&

ANGER was just what Sinbad and his men wanted. They got the apes
angry so that the apes would gather their food for them. That is
a good illustration of how by indulgence in anger we play into
the hands of our foes.

4. Anger is just one letter short of danger.

5. The anger of today is the remorse of tomorrow.

6. The worst of slaves is he whom anger rules.

7. Another thing that seems to improve the longer you

keep it is your temper.

8. To be angry with a weak man is proof that you are

not very strong yourself.

Related Index Topics: Arguments, Hate, Jealousy, 9. Temper gets people into trouble, but pride keeps
Humility/Pride, Patience, Wisdom them there.

1. When I have lost my temper 10. Anger is a state that starts with madness & ends
I have lost my reason too. with regret.
I'm never proud of anything
Which angrily I do. 11. Anger is an acid that can do more harm to the
When I have talked in anger vessel in which it is stored than to anything on which it is
And my cheeks were flaming red poured.
I have always uttered something
Which I wish I had not said, 12. He who can suppress a moment's anger may
In anger I have never prevent a day of sorrow.
Done a kindly deed or wise,
But many things for which I felt 13. It is easy to fly into a passion--anybody can do
I should apologize. that--but to be angry with the right person at the right time &
In looking back across my life, with the right object in the right way--that is not easy, & it is
And all I've lost or made, not everyone who can do it. --Aristotle
I can't recall a single time
When fury ever paid. 14. Our anger & impatience often prove much more
So I struggle to be patient, mischievous than the things about which we are angry or
For I've reached a wiser age; impatient. --Marcus Aurelius
I do not want to do a thing
Or speak a word in rage. 15. Anger is seldom without a reason, but seldom a
I have learned by sad experience good one.--Benjamin Franklin
That when my temper flies
I never do a worthy deed, 16. Act nothing in a furious passion. It is putting to sea
A decent deed or wise. in a storm.

2. The Emperor Julius Caesar, when provoked, used to
repeat the whole Roman alphabet before he permitted himself to
speak. ( Jonah 4:4 ; Eph. 4:26 )
3. Anger weakens a man. It puts him at a disadvantage
in every undertaking in life. When Sinbad and his sailors landed
on one of their tropical islands, they saw high up in the trees
coconuts which could quench their thirst and satisfy their
hunger. The coconuts were far above the reach of Sinbad and
the sailors, but in the branches of the trees were the chattering
apes. Sinbad and his men began to throw stones and sticks up at
the apes. This enraged the monkeys and they began to seize the
coconuts and hurl them down at the men on the ground. That
17. When anger was in Cain's heart, murder was not
far off.--Matthew Henry
18. Nothing makes room for Satan more than wrath.
19. The greatest remedy for anger is delay.--Seneca
20. Anger may rush into a wise man's bosom, but
should not rest there.--John Trapp
21. For every minute you're angry, you lose sixty
seconds of happiness.
 22. He is a fool who cannot get angry, but he is a wise
man who will not.
23. Hot words never resulted in cool judgement.
24. When a person strikes in anger, he usually misses
the mark.
25. When you're right you can afford to keep your
temper; when you're wrong you can't afford to lose it.
26. If you would like to control your temper, be like a
kettle--sing when you boil.
27. The best cure for a short temper is a lengthy
prayer.
28. Some people are like firecrackers--they explode
when the heat is applied.
29. Forgiveness saves the expense of anger, the high
cost of hatred, & the waste of energy.
30. When a man loses his temper, his reason goes on a
vacation.
31. It is always a good idea to be selfish with your
temper--so always keep it.
32. He who has a sharp tongue soon cuts his own
throat.
33. Anger makes your mouth work faster than your
mind.
34. Patience strengthens the spirit, sweetens the
temper, stifles anger, subdues pride, & bridles the tongue.
35. The man who cannot be angry at evil usually lacks
enthusiasm for good.
36. God permits us to be angry in order to gnash our
teeth against the Devil--not to set us in array against each
other.--"Be angry & sin not." ( Eph. 4:26 )
37. Never answer an angry word with an angry word.
It's the second one that produces a quarrel.
38. Don't give anyone a piece of your mind--you need
it all yourself!
39. Swallowing angry words is much easier than
having to eat them!
40. You never can be quite sure what kind of a mind a
person has until he gives you a piece of it.
41. Men with clenched fists cannot shake hands.
42. When the other follow gets angry, he is "ill-
tempered". When I do, it's because my "nerves are bothering
me".
43. The trouble with letting off steam is--it only gets
you into more hot water.
44. He who blows his stack adds to the World's
pollution.
45. You can't put things across by getting cross.
46. An angry man is seldom reasonable; a reasonable
man is seldom angry.
47. Anger is like the fire extinguisher in a building--it
is to be used only in case of emergency.
48. When angry, count ten before speaking. When very
angry, count one hundred & then don't speak.
49. Striking while the iron is hot may be all right, but
don't strike while the head is hot.
50. You are not a dynamic person simply because you
blow your top.
51. The size of a man is measured by the size of the
thing that makes him angry.
52. Anyone who angers you conquers you.
53. There are two things that a man should never be
angry at--what he can help, & what he cannot.
54. Form the habit of closing your mouth when angry.
55. As a general rule, the angriest person in a
controversy is the one who is wrong.
56. He who goes to bed angry has the Devil for a bed-
fellow. Never take your enemies to bed with you.
57. It's easy to get up in the air. Coming down is what
hurts.
58. No matter whether you are on the road or in an
argument, when you begin to see red, STOP!
59. One of the sorriest spectacles imaginable is the
anger of two people who have gotten into an argument over
something that neither of them knows anything about.
60. We tend to think of anger as sin, & usually
correctly, but sometimes it is sinful not to be angry. It is
unthinkable that God would not be purely & perfectly angry
with sin.
 61. In anger Moses killed the Egyptian & had to flee
for his life & it took him 40 years of patiently, humbly, tending
sheep in the wilderness, with time to listen to the Voice of God
instead of his own impulses, before he was ready for the slow,
labourious, patient work of the Exodus--slow, but sure!

62. Moses was 40 days & nights on the mountain

hearing from God, but in one split second of anger, he broke all
Ten Commandments & lost the whole thing, & had to go back
& spend another 40 days; his haste took him twice as long.

63. When Moses got upset & broke the tablets, he had
to go back & stay another 40 days on the mountain to get quiet
again! What good did it do for him to get upset--he just had to
get quiet again to hear from the Lord. He might as well have
come down & taken it quietly & calmly. It would have saved
him another 40 days up there.

64. I abhor all violence except the violence of the

judgements of God & the violence of the rod for children,
which is a type of the same thing. God's Word says, "Keep not
company with an angry man!" ( Prov.22:24 ) because an angry
person is apt to do violence & actual bodily harm & cause all
kinds of trouble.

65. How are we to understand God's wrath? Does God

raise His voice...get red in the face...allow His Own feelings to
cloud His objectivity...& sometimes lose control? No, the wrath
of God is as pure as the holiness of God. When God is angry,
He is perfectly angry. When He is displeased, there is every
reason He should be.

66. Anger is a thief that seizes control of man's

faculties and uses them blindly and destructively. Usually a man
who loses his temper also temporarily loses his ability to think
logically.
ARGUMENTS
Related Index Topics: Anger, Hate, Humility/Pride,
Relations with People, Criticism & Gossip,
Righteousness/Self-righteousness
1. To disagree is one thing; to be disagreeable is
another.
2. It will do no good to argue if you're in the wrong, &
if you're right--you don't need to.
3. Many an argument is sound--& only sound!
4. The more arguments you win, the fewer friends
you'll have.
5. Before you have an argument with your boss, you'd
better take a good look at both sides--his side & the outside.
6. The weaker the argument, the stronger the words.
7. Sometimes when you're arguing with a fool, he's
doing the same thing.
8. An argument produces plenty of heat, but not much
light.
9. You get out of an argument exactly what you put
into it--a lot of hot air.
10. In an argument the best weapon to hold is your
tongue.
11. Discussion is an exchange of knowledge; argument
is an exchange of ignorance.
12. A husband & wife in Montana make it a point not
to argue over anything not worth arguing about. Of course, this
leads to some dandy fights over whether or not a subject is
worthwhile.
13. An argument is a collision in which two trains of
thought are derailed.
14. If you must argue, the best way to win is to start by
being right.
15. Don't argue at the dinner table. The one who is not
hungry always wins the argument.
16. When an argument flares up, the wise man
quenches it with silence.
17. Arguing about religion is much easier than
practicing it.
18. It is a rare thing to win an argument & the other
fellow's respect at the same time.
19. It is fair to hear both sides of an argument, it is
heavenly to hear the end of it.
20. An ounce of facts is worth a ton of arguments.
21. More homes are destroyed by fusses than by
funerals or fires.
22. There's one thing to be said of ignorance--it causes
a lot of interesting arguments.
23. When a man uses profanity to support an
argument, it indicates that either the man or the argument is
weak--probably both.
24. What a great World this would be if people would
spend as much energy practicing their religion as they spend
quarrelling about it.
25. Strong & bitter words indicate a weak cause.--
Victor Hugo
26. Silence is one of the hardest things to refute.
27. Argument is the worst sort of conversation.
28. A sure way to stop a red-hot argument is to lay a
few cold facts on it.
29. The only thing worse than being on the wrong side
of an argument is being in the middle.
30. The only people who really listen to an argument
are the neighbours.
CHILDREN & PARENTS
7. Little girls are one of the nicest things that happen to
people. They are born with a little bit of angel-shine about
them; & though it wears thin sometimes, there is always enough
left to lasso your heart, even when they're sitting in the mud, or
crying temperamental tears, or parading the street in mother's
best clothes.

8. Socrates said, "Could I climb to the highest place in

Athens, I would lift my voice & proclaim--fellow-citizens, why
do ye turn & scrape every stone to gather wealth, & take so
little care of your chill, to whom one day you most relinquish it
Includes: Pregnancy, Birth & Babies all?"
Related Topics: Abortion, Adoption, Cute Kids, Delinquents,
Fathers, Mothers, Parents, Grandparents, Potential, Teens, 9. Dr. James Dobson, a child development specialist,
Influence. says that children are sometimes permanently harmed by
people's attitudes towards their looks. Even at age 3 or 4,
1. Would you write your name among the stars children can tell if they are beautiful or ugly. One of his patients
Then write it large upon was a 36-year-old man who told him: "I was 5 years old when I
The hearts of children. realized I was ugly, & I've never been the same since."
They will remember! Unhappily, most people treat children as they were
Have you visions of a nobler, happier World? beauty contest contestants, giving warmth & praise to the good-
Tell the children! looking & ridiculing or neglecting the fat, skinny, or whatever
They will build it for you. child. The result for the latter is lifelong self-doubt & feelings
of worthlessness. Nicknames like "Bucky Beaver", "Pee Wee"
2. Last night my little boy confessed to me or "Birdlegs" can cause harm for life. Instead of exalting
Some childish wrong; beauty, brains or accomplishment, the specialist urges adults to
And kneeling at my knee, teach children to emphasize virtues such as diligence, patience
He prayed with tears-- & honesty.
"Dear God, make me a man "It's tough to buck the values of society as it is now."
Like Daddy--wise & strong; Dr. Dobson admitted, "but teaching a child spiritual values is at
I know you can." least a good place to start."

Then while he slept
I knelt beside his bed,
Confessed my sins,
And prayed with low-bowed head.
"O God, make me a child
Like my child here--
Pure, guileless,
Trusting Thee with faith sincere."
--Andrew Gillies
3. A six-year-old came home from school one day with
a note from his teacher in which it was suggested that he be
taken out of school as he was "too stupid to learn". His name:
Thomas Alva Edison.
4. If you have a boy who just can't learn in your class,
don't despair. He may be a late bloomer. It has now come out
that Dr. Wernher von Braun, the missile & satellite expert,
flunked math & physics in his early teens.
5. Children are today's investment & tomorrow's
dividend.
6. Children are natural mimics. They act like their
parents in spite of all our attempts to teach them good manners.
10. Newspaper columnist Abigail Van Buren has
composed a "Parent's Prayer" in which she stresses the practical
side of raising children. Says "Dear Abby":
"Oh, heavenly Father, make me a better parent. Teach
me to understand my children, to listen patiently to what they
have to say, & to answer all their questions kindly. Keep me
from interrupting them or contradicting them. Make me as
courteous to them as I would have them be to me. Forbid that I
should ever laugh at their mistakes, or resort to shame or
ridicule when they displease me. May I never punish them for
my own selfish satisfaction or to show my power.
"Let me not tempt my child to lie or steal. And guide
me hour by hour that I may demonstrate by all I say & do that
honesty produces happiness.
"Reduce, I pray, the meanness in me. And when I am
out of sorts, help me, O Lord, to hold my tongue.
"May I ever be mindful that my children are children
& I should not expect of them the judgment of adults.
"Let me not rob them of the opportunity to wait on
themselves & to make decisions.
"Bless me with the bigness to grant them all their
reasonable requests, & the courage to deny them privileges I
know will do them harm.
"Make me fair & just & kind. And fit me, Oh Lord, to
be loved & respected & imitated by my children. Amen."
 A life of faith & joy.
11. A little girl can be sweeter (& badder) oftener than
anyone else in the World. She can jitter around, & stomp, & I'm not too young to know
make funny noises that frazzle your nerves. Yet just when you The Saviour's love for me
are about to scold, she stands there demure with that special In coming down to earth below
look in her eyes. To die upon the tree.

12. A girls is innocence playing the the mud, beauty I'm not too young to love,
standing on its head, & motherhood dragging a doll by the foot. I'm not too young to pray,
To look to Jesus up above
13. Juvenile delinquency is a situation that results And all His Word obey.
when parents do not get to the seat of the problem.
Jesus, I love Thy name;
14. The Rev. Sam Harney, pastor of Grace Brethren From evil keep me free,
Church of Toppenish, Washington, gave mothers in his And ever hold Thy little lamb
congregation large wooden paddles & warned them about Who puts his trust in Thee.
sparing the rod & spoiling the child. He warned, "The time is
come to leave the Dr. Spock philosophy of child raising & 18. God borrows from many creatures to make a little
return to the Biblical principle of 'train up a child in the way he girl. He uses the song of a bird, the squeal of a pig, the
should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." stubbornness of a mule, the antics of a monkey, the spryness of
a grasshopper, the curiosity of a cat, the slyness of a fox, the
15. A perfect example of minority rule is a baby in the softness of a kitten, & to top it all off, He adds the mysterious
house. mind of a woman.

16. If a child lives with criticism 19. A baby is Mama's little yelper.
He learns to condemn.
20. People who say they sleep like a baby undoubtedly
If a child lives with hostility don't have one.
He learns to fight.
21. A rich man died & left no heirs. When his
If a child lives with ridicule household goods were auctioned off, an elderly lady dressed in
He learns to be shy. shabby garments was the only one to bid on the picture of the
dead man's son. It had been greatly cherished by the wealthy
If a child lives with shame father because his only child had died at an early age. But the
He learns to feel guilty. crowd that had gathered for the sale showed no interest in it.
When the woman who bought the portrait was asked why she
If a child lives with tolerance wanted it, she said she had been the boy's nurse many years
He learns to be patient. before, & had loved him dearly.
Later she examined the picture closely & noticed a
If a child lives with encouragement bulge in the heavy paper on the back. Making a small cut, she
He learns confidence. removed an envelope which turned out to be the man's missing
will. The document very clearly stated that he wanted to leave
If a child lives with praise his property to the person who still held dear the memory of his
He learns to appreciate. beloved son.

If a child lives with fairness 22. Discipline is what you inflict on one end of a child
He learns justice. to impress the other.

If a child lives with approval 23. Some parents being with giving in & end with
He learns to like himself. giving up.

If a child lives with acceptance & friendship 24. By the time some parents get around to putting a
He learns to find love in the world. foot down, the child already has his on the accelerator.
by Dorothy Law Nolte
25. Applied child psychology was more effective when
17. I'm not too young to sin. the applicator was a small strap.
I'm not too young to die,
I'm not too little to begin 26. Just yesterday it seems my children
 Played upon the floor
And I wiped countless fingerprints
From window pane & door.
I kissed away a thousand tears
And darned sock after sock
And tried to keep pace with the hands
That raced around the clock.
And often when at end of day,
Too tired to sleep, in bed I lay,
I'd think how nice when, children grown,
My time again should be my own.
So now I sit & rock alone,
My hands at rest, the work all done;
No little tots upon the floor,
No fingerprints upon the door.
No socks to mend, bruises to kiss--
Ah me! How could I know I'd miss
The very things I grudged to do
Dear God, if only there might be
Someone again who needed me!
27. Teacher to mother about her child: "Don't believe
everything he tells you about me & I won't believe everything
he tells me about you."
28. A five-year-old girl in the Andean mountain area
of South America was carrying her baby brother on her back. A
tourist asked her, "Isn't he heavy?" "No," she answered, "he's
my brother."
29. When a child is old enough to know that he has
sinned, that child is old enough to know that he needs to be
saved.
30. I took a piece of plastic clay
And idly fashioned it one day;
And as my fingers pressed it still,
It moved & yielded at my will.
I came again when days were past,
The form I gave it still it bore,
And as my fingers pressed it still,
I could change that form no more.
I took a piece of living clay,
And gently formed it day by day,
And molded with my power & art,
A young child's soft & yielding heart.
I came again when days were gone;
It was a man I looked upon,
He still that early impress bore,
And I could change it never more.
31. It is good to remember that Washington was one of
ten children, John Wesley of twenty-one children, Shakespeare
one of eight, Sir Walter Scott one of eleven, Benjamin Franklin
was the tenth, Lyman Beecher, father of Harriet Beecher-Stowe,
was one of thirteen & the most puny baby of them all.
Tennyson was one of twelve, & Catherine of Siena one of
twenty-two.
32. I'd like to tell you of my son,
He's quite a rowdy lad,
And he left, spanked, for school today.
'Cause he'd been acting bad.
I've asked the Lord to help me see
And learn the secrets why
At times he acts just like he does .
--I really want to try!
It seems his thoughts so distant
That I don't have a chance,
To try to bring him down to Earth.
--It seems he's in a trance!
But at his age, now don't you think,
He ought to comb his hair?
Or wash his face?
Or brush his teeth?
Without my being there!?
Yet, Lord, he's really reaching out
And wants to learn it all.
Each day he lives excites him so,
--All life awaits his call!
He seeks out mysteries, one by one,
And each one gives him pleasure!
Has he unlocked Pandora's box,
Or opened Heaven's treasure?
It takes real faith to trust God's Word,
That, if his heart we'll train,
And teach him in the way to go,
He'll not depart!--We claim!
So as he journeys day by day
To test all that he's heard,
We'll go ahead, prepare the trail,
And mark it with God's Word!
It's 5 o'clock, I hear him now,
His greeting has me floored!
"Mom, guess what? My class got saved!
I led them to the Lord!"
--by Seek
33. If you don't firmly program your children's minds
with truth, someone else will do so with half-truth, untruth, &
unimportant truth.

