St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1878-07-12
Ready to Save.

1t is very important that we learn
practically to be "ready to save" How
much so-called Christian philanthropy
is wasted through want of simple APP
planes at hand for the immediate re-
lief of human need and suffering, and
then we pity, but we do not help, till
what should be active benevolence de-
generates into mere sensitiveness-the
useless romance of charity! Nothing is
more weakening to character than a
right impulse OF a kindly feeling which
is not translated into action, when the
opportunity to act is given.
The making garment for one SILVER
ing child is of far more value than
thousand laments over the general mass
of poverty; the single word of counsel
to neighbor near, or of sympathy
Gifted to the lips" is better than
hundred imaginary conversations, with
troubled souls afar off, and what we
want is to be ready" when the calls
for such help come as it is in our power
to render.
You mourn, perhaps (who does not p
over the many opportunities missed of
doing good may not the failure be
traced not so much to unwillingness to
he of service, or to inability, as to I'M
readiness A soul crosses your path,
but the word is not ready, the tract or
book is not at hand, the help sought is
not easily forthcoming; the real truth
is, you yourself are not 'ready," and
that soul in consequence slips away
from your influence none the better
for it.
The same failure is to be deplored in
many a professedly Christian home.
Amidst much that is pleasing and prom
ising in its arrangements for comfort
and instruction and daily life, one thing
is wanting. There is no careful adjust
ment of wise and holy means for the
highest good of the souls beneath its
roof, nothing that would illustrate the
words-''ready to save" And the chill
dren feel 1.-THE servants, the friends !;
they go out and come in, and remain
unreached for eternity.
People read of ''perishing millions"
in lands far away, and their hearts are
touched by the details of their Christ
less state; they would like to help
to save them, but it is too often
with them "tO-mOrrOw" instead of ''to-
day )" and putting off the practical out
SOuiC vi tIC VI SOluS
to sleep over it, the impression weakens
till it is altogether forgotten. They
think they are willing, but alas they
are not ''ready," and no rescued souls
in the vast missiOn-field will be their
crown of rejoicing in the day of the
Lord Jesus.
TO be ''ready to save" implies and
requires fOrethOught, industry, and the
wise application of every faculty and
means that God has bestowed; and to
ensure this, there must first be heart
in close fellowship with God himself
a heart undivided in its allegiance and
its love, and single in its purpose. 1t
must have judged that "He died for all,
that they which live should not hence
forth live unto themselves, but unto
Him who died for them and rose again."
and have gladly yielded all to the Mas
teTs use in the one great service of
love.
Money, if we have it, will then be so
disposed that something will always be
reserved for the needy in soul as well
as body time-that there will be mo-
ments to spare for kindly offices to
others; talents-that our heads may
devise and our hands execute what will
become at least adjuncts, if not direct
agents, in the work of rescue. Weneed
not let a single God-given power lie
idle if only we have this true-hearted
desire to labor with him in saving the
lost; and it is indeed only by the sane
titled use of every God-given power
entrusted to us that the desire can be-
came effectual. Even our lessons of
preparation will be learned from the
Great Saviour, who will also, by His
Spirit, teach us how to apply them, and
the principle on we act will be, 81 made
haste, and delayed not to keep thy com
mandments."- Work IN the Great Har-
Uest Field.