112
February 1929
T h e
K i n g ' s
B u s i n e s s
Fifty-Seven Years—and S till Waiting T HE pioneer party of the Unevangelized Africa Mis sion, of which Dr. Charles E. Hurlburt is the Direc tor, while at Kigoma on the eastern shore of Lake Tan ganyika awaiting a steamer, went about four miles south on the lake to the town of Ujiji, which is remembered as the historic meeting place of. Stanley and Livingstone. The journey to Ujiji was along a native pathway that afforded many beautiful views of the country. On arriv ing in the town they were directed through uneven streets, between rows of thatch-roofed houses. Curious natives followed; and by the time they reached the spot a crowd had gathered. The “meeting” took place under a tree which is enclosed by a substantial fence and appropriately marked with a slab bearing the inscription: STANLEY LIVINGSTONE, 1871. What a privilege to stand in the shadow of the same tree that had sheltered the two great missionary-explor ers ! And how challenged they were by the vivid memory of that life consumed by zeal for the evangelization of the “dark continent” ! But what heaviness of heart followed as they learned from natives that, as yet, there is no mis sionary in this town or in the surrounding district. One feeble old man in the group was a boy when the notable meeting took place. Since that day, nearly two genera tions have passed into eternity unwarned, and Christ is still unknown to these people. Shall we not covenant to pray that soon the torch of the Gospel that Livingstone laid down shall be lifted up in Ujiji? Communications concerning the work may be addressed to Dr. Charles E. Hurlburt at 536 South Hope Street, Los Angeles, California. There is first of all the figure of the banker and the depositor. Paul writes to his young friend Timothy ex horting him : “Guard that good thing which is committed unto thy care through the Holy Spirit who dwelleth in thee.” And again: “The things which thou hast heard from me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men who shall be able to teach others also.” Every Christian with an experience of Christ is, in a sense, the executor and administrator of a divinely exe cuted will, a heavenly testament by which sinful men may become heirs to an inheritance among them that are sanc tified. No banker has a right to employ the money of his depositors for his own enrichment ahd their impoverish ment. When they come again demanding their own, they must receive it with interest. Not alone is it to be kept securely but employed advantageously to them. The New Testament presents every Christian under the character of a trustee. The Gospel experience is committed to us in trust that we pass it on. The millions of the unsaved about us are the divinely appointed legatees of the Gospel message, experience and heritage. Bankers, Trustees, Executors Dr. J. C. Massee calls attention to the fact that there are three figures by which his stewardship, or trusteeship, is emphasized in the New Testament.
The Christian who withholds the knowledge of Christ from the unsaved has proved himself thereby unworthy the trust of God and of man. He stands forever con demned before the bar of his own soul. He limits the power of God who offers to men that without which they must eternally perish. a s At His Expense Great riches at Christ’s expense! How did He win them for us? Only by becoming poor Himself. “He emptied Himself; He gave up the highest place in heaven for the lowest place on earth.” He forsook “the glory which He had with the Father before the world was” (John 17:5), and took on Him the form of a servant— took hold of the seed of Abraham, to be the friend of publicans and sinners, and die on a cross for man’s sake. There was no other way whereby sin could be atoned for— “Death and the curse were in our cup, O Christ, ’twas full for Thee. But Thou hast drained the last dark drop, ’Tis empty now for me. The charm about the great riches of grace is they never take to themselves wings and fly away (Prov. 2 3 :5), which is the sad fate of many an earthly fortune. On the contrary, the fact always remains that He giveth more grace or a greater grace (Jas. 4 :6, R. V .). St. Paul spoke of a second grace which he had for the saints at Corinth (2 Cor. 1 :15, R. V.), and it may yet be today with us the hundred and second grace, for the riches of Christ are unsearchable (Eph. 3:8). Does it not remain for us to see that His grace is not bestowed upon us in vain? (1 Cor. 15 :10). He wants that the outcome of His grace in us should be seen in “labors more abundant,” according as He shows us opportunity, and that we should give with a generous hand to others, out of the great riches which He has so lavishly bestowed upon ourselves. —S. S. McCurry. m Ask God—Not M an ! Archbishop Cranmer says: “If thou be desirous to know whether thou be in the right faith or no, seek it not at man’s mouth, seek it not at a proud, glorious and wav ering sort of bishop’s and priest’s, but at God’s own mouth, which is His Holy Word written, which can neither lie, deceive, nor be deceived.” That bitter cup—Love drank it u p ; Now blessing’s draught for me.”
The flower Bethlehem saw bloom Out of a heart all full of grace, Gave never forth its full perfume Until the cross became its vase.
—John A . Wray.
Two Bears Being, all of us, full of faults, we ought to keep two bears, and learn to bear and forbear with one another.— Spurgeon.
“Shall we, whose lamps are lighted With wisdom from on high; Shall we to men benighted, The lamp of life deny ?”
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