34. A judge who has been involved in a great many
family cases said: "We adults spend far too much time
preparing the path for our youth & far too little time preparing
our youth for the path."
35. At four they know all the questions; at fourteen
they know all the answers.
36. I went to do some evaluation of a teacher of
kindergarten kids--at the teacher's request. For the fifty minutes
I was there this teacher tried to lecture. Finally, the bell rang, &
she cranked out the memory verse. Afterwards she sighed,
"Boy, I got over the lesson."
When she came to see me, I said to her, "Did it ever
occur to you that you're really competing against the Holy
Spirit?"
"I certainly don't intend to do that."
"But did it ever occur to you that God made this child
with an attention span of about four to five minutes? And all the
time you kept saying to the child, 'keep quiet,' 'sit still' & God
kept saying, 'Wiggle.' And what did he do? He listened to God
every time."
About 85% of the discipline problems in school, in
church, in home, come because we do not understand the pupil
with whom we are working.
37. Some years ago in the state of New York, there
was a poor little outcast girl by the name of Mag, just like any
one of myriads in all the country round about. How much do
you suppose it would have taken to have saved her? How much
money? How much human service? It was not expended. She
sank into vice.
Seventy years passed, & somebody who knew that
Mag went bad tried to find out what had been some of the
results of her badness. They found she had had 1,200
descendants in the seventy years. They found that, as far as
known, 280 of these were paupers & 148 were criminals. They
found positive proof that her descendants, by their vices, had
cost the State $1,308,000.
If she had been saved, with an expenditure of ten,
twenty five or a hundred dollars, don't you think it would have
been good economy financially? Was there ever greater folly
from a financial standpoint than to let Mag go down?
38. With the young mother busy elsewhere in the
house, the father had undertaken the task of feeding little Becky
in her highchair. The sloppy procedure went along about as
expected, & after various starts, half-starts & accidents, he
finally called out to his wife, "Becky just finished the strained
prunes, but I think she wants some more. Should I give her a
second coat?"
39. Perhaps parents would enjoy their children more if
they stopped to realise that the film of childhood can never be
run through for a second showing.
40. In the early French revolution, the schoolboys of
Bourges, from twelve to seventeen years of age, formed
themselves into a Band of Hope. They wore a uniform, & were
taught to drill. On their holidays, their flag was unfurled,
displaying in shining letters the sentence, Tremblez, Tyrans,
Nous Grandirons! (Tremble, Tyrants, we shall grow up!) May
we hear the shout of confidence & courage, uttered by the
young Christians of today, as they say, "Tremble, O enemy, we
are growing up for God!"
41. His mind's a flying saucer
His room a satelloid.
His words are from a glossary
An Einstein would avoid.
He's quite adept in rocketry.
He knows the names of stars.
He's forsworn Davy Crockettry
To plan a trip to Mars.
He boldly deals in distancy.
Fine spacemenship's his mark,
With just one inconsistency--
He's frightened of the dark.
42. If both horse & mare trot, the colt will not amble.
43. If we paid no more attention to our plants that we
have to our chill, we would now be living in a jungle of weeds.
44. A child is your second chance.
45. Great ideas & fine principles do not live from
generation to generation just because they are good, nor because
they have been carefully legislated. Ideals & principles continue
from generation to generation only when they are built into the
hearts of children as they grow up. (Dr. George S. Benson)
46. While reviewing Jam.4:8, Joy, age 3, quoted,
"Draw a line to God & he will draw a line to you."
47. The best inheritance a parent can give to his
children is a few minutes of his time each day.
48. All anybody expects of an adolescent is that he act
like an adult & be satisfied to be treated like a child.
49. People who handle other people's money are
required to account for every cent. Are children less valuable?
50. Jesus put a child in the midst; others put him in the
basement.
51. Child by child we build our nation.
52. One reason for juvenile delinquency is that many
parents are raising their children by remote control.
53. All television is educational television. The only
question is, what is it teaching?
54. The kind of person your child is going to be, he is
already becoming.
55. I think ofttimes as the night draws nigh
Of an old house on the hill,
Of a yard all wide & blossom-starred
Where the children played at will.
And when the night at last came down,
Hushing the merry din,
Mother would look around & ask,
"Are all the children in?"
"Tis many & many a year since then,
And the old house on the hill
No longer echoes to childish feet,
And the yard is still, so still.
But I see it all as the shadows creep,
And though many the years have been,
Even now, I can hear my mother ask,
"Are all the children in?"
I wonder if, when the shadows fall
On the last short, earthly day,
When we say goodbye to the world outside,
All tired with our childish play,
When we step out into that Other Land
Where mother so long has been,
Will we hear her ask, as we did of old, "Are all the
children in ?"
And I wonder, too, what the Lord will say,
To us older children of His,
Have we cared for the lambs? Have we showed them
the fold?
A privilege joyful it is.
And I wonder, too, what our answers will be,
When His loving questions begin:
"Have you heeded My voice? Have you told of My
love?
Have you brought My children in?"
56. Mohammed Ali summed it up neatly during his
Friday visit at Children's Hospital in Newington, Conn., when
he said, "What I like about the children is: Kids are exiles from
Heaven. You can see God in children because they haven't had
a chance to come into evil. That's why the first thing they do
when they come onto Earth is cry."
57. Campbell Morgan, the famous preacher, says:
"When but eight years old I preached to my little sister & to her
dolls arrayed in orderly form before me. My sermons were
Bible stories which I had first heard from my mother."
58. Childhood is like a mirror which reflects in later
life the images presented to it.
59. Nothing is too good for the child.
60. Children are poor men's riches.
61. Let every father & mother realise that when their
child is three years of age, they have done more than half they
will ever do for its character.
62. Those who educate children well are more to be
honored than they who produce them; for these only gave them
life, those the art of living well.
63. Every child born into the world is a new thought of
God, an ever-fresh & radiant possibility.
64. Many a boy is the kind of kid his mother tells him
not to play with.
65. Think not that he is all too young to teach,
His little heart will like a magnet reach
And touch the truth for which you have no speech.
66. In vacation Bible school little four-year-old Mary
insisted on placing her hand on the top of her head while the
group said the pledge to the American flag. When her teacher
asked her why she did this she replied:
"Well, that's where my heart is. Mother always puts
her hand on the top of my head & says, 'Bless your little heart,
Mary.'"
67. The Sunday school teacher asked a little girl if she
knew who Matthew was. The answer was no. The teacher then
asked if she knew who John was. Again the answer was "no".
Finally the teacher asked if she knew who Peter was.
She answered: "I think he was a rabbit."
68. Money can build a house, but it takes love to make
it a home.
69. Six-year-old Bobby's report card showed excellent
marks except in deportment.
"Bobby," said his mother, "the teacher has a note
attached that says you were a little boisterous."
"Well," answered Bobby. "It would have been a bit
hard to be girlsterous!"
70. Children need love, especially when they do not
deserve it.
71. A happy family is but an earlier heaven.
72. Our children need our presence more than our
presents.
73. For parents to see a child grow up without Christ is
a far greater dereliction of duty than for the parents to have
children who grow up without learning to read or write.
 74. It is emphatically not a Christian duty to let a child
"make up its own mind" without first informing, guiding &
encouraging him.
75. Godly parents do not inflict upon their children the
cruelty of telling them that they should do "just as they please".
76. Little Susan, four years old, returned from sunday
School with her offering money.
"Why didn't you give your money in the offering
today, dear?" her mother asked.
"Because our teacher told us that if we love Jesus He
comes & lives in our hearts. And you told me never to put
money in my mouth. So I didn't know what to do. If I gave my
money to Jesus I would have to swallow it."
77. If you make children happy now, you will make
them happy twenty years hence by the memory of it.
78. The soul of a child is the loveliest flower
That grows in the garden of God.
Its climb is from weakness to knowledge & power,
To the sky from the clay & the clod.
To beauty & sweetness it grows under care,
Neglected, "tis ragged & wild.
'Tis a plant that is tender, but wondrously rare,
The sweet, wistful soul of a child.
Be tender, O gardener, & give it its share
Of moisture, of warmth, & of light,
And let it not lack for the painstaking care,
To protect it from frost & from blight.
A glad day will come when its bloom shall unfold,
It will seem that an angel has smiled,
Reflecting a beauty & sweetness untold
In the sensitive soul of a child.
79. God wants the boys, the merry, merry boys
The noisy boys, the funny boys,
The thoughtless boys;
God wants the boys with all their joys,
That He as gold may make them pure,
And teach them trials to endure;
His heroes brave, He'd have them be,
Fighting for truth & purity.
God wants the boys!
God wants the happy-hearted girls,
The loving girls, the best of girls,
The worst of girls;
God wants to make the girls His pearls,
And so reflect His holy face,
And bring to mind His wondrous grace,
That beautiful the world may be,
And filled with love & purity,
God wants the girls!
80. It was the maid's day off & the lady of the house
was doing her own marketing. On her way home she happened
to meet the maid who was wheeling a baby carriage which
contained a smiling set of twins. Stopping to pet the children
she casually asked the maid, "And whose children are these?"
"Mine, ma'am."
"Yours, Sally, why I always thought you were an old
maid."
"Well, ma'am, I is. But I ain't a fussy old maid."
81. Howard Maxwell of Los Angeles had a four-year-
old daughter, Melinda, who had acquired a fixation for "David
& Goliath" & demanded that he read it to her night after night.
Mr. Maxwell, pleased with himself, tape-recorded the story.
When Melinda next asked for it, he simply switched on the
playback. This worked for a couple of nights, but then one
evening Melinda pushed the storybook at her father. "Now
honey," he said, "you know how to turn on the recorder."
"Yes," said Melinda, "but I can't sit on its lap."
82. He is just seven years old.
He is made up of the following ingredients:
Noise, energy, imagination, curiosity & hunger.
He is the "cute little fellow down the street,"
"That spoiled important next door," or "My son,"
Depending upon who you are.
He is something to be kept, fed, clothed, healthy,
happy & out of trouble
BUT...
He is something else, too.
He is tomorrow.
He is the future we are working for:
He is part of the World's most important generation.
Our generation must love them & win them.
His generation will determine whether it was worth
doing.
He is one of the most important people in history.
SO...
Anyone who influences his life is also a mighty
important person.
83. His trousers are torn, rolled up to the knee;
A hole in his shirt which he caught on a tree;
But I see a soul for whom Jesus has died,
Clothed in His righteousness, pressed to His side.
I see not labor & hours of prayer
Spent for that freckled-faced naughty boy there,
But I see a Saviour with arms open wide,
Waiting in heaven to take him inside.
I see not freckles, but man fully grown,
A heart filled with God's Word I've carefully sown,
A life speaking forth for the Saviour each day,
O Lord, for this boy I most earnestly pray.
I see not his mischief, but energy bent,
 Put to the task where the Lord wants it spent;
O God, make this lively, mischievous boy
A power for Thee, to Thy heart great joy.
84. In animated conversation, the adults of the family
& their guests around the dinner table had completely forgotten
for the time being the presence of four-year-old Dorothy, who
had been automatically excluded. After a time she tentatively
plucked at her mother's sleeve, & asked, "Remember me?"
85. What a sweet good morning wake-up!
Or is it but a dream instead?
--When one hour after the other
Children crawl into my bed!
With smiles they hug & greet us,
And cuddle snugly near
Then I am, oh, so thankful
This time I have them here!
Who cares for time in private,
To be away & all alone?
Though I'll admit, that more than once I've wished for
elbow room.
O Lord, please do forgive me!
--It took me time to see,
That all these precious children
Are Your sweet Love for me!
Sometimes some people ask me,
"Where's your great career?
You're still out hanging diapers
While the next one's drawing near!"
Then comes the classic question,
You don't plan on having more?!"
It breaks my heart!--They just don't see
The blessing that's in store!
Now I can smile & wonder
How I could once have thought
That walking other pathways
Could bring the joy I've got!
'Cause here in bed this morning
Nestled next to me,
Is all the joy & happiness
I once sought long to see!
Shalom
86. Sophisticated, worldly-wise,
I searched for God & found Him not,
Until one day, the world forgot,
I found Him in my baby's eyes.
--Mary Afton Thacker
87. Part of Aaron Burr's reputation for profligacy was
due, not doubt, to that vanity respecting women of which Davis
himself speaks. He never refused to accept the parentage of a
child.
"Why do you allow this woman to saddle you with her
child when you know you are not the father of it?", said a friend
to him a few months before his death.
"Sir," he replied, "when a lady does me the honor to
name me the father of her child I trust I shall always be too
gallant to show myself ungrateful for the favor."
88. Give me a little child to point the way,
Over the strange sweet path that leads to Thee;
Give me the little voice to teach to pray;
Give me two shining eyes Thy face to see.
The only crown I ask, dear Lord, to wear,
Is this: that I may teach a little child.
I do not ask that I may ever stand
Among the wise, the worthy, or the great--
I only ask that softly, hand in hand,
A child & I may enter at the gate.
--C.A. Fields
89. "Some would gather money
Along the path of life,
Some would gather roses,s
And rest from worldly strife;
But I would gather children From among the thorns of
sin,
I would seek a golden curl,
And a freckled, toothless grin.
For money cannot enter
In that land of endless day,
And roses that are gathered
Soon will wilt along the way.
But oh, the laughing children,
As I cross the sunset sea,
And the gates swing wide to heaven
I can take them in with me!"
90. A builder builded a temple,
He wrought it with grace & skill;
Pillars & groins & arches
All fashioned to work his will.
Men said, as they saw its beauty,
"It shall never know decay;
Great is thy skill, O Builder!
Thy fame shall endure for aye."
A Teacher builded a temple
With loving & infinite care,
Planning each arch with patience,
Laying each stone with prayer.
None praised her unceasing efforts,
None knew of her wondrous plan,
For the temple the Teacher builded
Was unseen by the eyes of man.
 Gone is the Builder's temple,
Crumpled into the dust;
Low lies each stately pillar,
Food for consuming rust.
But the temple the Teacher builded
Will last while the ages roll,
For that beautiful unseen temple
Was a child's immortal soul.
91. The question mark & promise & wild possibility
that exist in each newborn infant are a reminder to us of that in
ourselves which is godlike--godlike in reason, in apprehension,
& in vision. It hangs above the cradle like a rainbow. There are
magic & mystery in that frail bundle of flesh. He has genius in
his tiny head. He can grow & he can learn. The beauty of the
World is in his face; he sleeps with the innocence of snow; he
rages with the authority of Jove; & his brave little flower of a
fist will grow to hold the plow, drive the ships, heal the sick,
sway the multitudes, & perhaps even point the way to a happy
new World.
92. He's not my boy,
but when his hand
Is held in mine I understand
The problems that he has to face;
I glimpse his goal in life's long race,
And then a thrill akin to joy
Sweeps over me--
He IS my boy.
He's not my boy, he has no dad;
He's just a lonely, little lad
Who'll have to battle all the way.
And so, in trust, if he will lay
His hand in mine, I'll count it joy
To help that lad--
I call my boy.
93. They pass so soon, the days of youth;
The children change so fast:
Quickly they harden in the mould,
And the plastic years are past.
Then shape their lives while they are young;
This be our prayer, our aim--
That every child we meet shall bear
The imprint of His name!
--Martha Snell Nicholson
94. Good manners require a great deal of time, as does
wise treatment of children.
95. A little boy's first Bible
Is the greatest thrill he's known.
There's a sweet, unique excitement
In a Bible all his own!
And yet my heart is smitten
As this touching sight I see,
Has his reverence for that Bible
Depended much on me?
As I see him with his Bible,
I bow my head & pray,
May he always love that Bible
The way he does today.
Then I hear a voice within me
Speak in solemn words & true,
How he cherishes that Bible
Will depend a lot on you.
I love my Bible better
Since I've seen the beaming joy
This wonderful possession
Has afforded to my boy.
May I see to give mine daily
A devotion He can see.
For the love he bears his Bible
Will depend a lot on me.
96. Children are a big fulltime job! To be a mother
takes the strength of Samson, the wisdom of Solomon, the
patience of Job, the insight of Daniel, the administrative ability
of David & also the fight of David. It takes the faith of
Abraham, who was the father of faith & the father of the
faithful, & most of all it takes the love of God!--Dad
97. One day in London, a group of children were
feeling the cold & slipped inside a church to get warm. To their
surprise, a service soon began, & the vicar arose to read the
lesson. "This man (Christ Jesus) receiveth sinners & eateth with
them."
After the service, a little girl about 8 years old went up
to the vicar.
"Please, sir," she said, "I didn't know my name was in
the Bible."
"And what is your name, little girl?" he asked.
"Edith, sir."
"No," he said, "Edith doesn't come in the Bible."
"Oh, yes sir," she replied, "you read this afternoon that
this man Christ Jesus receiveth sinners & EDITH with them."
98. I have seed to raise & I plough the field
And I plant my crops with care,
And I thank the Lord for the rain He sends
As I watch them growing there.
But I don't sit down with a book by day,
And let my crops run wild,
For crops won't grow by themselves, I know;
Is it different with a child?
--Edgar A. Guest
99. I am the Child.
All the world waits for my coming.
 All the earth watches with interest to see what I shall
become.
Civilization hangs in the balance,
For what I am, the world of tomorrow will be.
I am the Child.
You hold in your hand my destiny.
You determine, largely, whether I shall succeed or fail.
Give me, I pray you, those things that make for
happiness.
Train me, I beg you, that I may be a blessing to the
World.
--Mamie Gene Cole
100. From a child thou hast known the holy scriptures,
which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith
which is in Christ Jesus.--2 Timothy 3:15
101. Let us not be weary in well doing: for in due
season we shall reap if we faint not.--Galatians 6:9
102. Provoke not your children to wrath: but bring
them up in the nurture & admonition of the Lord.--Ephesians
6:4
103. It's like that dear woman who had nine children
whom we met when we only had one, & we are marvelled how
she could care for nine when one already took all of time, & the
woman answered simply: "That's just it--nine can't take any
more!" You think you can't do any more than you're doing
already, but you can with the help of God!--Dad
104. If you had been in the german city of Hamburg at
the time when the cherries were ripe, you would have seen a
wonderful sight. Every year at that time there has been a joyous
procession of children through the streets carrying branches of
cherries laden with ripe fruit. This yearly parade has been held
in memory of a great victory over 500 years ago--& this victory
was won by Hamburg's children.
It all began when news came to the city of a powerful
enemy force moving towards it. The spies who brought the
news said that this approaching army was so overwhelming in
strength that the citizens would not have sufficient men to
oppose it. "They are coming on fast--they will soon be here!"
cried the messengers. It seemed as if nothing could be done to
prevent an appalling massacre.
Then one of the city magistrates had an inspiration.
"Let us ask the children to help us," he suggested. "What is the
use of that?" grumbled the other burghers. But the man with the
idea gathered all the children together & enlisted their help.
Presently, all dressed in black, the entire population of
the city's children streamed out from the city gates. Away they
went in a long procession moving towards the oncoming army.
At last they came up against the enemy sentries, who were
astonished to see them & did not know what to do with them.
"You'd better come to the general, " they decided; &
soon the army of children were face to face with the fierce
leader of their enemies.
"Why have you come?" he demanded sternly. And the
children managed somehow to stammer out their plea for mercy
for themselves & their families. The general listened, stony-
faced, but in spite of himself his heart was touched, & suddenly
he sprang to his feet.
"You have saved your parents' lives," he said. "None
of you shall be killed."
Then the delighted children were give a great feast of
cherries, for it was the time when they were ripe; & soon they
were on their way home to the city they had saved, waving
cherry branches & shouting their wonderful news. And that is
why the children of Hamburg carry cherry branches in the
streets in memory of that great day when they won the victory.
105. A girl is a girl so frilly & sweet
You'd just like to hug her the moment you meet.
She's little pink ruffles & nylon & lace;
She's an innocent look on a little pink face.
She's ice cream & candy & pink birthday cake;
She's also the cookies she helped mother bake.
She's the one perfect nuisance to each little boy,
But she's daddy's own sweetheart, his pride & his joy.
She can pout, she can stomp, she can tease, she can
cry,
But still she's his pet, the very apple of his eye.
She's kittens & everything cuddly & nice,
And sure she's a bit of God's own paradise.
--Phyllis C. Michael
106. How I remember when the children were little!P--
It seems odd to think of them grown.
Those were hard days, in so many ways,
But some of the best that I've known!
Treasure these little ones' smiles & tears,
Those children you hold in your arms;
And the memories you'll hold, down through the years,
Of all their cute ways & charms!
Today's but a moment, fleeting so fast,
Though the days make the tasks sometimes long;
But treasure these days, while childhood lasts,
For you'll treasure them when they are gone!
When the children are grown & gone out on their own,
To the job that Christ calls them to;
You'll be thankful then, for the years you gave them,
And the wonderful joy they gave you!
--By Hart
107. Suffer little children to come unto me, & forbid
them not: for of such is the Kingdom of God...Whosoever shall
not receive the Kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise
enter therein.--Luke 18:16,17
108. Dr. Schweitzer, who was known as the Jungle
Doctor, used to give music recitals in order to raise money to
pay for the hospital he built in the African jungle. Someone
decided to include a story about him in a book of hero stories, &
asked if he would write a special message to go with it. This is
what he wrote:
"Tell the boys & girls that the truths they feel deep
down in their hearts are the real truths. God's love speaks to us
in our hearts & tries to work through us in the World. We must
listen to this voice. We must listen to it as to a pure & distant
melody that comes across the noise of the World's doing.s Some
say, 'When we are grown up, we will listen. Now while we are
young, we would rather think of other things.' But with the
voice of Love, with which God speaks to us in the secret places
of the heart, God speaks to us when we are young so that our
youth may be really youth, & that we may become the children
of God. Happy are those who listen."
109. Your little boy looks up at you,
His big eyes open wide.
He puts his trusting hand in yours,
And says, "Come look outside!"
So you tiptoe to the window
--But there's nothing there to see.
Then he points & whispers softly,
"See that robin by the tree?"
"My child," you think, stay ever young.
That joys like this might last.
But though I know you too must grow,
Why need you grow so fast?"
For soon he'll learn to read & write,
And play guitar & sing!
He'll reach out to the World about
and cut the apron strings!
He'll seem to grow so quickly then,
That days & years shall fly!
The things that made a young child smile
He'll leave, as time goes by.
One day he'll meet that special girl,
And want her for his wife.
They'll leave your care & move away
To build a brand new life.
But just like that, your thoughts come back,
He shouts, "The robin smiled!"
You hug him close & say through tears,
"Thank God you're still a child!"
--Patricia J. White
110. A story is told of a father who took his boy on his
knee & told him the story of the lost sheep; now it found a hole
in the fence & crawled through; how glad it was to get away;
hot it skipped & played in the sunshine until it wandered so far
that it could not find its way back home. And then he told him
of the wolf that chased the sheep, & how, finally the good
shepherd came & rescued it & carried it back to the fold.
The little boy was greatly interested & when the story
was over, he surprised his father by asking, "Did they nail up
the hole in the fence?"
How often we overlook the "hole in the fence!"
111. Whether I was young & very small,
I wasn't much afraid at "tal!
A shadow deep or scare would come,
My covers, "shield of faith", I'd don.
112. The family altar would alter many a family.
113. In the breast of a bulb
Is the promise of spring.
In the little blue egg
Is a bird that will sing.
In the soul of a seed
Is the hope of the sod.
In the heart of a child
Is the Kingdom of God.
114. Any great painting
Will leave my wife fainting.
Its beauty so powerfully enthralls.
But never before
Did she slump, to the floor
As at Junior's new work on our walls!
115. Train up a child in the way he should go: & when
he is old, he will not depart from it.--Proverbs 22:6
116. Said a precious little laddie,
To his father one bright day,
"May I give myself to Jesus,
Let Him wash my sins away?"
"Oh, my son, but you're too little,
Wait until you older grow,
Bigger folks, 'tis true, do need Him, but
Little folks are safe, you know."
Said the father to his laddie
As a storm was coming on,
"Are the sheep all safely sheltered,
Safe within the fold, my son?"
"All the big ones are, my father,
But the lambs, I let them go,
For I didn't think it mattered,
Little ones are safe, you know."
Oh, my brother! Oh, my sister!
Have you too made that mistake?
Little hearts that now are yielding
May be hardened then--too late.
 'Ere the evil days come night them,
Let the children come to Me,
And forbid them not," said Jesus,
"For such shall My Kingdom be."
117. I do not ask my son to follow in the footprints that
I have made.
My faith in him points out his path in bolder steps
which lead beyond the narrow borders of my way.
Be his more gentle where my feet too deeply trod, &
where I faltered, may his step be firm.
A prouder glory parent never won than this
To give the world a good, a manly son.
--Robert H. Lord
118. Learning to guide this child of mine is like the
training of a vine.
Numberless tendrils twist & curl wind tightly where I
would unfurl & guide their growth.
Try not to force!--So easily the tendrils break & leave
remorse.
119. Words of praise, indeed, are almost as necessary
to warm a child into congenial life as acts of kindness &
affection. Judicious praise is to children what sun is to flowers.
120. One of the most fruitful moments in my life came
when my old zoology professor, Dr. Stephen Williams of
Miami (Ohio) University, told me that he would give any
student an A in his course who asked one intelligent question.
Up to that time I had assumed that intelligence
consisted of giving answers. Now I began to see that the
question is as much a part of knowledge as the answer--often
the more important part.
Men had assumed from the beginning of time that a
heavier object fell faster than a lighter one--until Galileo said,
"Does it?"
It has been 36 years since mold teacher startled me
with his pronouncement. For 30 of those years I have myself
been a teacher. Most of the facts he taught me--most of the
answers he gave me--have been forgotten. But I have not
forgotten the questioning student is more important than the
answering teacher.
121. Somewhere I read of a rough boy who attended a
Sunday School & made it tough for every teacher he had.
Finally, after a consultation with the teachers, the
Superintendent led him to the door one Sunday with this curt
dismissal: "There's the street. Go, & never come back to this
Sunday School!"
He never came back, but they heard from him again!
He began a career of crime & bloodshed that perhaps has never
been equalled in modern times. Finally, before a theater
entrance in Chicago one evening, his body was riddled with
bullets.
In one of the chicago papers a most unusual picture
appeared--only the feet of the dead desperado showed. The
caption under the picture was brief: "These are the feet of John
Dillinger!" The editorial comment was heartsearching: "Who
knows where these feet might have gone if someone had guided
them aright?"
122. A little boy & his daddy were looking at a litter of
puppies, planning to buy one, & the daddy asked the boy which
one he wanted. The lad pointed to a pup whose tail was
wagging furiously & said, "That one with the happy ending."
123. England's great & good Queen Victoria was being
honoured by a great celebration while visiting a city. On a
corner of one street a large stand was built where a great
company of children was assembled to sing for her. That night
after all the excitement was over, the mayor received a
telegram. Perhaps he thought it was a compliment about the
celebration. But the message was a simple one straight from the
motherly heart: "The Queen wants to know whether all the
children got home safely."
124. There was a child who went forth every day;
And the first object he looked upon, that object he
became.
And that object became part of him for the day, or a
certain part of the day, or for many years, or stretching cycles of
years:
The early lilacs became part of this child....
And the apple-trees covered with blossoms, & the fruit
afterward, & wood-berries, & the commonest weeds by the
road;
And the schoolmistress that passed on her way to the
school....
The blow, the quick loud word, the tight bargain, the
crafty lure, The family usages, the language, the company, the
furniture--the yearning & swelling heart.
The doubts of day-time & the doubts of night-time--the
curious whether & how,
Whether that which appears is so, or is it all flashes &
specks?
Men & women crowding fast in the streets--if they are
not flashes & specks, what are they?
These became part of that child who went forth every
day, & who now goes, & will always go forth every day.
--Walt Whitman
125. First thing every morning,
Last thing every night,
Sometimes, dear Lord, I grumble,
"Oh, why is this my plight?"
But when my children 'round me
Look to me with such hope,
It gives me faith & courage
To know somehow I'll cope!
Day after day,
Weeks upon weeks,
We wash the same dishes,
Kiss the same cheeks.
But year after year
We see a bit more,
And get a few hints
Of what God has in store!
A princess?--With a dirty dress?
A prince?--With a dirty face?
Yes!--And they shall rule Earth someday
If you'll not lose your faith!
--Seek
126. Up with the sun in the morning
Away to the garden he hies
To see if the sleeping blossoms
Have begun to open their eyes.
Running a race with the wind
With a step as light & fleet
Under my window I hear
The patter of little feet.
Now to the brook he wanders
In swift & noiseless flight
Splashing the sparkling ripples
Like a fairy water sprite.
No sand under fabled river
Has gleams like his golden hair.
No pearly sea shell is fairer
Than his slender ankles bare.
Nor the rosiest stem of coral
That blushes in ocean's bed
Is sweet as the flash that follows
Our darling's airy tread.
From a broad window my neighbor
Looks down on our little cot.
And watches the "poor man's blessing"
I cannot envy his lot.
He has pictures, books & music
Bright fountains, & noble trees
Rare store of blossoming roses
Birds from beyond the seas.
But never does childish laughter
His homeward footsteps greet
His stately halls ne'er echo
To the treat of innocent feet.
This child is our "sparkling picture".
A birdling that chatters & sings
Sometimes a sleeping cherub
(Our other one has wings).
His heart, so tender & loving
Full of all that's purest & sweet
And no harpstring holds such music
As follows his twinkling feet.
When the glory of sunset opens
The highway by angels trod
And seems to unbar the city
Whose builder & maker is God.
Close to the crystal portal
I see by the gates of pearl
The eyes of our other angel
A twin-born little girl.
And I ask to be taught & directed
To guide his footsteps aright
So to live that I may be ready
To walk in sandals of light.
And h ear, amid songs of welcome
From messengers trusty & fleet
On the starry floor of heaven
The patter of little feet.
127. After a lecture by the late Francis Wayland
Parker, great Chicago educator, a woman asked: "How early
can I begin the education of my child?"
"When will your child be born?"
"Born" she gasped. "Why, he is already five years
old!"
"My goodness, woman," he cried, "don't stand here
talking to me--hurry home; already you have lost the best five
years."
128. I learned more about Christianity from my mother
than from all the theologians of England.--John Wesley
129. Demoralize the youth of a nation & the revolution
is already won.
130. When we are out of sympathy with the young,
then I think our work in this World is over.
131. If you would train your children rightly, train
them in the way they SHOULD go& not in the way they
WOULD.
132. What can I give my children, Lord?
When there's not much I can afford!
They're kings & queens, these girls & boys,
Yet get along with so few toys.
I see nice things I'd like to get,
But can't, for we are poor, but yet
 --When we pass toys on bright display,
I squeeze my children's hands & say,
"Though we can't buy things like most can, "We've
priceless gifts, you understand!
We have great riches in our keep,
That kings but DREAM of when they sleep!
We've wealth to share with all our house,
--The Words of Heaven, from God's mouth!
We've love that stands when all else flees,
And mountains tumble to the seas!
We've trust that will not break or tear,
And hope we know is always there.
We've got a Rock on which to stand,
When fears & tremors fill our land.
We've faith to stand the toughest test,
It gives us peace, when none can rest!
It whispers softly in our ears,
It calms our hearts & melts our fears!
Jesus, Jesus, what a store!
--Of treasures, diamonds, at our door!
Thy precious Words, so great, yet free,
What RICHES You have given me!
I've gifts, new gifts, to give each day,
and when they're gone, I hear Christ say,
"Come here, child, peer in My chest,
Behold it all & take the best!
Choose all the gems your children lack,
If you need more, why just come back!
Choose everything they'll need some day!
Bright gems to shine & light their way!
Give each of them a crown of gold,
Whose worth's so great, it can't be told!"
For things so priceless, precious, rare,
Most mortal men seem not to care!
But when the Earth begins to quake,
And stores & mighty buildings shake,
When towers tall, come tumbling down,
And all Man's dreams lie on the ground,
The things that filled the hearts of men,
With all become so worthless then!
They sought but things that they could see,
Now all their things are just debris!
But God's Own children shall then find,
A place of rest for heart & mind!
What more can you or I request
Than Words to help them stand such tests?
The Words, O Lord, You've given me,
I share with children on my knee.
And make each day a blest Word-feast,
There's fits for all, down to the least!
And each of them have lots of fun,
The gifts of Love cheer everyone !
We have to vie each golden Word,
'Cause there's much MORE we've not YET heard!
Yes, untold wealth, is what we own!
My heart's so full, it's overflown!
And though we'd give all that we had,
Just like the widow or little lad,
Remember, though some thought them poor,
When they gave gifts, why, none gave more!
What greater gifts could WE impart,
Than Heaven's Words, to children's hearts?
--by Seek
133. All anybody expects of an adolescent is that he
act like an adult & be satisfied to be treated like a child.
134. It has been said that a college education is nothing
but a four-year plan of confusing young minds methodically.
135. With the World in such a confused state, no
wonder babies cry when they come into it.
136. A boy who was so slow to learn to talk that his
parents thought him abnormal & his teachers called him a
"misfit". His classmates avoided him & seldom invited him to
play with them. He failed his first college entrance exam at a
college in Zurich, Switzerland. A year later he tried again. In
time he became world famous as a scientist. His name: Albert
Einstein.
137. If a parent does not punish his sons, his sons will
be sure to punish him.
138. You don't know what trouble is until your kids
reach the age of consent, dissent, & resent--all at the same time.

139. Sometimes the lad who'll make a man
Is quite unpromising to scan;
He saunters up & down the street
With dirty hands & dirty feet;
With grimy cheeks & tousled hair
For whom nobody seems to care;
And yet beneath the dirt & grime
Perhaps there beats a heart sublime.
His clothes are grimy like his face
And all he does seems out of place;
He's just a shabby-looking lad,
A little fellow rude & bad;
And yet perhaps he's far from mean,
With intellect that's bright & keen;
A boy that people say is "tough",
Perchance a diamond in the rough.
He romps about from day to day,
Quite fond of frolic & of play;
He climbs the fence & jumps the rills,
And swims the streams & scales the hills
He keeps the neighbors ill at ease,
And so they turn on him the keys,
Lest he should "call" when they are gone
And cannot lay the hickory on.
But give this little lad a chance
And see some day how he'll advance;
He'll master books & make a name
That many others cannot claim;
He'll make success & rise somehow
With godly laurels on his brow,
Till men may say, "How could this be
From such a shabby lad as he?"
--Walter E. Isenhour
140. Happy children of the King,
Jesus Children dance & sing!
Watch them dance around His Throne,
The ones He calls His very own!
See them dancing in the street,
Sharing love with all they meet!
They are stars of His great show!
With tears of joy, we watch them glow!
What a wonder He should please,
To use such simple ones as these--
To give us glimpses of above
And show the World His wondrous Love.
Little child, so full of grace,
Jesus shining in your face!
How I wonder if you see--
Jesus, when you look at me?
Little child, by cares unbound
You lighten up the World around!
Jesus grant you by His grace,
To, as you you sleep, behold His face!
Happy children of the King,
Jesus Children, dance & sing!
Dance & sing around His throne;
Jesus loves you as His Own!
Lord, give me faith as a child.
To lose my cares & learn to smile.
To daily show my love to You,
And trust You Jesus, as they do!
--Esther David
141. We've got Heaven already in our children.they're
little bits of Heaven sent down from the Lord! They were Up
there with the Lord before, but He sent them down here to be
with us. Isn't that wonderful?--Dad
142. Children are the greatest child psychologists in
the World & they'll pull psychology on you! They know more
about it than you do, you've just gotta keep at least one jump
ahead of them.--Dad
143. "Dear Mother", said the little girl,
"Please whisper to me--Before I am a Christian
How old ought I be?
"How old ought you to be, dear child,
Before you can love me?"
"I always loved you, Mommy dear,
Since I was tiny, wee."
"I love you now, & always will,"
The little daughter said,
And on her mother's should hid
Her golden curly head.
"How old, my girlie, must you be
Before you trust my care?"
"Oh, Mother dear, I do, I do,
I trust you everywhere."
"How old ought you to be my child,
to do the things I say?"
The little girl looked up & said,
"I can do that today."
"Then you can be a Christian, too,
Don't wait 'til you are grown.
Tell Jesus, now, you come to Him
To be His very own."
And so the little girl knelt down,
And said, "Lord, if I may,
I'd like to be a Christian now,"
 He answered, "Yes; today." Love made itself into hooks & bands.

144. Open the door for the children, Feet, whence did you come, you darling things?
Tenderly gather them in, From the same box as the cherubs' wings.
In from the highways & hedges,
In from the places of sin; How did they all just come to be you?
Some are so young & so helpless, God thought about me, & so I grew.
Some are so hungry & cold,
Open the door for the children, But how did you come to us, you dear?
Gather them into the fold. God thought about you, & so I am here.
--George MacDonald
Open the door for the children,
This would God have you to do, 148. Please Jesus, watch our little one
Many are there near your doorstep, And keep him through the night.
Willing to listen to you. Help him to behold Thy face,
Show them the way of salvation, Be precious in Thy sight.
Teach them from God's Holy Word, Comfort him & strengthen him
Reach them while hearts are yet tender, and give him restful sleep,
Lead them in love to the Lord. We ask You Lord, please watch his soul,
--Mary F. Kidder this new life safely keep.

145. I think our children have a great feeling of And Jesus grow him straight & strong
security as long as they feel our love & our care & concern & In body & in mind
they have the Lord. It doesn't matter whether we move Help him grow to know You more,
tomorrow or turn things upside-down or upset the fruit basket or A new life with You find.
play musical chairs or whatever, they wouldn't feel the least bit Help him grow to love Your Words,
less secure because they know they've got a Family & they have Your Spirit, Life & Love
the Lord & they're perfectly happy no matter what happens. In And Hunger for the Words you give
fact, children actually LOVE change!--Dad To David, Your Beloved.

146. Children can always adapt & they can always Jesus, help us to be more
cope, the Lord will always be with them & help them!--Dad The way You'd have us be,
To raise him in a Godly way
147. Where did you come from, baby dear? To draw him close to Thee,
Out of the Heavens into here. To be a sample of Your Love
In everything we do
Where did you get your eyes so blue? So he will want with all his heart
Out of the sky I cam through. To give his life to You.

What makes the light in them sparkle & spin?
Some of the starry spikes left in.
Where did you get that little tear?
I found it waiting when I got here.
What makes your forehead so smooth & high?
A soft hand stroked it as I went by.
What makes your cheek like a warm white rose?
I saw something better than anyone knows.
Whence that three-cornered smile of bliss?
Three angels gave me at once a kiss.
Where did you get this pearly ear?
God spoke, & it came out to hear.
Where did you get those arms & hands?
Anoint him by Your Spirit, Lord
to use the gifts you give,
And use them to Your Glory
so that others too may live.
Please Lord, don't let us stifle him
Use him to keep us new
And be a pyramid of love
And ever loving You.
--by Jaala Scribe
149. Children are really a joy to old men. (Prov. 17:6)
There's just something about them! The old are the past & the
young are the future. We're leaving, they're just coming, so I
think it's that link with the future that causes grandparents to
feel a strong attachment & a great love for grandchildren.--Dad
150. Baby has a runny nose
But as for why, well Heaven knows!
We sometimes fail to do what's right,
 And leave tossed covers off at night.
They run around without their socks
Or go outside with still wet locks.
Or other things which seem to be
On parents' part, sheer idiocy!
It seems to be a constant fight
To keep them out of sorry plight
Like colds & coughs & fevers, flu,
Scratches, bumps & bruises too,
And "germs" & "bugs" & other such
That plague these babes we love so much.
Though they may little rascals be,
They're precious Lord to us & Thee.
Forgive us Lord for these mistakes
That mommy (also daddy) makes
Forgive these blunders on our part
They come from mind & not from heart.
We're thankful that You know what's best,
And thankful too for trial & test.
But teach us Lord & help us learn.
The lessons, so they'll not return,
And happen time & time again
Like tossing dust against the wind.
Help us well this fact respect:
They suffer some from our neglect,
And not because "It's meant to be",
But more because we let it be.
Though we've affliction great & small
You deliver us from all,
But help us not to add to these
Other needless problems, please--
Especially on our most loved ones,
Precious daughters, loving sons.
--Anthony
151. In our Family we have the most marvellous
opposite of anyone to really teach & train our children right.
The Future depends upon what you're teaching your children
now & how well you're teaching them now.--Dad
152. Lord Jesus Christ, our Lord most dear,
As Thou wast once an infant here,
So give this child of mine, we pray,
thy grace & blessing day by day:
O holy Jesus, Lord divine.
As in Thy heavenly kingdom, Lord,
All things obey Thy sacred Word,
Do Thou Thy mighty succour give,
And shield this child by morn & eve:
O holy Jesus, Lord divine.
Their watch let angels round him keep
Where'er he be, awake, asleep;
Thy holy Cross now let him bear,
That he Thy crown with saints may wear:
O holy Jesus, Lord divine.
--by H. Von Laufenberg
153. Lord, in another hour I stand
Before a wide-eyed, wond'ring band
Of little ones--& mine to teach--
My little school! What longings lie
Behind this moment now so nigh?
Now ere from out my room I fare,
Hear Thou, O Lord, teacher's prayer.
Great teacher--God, oh, make Thou me
The teacher that I long to be--
Who sees beyond the smiles & tears
Of schoolroom life to coming years,
Which touches children now, that then
His impress may be seen on men,
Who labours not for fame, or fee,
who teaches e'en as unto Thee.
Help me, O Lord, as it comes each morn
and with it countless cares are born--
The little things that mean so much
To every childish heart I touch.
Help me to laugh, & though' tired & sad,
Help me to make my children glad,
Help me, O Lord, when things go wrong,
To carry on with cheery song.
Keep Thou each day my lips, dear Lord,
From sharp or harsh or hasty word,
Would patience yield to weary nerve,
Help me to remember Whom I serve.
I go to face this waiting band--
Oh, make me wise to understand
Each little heart within my care--
Grant Thou, O Lord, a teacher's prayer.
154. Children are the future forever! They are the
Future for the years of the Endtime & also for the Millennium!
For the next 10 years & for the next 1000 years! They are going
to be the Future, & what works on them now, they're going to
be teaching others later, teaching others to teach others.--Dad
155. God garden had need of a little flower,
It had grown for a time here below,
But in tender love He took it above
In more favorable clime to grow.
It might have been marred had He left it below,
Although we had tended with care,
Had tilled & watered & hedged about,
Watching each petal fair.
There with His smile for sunshine,
It will grow to perfection of bloom,
No withering blight or destructive storm
To crush out its sweet perfume.
Perhaps sometimes, in quite hours, We shall notice its
sweet perfume,
Steal softly down from the heavenly place,
'Till it seems to fill the room.

