[PE498]
[PE500]
[PE501]
[PE501]
[PE502]
[PE502]
Shew me thy ways, O Lord; teach me thy paths; lead me in thy truth and teach me. According to thy mercy remember thou me for thy goodness' sake, O Lord. Mind not my weakness. Thou knowest thy strength is made perfect in my weakness. Don't mind my failures; make me like thyself, like thine own self, dear Lord, in any way, at any cost no matter whether I like it or not. Thou knowest best and I want thee to have thine own way in me; not my will, but thine always. Probably I shall not like the process; it will hurt; I may even feel discouraged and almost ready to draw back. I may be weary of the conflict and sigh for rest and cry for deliverance before the work is done. Never mind, dear Lord; finish the work thou hast begun, for thy Name's sake and for thine own glory; and stay not thine hand until thou seest clear and true and perfect thine own image and likeness in me. And to thee and to thee alone shall be the praise for ever Amen.
[PE503]
[PE504]
[PE505]
While we should try to be perfect, yet try as we will we cannot reach actual perfection in this life. The only perfection now possible is heart perfection, i.e. perfect desires and intentions, a perfect will. Rom. 12:2
If you think you have reached perfection, it means either you have too low an idea of perfection or too high an idea of your own attainments. The first would be ignorance, the latter pride.
But even our imperfections are among the "all things which work together for our good" Rom. 8:28. Our imperfections are a constant reminder of the necessity of the blood of Christ. If we made no mistakes God would have made a great mistake in providing a covering we did not need. 1 John 2:1.
Our imperfections give us patience with the imperfections of others. We reason that if our Lord is so patient with us notwithstanding our weaknesses and blemishes we should be similarly patient with those around us.
Our imperfections humble us and give us opportunity to humble ourselves. One of the surest ways to gauge our humility is the promptness with which we are ready to acknowledge our mistakes and other evidences of our imperfections.
Our imperfections make us hope all the more earnestly for the time when that which is perfect shall come. 1 Pet. 1:13.
Our imperfections encourage us to renew our vigilance and to try harder in the future; they should never discourage us. Discouragement would indicate either a lack of faith in the sufficiency of our Savior's merit; or else the presence of pride which resents the humbling process; or else ignorance of the true state of the flesh and how little can be expected of it; or else a failure to trust the promises of Divine grace as we should. Rom. 8:37-39.
Our imperfections take away our confidence in self and strengthens our confidence in the Lord. Philip. 3:3; Psa. 56:2
Our imperfections test us more thoroughly Some become careless and indifferent and ignore their imperfections; others become disheartened and give up. The Lord is looking for those who will go to neither extreme. Isa. 30:21; Prov. 4:26,27-
Our imperfections provide us with a work to do, a battle to fight which will develop us more and more in the right direction.
[PE506]
[PE507]
[PE508]
[PE510]
[PE511]
The PATIENT PERSEVERANCE which cannot discourage nor discouragement defeat.
The IMPARTIALITY which delights as much in the great work another has done as if he had done it himself The SPIRIT which finds more ready excuse for your brother than for yourself.
The RIGHTEOUSNESS which would rather right a wrong than to conceal your share in it.
The CHARITY which always looks for some good intention even where a slight or an injury was seemingly intended.
The LOYALTY which even your stumblings and failures cannot dishearten.
The LOWLINESS which will sorrow when your enemy fails and rejoice when you are humbled.
The WISDOM which knows when to speak and when to KEEP SILENT
The ZEAL which can never do enough and yet seeks no credit, and encourages no compliments.
The FORGIVENESS which not only pardons in word but proves its sincerity by never referring to the matter again.
The HUMILITY which would choose the meaner and more undesirable part of service, to leave the nobler and more honorable part for another brother
The CHRISTIANITY which is as careful how we live in our homes as how we act before the Brethren.
I know if I am chosen to joint-heirship with my Lord,
To reign with him in glory, to receive that great reward;
If after all my weaknesses a crown for me he'll claim,
I know that choice will surely bring great glory to God's name.
If I had been more worthy, and my stumblings had been few,
When men gave God the glory, they'd have praised my virtue, too;
If I'd neer lost a battle, or had never missed the mark,
As they talked about his goodness, mine, also, they'd remark.
