Chapter 31—The Lifework
“This one thing I do.”
Success in any line demands a definite aim. He who would achieve
true success in life must keep steadily in view the aim worthy of his
endeavor. Such an aim is set before the youth of today. The heaven-
appointed purpose of giving the gospel to the world in this generation
is the noblest that can appeal to any human being. It opens a field of
effort to everyone whose heart Christ has touched.
God’s purpose for the children growing up beside our hearths is
wider, deeper, higher, than our restricted vision has comprehended.
From the humblest lot those whom He has seen faithful have in time
past been called to witness for Him in the world’s highest places. And
many a lad of today, growing up as did Daniel in his Judean home,
studying God’s word and His works, and learning the lessons of faithful
service, will yet stand in legislative assemblies, in halls of justice, or
in royal courts, as a witness for the King of kings. Multitudes will be
called to a wider ministry. The whole world is opening to the gospel.
Ethiopia is stretching out her hands unto God. From Japan and China
and India, from the still-darkened lands of our own continent, from
every quarter of this world of ours, comes the cry of sin-stricken hearts
for a knowledge of the God of love. Millions upon millions have never
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so much as heard of God or of His love revealed in Christ. It is their
right to receive this knowledge. They have an equal claim with us
in the Saviour’s mercy. And it rests with us who have received the
knowledge, with our children to whom we may impart it, to answer
their cry. To every household and every school, to every parent, teacher,
and child upon whom has shone the light of the gospel, comes at this
crisis the question put to Esther the queen at that momentous crisis in
Israel’s history, “Who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom
for such a time as this?”
Esther 4:14
.
Those who think of the result of hastening or hindering the gospel
think of it in relation to themselves and to the world. Few think of its
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