The Knoxville independent. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1917-09-01

L n
of our daily read
,ssssar, ef ing Of the Bible,
we soon lose our
interest in it, and find 1t rather a dull
book.
If you reply: 81 do not seem to get
much inspiration from the Bible, In
fact, doubt if / have gotten a fresh
Idea from 1t in week." let me ask
you If you take time to think on what
you read. Gold has to be mined and
diamonds are dug from the depths Of
the earth. In fact, very few of Gods
best gifts can be obtained without eff
fort. So the Scriptures must be
searched if one will discover their
hidden treasures, and even truths re-
quire prayer and thought before it re-
veals its full beauty and strength.
Aside from the daily lessons which
God gives us from our morning read
Ing, If we look for them earnestly, and
we may be sure they are adapted to
our needs for that day, we wish to call
attention to the opportunities for serv-
ice which arise from our contact with
people on the way to or from business,
or on the train, or In the performance
of our daily duties. How often at the
table conversation drags, and almost
dies for lack of fresh subject, and
vet how seldom anyone ventures to In
troduce a religious topic, even where
the majority of the people present are
protesting Christians.
Out of the Abundance of the Heart.
On the other hand, how refreshing
1t is to meet one who is evidently in
the condition of Peter and John, who
said: ''We cannot but speak the
things which we have seen and heard"
A gentleman overlook a stranger and
Invited him to ride. AS he approached
him he said TO himself: II wonder
what the man is thinking about and
what subject of conversation he will
introduce. Surely it will be one Of
three things-the weather, the crops
or the election" 1t was none of these.
His first words after the salutations
were: "How's religion down in your
country?" The question startled the
man a little by it's directness, but it
showed where the others heart and
hopes were, and led to a long and
profitable conversation on spiritual
things.
How much might be accomplished
by each of us if our hearts were warm
and glowing with love to Christ, and
our minds on the alert to improve ev-
cry opportunity that God sets before
us. Instead Of telling dozen people
tomorrow that it is q fine day, or that
1T looks like rain, suppose we give the
weather rest and try to talk about
something more profitable. If your
neighbor opens up the subject of war,
ask him if he ever noticed that verse
in Psalms where God says, "He max
eth wars to cease unto the ends Of the
EARTH" or say: "Here is verse which
has helped me lately. Let me give it
to you" If they open up on the
weather and complain because the day
is so cold or wet, meet their COM
plants by saying: "This is the day
which the Lord hath made; we will
rejoice and be glad in it," Try this
on dozen people the next rainy day
that comes, and watch the effect of it.
Or call attention to the promise in
Isaiah So 10, that as the rain cometh
down, and the snow from heaven, and
returneth not thither until it has done
its appointed work, so shall my word
be that goeth out of my mouth; it
shall not return unto me void, but 1t
shall accomplish that which / please.
What an opportunity this gives one to
talk on Gods overruling Providence,
and the certainty that his purpose will
be fulfilled.
Refreshing in the Word.
If the day be hot and sultry, what
more refreshing than the verse, "He
shall come down like rain upon the
mown grass; as showers that water
the earth. "-Ps. 1916. Whatever the
weather or political conditions may be,
there is always some way of diverting
attention to spiritual things if we will
make a study of the fine art Of relig-
ious conversation.
And just as nursing mother eats
both for herself and her child, so, as
we read the Bible, we should be on
the lookout for truth which we can
pass on to others. And as nurses in
royal families are fed more carefully
and bountifully because they supply
life to the kings children, so we may
be sure God will cause his word to
dwell in us more richly, If he knows
that We will pass it on to others.