The theocrat. [volume] (Zion City [i.e. Zion], Ill.) 1914-1949, 1918-06-15

specific training if we would be of most SER
vice in the world.
AS soon as we have ascertained what our
calling is, let us go on with our preparations
with zeal and determination that will per-
NIT nothing to stop or hinder us, remember
ing that, "Whatsoever We do, do it heartily,
as to the Lord and not unto men,"
If at times the way seems long, we have
only to turn to the life of the Christ to OBJ
tain new inspiration. He spent thirty years
in training for His mission of love and mercy
before He entered upon the work He came to
do. He overcame trials and temptations to
which ours will be as nothing. Shall we,
then, shrink from what may seem long per-
iod of spiritual, mental and physical train
ing, when even the Savior of the world
Stunned not the necessary hardships of pre-
paration? Never for it is promised, 'To him
that overcometh will [ grant to sit on My
throne, even as | overcame and am set down
with My Father in His throne
Then, when our preparations have all been
completed, and we stand ready for the place
to which God has called us, what them
Shall we forget the purpose of our calling,
and make it answer for our own interests, or
shall we fill it for the good of others? Let
the latter ever be our aim.
| At the same time, however, we should con-
slider that for our work to be entirely accept
able to our Father in heaven we must labor
not alone for humanity, but primarily for the
glory of God. To fail to do this will result
in our losing the eternal reward which shall
be ours. If we leave God out of our plans we
may expect to be deprived of His blessing.
Our greatest endeavors should, be for Gods
glory on earth.
So, my classmates and friends let us use
our talents in our Masters service for the
good of our fellow men. Let us make our
lives missions of blessing to those about us,
and of service to our Father above. Let us
do nothing, great or small upon which we
cannot ask Gods blessing. Let us strive to
accomplish something which will be remem-
bered by our Savior when we give to Him the
account of our stewardship.
When that time comes, may not one be left
behind in the race which is mot to the
swift" nor fall in the battle which is mot to
the strong" Let us fulfill all these condi-
tions, and fail not to do our duty to God in
Zion, and then we can be sure that we will
receive the crown which has been laid away
until that day when the Lord, 'the Righteous
Judge" will reward His servants
IN HONEST LABOR THERE is PROFIT
By Miss Eva Teeple
From the very beginning man was given
work. That man should labor was in Gods
infinite plan of creation when He placed
Adam in the Garden of Eden ''to dress it and
keep it, And ever since, the world has been
full of work for men and women to do.
Work = great, vital, important work and
humble, insignificant, obscure work, which
must be done by some one
{ What is History but the story of the la
bours of MANI labours for selfshness and
greedy desire, which have caused confusion
and chaos, hatred and wars; and labours for
the glory of God and the good of ones fellow
men, which have uplfted and bettered hu-
manity.
And how miserable would we be without
labour! Sloth brings nothing but care and
discomfort, and idleness is not rest. Sloth
and Incidence have no part in a Christian
life, and will make nothing of one. If we
are not making an effort, and progressing,
we are losing ground. Take heed from Hor-
aces fool, the peasant, who sat on the bank
of the river and waited for it to go by. O,
how patiently he waited, but nothing ever
happened and the time was gone lost for
ever. He had been indolent and not indus
Itrious.
Now, honest labour will lift us above our
selves, and give us satisfaction in that we are
accomplishing something. What is honest
labour? The only right kind of labour, the
labour which brings us joy and profit an
effort made for others. If we labour only
for self, regardless of the world and humani-
ty around us, in the end it will profit us moth
ing AS in the parable of the rich man who
toiled all his life increasing his possessions:
when at last he felt satisfied and intended to
Ispend the remainder of his life enjoying his
wealth, that very night his soul was required
of him. There he stood - empty handed -
all the labOur of his life in vain