Then the early spot will seem less bare,
As we think of the time to come,
When we shall enter the garden fair,
And find our transplanted bloom.
156. As Hannah to the Temple gate
Her dearest treasure bore,
So, Lord, to Thee we consecrate
This child for evermore.
Thy faithful soldier, may he fight
Against falsehood, sin & shame
and losing all to win the right
Confess Thy holy name.
Thy faithful servant, may he learn
To love & labour still,
And with a flaming spirit burn
To know & do Thy will.
O Saviour, all he is is Thine,
And all he yet may be;
O shelter him with love divine,
And draw him near to Thee.
For Thou, O Lord, are all our life
In Thee all struggles end:
Through all the sorry & the strive
Our Maker & our Friend.
--by Bishop Gilbert White
157. When baby wakes, his sleepy eyes
Creep open with a vague surprise,
As if the sunlight of the day
Had stolen all his dreams away!
When baby wakes--at morn's first hour--
His face is like a new pink flower!
When baby wakes, the wooly spread
That held him warmly in his bed
Shows little humps, where tiny feet
Make patterns underneath the sheet!
And, oh, his hands seek friendly things--
Like butterflies with frail, sweet wings.
When baby wakes, the whole house grows
Alive & active! Goodness knows
How one small human being's voice
Can make us hurry--& rejoice!
Life is his game--he always wins.
When baby wakes the day begins!
--Margaret E. Sangster
158. Our children are as much missionaries as their
parents, sometimes more so!--And a tool in the hand of the Lord
to win hearts & win souls & distribute the Word as much, if not
more, than some of their parents! So don't belittle the children,
they're our fulltime missionaries too, let's face it!--Dad
159. He was only three years old when his father died.
"So that", he said, "I grew up under the care of my blessed
mother. She developed my early talent for drawing, &
encouraged me in my visits to the machine-shops of the town."
Robert was a poor pupil at school, however, & the teacher
complained to his mother. Whereupon Mrs. Fulton replied
proudly: "My boy's head, sir is so full of original notions that
there is no vacant chamber in which to store the contents of
your musty books." "I was only ten years old at that time," said
Fulton, "& my mother seemed to be the only human being who
understood my natural bent for mechanics.
160. Parents have always sought advice on rearing
their children, & they still do. Back in 1853, Mrs. Abell had the
following to say.
"Remember that children are men & women in
miniature, & though they should be allowed to act as children,
still our dealings with them should be manly, & not morose;
recollect, also that every look, word, tone & gesture, nay even
your dress makes an impression.
"Never correct a child on suspicion, or without
understanding the whole matter, nor trifle with a child's feelings
when under discipline.
"Be always mild & cheerful in their presence;
communicative but never extravagant, trifling or vulgar in
language or gesture. Never trifle with a child, nor speak
beseechingly, when it is doing wrong. Always follow
commands with a close & careful watch, until the thing is done,
allowing no evasion, & no modification, unless the child ask for
it, & it be expressly granted.
"Never speak in an impatient, fretful manner, if you
have occasion to find fault.
"Never disappoint the confidence a child reposes in
you, whether it be a thing placed in your care or a promise.
"Always give prompt attention to a child when he
speaks, so as to prevent repeated calls, & that he may learn to
give prompt attention when you call him.
"Even in sickness, gentle restraint is better for the child
than indulgence.
"Never try to impress a child with religious truth when
in anger, or talk to him of God, as it will not have the desired
effect. Do it under more favourable circumstances.
"Improve the first ten years of life as the golden
opportunity, which may never return. It is the seed time, & your
harvest depends upon the seed then sown.
"Selfishness that binds the miser in chains, that chills
the heart, must never be allowed a place.
"Never reprove children severely in company, nor hold
them up to ridicule, or make light of their failings.
"At the table a child should be taught to sit up &
behave in a becoming manner, not to tease when denied, or to
leave his chair without asking. A parent's wish at such a time
should be a law, from which no appeal should be made.
"There should never be two sets of manners, the one
for home & the other for company, but a gentle behaviour
should be always required.
 "Never say to a child, 'I don't believe what you say,'
nor even express doubts. If you have such feelings, keep them
to yourself, & wait; truth will eventually be made plain."
161. "Jesus loves me, this I know,
For the Bible tells me so:--
Little children ask no more,
For love is all they're looking for,
And in a small child's shining eyes
The Faith of all the ages lies--
And tiny hands & tousled heads
That kneel in prayer by little beds
Are closer to the dear Lord's heart
And of His Kingdom more a part
Than we who search, & never find,
The answers to our questioning mind--
For Faith in things we cannot see
Requires a child's simplicity
For, lost in life's complexities,
We drift upon uncharted seas
And slowly Faith disintegrates
While wealth & power accumulates--
And the more man learns, the less he knows,
And the more involved his thinking grows,
And, in his arrogance & pride,
No longer is man satisfied
To place his confidence & love
With childlike Faith in God above--
Oh, Father, grant once more to men
A simple childlike Faith again
and, with a small child's trusting eyes
May all men come to realise
That Faith alone can save man's soul
And lead him to a Higher Goal.
--Helen Steiner Rice
162. An old sexton in a cemetery took special pains
with the little graves. When asked why, he said, "Sir, about
those larger graves, I don't know who are the Lord's & who are
not, but, you know, it's different with the children."
163. My music is the patter
Of happy little feet,
Exploring house & attic
And scampering down the street.
My art is crayon scribbling
On table, door & wall
In classic style & modern--
I treasure one & all.
My literature comprises
The books my children know
And old tales I remember;
From childhood long ago.
The kind of culture I acquire
No college impart,
Yet wisdom only life can teach
I cherish in my heart.
--Kathrine Kelly Woodley
164. But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to
everlasting upon them that fear Him, & His righteousness unto
children's children; to such as keep His covenant, & to those
that remember His commandments to do them.--Psalm
103:17,18
165. They say, "Well, you really pay for having
children."--But I'd say that we RECEIVE much more than we
pay! The kids are the pay-off! They're worth it all! One of the
most wonderful things we have in this life are children.--Dad
166. It seems that Satan first makes friends with the
parents to make it easier to get their boys & girls.
167. God shocked the World with a babe, not a bomb.
168. The birth of a baby is God's vote of confidence in
the future of man.
169. Everyone needs recognition, but one can carry the
need too far--like the little boy who says to his father, "Let's
play darts, I'll throw, &you say, 'Wonderful!'"
170. My mother-in-law, a schoolteacher, had constant
difficulty with one of the boys. She tried every method she
knew--reasoning, kindness, sternness. Not knowing what else to
do, she applied a ruler to the palm of his hand.
One day when she was about to raise the ruler to strike,
the thought flashed to her mind, "I'll reverse this. I'll let him
strike the palm of my hand." Surprised, the boy gave his teacher
a smart blow. Never again did she have the slightest trouble
with him.
Who can count the multitudes who, knowing of
Christ's suffering on the cross, have repented of their sins
saying, "He suffered there for me"?
God's divine power saves us when we repent of our
sins & realise that Jesus cared enough to be bruised in our stead
for our sins.
171. Many years ago a farmer had an unusually fine
crop of grain. Just a few days before it was ready to harvest,
there came a terrible hail & wind storm. The entire crop was
demolished. After the storm was over, the farmer, with his little
son sent out on the porch. The little boy looked at what was
formerly the beautiful field of wheat, & then with tears in his
eyes he looked up at his dad, expecting to hear words of
despair. All at once his father started to sing softly, "Rock of
ages, cleft for me, let me hide myself in Thee." Years after, the
little boy, grown to manhood, said, "That was the greatest
sermon I ever heard." The farmer lost a grain crop, but who
knows but that that was the turning point in the boy's life? He
saw the faith of a godly father in practice.
172. A widow, left with five little boys, was honored at
a banquet. She had reared the boys to be noble, upright men.
"Explain to us how you did it," asked the toastmaster. She said,
"The secret lies in an occasional pat on the back. It gets positive
results if given young enough, often enough, & low enough!"
173. A knowledge of the Bible without a college
course is more valuable than a college course without the Bible.
174. I really believe our children today are our greatest
& most important job of all! You say, "What do you mean,
Dad? I thought it was to go into all the World & preach the
Gospel to every creature. I thought it was being a missionary
out in the foreign field winning Hindus & Muslims & trying to
get folks saved!" Yes! But your own kids are PART of it!--They
are your PERSONAL responsibility. "To the Jew first."
(Rom.2:10)--Your own family!--Dad
175. Nothing is harder on a grandparent than having to
watch a grandchild being disciplined.
176. There is an old story called "Not One to Spare!"
There was a very poor family who had five children, &
somehow a very rich old couple became acquainted with them
& they fell in love with the couple & their children. They
themselves were childless, so they offered to adopt one of the
children. They said, "We'll bring up your child in wealth & give
him a good education, he'll live in a wealthy home & inherit all
our riches! We want to adopt one of your children for o your
own."
So the father & mother discussed which one they
should give up, & they went into the bedroom where the
children were sleeping: "Let's see, could we give this one? Or
should we give that one?" When the rich couple came back in
the morning & asked, "Which one are you going to give us?",
the parents answered, "We're sorry, but we don't have one to
spare!"--Dad
177. A child's ear is a delicate instrument that can't
hear a parent's shout from the next room, but picks up the
faintest tingle of the ice cream man's bell.
178. The generation that criticises the younger
generation is always the one that raised it.
179. Too often an abandoned child is one who is still
living with this parents.
180. Watch the kid who's cutting classes at school--he
may be in training to be a congressman later in life.
181. Some kids are like ketchup bottles. You have to
spank their bottoms a few times to get them moving.
182. All children don't disobey their parents. Some are
never told what to do.
183. When children are seen & not heard it's apartment
to be through binoculars.
184. Children always brighten up a home. They never
turn out the lights.
185. An unusual child is one who asks his parents
questions they can answer.
186. Nothing makes a boy smarter than being a
grandson.
187. Children disgrace us in public by behaving just
like we do at home.
188. It now costs more to answer a child than it once
did to educate his father.
189. Children brought up in Sunday school are seldom
brought up in court.
190. There are many "bright children" who should be
applauded with one hand.
191. Children may tear up a house, but they never
break up a home.
192. Children are very much like airplanes; you hear
only of the ones that crash.
193. Most kids can't understand why a country that
makes atomic bombs would ban firecrackers.
194. Some children are running everything around the
house except errands.
195. One important way for us to help our children
grow up is for us to grow up first.
196. If you are disgusted & upset with your children,
just imagine how God must feel about His!
197. Children are a great deal more apartment to
follow your lead than the way you point.
198. A baby may not be able to lift very much, but it
can hold a marriage together.
199. If brushing up on manners doesn't help some
children, the brush should be moved down a bit.
200. Children need strength to lean on, a shoulder to
cry on, & an example to learn from.
201. You can get any child to run an errand for you--if
you ask him at bedtime.
202. Maybe children could keep on the straight &
narrow if they could get information from someone who's been
over the route.
 203. If you don't want your children to hear what
you're saying, pretend you're talking to them.
204. It's extremely difficult for a child to live right if
he has never seen it done .
205. There's nothing thirstier than a child who has just
gone to bed.
206. A boy is the only thing God can use to make a
man.
207. A "brat" is a child who acts like your own but
belongs to your neighbour.
208. Most children seldom misquote you; they repeat
what you shouldn't have said word for word.
209. Among the best home furnishings are children.
210. It's very difficult to teach children the alphabet
these days. They think V comes right after T.
211. Parents are embarrassed when their children tell
lies, but sometimes it's even worse when they tell the truth.
212. Every father should remember that one day his
son will follow his example instead of his advice.
213. As the gardener is responsible for the products of
his garden, so the family is responsible for the character &
conduct of its children.
214. A lucky farmer is one who has raised a bumper
crop of good boys.
215. Children often hold a marriage together by
keeping their parents so busy they don't have time to quarrel.
216. There are still a few old-fashioned mothers who
would like to tuck their children in bed, but they can't stay
awake that late.
217. Who said kids aren't obedient? They'll obey any
TV commercial about buying a new toy.
218. You have to give American parents credit--they
know how to obey their children.
219. Child psychology is what children manage their
parents with.
220. Where do kids get all those questions parents can't
answer?
221. Efficient school teachers may cost more, but poor
school teachers cost the most.
222. The guy whose troubles are all behind him is
probably a school bus driver.
223. The child who knows the value of a Dollar these
days must be terribly discouraged.
224. The trouble with teaching a child the value of a
Dollar is you have to do it almost every week.
225. A boy loves a dog because it's the only thing
around the house that doesn't find fault with him.
226. It used to be when a boy couldn't learn at his
mother's knee he found himself over his father's.
227. Teaching children to count is not as important as
teaching them WHAT counts.
228. A switch in time saves crime.
229. Psychiatrists tell us that discipline doesn't break a
child's spirit half as often as the lack of it breaks a parent's
heart.
230. When adults behave like children we call them
juvenile; when children behave like adults we call them
delinquents.
231. A meeting was held quite far from Earth!
It's time again for another birth.
Said the Angels to the Lord above,
"This Special Child will need much love.
"His progress may be very slow
Accomplishment he may not show
And he'll require extra care
From all the folks he meets down there.
"He may not run or laugh or play;
His thoughts may seem quite far away.
In many ways he won't adapt
And he'll be known as handicapped.
So let's be careful where he's sent
We want his life to be content.
Please, Lord, find the parents who
Will do a SPECIAL job for YOU!!
They will not realize right away
The leading role they're asked to play.
But with this child sent from above
Comes stronger Faith & richer Love!
"And soon they'll know the PRIVILEGE given
In caring for their gift from Heaven.
Their precious charge so meek & mild
"Is HEAVEN'S VERY SPECIAL CHILD!!!"
 --by Edna Massimilla
232. One of the problems of juvenile delinquency is
children running away from home. It is entirely possible they
may be looking for their parents.
233. Children are like wet cement. Whatever falls on
them makes a lasting impression.
234. Our little "knew disciple" is a special event for us,
conceived & born in Indonesia where we have been
missionaries for six years. After five years of marriage & never
being able to get pregnant, I finally did! Indonesian people
believe that if a woman cannot conceive, if she will adopt a
child, God will bless her with more. When we adopted Samuel,
our friends told us I'd become pregnant. I knew if I would just
be faithful to try my best to be a good mother to Samuel it
would only be a matter of time. And I became pregnant just
before his first birthday. We hope this testimony will inspire
others who have not gotten pregnant yet. In God's time He will
do it, for He truly is the God of all flesh & nothing is too hard
for Him!--Daniel & Miriam, Indonesia.
235. Themistocles had a son who was the darling of
his mother.
"This little fellow," said Themistocles, "is the
sovereign of all Greece."
"How so?" said a friend.
"Why, he governs his mother, his mother governs me,
I govern the Athenians, and the Athenians govern all Greece."
236. You can scrape the baby out of the womb, but
you cannot scrape the baby out of the mind.
237. A century ago men were following with bated
breath the march of Napoleon, & waiting with feverish
impatience for news of the wars. All the while, babies were
being born in their own homes. But who could think about
babies? Everybody was thinking about battles.
In one year, 1809, midway between Trafalgar &
Waterloo, there came into the World some babies who were
destined to be stars of greatest magnitude--Gladstone, Oliver
Wendell Holmes, Tennyson, & Felix Mendelsohn. But nobody
thought of babies, only battles. Yet which of the battles of 1809
mattered more than the babies of 1809? We fancy that God can
manage His world only with big battalions when all the while
He is doing it by babies. When a wrong wants righting, or a
truth wants preaching, or a continent wants opening, God sends
a baby into the World to do it!
238. A sweet little miniature weaver
Came into our home one day,
Like a wee little queen of the cradle,
God grant her a long, long stay.
Such is the spell she has woven,
We scarce know how it came to be,
Into the meshes of every heart,
Knitting herself tenderly.
Dear little helpless struggler
What strength for such tiny fist,
A fountain of love, and a teacher
Whose lessons so few can resist.
Like a week small glam'rous enchantress
You reign from your magic bed,
A queen from the tip of your tiny toes
To the top of your fuzzy head.
A delegated prophet, whose office
Is to brighten, & deepen home love,
We welcome you, little sojourner
as a loan from the Father above.
A harbinger & herald of good tidings;
You make, with your smiles & your tears,
Young again hearts well nigh wearied
By the cares & the toil of the years.
--Velma B. Hofman
239. The mythical country of Boruvia has a law
requiring all babies to be named within an hour after birth. One
day, a woman was rushed to the hospital, where she delivered
twins. At the same time, her husband was rushed to the hospital
unconscious with a head injury received on the job. When the
man came to, he was informed that his wife had delivered a boy
& a girl two hours before, & his brother had given them names.
"Oh, no, not by brother," groaned the man, "He's such a
practical joker. What did he name them?"
"He named the girl Denise," replied the nurse.
"Oh, I like that name," said the man, obviously
relieved. "What did he name the boy?"
"Denephew."
240. Human babies are such illustrations of spiritual
babies! They're the only babies that are born absolutely
helpless. No other baby animals of any kind are born as helpless
as human babies. Nearly all farm animals are born to be able to
immediately stand up & start walking, almost in a way able to
take care of themselves except for their mother's milk!--But not
us!--Ha! And not our spiritual babies, who desperately need the
milk & the Word & are dependent upon us for their very
growth.--Dad
241. My baby when she's nursing,
Doesn't mind my extra flab.
In fact she thinks it's very nice,
Just more of Mom to grab!
She thinks my tummy is just grand,
For squeezing with her chubby hand.
A LITTLE fat is Heaven-sent,
To keep this baby so content.
And while it may not pay the rent,
We know this time is so well spent!
Into the Temple she takes me,
 Jesus, baby & I make three.
And as the baby takes her fill,
I'm listening to His voice so still,
Helping me know His precious Will.
--Moriah Newlove
242. My day-old child lay in my arms
And I held his pudgy hand;
I whispered softly, "How I wish,
That you could understand.
I've oh so much to say to you.
(He gave a cough & a nod)
Hurry, hurry, hurry & grow
So I can tell you of God!"
My newborn's little mouth was still
As though he didn't hear,
But a kind of light passed thru' his eyes
And I saw this thought appear:
"How I wish that I could speak,
I've a hundred things to say;
Before I forget, I'd tell YOU of God--
I was with Him yesterday."
243. More children are spoiled because the parents
won't spank Grandma.
244. My mother was a firm believer in pre-natal
influence, & she was such a believer in it she practiced it! When
I was still unborn in her belly she took me around to all kinds of
art galleries to see beautiful paintings & to symphony concerts
to hear beautiful music, as well as reading the Bible & hymns
aloud to me & going to church, anything she thought would be
good for me & make a good impression on me & be a good
influence on me.--Dad
245. You're a little angel because you love Jesus & you
flew down here from Heaven to be with us, & you're gonna fly
back up someday again. You were up in Heaven with Jesus. But
then you had to come down from Heaven & go into the
darkness of Mommy's tummy, & then come out of the darkness
into His Heavenly light! Isn't that pretty?--Dad
246. He blocks out babies' memories of their pre-
existence in Heaven so that they don't have to worry about it. It
won't make them feel so bad about being in this World if they
don't remember how wonderful it was in Heaven--Paradise lost!
--Dad
247. Isn't it wonderful to watch a baby learn & grow?
Did you know even while he's still in his mother's tummy the
baby is learning?--He's hearing sounds, voices, music,
recognising voices, even recognising music!--Dad
248. A small boy invaded the lingerie section of a big
California department store & shyly presented his problem to a
woman clerk. "I want to buy my mom a present of a slip," he
said, "but I don't know what size she wears."
"Is she tall or short, fat or skinny?" asked the clerk.
"She's just perfect," beamed the small boy. So she
wrapped up a size 34 for him.
Two days later mom came to the store herself--and
changed it to a 52.
249. A good man dies when a boy goes wrong.
250. Out of 8000 delinquent children, only 42 attended
Sunday School regularly.
251. A mother & her little girl of five were visiting.
The little girl misbehaved, and her mother said, "Sarah, you
must not do that." The child soon forgot and did it again. The
mother said, "Sarah, if you do that again I will punish you."
Soon the child did it again. When it was time to go home the
mother went for her hat, and Sarah was sad for the punishment
to come. A young lady noticed it and said, "Never mind, I will
ask your mother not to whip you." The reply was, "That will do
no good; my mother never tells lies."
252. Considering the number of divorces today, it
seems that more PARENTS are running away from home than
CHILDREN.
253. It is sobering to recall that fathers bear the title
God Himself has chosen as a picture of His relationship to His
people.
254. Babies right away recognise people. I think
they're more psychic than adults. Even if they don't see too well
they recognise your voice & your touch & I think they probably
even sense your aura.--Dad
255. The police department of Houston, Texas, issued
a leaflet given rules for raising delinquent children:
Begin from infancy to give him everything he wants.
When he picks up bad words, laugh at him. Never give him any
spiritual training. Wait until he is twenty-one & let him decide
for himself. Don't use the word "wrong". It may give him a guilt
complex. Do everything for him so that he will be experienced
in throwing all responsibility on others. Let him read any
printed matter he can get his hands on.
Quarrel frequently in his presence--he won't be too
shocked when the home is broken up. Give him all the spending
money he wants. He shouldn't have things as tough as you had
them. AND prepare for a life of grief--you will have it.
256. A young English boy was called "Carrot Top" by
other students & given "little chance of success" by some
teachers. He ranked third lowest in class: grade averages for
English was 95%, history 85%, mathematics 50%, Latin 30%.
His teacher's report reads: "The boy is certainly no
scholar & has repeated his grade twice. He has also a stubborn
streak & is sometimes rebellious in nature. He seems to have
little or no understanding of his school work, except in a most
mechanical way. At times, he seems almost perverse in his
ability to learn. He has not made the most of his opportunities."
Later, the lad settled down to serious study & soon the
world began to hear about Winston Churchill.
257. A child has to learn obedience in the home or he
will never learn obedience to the Heavenly Father.
258. Let thy child's first lesson be obedience, and the
second will be what thou wilt.
259. A church bulletin that recently came to my desk
tells a modern fable. "Once there was a little boy. When he was
three weeks old his parents turned him over to a baby-sitter.
When he was two they dressed him up like a cowboy & gave
him a gun. When he was three everybody said, 'How cute!' as
he went about lisping a beer commercial jingle. When he was
six his father dropped him off at Sunday School. When he was
eight they bought him a BB gun & taught him to shoot
sparrows. He learned to shoot windshields by himself.
When he was ten he spent his afternoons at the
drugstore newsstand reading comic books. His mother wasn't
home & his father was busy. When he was thirteen, he told his
parents other boys stayed out as late as they wanted to, so they
said he could, too. It was easier that way. When he was fourteen
they gave him a deadly two-ton machine, wrangled a license for
him to drive it & told him to 'be careful.' When he was fifteen,
the police called his home one night & said, 'We have your boy.
He's in trouble.' Screamed the father, 'It can't be MY boy!'
But...it was."
260. Oftentimes when we hear our children talk, we
realize we should have been more careful of what they heard us
say.
261. There are too many dads who will tie up the dog
at night & let their sons run loose.
262. A father is a person who is forced to endure
childbirth without an anesthetic.
263. Fathers give daughters away to other men who
aren't good enough so they can have grandchildren that are
better than anybody else's.
264. For a long time, the Mohammedans had been
laying siege to the capital of Spain. Courageously & skillfully
King Alphonso led the defense, but by some twist of fate the
attackers captured the king's son.
The besiegers made the most of their hostage. The
sultan ordered a gallows built in full view of the capital. The
young prince was forced to stand under the words, "Alphonso,
either the city or your son!"
What a decision for a father to make! Anxiously his
advisors & officers watched the face of their king. Will he give
up the city & allow the enemy to slay or enslave his people? Or
will he give up his own dear son? They had not long to wait, for
King Alphonso decided quickly. Back to the sultan went this
message: "Let my son die, that my people may live!"
265. A young successful attorney said:
"The greatest gift I ever received was a gift I got one
Christmas when my Dad gave me a small box. Inside was a
note saying, 'Son, this year I will give you 365 hours, an hour
every day after dinner. It's yours. We'll talk about what you
want to talk about, we'll go where you want to go, play what
you want to play. It will be your hour!'"
"My dad not only kept his promise," he said, "but
every year he renewed it--and it's the greatest gift I ever had in
my life. I am the result of his time."
266. Lost! A boy! Not kidnapped by bandits & hidden
in a cave to weep & starve & raise a nation to frenzied
searching. No, his father lost him. Too busy to sit with him at
the fireside & answer his trivial questions during the years when
Dad is the only great hero to a boy, he let go his hold. His
mother lost him too. Engrossed in worthwhile programs, clubs
with high aims, she let the babysitter hear his prayers &
abdicated her place of influence.
267. When a man praises discipline, nine times out of
ten this means he is prepared to administer it rather than submit
to it.
268. If it had not been for a crooked groceryman, J.C.
Penny might have become the owner of a grocery store rather
than the owner of a dry goods chain & the nation's leading
merchandiser.
When he was a teenager, Jim worked for a groceryman
in Hamilton, Missouri. He liked the work & had plans to make a
career of it. One night he came home & proudly told his family
about his "foxy" employer. The grocer had a practice of mixing
low quality coffee with the expensive brand & thus increasing
his profit. Jim laughed as he told the story at the supper table.
His father didn't see anything funny about the practice.
"Tell me," he said, "if the grocer found someone palming off an
inferior article on him for the price of the best, do you think he
would think they were just being foxy, & laugh about it?"
Jim could see his father was disappointed in him. "I
guess not," he replied. "I guess I just didn't think about it that
way."
Jim's father instructed him to go to the grocer the next
day & collect whatever money due him & tell the grocer he
wouldn't be working for him any longer. Jobs were not plentiful
in Hamilton, but Mr. Penny would rather his son be
unemployed than be associated with a crooked businessman.
J.C. Penny came that close to becoming a grocer.
269. Doctor Potter tells the story of a young man who
stood at the bar of a court of justice to be sentenced for forgery.
The judge had known him from a child, for his father had been
a famous legal light & his work on the Law of Trusts was the
most exhaustive work on the subject in existence. "Do you
remember your father?" asked the judge sternly, "that father
whom you have disgraced?"
The prisoner answered: "I remember him perfectly.
When I went to him for advice or companionship, he would
look up from his book on the Law of Trusts, & said, "Run way,
boy, I am busy." My father finished his book, & here I am." The
great lawyer had neglected his own trust, with awful results.
270. Glenn Doman, author of "Teach Your Baby to
Read", says, "Parents, in the main, are unmatched in their
potential, & they, not the professionals, should be making the
decisions concerning their children. A reasonably proficient
father is a much better combination than a totally proficient
professional like myself."
274. we had a friend whose wife sued him for divorce
because of his stern strict discipline on his teenagers. But let me
tell you, when she took away those children from this righteous
Godly Christian friend of ours & his strict discipline, God knew
what to do! Someone came to their house one cold night &
found the mother & all five of the children dead, suffocated by
a gas heater! God removed them all so that the poor man would
have no further responsibility & be no longer obligated to them
nor have to support them nor furnish their home nor pay
alimony, & he was free to serve the Lord & he went to the field
as a missionary, thank God!--Dad

271. I've made this observation while browsing 'round 275. Everybody has heard of Martin Luther; but who
the town: knows the name of his mother, the wife of a coal miner who
Some people bring their children up, often went hungry so that little Martin might attend school?
Some people bring their children down.
276. You painted no Madonnas
272. I shall never forget an hour in our home (where On chapel walls in Rome,
there were ten children) when my father sat there before us, & But with a touch diviner
the college question was up. One of the children said to him, "If You lived one in your home.
you had used the great brains you have in the law business,
instead of being a preacher, we would all have had a chance to You wrote no lofty poems
go to college, & you would have had money enough to send That critics counted art,
us." I saw my dad look out the window. He turned back with But with a nobler vision
tears running down his cheeks, & said, "Yes, that is the truth. I You lived them in your heart.
could have done it, but when you woke up in hell you would
have cursed me far worse than you do now. Children, money You carved no shapeless marble
isn't everything; & I will try to leave you an inheritance that is To some high-souled design.
incorruptible, that does not fade away. When I am gone--a poor But with a finer sculpture
Methodist preacher--you will know one thing, & that is that I You shaped this soul of mine.
knew Jesus." Oh, I am glad he didn't sell out to what his
children wanted! You built no great cathedrals
That centuries applaud,
273. O mothers, so weary, discouraged, But with a grace exquisite
Worn out with the cares of the day, Your life cathedraled God.
You often grow cross & impatient, Had I the gift of Raphael,
Complain of the noise & the play; Or Michelangelo,
For the day brings so many vexations, Oh, what a rare Madonna
For many things go amiss; My mother's life would show!
But mothers, whatever may vex you. --Thomas W. Fessenden
Send the children to bed with a kiss!
The dear little feet wander often. 277. God could not be in every place
Perhaps from the pathway of right, With loving hands to help erase
The dear little hands find new mischief The teardrops from each baby's face,
To try you from morning till night; And so He thought of mother.
But think of the desolate mothers
Who'd give all the world for your bliss, He could not send us here alone
And, as thanks for your infinite blessings, And leave us to a fate unknown;
Send the children to bed with a kiss! Without providing for His own,
For some day their noise will not vex you, The outstretched arms of mother.
The silence will hurt you far more;
You will long for their sweet, childish voices, God could not watch us night & day
For a sweet, childish face at the door; And kneel beside o your crib & pray.
and to press a child's face to your bosom, Or kiss our little aches away;
You'd give all the world for just this! And so He sent us mother.
For the comfort 'twill bring you in sorrow,
Send the children to bed with a kiss! And when our childhood days began,
He simply could not take command,
 That's why He placed our tiny hand
Securely into mother's.
The days of youth slipped quickly by,
Life's sun rose higher in the sky,
Full grown were we, yet ever nigh
To love us still, was mother.
and when life's span of years shall end,
I know that God will gladly send,
To welcome home her child again,
That ever faithful mother.
--George W. Wiseman
278. A man was walking along & saw this poor little
street urchin sitting all dirty & dedraggled & hungry on the curb
asking for some money to get something to eat. The man asked
him, "Where do you live?" And he pointed to his huge mansion
right behind him! "You live there? Are you one of the
servants?" The boy said, "No, I'm the son of the owners."
"Well, where's your father?" "He's off on business." "Well,
where's your mother?" "She's at a meeting for the Society of
Neglected Children!"--Dad
279. An aged, white-haired mother sat with a smile on
her face, waiting for her famous son, Dwight Eisenhower, to
arrive. Someone said to her, "You must be proud of your great
& illustrious son?" Upon which she asked, "Which son?" Each
one was equally great to that noble mother.
Said Dwight Eisenhower: "My sainted mother taught
me a devotion to God & a love of country which have ever
sustained me in my many lonely & bitter moments of decision
in distant & hostile lands. To her, I yield a son's reverent
thanks."
280. I did not have my mother long, but she cast over
me an influence which has lasted all my life. The good effects
of her early training I can never lose. If it had not been for her
appreciation & her faith in me at a critical time in my
experience, I should never likely have become an inventor. I
was always a careless boy, & with a mother of different mental
calibre, I should have turned out badly. But her firmness, her
sweetness, her goodness, were potent powers to keep me in the
right path. My mother was the making of me. The memory of
her will always be a blessing to me.
--Thomas A. Edison
281. Years ago, a young mother was making her way
across the hills of South Wales, carrying her tiny babe in her
arms, when she was overtaken by a blinding blizzard. She never
reached her destination alive, & when the blizzard had subsided
her body was found beneath the snow. But the searchers
discovered that before her death she had taken off all her outer
clothing & wrapped it about her baby.
And when they unwrapped the child, to their great
surprise & joy, they found he was alive & well. She had given
her life for her child, proving the depth of her mother love.
Years later the child, David Lloyd George, grown to manhood,
& without doubt one of England's greatest statesmen.
282. The head of the American family should speak in
a loud, firm voice--& she does!
283. Parents can tell but never teach,
Until they practice what they preach.
284. The little boy & girl were talking together after
Daddy had told them a bedtime story, & left the room. The little
boy said to his sister, "Haven't we heard that story before?--
Didn't he just tell us that the other night?" "Yes", said his sister
knowingly, "Of course! But it does Daddy so much good!"--
Dad
285. It's a happy home where the only scraps are those
brushed off the dining table.
286. She could not paint, nor write, nor rhyme
Her footprints on the sand of time,
As some distinguished women do;
Just simple things of life she knew--
Like tucking little folks in bed,
Or soothing someone's aching head.
She was no singer, neither blessed
With any special loveliness
To win applause & passing fame;
No headlines ever blazed her name.
But, oh, she was a shining light
to all her loved ones, day & night!
Her home was kingdom, she its queen;
Her reign was faithful, honest, clean,
Impartial, loving, just, to each
And every one she sought to teach.
Her name? Of course, there is no other
In all the world so sweet--just Mother!
--May Allread Baker
287. Mother is the name for God in the lips & hearts of
little children.
288. You may have tangible wealth untold;
Caskets of jewels & coffers of gold;
Richer than I you can never be--
I had a mother who read to me.
289. I was abroad a large air liner some time ago
which ran into an extremely severe wind & rainstorm. Despite
the size of the plane & the tremendous power of its four wing
motors, the ship was being tossed violently. A little nine-year-
old fellow was my seat companion. It was his first experience in
the air, & he was desperately afraid. Suddenly he looked up at
me & said, "Are you afraid?" I smiled & replied, "No, this is
real fun." And immediate change came over the little chap--fear
& tension left him. He, too, had fun.
 290. "Only a dad with a tired face,
Coming home from the daily race,
Bringing little of gold or fame,
To show how well he has played the game,
But glad in his heart that his own rejoice,
To see him come home &hear his voice.
"Only a dad of a brood of four,
One of ten million men or more,
Plodding along in the daily strife,
Bearing the whips & scorns of life,
With never a whimper of pain or hate,
For the sake of those who at home do wait!
"Only a dad, neither rich nor proud,
Merely one of the surging crowd,
Toiling, striving, from day to day,
Facing whatever may come his way,
Silent whenever the harsh condemn,
And bearing it all for the love of them!
"Only a dad, but he gives his all,
To smooth the way for his children small,
Doing with courage stern & grim,
The deeds that his father did for him.
This is the line that for him I pen:
Only a dad, BUT THE BEST OF MEN!"
--Edgar A. Guest
291. The Lord made parents so they could be examples
of His loving discipline & loving rule. I think He meant their
loving care & loving discipline to be training in submission to
Him. If all our lives we've submitted to our earthly parents, then
it shouldn't be so difficult to recognise God's authority & to bow
to it & defer to it, & submit to it!--Dad
292. "They shall be Mine when I make up My jewels."
(Mal. 3:17)
"A diamond in the rough,
Is a diamond sure enough;
For before it ever sparkles,
It is made of diamond stuff!
Of course some one must find it,
Or it never will be found;
and then some one must grind it,
Or it never will be ground;
But when it's found, & when it's ground,
And when it's burnished bright,
It sparkles everlastingly,
Just shooting forth its light!
Ah, teacher in the Sunday school,
Don't say, 'I've done enough,'
That worst boy in your Bible class,
May be a diamond in the rough!
Perhaps you think he's grinding YOU,
And maybe you are right,
But possibly you need the grinding,
To finish you out bright!"
293. An old schoolmaster said one day to a clergyman,
who came to examine his school, "I believe the children know
the catechism word for word."
"But do they understand it? That is the question," said
the clergyman.
The schoolmaster bowed respectfully, & the
examination began. A little boy had repeated the fifth
commandment, "Honor thy father & thy mother," & he was
asked to explain it. Instead of trying to do so, the little boy, with
his face covered with blushes, said, almost in a whisper,
"Yesterday I showed some strange man over the mountain, &
the sharp stones cut my feet. The man saw they were bleeding,
& gave me some money to buy shoes. I gave it to my mother,
for she had no shoes either, & I thought I could go barefooted
better than she could."
294. The older you get, the more you begin to
appreciate some of your parents' problems with you. I dare say
today most of you can look back & be a little bit sorry for how
you acted & misbehaved & didn't appreciate when you had'm. I
hope you're letting them know that now.--Dad
295. I hardly know a real father or real mother who
doesn't love their child or their children more than themselves.
That's what makes them real fathers & mothers willing to suffer
for them, willing to sacrifice for them.--Dad
296. A busy mother was one day regretting that she
could do so little Christian work. "I shall have only a life of
housework to show at last," she said rather sadly to a friend one
day. "Why, Mother," exclaimed her little daughter, who
overheard the words, "all we children will stand up & tell all
you've done for us--everything! I shouldn't s'pose they'd want
anything better than good mothers up in Heaven!"
And the friend answered: "The child is right. Earth will
send to Heaven no better saints than the true Christian mothers
who have done their best."
297. Upon a rocky trail one day
I met a friendly pair,
A father & his little lad--
A storm was in the air.
The precipice was dangerous,
The wind was coming on,
But on that child's trusting face
Was joyfulness & calm.
My own heart quaked a bit with fear
Of what might lie ahead,
But when I said, "Aren't you afraid?"
The laddy shook his head,
Astonished at my ignorance,
"Oh, you don't understand,
Why, Mister, I can't be afraid
When Daddy holds my hand."
--Alice Mortenson
298.
 Used to wonder just why Father,
Never had much time to play;
Used to wonder why he'd rather
Work each minute of the day.
Boys are blind to much that's going
On about them every day,
And I had no way of knowing
What became of Father's pay.
All I knew was when I needed
shoes I got 'em on the spot;
Everything for which I pleaded,
Somehow Father always got.
Wondered season after season
Why he never took a rest,
And that I might be the reason
That I never even guessed.
Rest has come--his task is ended,
Calm is written on his brow,
Father's life was big & splendid,
And I understand it now.
--Edgar A. Guest
299. "What will you have?" asked a waiter of a man
who had taken his seat at a table in a restaurant. "A glass of
beer", said the man. "And what shall I get for the little boy?"
asked the waiter of the boy sitting beside his father. "Same as
Dad," said the boy. Instantly, the father said, "Give me
something else!"
300. No cowboy was ever faster on the draw than a
grandparent pulling a baby picture out of a wallet.
301. Another thing "so simple a child can operate" is a
grandparent.
302. Some how a fellow can't express
The feelings he has had
While through the years he's walked & talked
And laughed & played with Dad.
He cannot put in words the love--
The pride that wells within,
The admiration in his heart,
Whene'er Dad looks at him.
Dad is the hero of his dreams,
The king upon the throne,
The pattern for that idea life
Which he would make his own.
He knows that Dad well understands]
The conflicts in his breast,
And shared the problems he must face,
Though often unexpressed.
How could a fellow go astray,
Who with his Dad has stood
Within the secret place of prayer
Before a holy God!
And this my constant prayer shall be,
That until life is done,
My conduct here shall honor him,
Who proudly calls me "Son."
--Alvis B. Christiansen
303. P.H. Chang, Chinese consul-general in New York
City was asked to comment on the fact that there are no juvenile
delinquents among Chinese-American youths. He said, "A
Chinese child, no matter where he lives, is brought up to
recognize that he cannot shame his parents. Before a Chinese
child makes a move, he stops to think what the reaction on his
parents will be. Will they be proud or will they be ashamed?
That is the sole question he asks himself."
304. There are little eyes upon you,
and they're watching night & day;
There are little ears that quickly
take in everything you say;
There are little hands all eager
to do everything you do.
And a little boy who's dreaming
of the day he'll be like you.
You're the little fellow's idol,
you're the wisest of the wise;
In his little mind about you
no suspicions ever rise;
He believes in you devoutly,
holds that all you say & do
He will say & do in your way
when he's grown up just like you.
There's a wide-eyed little fellow
who believes you're always right,
And his ears are always open,
& he watches day & night.
You are setting an example
every day in all you do
For the little boy who's waiting
to grow up to be like you.
--Leslie Hale
305. "They say that man is mighty, he governs land &
sea;
He wields a mighty scepter on lower powers than he.
"But mightier power & stronger, man from his throne
has hurled,
For the hand that rocks the cradle is the hand that rules
the world."
306. There was a crooked man, who had a crooked
smile,
Who made a crooked fortune, in a very crooked style!
He lived a crooked life, as crooked people do,
and wondered why it turned out, his sons were
crooked, too!

