WEBVTT 1 00:00:00.280 --> 00:00:07.679 Chapter thirty one, character building the life work. This one thing I do. 2 00:00:09.439 --> 00:00:15.000 Success in any line demands a definite to aim. He who should achieve 3 00:00:15.039 --> 00:00:20.960 true success in life must keep steadily in view the aim worthy of his endeavor. 4 00:00:21.719 --> 00:00:26.320 Such an aim is set before the youth of to day. The heaven 5 00:00:26.359 --> 00:00:31.960 appointed purpose of giving the Gospel to the world in this generation is the noblest 6 00:00:32.079 --> 00:00:37.439 that can appeal to any human being. It opens a field of effort to 7 00:00:37.479 --> 00:00:43.320 every one whose heart Christ has touched. God's purpose for the children growing up 8 00:00:43.399 --> 00:00:50.000 beside our hearts is wider, deeper, higher than our restricted vision has comprehended 9 00:00:50.719 --> 00:00:55.799 from the humblest lot. Those whom He has seen faithful have in time past 10 00:00:55.960 --> 00:01:00.759 been called to witness for Him in the world's highest places. And many a 11 00:01:00.840 --> 00:01:04.799 lad of to day, growing up as did Daniel in his Judean home, 12 00:01:06.239 --> 00:01:11.560 studying God's word and his works and learning the lessons of faithful service, will 13 00:01:11.640 --> 00:01:17.319 yet stand in legislative assemblies, in halls of justice, or in royal courts 14 00:01:17.560 --> 00:01:22.319 as a witness for the King of kings. Multitudes will be called to a 15 00:01:22.359 --> 00:01:27.480 wider ministry. The whole world is opening to the Gospel. Ethiopia is stretching 16 00:01:27.480 --> 00:01:33.400 out her hands unto God. From Japan and China and India, from the 17 00:01:33.439 --> 00:01:38.719 still darkened lands of our own continent, from every quarter of this world of 18 00:01:38.719 --> 00:01:42.760 ours, comes the cry of sin stricken hearts for a knowledge of the God 19 00:01:42.920 --> 00:01:49.079 of Love. Millions upon millions have never so much as heard of God or 20 00:01:49.239 --> 00:01:56.359 of his love revealed in Christ. It is their right to receive this knowledge. 21 00:01:56.599 --> 00:02:00.799 They have an equal claim with us in the Saviour's mercy. And it 22 00:02:00.920 --> 00:02:04.840 rests with us who have received the knowledge, with our children, to whom 23 00:02:04.879 --> 00:02:09.919 we may impart it to answer their cry, to every household and every school, 24 00:02:10.240 --> 00:02:15.039 to every parent, teacher, and child, upon whom has shone the 25 00:02:15.159 --> 00:02:20.120 light of the Gospel comes at this crisis. The question put to Esther the 26 00:02:20.199 --> 00:02:25.000 Queen, at that momentous crisis in Israel's history, who knoweth whether thou art 27 00:02:25.039 --> 00:02:30.680 come to the kingdom for such a time as this. Those who think of 28 00:02:30.719 --> 00:02:37.000 the result of hastening or hindering the Gospel think of it in relation to themselves 29 00:02:37.199 --> 00:02:42.039 and to the world. Few think of its relation to God. Few give 30 00:02:42.120 --> 00:02:46.360 thought to the suffering that sin has caused our creator. All Heaven suffered in 31 00:02:46.439 --> 00:02:53.599 Christ's agony but that suffering did not begin or end with His manifestation in humanity. 32 00:02:53.520 --> 00:02:59.120 The cross is a revelation to our dull senses of the pain that from 33 00:02:59.120 --> 00:03:04.759 its very inception, Sin has brought to the heart of God. Every departure 34 00:03:04.800 --> 00:03:08.960 from the right, every deed of cruelty, every failure of humanity to reach 35 00:03:09.240 --> 00:03:15.120 his ideal, brings grief to him. When there came upon Israel the calamities 36 00:03:15.439 --> 00:03:21.919 that were the sure result of separation from God, subjugation by their enemies, 37 00:03:22.000 --> 00:03:25.319 cruelty, and death, it is said that his soul was grieved for the 38 00:03:25.400 --> 00:03:31.240 misery of Israel. In all their affliction, He was afflicted, and he 39 00:03:31.400 --> 00:03:38.280 bare them and carried them all the days of old. His spirit maketh intercession 40 00:03:38.400 --> 00:03:43.759 for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. As the whole creation growneth and 41 00:03:43.800 --> 00:03:49.039 travaileth together in pain. The heart of the Infinite Father is pained in sympathy. 