512
November 1930
T h e
K i n g ’ s
B u s i n e s s
Live to Keep Alive His Fame B y G uy E dward M ark
ORTY -SEVEN years ago the thirteenth of last February, Richard Wagner, the most celebrated of modern composers ended his earthly career. After he had breathed his last, his wife, Cosima, took a pair of scissors, cut off her beau tiful hair and tenderly laid it in the coffin on the breast of her deceased beloved. By that act she signified that to all intents, in' so far as she was concerned, her life ended with that of her husband. That this was the real significance of her act is proved by the fact that her biog raphy, which was published only last year, closed with his death. His death ended her life story. She was no longer a wife. She, the wife, actually died in the death of the husband. But she, the woman, lived on until the first day of April, this year, when she went to be with the one in whom she, the wife, died. These forty-seven years she devoted to “ keeping alive the fame” of her be loved. Nearly nineteen hundred years ago Jesus Christ, the Man from glory, ended His earthly career. Paul says "that our old sinful self was nailed to the cross with him, in order that our sinful nature might be deprived o f its power . . . seeing that we have died with Christ, we be lieve that we shall also live with him’’ “ The conclusion at
which we have arrived being this^-that One having died fo r all, his death was their death, and that he died for all in order that the living may no longer live unto them selves, but to him who died fo r them and rose again.” “All o f us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death. . . . buried with him in death, in death in order that just as Christ was raised from among the dead by the Father’s glorious power, we also should live an entirely new life” (Rom. 6:6-8; 2 Cor. 5: 14, 15; Rom. 6:4,5, Weymouth). Twenty-one years ago, upon my acceptance of Christ, I, Guy Mark the sinner, actually died. Christ’s death was my death. My biography as a sinner ended there, the moment I received Him. But I, the saint, have lived on until the present hour. These twenty-one years have been devoted to “ keeping alive the fame” of my Beloved, the person in whom I, the sinner, died. Christ’s death to sin was your death to sin also. Your biography as a sinner ended there, the moment you received Him. And now the remainder of your days should be "spent in living an entirely new life, should be devoted to “ keeping alive the fame” o f .the One in whom you, as a sinner, died; your Beloved, to whom you shall one day go, and with whom you shall spend all eternity. not open gently do not batter it down but wait, yes, wait! It may be that a better and larger field will open up. Fourth, Christian counsel. When God is leading, you are always safe in conferring with and seeking advice from those who are spiritual and faithful to your soul. But it is a bad sign on your part if you avoid those faith ful leaders and prefer to keep your plans hidden, or go to those who will pamper and humor you. We remember, “ in the multitude o f counselors there is safety.” Fifth, good common sense. God never leads one to do indecent and outrageous things. All that He demands will appeal to sound reason, purity o.f life and honesty with your fellow creatures. You have reason to doubt your leadings if they bring a reaction and make you feel cheap afterwards. Duty calls in but one direction at a time. When there is confusion and uncertainty as to which course to take, the proper thing to do is to hold still and do nothing, absolutely nothing. •A faithful God will not require you to decide or act until the mist clears away. When there are but two things left to do, do not pursue either course until you feel equally clear to abandon one or the other. To insure divine guidance always be sure of aiming at just one thing—the glory of God. When there is no unsancti fied ambition or self-interest at stake, the soul can afford to wait God’s time and then unhesitatingly move forward. As one has said, “ Be sure you are right, then go ahead.” I— E. E. Shelhamer.
Five Signs of Clear Leading B y E. E. S helhamer
are living in an age when the air is charged nth evil spirits and it is difficult at times > know the difference between the voice of iod and the “ angel o f light.” When a lead- ig or impression is from God it will harmon- ?e in at least five respects. There will be five signboards pointing in the same direc
tion— five beacon lights all in a line. First, the plain teaching o f the Word—not merely a single passage here and there but the general teaching and tenor o f the entire Scriptures. It’s wrong to pick out a word or verse here and there to make it confirm a certain notion or teaching. This .is what is called “ wresting the Scriptures.” Second, the clear direction of the Spirit. The Holy Spirit never contradicts any portion of the Word. He harmonizes now with what He originally dictated thou sands of years ago. He never repudiates former leadings that were once clear and satisfactory. He never leads one to become agitated or in.a hurry when making a decision. If confused He will give one plenty of time to hold still until the clouds clear away. Third, providence. John Wesley said that “ God was in His providence the same as in His grace.” Circum stances will often help one in going in the right direction. Dear reader, you will not need to knock a door down or pray it open to do the will of God. He says, " I w ill guide thee with mine eye.” If a door of usefulness does
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