307. My hand is large & his is small
And there is nothing on earth at all
More important than the task
That lies ahead of me. I ask
For wisdom, Lord, that I may lead
This child aright; his every need
Depends on me. But Thou my guide
That I, in walking by his side,
May choose the right paths for his feet.
The days are swift, the years are fleet,
Make me alert in deed & word
As we go forward, blessed Lord,
His precious clinging hand in mine,
With always, Lord, my hand in Thine.
--Grace Noll Crowell
308. Little Mary Nell was rapidly eating fistfulls of
chocolate candy when suddenly her father appeared, coming up
the walk. Cramming the last piece of chocolate in her mouth,
she squealed with delight as she dashed toward her father. She
threw herself into his outstretched arms, joyously exclaiming:
"Daddy! Daddy! You're home! You're home!"
Father saw Mary Nell's chocolate smeared hands,
mouth, & dress too late! His white shirt was a mess! His first
impulse was to reprimand her. He put her down, however, &
laughed heartily! How could he react differently to the
spontaneous outburst of love, joy & armfuls of affection, when
he thought, "Did I not come to the heavenly Father soiled by
years of sinful living? Did He not enfold me in His arms of
love?"
309. The young Mother set her foot on the path of life.
"Is the way long?" she asked.
And her Guide said" "Yes. And the way is hard. And
you will be old before you reach the end of it. But the end will
be better than the beginning."
But the young Mother was happy, & she would not
believe that anything could be better than these years. So she
played with her children, & gathered flowers for them along the
way, & bathed with them in the clear streams; & the sun shone
on them & life was good, & the young Mother cried, "Nothing
will ever be lovelier than this."
The night came, & storm, & the path was dark, & the
children shook with fear & cold, & the Mother drew them close
& covered them with her mantle, & the children said, "Oh,
Mother, we are not afraid, for you are near, & no harm can
come," and the Mother said, "This is better than the brightness
of day, for I have taught my children courage."
And the morning came, & there was a hill ahead, & the
children climbed & grew weary, & the Mother was weary, but
at all times she said to the children, "A little patience & we are
there." So the children climbed & when they reached the top,
they said, "We could not have done it without you, Mother."
And the Mother, when she lay down that night, looked at the
stars & said: "This is a better day than the last, for my children
have learned fortitude in the face of hardness. Yesterday I gave
them courage. Today I have given them strength."
And the next day came strange clouds which darkened
the earth--clouds of war & hate & evil, & the children groped &
stumbled, & the Mother said: "Look up. Lift your eyes to the
Light." And the children looked & saw above the clouds an
everlasting Glory, & it guided them & brought them beyond the
darkness. And that night the Mother said, "This is the best day
of all, for I have shown my children God."
And the days went on, & the weeks & the months &
the years; & the Mother grew old, & she was little & bent. But
her children were tall & strong, & walked with courage. And
when the way was hard, they helped their Mother, & when the
way was rough, they lifted her, for she was as light as a feather;
& at last they came to a hill, & beyond the hill they could see a
shining road & a golden gate flung wide.
And the Mother said: "I have reached the end of my
journey. And now I know that the end is better than the
beginning, for my children can walk alone, & their children
after them."
And the children said: "You will always walk with us,
Mother even when you have gone through the gates."
And they stood & watched her as she went on alone, &
the gates closed after her. And they said: "We cannot see her,
but she is with us still. A Mother like ours is more than a
memory. She is a living presence."
310. His little arms crept 'round my neck, & then I
heard him say,
Four simple words I can't forget, four words that made
me pray.
They turned a mirror on my soul, on secrets no one
knew,
They startled me, I hear them yet, he said, "I'll be like
you!"
--Herbert Parker
311. That is a commandment of the Lord, Jesus quoted
it so it's part of His Law of Love: "Honour thy father & thy
mother." (Mat.19:19) He said this is the first commandment
with a promise attached. He said it was the first commandment
with promise, think of that. "Honour thy father & thy mother,
that your days may be long in the land & verily thou shalt be
fed." (Eph.6:2,3)--Dad
312. THE BLIND CHILD
I know what mother's face is like,
Although I cannot see;
It's like the music of a bell;
It's like the roses I can smell--
Yes, these it's like to me.
I know what father's face is like;
I'm sure I know it all;
It's like his whistle on the air;
It's like his arms which take such care
And never let me fall.
And I can tell what God is like--
The God whom no one sees.
 He's everything my parents seem; And he comes home with bread.
He's fairer than my fondest dream,
And greater than all these. It's the middle of night,
Baby's waking again.
313. I saw tomorrow look at me How can he not hear her?
From baby's deep blue eyes, He sleeps on with a grin.
Reminding me of God's great trust;
Oh, heavenly Father, make me wise. Should I wake him from slumber,
And chide him or scold?
314. The Family is a garden No, the story's not over,
With flowers sweet & fair. There's more I've not told.
The parents are their pruners
Of each child in their care. For him there's no job,
That's too small or great.
God made the family garden, Whatever needs doing,
Allowed each blossom to unfold. Why, he won't hesitate!
He blessed the family garden,
Gave it a budding beauty to behold. The kids they sure love him,
'Cause he gives them his all!
Love controls the pruning tool, He's a master at crayons,
Used by the parents each day. And stories & balls!
Trust is the timeless tool
that guides a family in God's way. He must have his problems,
--Wilma L. Shaffer As least ONCE in awhile,
but they don't seem to stop him,
315. It takes great courage & foresight to say to your From going one more mile.
child, "I don't care what you think of me now; I'm concerned
with what you will think of me a few years from now." I don't know how he does it:
He just trusts through each test!
316. Mother love is dangerous when it becomes He tells me his victories,
SMOTHER love. And tells Jesus the rest!

317. Mothers who scold their sons for carrying useless When it gets hard at times,
things in their pockets should take a look in their handbags! And I sigh in despair,
He'll say, "Look up, Honey,
318. The alarm went off You know Jesus cares!"
Half an hour ago!
Why doesn't he get up? He says, "Come now, Sweetheart,
He wakes up so slow! You take a short rest.
I'll take all the kids
I open the closet, And I'll give them my best!"
And let out a sigh,
He said he would clean it, And then he assures me,
But let it slip by. "Why, there's no need to fret!
We'll do what we can do,
The kids sit a'waiting, And He'll see us through yet!"
For the breakfast I make.
And he comes to the table And he's right every time,
Though he's still not awake! 'Cause the Lord's Love is true,
And He gives us the grace,
I've waited all day For the trials we go through!
For a tender embrace,
But he's been so busy When yo've got a big family
Running 'round everyplace! And a babe on the breast,
If your mate's a real daddy,
He goes to the store, Well, you know you are blest!
For diapers & thread.
But the list gets misplaced, He gives it his all,
 Yes, he's done what he could!
And sometimes I feel,
He's done more than he should!
So what if he sleeps
In a little bit late?
He's such a good daddy!
He's such a good mate!
--Seek
319. I remember a little fellow, frightened by the
lightning & thunder, who called out one dark night, "Daddy,
come, I'm scared." "Oh, son", the father said, "Good loves you
& He'll take care of you." "I know God loves me & that He'll
take care of me", the small son replied, "But right now, I want
somebody who has skin on."
320. A dad is a mender of toys, a leader of boys.
He's a changer of fuses, a healer of bruises.
He's a mover of couches, a healer of ouches.
He's a hanger of screens, a counsellor of teens.
He's a pounder of nails, a teller of tales.
He's a dryer of dishes, a fulfiller of wishes.
Bless him, O Lord.
--Jo Ann Heidbreder
321. The greatest battle that ever was fought-
Shall I tell you where & when?
On the maps of the world you will find it not:
It was fought by the Mothers of Men.
Not with cannon or battle shot,
With sword or nobler pen;
Not with eloquent word or thought
From the wonderful minds of men;
But deep in a walled-up woman's heart;
A woman that would not yield;
But bravely & patiently bore her part;
Lo! There is the battlefield.
No marshalling troops, no bivouac song,
No banner to gleam & wave;
But, Oh, these battles they last so long--
From babyhood to the grave!
But faithful still as a bridge of stars
She fights in her walled-up town;
Fights on, & on, in the endless wars;
Then silent, unseen goes down!
Ho! ye with banners & battle shot,
With soldiers to shout & praise,
I tell you the kingliest victories fought
Are fought in these silent ways.
--Joaquin Miller
322. A careful mother I must be,
A little daughter follows me.
I do not dare to go astray,
For fear she'll go the self same way.
She's only just a bit past three,
But I see in her a smaller me.
Like me she says she's going to be,
This precious babe who follows me.
She likes to help me cook & sew,
She follows me where'er I go.
Not once can I escape her eyes,
Whate'er I do she always tries.
She acts like I'm almost divine,
Believes in every word of mine.
The base in me she must not see,
This trusting child who follows me.
Lord! make me conscious as I go,
Through summer sun & winter snow,
That she'll be what she's trained to be.
A future mother follows me.
--by Martha E. Lambert
323. "this hurts me more than it does you," remarked
the Magistrate, as he fined his daughter $10.00 for speeding &
$3.00 for running past a red light, & then dug into his pocket for
the fines.
324. We thank You, Lord,
So great & good,
For the depth & breadth
Of Fatherhood.
We thank You, Lord,
So great & good,
For the love & care
Of Motherhood.
We thank You, Lord,
So great & good,
For trusting parents
With Babyhood.
325. I love you as a mommy,
I love you as a friend,
I love the way you see through tales
--The kids dare not pretend!
I love you as a seamstress,
I love you when you dance,
I love you for your diligence.
--Seems nothing skips your glance!
I love you as a head-mistress,
I love you as a nurse,
I love the way you just make do
In better & in worse.
I love you as a florist
Who tends her little sprouts.
 I love the way you clean out junk; To give new strength to you!
What you don't need goes out!
The Son of God, was yet a man
I love you as a laundress, With only mortal strength--
No spot is overlooked. Yet how they pressed & drew from Him,
I love you as a cuisine-Queen; Compelled Him to such lengths!
and enjoy each meal you've cooked!
With weary hands He touched & healed,
I love you when you decorate, With weary lips He spake!
I love the way you walk, With weary feet He walked lone ways
I love the way you clean your house, --He did it for their sakes!
--No time for idle talk!
His life was surely not His own,
I love you as a counsellor, For He gave it all away!
I love when others say, To those who pressed to touch, to hear
"How does Fiona manage? The Words He had to say.
Her hair's not even grey!"
O Lord, today help ME to say
I love you as a sister With smile & cheerful heart,
--Though a Queen you truly are! "It's not a sacrifice at all
I love you 'cause you're close to me, When called to do my part!"
Though I may travel far.
And daily as I teach & train,
I love you when you're pregnant, And little lives I mold,
I love you when you're slim, I know my labours one day soon
I love the way you calmly put Shall yield one hundred-fold!
Your faith & trust in Him!
--Windy Oh, what a tiny price to pay,
For such a noble cause,
326. How hurt or disappointed do you feel when your To teach their hearts to trust in God,
children make a mistake? Oh yes, of course you feel a little bad, And keep His loving laws!
but you expect them to fail & to be bad sometimes or make the
wrong decisions, it's all a part of growing up. You don't get all Frustrated Mom & tired Dad,
sensitive or offended because your child does something wrong; I sympathise with you.
you know they're going to be that way & they're going to do But give your all & He'll give strength
things wrong sometimes, they're not perfect. In fact, the initial And Joy to see you through!
disappointment is all but forgotten in the happiness you feel --By Seek mother of 10
when you see him learning his lesson & doing the right thing.
When you're learning, you're bound to make mistakes.--Dad 328. Your children are your greatest task! They are
your greatest responsibility, the little disciples that God has
327. Are you frustrated, Mommy? given you that you have to take care of & you must train, &
Are you tired, Dad? they had better be taught well & reared well in the nurture &
Does no one appreciate admonition of the Lord & trained up in the way they should go,
The tough day you've just had? so that when they are older they will not depart therefrom!
(Prov.22:6)--Dad
Is there no one near to thank you
Or pat you on the back 329. Since the coming of television we no longer have
For all the work you've done today family circles--we have semi-circles.
In spite of all you lack?
330. A grandmother is a baby sitter who watches the
You wonder if you'll get ahead kids instead of the television.
And when you'll see the light.
But 'cause your children need you so, 331. "I'll lend you for a little time
You know you'll hold on tight! A child of Mine", He said,
"For you to love the while he lives
'Cause if you'd ever just give up And think of when he's gone.
Why, who would see them through? I cannot promise he will stay
This one thought, I wot, just ought Since all from life return
 But there are lessons taught down there
I want this child to learn.
I've looked the wide World over
In My search for teachers true,
And from the throngs that crowd life's lane
I have selected you.
Now will you give him all your love
Nor think the labour vain,
Nor hate Me when I come to call
To take him back again?"
332. Listen, son: I am saying this as you lie asleep, one
little paw crumpled under your cheek & the blond curls stickily
wet on your damp forehead. I have stolen into your room alone.
Just a few minutes ago, as I sat reading my paper in the library,
a stifling wave of remorse swept over me. Guiltily I came to
your bedside.
These are the things I was thinking, son: I had been
cross to you. I scolded you as you were dressing for school
because you gave your face merely a dab with a towel. I took
you to task for not cleaning your shoes. I called out angrily
when you threw some of your things on the floor.
At breakfast I found fault, too. You spilled things. You
gulped down your food. You put your elbows on the table. You
spread butter too thick on your bread. And as you started off to
play & I made for my train, you turned & waved a hand &
called, "Goodbye, Daddy!" & I frowned, & said in reply, "Hold
your shoulders back!"
Then it began all over again in the late afternoon. As I
came up the road I spied you, down on your knees, playing
marbles. There were holes in your stockings. I humiliated you
before your boyfriends by marching you ahead of me to the
house. Stockings were expensive & if you had to buy them you
would be more careful! Imagine that, son, from a father!
Do you remember, later, when I was reading in the
library, how you came in timidly, with a sort of hurt look in
your eyes? When I glanced up over my paper, impatient at the
interruption, you hesitated at the door, "What is it you want?" I
snapped.
You said nothing, but ran across in one tempestuous
plunge, & threw your arms around my neck & kissed me, &
your small arms tightened with an affection that God had set
blooming in your heart & which even neglect could not wither.
And then you were gone, pattering up the stairs.
Well, son, it was shortly afterwards that my paper
slipped from my hands & a terrible sickening fear came over
me. What was habit been doing tome? The habit of finding
fault, of reprimanding--this was my reward to you for being a
boy. It was not that I did not love you; it was that I expected too
much of youth. I was measuring you by the yardstick of my
own years.
And there was so much that was good & fine & true in
your character. The little heart of you was as big as the dawn
itself over the wide hills. This was shown by your spontaneous
impulse to rush in & kiss me good night. Nothing else matters
tonight, son. I have come to your bedside in the darkness, & I
have knelt there, ashamed!
It is a feeble atonement; I know you would not
understand these things if I told them to you during your
waking hours. But tomorrow I will be a real daddy! I will chum
with you, & suffer when you suffer, & laugh when you laugh. I
will bite my tongue when impatient words come. I will keep
saying as if it were a ritual: "He is nothing but a boy, a little
boy!"
I am afraid I have visualised you as a man. Yet as I see
you now, son, crumpled & weary in your cot, I see that you are
still a baby. Yesterday you were in your mother's arms, your
head on her shoulder, I have asked too much, too much.
333. This is what a grandchild does: brushes off the
years;
Polishes a grandpa's smiles; banishes his fears;
Lightens up his step a bit; brings him tasks to do;
Teaches him to play once more games which once he
knew;
Leads him to the toy shops; in his world of men;
Sends him on his daily round young at heart again.
Grandfolks have no time to think they are getting old.
They must learn anew the rhymes & the tales they told;
They must plan for circus time; wander 'round the zoo,
Call the animals by name, as they used to do.
They've no voice for aches & pains. Young at heart are
they.
Eastertide is theirs once more, & the Christmas Day.
This is what a grandchild does: long lost joys restores;
Gives age back the birds & flowers & the out-of-doors;
Pleasures lost & long forgot; songs he used to sing;
Princes in the golden towers; butterflies a-wing;
Every charm that childhood bears in its joyous train,
For a third time down the years--all is ours again!
--Edgar A. Guest
334. Oh, say not that your little son is dead;
The word too harsh & much too hopeless seems,
Believe, instead,
That he has left his little trundel bed
To climb the hills
Of morning, & to share the joy that fills
God's pleasant land of dreams.
Nay, say not that your little son is dead.
It is not right, because it is not true.
Believe, instead,
He has but gone the way that you must tread,
And, smiling, waits
In loving ambush by those pearly gates,
To laugh & leap at you.
No knight that does you service can be dead;
Nor idle is this young knight gone before.
Believe, instead,
Upon an envoy's mission he hath sped
That doth import
Your greatest good; for he at heaven's court
Is your ambassador.
--T.A. Daly.
335. O Lord, You've made another day,
I wonder what will come our way
Before the even falls?
If I could take a little peek
I'd know if I should stay asleep
Or beckon to them all--
Let's rise & shine & greet the sun,
Let's get along, children, it's such great fun!
To wake up in the morning!
(Droopy little eyes & heads,
I hope nobody's wet their beds,
'Cause that's just not so charming!)
Now line up at the bathroom door.
--But no bare feet upon the floor!
Make sure you wear your sandals.
Now who'll be first to make their bed?
Looks like a storm just hit & fled,
And left your beds in shambles!
But if each one will do their part,
We'll get it done, we just need start.
But slowly now.--We're not in such a hurry!
Now, Stephen, don't you start to cry!
She didn't mean to poke your eye!
Ruth, tell him please you're sorry.
Papa's going to fry the eggs,
Just for a little help, he begs.
Is someone free to set the table?
Jason, you're a great big boy,
Come, & set aside that toy,
Please help papa when you're able!
Girls, you BOTH can't wear that dress!
And look!--Your hair is still a mess!
Mmmm! Can you smell the pancakes bakin'?
Oh, please do what I ask you to,
And help poor Jamie find his shoe,
Before he feels forsaken!
I guess we just forgot to pray
The Lord to help us start this day!
No wonder things are topsy-turvy!
Jesus, please unite our hearts,
Give each of us a brand new start,
Even though we're so unworthy!
We're coming, Honey, on our way!
It's going to be a real good day,
Thanks so much for waiting for us!
Praise the Lord! Now, let's sit down,
And share this feast!--Oh look around,
A banquet's spread before us!
Kids, you really touch our hearts,
You really play the biggest parts,
And help so much in all we do!
You're special & we need you so,
And we just thought you'd like to know
How much we love each one of you!
O Lord, You've made another day,
And got us started on Your way.
--Thanks for all the kids You've given!
Whatever happens, good or bad,
You'll give us faith & make us glad
For this great life of Love we're livin'!
--Seek
336. A gentleman whose wife was delivered of a boy
six months after marriage, asked a physician the reason for this.
"Don't worry about it," said the latter, "this often
happens in the case of the first child, but never afterwards."
337. A mother's patience is like a tube of toothpaste--
it's never quite all gone.
338. Rejecting things because they are old-fashioned
would rule out the sun & the moon--& a mother's love.
339. When the last diploma's granted,
And the race takes its degree,
And the worthwhile things are graven
In the Hall of History;
When the World's great benefactors
Gather at the Master's call,
There will be one more deserving,
One more worthy than them all.
When the deeds of men are measured
And their services are weighed,
And the Master of all masters,
Hands to each his final grade,
Then the warrior, merchant, banker,
Each shall take his separate place
'Round about a central figure,
The most honoured of our race.
Then the ones who fought for power
And the ones who strove for wealth
Will discover that the greatest
Was the one who offered self;
Then the teacher, true & faithful,
Will be greeted from the Throne
By the greatest of all Teachers;
"Ye shall reap as ye have sown!"
--Riley Scott
340. A Sunday school teacher
I don't know his name,
A wonderful preacher
Who never found fame.
So faithful, so earnest
When I was a boy--
He stuck to his task
Though I tried to annoy.
 He never was missing
In cold or in heat,
A smile his face lighted
The moment we'd meet.
He taught by example
As well as by word,
this splendid old teacher
Who honoured his Lord,
He helped my young life
More than ever he knew
Later years I remembered
And tried to be true.
I suppose he has gone now
To join Heaven's ranks
May it be good fortune,
Someday to say, thanks.
--Will H. Houghton
341. I sent my boy to college
With a pat upon the back.
I spent ten thousand dollars
And got--a quarterback.
342. Burdened with the care of a new baby the young
mother sent her little brother to the department store to get some
things for the new arrival.
He managed to get everything without too much
trouble. The last item on his list was diapers. He went to the
counter where there were sold, stated his wishes, & in the space
of a few minutes the salesgirl returned with a bundle.
"That will be sixty cents for the diapers & two cents
for the tax."
"Ah, never mind the tacks," said the youngster, "Sis
puts them on the baby with safety pins."
343. A little four-year-old daughter, suffering from a
severe scolding from her mother was heard to sob pitifully to
herself, "I wish Mother loved me as much as she does God. she
talks so kind to Him." And immediately one's thoughts flash
back to a great man who said, "I owe a great department to the
life of my mother in my early childhood days. She always lived
like she prayed."
344. In her book "Odd Patterns in the Weaving", Mrs.
Sonia E. Howe in her narration mentioned something seen when
she was still in her teens. A family Russian academician was
working a Mosaic, a copy of an old oil painting which had been
in a famous Cathedral. He was putting in tiny pieces of marble,
one by one, to carry out the beautiful design. Sonia Howe,
approached him & said, "Is not this fearfully dull, uninteresting
work?"
"No, not at all," the artist replied, "for, you see, it is
work for eternity." (1 Cor.15:58)
345. During a blistering hot day, a family was
entertaining guests for dinner. When all were seated, the man of
the house turned to his six-year-old son & asked him to say the
blessing.
"But daddy, I don't know what to say," he protested.
"Oh, just say what you've heard me say," the mother
chimed in.
Obediently, he bowed his little head & said, "Oh, Lord,
why did I invite these people here on a hot day like this!"
346. Agostino d' Antonio, a sculptor of Florence, Italy,
wrought diligently but unsuccessfully on a large piece of
marble. "I can do nothing with it," he finally said. Other
sculptors, too, worked with the piece of marble, but they, too,
gave up the task. The stone was discarded. It lay on a rubbish
heap for forty years.
Out strolling one day, Michelangelo saw the stone &
the latent possibilities in it. It was brought to his studio. He
began to work on it. Ultimately, his vision & work were
crowned with success. From that seemingly worthless stone was
carved one of the World's masterpieces of sculpture--"David"!
347. Throughout the ages no nation has ever had a
better friend than the mother who taught her children to pray.
348. A mother is a woman who decorates her life with
babies.
349. One way to curb juvenile delinquency is to take
the parents off the streets at night.
350. The trouble with the average juvenile delinquent
is not always apparent--sometimes it's two parents!
351. Let's stop criticising the younger generation. If we
can't keep up with them we can at least get behind them.
352. Two little girls were playing with their dolls &
singing, "Safe in the Arms of Jesus." "How do you know you
are safe?" asked the older sister. "Because I am holding Jesus
with both my hands tight." "That's not safe," said the other.
"Suppose Satan came along & cut your hands off?" The child
looked troubled, dropped dolly, & thought. Suddenly her face
shone with joy., "Oh, I forgot! Jesus is holding me; And Satan
cannot cut off his hands, so I am safe."
353. Through Rochester, N.Y. runs the Genessee
River, between steep & crooked banks. One occasion, a
gentleman, who lived in the city, had just arrived by train from
a journey. He was anxious to go home & meet his wife &
children. He was hurrying along the streets, with a bright vision
of home in his mind when he saw on the bank of the river a lot
of excited men. "What is the matter?" he shouted. They replied,
"A boy's in the water!" "Why don't you save him?" he asked.
In a moment, throwing down his carpet-bag & pulling
off his coat, he jumped into the stream, grasped the boy in the
arms, struggled with him to the shore, & as he wiped the water
from his dripping face & brushed back his hair, he exclaimed,
"Heaven, it is my boy!" He had plunged in for the boy of
somebody else & saved his own.
354. It was Sunday morning. A father sat in his easy
chair reading the Sunday newspaper. Then he said to his boy,
"Put down that funny paper. Get ready for Sunday school.
"Daddy, aren't you going with me?" "No, I'm not going with
you, but I want you to hurry up & get ready." "daddy, did you
go to Sunday school when you were a little boy like me?"
"Certainly I did. I went every Sunday," said the father. Said the
little fellow as he walked sadly away, "I bet it won't do me any
good, either!"
355. What imitators are little children! A small girl
watched, with absorbing interest, everything which was
happening at mother's card party. She observed how mother
was dressed; how she dealt the cards; how the women drank
cocktails, & how freely they smoked cigarettes! Next day, the
little girl gathered her playmates together to "play party". She
dressed herself in some of her mother's clothes. Slipping into
her mother's room, she got mother's package of cigarettes.
Returning to her little playmates, she put a cigarette in her
mouth, struck a match, &, in lighting the cigarette, she
accidentally ignited the over-size dress she was wearing.
Instantly she became a "human torch!" A few hours later, her
little charred body lay still in death! As she died, she gasped, "I
did like mother, & it killed me!"
356. Juvenile delinquency is no mystery. Mama is so
busy keeping up with the Joneses & Papa is so busy keeping up
with Mama that neither of them has any time left for keeping up
with John & Mary.
357. A boy's mind is a wonderful thing. It starts
working the minute he gets up, & never stops until he gets to
school.
358. The frightening thing about heredity &
environment is that parents provide both.
359. Before dealing too harshly with our teenagers,
let's remember who reared them.
360. I once attended a convention in Atlanta, Ga., &
heard a speaker tell this true story in illustration of her address
on stewardship. A woman in the congregation to which the
speaker belonged took her two small children one Saturday
afternoon to a matinee to see Maude Adams in Peter Pan. The
tickets were priced at "2.50 each . The children saw their
mother open her purse, take out seven one dollar bills, pile them
on the shelf, put a 50 cent piece on the pile of bills, push all
under the window, take the three little pieces of cardboard &
lead them into the theater to their seats. The next day she took
her little daughter to church with her. When the offering was
taken, the child saw her mother open her purse, take out a
quarter, & put it on the plate as it passed them. As the organ
played the soft, religious music, the little daughter looked up
into her mother's face, & said in a clear stage whisper which
everyone around them could hear, "Mother! Church comes a
heap cheaper than matinees, doesn't it?"
361. A young father was pushing a baby buggy down
the street. He seemed to be unruffled by the bawling of the baby
& softly said, "Easy, Albert! Control yourself! Keep calm!" The
baby bawled more loudly. "Now, now, Albert, keep your
temper!" the father went on. A mother, passing by, said, "I must
congratulate you on your self-control. You surely know how to
speak to a baby--calmly & gently!" She patted the crying baby
on the head, & asked soothingly, "What's wrong, Albert?" "No,
no!" exclaimed the father, "the baby's name is Johnny. I'm
Albert!"
362. Years ago, out in the country, we knew a girl in
her teens who had measles in winter-time. She was put to bed,
but was not very sick. Her parents had to drive to town on
business. They gave her strict orders to stay in bed & keep
warm, but left her with some misgivings, for she was a willful
child & had never learned to obey. As soon as they were gone
she thought of something she wanted from the unheated
upstairs, & in spite of what her parents had commanded, she got
out of bed & went up in only her night clothes. Several days
later we conducted her funeral, for she had contracted
pneumonia & died. We recalled the words of a famous
children's specialist: "When it comes to serious illness, the child
who has been taught to obey stands four times the chance of
recovery that the spoiled & undisciplined child does."
363. A distressed father said to his teenage daughter,
"Young lady, either that dress is too short or you're not in it far
enough."
364. To keep a small boy out of the cookie jar, lock it
& hide the key under a cake of soap.
365. Many modern dads worry more about their golf
swing than they do their offspring.
366. The worst danger that confronts the younger
generation is the example set by the older generation.
367. Some years ago in a manufacturing town of
Scotland a young lady applied to the superintendent of a Sunday
school for a class. At his suggestions she gathered a class of
poor boys. The superintendent told them to come to his house
during the week & he would get them each a new suit of
clothes. They came, & each was nicely fitted out.
The worst & most unpromising boy in the class was a
lad named Bob. After two or three Sundays he was missing &
the teacher went out to hunt him up. She found that his new
clothes were torn & dirty, but she invited him back to the
school, & he came. The superintendent gave him a second new
suit, but, after attending once or twice, Bob was again absent.
Once again she sought him out, only to find that the second suit
had gone the way of the first.
"I am utterly discouraged with Bob," she said, when
she reported the case to the superintendent, "& I must give him
up."
"Please don't do that," the superintendent replied. "I
can't but hope there is something good in Bob. Try him once
more. I'll give him a third suit if he'll promise to attend
regularly."
Bob did promise, & received his third new suit. He
attended regularly after that, & became interested in the school.
He became an earnest & persevering seeker after Jesus, &
found Him. He joined the church. He was made a teacher. He
studied for the ministry. The end of the story is that this
discouraging boy--forlorn, ragged, runaway Bob--became
Robert Morrison, the great missionary to China who translated
the Bible into the Chinese language, & by so doing, opened the
kingdom of heaven to the teeming millions of that vast country.
368. Old men declare wars, but it is youth that must
fight them.
369. One of the advantages of being young is that you
don't let common sense get in the way of doing things
everybody else knows are impossible.
370. What kids need today is plenty of LSD--Love,
Security, & Discipline.
371. People who wonder where this generation is
headed will do well to consider where it came from.
372. One father was complaining in the presence of
another father of the fact that his son was costing him so much.
He had to have money for clothes, books, carfare, lunch, etc. It
was a burden.
The other father remarked, "My son does not cost me a
dollar. I wish I could spend something on him."
"Why doesn't your son cost you?"
"Because," replied the second father, "we lost him a
few months ago."
373. A minister who was walking along a road saw a
crowd of boys surrounding a dog. "What are you doing with the
dog?" asked the kindly minister.
"Whoever tells the biggest lie, he wins the dong."
"Oh, my, my, my," exclaimed the minister, "when I
was a little boy like you here I never told a lie."
There was a moment's silence. "Here," said one of the
little fellows, "you win the dog."
374. A small boy observed his mother put a penny on
the offering plate at the morning service. On the way home
from church, she freely criticized the poor sermon they had
heard. "But, Mother," said the boy, "what could you expect for
a penny?"
375. A boy was in danger of being drowned while
bathing in a river. Seeing a traveller on the bank, he called to
him for help; but the man started to lecture him on his rashness.
"Rescue me now," cried the boy: "you can lecture me later on
when I am safe."
376. If Shakespeare came back today, a lexicographer
claims, he would understand only five of every nine words
spoken. Few modern parents can do that well.
377. It was a dark, stormy night, & a little child, lost in
the streets of the city, was crying in distress. A policeman,
gathering from the child's statement enough to locate the home,
gave directions after this manner: "Just go down this street half
a mile, turn & cross the big iron bridge, then turn to your right
& follow the river down a little way, & you'll see then where
you are." The poor child only half comprehending, chilled by
the wind, & bewildered by the storm, was turning about blindly,
when another voice spoke & said in a kindly tone, "Just come
with me." The little hand was clasped in a stronger one, & the
corner of a warm cloak was thrown over the shoulders of the
shivering child. The way home was made easy. The first one
had told the way; this one condescends to be the way.
378. some members of the younger generation believe
that elbow grease is a petroleum product.
379. At a certain period in the life of every youth, he
wonders how such dull parents produced such a bright child.
380. Our tastes change as we mature. Little girls like
painted dolls; little boys like soldiers. When they grow up, the
girls like the soldiers & the boys like the painted dolls.
381. The time to start worrying about a boy is when he
leaves the house without slamming the door.
382. A disgruntled school-teacher handed in her
resignation with the following comment: "In our public schools
today, the teachers are afraid of the Principals, the Principals are
afraid of the superintendents, the superintendents are afraid of
the board, the board members are afraid of the parents, the
parents are afraid of the children, & the children are afraid of
nobody." (Eph.6:1-4; Col.3:20).
383. A small child was taken to a cathedral. She sat
watching the sunshine through the windows. She asked her
mother, "What are these people on the windows?" "They are
saints," was the answer. Then the child said, "Now I know what
saints are. They are people who let the light shine through."
384. In the nursery the children were talking rather
loudly, & mother went in & asked what they were quarrelling
about. "We're not quarrelling, mother," said the eldest, "we're
just playing 'Daddy & Mummy'."
385. A woman sat by a hearthside place
Reading a book with a pleasant face,
Till a child came up with a childish frown
And pushed the book saying, "Put it down."
Then the mother, slapping his curly head,
Said, "Troublesome child, go off to bed;
A great deal of God's Book I must know
To train you up as a child should go."
And the child went off to bed to cry
And denounce religion--by & by.
 Another woman bent o'er a book
With a smile of joy & an intent look,
Till a child came up & joggled her knee,
And said of the book, "Put it down--take me."
Then the mother signed as she stroked his head,
Saying softly, "I never shall get it read;
But I'll try by loving to learn His Will,
And His Love into my child instill."
That child went to bed without a sigh
And will love her Jesus--by & by.
--Aquilla Webb
386. If the younger generation doesn't know where it's
going, it must be following in its father's footsteps.
387. Young folks of today have the disadvantage of
having too many advantages.
388. Good tools do not make an excellent teacher, but
an excellent teacher makes good use of tools.
389. Kindling of interest is the great function of the
teacher. People sometimes say, "I should like to teach if only
pupils cared to learn." But then, there would be little need of
teaching.
390. Martin Luther warned, "I am much afraid that the
universities will prove to be the great gates to Hell, unless they
diligently labour to explain the Holy Scriptures & to engrave
them upon the hearts of youth. I advise no one to place his child
where the Scriptures do not reign paramount. Every institution
where they are not unceasingly occupied with the Word of God
must become corrupt.
391. The teacher was trying to impress on the children
how important had been the discovery of the law of gravitation.
"Sir Isaac Newton was sitting on the ground, looking at the
tree," she said, "an apple fell on his head, & from that he
discovered gravitation. Just think, children," she added
enthusiastically, "isn't that wonderful?"
The inevitable small boy replied, "Yes, an' if he had
been settin' in school lookin' at his books, he wouldn't never
have discovered nothin'!"
392. "Nobody likes me at school," said the son. "The
teachers don't, & the kids don't. The superintendent wants to
transfer me, the bus driver hates me, & the custodians have it in
for me, I don't want to go."
"You have to go," insisted the mother. "You're healthy.
You have a lot to learn. You've got something to offer others.
You are a leader. Besides, you are 49 years old. You're the
principal, & you have to go to school."
393. Perhaps the most incisive story about the
progressive method is the one about the school psychologist
who is putting a young girl through a series of tests to determine
her intellectual fitness.
"Now first," said the psychologist, "are you a boy or a
girl?"
"A boy," said the girl promptly.
"Well," said the psychologist, taken aback, "that's
interesting. And what are you going to be when you grow up?"
"A father," said the child.
"But darling," interrupted her mother, "you know
better than that. Why do you say such things to the doctor?"
"Because," said the child in all seriousness, "if he's
going to ask silly questions, I'm going to give silly answers."
394. Mary had a little cold, but wouldn't stay at home,
And everywhere that Mary went, the cold was sure to
roam.
It wandered into Molly's eyes & filled them full of
tears;
It jumped from there to Bobby's nose, & thence to
Jimmie's ears.
It painted Anna's throat bright red, & swelled poor
Jennie's head.
Dora had a fever, & a cough put Jack to bed.
The moral of this little tale is very quickly said--
Mary could have saved great pain with just one day in
bed!
395. Little Eldon, fretting at the teacher's assignment
asked skeptically, "Do you get paid for teaching us?"
The teacher smiled, "Yes."
Puzzled, the boy exclaimed, "That's funny! We do all
the work!"
396. Dr. Percival, a busy surgeon, was a Christian. He
had one daughter, Kitty, whom he loved devotedly. One day she
came to her father & told him she was going as a missionary to
China. He said, "Kitty, I forbid you ever to get out of my sight."
At last she gave up plans for going, & married. She had two
darling children.
I lived next door to Dr. Percival. One day he told me
that he had to give up his surgeon's license because of the
condition of his eyes. Later he had to have an operation on his
eyes. When the bandages were taken from them, his doctor said,
"In two weeks you will be totally blind."
Dr. Percival sent for Kitty & the babies to come. He
carefully felt their faces & seemed to get a mental picture of
them in his fingertips. He took me out into the light to "look at
his pastor". It was a sad day in our block, & everyone was
weeping.
Months later I went out to lunch with Dr. Percival. I
had to help feed him. As he walked home I could see that he
wanted to say something. "Say it, Doctor," I said. He said,
"Tucker, I told Kitty that she could never go out of my sight,
but God has taken her from my sight. Wherever you go, plead
with parents to keep out of the way when God calls their
children into His Service."
397. A sociable professor with grown children, living
near us, was raking his front yard, when a group of
neighborhood children happened by & offered to help. From
time to time the professor made interesting comments &
sustained their interest to such an extent that when the job was
done each child said, "Thank you for letting me help."
Next morning early, the professor's doorbell rang. His
wife opened the door to a five-year-old girl, one of the helpers
of the previous day. the little girl smiled & said shyly, "Can he
come out to play?"
398. When the small daughter of the distinguished
sculptress, Sally James Farnum, was asked which child was her
mother's favourite, the little girl, according to Francis Newton
in "This Week", promptly replied: "She loves Jimmy best
because he's the oldest; & she loves Johnny best because he's
the youngest; & she loves me best because I'm the only girl!" It
would be difficult to find anything which could more lucidly
explain God's all-enveloping love for His children. No matter to
what heights you have risen or to what depths you have fallen,
God loves you best because of some characteristic personal
quality which, while it may not be apparent to your fellow men,
is known & cherished by your Heavenly Father.
399. A small child's world is a wonderful place,
Filled with God's Love, & adorned with His Grace.
There, so much faith & trust can be found,
No voices of doubt dare utter a sound.
No thought's taken, nor cares for the way,
As they romp hand in hand in childish play.
With joy in their hearts, their spirits are light.
They see so much good, that the bad takes to flight.
They quickly forget the harm that's been done,
And give tender pardon when they've suffered wrong.
Their love can't be quenched, whatever you do,
For they love without doubting that you love them too!
They're God's little spirits sent down from Above,
To help me & guide me in pathways of Love!
I watch them & marvel, feel helpless at best,
To equal their pureness, partake of their zest.
I look on with envy, but feel there's no way,
To be part of their world, oh, try though I may!
But then my sweet children take my hand in theirs,
And somewhere within me, my childhood stirs.
And then as I follow these little ones' lead,
I'm freed from life's cares & learn faith's simple creed.
They love me no matter if I'm out of sorts,
And share with me dreams to which children resort.
My world now, too, is a wonderful place,
Since He's filled it with children who show me His
grace.
--by Seek
400. Psychologists tell us that it is detrimental to be an
orphan; a disadvantage to be the only child; crushing to be the
middle child; & taxing to be the oldest child. Obviously, the
only way out of the dilemma is to be born an adult!
401. The class had been reading the story of Moses.
Afterward one boy asked, "Did Moses have the same after-
dinner illness my po's got?"
Puzzled the teacher asked him what he meant.
"Well," he said, "it says here the Lord gave Moses two
tablets."
402. As tender mothers guiding baby steps
Where places come at which the tiny feet
Would trip, lift up the little ones in arms
Of love, & set them down beyond all harm,--
So did our Father watch the precious boy,
Led o'er the stones by me, who stumbled often
Myself, but strove to help my darling on:
He saw the sweet limbs faltering, & saw
Rough ways before us, where my arms would fail;
So reached from Heaven, lifting the dear child,
Who smiled in leaving me; He put him down,
Beyond all hurt, beyond my sight, & bade
Him wait for me! Shall I not then be glad,
And, thanking God, press on to overtake?
403. God lent him to me for my very own,
Let me become his father, me alone!
Gave him to me not for an hour--for years!
('Tis gratefulness gleams in my eyes, not tears.)
No joy that fathers know but it was mine,
And fathering that laddie strong & fine.
Time after time I said: 'Tis but a dream;
I shall wake to find things only seem
Grand as they are.' Yet still he lingered on
Till year on sweeter year had come & gone.
My heart is filled forever with a song,
Because God let me have my lad so long.
He was my own until I full knew
And never could forget how deep & true
A father's love for his own son may be.
It drew me nearer God Himself; for He
Has loved His Son. (These are but grateful tears--
That he was with me all those happy years!)
--Strickland Gililan
404. Teenagers haven't changed very much. They still
grow up, leave home, & get married. The big difference is that
today they don't always do it in that order.
405. He built a house; time laid it in the dust;
He wrote a book, its title now forgot;
 He ruled a city, but his name is not
On any table graven, or where rust
Can gather from disuse, or marble bust.
He took a child from out a wretched cot,
Who on the state dishonor might have brought,
And reared him to be the Christian's hope & trust.
The boy, to manhood grown, became a light
To many souls, & preached for human need
The wondrous love of the Omnipotent.
The work has multiplied like stars at night
When darkness deepens; every noble deed
Lasts longer than a granite monument.
--Ray M. Johnson
406. Lord, who am I to teach the way
To little children day by day,
So prone myself to go astray?
I teach them KNOWLEDGE, but I know
How faint they flicker & how low
The candles of my knowledge glow.
I teach them POWER to will & do,
But only now to learn anew
My own great weakness through & through.
I teach them LOVE for all mankind
And all God's creatures, but I find
My love comes lagging far behind.
Lord, if their guide I still must be,
Oh, let the little children see
The teacher leaning hard on Thee.
--Leslie Pinckney Hill
407. Those dear, little feet that pattered upstairs
Each day at the set of sun,
Are pattering now the golden streets
With life's short journey done.
And the chubby, pink hands that clasped each night
On the breast of my darling child;
and the dear little lips, that lisped in prayer;
And the innocent eyes that smiled:
These are my treasures laid up on high--
With Christ--in that blest retreat,
How sweet shall sound when I enter Heav'n
The patter of little feet.
--M. J. Scott
408. I really had a battle all day long, but my High
School kids finally got to where they respected me &
appreciated me & some of them even cried when I left! The
worst boy in the outfit was handsome, smart & rich & I had
more trouble with him than anybody & I had to keep him in for
lunch or for recess, & that was as hard on me as it was on him! I
gave him so many lectures & Bible verses to learn! And when I
was leaving the school he came up & handed me a gift, crying
that I was leaving. "On our most uncomely parts we do bestow
the most care." (1Cor.12:23) He was the worst troublemaker of
all & I spent the most time with him & took the most trouble
with him. but he knew I loved him, I prayed with him so often!-
-Dad
409. admitting one's own mistakes--even when one
hasn't corrected them--can help convince somebody to change
his behaviour. This was illustrated by Clarence Zerhusen of
Timonium, Maryland, when he discovered his fifteen-year-old
son was experimenting with cigarettes.
"Naturally, I didn't want David to smoke," Mr.
Zerhusen told us, "but his mother & I smoked cigarettes; we
were giving him a bad example all the time. I explained to Dave
how I started smoking at about his age & how the nicotine had
gotten the best of me & not it was nearly impossible for me to
stop. I reminded him how irritating my cough was & how he
had been after me to give up cigarettes not many years before.
"I didn't exhort him to stop or make threats or warn
him about their dangers. All I did was point out how I was
hooked on cigarettes & what it had meant to me.
"He thought about it for awhile & decided he wouldn't
smoke until he had graduated from high school. As the years
went by David never did start smoking & has no intention of
ever doing so.
"As a result of that conversation I made the decision to
stop smoking cigarettes myself, & with the support of my
family, I have succeeded."
A good leader follows this principle: Talk about your
own mistakes before criticizing the other person.
410. I had gone to the mountains to preach at a little
Indian church that Sunday, & I was to show pictures there that
Sunday evening. It was a long rough mountain ride over gravel
roads in my old Ford, but I made it! After the Sunday A.M.
service, I ate Sunday Mexican dinner with this precious little
Indian family & their lovely daughter.
But just before the evening church service I phoned
home--to tell Mom I had arrived safely up there, when she said
that Ho had suddenly come down with a very high fever & was
just lying limp & weak on the couch, not even moving--almost
like he was unconscious!
She said that some people from our church there
wanted to rush him to the hospital quickly, that maybe he was
dying, maybe he had polio, maybe this, that or the other!--You
know how some people panic!--So Mom wanted to know, "Do
you think maybe you ought to come home?"
But I said, "Honey, I'm here on the Lord's work--&
about to have an evening service, I don't think it is God's will
for me to forsake this work. I'm on the wall like Nehemiah, & I
don't think it is God's will for me to come down! (Neh.6:3) I
think it's an attack of the Enemy to try to defeat God's work!--
So I'm going to pray right now for him over the phone. You lay
hands on him & I'll pray for him, & we'll just trust the Lord &
believe, no matter what happens, that the Lord wants me to go
ahead & take care of His Work, & God will take care of him!"--
And so we prayed desperately together over the phone & just
put him in God's hands & hung up, as I had to hurry on to
church.--What a test of faith! (1Pe.1:7)
It was a very important preaching engagement at this
Indian church, because the Indians were neglected there & the
White people didn't care much about them, & if I had suddenly
run out on them, they might have felt that I thought our little
boy's sickness was more important than preaching the Gospel to
all those Indians--a whole tribe! So I just prayed & committed
him to the Lord, & trusted the Lord that He was going to touch
him.
So right away after the meeting I phoned Mom back
again, & she said that between the two phone calls his fever had
broken & he was sitting up smiling & happy & looking better &
feeling better!--The Lord had really touched him! so it was
really a testimony to the little Indian village family too, that the
Lord had really touched him!
I got home somewhere around midnight, & he was
sleeping peacefully & the fever was completely gone!--Dad
411. If human life can be taken before birth, there is no
logical reason why it cannot be taken after birth.
412. Happy is the home when God is there,
And love fills every breast:
When one their wish, one their prayer.
And one their heavenly rest.
Happy the home where Jesus' name
Is sweet to every ear;
Where children early lisp His fame
And parents hold Him dear.
Happy the home where prayer is heard,
And praise is wont to rise;
Where parents love the sacred Word,
And live for the heavenly prize.
Lord, let us in our homes agree,
This blessed home to gain;
Unite our hearts in love to thee,
And love to all will reign.
413. The ceaseless round of little things
Which every dawning brings--
'Tis this, which makes my sum of care
'Tis this, I pray for strength to bear.
Lord, help me through it all to see
How much my duties bring to me.
These never ending tasks I face
Which sometimes seem so commonplace,
The beds I make to make again,
The little windows splashed with rain,
The floors I sweep, the chairs I dust,--
All these I do because I must.
The little garments I repair
And make them fit once more to wear,
The meals I get, the rows and rows
Of dishes every woman knows;
'Tis these, dear Lord, that make me doubt
And fear they'll wear my patience out.
Lord, keep my vision sweet and clear
When irksome days grow dark and drear;
Still let me see their eyes aglow
With love that shall be mine to know;
Help me to sing each morning through,
Because such tasks are mine to do.
For them I sew, for them I bake,
For them these endless pains I take;
Help me to see in ,Ill I touch The little hearts I love so
much,
And understand ('tis all I ask)
The meaning of each little task.
-Edgar A. Guest
414. A fatal accident, involving the lives of four young
people, took place upon one of the nation's highways. The
evidence that the liquor was the culprit was found in the broken
whisky bottles among the debris and mangled bodies of the four
youthful victims. The father of one of the girls in frenzied
anguish over the untimely death of his beautiful daughter
threatened to kill the one who had provided the four young
people with liquor, but upon going to the cupboard where he
kept his supply of choice beverages, he found a note in his
daughter's hand-writing, "Dad, we're taking along some of your
good liquor--I know you won't mind."
415. A boy, 12 years old, was the important witness in
a law suit, one of the lawyers, after cross-questioning him
severely, said, "Your father has been telling You how to testify,
hasn't he?" "Yes," said the boy. "Now," said the lawyer, "just
tell us how your father told you to testify." "Well!" said the boy
modestly, "Father told me the lawyers would try to tangle me in
my testimony; but if I would just be careful & tell the truth, I
could tell the same thing every time."
416. "If we knew the little fingers
Pressed against the window pane,
Would be cold & quiet tomorrow,
Never trouble us again,--
Would the bright eyes of our darling
Catch the frown upon our brow?
Would the prints of rosy fingers
Vex us then, as they do now?
"Ah, those little lifeless fingers--
How they point our memories back
To the hasty words & actions
Strewn along our backward track!
How those little hands remind us,
As in snowy grace they lie,
Not to scatter thorns, but roses,
For our reaping by & by."
--R.T. Cross