But my being so deficient, in thought and word and deed,
Means he'll get all the glory-he deserves it all, indeed.
When they see this weak mortal raised to such immortal heights,
What praise will rise to him who in such nothingness delights!
I know that when my Savior did return to heaven above,
And was crowned with wondrous glory, it did prove his Father's love;
But thinking of Christ's merit, and his sinless life of grace,
'Twas no wonder that Jehovah chose him for such a place.
With me it is so different; I have not one thing to plead,
That I should be more honored than another bruised reed;
And truly there's no reason to give me a mite of praise;
To him belongs all glory for the joys which crown my days.
If you knew all my failings, and my blemishes so vile,
And saw the loving patience my Father shows the while,
'Twould amaze you beyond measure to think he could or would
Make me an able servant who should do his people good.
But if to him such praise is due because of what I am-
Because of such a weakling he has made a stronger man,
Then what will be his glory when he's raised me higher still,
And crowned me with his choicest one the top of Zion's Hill?
That all these years of striving find me so imperfect still,
Does not speak much to my credit nor give a happy thrill;
Where I appear as worthy 'tis because his grace is there,
And in the praise and glory I deserve no part, no share.
I hate my faults and failings, and I fight them day by day,
But from self with all its weaknesses I cannot get away;
Despite this fact, he uses me-beyond is still more grace-
And hosts will tell his glory-his who found poor me a place.
[PE499]
Of all we meet in life's great stream,
There's but one here and there
Who treasures most the better things;
Each man to self most tightly clings,
For self he toils, for self he sings,
Except one here, one there.
The world would be a desolate place,
But for one here and there,
Whose heart with self hath not been filled,
Whose love for God hath not been killed,
Whose thankful praise hath not been stilled;
There's one such here and there.
And this hath been the Lord's wise will,
To find one here, one there,
Who counting earthly gain but dross,
Would daily take the Christian's cross,
E'en at the risk of any loss:-
God finds one here and there.
'Tis not the numbers that He seeks,
But just one here, one there;
He seeks not souls, but jewels fair,
For those who will His suff'ring share,
And for His sake reproaches bear;
They're few; one here, one there!
But oh! the grandeur of the work
For this one here and there,
To join in lifting up our race,
To wipe away of sin each trace,
To make of earth a perfect place,
Put glory everywhere!
I want the Father's favor; O, I wish His sweet, "Well done!"
To crown this consecrated way in which my feet have run.
It worries me but little as to what shall be the prize,
But I long beyond describing for approval in His eyes.
It pains me when I know the world misunderstands my ways,
And grieves still more to find my friends' opposing voices raise.
So Lord to Thy wise judgment my decision now I leave,
In confidence 'twill be all right whatever I receive.
I know if I must stand the tests applied by earthly fame,
Or fill the measure that is used by those who live for gain,
Or even reach unto the mark which worldly minds call ease;
All they will disappointed be who measure me by these
And e'en disciples of my Lord who look for outward deeds,
Will judge me wrong as they behold how many are my needs.
They'll hear me speak the hasty word, they'll see my fault and sin,
And lack the grace that is in Thee; the power to look within.
How little knowledge do they have of how that thing I did,
Was meant by me the other way, -to their eyes that is hid.
The thing so good I wish to do they never, never know.
The motive in the heart's unseen, the weaknesses but show.
But even self cannot be judge of what I shall receive;
My feelings and my failings too can even me deceive.
I may sometimes account myself more virtuous than right,
Or even may condemn severe where censure should be light.
But Father I can trust in Thee more than in self or friend.
Just where I'm right; just where to blame-Thou canst all comprehend.
Thou knowest what the heart has meant, and where the flesh was weak,
And in the secret of my heart the motives thou dost seek.
I fear not Thy correction, for I know 'twill be in love,
Sent not to hurt and crush me, but to fit me for above.
I try self-discipline, but I leave so much undone,
To teach those needed lessons best; Thou are the very one!
O show me where I'm faulty, and then show me what is right,
And as I learn the lessons give me strength the wrong to fight.
My heart holds holy motives, in my life may they shine out;
Thy holy spirit's presence proving thus to those about.
Where's the day I'll call dreary,
While his favor shines so bright?
Where's the time in which I'll weary
Of his loving words of light?