42 00:03:49.840 --> 00:03:53.120 Our world is a vast slaser house, a scene of misery that we 43 00:03:53.240 --> 00:03:59.319 dare not allow even our thoughts to dwell upon. Did we realize it as 44 00:03:59.319 --> 00:04:03.680 it is, The burden would be too terrible. Yet God feels it all 45 00:04:04.439 --> 00:04:10.159 in order to destroy sin. And its results. He gave his best beloved, 46 00:04:10.719 --> 00:04:15.000 and he has put it in our power, through co operation with him, 47 00:04:15.479 --> 00:04:18.879 to bring this scene of misery to an end. The Gospel of the 48 00:04:19.000 --> 00:04:25.160 Kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations. 49 00:04:25.199 --> 00:04:30.600 And then shall the end come. Go ye into all the world and preach 50 00:04:30.680 --> 00:04:34.800 the Gospel to every creature. Is Christ's command to his followers, not that 51 00:04:35.000 --> 00:04:40.680 all are called to be ministers or missionaries in the ordinary sense of the term, 52 00:04:41.279 --> 00:04:45.920 but all may be workers with Him in giving the glad tidings to their 53 00:04:45.920 --> 00:04:50.920 fellow men, to all great or small, learned or ignorant, old or 54 00:04:50.959 --> 00:04:56.600 young. The command is given. In view of this command, can we 55 00:04:56.839 --> 00:05:01.519 educate our sons and daughters for a life of respect or conventionality, a life 56 00:05:01.560 --> 00:05:08.399 professedly Christian but lacking his self sacrifice, a life on which the verdict of 57 00:05:08.480 --> 00:05:13.920 Him who is truth must be. I know not thousands are doing this. 58 00:05:14.519 --> 00:05:17.480 They think to secure for their children the benefits of the Gospel, while they 59 00:05:17.519 --> 00:05:23.240 deny its spirit. But this cannot be. Those who reject the privilege of 60 00:05:23.279 --> 00:05:28.480 fellowship with Christ in service, reject the only training that imparts a fitness for 61 00:05:28.600 --> 00:05:33.079 participation with Him in his glory. They reject the training that in this life 62 00:05:33.120 --> 00:05:40.399 gives strength and nobility of character. Many a father and mother denying their children 63 00:05:40.439 --> 00:05:44.720 to the cross of Christ, have learned too late that they were thus giving 64 00:05:44.759 --> 00:05:49.079 them over to the enemy of God and man. They sealed their ruin not 65 00:05:49.199 --> 00:05:55.639 alone for the future, but for the present life. Temptation overcame them. 66 00:05:55.959 --> 00:05:59.720 They grew up a curse to the world, a grief and shame to those 67 00:05:59.759 --> 00:06:04.079 who gave them being. Even in seeking a preparation for God's service, many 68 00:06:04.120 --> 00:06:10.759 are turned aside by wrong methods of education. Life is too generally regarded as 69 00:06:10.800 --> 00:06:15.680 made up of distinct periods, a period of learning and the period of doing, 70 00:06:15.160 --> 00:06:19.879 of preparation and of achievement. In preparation for a life of service, 71 00:06:20.040 --> 00:06:25.480 the youth are sent to school to acquire knowledge by the study of books. 