The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-01-27
From the Free Christian Commonwealth.
ALL FOR JESUS"

90 salu noDle missionary woman as
she knelt upon the beach and saw the
vessel bearing away her. children across
the waters of the deep blue sea to Amer
lea. Cali for Jesus" it was an express
sion worthy of her noble, Christian heart.
1t was an echo of the injunction of the
Apostle, whether, therefore, We eat or
drink, or whatsoever we do, do all to the
glory of God"
Reader, you are beginning a new year;
as you look forward to its days and
months lying before you, can you say,
"All for Jesus?' Are you devising
schemes by which your time and talent
may be exercised for the promotion of
the glory of God? Time is a precious
gift of God. Every hour is a portion of
an existence in which mighty results
may be either effected, or trains of deed
and thought leading thereto, set in mo-
ton. AS Christian tits given that your
deathless, yet redeemed spirit may grow
to a fuller stature in Christ Jesus, or in
which you may exert an influence upon
others for. good. Everything at your
disposal, whether it be time, money, or
profession, is means only to the one
end, the glory of God. Whatsoever ye
do, do all to His glory, is the Divine
command.
Do you pursue your very avocation of
life for His glory? What is that avoca
ton, and to what intent is it pursued ?
The Christian merchant measures his
yards of calico, the smith plies his ham
mer, the farmer follows his plough in the
furrow, but for what purpose? The
mere accumulation of wealth Then it
is a sordid motive, and perversion of
the chief end for which we were created.
1t may be question well worthy of
your consideration, whether your avoca-
ZION is one consistent with Gods glory
1t is not question in choosing it, wheth-
er it brings you ease or wealth; these
you may gain, but at the same time the
curse of God attends it. The Jcwneed-
ed sacrifices for the altar, yet when mer-
cenary motives actuated the seller in
providing suitable victims, he was driven
by the Saviour from the temple. Money
at the price of virtue would never be
accepted in any service of God. Money
is a good thing when properly acquired,
and with a proper end in view, yet Gods
glory must be the controlling motive in
the method of its acquisition, as well as
its final disposition.
l. your avocation one which God will
delight to honor? Would it meet your
Masters approval; and is it one in ref
erence to which you will have no regrets
when you come to die? Would you be
ashamed to write upon your door and
upon the product of your hand, "All
for Jesus? ?" A Christian merchant, now
living, places in every package of goods
that goes from his store, tract addressed
to its purchaser in reference to the souls
eternal welfare. Would you feel any
hesitation or conjunction to place in
every parcel and box that goes from
your possession, Gail for Jesus?" or
adopt upon the title page of your ledger,
this sentence as motto for your bust
ness?
Does conscience whisper, all is well;
and can you humbly pray for the bles-
sing of God to rest upon your avocation,
and all of your daily engagements Re
member it is written, "aOhatsoeuer ye do,
whether ye eat or drink, do all to the
glory of Cod
If you cannot ask the blessing Of God
upon it, beware lest with your gain you
secure his displeasure and curse. The
injunction of the Apostle is, "Be not
slothful in business; fervcnt in spirit"
heed however the next clause, ''seruing
the Lord" Poverty, with the blessing of
God, is better than great riches, with his
curse. "All for Jesus" will take away
the reproducing conscience, give us hap
Ply hearts, and permit our zeal to drive
onward the wheels of fervid action.