The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1918-07-25
THE PEOPLES FORUM.
The Fare to Tarshish.

Resuming, where left off in my last,
let me say that if we refuse to do Gods
will, we may be set aside and allowed
to find our way in the future as best we
can. We may be cast away from
service. Paul feared he might be, even
though he had preached to others.
know an old man, who in his young
manhood had felt the call to preach,
but he would not heed it. There was
sadness in countenance and regret in
his voice. AS he told me of the mis-
take of his life. He meyer succeeded
in life. That burden was ever on his
heart. He had refused to answer the
divine call.
He went to Tarshish, instead of
Nineyeh, but he paid fabulous price
for his ticket. The only safe way is to
do Gods will. Many one has felt the
gentle wooings of the Holy Spirit.
which would lead them to Christ, but
has stifled the divine voice, refused to
be led into the way of life, and would
not surrender to or serve Jesus. Its
the old story. After repeated ad-
monitions they settled down into torpor
and Indifference. Nothing could arouse
them to action. They had paid the fare
to Tarshish and thither they would go.
A man was approached in revival
tho cI1h1aot Of pnrcaro1
ceptance of Christ. He politely said,
there is no use talking to me, speak to
the young people, l had conviction once,
but | refused to accept and now its too
late-no use talking to me. He could
not be moved.
He had been almost persuaded, but
dismissed it. and now he was cast
away from, at least in his own estima-
ton. You may recall the song, "The
Bird with the broken Pinion, never
rises so high again." 1t was popular in
its day. The idea of the song was that
a person that had failed in life, or that
had been wild, never could be what they
might have been. It's theology is false,
for it seems to make salvation depend
on our works, whereas, Salvation is
OF God"
AS Doctor Gray, quantity says, ut
depends on who mends the wing" 1t
may be true of birds but not of men.
1t is not the fact that God casts US off
for our dsobedience. Sometimes such
an experience may fit US for greater
and better work FOR the Master Many
a one has been thus fitted, though l
would not advocate or even advise any
one to transgress Gods law or disobey
His word with the idea that it will fit
you for greater service. While it may,
it is also true that it may lead you
astray and be allowed of the Lord to go
your own way.
The Lord seems to be preparing His
people for some great work or rich
experience.
Just now He has placad US in the
school of prayer. To pray we'll. is said
to be better than to preach well. 1t is
no doubt a great attainment to be able
to pray well. He is showing His people
how to pray and what to pray for. The
Holy Spirit who represents Christ is
speaking for Him, He is teaching US to
pray; reproving, rebuking, enlightening,
strengthening and comforting His
people. The Holy Spirit intercedes in
US, and Christ intercedes for US, so the
Father is pleased to grant our requests.
And Jonah Prayed" is the terse &C.
count. 1t was a remarkable prayer
too. You will notice it was not for de-
liverance; but with cry of pain and
sorrow in it, he meditates on the power
and wisdom of God.
He pledges anew to pay his vows.
Then-when Jonah had been brought to
repentance for and confession of sin
did the Lord speak to the fish and
Jonah was delivered. His prayer is
characterized by confidence and thanks
giving. His situation was desperate.
But he was conscious. Here is where
the miraculous element appears. Natur-
ally, and it accord with natural law, he
would have been smothered to death in
a few seconds, and in a few hours he
who was known as the prophet Jonah,
would have been transformed into fish.
But the Lord was fitting his servant for
a great work, therefore he prayed. If
we will drink in the spirit of confidence
which Jonah had it will be help to US.
God does not change. He loves us still
though we fail in duty and run away
from hard tasks. He wants the gospel
to be taken to the needy now, as He
did then. We consider the difficulties;
we are afraid of the giants we may
meet, and so beg the Lord to remove
them. though we should remember that
God is interested in and will help US,
only be confident that in his own time
f.