72 00:06:26.160 --> 00:06:30.199 Cut off from the responsibilities of everyday life, they become absorbed in study and 73 00:06:30.319 --> 00:06:36.519 often lose sight of its purpose. The ardor of their early consecution dies out, 74 00:06:36.839 --> 00:06:43.600 and too many take up with some personal selfish ambition. Upon their graduation, 75 00:06:43.800 --> 00:06:48.000 thousands find themselves out of touch with life they have so long dealt with. 76 00:06:48.120 --> 00:06:54.160 The abstract and theoretical that when the whole being must be roused to meet 77 00:06:54.199 --> 00:06:59.399 the sharp contests of real life, they are unprepared. Instead of the noble 78 00:06:59.439 --> 00:07:03.519 work they purpose, their energies, are engrossed in a struggle for mere subsistence 79 00:07:04.319 --> 00:07:11.720 after repeated disappointments, in despair even of earning an honest livelihood, many drift 80 00:07:11.839 --> 00:07:16.519 into questionable or criminal practices. The world is robbed of the service it might 81 00:07:16.639 --> 00:07:21.160 have received, and God is robbed of the souls he longed to uplift in 82 00:07:21.319 --> 00:07:29.959 noble and honor as representatives of himself. Many parents er in discriminating between their 83 00:07:30.079 --> 00:07:35.000 children in the matter of education. They make almost any sacrifice to secure the 84 00:07:35.040 --> 00:07:41.480 best advantages for one that is bright and apt, But these opportunities are not 85 00:07:41.600 --> 00:07:46.720 thought a necessity for those who are less promising. Little education is deemed essential 86 00:07:46.759 --> 00:07:53.639 for the performance of life's ordinary duties. But who is capable of selecting from 87 00:07:53.639 --> 00:07:58.920 a family of children the ones upon whom or rest the most important responsibilities. 88 00:07:59.519 --> 00:08:03.639 How oft from human judgment has here proved to be at fault. Remember the 89 00:08:03.720 --> 00:08:09.279 experience of Samuel, when sent to anoint from the sons of Jesse one to 90 00:08:09.360 --> 00:08:16.720 be king over Israel. Seven noble looking youth passed before him. As he 91 00:08:16.759 --> 00:08:20.920 looked upon the first in features, comely, in form, well developed, 92 00:08:20.199 --> 00:08:26.759 and in bearing princely, the prophet exclaimed, surely the lords anointed is before 93 00:08:26.839 --> 00:08:31.680 him. But God said, look not at his countenance or on the height 94 00:08:31.720 --> 00:08:35.240 of his stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord seeth not 95 00:08:35.519 --> 00:08:41.200 as man seeth, for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord 96 00:08:41.279 --> 00:08:46.240 looketh on the heart. So of all the seven, the testimony was the 97 00:08:46.360 --> 00:08:50.799 Lord hath not chosen these. And not until David had been called from the 98 00:08:50.840 --> 00:08:56.200 flock was the prophet permitted to fulfill his mission. The elder brothers from whom 99 00:08:56.279 --> 00:09:01.759 Samuel would have chosen, did not possess the qualifications that God sought to be 100 00:09:01.919 --> 00:09:07.679 essential in a ruler of his people. Proud, self centered, self confident. 101 00:09:07.080 --> 00:09:13.000 They were set aside for the one whom they lightly regarded, one who 102 00:09:13.080 --> 00:09:18.279 had preserved the simplicity and sincerity of his youth, and who, while little 103 00:09:18.360 --> 00:09:22.320 in his own sight, could be trained by God for the responsibilities of the 104 00:09:22.399 --> 00:09:28.799 kingdom. So today, in many a child whom the parents would pass by, 105 00:09:28.360 --> 00:09:33.720 God sees capabilities far above those revealed by others who are thought to possess 106 00:09:33.799 --> 00:09:41.240 great promise, And as regards like possibilities, who is capable of deciding what 107 00:09:41.559 --> 00:09:46.320 is great and what is small? How many a worker in the lowly places 108 00:09:46.320 --> 00:09:50.559 of life, by setting on foot agencies for the blessing of the world, 109 00:09:50.000 --> 00:09:56.360 has achieved results that kings might envy. Let every child then receive an education 110 00:09:56.440 --> 00:10:01.080 for the highest service in the more so thy seed, and in the evening, 111 00:10:01.279 --> 00:10:07.000 withhold not thine hand, for thou knowest not which shall prosper, Whether 112 00:10:07.039 --> 00:10:13.919 this or that The specific place appointed us in life is determined by our capabilities. 