The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1912-06-11

with us. And you, sister, had better
use the voice that God gave you and
not want to become a prima donna, or
YOU may not sing around the great
White Throne.
Speaking of Rockefeller's money re-
minds me that this has become mon
ey age Money is such as easy medium
of exchange, that Gods best gifts, and
even the Gospel itself, are diffused by
means of it. We have seen the medium
serving it's purpose so constantly that
we have mistaken the medium for the
gift itself. And it has come to pass
that thousands think money the only
gift to be ministered.
Two errors are born of this notion.
The one is that if we have not money,
we have no stewardship, and may fold
our hands. The other is that if money
is freely given, nothing more is re-
quired.
"Whatever the gift, use it." If God
has given you more, brains and heart
than money, then money is not the
material of your stewardship. God
has given you that which is above the
price of rubies, that which money
can not buy, and it is that priceless
thing you are to minister. But If God
| has given you money, you may not
purchase immunity from it's use with
songs and prayers.
But there are poor deluded souls
who imagine, with Solomon, that
money answers all things and when
they have paid their money, expect to
be excused from every sort of minis
try. A rich family moved into New
York city some years ago. Having an
"eye to business" they sampled" the
churches of the neighborhood, and
finally settled upon one that promised
access to the social elevator. They
selected a conspicuous pew, and
sought an interview with the pastor.
Doctor, We should like to join your
church." said the father. eve shall
be glad to have you," was the reply.
eve are willing to pay literally for
i that pew, there, but we want it under
stood that we are to be bothered about
no sort of work" in the church. %
Looking him squarely in the eyes, the
minister said "You have come to
the wrong church, brother; what you
want is the Church Of the Heavenly
Rest around the corner"
Money is only a medium, and only
one medium at that. The gift itself is
behind the medium, and nothing may
usurp the place of the gift in this min
istry.
"But what is my gift, % asks the earn
est soul. 1t is not for me to answer;
that is the function of your college
education Here you try yourself out;
here you discover and develop your
gift. Here God answers your question,
81 Lord. what wilt thou have me to do?''
Here the talent is laid in your hand,
and you are bidden, Occupy till l
come"
But does not God CALI men into
their stewardship" asks someone. In
deed He does. Your gift is Gods call
as loud as when Isaiah heard His
voice from the throne high and lifted
iup," saying: Whom shall 1 send, and
who will go for us?" And may God
give you grace to say with the prophet:
Here am l, send me-"
Do. you covet success, and are you
enamored of victory? Here is the Sc
cret: "Whatever the gift, use it." Do
you fear defeat, do you dread failure?
Then be not "disobedient to the heav-
enly vision
w.
Our text marks out the field for
the ministry Of gifts. Minister the
same one to another" use it in the
service of others. Every man has his
gift, but no man has all the gifts OF
Gods varied bounty. No man is COM
plete in himself. We need one an
other. For none of us liveth to hinl-
self, and no man dieth to himself"
eve, being many, are one body and
every one members one of another
This is why God made us to differ.
There can be no body without Or
gans and members. And body dies
when IFS members cease to minister