Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1939-03-23
THE GREATEST GIFT

Just now the hymn 90 Jesus Thou
Art Standing comes often to my
mind. 1t speaks of the Master as
lin lowly patience waiting to pass
the threshold o'er'' How many of
US have shut Him out in one way or
another? Some Of us have been too
busy to allow Him any place in our
thoughts or our hearts. The house
wife busy with her cleaning and
cooking; the merchant trying to
keep the articles on his shelves NOV
ing; the farmer making his round OF
daily chores and preparing for the
spring work; the young folks with
their school work, their games, ana
their travelling here and there; the
Ell up with the duties of his calling;
aid the society folks with their teas
and bridge parties have all but for
gotten the one who came into the
world that we might have more
abundant life
Some have allowed hatred or sus-
picion to close the door of their
hearts. As long as we refuse to for
give our brother who may or may
pect the Master to have His way
with US Nothing grieves Him so
much as someone holding fast to a
grudge. / believe that this is the
objectionable sin, the sin against
the Holy Ghost, to be SO set in our
way that we have no mercy. There
is nothing that makes Jesus so hap
py as to have friendship renewed,
a family reunited through love,
reighbors willing to overlook the
differences of opinion or policy that
may arise, and nations at peace with
one another.
Some have yielded to the tempta-
ton of their own lower and more
beastly selves and so have locked
the door against the Saviour. When
ever a person yields to his baser in
stincts or desires, he shuts Him out.
One who so far loses his self-controf
as to give way to fit of anger, to-
lust, or to any of his animal appe-
tites leaves the Master standing and
waiting. Some have allowed fear to
enter into their lives and keep them
f@-=- To~Hs The over-anxiety for
the morrow which makes them lay
y or provisions in too great
supply is not calculated to bring our
lives in touch with the Christ. Peo-
pie who are fearful that they will
not have as fine clothes, drive as
nice a car, or have as good a posi-
ton as some of their friends or ac-
Quaintances, are sure to shut the
door in the Masters face. Those
who are unduly concerned about
their health or their looks are apt
to miss the one who could lead them
into freer and better way of life.
Not so long ago We presented our
gifts in memory of the birthday of
the child of Bethlehem. And yet
most of us have forgotten the great
est gift of all, the gift of ourselves
to the Saviour. Especially during
this Lenten season we should be
thinking of making such a step.
This means sacrifice, and sacrifice
brings pain. But without giving up
there is no life, no growth. Con-
there is the sprout showing itself
through the swelling seed; then the
tender green shoot bursting into
bloom and becoming a stronger and
more woody stalk; after that the
bloom dropping off and the fruit ap-
pearing and growing; and finally
the picker separating the ripened
fruit from the plant Every step
means the giving up of something,
strength, the loss of the blossom,
and lastly the yielding up of the
fruit. And that is the way with us.
We can not hope to grow into the
likeness of Christ, without some
sacrifice, some giving up. For US
there must be no place too humble;
no apology too bitter, and no for
giveness too great.
At this time of year when all
around us nature is beginning to
show signs of new life, when flow
erets are bursting into bloom" it is
fitting that we make a fresh start.
May we cease being so much occu-
pied with the daily round that we
have no time for the lowly Jesus.
May we stop tanning the flames OF
hatred and suspicion in our hearts
and instead allow the love of the
Master to hold full sway. May we
lean on Him and thus gain strength
to overcome any temptation. May
we make haste to open the door and
allow Him to enter into every day,
every moment of our lives, freeing
them of any needless worry May
we take up our cross and follow the
Saviour at this Easter time.-E. D.
Wittlio