113 00:10:15.679 --> 00:10:20.120 Not all reach the same development, or do with equal efficiency the same 114 00:10:20.159 --> 00:10:24.600 work. God does not expect for Hyssop to attain the proportions of the cedar 115 00:10:26.320 --> 00:10:30.159 or the olive, the height of the stately palm, but each could aim 116 00:10:30.279 --> 00:10:35.080 just as high as the union of human with divine power makes it possible for 117 00:10:35.200 --> 00:10:39.080 him to reach. Many do not become what they might because they do not 118 00:10:39.240 --> 00:10:43.919 put forth the power that is in them. They do not, as they 119 00:10:43.000 --> 00:10:48.919 might, lay hold on divine strength. Many are diverted from the line in 120 00:10:48.000 --> 00:10:54.360 which they might reach the truest success, seeking greater honor or a more pleasing 121 00:10:54.440 --> 00:10:58.960 task. They attempt something for which they are not fitted. Many a man 122 00:10:58.120 --> 00:11:03.120 whose talents are adapted for some other calling is ambitious to enter a profession, 123 00:11:03.679 --> 00:11:09.080 and he who might have been successful as a farmer, an artisan, or 124 00:11:09.120 --> 00:11:13.360 a nurse feels inadequately the position of a minister, a lawyer, or a 125 00:11:13.399 --> 00:11:18.919 physician. There are others, again, who might have filed a responsible calling, 126 00:11:18.360 --> 00:11:22.840 but who, for want of energy, application, or perseverance, content 127 00:11:22.919 --> 00:11:28.440 themselves with an easier place. We need not follow more closely God's plan of 128 00:11:28.480 --> 00:11:33.320 life. To do our best in the work that lies nearest, To commit 129 00:11:33.399 --> 00:11:37.519 our ways to God, and to watch for the indications of His providence. 130 00:11:39.039 --> 00:11:43.159 These are rules that insure safe guidance in the choice of an occupation. He 131 00:11:43.279 --> 00:11:48.000 who came from heaven to be our example, spent nearly thirty years of his 132 00:11:48.080 --> 00:11:52.799 life in common mechanical labor. But during this time he was studying the Word 133 00:11:52.919 --> 00:12:00.320 and the works of God, and helping teaching or whom his influence could reach. 134 00:12:01.080 --> 00:12:05.919 When his public ministry began, he went about healing the sick, comforting 135 00:12:05.919 --> 00:12:09.600 the sorrowful, and preaching the gospel to the poor. This is the work 136 00:12:09.879 --> 00:12:15.519 of all his followers. He that is greatest among you, he said, 137 00:12:15.919 --> 00:12:20.159 Let him be as the younger, and he that is chief, as he 138 00:12:20.360 --> 00:12:24.000 that doth serve, For I am among you, as he that serveth. 139 00:12:26.240 --> 00:12:31.720 Love and loyalty to Christ are the spring of all true service. In the 140 00:12:31.799 --> 00:12:35.080 heart touched by His love, there is begotten a desire to work for him. 141 00:12:35.879 --> 00:12:41.559 Let this desire be encouraged and rightly guided. Whether in the home, 142 00:12:41.879 --> 00:12:46.159 the neighborhood, or the school. The presence of the poor, the afflicted, 143 00:12:46.399 --> 00:12:50.360 the ignorant, or the unfortunate, should be regarded not as a misfortune, 144 00:12:50.679 --> 00:12:56.799 but as affording precious opportunity for service. In this work, as in 145 00:12:56.960 --> 00:13:03.120 every other skill, is gay in the work itself. It is by training 146 00:13:03.200 --> 00:13:07.200 in the common duties of life, and in ministry to the needy and suffering, 147 00:13:07.600 --> 00:13:11.960 that efficiency is