The National tribune., 1893-01-26

oil of grace. Light shines in all directions
We ought to be true, and faithful. and useful,
and loving on all sides Too many Christians
so called, are like Ephraim. who was "a cake
unturned.' done on one sde-aoughy on the
opposite side; serviceable. perhaps in some few
respects, but lacking in roundness and whole
ness.
3. Whether we regard the caudeIabrs az the
Church entire or az the ministers of tho
Church, we see the clear duty of all Christians
to be of service We can be az pipes supplying
the oil to the lamps. We can be not grace but
conduits of grace We must be candelabrum in
running order. The candles or lamps must be-
kept burning. Sturgeon puts this graphically
thus in his sermon Zeeh.. 4 !, 3. 12-14
" If the lamps are to be kept trimmed yon
must attend TO the pipes, and you mnst to
the golden oil. We ought each man 10 think,
Now l have something to do to keep this
candlestick in proper order; L have something
10 do with keeping this lamp burning One
man may be compared. as il WERE TO the bowl.
because he yields much Of the light of intelli-
gence and instruction. communicating kuowl-
edge aud counsel 10 the Church of God an
other is pipe to the Suuday-schOol and yet
another golden pipe runs TO the young mems
class; one Is pipe TO the poor and ignorant in
the streets. another to the sick another is
golden pipe TO those who are at home with
their families. There is some point to which
each one in Christs Church may help 20 con-
duct the golden oil to keep the blessed fame of
truth ever burning in this dark world. What
can one overseer do? What could 20 pastors
do? 1t is impossible, if you leave this work
entirely to u.s. that it will ever be- properly dis
charged. o, no. Let each member have its
own office IN the body, even as each pipe had
It's own oil to carry TO the one light of the can
dlestick which it had to supply. Do not get
out of your place do not interfere with other
peoples service; do your own work, and see
that it is well done, and then look over all the
Church, and pray the Lord 10 supervise the
whole, so that the golden bowl and the golden
pipes may all be in full operation"
a. We see the call for the help of the Holy
Spirit.
Well lie sees and knows if one light is
dim"
3. When any great structure is completed,
involving public interests and the result OF
much general cooperation in its construction.
there are great joy and demonstration on the
day on which the last stone is laid, when the
building is completed, standing forth in it's
strength and beauty. 1t took IS years to con-
struct Washington Monument at the Capital OF
our United States. Dec. 6. 1884. was a gaia
day. Then the capstone was laid amid loud
acclaim and deep rejoieings.
s. We remember that after Zerubbabel had
laid the foundations of the Temple there were
serious obstacles in the way of completing the
structure. For some years the work was sus-
pended. The opponents of the Jews made fun
of the building, and laughed at the failure to
finish it. We recall a modern illustration
For many years the partly constructed WASH
isgton Monument was a subject Of general
contempt and rideule. The stones became
stained, and even yet show the lines where the
structure was re-begun. Many American citi-
zens felt ashamed of the unsightly object.
7. WHO hath de5pised the day Of small
things?" (Y. 10.) 1t is never safe to depre-
Piata Of
later day grow out from such disdain. Great
things We're once small, and that little which
you now despse may some day be so situated
as to become either a great help to you or very
serious hindrance. Good sense, then, would
prompt Us to be considerable of smallnes5 if it
have in it possibilities of future potency. Many
man has been brought to grief when called to
face the now feared greatness which has devel-
oped from the former despised littleness- He
may find quite difficult to make explanations.