A Brighter Day Begins with His Word.

Ryle, J. C. (John Charles), 1816–1900 • SECTION 114

LUKB, CHAF. V. VEB. 1 — 11. 131

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worked at the beginning of oux Lord's ministry, and another which we find Him working after His resur* rection, at the end of His ministry, recorded by St. John. (John xxi. 1., &c.) In both we read of a miracnlousr draught of fishes. In both the Apostle P^r has a promi- nent place in the story. And in both there is, probably, a deep spiritual lesson, lying below the outward surface^ of the facts described.

We should observe, in this pa8S£^, <mr Lord Jesm ChrkU 8 unwearied readiness for every good work. Once more we find Him preaching to a people who '' pressed upon him to hear the word of God." And where does He preach P Not in any consecrated building, or place set apart for public worship, but in the open air ; — ^not in a pulpit constructed for a preacher's use, but in a fisherman's boat. Souls were waiting to be fed. Per- sonal inconvenience was allowed no place in His conside* ration. G-od's work must not stand still.

The servants of Christ should learn a lesson from their Master's conduct on this occasion. We are not to wait till every little difficulty or obstacle is removed, before we put our hand to the pleugh, or go forth to sow the seed of the word. Convenient buildings may often be want- ing for assembling a company of hearers. Convenient rooms may often not be found for gathering children to scho(d. What, then, are we to do P Shall we sit still and do nothing P God forbid I If we cannot do all we want, let us do what we can. Let us work with such tools as we have. While we are lingering and delaying souls are perishing. It is the slothful heart that is always looking at the hedge of thorns and the lion in

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Public-domain historical edition (1858). Text from OCR of an original Internet Archive scan; OCR may contain recognition errors.

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