November 1926
T H E K I N G ’ S B U S I N E S S
626
THE CRUSADER’S “ IF” (With apologies to Ruyard Kipling) Rev. R. Hindle
obey the voice that speaks from such an order, therefore we are challenged to obey Him in this new life. In the second place we are challenged to offer a service well pleasing to God with reverence and awe. This order puts at our disposal not only the ideals of a well-pleasing ser vice but also the power by which the ideal can be realized and therefore we are supposed to live up to the ideal. This brings us once more to the challenge of Mr. Gandhi, the great Indian leader, referred to in our article last month. Obedience means to live more like Jesus Christ. It also involves that we practice our religion “ without adulterating or toning it down.” We are entrusted with a livings and vital message and witness and we dare not tone it down. If there is any change in the message it must come from the original source— the throne of God. Acceptable service must put the emphasis on love. It must be the experience of lore__nothing short of this is acceptable to God. What is our answer to this challenge of Jesus Christ as emphasized by this man who has been watching the church during the last few years in its work in India? A few years ago' another Indian who had accepted Jesus Christ but had not responded to the full challenge of the new order and life was met by a man who knew him ip his earlier days and was asked how it was that he was not as attractive and- influential as in the earlier days before he accepted Christianity. Instead of finding fault with the man who criticized him. he said: “ I was at once upon my knees burled deep in prayer, meditation and communion with God and thinking of the whole history of my life. I awoke as if from a trance, a new man. believing that God wills to make me a living likeness of Jesus for India, and from that moment until now I„enjoy a change and Joy which words cannot adequately express.” The biographer says that from that moment the life of Tilak was a changed life, and the two years that remained for him to live were full of effective and powerful service for Jesus Christ. • Are we as Christians going to respond ,to the challenge of the new order and to Mr. Gandhi’s kindly criticism of the church by doing at least as much as this Hindu did when he was criticized by a friend of tjie old days of Hinduism? "Ye are come to Jesus, „the mediator of the new covenant.” . Have we come into the experience made available by Jesus in that covenant? Ü "LiHen to this description : The devil has not all the fine fel lows. Here David comes in, and he is described for **• A ow , he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look at.’ The Lord has no objection to fine looks, the Lord has no objection to a fine physique, and no objection to your develop ing your physique, in all natural, healthful gymnastic exercises, as far as you please, and as far as you may. Oh. do not make the slightest mistake!—the Lord has n o special delight in shambling people who walk on the uppers o f their boots to save the soles, as some people do. The Lord has no particular delight in round shoulders and broken wind—not He. David was ruddy, comely, and goodly to look upon. As his after history shows, a splendid fellow, a daring fellow, with a keen eye in his head, and a big brain behind his eye. and a bursting heart inside hu bosom. Ait all-round man was David, who was shepherd, soldier and king in one lifetime, and played his part well,in all three ------ To Him be all the praise, to Him be all the glory; it is He who makes us what we are .”— J ohn M c N eill .
Mr Hindle. who is Secretary for Africa of the Worldwide Evangelization Crusade, London England, sends. us this soul*-stirring challenge to Christians, and in the letter en“? Shafeitiustyr;ceived the July and August King’s Busi ness and greatly admire the breeziness of your newB. It is what a dear friend of mine would call ‘ hot stuff, but withal a deep spiritual tone about it that makes it of great valu as a tonic for the fight to which it calls us. M a y 111“ 11* continue to sound forth the old truths and expose the false. If you care not a toss for all the critics Who say that from a monkey you’ve evolved If you can laugh in faith at all the cynicB Who pour contempt on all you have resolved If you can treat them as you treat the bogey Of whom you’ve heard, from whom you’ve never run. And still press on, rejoicing in your calling, Till, vanquished, Satan’s hosts the battle won— If you can leave your home, your friends, and kindred, And feel the smart, and keep on feeling, too, While you are far away in isolation, And yet go smiling all the conflict through— If you can leave all luxuries behind you, And choose a path of hardship, toil, and pain, Leaving your normal food and earthly comforts, To go with Christ into the “ Devil’s Den”— If you can live as natives all around you, Ne’er asking as to future furloughs “ When?” But quite content to be like Him who sent you, One of His true and honored gentlemen— If you can make a heap of fancied talents, And epunt them all but dross for Christ your Lord, And ¿ever breathe a word about them after, But throw them all completely overboard— If you can go without the treasured bank-book, Or Council with large missionary fund, And look above, but never look behind you, And never waver, whatsoe’er may come— If you can stand alone when friends forsake you,
Your reputation trust to Him you serve, Assured that He will be your Vindicator, And never from the path of duty swerve— If you can find a Joy in persecution, When all is for your dear Redeemer’s sake; And love your persecutor as your brother. Though he would from you every virtue take— If you are dead to sin. and self, and mammon; And ready, like the great Apostle Paul, To lay yourself— your all,— upon the altar. That God, through you, may save another soul— If on to further regions you would hasten To tell those "other sheep” of Him you love, And ever keep before you His appearing, And seek to bring Him quickly from above— If you can work on, patiently enduring,
Until you hear your Master’s welcome, “ Come” , All things are yours— you’re not a “ Mr. Fearing”— But “ Great Heart” true— a D.C.D.,* my son. •A “D.C.D.” is a man who cares for neither danger, death, the Devil, or Doomsday.
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