The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1889-03-13
Our Best for { hrist.

Mary had received richest blessings at the
hand Of her Lord. Her heart overtowed
with love for Him, and nothing in all the
world was too dear or too costly to bestoW
upon Him So she brought an alabaster box
Of very preci us intment. broke the box
and poured the ointment on His head. she
brought the best gift she had So we ought
all to bring our best things to Christ. He
gave the b~st He had for us. He gave
His lie: His heart was broken, and His
precious bloc was poured out for US. From
His throne Of glory He lavisAes now the best
gifts of His love upon US.
We owe to Him, therefore, the best OF
everything we have. We should give HIM
the best Of our affections. he ought to have
the wa1mest place in our hearts Bring all
the gems and jewels OF your love anu pu'
them in the crown Of Jesus.
We ought to bring to Him the best OF our
lives. Too many give Him only the wasted
remains They spend the vigor Of their
youth, the strength of their manhood, the
best of their life's energies in tho world. in
business in selishness, in sin; and when they
are old, seek to ring poor, worthless Offer
i.p to Chri>t They give the best to the
world ard the faded leaves to Ch. ist. Surely
it is not such al offering that Jesus deserves.
We ought to co" secrate our chlldh od 70
Him: to spend our youth in His service; to
Law our manhood and womanhood Oh his al
tar. Gi Him the arm when it is strongest,
the foot whan it is swiftest, the brain when
it is clearest the heart when it is warmest,
the tongue when it is most eloquent.
We ought to give to Him our best services.
There are TOO inany profe sing, Christians
who have time for everything but the work
of the Lord. It IS fair gu stion to put to
each protesting Christian, What are y u
first? What is the one thing of your life
which enkindles your warmest thought,
which inspires your loftiest enthus asn,
which impels your best en- 1eavor*. Is it the
glory of God, or is it your bus 'nes' your
worldly ambition? Bring Christ no more the
mere waste and frasmentary services OF
your lives. Make not your Christian life any
longer a secondary thing Bring not to the
dead, heartless service. Put Christ first.
Do your best work sing your sweetest song,
speak ycur tend rest word, perform your
h liest ministry for Him.
We shoul bring our best gifts to Jesus.
Is it lot true too often thnt we keep our best
for ourselves, and give Him tho things that
we shall miss the least from ou own stories?
When our cups run over We give him the
drops that fall from the brim. When we
have eaten and are full, we sweep up the
crumbs for Him. Let US bring our dearest
things and lay them on His altar, nothing IS
too good or too costly to be bestowed on such
a Saviour. Nothing is wasted which is given
TO Christ. No deed is in vain which is done
for him. No life is lost which is poured out
upon His altar He accepts the smallest
deeds of love as done to himself. Every
lowly service, every self-denial, every beau-
tiful deed of love done to suffering ona Is
an alabaster box Of ointment broken open to
anoint Christ's head and feet. He will
gather up the perfume and keep it sweet and
sacred forever for memorial Of you
Westminster TenEtsT.