Division of Labor
171
Saved by Effort for Another
A working church is a growing church. The members find a
stimulus and a tonic in helping others. I have read of a man who,
journeying on a winter’s day through deep drifts of snow, became
benumbed by the cold, which was almost imperceptibly freezing his
vital powers. He was nearly chilled to death, and was about to give
up the struggle for life, when he heard the moans of a fellow-traveler,
who was also perishing with cold. His sympathy was aroused, and
he determined to rescue him. He chafed the ice-cold limbs of the
unfortunate man, and after considerable effort raised him to his feet.
As the sufferer could not stand, he bore him in sympathizing arms
through the very drifts he had thought he could never get through
alone.
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When he had carried his fellow-traveler to a place of safety, the
truth flashed home to him that in saving his neighbor he had also saved
himself. His earnest efforts to help another had quickened the blood
that was freezing in his own veins, and sent a healthy warmth to the
extremities of his body.
The lesson that in helping others we ourselves receive help, must
be urged upon young believers continually, by precept and example,
that in their Christian experience they may gain the best results. Let
the desponding ones, those disposed to think that the way to eternal
life is trying and difficult, go to work to help others. Such efforts,
united with prayer for divine light, will cause their own hearts to throb
with the quickening influence of the grace of God, their own affections
to glow with more divine fervor. Their whole Christian life will be
more of a reality, more earnest, more prayerful.
Let us remember that we are pilgrims and strangers on this earth,
seeking a better country, even a heavenly. Those who have united with
the Lord in the covenant of service are under bonds to co-operate with
Him in the work of soul-saving.
Let church-members during the week act their part faithfully, and
on the Sabbath tell their experiences. The meeting will then be as meat
in due season, bringing to all present new life and fresh vigor. When
God’s people see the great need of working as Christ worked for the
conversion of sinners, the testimonies borne by them in the Sabbath
services will be filled with power. With joy they will bear witness to