417. A young man had been extremely profane, &
thought little of it. After his marriage to a lovely Christian girl
the habit appeared to him in a different light, & he made
spasmodic efforts to conquer it. But not until some years had
passed did he become victor, when the evil was set before him
by a little incident. One Sunday morning as he stood before his
mirror shaving he inflicted a slight cut &, true to fixed habit, he
blurted out the single word, "God!" He was not a little
chagrined when he saw reflected in the mirror the pretty image
of his three-year-old daughter. Hastily laying down her doll, she
exclaimed as she looked expectantly about the room. "Is God
here?" Blushing & ashamed, the father said, "Why do you ask
that?" "I thought He must be 'cause I heard you speak to Him!"
said the child. Then, noticing the sober look on his face, she
added, "Call Him again, Daddy; I know He'll come!" The
child's trusting words cut to the heart. He caught her up in his
arms & for the first time in his life asked God to forgive him &
to make him a real Christian from that time forward.
418. Paul was then a lad of ten. Moody was holding
meetings in Denver, Col. Little Paul wanted so badly to hear
Mr. Moody preach. At the door the usher
419. A father, reading his Sunday paper & wishing not
to be disturbed by his little girl, but up a map of the World, gave
it to her, & told her to put it together. After awhile she returned
with it & every piece was in its place. The father was very much
surprised & said: "Why, how did you do it, darling? You don't
know anything about geography." The little one replied, "There
was a picture of Jesus on the other side, & I knew when I had
Jesus in the right place, the whole World would be all right!"
420. A father had told his son he would send him to
sleep in the attic, with only bread & water for his supper, if he
broke the laws of the home once more. The child disobeyed
again & was sent to the attic.
The father could not eat. He had the boy on his mind &
his heart. His wife said: "I know what you are thinking. But you
must not bring the boy from the attic. It would clause him to
disobey again. He would have no respect for your word. You
must not cheapen your relation as his father by failing to keep
your promise."
To which her husband replied: "You are right. I will
not break my word. To do so would cause my son to lose his
respect for my word. But he is so lonely up there." He kissed his
wife good night, entered the attic, ate bread & water with the
boy, & when the child went to sleep on the hard boards, his
father's arm was his pillow.
He who knew no sin suffered for the sinner.
421. Voice over the phone: "I sent my little son, James,
to your store for five pounds of apples, & i find on weighing
them that you sent only four & a quarter pounds." The Grocer:
"Madam, my scales are regularly inspected & are correct. Have
you weighed your little boy?"
422. "Joseph was the boy who never had a cold neck,"
the boy told his mother when she quizzed him about the Sunday
school lesson. "How do you know that?" mother asked.
"Because," replied the lad, "Joseph had a coat of many collars."
423. A little waif of the streets was admitted to a
children's home. He was offered a new outfit, & took a boy's
pride in getting a new suit, new stockings, new boots. But when
they offered him a new capital he wanted to cling to the old,
ragged one he held in his hand. When obliged to part with it, it
was noticed by the kindly Sister that he tore out its lining &
stuffed it in his pocket. "Why did you do that?" asked the Sister.
"Because," he said, with tears in his eyes, "the lining of my old
capital was part of my mother's dress. It is all I've got left of
her, & somehow it seems to bring her back."
424. a boy once asked, "Dad, how do wars begin?"
"Well, take the First World War," said his father. "That got
started when Germany invaded Belgium." Immediately his wife
interrupted him. "Tell the boy the truth. It began because
somebody was murdered." The husband drew himself up with
an air of superiority & snapped back, "Are you answering the
question or am I?"
Turning her back upon him in a huff, the wife walked
out of the room & slammed the door as hard as she could. When
the dishes stopped rattling in the cupboard, an uneasy silence
followed, broken at length by the son. "Daddy, you don't have
to tell me how wars begin; I know now!"
425. A man went to steal corn from his neighbor's
field. He took his little boy with him to keep a lookout, so as to
give warning in case anyone should come along. Before
commencing he looked all around, first one way & then the
other. Not seeing any person, he was just about to fill his bag,
when his son cried out, "Father, there is one way you haven't
looked yet!" The father supposed that someone was coming, &
asked his son which way he meant. He answered, "You forgot
to look up!" The father, conscience-stricken, took his boy by the
hand, & hurried home without the corn which he had designed
to take.
426. Some years ago, in a St. Louis murder trial, a
young criminal said: "My father always said I was no good.
Mother said I'd never amount to anything. The school teachers
told me I was no account. Even my own home town never
expected me to be anything but a criminal. I always wondered
why, for, as far as I could see, I was just like other boys, only a
bit more independent. The only creature that ever really seemed
to understand or believe in me was my dog. When he died, I
became a bum!"
427. Folks are queer as they can be,
Always sayin' "don't" to me;
Don't do this an' don't do that.
Don't annoy or tease the cat,
Don't throw stones, or climb a tree,
Don't play in the road. Oh, me!
Seems like when I want to play
"Don't" is all that they can say.

