The Pulpit Commentary — Acts — Volume 2 — Section 297

I THE NEED OF BPIRITUAL REFRESHMENT. Our minds me.y be compare.tively strong; our health may be sound ; our spiritual faculties may he capable of very vigorous activity; but the time comes before me.ny months, or perhe.ps weeks, or even days, when we need recreation and refreshment. The Father" worketh hitherto "-the omnipo- tent One, he who slumbereth not nor sleepeth, is putting forth untiring activity with- ou~ ces~ation. But he is the Infinite One, the everlasting God who fainteth not, neither 1s weary; and even of him it is said that he "rested from his works." In some sense that was true even of the Supreme. We, with our feebleness and frailty, capable of such small and slight exertion, so soon weary with our work, need frequently recur- ring rest and refreshment of soul. Not only in mechanical industry or in mental exertion, but in philanthropic activities, and even in religious exercises, we need rest, che.nge, e.nd refreshment. Il. Tm; JUSTIFICATION OF IT. Can we spare e.ny time from duties so imperative as are ours who are engaged in holy usefulness, for mere recreation? Is it right to be pas- sive, to leave the weapon untouched, the ground untilled, when so much is calling and even crying t,o be done, when such terrible weeds and thistles are disfiguring the" garden of the Lord"? It is right. We have: 1. The warrant of our Lord himself: "Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a.while" (Mark vi. 31); aud he himself often retired into the lonely mountain-fold for rest and refreshment of spirit. 2. Apos- tolic example (Gal. i. 18). 3. The experience of the wise an<l good of all ages. 4. 'l'ho argument from necessity. Without it we break down; our spirit and our body are pros- trated; the usefulness of onr life is cut short. With it we regain strength, heart, and nerve for continued activity and helpfulness. " Oh, rest awhile, but only for a while; Life's business presses, and the time is short, Ease may the weary of reward beguile ; Let not the workman lose what he has wrought. •Rest for a while, if only for a while; The strong birds tire, and gladly seek their nesl With quiet heart enjoy Heaven's quiet smile: What strength has he who never takes his rest?" III. TB:E SOURCES OF IT. We naturally enggest (1) relaxation of ordinary effort, of whatever k.i.Rd it be; (2) cha.nge of scene and of employment. These are the simple and efficacious expedients which we commonly adopt. But beside these, we may men- tion; (8) genial and inspiring companionships-the finding out such "friends" as those of our text, and having free, unfettered int.ercourse with them; and (4) the solitude which S11ggests communion with God, that measure of loneliness which, without oppress- ing us, will send onr thoughts first inward and then upward, in quiet meditation and in soothing, Slllltaining, refreshing prayer. "Oh, rest awhile, for rest; ia self-retnrn; Leave the loud world, and visit thine own brean. The meaning of thy labours thou wilt learn, When thne at pe.ace, with Jesne for thy Gnest." 0. Vere. 4, 8.-Endeavour and attainment. The voyage from Bidon to the port of Fair Havens supplies ue with an apt illustration of human labour struggling with adverse forces, but ultimately realizing its purpose. For the attainment of our hope, there must ordinarily be- L FuLL ARB.A.NGEMENT BEFOREHAND, Julius had to convey bis prisoners westward: for tb.is purpose he wanted soldiers, a sea-route, vessels that would be making the passage at this time. All this he provided carefully or calculated upon correctly enough (see ver. 6). We cannot hope t,o execute our purpose without a thorough consideration and preparation beforehand.. We must always count the cost and provide the means. We may be engaged in God's work, but we must not presume that Providence will interpose to make good our ca.relesenesa. OQr negligence, our Wl'll~ Qf flevurpn an~ provision.. • • CII, XXVII, 1-44.] THE ACTS OF 'l'HE APOSTLES. 305