^ R. W. Moss, The Discipline of the Soul, p. 161.
- A. F. W. Ingram, Banners of the Christian Faith, p. 83.
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moral beings, associated with that one, and interested in his welfare ? ^
IT There were two working men some years ago who were disputing in their workshop. One, who was a little man and without much brain power, was standing up for the Christian cause ; the other was a clever, able workman, who kept challenging him to come into any room or any hall, and he would prove the falsity of the Christian faith. The little one, who was not clever, simply said this, " I cannot argue with you, brother, but I shall never cease to pray for you, that some day you may see things as I do." Years passed by, and that man who scoffed at the Christian faith is a communicant of the Church of England. He was with me last night, and is this afternoon in this cathedral, and if I were to call him up here he would tell you that he now searches the streets where he used to work to find that man to whose never-ceasing prayers he attributes his conversion, in order to give him the happiness of knowing that his year-long prayer has been heard.*
11.
TAKING NO REST.
"Take ye no rest" (marg. " Keep not silence").
Simply to call God to remembrance does not exhaust the human conditions of our own perfecting and of the Church's progress and strength. Two other conditions are singled out to emphasise their necessity : " Take ye no rest, and give him no rest" — unresting activity on our part, and ceaselessness of prayer : those together are the means of moving the mighty will of Jehovah, the double-edged sword whose wielding is fatal to all the powers of evil.
The words " Take ye no rest " or " Keep not silence " are an encouragement against weariness in well-doing, against the creeping paralysis of doubt, and against the bitter ineffectiveness of despondency. They are an encouragement to earnestness both in worship and in work.
1. Weariness. — We shall " keep silence " if we grow weary in well-doing ; if patience gives place to fretfuluess, and love of ease cries out against the practice of self-denial ; if the crown
^ A. Hovey, Manual of Christian Theology, p. 262.
^ A. F. W. Ingram, Banners of the Christian Faith, p. 84.
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is longed for while the cross is shunned, and the reaping is desired while the sowing is neglected. But I trust we shall not thus belie our character. Shame, indeed, if the Lord's remembrancers are themselves reminded in vain. Shame, indeed, if in keeping silence we make it easier for other voices to be heard. Shame, indeed, if we prove ourselves sluggards and not sons, hirelings and not true servants. But " I am persuaded better things of you, and things which accompany salvation."
If There is a legend of a monk, called " Brother Francis," whose duty it was to carry the water to be used in the monastery from St. Mary's well. The way was long, the work was toilsome, and Francis was discontented ; though only God knew how unwilling his daily service was. One evening, when he had been brooding sullenly over his hard lot and wishing he might never be forced to do the work again, the Abbot began unexpectedly to praise him. He was told that his zeal and patience in bringing fresh water several times a day would be rewarded by God ; but that he looked very weary, so the work would now be given into the hands of Brother Paul. Brother Francis, confused and ashamed, accepted the Abbot's blessing ; but with envious glance he watched his successor as he carried the water from the distant spring, day after day.
And rest from toil seemed unto him a sore and bitter thing, A penance, lacking penance' grace — no sweetness, but all sting. And pondering sadly, half in wrath, and half repentingly, He had a vision, and he saw an Angel from on high Who, hour by hour, with Brother Paul, walked all the weary
day. And every footstep reckoned up along the sunny way. And seemed to joy when labour grew; yea, seemed full glad
indeed. As more and more of water fresh the thirsty Brethren need.^
2. Doubt. — Nothing so effectually seals the lips of testimony, stops the note of praise, and hushes the voice of prayer. A cheerful trust in God is necessary in those who seek to bring Him to the remembrance of others. If faith is the hand which lays hold of Christ, so is it the voice which speaks of Him. " Weave truth with trust " is an old motto we may lay to heart. Possessed of the " accent of conviction," there will be no keeping silence, but afflicted with the lock-jaw of doubt there will be
' Dova Faincomb, The Vision of His Face, p. 99.
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great failure of Christian duty and great forfeiture of Christian privilege. Only the faithful heart can speak of and for the faithful God. A grain of sand in the metal will mar the music of the bell, and the presence of doubt in the worker will effectu- ally mar the certain sound of the message expected to be clearly and constantly delivered.