Evening, February 19
Go To Morning Reading
“He first findeth his own brother Simon.”
John 1:41
This case is an excellent pattern of all cases where spiritual life
is vigorous. As soon as a man has found Christ, he begins to find others . I will not believe that thou hast tasted of the honey of the gospel
if thou canst eat it all thyself. True grace puts an end to all spiritual
monopoly. Andrew first found his own brother Simon, and then others. Relationship has a very strong demand upon our first individual efforts . Andrew, thou didst well to begin with Simon. I doubt whether there
are not some Christians giving away tracts at other people’s houses who would do well to give away a tract at their own—whether there are not some engaged in works of usefulness abroad who
are neglecting their special sphere of usefulness at home. Thou mayst
or thou mayst not be called to evangelize the people in any particular
locality, but certainly thou art called to see after thine own servants,
thine own kinsfolk and acquaintance. Let thy religion begin at home.
Many tradesmen export their best commodities—the Christian should not. He should have all his conversation everywhere
of the best savour; but let him have a care to put forth the sweetest
fruit of spiritual life and testimony in his own family. When Andrew
went to find his brother, he little imagined how eminent Simon would
become. Simon Peter was worth ten Andrews so far as we can gather from sacred history, and yet Andrew was instrumental
in bringing him to Jesus. You may be very deficient in talent yourself,
and yet you may be the means of drawing to Christ one who shall become
eminent in grace and service. Ah! dear friend, you little know the
possibilities which are in you. You may but speak a word to a child,
and in that child there may be slumbering a noble heart which shall
stir the Christian church in years to come. Andrew has only two talents,
but he finds Peter. Go thou and do likewise.