assured. Without this, the best meant efforts are often 148 00:13:13.039 --> 00:13:16.480 useless and even harmful. It is in the water, not on the land, 149 00:13:16.600 --> 00:13:24.159 that men learn to swim. Another obligation, too often likely regarded one 150 00:13:24.240 --> 00:13:26.960 that to the youth awakened to the claims of Christ, needs to be made 151 00:13:28.000 --> 00:13:33.639 plain, is the obligation of church relationship, very close and sacred is the 152 00:13:33.720 --> 00:13:39.559 relation between Christ and his Church. He the bridegroom and the church. The 153 00:13:39.639 --> 00:13:43.399 bride, he the head, and the Church the body. Connection with Christ 154 00:13:43.440 --> 00:13:50.440 then involves connection with his church. The church is organized for service and in 155 00:13:50.480 --> 00:13:54.240 a life of service to Christ. Connection with the church is one of the 156 00:13:54.320 --> 00:14:00.840 first steps. Loyalty to Christ demands the faithful performance of church duties. This 157 00:14:01.039 --> 00:14:05.519 is an important part of one's training, and in a church imbued with the 158 00:14:05.639 --> 00:14:11.519 Master's life, it will lead directly to effort for the world. Without there 159 00:14:11.519 --> 00:14:16.360 are many lines in which the youth can find opportunity for helpful effort. Let 160 00:14:16.399 --> 00:14:20.120 them organize into bands for Christian service, and the co operation will prove an 161 00:14:20.120 --> 00:14:26.679 assistance and an encouragement. Parents and teachers, by taking an interest in the 162 00:14:26.720 --> 00:14:30.279 work of the young people, will be able to give them the benefit of 163 00:14:30.320 --> 00:14:35.519 their own larger experience and can help them to make their efforts effective for good. 164 00:14:35.799 --> 00:14:41.559 It is acquaintance that awaken sympathy and sympathy is the spring of effective ministry. 165 00:14:43.519 --> 00:14:48.399 To awaken in the children and youth sympathy and the spirit of sacrifice for 166 00:14:48.440 --> 00:14:52.799 the suffering millions in the regions beyond, Let them become acquainted with these lands 167 00:14:52.919 --> 00:14:58.480 and their peoples. In this line, much might be accomplished in our schools. 168 00:15:00.159 --> 00:15:03.679 Instead of dwelling on the exploits of the Alexanders and Napoleons of history, 169 00:15:05.279 --> 00:15:09.279 let the pupils study the lives of such men as the Apostle Paul and Martin 170 00:15:09.440 --> 00:15:16.240 Luther, as Moffett and Livingstone and Carey, and the present daily unfolding history 171 00:15:16.399 --> 00:15:22.519 of missionary effort. Instead of burdening their memories with an array of names and 172 00:15:22.639 --> 00:15:26.120 theories that have no bearing upon their lives, and to which once outside the 173 00:15:26.200 --> 00:15:31.559 schoolroom, they rarely give a thought, Let them study all lands in the 174 00:15:31.639 --> 00:15:35.360 light of missionary effort, and become acquainted with the peoples and their needs. 175 00:15:37.639 --> 00:15:41.799 In this closing work of the Gospel, there is a vast field to be 176 00:15:41.879 --> 00:15:46.440 occupied, and more than ever before. The work is to enlist helpers from 177 00:15:46.440 --> 00:15:50.360 the common people. Both the youth and those older in years. Will be 178 00:15:50.399 --> 00:15:54.759 called from the field, from the vineyard and from the workshop, and sent 179 00:15:54.879 --> 00:16:00.720 forth by the Master to give his message. Many of these have had little 180 00:16:00.759 --> 00:16:06.519 opportunity for education, but Christ sees in them qualifications that will enable them to 181 00:16:06.559 --> 00:16:11.960 fulfill His purpose. If they put their hearts into the work and continue to 182 00:16:11.000 --> 00:16:15.879 be learners. He will fit them to labor for him. He who knows 