The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-01-16
OUR RELIGIOUS COLUMN.
Faithful Over a Few Things.

Few men achieve any great measure of sue
cess in life who are not faithful in small things
If the mere accidents OF business lift few up to
opulence and station adversities, which other
men would have surmounted, cast them hope
lessly down. Work, trial, patience, courage,
prudepce-.th are the conditions of success,
the price OF excellence. With what unshaken
t0rtitude are the men of this world struggling
ior success What labor and treasure are ex.
pended tor harvest IN the coming future
1t seems to be a law of divire ordination that
the Church shall increase and come to maturity
from small beginnings, and through great trials.
go ye into all the world and preach the
Gospel" etc. How vast the commssion-how
weak the nstrumentalities! What can few
poor disciples do? All things, with the Masters
benediction, 'Lo, | am with you always"
Now, as ever, He chooses the weak things of the
world 10 confound the strong. No local church
is brought into existence iull grown and mature.
II is ordained to a state of pupiLlge and trial
TO train of hard experiences; but such as
finally bear fruit with the savor of heaven. 4
few are called to lay the foundations -
now come the trials of poverty and weak
ness Could not the Master suddenly
send wealth, numbers, influence? Yes,
verify; but all these would not OF themselves
Uulu uD the CHURCH 1nele must DC LTlalS OF
faith, the discipline Of sharp experiences the
casting out of self, and leaning on God for
strength, so that Pauls declaration shall be
realized, "When am weak, then am stroug.n
Then when faith has been strengthened, so that
it no more va ks by sight, bu; rather as seeing
Him who is iAvisible so that the disciple has
learned this lesson Of Christ, 10 be faithful over
a few thiugs-then is the Master ready to take
IA t,7. md ulolra
His blessing until thousands have been fed, not
with bread for day, but with the bread of eter.
nal life.
Could the history of our older churches be
written, lo romance would be hal. SO interest
ing rs this. The bread cast upon the waters,
.he seed SO wn in tears, the sacrifices of many
humble women, as selfdenSing aud precious "a
the alabaster box which gained the benedction
"she hath done what she could" Those fount
of faith even now bring the ans werlng bless
ing. God enriches His Church aud trains |
thus. leading it in this HIS appointed wa.
from strength to strength anu glory to glory.
The existence of the local church in man.
places depends upon the fai'hfulness of a few
a little band in the beginning, less now perhap
by the fluctuations of business or by the deser
tion OF some who could not endure trial. Thes
are called upon TO strengthen the things tina
emsln. few women, rich In faith have KEEP
alive many a prayer.meetlng, aud have save'
many local churches from extinction. They hay
been true witnesses for Jesus, when others hav
been dumb and lieless. The Christian who /
less faithful, less earnest and sagaclous about tn
interests Of Chrisps kingdom than he is abou
Ills own. dishonois the name of his Redeemer
unfaihiul IN that which is least, will he not b.
in that which is areRlest' Hos In this iaud