If I start to have some fun,
Someone hollers, "Don't you run!"
If I want to go an' play
Mother says: "Don't go away."
Seems my life is filled clear through
With the things I mustn't do.
All the time I'm shouted at:
"No, no, Sonny, don't do that!"
Don't shout so an' make a noise,
don't play with those naughty boys,
Don't eat candy, don't eat pie,
Don't you laugh & don't you cry,
Don't stand up & don't you fall,
Don't do anything at all.
Seems to me both night an' day
"Don't" is all that they can say.
When I'm older in my ways
An' have little boys to raise,
Bet I'll let 'em race an' run
An' not always spoil their fun;
I'll not tell 'em all along
Everything they like is wrong;
An' you bet your life I won't
All the time be sayin' "don't."
--Edgar A. Guest
428. There is a tradition that Jonathan Edwards, third
president of Princeton & America's greatest thinker, had a
daughter with an ungovernable temper. But, as is so often the
case, this infirmity was not known to the outside world.
A worthy young man fell in love with this daughter &
sought her hand in marriage. "You don't have her," was the
abrupt answer of Jonathan Edwards. "But I love her," the young
man replied. "You can't have her," said Edwards. "But she loves
me," replied the young man.
Again Edwards said, "You can't have her." "Why?"
said the young man. "Because she is not worthy of you." "But,"
he asked, "she is a Christian, is she not?" "Yes, she is a
Christian, but the grace of God can live with some people with
whom no one else could ever live."
429. The new minister was a bachelor, & when he
helped himself to the biscuits for the third time he looked across
the table at the hostess' small daughter. She was staring at him
with round eyes. "I don't often have such a good supper as this,
my dear," he told her. "We don't either," said the little girl. "I'm
glad you came!"
430. For 120 years Noah preached the Gospel; tell me,
how many conversions did he get? Seven. Who were Noah's
converts? They were his wife & family. The place where the
reality of a man's religion is tested the most is in his own home.
431. An old man, going a lone highway,
Came at the evening, cold & gray,
To a chasm vast & deep & wide,
Through which was flowing a raging tide.
The old man crossed in the twilight dim;
The sullen stream had no fears for him;
But he turned when safe on the other side,
And built a bridge to span the tide.
"Old man," said a fellow-pilgrim near,
"You are wasting your strength with building here;
Your journey will end with the closing day;
You never again will pass this way.
You've crossed the chasm deep & wide.
Why build you this bridge at eventide?"
the builder lifted his old gray head.
"Good friend, in the path I have come," he said,
"There followeth after me today
A youth whose feet must pass this way.
This chasm which has been as naught to me,
To that fair haired youth may a pitfall be;
He, too, must cross in the twilight dim;
Good friend, I am building this bridge for him."
432. A spot is pointed out at Niagara Falls from which
a father threw his little girl headlong into the seething torrent,
without having the slightest thought of doing so. He took her in
his arms & gave her a playful swing out over the abyss merely
to see if it would frighten her.
The child in a paroxysm of fear, gave a sudden jerk &
fell with a shriek into the great abyss. You say he had no
business to trifle with her in that way. No more have you a right
to trifle with your soul by swinging it out in foolish indifference
over the great chasm of eternity.
433. Down in Jackson, Mississippi, three boys arrived
in school late. It was as late as 10:00 a.m. They had been
fishing. For their excuse they stated that they were delayed
because of a flat tire. The teacher decided to give them a test
immediately, so she had them seated apart from one another.
She said, "This test will have only one question, & I will give
you thirty seconds to put down your answer." The question was,
"Which tire?"
The teacher was pretty sharp. There is no question as
to the result of the test. The boys were shown to be liars.
434. The boy was standing before the judge of a
juvenile court charged with a crime that had shocked the entire
community & had brought grief & misery to his parents.
"Where did you get the idea of committing such a deed?" asked
the judge. "I read it," replied the lad simply. The judge hesitated
a moment, then turned & addressed the boy's father, "Did you
ever take the pains to examine the literature your boy was
reading?" "Why-er, no--that is, it never occurred to me,"
responded the man, cut to the quick by the question. Who was
to blame? Do you--teacher, mother, father--realise the
tremendous influence on a character building that is represented
by the literature that is falling into the hands of your boys &
girls?
435. On an occasion when the teacher let the children
"draw" the Bible story they had heard, one little boy drew the boy & his mother was a tiger cat a little larger than the one that
picture of an airplane with a pilot in the front seat. The had died, but marked the same way. "There he is, Mommy," the
passengers were a man, woman & baby. When asked to tell boy said. "See? I planted Tiger & he just growed up!"
about his picture, he said, "This is Pontius the pilot taking Mary
& Joseph & Baby Jesus on a flight out of Egypt." 441. Jesus, tender Shepherd, hear me;
Bless Thy little lamb tonight;
436. Mrs. Brown was shocked to learn that Junior had Through the darkness be Thou near me,
told a lie. Taking the youngster aside for a heart-to-heart talk, Watch my sleep till morning light.
she graphically explained the consequences of falsehood.
"A tall black man with red fiery eyes & two sharp All this day Thy hand has led her,
horns grabs little boys who tell lies & carries them off at night. And I thank Thee for Thy care;
He takes them to Mars where they have to work in a dark Thou hast cloth'd & warm'd & fed me;
canyon for fifty years! Now," she concluded, satisfied, "you Listen to my evening prayer.
won't tell a lie again, will you, dear?"
"No, Mom," replied Junior gravely. "You tell better Let my sins be all forgiven!
ones." Bless the friends I love so well!
Take me, when I die, to Heaven;
437. My Lord, I do not ask to stand Happy, there with Thee to dwell.
As king or prince of high degree; --Mary Lundi Duncan
I only pray that hand in hand
A child & I may come to Thee. 442. I could know
Wonders wild
To teach a tender voice to pray, If I could grow
Two childish eyes Thy face to see, Up to a child.
Two feet to guide in Thy straight way--
This fervently I ask of Thee. It is no myth
That a child can unfence
O grant Thy patience to impart Paradise with
Thy holy law, Thy words of truth; Its innocence.
Give, Lord, Thy grace that my whole heart
May overflow with love for youth. An eager child
Will breathlessly push
As step by step we tread the way, Through jungles wild
Trusting, & confident, & free-- In a backyard bush.
A child & I, day by day,
Find sweet companionship with Thee. It will begin
Exploring for new
438. A little five-year-old girl had been attending the Edens in
church kindergarten. Each day before the children were Each drop of dew.
dismissed, the teacher had them sing the Doxology, which the
little five-year-old loved to sing, but in her own words: "Praise A man has not
God from whom all blessings flow, Praise Him all creatures, Child's gift for this
here we go!" Being what
It really is.
439. One day a mother noticed that her little girl was in
her room a long, long time & she had said she was going in to A child leaps free
pray to Jesus. Finally, when the little girl came out her mother From what it seems:
asked her what she was doing in her room for such a long time A child can be
when she had just gone in to pray. The thing it dreams.
"I was just telling Jesus that I love Him & He was --Louse Ginsberg
telling me that He loves me. And we were just loving each
other." 443. The other day I was walking with Nina, our 3-
year-old, down strange steps. She was walking very shakily, so
440. A kindergarten-age lad was deeply grieved I said, "Nina, watch your steps!" She said, "Daddy, these are not
because his tiger cat had just died. His mother helped the boy MY steps, they are somebody ELSE'S steps!"--Hez & Mary.
put the cat in a box & bury it. Some weeks later the lad came
running into the house excitedly, urging his mother to go 444. Praise does wonders for a child's hearing.
outside with him & look up into the tree. Looking down at the
 445. Mark Twain was a distinguished-looking figure in
his later years. One day he was strolling in the park when a little
girl pattered up to him & asked if she could walk with him.
Highly flattered, Twain told her stories for an hour, then gave
her a nickel & said, "Now run along home--& when you grow
up you can tell your friends you once walked with Mark
Twain." "Mark Twain!" echoed the little girl, bursting into
tears. "I thought you were Buffalo Bill!"
446. When he was only nine months old,
And plump & round & pink of cheek,
A joy to tickle & to hold
Before he'd even learned to speak,
His gentle mother used to say:
"It is too bad that he must grow.
If I could only have my way
His baby ways we'd always know."
And then the year was turned, & he
Began to toddle round the floor
And name the things that he could see
And soil the dresses that he wore.
Then many a night she whispered low:
"Our baby now is such a joy
I hate to think that he must grow
To be a wild & heedless boy."
But on he went & sweeter grow,
And then his mother, I recall,
Wished she could keep him always two,
For that's the finest age of all.
she thought the selfsame thing at three,
And now that he is four, she sighs
To think he cannot always be
The youngster with the laughing eyes.
Oh, little boy, my wish is not
Always to keep you four-years-old.
Each night I stand beside your cot
And think of what the years may hold;
And looking down on you I pray
That when we've lost our baby small,
The mother of our man will say
"This is the finest age of all."
--Edgar Guest
447. "How much do babies cost?" said he
The other night upon my knee;
And then I said; "They cost a lot;
A lot of watching by a cot,
A lot of sleepless hours & care,
A lot of heart-ache & despair,
A lot of fear & trying dread,
And sometimes many tears are shed
In payment for our babies small,
But everyone is worth it all.
"For babies people have to pay
A heavy price from day to day--
There is no way to get one cheap.
Why, sometimes when they're fast asleep
You have to get up in the night
And go & see that they're all right.
But what they cost in constant care
And worry, does not half compare
With what they bring of joy & bliss--
You'd pay much more for just a kiss.
448. There are three children in my family. If they
were to confront a spider web in the garden, each would react
differently. The first child would examine the web & wonder
how the spider wove it. The second would worry a great deal
about where the spider was at that particular moment. And the
third would exclaim, "Oh, look! A trampoline!" One reality,
three dimensions.
449. A college student in his four years does not make
proportionately a fraction of the progress the well-trained infant
does in his first two years.
450. I thought myself, indeed secure
So fast the door, so firm the lock;
But, lo! he toddling comes to lure
My parent each with timorous knock.
Who knows but in eternity
I, like a truant child, shall wait
The glories of a life to be,
Beyond the Heavenly Father's gate?
And will that Heavenly Father heed
The truant's supplicating cry,
As at the outer door I plead,
"'Tis I, O Father! only I?"
My heart were stone could it withstand
The sweetness of my baby's plea--
That timorous, baby knocking &
"Please let me in--it's only me."
I threw aside the unfinished book,
Regardless of its tempting charms,
And, opening wide the door, I took
My laughing darling in my arms.
451. I wish I had two little mouths
Like my two hands & feet--
A little mouth to talk with
And one that just could eat.
Because it seems to me mouths have
So many things to do--
All the time they want to talk
They are supposed to chew!
--Dorothy Aldis
 452. Far-away is very far
Like riding in a bus or car,
But near-away is near:
It's going to the kitchen or
Seeing what the doorbell's for.
And so I always try to know
WHICH away she's going to go:
If near-away then I can do
Whatever I was planning to;
If far-away then I must be
Good till she gets back to me.
--Dorothy Aldis
453. Mrs. Arthur Sulzberger, of the newspaper
dynasty, was bidding a granddaughter good-night one evening
when the child remarked, "Mommy & Daddy are entertaining
some very important people downstairs." "You're right," agreed
Mrs. Sulzberger, "But how did you know?" "Just listen,"
advised her granddaughter, "Mommy is laughing at all of
Daddy's jokes!"
454. My sister's young son spent a weekend at a nature
camp. When she went to pick him up, he told her camp was
okay, but that they play tricks on you. Asked to explain, he said,
"Well, like when they make you get up every morning for
ravioli--& then they never give you any!"
455. I think that life has spared those mortals much--
And cheated them of more--who have not kept
A breathless vigil by the little bed
Of some beloved child; they go, it seems,
Scot-free, who have not known fear-haunted days
And nights of terror, when the dim lamp burns
And shadows menace from the waiting walls,
While life & Death, majestic, in the room
Gigantic rise above the fret & rub,
The petty prickings of small goads, & all
One has, & years to have, is, ruthless, flung
Into a fragile balance.
Hours pass
While on the thread of weary, childish breaths
The issue hangs. Then, one comes close to God,
Waiting & watching; & the hoping heart
Seems branded with the clutch of helpless hands
That leave long scars.
And when the turning tide
Bears life upon its slow, triumphant surge,--
When tortured eyes grow calm, & when a voice
Speaks feebly--but speaks again--I think
The watchers' eyes see, radiant, a dawn
Break on a newer world, a world more fair
Than ever world has seemed to them before.
God's mercy is as sunligh in the room;
And hearts that through the endless night were crushed
Between the millstones of despair & hope
Are free to sing.
Oh, life has spared so much--
and less revealed--to those who have not known
A breathless vigil by some little bed.
--Faith Baldwin
456. Bernard Shaw was enjoying a swin in a pool
during a stay in South Africa; so were some boys who knew
nothing of the august author. One small boy was "dared" by his
playmates to "duck the old man" for a shilling. He accepted, but
when he was close to his victim, panic seized him. Shaw turned,
saw the youngster, & asked him what he wanted. In halting
accents, the boy revealed the plot & the shilling bet. "Well,"
said Shaw, looking sternly at the youngster, "if you wait a
moment while I get my breath, I'll let you push my head under
water." He did, & the small boy swam back triumphantly to
collect his shilling.
457. Never a sigh for the cares that she bore for me,
Never a thought of the joys that flew by;
Her one regret that she couldn't do more for me,
Thoughtless & selfish, her Master was I.
Oh, the long nights that she came at my call to me!
Oh, the soft touch of her hands on my brow!
Oh, the long hears that she gave up her all to me!
Oh, how I yearn for her gentleness now!
Slave to her baby! Yes, that was the way of her,
Counting her greatest of services small;
Words cannot tell what this old heart would say of her,
Mother--the sweetest & fairest of all.
458. You can talk about your music, & your
operatic airs,
And your phonographic record that Caruso's tenor
bears;
But there isn't any music that such wondrous joy can
bring
Like that concert when the kiddies & their mother start
to sing.
When the supper time is over, then the mother starts
to play
Some simple little ditty, & our concert's under way.
And I'm happier & richer than a millionaire or king
When I listen to the kiddies & their mother as they
sing.
There's a sweetness most appealing in the trilling of
their notes:
It is innocence that's pouring from their little baby
throats;
And I gaze at them enraptured, for my joy's a real thing
Every evening when the kiddies & their mother start to
sing.
459. O Mother-My-Love, if you'll give me your hand,
 And go where I ask you to wander,
I will lead you away to a beautiful land--
The Dreamland that's waiting out yonder.
We'll walk in a sweet-posie garden out there
Where moonlight & starlight are streaming
And the flowers & the birds are filling the air
With the fragrance & music of dreaming.
There'll be no little tired-out boy to undress,
No questions or cares to perplex you;
There'll be no little bruises or bumps to caress,
Nor patching of stockings to vex you.
For I'll rock you away on a silver-dew stream,
And sing you asleep when you're weary,
And no one shall know of our beautiful dream
But you & your own little dearie.
And when I an tired I'll nestle my head
In the bosom that's soothed me so often,
And the wide-awake stars shall sing in my stead
A song which our dreaming shall soften.
So, Mother-My-Love, let me take your dear hand,
And away through the starlight we'll wander--
Away through the mist to the beautiful land--
The Dreamland that's waiting out yonder!
460. The day after the circus came to town, a teacher
received the following excuse for the absence of one of her
pupils:
'Dear Teacher: Education, you know, is a lot of things.
It is reading & writing & ciphering. It is "Yes, please" & "Yes,
thanks," & 'No, thank you.' It is the washing of our hands & the
use of forks. It is pencils & scissors & paste & erasers & chalk
dust. It is the excitement of vacations. It is autumn bonfires &
sleds & puddle-wading.
"Education is a lot of things. It is a brass band blaring
& a calliope tooting, Education is a woman shot from a cannon,
a man on a tight rope, a seal playing a tune with his nose. It is
sideshow barkers, clowns, lions, cotton candy, cowboys &
spangles. Education is the wonderment of new things new
sensations. It is, in short, a circus!
"That's why Ginger wasn't in your classroom
yesterday. Excuse it, please."
461. A comment was made to some of the Combo kids
by one of their teachers that if they kept helping out & doing
work & being a blessing, that they'd get to be on one of the
higher levels of Space City. Their reply was, 'Oh that's O.K., we
want to be on the bottom where all the fairs are!'--Bileam
462. David, Davida & Techi enjoy very much the
MWM Drama tape containing, besides other stories, the story of
'Sophie, the Washerwoman' in the rich lady's house. After first
listening to it the children were so excited, & Techi right away
wanted to hear it again. "Please," she pleaded, "can we again
hear the story of "Soapy, the Washerwoman'?"
463. Davida was searching through the TK book for
one of her favourite Letters on the Spirit Queen of Love. When
she found one she said, "Oh, there it is--Our Decoration of
Love"
464. David (when 5-years-old) was looking through
the encyclopedia one day & found Jesus' picture included in a
group of others on a page about "Famous Men". He was quite
disgusted that the book would group Jesus in with some rather
weirdie-beardie types, like Confucius. He asked who Confucius
was, & I read "an ancient Chinese writer & philosopher..." &
David said sharply, "Well! God is not the author of Confucius!"
465. During a Christmas Flannelgraph story, I asked
Techi the name of the angel who visited Mary. "Hark, the
herald angel!", she answered.
466. Someone noticed Techi (3) putting her own shoes
on & said, "Techi, You put Your shoes on the wrong feet!"
"No," she said, "I put the wrong shoes on the right feet!"
467. One father confessed that he did not realise how
dishonest he was until he learned a hard lesson. His fourth-
grade son received a very low mark in spelling. In spite of
scoldings & extra study it seemed his son simply could not
bring up his grade. One day the lad told his teacher, "When my
dad went to school he got all A's in spelling." "How do you
know?" the teacher asked. "Did he tell you he did?" "No!" the
boy replied, "But I know he did by the way he scolds me."
"The way I scolded my son", the father said, "I
conveyed in untruth. The fact is that I, too, had a hard time in
spelling. Then I told my son I also had a difficult time in
spelling. Immediately I saw hope shining in his eyes. From that
moment on my son did much better, By giving him the
impression I got all A's I made him feel defeated. By being
honest myself I gave him hope that since Dad made it, he could,
too.'
468. At the Newspaper Boys Congress Dinner one
little boy kept coming back again & again for pieces of pit. The
coloured lady finally said to him, "Boy, if yo' don' stop eatin'
pie, you's gonna bust!" The little boy said, "Well, lady, gime the
pie & get outta the way!"--Dad
469. A little girl in Sunday School was asked by the
teacher what else goes with the Armour of God; there's the
shield of faith, the breastplate of righteousness & what else?
The little girl said, "The Axe of the Apostles."
470. One of my favourite stories concerns the farmer's
wife who had a brood of 9 children, She worked hard & was
never ill. One day the doctor commented to her, "How is it that
I have patients who have nervous breakdowns & yet they don't
have as much to do as you have?" The farmer's wife looked
wistful as she replied, "Doctor, I've often wanted to have a
breakdown but always someone wanted me to fix a meal."
471. When Mrs. Ruth Hopkins, a fourth-grade teacher
in Brooklyn, New York, looked at her class roster the first day
of school, her excitement and joy of starting a new term was
tinged with anxiety. In her class this year she would have
Tommy T., the school's most notorious -bad boy." His third-
grade teacher had constantly complained about Tommy to
colleagues, the principal and anyone else who would listen. He
was not just mischievous; he caused serious discipline problems
in the class, picked fights with the boys. teased the girls, was
fresh to the teacher, and seemed to get worse as he grew older.
His only redeeming feature was his ability to learn rapidly and
master the school work easily.
Mrs. Hopkins decided to face the "Tommy problem"
immediately. When she greeted her new students, she made
little comments to each of them: "Rose, that's a pretty dress you
are wearing." "Alicia, I hear you draw beautifully." When she
came to Tommy, she looked him straight in the eyes and said,
"Tommy, I understand you are a natural leader. I'm going to
depend on you to help me make this class the best class in the
fourth grade this year." She reinforced this over the first few
days by complimenting Tommy on everything he did and
commenting on how this showed what a good student he was.
With that reputation to live up to, even a nine-year-old couldn't
let her down--and he didn't.
If you want to excel in that difficult leadership role of
changing the attitude or behavior of others, give the other
person a fine reputation to live up to.
472. Remember that story I told you about my Mother?
She didn't like bread crusts when she was a little girl so she just
ate the inside of the bread & put all the crusts around under the
rim of her plate trying to hide them from her mother so they
wouldn't see how she hadn't eaten the crust, And then her
mother came along clearing the table, picked up the plate &
here was this ring of bread crusts! She said, "Nina Virginia,
aren't you ashamed of Yourself? Think of those poor starving
Armenians!" She said, "Yes, Mother, that's just who I was
saving them for!" --Dad
473. One businessman to another: "I finally taught my
son the value of a dollar. Now he wants his weekly allowance in
Swiss Francs!"
474. David & Davida are both learning about spelling
now. David said, "Guess what! I can spell ,cannot'!" I thought
he'd play a trick & spell the contraction "can't", but he said "k-
n-o-t!"--Sara
475. Susanna (4) said while passing by a hair salon
where she'd gotten her hair trimmed: "They do children's & they
do adultery too!"--Isaac Numbers
476. Maria (3) was quite interested in knowing about
babies & asked me how they got into my tummy. So I explained
to her that when daddy makes love to Mommy he plants a seed
in my tummy etc. A few days later after we had eaten oranges
she grabbed a seed off the table & swallowed it. I asked, "Why
did you do that?" She immediately answered, "I want to have a
baby too."
477. The mother of the little boy that sleeps
Has blest assurance, even as she weeps:
She knows her little boy has now no pain--
No further ache, in body, heart or brain;
All sorrow is lulled for him--all distress
Passed into utter peace & restfulness.--
All health that heretofore has been denied--
All happiness, all hope, & ill beside
Of childish longing, now he clasps & keeps
In voiceless joy--the little boy that
sleeps.
--James Whitcomb Riley
478. Dr. R. A. Torrey told a touching story about a
man in Chicago who had a sweet little daughter. He loved her
dearly, but God took the little child away from him. The house
was so lonely and he was so angry against God, that he walked
up and down in his room far into the night cursing God for
having robbed him of his child. At last, thoroughly worn out,
and in great bitterness he threw himself on his bed. He dreamed
he stood beside a river, Across the river, in the distance, he
heard the singing of such voices as he had never listened to
before. Then he saw beautiful little girls coming toward him,
nearer and nearer, until at last it the head of the company, he
saw his own little girl. She stood on the brink of the river and
called across, "Come over here, lather!" That overcame his
bitterness. He accepted Jesus and prepared to go over yonder
where his sweet child had gone.
479. Our children must know the Scriptures so they
can quote them when they're in trouble & when all they have is
what they've hidden in their hearts. That they can't take away
from them. It's hidden in their hearts. It's a bulwark, a defence
against the voice of the Enemy.--Dad
480. If you haven't dwelt in the Word, kept the Word
& taught your children the Word & made them examples of the
Word, then you have failed. 14 you are not absorbing the Word
yourself & living the Word & preaching the Word & practicing
the Word & teaching your children the Word & making them
good examples of the Word, for get it!--Dad
481. Adolescence is of necessity a time of conflict
between one's own capabilities and what one is expected and
permitted to do. It is a time if ambiguity. The adolescent is
forever being told by the adult world to 'act his age,, that is, to
behave according to his chronological maturity. But he is also
being told to stay out of adult concerns, that is, to behave
according to his cultural age. Whatever he does, he is wrong.
He does violence tither to his chronological or to his cultural
age. He is, therefore, inevitably a problem to himself as well as
to society.--Peter Drucker
482. Absorbed in his own minor tribulations of coin &
conquest, the adult too often forgets that youth is a jarring time,
full of excruciating first experiences & full-blown tragedies. It
is a pimple on the cheek which everyone will see with distaste;
it is the clothes which never seem to fit a gangly body; it is the
ultimate disappointment, a broken promise by a parent. It is a Who gives & keeps giving again.
training ground for adulthood, a place & time to try for
independence, a place & time to try & fail & succeed. All Hail to the Queen!
--The mother who's been
483. You adults really "adopt" each other in the A martyr again & again.
wedding ceremony, yet feel closer to your mate than to the
blood brothers and sisters with whom you grew up as a child. All Hail to the Queen!
Use this analogy of your adoption of your marital partner when --Whom the future has seen
it comes to explaining the adoption of your son or daughter. As the mother of life without end!

484. Adults are used to talking, to giving orders, but All Hail to the Queen!
when it comes to living with Teens, adults need to listen with --The truly Great Queen!
both ears and with their hearts. --A mother!--A mother of men!

485. The problem of communicating with the younger All Hail to the Queen!
generation would be less complicated if parents knew a little --To that heroine unseen!
more about what was going on under that male or female hair. All Hail to that mother of men!
One way to find out, I have discovered, is to act as chauffeur for
a group of teenagers. Keep your mouth shut, & within minutes All Hail to the Queen:
of starting out you will be forgotten & conversation will go on --To the future unseen
is though You were an automatic pilot. I don't know if this is Let's praise her again & again!
considered an illegal form of bugging, but it is effective.
All Hail to the Queen!
486. "We lost our first child", said a man in the course --Who finds time between
of a conversation with a friend. To tend more & more of them!
The other, shocked, cried out, "I didn't know she was
dead!" All Hail to the Queen!
"Oh, she isn't dead," was the quick response, to which --There has never been
was added sadly, "I was too busy." Such heroine 'mongst daughters of men!

487. The only time you grow is when you're sleeping, All Hail to the Queen!
did you know that? You little ones want to grow fast, so the --Such a glory I've seen
more you sleep, the more you grow! Don't forget that! That's As she lays down her life for us men!
the time when you grow, when you're sleeping.
All Hail to the Queen!
488. All Hail to the Queen. --How long has it been
-- To the mother who's been Since you in her praise did time spend?
A Heroine again & again!
All Hail to the Queen!
CHORUS: --To that heroine unseen!
All Hail to the Queen! All Hail to the mother of men!
--To the mother unseen,
All Hail to the mother of men! All Hail to the Queen!
--To the mother who's been
All Hail to the Queen! Your lover from beginning to end!
--To the mother who's seen
The Future from now until then! All Hail to the Queen!
--Little mother unseen!
All Hail to the Queen! What a challenge to the virtues of men
--Whose job has been
The highest & hardest 'mongst men! Give Hail to your Queen,
--Tiny baby unseen,
All Hail to the Queen! That God from His glory did send!
--Unheard & unseen,
Who slips in & out now & then. Give Hail to your Queen,
--Tiny baby unseen,
All Hail to the Queen! For with you the angels descend!
--Unsung & unseen,
All Hail to the Queen!
--With shimmering sheen
She shines with a light without end!
All Hail to the Queen,
--All glorious within
Upon whom all nations depend!
All Hail to the Queen!
--Who pales to the mean
The most glorious exploits of men!
All Hail to the Queen!
--Her beauty is seen
As a glory that never will end!
All Hail to the Queen!
--Who with interest keen
Causes all good things to blend!
All Hail to the Queen!
--Whom delicious cuisine
Can make e'n He hardest to bend!
All Hail to the Queen!
--Of wisdom a dean!--
You'd best to her counsel ear lend!
All Hail to the Queen!
--And who is the fiend
Who'd not to her least need attend?
All Hail to the Queen!
--E'en in dear Aberdeen
She's the mother of all the Scots men!
All Hail to the Queen!
--Who makes your caffeine
And all of your troubles to mend..'
All Hail to the Queen!
--Who begins the Beguine
And trips the fantastic to end!
All Hail to the Queen!
--Who with love's medicine
Can make all our hearts to mend!
All Hail to the Queen!
--What a sight to be seen
When bare bosom to babe she does lend!
All Hail to the Queen!
--And who is so mean
That her greatest love can't defend?
All Hail to the Queen!
--Who had tiny Dauphin
And made him a King in the end!
All Hail to the Queen!
--Not Mr. Begin!
She triumphs o'er worlds without end!
All Hail to the Queen!
--E'en in faraway Chin
She's the mother of all Chinamen!
All Hail to the Queen!
--Let's begin the Beguine
And dance to her glory 'til ten!
All Hail to the Queen!
--Who's fixin' my jean
And sews all the patches to mend!
All Hail to the Queen!
--Who with strong Energine
She wipes out the spots from my pen!
All Hail to the Queen!
--She can wash & can clean
And find it before you count ten!
All Hail to the Queen!
--When I dream of Jean
She rounds up a girl for my yen!
All Hail to the Queen!
--And when I am lean
She causes my hunger to end!
All Hail to the Queen!
--It's on her you can lean
When it seems you have come to your end!
All Hail to the Queen!
--To the mother who's been
Your helper from beginning to end!
All Hail to the Queen!
--And let no man demean
What an angel she's been to all men!
All Hail to the Queen!
--Do you know what I mean?
Or is her meaning beyond mortal ken!
All Hail to the Queen!
--Never let it be seen
That she's ever to lack for a lend.
All Hail to the Queen!
--And much more can be seen
Than all of these words I have penned.
 All Hail to the Queen!
--When she's gone from the scene 491. When you need real understanding, when You
It causes our hearts to rend! need someone to care,
When you need someone to guide you, when you just
All Hail to the Queen. need someone there,
--Such a beautiful Queen! It's so wonderful) haying a father who's thoughtful,
No greater could God ever send! gentle & kind,
A father who's ready to help & hear what you have on
All Hail to the Queen. your mind.
--Such a wonderful Queen! How wonderful haying a father who cares about all
All Heaven her glories attend. that you do.
How wonderful haying a father like that, a father who's
All Hail to the Queen! just like you!
--From that glorious scene
From Heaven she helps me to fend. 492. It takes such special qualities to make a Dad like
you,
All Hail to the Queen! Loving kindness, thoughtfulness & understanding ton.
--When the path is unseen It takes the giving manner of a true & trusted friend,
She still helps me my way to wend! And the kind and loving mercies that just never seen to
end.
It takes such special qualities to make a Dad like you,
All Hail to the Queen! A Dad who sure deserves our love--And admiration
--Who someday between too!
Will guide me to worlds without end!
493. A father's deep interest & loving concern
All Hail to the Queen! Are generous gifts we do nothing to earn.
--There has never been Gifts he keeps giving us day after day,
A soul with such virtues to vend! Gifts of the heart we can never repay.
For the time that you've taken to listen & share,
489. A recipe for a dear grandmother: For the things you've done that show that you care.
Begin with warm & sunny smiles & add a hug or two. For all of these things, You're thought fondly of,
Combine with all the thoughtful things grandmothers And wished a blest birthday with plenty of love!
say & do.
Sprinkle with understanding, add memories of family 494. Dads are special people no home should be
fun, without,
And you'll have a DEAR grandmother, a Very For everyone will sure agree they're nice to have about.
SPECIAL one! They are a happy mixture of a small boy in a man,
with soft and twinkling eyes and a strong and guiding
490. What is a Dad? A dad is someone to count on, for hand.
his Sometimes they're most demanding & stern is they can
warm good-natured ways. be,
He's a gentle strength that's always there, he's But it's only 'cause they love us so, it's plain as day to
encouragement & praise. see,
Dad's the one you can call on when you need a helping For in any kind of trouble, a Dad will reach out with
hand, his hand,
He'll stand by you, he'll be a friend, he'll somehow And You can always count on him to help understand.
understand. And whilt we do not thank him quite as often as we
And though it seems he never gets the thanks that are should,
his he, We love him & admire him & hope it's understood,
Life truly is a better place because of dads like you. That we're really mighty thankful to have a Dad like
Thoughts of you, Dad, are always filled with gratitude you,
for all For we know how much you love us by the loving
The years you give to care for me when I was young things you do!
and small,
This letter comes straight from a heart that knows so 495. Mothers are God's helpers that show us tender
very clearly care,
That you gave me so much!--And I love you so very
dearly, Dear Dad! So a prayer that's said for mothers is a very special
prayer.
And God gives His warmest blessing, purest sunlight
from above,
When you say a prayer for mother with a heart that's
filled with love.
496.There's no one like a mother who so thoughtfully
displays,
A real care for others by her sweet & loving ways
There's no one like a mother to bring joy & comfort
too !
And there's no mother anywhere more wonderful than
you!
497. A mother's love is fashioned after God's enduring
Love.
For it's endless & unfailing like the Love of Him
above.
A mother's love is beautiful in giving & in sharing,
A mother's love is always so considerate & caring.
A mother's love is ever new & oh, so very dear!
It's a part of special memories that lasts down through
the years.
498. It takes a lot of loving care & patience day by
day,
Kindness & unselfishness all along the way.
It takes a world of thoughtfulness, I lot of dearness too,
And everything that's especially nice to make a mother
like you.
499. All Your loving ways, Mother, help others to see,
How beautiful caring & sharing can be.
So my best loving wishes ire that God will bless you.
With a beautiful birthday & a happy year too.
so much,
About the way she's always glad to help & see things
through.
Everything they've ever said is very true of you.
502. What is a Mother? A mother is someone who
guides & inspires.
She helps us to attain our dreams & desires.
Wisdom & insight are part of her way,
And her faith in her children brightens their days.
503. Mother is a tender smile that brightens up the day,
Mother is the helping hand that guides us on our way.
Mother is the cheering word, that speaks of deeds so
kind.
Mother is the listening ear when smething's on our
mind.
Mother is the tender soul, the heart that's always true.
Mother dear, these words of rhyme were written just
for you.
Happy Birthday!
504. To a very dear mother.
I said a birthday prayer for you, I asked the Lord
Above
To keep you safely in His arms & hold you in His
Love.
I did not ask He grant you fortune, nor riches, no, nor
fame.
But that the gentle life you live might glorify His
Name.
And Mother, in my heart I know
You would have prayed the same.

500. For you, Mother:

A smile, a hug, a word of praise,
A guiding hand, a tender phrase,
A heart wire is the sun above,
A precious gift: A mother's love.
It really would be hard to count,
The thoughtful things you've done,
To make the pith for those you love,
A smoother brighter one.
So it's no wonder, Mother, that
You're loved the whole year through,
And wished a world of happiness,
Today & always too.

501. Everything they've ever said about a mother's

ways,
About the sunshine of her smile that brightens cloudy
days,
About her gentle patience & her understanding care,
About the comfort she can give by simply being there.
Everything they've eyer slid about a mother's touch,
About the happiness she shares, the warmth she shows
CHOICE & DECISION-MAKING
Related Index Topics: Communion with God: Prayer, Will
of God.
1. God didn't stop Adam & Eve in the Garden when
they made the wrong choice. He had to let them do it. But He
punished them, He rewarded them accordingly, according to
their works & lies & evil doings & disobedience!
2. A lot of people are not neutral, they simply haven't
yet made a final decision because they haven't had the full
benefit of all the Truth. They haven't had a real chance to know
the Truth, so therefore they can't yet be held responsible by
God. So God gives them a chance to hear the good thing, the
right thing, the real thing, & from then on they have a choice &
are compelled to make a decision.
3. Sometimes when you are trying to make a decision,
the Devil fights extra hard & the Lord allows him to make it
that way to test you, to see if you're going to give up even
before you get started! Sometimes you think something the
Lord may be asking of you is going to be complete Hell & that
you're not going to be able to take it. It may seem like it's going
to be that way, but things are rarely as hard in reality as you
think they're going to be beforehand.
4. Whenever you have a decision to make, you've got
to decide whether it's going to bear good fruit or bad fruit.
Maybe it's going to bear both good fruit & bad fruit, maybe it's
going to help one person but it's going to hurt someone else, so
you've got to decide what's going to bear the best fruit. Is it
going to bear more good fruit than bad fruit? Most decisions
aren't all that clear cut; it's not either going to be all bad or all
good, it's usually a little of both. But all things will work
together for good in the end for those who love the Lord.
5. When there is a difficult choice you have to decide
on the basis of what will bring the best results. If it's a clear
black-&-white question, then you don't have any problem, you
pretty much know what to decide. But it's difficult to make
decisions where you have to weigh the consequences & see that
maybe it's good in this respect, but it's not so good in that
respect, it's good in one thing, but it's not so good in another.
Then we have to balance them & decide which is best & what's
going to bear the best fruit.
6. Life is a learning process!--And you don't learn it by
snapping your fingers or suddenly getting an injection!--Or like
you've seen in some of these sci-fis where they put a skull cap
on one guy & drain his brain & put all of his knowledge in
somebody else's head, blah blah. Wouldn't that be nice? It
would be so easy! But look what you would miss!--This trial-&-
error process, this trying-&-learning process!
7. Choose: the attainment of man or the atonement of
Christ.
8. When you insist on wilfully going your own way
like Israel did & is still doing, God has drawn the line. He has
committed Himself to not stopping you & to letting you have
your own way, just like He did Adam & Eve in the Garden & as
He will to the very end: He'll let man have his way until he
nearly wrecks the World!
9. He has to let man go his own way & make his own
choice. It's the only way He can work out His purpose! It's like
His great experiment & His great demonstration--His great skit,
if you will--His illustrated message of the results of good & the
results of evil as an everlasting example to the Universe.
10. If you didn't have that human frailty, that human
weakness to make wrong decisions & to fail, then there would
not be the freedom of choice, the majesty of free will that God
implanted in every heart, including, apparently, in the hearts of
the Angels, to make a choice, to voluntarily love & serve Him.
He wanted you as friends, He wanted you as His Beloved, not
only friends, but His Bride!
11. To every man there openeth
A Way, and Ways, and a Way.
And the High Soul climbs the High Way,
And the Low soul gropes the Low,
And in between, on the misty flats,
The rest drift to and fro.
But to every man there openeth
A High Way and a Low,
And every man decideth
The way his soul shall go.
--John Oxenham
12. The evil spirits are allowed to influence & try to
persuade us with doubts & fears & thoughts, but we physical
human beings still have the choice to either obey them or not
obey them, to obey the voice of the Lord or obey the voice of
the Enemy, & they are the voice of the Enemy! They're
influences. They influence us. They can't make us do anything,
but they try to affect us to make choices that are wrong. They
can't actually physically or violently intervene or interfere at all.
But their influence affects the physical according to our choice
& God's permission. We can either accept their evil thoughts, or
we can reject them.
 13. There's a certain leeway & allowance for variation
of choice in the will of God as long as it doesn't go too far right
or too far left. He may let you wander around quite a bit
according to your own personal choice, here or there, as long as
you stay in the correct general area. As long as you stay within
the tunnel of God's will, He'll give you your choice. Of course,
there's always the best even within the tunnel & the worst, so
He leaves that choice up to you.

14. It's a very fascinating game to watch what a child

will do within certain boundaries of safety & health & what's
good for them, & I imagine that must be a little bit the way God
feels! He puts us here on Earth & He gives us a choice--a lot of
choices! Adam & Eve probably could have eaten from 1,999
different trees in the Garden besides that one! They didn't have
to eat of the Tree of Knowledge of Good & Evil. They had a lot
of choice, a lot of variety to choose from, right? So the Lord is
not unreasonable & I don't think He's too narrow-minded or too
strict. He's been awful good to us!

15. God has to bring an end soon, it just can't go on

much longer or man would destroy himself. God has to come &
put a stop to it, & then the age of voluntary, willing, peaceful
acceptance of the Love of God & His Kingdom in hearts is
going to come to an end in a certain way, in that man is going to
then be ruled by us & forced to obey the Kingdom of God & the
rule of God & the Law of God. He is going to be forced to do so
& God is going to enforce peace on Earth & enforce equality &
enforce justice, to show what a wonderful world it should have
been & would have been if men had followed the Lord.

16. Always take plenty of time to make a snap

decision.

17. Choice, not chance, determines human destiny.

18. There are no born decision-makers. The most

successful decision-makers follow a set of rules that help them
select the best alternative under the circumstances. The basic
rules of decision-making involve six steps: a) State the apparent
problem or situation you face. b) Gather the facts. c) Organise
and interpret the facts. d) State the real problem or situation. e)
Develop alternative solutions. f) Select the most appropriate
alternative.

19. In darkness there is no choice. It is light that

enables us to see the differences between things; & it is Christ
Who gives us light.

20. The man who insists upon seeing with perfect

clearness before he decides never decides.
CHRISTIANITY
Related Index Topics: Commitment, Service, Love for
Others, Pilgrims & Strangers, Relationship to the World,
Churchianity, Mark 16:15, Revolution for Jesus.
1. During the French Revolution, somebody said to
Talleyrand, bishop of Autun: "The Christian religion--what is
it? It would be easy to start a religion like that."
"Oh, yes," Talleyrand replied. "One would only have
to get crucified and rise again the third day."
2. Dying men have said, "I am sorry I have been an
atheist, infidel, agnostic, skeptic, or sinner," but no man ever
said on his deathbed, "I am sorry I have lived a Christian life."
3. Communism is the devil's imitation of Christianity.
4. If your Christianity won't work where you are, it
won't work anywhere.
5. A Christian is not a person who has made a new
start in life, but a person who has received a new life to start
with.
6. The Christian is called upon to live a supernatural
life, & he has been given the power to live that life.
7. Some people treat Christian truth like chewing gum.
They will chew it over in discussion for hours, but never
swallow it.
8. The believer may be known by his inward warfare
as well as by his inward peace.
9. If you are a Christian, you are not a citizen of this
world trying to get to Heaven; you are a citizen of Heaven
making your way through this world.
10. As you look into other faiths you will find an
enormous amount that is true & worthy, that is moral & good,
as well as much that is not. But you will not find anything that
is good & true which cannot be found in Christ.
11. We must never talk about the failure of
Christianity. It is impossible for Christianity to fail. What fails
is the shabby counterfeit of the real thing that we are willing to
put up with.
12. True religion can be both steering wheel & brakes;
it can guide you along the right road & stop you at the wrong
one.
13. Christ plus Christians equals Christianity.
14. The distinction between Christianity & all other
systems of religion consists largely in this, that while these
other men are found seeking after God, Christianity is God
seeking after men.
15. Two marks of a Christian: giving & forgiving.
16. There ought to be enough electricity in every
meeting to give everybody in the congregation either a charge
or a shock!
17. Your theology is what you are when the talking
stops & the action starts.
18. The church's one foundation
Is Jesus Christ her Lord;
She is His new creation
By water & the Word;
From Heaven He came & sought her
To be His Holy Bride;
With His Own blood He bought her,
And for her life He died.
--Samuel J. Stone
19. Is my religion a steering wheel, or only a spare
wheel?
20. Jesus has always had more fans than followers.
21. A true Christian is both a beggar & an heir.
22. Faith makes a Christian. Life proves a Christian.
Trial confirms a Christian. Death crowns a Christian.
23. We believers ... are the library of Christ's doings. ...
At present we are a poor edition, but the great Bookbinder has
promised to bring out a new edition on indestructible paper &
clear type with no errors, imprints of the Son of God, bound in
His likeness for ever.
24. Believers are not hired servants, supporting
themselves by their own work, but children maintained at their
Father's expense.
25. The saints are God's jewels highly esteemed by &
dear to Him; they are a royal diadem in His hand.

