253
July, 1945
Thanks for Trials? To thank God for our cross, and to make it our choice, is the secret of rest and peace. Then the trial seems to grow lighter and lighter until at last we cease to regard it as a cross. It becomes a ladder by which we ascend to hold communion with Christ in the heavenly places. Some years after that saintly and scholarly preacher, George Matheson, lost his sight, he wrote: '“My God, I have never thanked Thee for my thorn; I have thanked Thee a thousand times for my roses but not once for my thorns. I have been looking forward to a world where I shall get compensation for my cross, but I have never thought of my cross, as itself a present glory. Teach me the glory of my cross; teach me the value of my thorn; show me that I have climbed to Thee by the path of pain; show me that my tears have made my rainbow.” When through divine grace we cease to rebel against our cross and accept it trustfully, cheerfully and grate fully, God is able to work out His beneficent purpose in our lives. The flowers of love, humility, patience and purity come to perfection in the garden of the -soul as we grow in the likeness of our Lord. Many who once were exceedingly active in the service of their Lord, and who at first regarded their cross as a calamity, are doing even more effective work than ever since they surren dered even this to God’s will and allowed Him to ful fill His purpose. They no longer mourn over their limi tations and “thorns in the flesh,” but thank God for their boundless opportunity. To make the cross our choice is more than resignation. We do not fold our hands and mournfully sing, "Thy will be done.” Rather do we seek to learn how through our cross we may fulfill God’s will and serve Him better. Many “shut-ins,” by their trust, patience and cheerful courage, are doing a far greater work for God than they realize. ■ Influence Upon Others So as we joyfully shoulder the cross God has laid upon us, we furnish inspiration and courage to other heavily-burdened souls. They look at us to see whether there is anything in the Christian faith. As they see us carrying our own burden lightly and cheerfully, they will begin to think, and wonder, and will soon long to know the secret of the victory we possess. The humble child of God who bears his heavy cross with a smile and a song may preach a far more effective sermon for God than many a scholarly and eloquent minister before a crowded congregation. Ultimately it is the life lived, the way we bear the daily vicissitudes, that has the most telling effect on our fellows. A month after his wife’s sudden death, Dr. Gossip, the famous Scottish preacher, was delayed for a moment in the crowd issuing from a church where he had preached. “If,” said a woman ahead of him, “I could believe what that man says, I would still make another try.» “You can safely believe him,” answered her older companion, “That man knows; his wife is dead.” This servant of the Lord testified that he had often prayed that God would use him to minister to eager throngs, but he discovered that it was only by hi!s choice of the cross that he was able to help other stricken hearts. Let us cease fretting and murmuring against our cross. Accept it as from the hand of a loving Father who knows best what is good for us. Epictetus said: “What Thou choosest for me is far better than what I would choose.” When we reach that stage where we make God’s choice our choice, then life will be trans formed. Everything in Tife will appear in a new light and we shall find that “in His will is our peace.” May grace be given to say from this hour: “Take Thou my cup and it With joy. or sorrow fill As best to Thee may seem; Choose Tkou my good or ill.”
To A Christian Airman There was no sunset and no evening star, But in the beauty of his morning’s light He took his journey to the land afar Where comes no night. Such flight as airmen dream of, when they mount A t dawn, and watch the spreading radiance vast Push back the suns and worlds beyond all count, Is his at last. He was a citizen of Heaven— stirred By music that his hands could never play, But only in his listening spirit heard And found today. No singing seraph and no cherubim Could join the song his raptured heart outpoured, For more than flight or song is this to him— He sees the Lordl — By Lorraine Austin. These beautiful lines were inspired by the death of LI. George Orr, younger brother of the Associate Editor of THE KING’S BUSINESS, who was killed instantly on April 11th, 1945, when his plane, carrying supplies to the ground troops, crashed at Makum Junction, Assam, India. Lt. Orr was not only a fine pilot of whom his commanding officers had only highest praise, but he was a true soldier of the Lord Jesus Christ and left a witness for Him everywhere he went. Being an accomplished organist, he attracted attention which gave him a wider oppor tunity to speak of his Saviour. Not only do we express to Dr. Orr and his family our deepest sympathy in this tragic loss , but we trust that all who have been thus bereaved may be'sus tained by the God of all comfort . — B. B.
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