The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-11-27
Working for Others.

a There are some of the commands of the New
4 Testament that respect actions, which are far
Xmore important, on account of the implied psy-
Neurological action back of the external, than we
8hre accustomed to think. The simple matter of
poncerning ourselves for the salvation of men;
>r, TO put IL in more common phrase, of labor
ing for mems awakening, and conversion, and
tpbuildiDg in the Christian life-this either by
ommand or Implication, is the New Testament
ltty Of every person who is brought into the
kingdofn. When we enter upon the service of
;he Lord Jesus Christ, we are bound not simply
ko bear in our hand as it were, the testimony
hhat we are saved, and to rejoice in our own
Bafety, but to have distinct purpose, either
uttered or understood, of bringing in others.
Nor can we possibly fulfil that purpose by labor
>ug once In while when there is q revival and
he whole church and all the community are
kirred up.
The SO carrying our life and nature that we
nall fulfil this duty to our fellow-men is, l
bad almost said, indispensable to the experience
bf those Christian graces which we are all
krlving for We are covetous of the gifts of
he spirit; we are covetous of humility, and
meekness, and gentleness, and long-suffering,
Ind joy in the Holy Ghost. We not only want
these things, but we pray for them; and the
discipline of using our whole sympathy as a
bower upon other minds is one of those things
which stand almost indispensably connected
With the development of such special Christian
Experiences. If you observe you will see that
ersons who are eminent in Christian life are
some way or other always active in behalf of
|ther mems spiritual conditions and you will
Dec that men who are active for others are apt,
ther things being equal, to excel in the difficult
Ind rare graces. 1t is not mere accidental
tf1fo 0f 70 4 fcto in thn loft
pf cause and effect. We cannot do this work
faithfully and continuously without putting
ourselves into condition in which our mind
3nlocks, as it were, all the mysteries of eXpe-
ncS.
One of the first things that suggests itself is
taple and almost hackneyed exhortation of
ayer-meetings. There is nothing more COM
ion than for Christians to eXhort one another
labor for the conversion of men; and there
g hundreds of persons who are disgusted
18th that treatment of the matter. Then there
re many others who feel that they might as
Il ell attempt to storm fort with sword and
lusl1et, as to undertake to storm the human
leart, or to bring any influence to bear upon it,
the first place men arc tired of being eX-
Drtell to take care of each others souls. Then
hey keel that, though it may be some mems
hty 10 look after others spiritual welfare it is
OF theirs.
Mob there is not a man living on the face of
e eI |rth who is not accessible, in one or other
IS moods, to spiritual Influences, as con-
a by his fellow-men. There is not q man so
or strong or wise but that he is accessible
be lowly. There are a great many persons
ghA in station, who would not permit an equal
superior to speak to them on the subject of
ligibn, but who will take very kindly the
reaching of a person who makes no preten-
|ons, and whose position and carriage indicate
hht he comes to them almost reverentially-
rtainly deferentially.. There are come who
In only be reached by persons that have mo
fuence" as the saying Isl persons that cannot
speak in meetings" persons that are not socially
eir equals persons that cannot measure under
anding with them.
If you go to the door of great man, who
great official influence or power, you will
crowds thronging thther to get access to
m; and one can get in because he is governor
State; another can get in because he is
senator; another can get in because he con-
bis such or such pecuniary or political infu-
ices. But there is a whole swarm of men who
nnot get in. One is merchant, another is a
mixer, another is publisher another is a ira
Her, and another is something else; but they
not known, and are shufled one side. But
hle the door is open, and the governor and
hator and influential men are going in, little
& slips in, because he is dog. An ordinary
an would not be allowed to 60 in, but dog is
owed to go in.
uld rather go into great mans heart as
than to be shut out because / was man.
man who does not put too much on him
nd is willing to go in anyhow, oftentimes
be liberty of slipping in at the door of a
disposition, when if he was great man,
uld not be permitted to go in. The trou-
not that you are so humble, but that you
ot humble enough. 1t is because being
you are not willing to do the work
little man can do. If you could
forget yourself; if the thought never
up, whether you were big little;
had q grateful sense of what Christ has
for you, and realization of the peril
hangs over mans head all the time; il
Carried the man in your heart night and
and could not get rid of him; if you prayed
him, and yearned after him, and desired his
ID, with that state of mind you might safely
Jtufe to 90 to him. Under such circum-
hces, do not stop to ask, Sam / fitted to un
take this work ?" You will find that ou
en- you have tried. What if you get rebuff
Fill not do you any hurt, and it may do Yor
ch good. At any rate, Christ took buffets fo
sake; and we ought to be willing to takC
Lcts, not only for His sake, but for others
es.
fave you heard of the death of a school-mat(
childhood companion? Does the mystery o
and the mystery of death weigh upon you
your feolinpg deeDer? Does the horizon a