26. A Christian's life is full of mysteries: Poor, & yet
rich; base, & yet exalted; shut out of the World, & yet admitted
into the company of saints & angels; slighted, yet dear to God;
the World's dirt, & God's jewels.
27. A Christian is the World's Bible--& some of them
need revising.
28. The true Christian is in all countries a pilgrim & a
stranger.--George Santayana
29. The meaning of the word "Christian" has been
reduced to practically nothing. Surely, there is no word that has
been so devalued unless it is the word "God" itself.
30. Christianity is not about how to escape from the
difficulties of life, but about how to face them.
31. Christianity is summed up in the two facts: Christ
for us & Christ in us.
32. Religion is man's search for God. Christianity is
God's search for man.
33. Christianity is the land of beginning again.
34. Christianity is a rescue religion.
35. Christianity is the story of how the rightful King
has landed, you might say landed in disguise, & is calling us all
to take part in a great campaign of sabotage.--C.S. Lewis
36. Christian doctrine is grace, & Christian conduct is
gratitude.
37. I believe in Christianity as I believe in the sun--not
only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.
38. Christianity without Christ is a chest without a
treasure, a frame without a portrait, a corpse without breath.
39. Christianity can be condensed into four words:
Admit, submit, commit, transmit.
40. There are some Christians who can't be called
"pilgrims" because they never make any progress.
41. An idle Christian is the raw material of which
backsliders are made.
42. The Christian should learn two things about his
tongue--how to hold it & how to use it.
43. It's a little difficult to reconcile the creed of some
Christians with their greed.
44. It's good to be a Christian & know it, but it's better
to be a Christian & show it.
45. No Christian is strong enough to carry a cross & a
prejudice at the same time.
46. Beware of a Christian with an open mouth & a
closed pocketbook.
47. Every Christian should have two planks in his
platform: one for what he will stand for; the other for what he
will not stand for.
48. No one is a Christian just because he goes to
church, any more than one is a calf because he drinks milk.
49. A Christian should live so that instead of being a
part of the World's problems he will be a part of the answer.
50. A Christian is not necessarily a man who is better
than someone else, but one who is better than he would be if he
were not a Christian.
51. Some Christians wish to be counted in, but not to
be counted on.
52. God is not only a present help in time of trouble,
but also a great help in keeping us out of trouble.
53. Some people seem willing to do anything to
become a Christian except to give up their sins.
54. A Christian has not lost the power to sin, but the
desire to sin.
55. Satan is never too busy to rock the cradle of a
sleeping Christian.
56. A real Christian is as horrified by his own sins as
he is by his neighbour's.
57. Definition of a Christian:
He loves the truth & stands by it;
He knows the game & he plays it;
He hears a lie & he slays it;
He loves God's Word & he reads it;
He seeks God's will & he heeds it.
58. A Christian is one who believes what Christ
believes; who hates what Christ hates; & who loves what Christ
loves.
59. It does not take much of a man to be a Christian,
but it takes all there is.
60. A genuine Christian is the best evidence of the
genuineness of Christianity.
61. If you want to defend Christianity, practice it.
 62. Christianity is not a life insurance policy from
which one benefits only by dying.

63. Christianity requires the participants to come down

out of the grandstand & onto the playing field.

64. Christianity has been studied & practiced for ages,

but it has been studied far more than it has been practiced.

65. The spirit of Christianity is not to impose some

kind of a creed, but to share a Life.

66. Christianity, like a watch, needs to be wound

regularly if it is to be kept running.

67. Satan is perfectly willing to have a person confess

Christianity as long as he does not practice it.

68. Some people can talk Christianity by the yard, but

they can't, or won't, walk it by the inch.

69. When tempers grow hot, Christianity grows cold.

70. Many Christians expect the World to respect a

book they neglect.

71. The Christian who is pulling the oars doesn't have

time to rock the boat.

72. A Christian shows what he is by what he does with

what he has.

73. The true Christian is a person who is right-side-up

in a World that is upside-down.

74. There are a lot of Christians who haven't stored up

enough treasures to make a down-payment on a harp.

75. A Christian is one who makes it easier for other

people to believe in God.

76. What most Christians need is fewer platitudes &

better attitudes.

77. A lukewarm Christian makes a good bench-warmer

but a poor heart-warmer.
CHURCHIANITY, WORLDLINESS & RELIGION
Related Index Topics: Christianity, Mark 16:15, Family
(The), Revolution for Jesus, Hypocrisy, Indifference,
Righteousness/Self-Righteousness, Criticism & Gossip.
1. The young preacher thrilled his congregation with
his first sermon--a challenge to "gird their loins" for Christian
service and living. Then, to their dismay, he preached the same
sermon the following Sunday. When he confronted them with
the same ringing message on the third Sunday, his flock felt
something must be done.
"Don't you have more than just one sermon?" blurted a
spokesman to the pastor.
"Oh, yes," he said quietly, "I have quite a number. But
you haven't done anything about the first one yet!"
2. In warning the First Baptist Church, Pensacola,
Florida, not to turn into "a submarine," Pastor James L. Pleitz
gave this submersible parable:
"Once upon a time in the twentieth century there was a
church that became a submarine. It wasn't as difficult as it
might seem. One day it just shut the hatch on the outside world
and submerged into its own sea. Occasionally it ran up the
periscope to see where it was going.
"Once the captain got a real vision through his
periscope and when he demanded that they get back to the
surface and fast, the crew quickly developed the bends and the
sub stayed down.
"While submerged there was a lot for the crew to do.
In fact they were kept on alert and asked to make maximum
efforts. They tinkered with the machinery constantly. They
overhauled their kitchen. They inventoried their ammunition at
least once a week but they never used it. They paid salaries to
the officers and went through endless drills occasionally
interrupted by prayers that no depth charge would disturb their
isolation.
"The air got stale too, so did the routine, but they put
up with it because the alternatives were too demanding. Several
committees even decided the stale air was good for them.
"One of the members who had sneaked a look through
the periscope suggested a change in course and the giving away
of their surplus supplies. He was immediately eliminated for
mutiny.
"The last entry in the captain's log book read, 'Have
probably set a new record for being submerged and maintaining
predetermined course. See no reason why we should change
directions. Crew continues to give maximum effort. We did
sight an enemy and appointed three committee members to
study the situation."
3. A sermon can help people in different ways. Some
rise from a sermon greatly strengthened; others wake from it
delightfully refreshed.
4. The less religion a church has, the more ice cream &
cake it takes to keep it going.
5. When the churches discover they can't successfully
compete with the theater, perhaps they will try religion again.
6. Religion is no different from other things. The less
you invest in it, the poorer the quality.
7. Fred Hawkins, the great soul-winner, was saved at
48, yet none could be with him for a minute before he would
inquire about his soul.
One day, Hawkins was invited to a county seat town in
Missouri for a meeting. Arriving early, he strolled near a bus
station and decided to make a little survey. At the town's busiest
corner, he asked people: "How does a fellow get to heaven?"
He stopped 29 people and only 7 answered correctly.
They had all grown up, were all white, and most had attended
church regularly. And in that very spot could be seen the spires
of 5 churches.
8. A minister in the pulpit saw a man in a back pew
with his hat on. He beckoned to a deacon, who went to the man
and asked him whether he was aware that his hat was on.
"Praise be offered!" said the man, "I thought that
would do it. I have attended this church for six months, and you
are the first person who has spoken to me."
9. Nine percent of the world's population speak
English.
Ninety percent of the world's Christians come from the
nine percent who speak English.
Ninety-four percent of the ordained ministers in the
world serve the nine percent who speak English.
Ninety-six percent of the church's income is spent
among the nine percent who speak English.
10. Why is it that so many church members who say
"Our Father" on Sunday go around the rest of the week acting
like orphans?
11. Boy: "Dad, what is a backslider?" Father: "A man
who leaves our church & goes to another." Boy: "And what is a
man who leaves his church & joins ours?" Father: "He's a
convert, Son, a convert."

12. Many Christians have enough religion to make
them decent, but not enough to make them dynamic.
13. The same church members who yell like
Comanche Indians at a ball game on Saturday sit like wooden
Indians in church on Sunday.
14. When the church ceases to be in touch with another
world, it is no longer in touch with this World.
15. Too many churches have become distribution
points for religious aspirin.
16. All church buildings should be air-conditioned; it
is unhealthy to sleep in a stuffy room.
17. Many churches are now serving coffee after the
sermon. Presumably this is to get the people thoroughly awake
before they start to drive home.
18. The church is paralyzed with timidity & gradually
dying of dignity.
19. It's funny how a dollar can look so big when you
take it to church & so small when you take it to the
supermarket.
20. If you gave the same amount of time to your work
as you do your church, how long would you hold your job?
21. A lot of church members know the twenty-third
Psalm much better than they know the Shepherd.
22. The inactive church member is of no more use than
a corpse--& takes up more room.
23. The Christian faith has not been tried & found
wanting. It has been found difficult & left untried.
24. As the guest preacher began his sermon he had this
word of explanation: "As I understand it, my job is to preach, &
your job is to listen. If you finish before I do, please let me
know."
25. A supply pastor was thumbing through the pulpit
Bible when he came upon some sermon notes of the pastor. He
scanned them a little & noticed this notation on the margin of
one of the pages: "Yell like the dickens here--the argument's
weak!"
26. Pastor Reynolds was getting into the habit of
preaching longer & longer--55 minutes & even an hour or
longer. At the deacon meeting, the chairman tried to be very
diplomatic in suggesting that the pastor preach shorter
messages. "But," the pastor explained, "don't you realise I'm
giving you the milk of the Word?"
"Yes, Pastor," replied the chairman, "but in the future
we suggest you give us condensed milk!"
27. Preacher: "How come I never see you in church
anymore, Morris?"
Morris: "There are too many hypocrites there,
Reverend."
Preacher: "Don't worry, fellow, there's always room
for one more."
28. Going to church doesn't make you a Christian any
more than going to a garage makes you an automobile.
29. Too many Christians & churches want to settle for
a tune-up job when they need a complete overhaul.
30. God put the church in the World; Satan seeks to
put the World in the church.
31. There is an interesting story which has come down
from medieval times: The great scholar, Thomas Aquinas, came
to the City of Rome to pay his respects to the one who was then
pope. In the course of his visit, the pope proudly showed him all
the wonders of the papal palace, and took him to his treasury
and showed him chests of silver and gold received from every
part of the world. With something of a smile on his face he said,
"You see, Thomas, we cannot say with Peter, 'Silver and gold
have I none.'"
Looking the pope in the eyes, Thomas Aquinas
fearlessly replied, "No, and neither can we say, 'In the Name of
Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.'" Riches had come,
but power had gone! Peter and the apostles had poverty and
power.
32. "Billy" Sunday, the eccentric evangelist so recently
gone to his reward, used to relate a graphic story of a well-
known village atheist who was seen running vigorously to a
burning church building intent on joining with others in
subduing the flames. A neighbor observing him exclaimed
facetiously, "This is something new for you! I never saw you
going to church before."
The atheist replied, "Well, this is the first time I have
ever seen a church on fire." Who can tell how many might be
drawn to the people of God if they were only on fire for Christ
and burning with zeal to win the lost?
33. On an American troopship, the soldiers crowded
around their chaplain asking, "Do you believe in Hell?"
"I do not."
"Well, then, will you please resign, for if there is no
Hell, we do not need you, and if there is a Hell, we do not wish
to be led astray."
34. One day the telephone rang in the clergyman's
office of the Washington church which President Franklin
Roosevelt attended. An eager voice inquired, "Do you expect
the President to be in church Sunday?"
"That," answered the clergyman, "I cannot promise.
But we expect God to be there and we fancy that should be
incentive enough for a reasonably large attendance."
35. The weekend religion of some Christians is weak
at both ends, & unreliable between the two ends.
36. Some folks have too much religion to be happy at a
dance, but too little to be happy at a prayer meeting.
37. Many church members could appropriately begin
all church services by singing, "Nothing in my hand I bring."
38. Many people want God's blessings, but they don't
want Him.
39. When recreation gets ahead of re-creation, then
God's house has become a den of thieves.
40. Some churches seem to be sound in doctrine, but
they are also sound asleep.
41. Pastor Jones in our church had been paying five-
year-old Tommy Brown ten cents a week to keep his
grandfather awake during the sermon. Last week Tommy didn't
deliver, and that night Pastor Jones jumped him. "I know, sir,"
explained the lad, "but Grandfather pays me fifteen cents to let
him sleep."
42. A preacher had succeeded in putting an elderly
man asleep by his sermon. Preaching for a decision, in the midst
of his sermon, he shouted, "Those who want to go to Hell, stand
up." The old man heard the "Stand up" and did so.
He looked around, paused with a puzzled look on his
face and said, "Preacher, I don't know what we're voting on, but
it looks like you and I are the only ones for it."
43. If any church would be content to have Jesus'
teaching of love as its creed, I would join that church.
44. While Raphael was engaged in painting his
celebrated frescoes, he was visited by two cardinals who began
to criticize his work, and found fault without understanding it.
"The Apostle Paul has too red a face," said one. "He blushes to
see into whose hands the Church has fallen," answered the
angry artist.
45. In a Kansas court a witness, a tall awkward fellow,
was called to testify. The counsel for the defense said to him,
"Now, sir, stand up and tell your story like a preacher."
"No, sir!" roared the judge. "None of that; I want you
to tell the truth!"
46. Innocently unaware of the prejudices held against
him, an old coloured man, staunchly religious, applied for
membership in an exclusive church. The pastor attempted to put
him off with all sorts of evasive remarks. The old Negro,
instinctively becoming aware that he was not wanted, said
finally that he would sleep on it and perhaps the Lord would tell
him just what to do. Several days later he returned. "Well,"
asked the minister, "did the Lord send you a message?"
"Yessuh, He did," was the answer. "He told me it
wasn't no use. He said, 'Ah been tryin' to get in that same
church Myself for ten yeahs an' Ah still can't make it!'"--Dad
47. There are many who are barely Christians & have
scarcely enough grace to float them into Heaven, the keel of
their vessel grating on the gravel all the way.
48. Christianity has been watered down until the
solution is so weak that if it were poison it would not hurt
anyone & if it were medicine it would not cure anyone!
49. The greatest sin of the church is that she withholds
the Gospel from herself & the World.
50. A cold church is like cold butter--never spreads
very well.
51. The modernistic preacher had been preaching for
some years, & as the preacher got ready to leave for another
pastorate, his congregation were out at the train bidding him a
fond farewell, his little sheep out there--most of them stray
sheep because he'd led them astray as an unbelieving,
modernistic preacher.
The elder was bidding the preacher goodbye, the
modernistic preacher that he'd been studying under for years, &
he had a nice little package all wrapped up as a parting gift for
the departing preacher. He handed it rather solemnly to the
preacher & the preacher took it & eagerly started unwrapping it.
He said, "Oh my, my leading elder of my church all
these years, you're such a faithful student & listener! What kind
of a gift could you have given me? It must be something very
special!" And he unwrapped it, & you know what he found
inside? He found nothing in the World but just the covers of the
old Bible he'd been using, just the bare leather covers, nothing
else, not a page! The preacher looked at it shocked & said,
"What is this? What do you mean by this, elder?"
He said, "Well, preacher, you know when I sat in your
sermons & Bible classes & so on, every time you said this was a
myth & this was a legend & this was an allegory & this was just
a tale, this was only a parable, this wasn't for you, this was for
the Gentiles, this was for the Jews, this was for the Apostles,
this was for the past, this is for the future, this does not really
mean what it says, this is just poetry--I tore it out! I figured if it
wasn't for me, why should I keep it? And I tore out everything
related to it!
"Everything you said was a myth I tore out, I tore all
the legends out, & all the things you said were allegories &
parables, & if it was for the Jews I tore that out because I'm not
a Jew. And I kept tearing everything out that you said wasn't for
today & it wasn't for me, so I tore it out, & I tore out everything
relating to it. By the time you got through, preacher, this was all
I had left, & I thought you might just as well have these too, the
covers, all the rest is gone, you destroyed it, & my faith in it--
that's all I've got left, just the covers."--Dad
52. A minister passed along to a beginning preacher a
trick he used when he saw the congregation nodding a bit. "I
suddenly say to them, 'Last night I held another man's wife in
my arms.' When everyone sits up, shocked, I continue, 'It was
my own dear mother!'"
The young preacher thought he'd try it. The next
Sunday when most members of his congregation were
drowsing, he said in a loud voice, "You know, last night I held
another man's wife in my arms!" Stunned, the congregation sat
bolt upright & stared, whereupon the preacher stammered, "Oh,
dear--I've forgotten who she was!"
53. Not only is the Roman Catholic Church the largest
religious organisation in the World, it is the richest. It is
virtually impossible to estimate its wealth in ancient buildings
& art treasures, which would have to be in the billions of
Dollars. Moreover, the Vatican continues to be one of the
World's greatest hoarders of gold. The Vatican reportedly has a
gold reserve three times that of Great Britain.
54. A preacher was disturbed by the snoring of the
grandpa at the front. He stopped preaching & asked the little
boy to awaken him. The boy promptly answered, "I think you'd
better wake him up, you put him to sleep."
55. Are we evangelical Christians afflicted with
Spiritual schizophrenia? Let's take a few minutes to think about
it.
On Sunday we sing, "I serve a living Saviour."
On Monday we act as if He is dead.
On Sunday we sing, "My Jesus I love Thee, I know
Thou art mine, for Thee all the pleasures of sin I resign."
On Monday we pitch our tents as near as we can to
Sodom.
On Sunday we sing, "O the best book to read is the
Bible."
On Monday we spend our time poring over Sears'
Catalogue.
On Sunday we sing, "He's the Lily of the Valley, the
bright and morning star. He's the fairest of ten thousand to my
soul."
On Monday we listen to a godless media cursing His
name, and attacking His attributes, and we never lift our voices
in protest.
On Sunday we sing, "Rescue the perishing, care for the
dying, snatch them in pity from sin and the grave."
On Monday we do not care enough to even hand out a
tract.
On Sunday we sing, "Stand up! Stand up for Jesus, ye
soldiers of the cross."
On Monday we are ashamed to identify ourselves with
someone who is standing up for Jesus, especially if that person
lives within a hundred miles of us.
On Sunday we sing, "Redeemed! How I love to
proclaim it."
On Monday we chicken out before our next door
neighbor.
On Sunday we sing, "None of self, and all for Thee."
On Monday we are so tied up in our own little box, we
wouldn't take ten minutes to phone some lonely shut-in, who is
pining in loneliness for a little bit of love.
On Sunday we sing, "I love to tell the story. 'Twill be
my theme in glory."
On Monday we are either too cowardly or too proud to
tell the story to our own relatives.
On Sunday we sing, "Dare to be a Daniel, dare to stand
alone."
On Monday we brand anyone who dares to stand alone
as a troublemaker.
On Sunday we sing, "Dearer than all, dearer than all,
He is my King, before Him I fall."
On Monday we take up our cudgels to defend our
worldly churches, and apostate denominations.
On Sunday we sing, "Let goods and kindred go."
On Monday we expend all our time and strength
polishing our materialistic gods, and compromising with our
kindred.
On Sunday we sing, "I'm not ashamed to own my
Lord, nor to defend His cause."
On Monday we tremble lest some religious fanatic
should talk to us about His cause on our party-line.
On Sunday we sing, "Take the world, but give me
Jesus."
On Monday we spend our afternoons watching sensual
soap operas, and our evenings watching the games.
On Sunday we sing, "Take my silver and my gold, not
a mite would I withhold."
On Monday we wouldn't buy a postage stamp to write
to some lonely missionary.
On Sunday we sing, "Faith of our fathers, living still,
we will be true to thee till death."
On Monday we take sides with the apostates against
anyone in our midst who is contending for that faith today.
On Sunday we sing, "All to Jesus I surrender."
On Monday it would require a blast of dynamite to
uproot us out of our regular routine.
On Sunday we sing, "Not for ease or worldly pleasure,
nor for fame my prayer shall be."
On Monday we blow our budget buying that status
symbol which will up us on the social ladder.
On Sunday we sing, "O that old rugged cross, so
despised by the world, has a wondrous attraction for me."
On Monday we court the favor of a godless world,
cower before it, and boast about the good rapport we have with
it.
So while the church wallows in apostasy,
And the world heads for damnation, we settle for
singing:
Onward Christian soldiers
Marching as to war
Within the safety of our sanctuaries
Until time shall be no more.
My Heavenly Father: I confess that I have substituted
Sunday ritualism for daily Biblical Christianity, and that I am a
big, religious phoney. O God, deliver me from my self-
deception.
Thy Word says that God is a Spirit, and those that
worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth. O God, I
confess that my worship has been little more than hollow
humbuggery. I confess that I have been worshipping Thee with
my lips while my heart has been far from Thee.
Forgive my play-acting, forgive my pretense of
worship. Forgive my namby-pamby sentimental devotion, my
canting ritualism, and my sham piety.
I confess my moral insensibility, my spiritual inertia,
and my supine professionalism.
O God cleanse me from my sin. Deliver me from being
an evangelical schizophrenic. Enable me to have Thee, and
Thee only as my goal. Enable me to accept Thy Word as final
authority in my daily life, and not my own reasoning.
Enable me to submit myself daily to Thee to believe
Thee. Enable me to submit myself daily to Thee to obey Thee.
O God, unite my heart to praise Thy Name, and make me a
genuine Christian for Jesus' sake. Amen.
56. A woman who "enjoyed her religion" visited a very
staid & formal church. "Amen" she said, as the preacher
brought out a point with which she agreed.
"Madam," said the usher standing nearby, "please try
& restrain yourself. We don't allow that in this church."
In a few moments she was so carried away by the
sermon that she shouted, "Amen, praise the Lord, hallelujah!"
The usher rushed to her side: "Madam! You must quiet
down immediately or leave!"
"I didn't mean to disturb ... but I am just so happy since
I found the Lord," she explained.
"You may have found the Lord," retorted the usher
severely, "but I am quite sure you didn't find Him here!"
57. "I am building a church," said a small boy playing
with a set of blocks, "and we must be very quiet."
His father, eager to encourage this unexpected
reverence, asked: "Why are we to be quiet in church?"
"Because the people are asleep," was the boy's
response.
58. For an hour-&-a-half the preacher continued on &
on with his sermon. Finally he asked: "What more can I say?"
There was a brief pause. Then from the back of the church a
voice was heard. "Well you might say, 'Amen.'"
59. A religion that costs nothing does nothing.
60. If the church insists on looking like the World,
dressing like the World, acting like the World, & living like the
World, it will be difficult to convince the worldling that we
have anything to offer which he doesn't have in greater
abundance.
61. Nowadays we have sermonettes by preacherettes
for Christianettes.
62. Man must & will have some religion. If he has not
the religion of Jesus he will have the religion of Satan.--William
Blake
63. That this World is a playground instead of a
battlefield has now been accepted in practice by the vast
majority of fundamentalist Christians.
64. THE Church and the World walked far apart
On the changing shore of time;
The World was singing a giddy song.
And the Church a hymn sublime.
"Come give me your hand," said the merry World.
"And then walk with me this way."
But the good Church hid her hand from him,
And solemnly answered--"Nay.
I will not give you my hand at all
And I will not walk with you;
Your way is the way of eternal death,
And your words are all untrue."
"Nay, walk with me a little space,"
Said the World with a kindly air,
"The road I walk is a pleasant road,
And the sun shines always there.
Your way is narrow and thorny and rough,
While mine is flowery and smooth.
Your lot is sad with reproach and toil,
But in rounds of joy I move.
My way you can see, is a broad fair one.
And my gate is high and wide;
There is room enough for you and me,
And we'll travel side by side."
Half shyly the Church approached the World
And gave him her outstretched hand;
And the false World grasped it, and walked along
And said, "You must understand,
Your dress is too simple to please my taste.
I have gold and pearls to wear;
Rich velvets and silks for you graceful form;
And diamonds to deck your hair."
The Church looked down at her plain white robes
And then at the dazzling World,
And blushed as she saw his handsome lip,
With a smile contemptuous curled.
'I will change my dress for a costlier one,"
Said the Church with a blush on her face;
Then her pure white garment drifted away,
And the World gave in their place
Beautiful satins, and fashionable silks,
And roses and gems and pearls;
And over her forehead her bright hair fell
And waved in a thousand curls.
"Your house is too plain," said the proud old World.
"Let us build you one like mine,
With kitchen for feasting and parlor for play
And furniture ever so fine."
So he built her a costly and beautiful house--
Splendid it was to behold;
Her sons and daughters met frequently there,
Shining in purple and gold.
And fair and festival--frolics untold,
Were held in the place of prayer;
The Angel of mercy rebuked the Church,
And whispered, "I know thy sin;"
Then the Church looked sad, and anxiously longed
To gather the children in.
But some were away at the midnight ball;
And others were at the play.
And some were drinking in gay saloons,
And the Angel went away.
And then said the World in soothing tones--
"Your much loved ones mean no harm--
Merely indulging in innocent sports."
So she leaned on his proffered arm,
And smiled, and chatted, and gathered flowers,
And walked along with the World;
While countless millions of precious souls
Were hungering for truth untold.
"Your preachers are all too old and plain."
Said the gay World with a sneer;
"They frighten the people with dreadful tales
Which I do not like to hear.
They talk of judgments and fire and pain,
And the doom of darkest night.
They warn of a place that should not be
Thus spoken to ears polite!
I will send you some of a better stamp,
More brilliant and gay and fast,
Who will show how men may live as they list
And go to Heaven at last.
The Father is merciful, great and good,
Loving and tender and kind;
Do you think He'd take one child to Heaven,
And leave another behind?
So she called for smooth, well-polished priests,
Deemed gifted, and great, and learned;
And the plain old men that had preached the cross
Were out of her pulpits turned.
Then Mammon came in and supported the Church,
And rented a prominent pew;
And preaching and singing and floral display
Soon proclaimed a gospel new.
"You give too much to the poor," said the World,
"Far more than you ought to do.
Though the poor need shelter, food and clothes,
Why thus need it trouble you?
Go take your money and buy rich robes
And horses and carriages fine;
And pearls and jewels and dainty food,
The rarest and costliest wine.
My children, they dote on all such things.
And if you their love would win,
You must do as they do, and walk in the way,
The flowery way they're in."
The Church her purse-strings tightly held
And gracefully lowered her head,
Declared, "Yes, I've given too much away.
I will do, sir, as you have said."
So the poor were turned from the door in scorn,
She heard not the orphan's cry,
And she drew her beautiful robes aside
As the widows went weeping by.
They of the Church, and they of the World
Journeyed closely, hand and heart,
And none but the Master, who knoweth all,
Could discern the two apart.
Then the Church sat down at ease and said,
"I'm rich and in goods increased.
I have need of nothing, and naught to do,
But to laugh and dance and feast."
The sly World heard her and laughed within,
And mockingly said aside,
"The Church has fallen--the beautiful Church.
Her shame is her boast and pride."
Thus her witnessing power, alas, was lost,
And perilous times came in;
The Times of the End, so often foretold,
When the Church would fall into sin.
Then the Angel drew near the mercy-seat,
And whispered in sighs her name,
And the saints their anthems of rapture hushed,
And covered their heads with shame.
A Voice came down from the hush of Heaven,
From Him who sat on the throne;
"I know thy works and what thou hast said,
But alas! Thou hast not known
That thou art poor and naked and blind.
And your sins are an open sore;
The expectant Bride of a heavenly Groom
Has become the World's whore!
Thou hast ceased to watch for that blessed hope,
Hast fallen from zeal and grace;
So now, alas! I must cast thee out.
And blot thy name from its place."
But out from the side of harlot church,
While she sleeps in indolent shame,
Will be taken the remnant who keep God's Word,
And honor His holy name.
By the word of their testimony, and the blood of the
Lamb,
They overcame the world.
For those who keep their garments clean,
 Shall walk with Him in white,
In the day when He comes to claim His own,
To make them His jewels bright.
65. The only ultimate disaster that can befall us is to
feel ourselves at home on this Earth.
66. The "Washington Cathedral" is more officially the
Episcopal Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul. Construction
began in 1907 and is not expected to be completed until the year
2,000 when it will be the world's fifth largest church building
and bear a cost of many millions of dollars. It includes a bell
tower over 300 feet tall that alone cost over two million dollars.
This church is already famous with 100,000 visitors coming
each year just to view its stained-glass windows and collections
of religious art.
67. The World has founded whole orders &
monasteries & brotherhoods & convents & nunneries on the
principle that the more solemn & sad you are & the more you
suffer, the more religious & holy you are. This is a religion of
the Devil, not the Lord! This is a System of Satan, not Christ!
68. You can't please the churches! You'll never
please'm, so quit trying! You can be polite & be courteous & be
kind & be Christian, but for God's sake, avoid'm like the plague
most of the time because they can be your worst enemies! The
"holiest", most religious people were Jesus' worst enemies.--
The Fundamentalists, the conservatives, the Evangelicals of His
day, the Scribes & the Pharisees, those who believed in keeping
the jot & the tittle of the Law. The holiest of the holies of the
Holiness people were His worst enemies & the ones that finally
killed Him!
69. The true religion as well as the false religion of the
World began with Cain & Abel & persist to this very day!--On
the one hand, those true believers, true followers, & true
Children of God, true disciples of Jesus Christ, who trust in
nothing but the blood sacrifice of Jesus, nothing but the grace of
Christ, nothing but the mercy of God, none of their own
righteousness, none of their own works--the genuinely saved,
the born-again, the true Kingdom of God!--As opposed to the
religion of self-righteousness of all the major so-called "faiths"
today--hundreds of millions of poor, deceived, deluded, dumb
goats led astray by their religious leaders & bellwethers, who lie
& exhort them to: "Save yourself! You can save yourself by
your own holiness. You can save yourself by your own piety.
You can save yourself by your own fasting. You can save
yourself by your own suffering. You can save yourself by your
own merits, your own penances, your own confessions, your
own church-goings!"
70. Sad to say, hundreds of millions of Christians
around the Earth today, in spite of the message of Christ, in
spite of the message of His sacrifice on Calvary, in spite of
what Jesus did to save us, in spite of His giving His life & His
blood for us, are still being taught by their leaders to try to save
themselves. The vast majority of Christians today do not
understand the message of Christ nor the Gospel nor His death
nor His Salvation nor His grace nor faith, & are still trying to
save themselves!
71. We're undermining the false religious
establishment with our doctrines of freedom & grace which
they hate, because they can't control the people once we give
them that kind of information!
72. Like that guy said in "Easy Rider": "They don't
even want to know that there is such a thing as freedom,
because then they'll know they're not free!" That's a picture of
the church if I ever saw one! They don't want to know that there
is anything else besides what they know, because then they
would know that they don't know everything, which they think
they do!
73. The greatest & worst of all sins is the hypocrisy &
the self-righteousness & the false front of the so-called
Christians & church people.
74. Church-building has damned more souls to Hell
than any other activity the church ever engaged in, because it
has robbed the mission fields of millions of Dollars & millions
of missionaries! Going to church makes Christians satisfied &
contented & feeling like they've accomplished their purpose in
staying at home & sitting in church instead of doing what
they're supposed to do!
75. What is the Church's reward going to be? What
have they done for Jesus? What have they done for souls? What
have they done for the mission field? What have they done to
get the heathen saved?--Very little!-- Even the big rich
denominations who build schools, orphanages & hospitals on
the mission field. Do you know where most of the African &
Asian Communist leaders got their training?--In those very
missionary schools & colleges & universities on the mission
field! They gave them education but they never gave them
Jesus! They gave them science but they never gave'm faith! So
if you want to blame somebody for the intelligence & the
education & the cleverness & know-how of many of the
Communist leaders of the World, blame it on the churches, they
educated them!
76. Churchianity is a cult! Building church buildings &
attending church all the time is totally contrary to what Jesus
intended. He did not intend for people to hide & isolate their
faith & their prayer & their worship & their practice & their
good sample & their adoration of the Lord in a building!
77. Although they brand you as a cult, these big
denominations & other religions are the biggest cults on Earth!-
-And they're the worst cults on Earth because they have
confined the Message of God's Love in Jesus Christ & His free
Salvation through His death to church buildings! If the Devil
couldn't stop it any other way, if he couldn't keep them from
preaching the Truth, he managed to make'm put it inside a
building & shut the door & keep the Christians there to prevent
them from witnessing outside on the street corner, door-to-door,
office-to-office, in the bars & whorehouses & hostels!
78. It's amazing, it's almost astounding, it's almost
mysterious how the religious leaders can wield so much power
when they are in such a tiny minority! But their power is almost
always wielded in favour of the Devil. They are a part of the
Religious Whore that rides the Beast of Government. The
Whore is composed of all the false religions put together, the
biggest of which is materialism, the worship of things, the
worship of Mammon.
79. Don't tell me that a church Christian who works
hard at a System-slaving job that is not for the glory of God in
any way, shape or form six days a week, & just goes to church
on Sunday morning--or maybe Sunday night if he's very
devout--don't tell me he's serving God with all his might &
mind & all his heart! Because if he's not serving God with all
his time, he is not serving God!--He's worshipping the same god
that the rest of the World worships--Mammon, things, job,
money & the things it can buy.
80. The Church idolises the great men & women &
heroes of the Bible, the Patriarchs & the Prophets, & they
exalt'm so high that they deliberately make it impossible to
attain such a status! --Because they don't want to have to be like
that! They want to be able to say, "It's impossible to be like that
today, it's only reserved for Bible times or great Saints or
Patriarchs or Prophets, nobody else can be like that. Ordinary
Christians & church people aren't supposed to try to be like that,
it's out of your range, it's impossible, don't try! You'd have to be
perfect, you'd have to be a Saint, you'd have to be absolutely
pure & have sinless perfection, so you know it's impossible for
you!"
81. Churchianity is the worst sect, the worst cult on
Earth! Even the Devil's cults aren't as bad, because at least
they're honest that they're worshipping the Devil. But the
majority of the "Christian" churches are worshipping the Devil
while they claim to be worshipping God! They're practicing
devilish fiendish, Satanic forms of worship, but they clothe it in
a cloak & a mask & covering & pretend that it's Christianity!
It's self-worship & Satanic worship, & devilish practices in the
Name of Christ, totally anti-Christian & anti-grace.
82. Even the genuine born-again saved Christians think
they've got to try to be perfect & sinless! They're in the same
legalistic, self-righteous, churchianity rut. "Yes, Jesus saved
me, but I've got to sort of help Him keep me saved." That's their
attitude, whether it's Catholic or Protestant, that it takes the
church to save you.
83. Going to church is not a Christian's job, it's his
privilege, his pleasure. Having fellowship with other Christians,
having meetings & praying together, worshipping together,
singing together, that's their joy, not their job! They don't start
working till they go out the church door the other direction &
start facing the public & the sinners & the lost! Then their work
begins! But most of them don't even know that, they're totally
ignorant of what a Christian's duty really is. And they're not told
by their preachers, sad to say.
84. That seemingly innocent little sin of murmuring
seems to be a favourite practice of most church Christians! I
never saw such a bunch of murmurers as in the Christian
churches of the U.S. They're always backbiting, gossiping &
murmuring, always bellyaching about the church or the
preacher or the evangelist or the song leader or the music or the
pianist or the choir or the sermon or each other!
85. If you want to dig down & find out the real
genuine motivation for most people's church-going & church-
building & churchianity religion, it's competition & trying to
keep up or get ahead of the Joneses & the other denominations.
They couldn't care less for God or lost souls or anything like
that! So it's strictly pride!
86. The visible, powerful church organisations of
today with all their churches & temples & cathedrals & all the
rest are all a part of that Whore that rides on the back of the
Beast.
87. Churchianity works hand-in-glove with the
business world, it's built on the business World, it's pampered
by the business World. Its temples are built with their money,
its pastors are hired with their money, its worldwide
organisations are sponsored with their money! It is an integral
part of the System! Churchianity is a part of the World System!-
-The anti-God, anti-Christ, materialistic World System, whether
it be Communist or Capitalist!
88. There are millions of Christians in the World who I
believe really love Jesus & are born again, no matter what
denomination or church they belong to. I think that's the only
reason God has preserved the churches at all, even the
Catholics, because there are millions of sincere genuine
Christians who love Jesus there.
89. The Devil tricks the church people into straining at
gnats like nudity & so-called pornography & sexual freedom to
try to pretend how righteous they are, how holy they are, how
they're saved by their works. Whereas they kill their babies &
wage endless wars & engage in dishonest dog-eat-dog
competitive business practices & rebel boldly against God! All
the natural, normal things they condemn, while they practice
wicked sins, condoned & advocated & paid for by the churches
& the church people!
90. You can't tell me that you worship God with all
your heart & all your strength when you are worshipping
Mammon & money & things & your home & your car & your
TV six days a week & half of the 7th, & only worship God &
give Him an hour or two of your time a week! Don't tell me
you're serving Him with all your heart & all your mind & all
your strength! Don't tell me you're serving Him with single-eyes
& single-mindedly, that you're really all-out for the Lord!
COMMITMENT
INCLUDES: Dedication, Devotion, Discipleship,
Faithfulness/Diligence, First Place, Forsaking All, Giving All,
Obedience, Pilgrims & Strangers, Sacrifice, Service,
Yieldedness.
RELATED INDEX TOPICS: Christianity, Discipleship, First
Place, Forsake All, Initiative, Revolution for Jesus, Sacrifice,
Service.
1. Florence Nightingale at thirty wrote in her diary, "I
am thirty years of age, the age at which Christ began His
mission. Now no more childish things, no more vain things.
Now, Lord, let me think only of Thy Will." Years later, near the
end of her illustrious, heroic life she was asked for her life's
secret, and she replied, "Well, I can only give one explanation.
That is, I have kept nothing back from God."
2. Moody had no more than a 5th-6th grade education
and did poorly even at that. When he attended his first Sunday
School class he thumbed through Genesis looking for John.
When applying to join Mt. Vernon Congregational Church, be
was rejected because of utter ignorance of Christian teaching.
His friends thought that seldom was anyone seen more unlikely
to fill any sphere of public or extended usefulness. But God can
take what seems small and insignificant and use it greatly, if it
is given over completely to Him.
3. A conversation is said to have taken place between a
hen and a hog when they passed a church and observed the
subject of the pastor's sermon: "How Can We Help the Poor?"
After a moment's reflection, the hen said, "I know what we can
do. We can give them a ham-and-egg breakfast!" The hog
protested, saying, "The breakfast would be only a contribution
for you, but for me it would mean total commitment!"
4. Mr. Cecil one day went into a room where his little
girl was, bright-eyed and happy as could be. Somebody had just
given her a box of beautiful beads. The little girl ran to her papa
immediately to show this little gift.
"They are very beautiful, my child," he said, "but now
my dear, throw them into the fire."
The little girl looked for a moment. It was a great trial.
"Now I shall not compel you to do it; I leave it to you: but you
never knew Papa to ask you to do a thing that was not kind to
you--I cannot tell you why: but if you can trust me, do so."
It cost a great effort, but the little child began in her
own way to think--"father has always been kind to me, I
suppose it is right," and she took the box and with a great effort
threw it into the fire. The father said no more for some time.
The next day, however, he gave her something far more
beautiful which she had long desired. "Now," said he, "my
child, I did this to teach you to trust in that greater Father in
Heaven. Many a time in your life He will require you to give up
and avoid what you cannot see the reasons for avoiding, but if
you trust that Father as you have trusted me, you will always
find it best."
5. Stubbornness is strength that is not strong enough to
yield.
6. To win, we must surrender. To live, we must die. To
receive, we must give.
7. The yoke of the Lord Jesus will never fit a stiff
neck.
8. Jesus will heal your wounded heart, if you give Him
all of it.
9. You must be melted before you can be molded.
10. Before we can pray, "Lord, Thy Kingdom come,"
we must be willing to pray, "My kingdom go."
11. Robert G. LeTourneau writes: "Our young people
had been going regularly to a mission to hold a Gospel service,
and I had been going with them. One night I had some special
work to do. I was operating a small factory at the time, and
machinery had to be built the next day for which I had to make
the design that night in order that a crew of men on contract
could build it the next morning. How could I do my work and
attend the meeting at the mission? The Lord and I had quite a
struggle while I was trying to decide what to do. Although I
could not understand how I was going to get the plan drawn for
the next morning, I went with the young people and we had a
profitable time. I returned home about ten o'clock. Up to that
time I had been unable to make a single plan. I sat down at the
drafting board, and in about five minutes the outline and plan
was as plain as it could be. What is more, the little piece of
machinery designed that night has been the key machine in all
that I have been building since. It pays to put God first."
12. Love makes obedience a thing of joy!
To do the will of one we like to please
Is never hardship, though it tax our strength;
Each privilege of service love will seize!
Love makes us loyal, glad to do or go,
And eager to defend a name or cause;
Love takes the drudgery from common work,
And asks no rich reward or great applause.
 Love gives us satisfaction in our task,
And wealth in learning lessons of the heart;
Love sheds a light of glory on our toil
And makes us humbly glad to have a part.
Love makes us choose to do the Will of God,
To run His errands and proclaim His truth;
It gives our hearts an eager, lilting song;
Our feet are shod with tireless wings of youth!
---Hazel Hartwell Simon
13. Evangelism is not a spare-time activity.
14. Evangelism should be an attitude permeating all
the activities of the Christian.
15. The whole secret of abundant living can be
summed up in this sentence: "Not your responsibility but your
response to God's ability."
16. God will not change your will against your will.
17. Every great person first learned how to obey,
whom to obey, & when to obey.
18. I had heard this and read it before, but I ran across
the other day this brief but tragic story as told by Dr. R. A.
Torrey:
One evening when Mr. Alexander and I were in
Brighton, England, one of the workers went from the afternoon
meeting to a restaurant for his evening meal. His attention was
drawn toward the man who waited upon him, and there came to
his heart a strong impression that he should speak to that waiter
about his soul, but that seemed to him such an unusual thing to
do that he kept putting it off.
When the meal was ended and the bill paid, he stepped
out of the restaurant, but had such a feeling that he should speak
to that waiter that he decided to wait outside until the waiter
came out. In a little while the proprietor came out and asked
him why he was waiting. He replied that he was waiting to
speak with the man who had waited upon him at the table. The
proprietor replied, "You will never speak to that man again.
After waiting upon you he went to his room and shot himself."
19. Admiral Sir Thomas Williams, a straightforward
and excellent man, was in command of a ship crossing the
Atlantic. His course brought him in sight of the island of
Ascension, at that time uninhabited, and never visited except for
the purpose of collecting turtles.
The island was barely visible on the horizon, but as Sir
Thomas looked at it he was seized by an unaccountable desire
to steer towards it. His desire became more and more urgent and
distressing, and foreseeing that it would soon be more difficult
to satisfy it, he told his lieutenant to prepare to "put about ship"
and steer in that direction. The officer respectfully remonstrated
that changing course would greatly delay them. This only
increased the Admiral's anxiety, and the ship was steered
towards the island.
All eyes were fixed upon it, and soon something was
perceived on the shore. "It is white--it is a flag--it must be a
signal!" When they neared the shore they discovered that
sixteen men, wrecked on the coast many days before, and
suffering hunger, had set up a signal, although almost without
hope of relief.
What made the Admiral steer his ship in the very
opposite direction to what he and his crew wanted was but the
superhuman Spirit of God.
20. Your success in life depends on your motive. There
is an old fable about a dog that boasted of his ability as a
runner. One day he chased a rabbit and failed to catch it. The
other dogs ridiculed him on account of his previous boasting.
His reply was, "You must remember that the rabbit was running
for his life, while I was only running for my dinner." The
incentive is all-important.
21. God has given us a will to choose His Will.
22. I had rather be in the heart of Africa in the will of
God than on the throne of England out of the will of God.--
Livingstone.
23. A poor man plodded along toward home in an Irish
town carrying a huge bag of potatoes. A horse and wagon
carrying a stranger came along, and the stranger stopped the
wagon and invited the man on foot to climb inside. This the
poor man did, but when he sat down in the wagon he held the
bag of potatoes in his arms. And when it was suggested that he
should set it down, he said very warmly: "Sire, I don't like to
trouble you too much. You're giving me a ride. I'll carry the
potatoes!"
Sometimes we think we are doing the Lord a favor
when we carry the burden. But the work is His, and the burden
is His, and He asks us only to be faithful.
24. What most you long and hope for
Might only bring you pain;
You cannot see the future
God's purpose to explain.
So ever trust thy Master;
He doeth all things well;
He loveth more than heart can know
And more than tongue can tell.
25. Hudson Taylor was so feeble in the closing months
of life, that he wrote a dear friend, "I am so weak I cannot work;
I cannot read my Bible; I cannot even pray. I can only lie still in
God's arms like a little child, and trust." This wondrous man of
God with all his spiritual power came to a place of physical
suffering and weakness where he could only lie still and trust.
And that is all God asks of you, His dear child, when you grow
faint in the fierce fires of affliction. Do not try to be strong. Just
be still.
26. We get no deeper into Christ than we allow Him to
get into us. cathedral watching the sunlight stream through the beautiful
glass windows. The Bible characters in the windows were
27. I have held many things in my hands, and I have bathed with the brilliant colours that resulted. When she was
lost them all; but whatever I have placed in God's hands, that I asked, "What is a saint?" she replied, "A saint is a person who
still possess. lets the light shine through."