Where's the test of faith that's greater
Than the measure of his grace?
Where's the loss of goods more precious
Than what's given in its place?
Where's the stone on which I'll stumble
While I trust to him my hand?
Where's the fear to make me tremble
When his words the winds command?
Where's the cross that is too heavy
When his strength cloth lend me aid?
Where's the crowned head I'd envy
Since has having my crown made?
Where's the home that we could long for
Like his palace up above?
Where's a way more fit to get there
Than his narrow way of love?
Let your life be a Bible,
Have Christ for its Genesis,
Have consecration for its Exodus,
Have love for its Leviticus,
Have joy for its Psalm,
Have the courage of a Daniel in it,
And the patience of a job,
And the zeal of a Jeremiah,
And the love of a John,
And have plenty of Jesus in it.
And may the end of it be
As much grander than the beginning,
As Revelation is grander than Genesis.
When I am neglected or forgotten, or purposely set at naught, and I smile inwardly, glorying in the insult, that is VICTORY.
When my good is evil spoken of, my wishes are crossed, my taste offended, my advice ridiculed, and I take it all in patient, loving, silence, that is VICTORY.
When I am content with simple raiment, plain food, any climate, any solitude, any interruption, that is VICTORY.
When I can stand face to face with folly, extravagance, spiritual insensibility, contradiction of sinners, persecution, and endure it as Jesus endured it, that is VICTORY.
When I never care to refer to myself in conversation, nor seek commendation, when I can truly love to be unknown, that is VICTORY.
Across our native land and beyond the distant sea,
A humble, longing people, would lift up their hearts to Thee.
O Father, how were scattered, how our tents are pitched apart,
But we long to be together, with the loved ones of our heart.
But, Father, in our scattered state, we thank thee for the chain
That binds our hearts in unison, while we on earth remain;
The bond which makes it possible, though scattered far and wide,
To love so close and love so dear each member of that Bride.
Were glad, e'en though the flesh is bound unto a certain place,
The spirit's free in thought to be with every child of grace.
We're with each brother in his work, no matter where he be:
In prayer, in love, in daily thought, to wish him victory.
And even where a saint may be whom we have never met,
Some isolated gem, perchance, no brother's seen as yet,
Sweet waves of love go from that heart to each devoted soul,
Unintroduced by earthly form, we've reached communion's goal.
So, loved ones, while we miss your face, we know your heart is here.
We've felt the power of your prayers, effectual and sincere.
The many miles that intervene may keep the flesh apart,
But with it there' a closeness naught of earth can e'er impart.
Luke 7:37,38; Mark 14:3
There's a great, a great alabaster box above us in the sky,
And 'twill be outpoured upon the world of mankind bye and bye.
It is full of sweetest perfume, product of divinest skill;
There's enough to fill each valley and o'ertop the highest hill.
And ere long there'll be a deluge so unlike that other flood,
When in ancient days the rain o'erflowed the home of flesh and blood.
For the coming flood's all sweetness; 'twill be fragrance everywhere;
In the oceans, on the mountains, penetrating all the air.
And that avalanche of sweetness will go in men's eyes and ears,
Till their minds and hearts are sweetened in those aromatic years.
What an atmosphere to dwell in, and how fragrant will be life,
When foul sin is gone forever, with its death and tears and strife.
But our God has wisely ordered that this deluge of delight
Shall be ministered in glory from a plane of highest height,
But all those who from the ointment of their present scanty store,
In an effort weak but earnest daily blessings now outpour
Let us empty then our spikenard, bringing comfort, peace and joy,
To each child of God about us; spending life in this employ
For these words and deeds so unctuous evidence a heart within
Suited well to share with Jesus in eliminating sin.
O! but hearken while I tell you the grand sequel of it all.
Wondrous sweetness in that day on earth's inhabitants shall
fall, But since fragrance rises upward from the thing on which bestowed,
All that perfume will come back to those from whom to earth it flowed.
Where's the day that I'll call dreary
While His favor shines so bright?
Where's the time in which I'll weary
Of His loving words of life?
Where's the rest of faith that's greater
Than the measure of His grace?
Where's the loss of goods more precious
Than what's given in its place?
Where's the stone on which I'll stumble
While I trust to Him my hand?
