The Pulpit Commentary — Song of Songs — Section 184

plcnsing Christ, and the blessedness of his company, nullifies the pnin and overcomos the discomfort.. Soon the self-denial loses its sting. The loss becomes a gnin, and every thorn blossoms int-0 a rose. "Out of the eater comes forth meat, and out of tho biUer comes forth sweetness." 'l'he love of Christ chan"es cverythin.,., It makes our hell into heaven. 3. There will even be eagerne-ss/01· this arduous wirk. "Let us get ur early to the vineyards." To enter upon this hard toil in company with Jesus, wo shall be ready to forego comfortable sleep. Soon as moru breaks, soon as the opportunity allows, we shall be ready to loap forth to the task, Our old inclinations are overcome and supplanted with new desires and new endeavours. We are burning with ardour to show Jesus our love. We shall fed ashamed if our zeal does not in some measura resemble the zeal of our Immanuel. He was consumed with holy and intensest ardour lo do us good. Said he, "How am I straitened till it be accomplished I" He panted to reach the cross. And now he has commissioned us to take his place and to carry out his work. As bis Father had sent him into the world, so has he e.ent us. His love is to be perpetuated through us. His devotion to humanity must reappear in us. His self-consuming zeal must glow in onr breasts. As he could not represen.t among men the everlasting love of his Father except by incessant toil, humiliating suffering, and a death of public shame, so neither can we adequately represent the savi □ g grace of Christ before men except by enthusiastic zeal and completest consecration. There will be a constant watchfulness for every opportunity of service. To do Christ's work will be our meat and our drink. A principle of sacred earnestness must possess us. As the hallowed fire on the temple-altar was not allowed to expire,.so must not the fire of holy zeal ever expire on the altar of our heart.~. "We are not our own ; " we belong to another; " we are bought with a price ; " therefore duty demand!! that Wtl glorify our Master " with our bodies and with our spirits, which are his." IV. IN HOLY SERVICE THERE IS GREAT VARIETY OF USEFULNESS. "Let us see if the vine flourish, whether the tender grape appear, and the pomegranates bud forth." I. Chrisfs work is the pattern of ours. The work of Jesus among men wa~ manifold. He opened blind eyes, UD5topped deaf ears, -straightened paralyzed limbs, fed the hungry, brought the dead back to life, pardoned men!s sins, purified corrupt and vicious lives, led the erring into light. We dwell in the same world in which Christ dwelt. We are encompassed with suffering humanity. We have the .same motives for labour. Here there is scope foT every capacity. If you cannot preach to great assemblies, you can speak to a wayfarer for Christ. If you cannot vindicate the truth against the assaults of the scoffer, you can feed a hungry child, or console a sorrowing widow, or visit the bedridden, or pray for the outcasts. The youngest disciple may find something to do for Christ's kingdom in this world of sin and suffering. "As ye have opportunity, do good unto all men;" "Freely ye have received, freely give." In nature each drop of falling rain produces a distinct effect, so in the kingdom of Christ a cup of cold water given to a thirsty child obtains its reward. 2. Concern/or the young is ;here suggested. "Whether the tender grape appear." Every living Church will have special agencitis to gain the young. They have special claims on us. The heart is as yet unoccupied. Character is plastic. Feeling is fresh. There is eager inquiry :i,fter the trut_h .. Labour among the young is full of promise. In the young Jesus ·Christ feels special interest. Every parent should see to it that their children's hearts are opening to Christ, We ought to see conversion to God very early. If faith be the great. essential, then very early do children put faith in a parent or in a friend, and such faith they can as readily place in Jesus the Saviour.. ~arents have special promises fro~ :God to encourage ~heir J,ope. "I will pour my .Spint upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thy offspring." Jesus has special love for the lambs in the flock, .. , "The flower, when offered in the.pud, Li no vain sacrifice." 3. PW'Uli care for all inquirer, is indicated. "Let ua see -whether the pomegranates bud forth." It is a hopeful sign of grace when one .is, inquiring after the light. Already there is a stir in that dead soul. '£he deep• sleep of· sin is broken, 'l'he man is awaking. Possibly, like some inveterate sluggard, he may tum over on the c,ther side, and fall into deeper sleep than before, Buch a thing. often happens, both in nature and in grace. Now is our opportunity while he is ha.If awake, Now on. vn. 1-13.J THE SONG OF SOLOMON. 175