The Highland weekly news. [volume] (Hillsborough [Hillsboro], Highland County, Ohio) 1853-1886, 1876-01-13
Published BY Request.
THE PRIVILEGE OF GIVING
An Essay read before the
Ladies' Missionary Socie-
ty of HiIISboro,

Stt .oSaJ IOaa SOtShO @A10
Ladies' Missionary Socie-
ty of HiIlsboro.
The few words that shall say this even
ing, viii refer to the great privilege of
working for Him, who is King of Kings
and Lord of Lords. What devotion does
an earthly monarch sometimes receive?
Many years ago, remember, when read
ing the Memories of Nine. D'ATblay, was
struck with the privations and positive dis
comforts she was wiling to endure for the
privilege of being near and serving her
Queen. 1t seemed wondrous strange that
a writer, whose fame was European in its
extent, who was the fayorits of the great
Dr. johnson, lady whose social position,
as the daughter of DR.. Burney, was so en-
viable, whose familiar acquaintances were
the wits and eminent literary men Of the
day, should be willing to exchange all these
advantages for life of self-dsnial- Yet
for the sake of showing her loyalty, the
coursed authoress endured accomplishing
ly, hunger and fatigue; the rebuhs and
grabbed ll-humor of her royal mistress;
the hard work and harder words, incident
to her dependent position
For what end was all this self-denial?
Not for honor for the name of Fanny
Burney was too well known, to derive addi-
tional lustre from its connection with
palace Not for wealth; for the consort
of George the Sd, like the rest of the royal
family, was proverbial for her parsimony.
1t was devotion to her sovereign, pure and
unalloyed by baser motives, that led this
distinguished woman to give up so much
that made her life delightful.
Tho her zeal was mistaken and mis-
placed, can we not, my sisters, learn some
thing from Lsr example? What caE we do
to show our loyalty to our King, our love
to our Redeemer? He who spoke, and ii
was done; who commanded, and it stood
fast; who said: 'sLet there be light, and
there was ight;p does not require our fee
BILE efforts, our puny aid. In his great
power and might, he could call the Sun of
Righteousness to send his beams athwart
the benighted souls of those, who are still
in the ''region and shadow of death, and
let man stand still and wonder at the mira
cles of grace, wrought by his powerful
hand.
A word from him would to-day. (did he
thus decree) be as potent to change perse-
cutting Saul to praying Paul, who could
be all things to all men. SO that he might
win some Infinite condescension! Mar
velous privileges He is willing to use our
weak instrumentality in this work, that
might fill an angels hands. It filed Saw
ior's heart. He had our highest happiness
in view, when he would thus teach US
practically, that 'Hit is more blessed to give
than to receive"
o, my sistersl What an inestimable
honor is oursl Co-workers with God, in
doing good to our fellow-sinners What an
amazing grace is this that permits us. who
so often err, whose service is attimes SO
cold and formal, and even so grudgingly
rendered, to labor with and for him! And
best of all, not only the gifted and wealthy
may help, but the lowly and poor.
The cup of cold water, given in the name
of disciple, is as acceptable as the gold,
frankincense and myrrh of Eastern Magi.
and the single garment of Dorcas as pre-
cious in his sight, as the synagogue built
by the rich Centurion.
1t is the conservation and love that faith
gives, that embalms the gift, and renders
it worthy of acceptance. That, We all
may obtain, if we only seek Alright Our
service is no menial drugery. ''She who
sweeps room as by his law, makes that
and the action fne," says quaint old
George Herbert-l
Our Sovereign, whose subjects and
daughters we also are, demands nothing
that is not repaid thousand-fold- What
have we, that we have not received? What
blessings are showered on us constantly BY
his benefcent hand Can we obey the
command, Occupy till I come, if,
thinking alone of our selfish interests, our
time, talents and wealth, are lavished ex-
clusively on our cares, business and en-
joyments7
We may take lesson from the heathen
Longocs. Before sitting to their morning
meal, every member of the family, from
the aged grandparents to the youngest
child, gives part of his portion to the
idol whom he ignorantly worships. ''Shan
we, whose souls are lighted with wisdom
from on high" do less than the savage
idolaters?
Let US, my sisters, thanking God for
what he has permitted us, as Society, to
do for him in the past, with renewed zeal
and diligence, do with our might, what
our hands find to do, and let us rejoice
that such a wide field is open before US.
In these latter days, we stand on the
same plane of Christian effort as do our
brethren Let us not be deferred In our
endeavors to do good, by the thought that
we can do but little. Strength is not
gained by iraacticity, nor is progress made
by standing still. In this extended field,
each can find something suited to her tai
ent and capacity. The Rainbow is made
of variously colored zones, yet formed by
the same light, reflected through many
tiny drops. So may we all, in our indiTid-
ual lives, reflect the light of the Gospel,
and our Society, with its young and yigor-
Gus bands, be the means of doing great
and lasting benefit to the Church and to
the world. E. L. G.. G.
BALLoU's MONTHLY MAGAZINE FOR
! JANr.RY-The January number OF