The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1904-03-07
THE REVEREND ]. T. NJ. JOHNSTON,
Pastor of Delmar Avenue Baptist Church.

THE REVEREND ]. T. NJ. JOHNSTON,
Pastor of Delmar Avenue Baptist Church.
work God had in store for him. His
Young. imaginative mind was led to believe
that God spoke directly to men. Blessed
Is the child whose mother trains it from
early infancy to believe that God speIks
to men and calls them to special service.
by telling them these old Bible stories.
so many stories are written for chill
dren in this day that they have supplant-
ed Bible stories. Sometimes the teachings
Of mother seem forgotten in the croWded
days of business life. Perhaps so with
Moses. when he was about the throne OF
Egypt. but when he was in the desert
alone with his flock and his thoughts,
mothers stories of God and his people
came to hin afresh.
Again he was trained in the schools OF
Egypt. Scripture says he was Learned IN
all the wisdom of Egypt.
Then his keen observation of the lay
of the land of the desert, of every hill,
necessary to place Moses in the line OF
promotion in leading the millions out to
the promised land.
Second, God calls busy men. This call
came to Moses when he was at work. Goo
always calls busy men. Samuel. Gideon,
Elisha. Isaiah. Paul. If one is not busy
he is not in the line of promotion for
greater service for God.
Who are called as deacohs and for the
responsible offices of Gods church? Is II
the men who have never taken an active
DdfL OF SHOWN llGIlSelNtS NlllilS " Sci We
God in number capacities? Nay, If n
is not at work in Christ's church he is not
in the line of promotion for greater serv-
ice.
Third. God calls those who turn aside
to see. When Jehovah saw that he turned
aside TO see, God called unto him.
Suppose Moses had not turned aside
to the children of Israel ever
have crossed the sea?
Il believe God calls to-day just as for
merly; that there is a burning bush for
every man who has an alert eye and a
listening ear. Some special providence,
some unusual experience. something diff
ferent from the usual humdrum of life,
something out of the ordinary, which If
you will stop to consider. Gods voice can
be heard in it. There is a message in
but If We would hear the voice of God We
must turn aside to see.
1T Is possible to see the burning bush
and not hear the voice of God. Paul'S
companions on the way to Damascus saw
the light. but heard not the voice. God
calls every converted child Of his to some
great work. None can say. God overlooked
me in his plans for making the world
better.
And the cal, comes 10 us when we ore
IL the ordinary daily occupation. 1t came
to Moses while tending sheep; ii came to
Peter while fishing; IT came to Matthew
while he was collecting taxes; it came
to Luke while he was practicing medicine:
1t came to lincoln while he was splitting
rails; it cGme 10 Washington, when he
was surveying; it came TO the founder Of
the Y. NJ. C.. A. when he was handling
boxes in n dry goods store: ii came to
General Booth and Bernardo, and IT comes
10 the poorest of the poor and the hum
blest of the humble.
"Oh, for every member of this church.
whatever may be his daily occupation. 10
have an alert eye for his burning bush.
an eager ear for the voice Of God, call
ing him to greater service"