus I spend my time poorly, with my wife and children, whom I teach and instruct, as far as my wit will serve me, to fear and dread God. And this is the sum of my simple life." Latimer.

It is said of St. Francisca Romana, that though unwearied in her devotions, yet if, during her prayers, she was called away by her husband or any domestic duty, she would close her book, saying that "a wife and a mother, when called upon, must quit her God at the altar, and find him in her household affairs." "Now, it happened once, that, in reciting the office of Our Lady, she was called away four times, just as she was beginning the same verse, and, returning the fifth time, she found that verse written upon the page in letters of golden light by the hand of her guardian angel."

A musician is commended, not that he played so long, but that he played so well. And thus it is not the days of our life, but the goodness of our life; not the length of our prayers, but the fervency of our prayers; not the measure of our profession, but the sincerity of our profession, — that is acceptable unto God. Spencer.

A Spartan youth was holding the censer at a sacrifice when Alexander was offering a victim. It chanced, that, while he held the censer, a hot coal fell upon his hand. The youth stood still, and never clinched, lest by any utterance or cry the sacrifice should be disturbed; for, he said, he was in the presence of Alexander, and he would not have the sacrifice interrupted for him: and thus he bore the pain of the burning coal. Let us remember that Spartan youth, adding, to what he said, "We are in the presence of the Almighty God."

— Biblical Treasury

Grotius, on his death-bed, exclaimed. "Ah! I have consumed my life in a laborious doing of nothing. I would give all my learning and honor for the plain integrity of John Urick!" This John Urick was a religious poor man, who spent eight hours of the day in reading and prayer, eight in labor, and only eight in sleep and meals.

King Alfred the Great encountered many difficulties in obtaining scriptural knowledge, which we have never experienced, and manifested an attachment to the sacred volume not often seen now. In those dark ages, learning was considered rather a reproach than an honor to a prince. In addition to which, his kingdom, for many years, was the seat of incessant war. Notwithstanding all this, Alfred found opportunity not only to read the word of God, but actually to copy out all the Psalms of David: which book he constantly carried in his bosom. That he profited greatly from reading the Scriptures is no matter of surprise, when we learn, that, after the example of David, he earnestly sought divine teaching, and prayed that the Lord would open his eyes, that he might understand his law. He frequently entered the churches secretly in the night for prayer; and there lamented, with sighs, the want of more acquaintance with divine wisdom. Having drunk into the spirit of the Bible, and experienced the rich consolation it affords, in setting before the burdened sinner a free and full salvation in Jesus, he wished it published to all around; he therefore commenced a translation of the Psalms into Anglo-Saxon, though he did not, however, live to finish the work.

It is a fact which deserves the attention of all, that many of the most eminent men of the world have left behind them the most decisive testimony to the importance and value of true religion. Sir John Mason, who had been a privy counsellor to four successive monarchs, and was connected with the most important transactions of the state for thirty years. in the evening of his life declared, "Were I to live again, I would exchange the court for retirement, and the whole life I have lived in the palace for one hour's enjoyment of God in my closet. All things cow forsake me, except my God, my duty, and my prayers."

It is said further of this eminent man, that at the close of life he observed, that the result of his observation and experience might be comprised in three short sentences:—Seriousness is the greatest wisdom; temperance the best physic; and a good conscience the best estate."