The Pleasantville press. (Pleasantville, N.J.) 1912-1929, 1916-07-29

- work of the Holy
Spirit, who is sent
forth by God the father to call out the
church, which is the bride Of him, typi-
fed by Isaac, even Jesus Christ our
Lord. Since the Holy Spirit uses men
in this sacred work, the chapter under
consideration furnishes many points
of instruction for the soul winner.
First of all, we note that Abraham's
servant was anxious for the glory of
his master. He prays, Show kindness
unto my master Abraham" This mo-
tive will affect many things in our
Christian service. On one occasion,
after a sermon, remarkable from the
literary standpoint as well as in other
ways, one of the hearers remarked,
What beautiful language the preacher
used" True servants of Christ are
troubled if his face is yelled, ever by
beautiful language. They would rath-
er glory in intirmity if the power of
Christ might rest upon them. We have
heard of a church upon the back of
whose pulpit was carved this text.
"Sirs, we would see Jesus" Every
minister who sat behind this pulpit
faced this appeal, and every worker
who has the spirit of Abraham's serv-
ant will seek to heed this appeal.
Notice again, that the servant of
Abraham received guidance. He was
led to the well where Rebekah watered
her focks and she was pointed out to
him as the bride for his master. AS
the servant expressed it, Il being in
the way, the Lord led me-" The writ
er has a friend who was a pastor in
a southern town. He longed for the
salvation of a man who lived out in the
country, but although he visited his
house, he seemed never to find an op-
p~ortunity to speak with him privately
concerning his soul. On one occasion,
this minister was impressed that he
should pay a special visit in the hope
of reaching the man in question. AS
the impression persisted, he took the
train and finally reached the house.
1t looked as if no one were at home
and he began to chide himself for his
foolish trip. Nevertheless, he raped
at the door, which was opened by the
man he wished to see and who vel
coined him heartily, saying, II am all
alone today and was just wishing that
you would come here and tell me how
to become a Christian" Undoubtedly
God still leads his servants.
Again the servant gave gifts to Re-
bekah, jewels of silver, jewels of gold
and raiment. How happy it is that
Christian workers, though poor, as
Paul was, may make many rich. I'm
happy the Christian worker who has
nothing better to give than bread and
soup and clothes. Abraham's servant
gave to Rebekah an earnest of the
riches which should be hers when she
came into Isaac's tent. So should
Christian workers be filled with an
earnest of the coming glory and scat
ter its light and blessing to all those
to whom them minister.
We may say a word, also, about the
bride. 1t will be noted that the serv-
ant found her by the well of water.
These words may fall under the eye of
someone who is signing to become a
member of the bride of Christ. May
not the incident under consideration
suggest to him that he should be found
by the well of water, which may hint
at the means of grace. When Charles
Sturgeon was seeking to know the
love of Christ, he went from church to
church throughout London, trusting
that the word of some minister might
bring to him the blessing he sought.
He at last found peace in a Primitive
Methodist chapel, where he had taken
shelter from a snowstorm one Sunday
morning.
And what a lesson is conveyed by
the fact that as soon as Rebekah had
the ring and bracelet upon her hand,
she ran and told them of her moth
er's house all that Abraham's servant
had said. AS one has put it, we must
either give our religion away or else
give it up. Would that all of us were
as busy in spreading the good tidings
as was Uncle John Vassar. DIR. A. j.
Gordon tells of once driving along a
country road with this good man. A
gentleman stopped them to inquire the
way to Dedham. After the directions
were given, Uncle John Vassar turned
to the man and said, Friend, l too
am a stranger and pilgrim in the
earth, but am seeking a better coun-
try, ever a heavenly. Allow me to
ask if you know the way to that coun-
try and are journeying thither?" 1t
was done so naturally and sincerely
that the man stood as if %spellbound
under this gracious appeal