^ William Law, in A Serious Call, has instructed us in methodical devotion. He systematically divides the day, devoting to certain hours and certain seasons special kinds of praises and prayers. This was the early glory of the Methodist denomination. Their distinctiveness consisted in the systematic ordering of the Christian life. I know that too much method may become a bondage, but too little may become a rout. Too much red tape is creative of servitude, but to have no red tape at all is to be the victim of disorder.
^ Without method memory is useless. Detached facts are practically valueless. All public speakers know the value of method. Persons not accustomed to it imagine that a speech is learnt by heart. Knowing a little about the matter, I will venture to say that if any one attempted that plan, either he must have a marvellous memory, or else he would break down three times out of five. It simply depends upon correct arrange- ment. The words and sentences are left to the moment; the thoughts are methodized beforehand; and the words, if the thoughts are rightly arranged, will place themselves.^
^ In order to do the most we are capable of, the first rule is that every day should see its own work done. Let the task for each day be resolved and arranged for deliberately the night before, and let nothing interfere with its performance. It is a secret which we learn slowly — the secret of living by days. I am convinced that there are very few so precious. What confuses work, what mars life and makes it feverish, is the postponing of the task which ought to be done now. The word which John Euskin had on his seal was " To-day." ^
^ F. W. Robertson, Life and Letters, 389. * Claudius Clear, Letters on Life, 163.
ROMANS XII. II 283
(3) Go once more into the realm of business. Here is a sentence that encounters us from one who knows the road: "The habit of firm decision is indispensable to a man of business." The real business man waits till the hour is come, and then acts decisively. He strikes while the iron is hot. An undecisive business man lives in perpetual insecurity. He meanders along in wavering uncertainty until his business house has to be closed. Is not this element of decision needful in the light of the Spirit ? Eeligious life is too apt to be full of "ifs" and "buts" and " perhapses " and " peradventures." Am I experiencing at this moment a fervent holy spiritual impulse ? In what consists my salvation ? To strike while the iron is hot ! " Suffer me first to go to bid them farewell." No, the iron will speedily grow cold. While the holy thing glows before you, strongly decide and concentrate your energies in supporting your decision. "I am resolved what to do." That was said by a man of the world. Let it be the speech of the man of the Kingdom of God.
^ " We must think again," says Hazlitt, " before we determine, and thus the opportunity for action is lost. While we are con- sidering the very best possible mode of gaining an object, we find that it has slipped through our fingers, or that others have laid rude, fearless hands upon it."
A man can learn but what he can: Who hits the moment is the man.
^ Lord Bacon has noticed, says the author of Friends in Council, that the men whom powerful persons love to have about them are ready men — men of resource. The reason is obvious. A man in power has perhaps thirty or forty decisions to make in a day. This is very fatiguing and perplexing to the mind. Any one, therefore, who can assist him with ready resource and prompt means of execution, even in the trilling matters of the day, soon becomes an invaluable subordinate, worthy of all favour.^
(4) And once more we find that in business life it is essential that a man must run risks and make ventures. He must be daring, and he must have the element of courage. What says the man of the world? "Nothing venture, nothing win." "Faint heart never won fair lady." Faint heart never wins anything, John Bunyan's Faintheart had repeatedly to be carried. Has the
* A. Helps, Friffnds in Council,
284 OUTWARD, INWARD, CHRISTWARD
citizen of the Kingdom to risk anything ? Indeed he has. He must risk the truth. A lie might appear to offer him a bargain, but he must risk the truth. Let him sow the truth, even though the threatened harvest may be tears. Let him venture the truth, even though great and staggering loss seems to be drawn to his door. " He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him." A man has again and again to make his choice between Christ and thirty pieces of silver. Let him make the venture, let the silver go ; risk the loss ! If it means putting up the shutters he will go out with Christ ! " He that loseth his life for my sake shall find it."
^ The Christian belief that all is in God's hands, and all things work together for good, throws a new light on all the trivialities of life. All our petty occupations may be affected by the ultimate hope which we are taught to cherish. " Labour," says Bishop Andrewes {Sermons, ii, 206), " of itself is a harsh, un- pleasant thing unless it be seasoned with hope. . . . 'He that plows must plow in hope,' his plough shall not go deep else, his furrows will be but shallow. Sever hope from labour and you must look for labour and labourers accordingly, slight and shallow, God knoweth." ^