Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-08-03

mentS Tor ana against, anu. HdNliiS iC-
solved. assumes the chosen task
We pay too much attention to effects
and not enough to causes in this life.
Back of each great philanthropy there
was an hour in which the giver of great
gifts stood face to face with the alterna-
tiyes Of selfish use or noble sharing of his
goods. Back of each great life given up
to mission field or nursing of the sick
there is the crucial hour In which the
cross looms large enough to hide the
world or the dull moan of pain browns
the alluring music of present pleasure.
Two texts are given to guide US in our
thought of great decisions and the call
of God. The first is that familiar pas
sage from the sixth chapter of Isaiah. In
which he sees the vision of the throne
of God and hears Him cry aloud for hui
man help, and as that cry rings in his
listening ear, the prophet deplores his
own unworthiness: then comes the angel
from the courts of light, touches his lips
with the live coal from off the altar, and
he, purged from his sin. cries out, Here
am /; send me-.
The second scripture is too great for
paraphrase The Sinless Son of God
comes to the fords Of Jordan. humbly
accepts at Johns protesting hands the
sacrament that is to mark His church.
then takes His way. under the Spirit S
power, to that fierce contest with the
prince of evil in which He tastes for
and the grace of God Victorious, He
, comes, as we shall later learn; but the
seed of that great victory was sown in
that decisive hour when he assumed the
task of saving a man with all that it
involved of labor. shame and pain.
Three vital factors enter into all great
decisions such as these-namely, the call.
the cost and the decision.
& * + x
The Call.
Insistent as the thunder of the sea,
clamoring to be heard, like children
crying in the night. greater than call of
appetite or lure of love, is that demand
upon the soul of man made by the spirit
OF the living God. which calls upon it to
surrender all, even the life itself, for
Jesus sake.
Jesus calls DER the tumult
OF our LIES wild restless sea:
Day by day His sweet voice soundeth.
Saying, Christian follow me.
Jesus calls us from the worship
OF the vain worlds golden store:
From each idol that would keep
Saying, Christian love me more.
In our joys and in our sorrows.
Days of toll and hours of ease.
Still He calls. In cares and pleasures,
Saying. love me more than these
And it is this call of the spirit. finding
response within the heart of man, thai
has sent out to sacrifice and service the
choicest spirits of the race.
The Cost.
The price of power is always great
Greater than that of ease, or wealth, OF
pleasure; no commodity in all the realm
of mans desire approaches power in
price. But the costliest form of power
| is spiritual power; power to do the will
and work of God with an abandonment
Of hope of personal gain. or earthly fame
or praise.
The price is great. but not to be com
pared with the potentality it purcha SEES
When we have paid the price. counting
the cost and laying upon the altar of our
purpose every possession which it's case
demands. we have the secret of achieve
| ment known to few and employed by few
er still: for we'll has Jesus said that
Many are called and few are chosen.
Ii was the final word concerning this
of which we speak which Jesus gave to
those who in His day counted the price
too high. If any man will come after
me let him deny himself and take up his
daily cross and follow me- He paid
for our redemption with His own coined
blood. and only as we bring the best we
have of power. Of love, of gifts to have
them coined for service in the minis of
God may we possess the highest type of
power.