November 1930
T h e
K i n g ’ s
B u s i n e s s
540
note should resound all the day, and it has power, also, to give “songs in the night.” Paul and Silas sang at midnight in the inner dungeon. Christianity can sing anywhere, because it knows no pes simism or depression. The true Christian’s spirit need never d'roop; the fire of his enthusiasm need never be quenched. The Gospel is “good news, glad tidings.” Therefore, let us sing! An artist pictured a winter twilight. The trees were heavily laden with snow. In the foreground was a dreary, dark house, beaten by the storm. It was a sad picture indeed. Then, with a quick stroke with yellow crayon, the «artist put a light in one window. The effect was magical. The entire scene was transformed into a picture of comfort and cheer. The birth of Christ was just such a light in a dark world. A t the Christmas season in a small city, as the happy holiday crowd hurried along the street, a crippled newsboy stood in a protected corner resting on his crutches and offering his papers for sale. Some thing about him arrested the attention of all who passe^. It was this—he had deco rated his crutches with evergreens! To a passerby who questioned him, he said with a cheerful smile, “What is the use of put ting on a sour face? O f course, it is tough to be lame and poor, but that is no reason for looking glum! I can’t have all the good things that lots of other boys have at Christmas, but I am reaching out for all the joy I can get. I decorated these crutches just to make it seem a little CRristmas-y .”—The Continent. — o— December 28, 1930 Things This Year Has Taught Us Deut. 8 :1-6 T h o u g h t s on t h e T opic Dear Master, as the old year dieth soon, Take Thou my harp, And prove if any string be out of tune, Or flat, or sharp! Correct Thou, Lord, for me What ringeth harsh to Thee, That heart and life may sing, the new year long, Thy perfect song! As we look forward to the unknown events of a new year, we will be tempted to fear unless memory is awakened. Look ing back, we are compelled to say with Samuel of old : “Hitherto' hath the Lord helped us.” The Lord’s care of His own is the constant theme of the Scripture and the testimony of the saints throughout the ages. As we look back over the year, we recognize and profit by the mistakes we have made. Encouragement and new strength are derived from contemplation ckf the victories we have won. But the chief lesson from the past, according to the scripture portion assigned, is God’s goodness to us. Throughout the days and months of the year, His manifold blessings have been poured out upon us. Why should we not, in response, render thanks? “Oh, that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his won derful work4 to the children of men” (Psa. 107:8). The whole'of Psalm 107 might profitably be read at this meeting. If, then, we have caught the meaning of the past year, we have learned to look back upon the mercies of God and to give thanks. Past blessings become a pledge
December 21,J.930 Joy to the World Lk. 2:13, 14; Eph. 5:19, 20 (A Music Meeting) T h o u g h t s on t h e T opic
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The full meaning of joy cannot be ex pressed in the terms of a definition. It is understood only through experience. M is sionaries who have gone, with the joy of the Lord in their hearts, to minister in the name of the Lord Jesus to those who are “dead in trespasses and sins” and who are bound by superstition and dread, have returned to tell that they not only gave joy, but that their own gladness was in creased. The sight of the transformation that was wrought in heathen hearts by the Gospel rebounded to their own hearts and made them overflow with the joy of the Lord. No other message is known which can accomplish the regeneration of the lost sinner. Men have sought in vain for a panacea for the world’s sorrow.. The good news of the birth of the incarnate Son of God and Son of man, the story of His suffering on Calvary, the glad proclama tion of the resurrection and ascension, and the promise of His coming again— that is the Christian message, and that is the message which alone has power to trans form lives and to bestow peace and joy. But that message, glorious as it is, has no power in any life until faith apprehends and trusts. When preaching a Christmas sermon, Rev. Daniel H . Martin referred to a strik ing fact which is often overlooked. He called attention to the language used by the shepherds in the field after the angel had brought them the news of the birth of a “Saviour who is Christ the Lord.” They did not say, “Let us go and see if this thing is come to pass.” They said, “Let us go and see this thing that is come to pass.” What a world of difference there is between these two ways of accepting God’s word! The second scripture assigned for our lesson exhorts us to offer praise to God in “psalms and hymns and spiritual songs.” “By psalms may be meant David’s psalms, or such composures as were fitly sung with musical instruments. By hymns may be meant such others as were con fined to matter of praise, as those of Zacharias, Simeon, etc. Spiritual songs may contain a greater variety of matter, doctrinal, prophetical, historical, etc. Ob serve : (1) The singing of psalms and hymns is a gospel ordinance; it is an or dinance of God, and appointed for His glory. (2) Though Christianity is an enemy to profane mirth, yet it encourages joy and gladness, and the proper expres sions of these in the professors' of it. God’s people have reason to rejoice, and to sing for joy. They are to sing and to make melody in their hearts; not only with their voices, but with inward affec tion, and then their doing this will be as delightful and acceptable to God as music is to us. It must be with a design to please Him, and to promote His glory, that we do this. Then it will be done to the Lord.” —Matthew Henry’s Commentary. * * > 1 « S ide L ig h t s - Next to the Bible, the Christian may rightly treasure the great hymns of the church. Christianity is a religion of praise with a refrain of jov and ho^e. Its iovful
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