The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1857-12-12
The Man of one Business.

bearing upon the OBJECT nave IN view III
the present paper. The passages are, Luke
X. 42, Ps. xvii. 4, and Phil. iii. 3.
The first may be regarded as Divine
lesson; the second, as devout prayer; and
the third, as a noble and appropriate resOIu-
ton.
l. The Saviour's language to Martha is
meant for US all-"0ne thing is needful!" !"
l take for granted, in spite of ingenious
criticism, that this one thing needful was
''that good part which Mary had chosen"
and which should not ''be taken away from
her" She had chosen Christ for her por-
tion; and to sit at His feet, listening to His
words of truth and peace and love, was the
one business to which she gladly sacrificed
every other. She felt that this, and this
alone, was needful for her. And it is not
less needful for US. We cannot, indeed, do
this literally, as she did; but we may do it
in spirit; we may seek and desire commu-
Mon with the Saviour, as the one thing ne
cessary for our present and future happi-
ness. When our minds are distracted by
cares, or oppressed by grief, or solicited by
worldly pleasures, let us think that we hear
the Sayiour's voice, rebuk;ng, recalling,
awakening us by the language, "Thou art
careful and troubled about many things,
but ONE THING Is NEEDFUL."
2. We shall then be prepared to adopt
the Psalmist's prayer, ''One thing have |
desired of the Lord, and that will | seek
after; that may dwell in the house Of the
Lord all the days of my life, to behold the
beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in His
temple" David was man Of one busi-
ness. One object was prominent in his
view; he saw nothing except as connected
with and subordinate toit. To glorify God,
to live to His praise, to enjoy His favor,
was the sum and substance of his desires,
and the ayowed end of his actions. He at
tended with diligence to his regal duties; ne
had his eye everywhere, and made his mind
and hand everywhere felt. If any could
fairly plead, as an apology for neglect of
religion, the large demands of high and
imperative duties, it might have been his
plea. And why do we not find him urging
it? Because he would not allow subordi-
nate to override a paramount duty. And
this was the source of his many triumphs III
the conflicts of life The main wheel in the
moral nature worked so truly aud power
fully, that every other moved in harmony
with it. The one thing which was the OBJ
iect of his desire and prayer, was every
thing to him. 1t controlled his passions,
regulated his affections, gave decision to
his purposes, and resignation to his will.
And for this one thing he prayed; this one
he resolved to seek after, as that which was
alone indispensable to his repose and Sc
curity.
8. This strength of purpose is perhaps
still more strongly exhibited in the language
of St. Paul, when he says, "This ONE THING
l do, forgetting those things which are be-
hind, and reaching forth unto those things
which are before, press toward the mark
for the prize of the high calling Of God in
Christ Jesus" ST. Paul, as well as the
royal Psalmist, was man of ''one busi-
ness" He was not drawn away by tastes
acquired and cherished at the feet Of Ga
maliel, or by the admiration awakened by
the scenes and glories of Athens. He was
unseduced by the architectural beauties of
the Parthenon, or thea wonders of the
AcropoGs. His heart and soul were alb
sorbed by one grand theme, and he was
determined to know nothing ''save Jesus
Christ and Him crucifed." How iully he
carried out his high purpose, must appear
to all who trace him through the course of
his ministry; from the period when he was
arrested by the hand of the Lord Jesus, on
his way to Damascus. and sent forth to
preach among the Gentiles "the unsearcha-
BILE riches of Christ
If the reader asks, How may l become a
man of this Zone business r-I answer,
mainly, under God, by becoming man Of
ONE BOOK. The following extract from
Wesley's Preface to his Sermons, written in
his vigorous, racy, true English style, will
serve to confirm what have urged:-
II have thought am a creature of a
day, passing through life as an arrow
through the air. am a spirit come from
God, and returning to God; just lowering
over the great gulf, till, few moments
hence, l am no more seen! l drop into
an Interchangeable eternity! l want to know
one thing, the way to heaven, how to LAND
safe on that happy shore. God himself has
condescended to teach the way; for this
very end He came from heaven. He hath
written it down in book Oh, give me
that book! At any price, give me the Book
of God l have it; here is knowledge
enough for me. Let me be homo uajus EJr
( IA man of one book.) Here then, | am, fal
| from the busy ways of men. sit dowr
alone only God is here. In his presence
/ | open, | read His book, for this end, tC
find the way to heaven. Is there doub
concerning the meaning of what | read
Does anything appear dark and intricate
/ l lift up my heart to the Father Of Lights
Lord, is it not thy word, IF any man lacE
wisdom, let him ask of God7' Thou gives
literally, and upbraidest not Thou has
said, IF any man be willing to do thy will
he shall know | am wiling to do let mt
knotv thy will. then search after and con
slider parallel passages of Scripture, com
pairing spiritual things with spiritually
mediate thereon, with all the attention ant
earnestness of which my mind is capable
If any doubt still remain, consult thos
who are experienced in the things of God
and then the writings, whereby, being dead
they yet speak. And what l thus learn
that l teach"
This is language which commends itsel
to every man. 1t meets the wants, and di
reets us to the special duty Of the presen
moment Oh that there were more simpl
trust in the Word of God, more singlenes
of purpose, moro resolute adherence to tn
"One thing needful, than is to be found i
tho hulk of nrOfessad Christians9 Ho,