Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1890-07-05

When Moses was called to his great
life-work, he was fearful in view of
the enormous responsibilities laid up
on him.
With characteristic meekness he
asked: "Who am that / should go
unto Pharoh, and that should bring
forth the children of Israel out Of
Egypt?" Assured by the promise of
Gods presence, and by the revelation
of his name, by which he would be
known to Israel as the self>existent
and covenant-keeping God, Moses
still breads the future-he fears and
trembles in entering upon such a
great work. And it was just there
while he was thinking of the appar-
emily insuperable obstacles, and
while he was, very naturally, view
ing with apprehension the difficult
ties to be encountered-that God put
to him the question: "What is that
in thine hand?" and he said, "a
rod" This rod had probably served
him in the two>fold capacity of staff
and shepherds. crook. 1t was just
such rod as any ordinary hefdsman
would have in discharging his duties.
Moses was accustomed to its use !;
and possibly it was at the time his
only possession.
What an humble, insignificant
possession !! and yet what an instru-
ment of power it becomes when ac-
cepted and consecrated as not only
Moses, but as Gods rod. II now be-
comes the instrument of producing
most Of the plaques of Egypt.
When it smites the Nile, the water is
polluted with blood. When it is ex>
tended over the Red Sea, the waters
are driven back to permit the exodus
of Gods people. When, in the will
derness, the people are crying for Wa
ter, the rock smitten with this rod
pours forth its streams to quench their
thirst and to rejoice their hearts.
Again, when Israel is engaged in a
deadly conflict with the Amalekites,
Moses declares, II will stand upon
the top of the hill with the rod of God
in my hand" Joshua led Israel in
the battle. Moses, with the uplifted
rod, spends the day in prayer. The
victory was gained, not because Aaron
and Hur stayed up Moses weary
arms simply, but because they held
up the hands that held the rod. 1t is
not at all surprising that Moses him.
self was accustomed to speak of as
Goods rod"
This suggests to US two lessons
which eN Try member Of our Church
should learn, in view of the mission.
airy crisis through which we are now
passing.
In prosecuting the colossal work OF
the Church-an evangelizing the lost
world-which must ever be viewed
as the business, not the benevo.
lence," Of the Church, it is we'll for us
every one to heed that same ques.
ton "What is that in thine hand?''
l. First let us notice that this
question was intimately connected
with call to service. 1t succeeded
the call. 1t preceded the service
The order never changes. When
one is called to Christ's service today
this is the first question to be an.
swered. Art thou a servant of God :
Then "what is that in thine hand,''
with which thou canst serve him
Is it the pen of ready writer
Then let it be employed in sending
gospel messages-of loving invita-,
tions to the lost-of kindly comfort tC
the sorrowing children of God.
Have you voice? Then, as you
sing, let the people hear the praises
of God; as you speak ::and teach, lei
them listen to loving and winning
words.
What is that in thine hand? Is il
wealth ? Then be sure that Won look
upon it as not your rod simply, but
as Gods rod, "The silver is mine
and the gold is mine, saith the Lore
of hosts :" and you will never gel
true joy or lasting benefit from
wealth unless you remember that
though it is yours, it is also Gods
Yours to use, but to use only as 8
servant of God-fOr the service OF
your Master.
Every dollar that is held by a ser
want of Christ in any other way, OF
with any other purpose, is a hin.
dranee, not help to his spiritual
L Etl