Cause in New York
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Brother M could have accomplished good if he had, years ago,
given all for Christ. He has not been sanctified through the truth; his
heart has not been right with God. He has hid his talent in the earth.
What will he who has put his talents to a wrong use say when the Mas-
ter shall require him to give account of his stewardship? Brother M has
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not been an honor to the cause of God. It is dangerous to contend with
the providence of God and to be dissatisfied with almost everything, as
though there had been a special arrangement of circumstances to tempt
and destroy. The work of pruning and purifying to fit us for heaven
is a great work and will cost us much suffering and trial, because our
wills are not subjected to the will of Christ. We must go through the
furnace till the fires have consumed the dross and we are purified and
reflect the divine image. Those who follow their inclinations and are
governed by appearances are not good judges of what God is doing.
They are filled with discontent. They see failure where there is indeed
triumph, a great loss where there is gain; and, like Jacob, they are
ready to exclaim, “All these things are against me,” when the very
things whereof they complain are all working together for their good.
No cross, no crown. How can one be strong in the Lord without
trials? To have strength we must have exercise. To have strong faith,
we must be placed in circumstances where our faith will be exercised.
The apostle Paul, just before his martyrdom, exhorted Timothy: “Be
thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of
God.” It is through much tribulation that we are to enter the kingdom
of God. Our Saviour was tried in every possible way, and yet He
triumphed in God continually. It is our privilege to be strong in the
strength of God under all circumstances and to glory in the cross of
Christ.
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