The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1897-11-09

peTdClFe.
God gives to every man his work to
do. In Mark we read-'To every man
his work" This work is fitted to every
man. That is, A is not called upon or
required to do the precise work that
B is called pom to do. This is a very
practical world we all live in n in it
there is not one immortal, sentient
being who is left without a specific
work to perform, which work is spe-
cially adapted to his range of capacity,
to his opportunities and surroundings.
1t is Gods plan that all men should
work by His plan, for He has a plan
for every life. 1t has been so from the
dim past until now. 1t is only best
for man when he learns what Gods
plans for him are and he adapts himself
to it without murmuring or rebellious
thought. Each man has his peculiar,
personal qualities and gifts, and he
must exercise them with all due con-
sideration and responsibility as the
plan is revealed to him. No man can
do another mans work for him, what
ever that work may be. AS each day
has it's own duties and responsibilities,
so each man must attend diligently,
faithfully to those that fall to his lot
in life, n if he shirks he will be held
responsible. The Saviour felt this,
needed this, for He said: II must work
the works of Him that sent me, while
it is day; the night cometh when no
man can work." If the Lord and Mas
ter realized this and acted upon it
with unfaltering fidelity and zeal, how
must His followers bear themselves? If
the Christ had particular, defined work
to do on earth what must His children
do in view of personal responsibility
and with limited time to do it in, while
it is day." There are a great many
things for you to do, for all to do. They
are not all alike and they are not re-
peated in orderly succession. Each day
brings it's duties and it's special work,
and yet they nay differ often, do diff
fer often. Each immortal man, with
immortal individuality, has his sphere
in which to move to live, to do. One
man is called to labor in one field of
CIOCoFOA, dAlOtACI uldA III 4uIlC d Nll-
ferent field. But all have work, specific
work that may not be neglected.
Whether a man breaches or teaches;
whether he is journalist or lawyer;
whether man of science or physician;
whether merchant or manufacturer;
whether farmer of laborer; whether in
this field or that, each has the work
of his life before him, and must per-
form it we'll and faithfully. God de-
mands fidelity, zeal, purity wherever
you toll, in whatever vocation it may
be. What Christianity so greatly needs
now is consecrated piety. 1t needs the
faithful help Of faithful men and it
needs it in the pulpit, where so much
ignorance abounds; in the newspaper
office, where there is so much strain, so
many exacting demands, so much i'm
PEELED superficiality; inthe seats of
learning where there is so much of pre-
tension, false teaching and ignorance;
in the offices of professional men that
they may live for Christ and exert a
high, wholesome influence; in the scene
of the business mans labors where he
may not forget God, but s~teadfaStly
obey Him, serve, honor Him ip all he
does. Christianity needs sorelE faith
full, earnest. profoundly pious men to
carry the torch of a pure philosophy
and learning, to exhibit Bible truth
in daily life and conversation, to set
forth continually before men the
splendid and glowing conception of the
higher life, the divine life in the hu-
man. These are the true men to be
coadjutors and exemp1ars in Christian
work. They are the ones to be faith
full, strong. joyous fellow laborers in
the vineyard Of the blessed Lord and
Master. To each and all God gives His
special work, and if we'll and faith
fully lone to ach He will say I'VE
don thou good and faithful servant"
The Bible teaches holiness in many
places. If a man is really born into
the kingdom of righteousness he should
not continue in sin. viii he willingly