183 00:16:15.879 --> 00:16:21.360 the depths of the world's misery and despair, knows by what means to bring 184 00:16:21.440 --> 00:16:26.080 relief. He sees on every hand souls in darkness, bowed down with sin 185 00:16:26.159 --> 00:16:32.720 and sorrow and pain. But he sees also their possibilities. He sees the 186 00:16:32.799 --> 00:16:37.399 height to which they may attain. Although human beings have abused their mercies, 187 00:16:37.519 --> 00:16:42.039 wasted their talents, and lost the dignity of god like manhood, the Creator 188 00:16:42.200 --> 00:16:48.519 is to be glorified in their redemption. The burden of labor for those needy 189 00:16:48.559 --> 00:16:52.600 ones in the rough places of the earth, cries slays upon those who can 190 00:16:52.639 --> 00:16:56.399 feel for the ignorant, and for such as are out of the way. 191 00:16:57.200 --> 00:17:03.559 He will be present to help those whose hearts are susceptible to pity, though 192 00:17:03.559 --> 00:17:07.519 their hands may be rough and unskilled. He will work through those who can 193 00:17:07.519 --> 00:17:12.480 see mercy in misery and gain in loss. When the light of the world 194 00:17:12.799 --> 00:17:18.119 passes by, privilege will be discerned in hardship, order, in confusion, 195 00:17:18.599 --> 00:17:26.160 success in apparent failure. Calamities will be seen as disguise, blessings, woes 196 00:17:26.200 --> 00:17:30.480 as mercies. Laborers from the common people, sharing the sorrows of their fellow 197 00:17:30.519 --> 00:17:36.119 men, as their masters shared the sorrows of the whole human race, will 198 00:17:36.160 --> 00:17:41.319 by faith see him working with them. The great day of the Lord is 199 00:17:41.400 --> 00:17:45.519 near. It is near and hasteth greatly, and a world is to be 200 00:17:45.839 --> 00:17:52.119 warned with such preparation as they can gain. Thousands upon thousands of the youth 201 00:17:52.279 --> 00:17:57.799 and those older in years should be giving themselves to this work. Already many 202 00:17:57.880 --> 00:18:03.160 hearts are responding to the call of the Master worker, and their numbers will 203 00:18:03.200 --> 00:18:10.039 increase. Let every Christian educator give such workers sympathy and cooperation. Let him 204 00:18:10.160 --> 00:18:15.240 encourage and assist the youth under his care in gaining a preparation to join the 205 00:18:15.319 --> 00:18:19.000 ranks. There is no line of work in which it is possible for the 206 00:18:19.079 --> 00:18:25.799 youth to receive greater benefit. All who engage in ministry are God's helping hand. 207 00:18:26.920 --> 00:18:30.880 They are co workers with the angels. Rather, they are the human 208 00:18:30.920 --> 00:18:37.039 agencies through whom the angels accomplish their mission. Angels speak through their voices and 209 00:18:37.119 --> 00:18:41.680 work by their hands, and the human workers cooperating with heavenly agencies have the 210 00:18:41.759 --> 00:18:48.480 benefit of their education and experience as a means of education. What university course 211 00:18:48.559 --> 00:18:53.480 can equal this? With such an army of workers as our youth, rightly 212 00:18:53.559 --> 00:18:59.160 trained might furnish. How soon the message of a crucified, risen, and 213 00:18:59.240 --> 00:19:03.200 soon coming savior might be carriage to the whole world. How soon might the 214 00:19:03.319 --> 00:19:08.079 end come, the end of suffering and sorrow and sin. How soon, 215 00:19:08.319 --> 00:19:12.799 in place of a possession here with its blight of sin and pain, our 216 00:19:12.880 --> 00:19:18.440 children might receive their inheritance. Where the righteous shall inherit the land and dwell 217 00:19:18.519 --> 00:19:23.559 therein for ever, where the inhabitant shall not say I am sick, and 218 00:19:23.680 --> 00:19:32.839 the voice of weeping shall be no more heard. End of Chapter thirty one.