Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-05-19
Big job, Awsi ing Us
Sermon by
REV. FLOYD w. TOMI<INS.
TcIfi I.rnlua Ill LII
Text, Exodus III. LII.

Pharaoh and the Egyptians. 1t would
nave been an heroic work for any one
uhdcr any circumstances. and the pre-
Nious history OF Moses rendered the
u'flicultics much greater. lie had been
brought up in the Kings palace. lie
hid killed an Egyptian who ill-treatcu
an lsraclitc. He was scorned by "A
Fellow Hebrew whom he tried to help.
ana he was himself in enforced exile
III INDIAN. Everything seemed TO
make him tho las, person to attempt
such great task, yet Cod called him
10 It, How contrary to our human
judgments Cod sometimes seems TO act!
we ought TO trust Him moro perfectly
Tor he makes no mistakes. And we are
OFTEN called to do things which seem
as Impossible for us TO accomplish a.
fiis work appeared impossible TO
moses. God gives US some easy things
. 10 do. but He also gives us some hard
| things. and we know that IL is the
nara Things that really make true men
"i us ana lift life TO high place Of
responsibility. Washington was called
great task when the people de-
ihandcd that he take the lead In free
Ing the American colonies Lincoln
was called 10 great task when slavery
hao 10 be driven from our land. And
We know how they both hesitated i'm
mo race OF the problem. and then by
200 grace. were enabled to accom-
p!ish glorious things. Let us never be
AFRAID TO attempt great works when
We are sure that God calls us. He
never tails TO support and make vic
torlous those who bravely and hurnbly
answer when He calls: Here am l."
NOTHING INSIGNIFICANT
IN THE SIGHT OF GOD
We must remember that nothing is
insiEnihcant in Gods sight. and hence
an our tasks are great. and we must
NnihN OF them as demanding the use
% All our powers and the consecra-
tion OF all our gifts. IT Is the slight
S OF "hat We term little tasks tina,
hoids the world back from perfection.
~ every man did his part and did /,
wen IN the economy OF life, how rapid
"ooid DC our advance! But men are
e"Fe!ess. and do things in hasty dis
Gard or else leave them undone and
=, nave TO take up the burden.
~ ~ sad comment on humanity thar
true man who wants TO do RICH; has
20 perform not only his own task hu,
lhc neglected task OF nine other men,
Ana In addition he generally has In
uhdo That which some one has done
wrongly.
bui there arc especial tasks in human
NE which call for great ana wise
ehersE. There arc tho problems as
soc!"ted VITA public evils, like drink
ana impurity and dishonesty. There
Is the problem OF war TO he solved. tina,
~
"iid thirst for supremacy or an
lHd!gnation at imagined insults There
- IN" problem OF city government,
winch. according TO discount Bryce. is
tne great problem OF America Ana.
ABOVE all else. there is the problem
no" 20 make men believe the Gospel
mat tney may become righteous and
'od tearing. Let US not forget these
Dig things in the rush OF daily ,o,i
ihcE appeal To every true man. ana
'hcy demand the sincere activity Of
us all.
GOD CALLS MEN IN
TINE or PUBLIC NEED
There must be leaders God in tho
bio!e history always called men. as
. ne ca!teu Moses TO take the initiative
"hch some necessity was pressing. and
he men thuL chosen We're comn,r.
lively unknown. Gideon was called 10
1eieat the enemies OF his country.
Daniel was called TO declare Gods
ruin TO the people OF Babylon. Paul
summoned TO he the apostle OF
ne Gcntiles. And all through the his
DRY OF Christianity men were raised
up Tor emergencies and great advances
IN sense. We are all called ,o he
CATERS, each in his own place f.,
America every man is sovereign Bui
are also called 10 be loyal 10 those
Nhon we choose as our special leaders
Tor special tasks. Indeed, the reaIizu
loh OF big things TO be done demands
fuch loyalty as shall assure success
through the faithfu!ncss Of each man
the principles which are 10 be estnb-
ished' 1t Is the intelligence Of each
single soldier whose heart is I'm tho
struggle because he knows the rirh,
or which he is battling, that assures
Tictory. and SO in our conflicts for
moral and civic and national excellence
Nhie we follow our leaders it must
lot be with blindness which makes
is slaves. but with an enthusia.
Intelligence which holds us to effor,
because the thing for which we arc
striving is right
CHURCHES SHOULD
UNDERTAKE DIG work
In our churches we should undertake
Pome big work. 1t is not profitable for
Is Just TO go along In the old way
rs II inc new cras OF life had no
greater demands than the eras OF our
Srandfathers. Every living church
attempts some big thing, and the a..
empt arouscs the enthusiasm Of ~.
,eople and unites them in hearty an
lcaFor. Icrhaps new mission in
he city calls for big effort, perhaps
he support of some missionary I'm
oreiSn lands asks for our z.ai =,
nay be real evangelistic campaign IN
bring men to Christ is necessary. Let
Is in our churches undertake. som.
arge task to which God calls US. Ana
or every individual. aside from mis-
zig general effort. there is a speci,l
all How about that man who is M,
Christian? Can YOU not accent i, n :
our work 10 bring him 10 the Master
'ersevcringly keeping at it, wisely
ovingiy. prayerfully, but with dntnr.
p!nation? There is a man who ,s
smpted: he has wandered away and
reeds some one to bring him back
AN you not do il, with Gods helm.
mere is poor family needing your
guidance. not only to supply their
emporal needs, but to establish then,
pm basis OF self-rcspccting SELF
support. Can you not attempt il?
Your minister needs some one ~
Undertake speca! work, to care for
class OF boys or to manage some
'roup OF people in n clear line OF work,
lave you offered yourself? These are
pig tasks calling for energy ana con
ecration. or course. you feel your-
elf unworthy and untitled IT yo,