Where's the fear to make me tremble
When His words the winds command?
Where's the cross that is too heavy
When His strength doth lend me aid?
Where's the crowned head I'd envy
Since He's having my crown made?
Where's the home that we could long for
Like His palace up above?
Where's the way more fit to get there
Than His narrow way of love?
In things above my mind now dwells,
With heaven like love my heart now swells,
Of joy divine my pen now tells,
For I'm in Heaven's ante-room.
Communion like to that above,
So pure, so sweet with grace and love,
Is mine just now and helps to prove
That I'm in Heavens ante-room.
The light of Heaven, my coming home
Already in my heart has shown,
Reminding me that I have come
Into that Heaven's ante-room.
The music of that glorious place
E'en now has the world's noise displaced,
And tells me in its notes of grace
That I'm in Heaven's ante-room.
Oh precious is my present state
Since all to Him was consecrate.
His love and care are all so great
Since entering Heaven's ante-room.
But oh, if this is but a taste,
A glimpse of that most glorious place,
What may we hope, what blessed grace
When beyond Heaven's ante-room.
So let us then our zeal renew,
Toward the mark our course pursue,
And all our trials let's construe,
As helps through Heaven's ante-room.
How oft I've planned and hoped thereby
Some cherished wish to gratify;
When He who knows far more than I
Has snatched hope's star from out my sky
But well I know His reasons wise,
When e'er He brings my plans to naught.
He knoweth sure; I but surmise
Which way is best, which ill had wrought.
Sometimes for ease my soul could sigh,
Desires for peace to satisfy;
But He who knows far more than I
These longings too would crucify.
But well I know His reasons right.
Which add this weight unto my cross
He could have made my burden light,
And would, had it not meant my loss.
As eagles to the food would fly
Saints gather in Convention nigh;
Yet he who knows far more than I,
Has caged me so I cannot fly
Still well I know the reason's good
That locks the door to such a feast;
For while I reason of what's good,
He orders for the very best.
[PE509]
But words that in spirit beautify
A pilgrim preacher speaks nearby,
But He who knows far more than I
Has left me on a sick bed lie.
How well I know His reason's best
That shuts out health and lets in pain.
This knowledge gives me joy and rest;
For He permits what means most gain.
My heart has yearned to loudly cry,
The praises of the King on high;
While He who knows far more than I
Would even this to me deny,
Right well I know His reason's grand,
Which shatters even this delight:
That grants me to look on and stand,
Where faith and love would rather fight.
I bid fear leave, self-mortify,
And then my heart I sanctify,
For Him who knows far more than I,
Upon whose grace I can rely;
Yes, well I know His reason's wed
To all that love divine would say,
For I see but a step ahead,
My Lord the ending of the way
- Bro. B.H. Barton
to Mrs. S.B. Strate
August 5, 1904.
1 Pet. 5:7 Luke 17:5; 1 Peter 1:12; Psalm 32:10; Ro 8:28; Psalm 33:18 Psalm 32:67
HIS CARE IS AROUND ME 1 Pet. 5:7 Archie H. Frier
A TRIAL which God sees is not heavy enough, so He permits it to be increased.
A TRIAL coming your way, but completely annihilated by God's care
A TRIAL which is brought to nought, but not until it seems right upon you
A TRIAL which God's care sees no necessity to modify
A TRIAL which God's loving care gradually modifies, so at the last moment He turns it aside, so its force is finally like a point.
A TRIAL which the Lord's care sees to be too severe, so He modifies its force and proportions until it is just the right size.
A copy of drawing made by Bro. B. H. Barton and presented to Bro. Archie H. Frier of Drain, Oregon. It will repay the most careful study. (On front page of St. Paul Enterprise, Tuesday, Nov. 14, 1916, Volume 7, Number 17.)
| How often God's | ||
| Choice for us is | ||
| seen to be an | ||
| ugly Cross; but | ||
| as we look closer we find in that Cross a message of | ||
| love and encouragement from our Father above. If we | ||
| had lacked submission to the Divine Will we should | ||
| have turned away | ||
| from that Cross | ||
| impatiently and | ||
| have never read | ||
| the blessed | ||
| message it brought. | ||
| It would have been | ||
| but a Cross, while | ||
| now it is a Treasure. | ||