28. True consecration knows no reservations. 35. Please God in all you do and be pleased with all
God does.
29. No man has a right to do as he pleases unless he
pleases to do right. 36. We are all dangerous folk without God's
controlling hand.
30. God will not accept praying as a substitute for
obeying. 37. Enthusiasm is unmistakable evidence that you're in
love with your work.
31. "Dear Master for this coming year
Just one request I bring: 38. It is said that Wendell Wilkie asked President
I do not pray for happiness, franklin D. Roosevelt, when he visited the President in his
Or any earthly thing-- office in the White House, "Mr. President, why do you keep
I do not ask to understand that frail, sickly man, Harry Hopkins, at your elbow?" Said the
The way Thou leadest me, President, "Mr. Wilkie, through that door flows daily an
But this I ask: Teach me to do incessant stream of men and women who, almost invariably,
The thing that pleaseth Thee. want something from me. Harry Hopkins wants ONLY TO
SERVE ME. That's why he is so near me!" In the light of these
I want to know Thy guiding voice, splendid words of commendation, let us, who claim to be the
To walk with Thee each day. servants of Christ, re-examine the motives which enter into our
Dear Master make me swift to hear service for Him!"
And ready to obey.
And thus the year I now begin 39. I want my heart so cleared of self
A happy year will be-- That my dear Lord can come
If I am seeking just to do And set up His own furnishings,
The thing that pleaseth Thee." And make my heart--His home.

32. To celebrate an old man's seventy-fifth birthday, an And since I know what this requires,
aviation enthusiast offered to take him for a plane ride over the Each morning while it's still,
little West Virginia town where he spent all his life. The old I slip into that secret room,
man accepted the offer. Back on the ground, after circling over And leave with Him--My WILL,
the town twenty minutes, his friend asked, "Were you scared,
Uncle Dudley?" "No-o-o," was the hesitant answer. "But I never He always takes it graciously,
did put my full weight down." We smile at the remark of the old Presenting me with His;
man, but there is no doubt of the fact that there are many I'm ready then to meet the day
Christians who are exactly the same way. They have been And any task there is.
offered and have received salvation; they enter Christ, but they
never put their full weight down on Him. He's carrying them all And this is how my Lord controls
the time, but they are tense and unrelaxed in their Christian life My interest, my ills,
and do not know the joy that comes from complete rest in Him. Because we meet at break of day,
For an EXCHANGE OF WILLS.
33. Years ago a young man began a small cheese --Anna Jane Granniss
business in Chicago. He failed. He was deeply in debt. "You
didn't take God into your business. You have not worked with 40. Polycarp, venerable bishop of Smyrna was a
Him," said a Christian friend to him. Then the young man personal friend and pupil of John the Apostle. When he was age
thought, "If God wants to run the cheese business, He can do it, 86, he was urged by the Roman proconsul to reproach Christ
and I'll work for Him and with Him!" from that moment, God and be set free.
became the senior partner in his business. The business grew "Eighty and six years have I served Him and He never
and prospered and became the largest cheese concern in the did me any injury. How then can I blaspheme my King and my
world! You ask the name of that young man? J.L. Kraft who Saviour?"
became president of the Kraft Cheese Company! He joyfully went to the stake, thanking God for
counting him worthy to be numbered among the martyrs.
34. One Summer morning a child stood in a great
 41. Alexander the Great was marching on Persia, and it
looked as if the great empire was about to crumble, as later it
did, before his armies. There was a critical moment, however,
which nearly resulted in disaster. The army had taken spoils of
silver, gold, and other treasures in such quantities that the
soldiers were literally weighted down with them. Alexander
gathered all together in one great pile and set fire to them.
The soldiers were furious, but it was not long before
they realized the wisdom of their leader. It was as if wings had
been given to them--they walked lightly again. The campaign
proceeded to victory.
42. If you can give your son only one gift, let it be
enthusiasm.
43. A Negro minister in the Southland, after presenting
a visiting white pastor to his congregation, prayed thus for him:
"And now, O Lord, blot him out that we may see JESUS
ONLY!"
44. Three-year-old Bobby insisted in standing up in his
highchair although mother had admonished him to remain
seated then emphasized her admonishment by twice reseating
him. After the third time little Bobby remained seated but
looked at his mother searchingly and said, "Mommy, I'm still
standing up inside."
45. In his Legend of the Eagles, George d'Espartes
says that the most heroic piece of self-sacrifice known to history
occurred in the building of a bridge. In the depth of winter the
French army, pressed on all sides by the Cossacks, had to cross
a river. The enemy had destroyed all the bridges and Napoleon
was almost at his wit's end. Suddenly came the order that a
bridge of some sort must be thrown across the river, and the
men nearest the water were the first to carry out the almost
impossible task. Several were swept away by the furious tide.
Others, after a few minutes, sank through cold and exhaustion:
but more came, and the work proceeded as fast as possible.
At last the bridge was completed and the army reached
the opposite bank in safety. Then followed the most dramatic
scene, and one of the most touching, recorded in the annals of
history. When the men who had built the bridge were called to
leave the water, no one moved. Clinging to the pillars, they
stood silent and motionless, frozen to death. Even Napoleon
shed tears.
46. Some years ago the ship Shanunga, on her way
from Liverpool to New York, came in collision with a Swedish
barque named Iduna, from Hamburg, with two hundred and six
persons on board. The weather was very foggy, and the Iduna
sank in about half an hour after the collision. Immediately the
Shanunga's boats were put out, and, with one boat from the
barque, picked up thirty-four persons only. One hundred and
seventy two persons, including the master, Captain Moberg,
were lost.
Captain Patten, of the Shanunga, in narrating the
catastrophe, said that no statement could exaggerate the horrors
of the awful moment. All the survivors that were saved were
picked up from the surface of the water. One cause why so few
were saved was, almost all of them had seized their belts of
gold and silver, and tied them round their waists. Thus those
who attempted to save their gold lost both life and gold, being
unable to remain afloat till the boats could reach them.
47. When God shuts and bolts the door, don't try to get
in through the window.
48. Christ sends none away empty but those who are
full of themselves.
49. When faithfulness is most difficult, it is most
necessary.
50. Aeschines, perceiving everyone give Socrates
something for a present, said unto him, "Because I have nothing
else to give, I will give thee myself." "Do so," said Socrates,
"and I will give thee back again to thyself better than when I
received thee."
51. The contrast between two lives was noted by Dr.
Harold E. Luccock. The first was a woman who died in London,
famous as "the best dressed woman in Europe." She left almost
a thousand frocks, but with each frock she had worn "the same
unseeing eyes, the same deaf ears, the same enameled, painted
face." The second was a man who died in the same city, with
but one suit, blue with a red collar on the coat. He was William
Booth, founder of the Salvation Army. He had but one costume,
but he lived in a thousand lives.
52. In his earlier life Dannecker, the sculptor, gained
for himself a wonderful reputation for his statues of Ariadne
and the Greek goddesses. Approaching his prime he felt he
ought to devote all his strength and time to the creation of a
masterpiece, so he set about to carve a figure of the Christ.
Twice he failed in his purpose, but finally he carved an
image of Christ so perfect, so exquisitively beautiful that when
people gazed upon it, they could only love and adore. Later
Napoleon sent for him. "Come to Paris," he said, "and make for
me a statue of Venus for the Louvre." But no such offer could
tempt the heart of Dannecker. His reply was simple, "Sir, the
hands that carved the Christ can never again carve a heathen
goddess."
53. It is related that Elizabeth I of England once
commissioned a rich merchant prince of her empire, to go on an
important mission for the crown, promising him rich rewards
for his services. The merchant sought to decline the
appointment on the grounds that his business would suffer
during his absence, but his sovereign assured him: "You go and
look after my business, and I will look after yours." On his
return, he found that his queen had kept her promise: he was a
richer man than he was before.
54. When does the service begin?" whispered a visitor
to someone sitting beside him in a Quaker's meeting. "Sir,
service begins just after the meeting ends," was the reply.

55. "I have found," David Livingstone early wrote in
his diary, "that I have no unusual endowments of intellect, but I
this day resolved that I would be an uncommon Christian."
56. Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go
to pieces, I would still plant my little apple tree and pay my
debts.
--Martin Luther
57. Bishop Moore tells the story of a little boy who
was swimming one day in a lake when suddenly he suffered
some type of physical difficulty and could swim no farther. The
boy struggled for his life. He had gone under twice, when he
felt the strong arm of a man lifting him. The man had seen the
little boy's desperate plight and had swum out to save him. The
man took the boy safely to shore and, after making certain that
everything was well, turned to leave. The little boy said, "Thank
you, sir, for saving my life." The man replied, "You're
welcome, son. See to it that you are worth saving."
Bishop Moore said that he has never forgotten those
words, for he was that boy whose life was saved by a man who
didn't even leave his name.
A good question for the Christian to ask is, "Am I
worth saving?" God in Christ has made a large investment in
the life of each of us, and He has every right to expect a return
of His investment.
58. At twenty-nine Dorothea Dix, a frail school
teacher, was given only a slight chance to live. If she survived
the lung disease that caused hemorrhaging, her doctor predicted
she would probably be an invalid.
She went to England for rest. There, she read the New
Testament through several times, asking, "What would Christ
have me to do?"
She found the answer when she returned home and a
minister asked her to teach the Bible to the woman prisoners in
the East Cambridge, Massachusetts, jail. She found conditions
there at the asylum to be extremely cruel. The determined Miss
Dix gathered a mountain of evidence proving cruelty to the
mentally ill and came before the Massachusetts legislature.
"Gentlemen," she cried, "I call your attention to the state of
insane persons confined within this Commonwealth, in cages,
closets, cellars, stalls, and pens; chained, naked, beaten with
rods, and lashed into obedience!"
Her speech shook New England. She moved on to
other states and found similar conditions. Disregarding ridicule
she prodded legislatures into building hospitals and voting
reforms.
On to Canada, Scotland, England, and Italy she
marched, calling for action. She found a cruel asylum next door
to the Vatican. She complained to the Pope and he acted.
Finally at eighty she became an invalid. The last five
years of her life brought many tributes and distinguished
visitors. At her death, a hospital superintendent said of her,
"The most useful and distinguished woman America had yet
produced has died."
59. We are to evangelise not because it is pleasant, not
because it is easy, not because we may be successful, but
because Christ has called us. He is our Lord. We have no other
choice but to obey Him.
60. Padarewski once explained that he practiced
faithfully every day. "If I miss one day's practice," said he, "I
notice it. If I miss two days, the critics notice it. If I miss three
days, the audience notices it."
61. When the grass looks greener on the other side of
the fence, it may be that they take better care of it there.
62. In the days of the stagecoach, a man undertook a
journey. He was informed that there were first, second, and
third-class passengers. However, all the seats on the coach
looked alike to him, so he purchased a third-class ticket. All
went well for a time and the man was congratulating himself
upon having saved some money.
Presently the came to the foot of a very steep hill,
when the driver stopped the horses and shouted, "Fist-class
passengers, keep your seats, second class get out and walk,
third-class get out and push behind."
What we need in the Kingdom work is third-class
passengers. Those who will push! Not first-class, who are
contented to sit and look on while the others are working, not
second class passengers who are willing to walk away when
real work comes; but third-class passengers who are willing to
bear "the burden and heat of the day."
63. George Atley, a young Englishman with the heart
of a hero, was engaged in the Central African Mission. He was
attacked by a party of natives. He had with him a Winchester
repeating rifle with ten loaded chambers. The party was
completely at his mercy. Calmly and quickly he summed up the
situation. He concluded that if he killed them it would do the
mission more harm than if he allowed them to take his life. So,
as a lamb to the slaughter he was led; and when his body was
found in the stream, his rifle was also found with its ten
chambers still loaded.
64. In the battle of Sempach, fought between the
Austrians and the Swiss before the use of firearms, a brave
Swiss soldier whose name was Arnold Winkelried, nobly
sacrificed his life for the sake of his country. The Swiss army
was very small, and that of the Austrians very large, presenting
such an unbroken ridge of spears that the Swiss soldiers could
not get at their enemies.
Arnold told his comrades to follow him, and he would
open for them a way to victory. Rushing up to the Austrian
front, he grasped as many spears as he could reach with his
outstretched arms. Pierced through by spears, he sank down to
the earth; the Swiss soldiers pressed into the opening thus made,
and gained the victory.
65. The monument I want after I am dead is a
monument with two legs going around the world--a saved
sinner telling about the salvation of Jesus Christ.--D.L. Moody
 66. Enthusiasm is the best protection in any situation.
Wholeheartedness is contagious. Give yourself, if you wish to
get others.
67. You cannot kindle a fire in any other heart until it
is burning within your own.
68. In order to do great things, one must be
enthusiastic.
69. It is said of Henry of Bavaria that at one time,
becoming weary of court life, he determined to enter a
monastery. When he presented himself to Prior Richard, the
faithful monk gave him the strict rules of the order. The king
listened eagerly and enthusiastically expressed pleasure at the
prospect of such complete consecration.
Then the prior insisted that obedience, implicit and
expressed was the first requisite of sainthood. The monarch
promised to follow his will in every detail. "Then go back to
your throne and do your duty in the station God assigned you,"
was the prior's word to him. The king took up his scepter again,
and from then until he died, his people said of him, "King
Henry has learned to govern by learning to obey."
70. Hachi was a Japanese dog who used to accompany
his master to the railroad station each morning and then greet
him back in the evening at the station. One night in 1925, the
man did not return, having died in another city. Although the
little dog had met its master for only a few months previously,
for over 10 years hence, the dog went to the station every night-
-sadly trotting home again after waiting an hour.
The faithfulness of Hachi impressed the nation so
much that the government erected a statue of the dog on the
spot where he had perseveringly waited--and then sent statuettes
to all schools in the then Japanese empire.
71. I have not much to offer
To Christ, my Lord and King;
No wealth, no might, no wisdom,
No noble gift to bring.
"Five loaves and two small fishes?"
But what alas are they
Among the throngs of hungry
Who crowd life's troubled way?
"Five loaves and two small fishes?"
Not much, dear heart, 'tis true;
But yield them to the Master
And see what He can do!
Placed in His hands of mercy
Thy little will be much.
'Tis not thy gift that matters
But His almighty touch!
--Avis B. Christiansen
72. The worst bankrupt in the world is the man who
has lost his enthusiasm.
73. Obedience is the hallmark of faith.
74. The great violinist Nicolo Paganini willed his
marvelous violin to the city of Genoa, on condition that it must
never again be played upon. Wood while used and handled
wears but slightly. Discarded it begins to decay. The lovely
toned violin has become worm-eaten and useless. It is only a
reminder that a life withdrawn from service to others becomes
quite useless.
75. There is a story of a coloured man who came to a
watchmaker and gave him the hands of a clock, saying: "I want
yer to fix up dese hans. Dey jes' doan' keep no mo' kerrec' time
for mo' den six monfs." "Where is the clock?" answered the
watchmaker. "Out at de house on Injun Creek." "But I must
have the clock." "Didn't I tell yer dar's nuffin' de matter wid de
clock 'ceptin' de hans? And I done brought 'em to you. You jes'
want the clock so you can tinker with it and charge me a big
price. Gimme back dem hans." And so saying, he went off to
find some reasonable watchmaker. Foolish as he was, his
caution is very like that of those who try to regulate their lives
without being made right on the inside. And their reason for not
putting themselves into the hands of the Lord is very similar to
the reason the colored man gave. They are afraid the price will
be too great. They say, "We only wish to avoid this or that
habit." But the Master Workman says, "I cannot regulate the
hands unless I have the heart."
76. "Father, where shall I work today?"
And my love flowed warm and free.
Then He pointed me toward a tiny spot
And said, "Tend that for Me."
I answered quickly. "Oh, no, not that!
Why, no one would ever see,
No matter how well my work was done,
In that little place for me."
And the word He spoke, it was not stern,
He answered me tenderly:
"Ah, little one, search that heart of thine,
Art thou working for them or Me?
Nazareth was a little place, and so was Galilee."
77. A drowning boy was struggling in the water. On
the shore stood his mother in an agony of fright and grief. By
her side stood a strong man seemingly indifferent to the boy's
fate. Again and again did the suffering mother appeal to him to
save her boy, but he made no move. By and by the desperate
struggles of the boy began to abate. He was losing strength.
Presently he arose to the surface weak and helpless. At once the
man leaped into the stream and brought the boy in safely to the
shore. "Why did you not save my boy sooner?" asked the now
grateful mother. "Madam, I could not as long as he struggled.
He would have dragged us both to certain death. But when he
grew weak and ceased to struggle, then it was easy to save
him." It is when we cease from our own works and depend
helplessly upon Him that we realize how perfectly able He is to
save without any aid from us.
78. Travelling in a railway train with some men who
were playing a game of cards, a Christian was asked to have a
hand. "I'm sorry," he said, "but I have not my hands with me."
"What do you mean?" they asked, pointing to his hands. "These
are not mine," he said, "they belong to the Lord Jesus Christ.
When they were mine I used to play cards. But since I yielded
them to Christ, they are never employed in that way, for He has
filled them for His service." (Rom.6:13;12:1)
79. Delayed obedience is the brother of disobedience.
80. Years ago I was stopping in a Roman Catholic
village, sixty miles south of our largest hospital in Labrador. On
the morning when I was leaving my hostess apologized for the
absence of her husband, who she said had been obliged to leave
home early on business. It was not until I arrived at my next
stopping place that I discovered the nature of his business. This
next village on my winter's round was a Methodist one, and I
knew that my host there had fallen on bad times. It was with
considerable surprise, therefore, that at my first meal in the
cottage I found real sugar for my tea and butter for the loaf.
Then the secret came out. My Roman Catholic friend had
walked fifteen miles on snowshoes through the dawn of that
freezing day, carrying sugar and three cans of milk from his
own meager supply, in order that his Methodist friend might not
be embarrassed at having nothing to offer "the doctor on his
rounds," and that I might have palatable food at the end of my
day's work.
81. In this world of hurry, and work, and sudden end,
If a thought comes quick of doing kindness to a friend,
Do it that very minute; don't put it off, don't wait;
What's the use of doing a kindness if you do it a day
too late?
82. "A commonplace life," we say, and we sigh;
Yet why should we sigh as we say?
The commonplace sun in the commonplace sky
Makes lovely the commonplace day.
The moon and the stars, they are commonplace things,
The flower that blooms, and the robin that sings;
Yet sad were the world and unhappy our lot
If flowers all failed and the sunshine came not!
And God, who considers each separate soul,
From commonplace lives makes a beautiful whole.
83. A greatly-used minister of the Word of God who
had a wide and accurate knowledge of the Scriptures was
approached, after one of his addresses, by one of his audience
who said, "I'd give the world to know the Scriptures as you
know them." His immediate reply was--"And that's just what it
cost me--the world." (Gal.1:4; Phil.3:19,20)
84. "It doesn't take much of a man to be a Christian,
but it takes all there is of him," said Thomas Huxley. (Luke
14:33; Rom.12:1)
85. A young woman who was a great lover of flowers
had set out a rare vine at the base of a stone wall. It grew
vigorously but it did not blossom. Day after day she cultivated it
and watered it and tried in every way to coax it into bloom.
One morning as she stood disappointed before it, her
invalid neighbor, whose back lot adjoined her own, called over
and said, "You cannot imagine how much I have been enjoying
the blooms of that vine you planted." The owner looked and on
the other side of the wall was a mass of bloom. The vine had
crept through the crevices and flowered luxuriantly on the other
side.
There is a lesson for every Christian here. So often we
think our efforts thrown away because we do not see their fruit.
We need to learn that in God's service our prayers, our toil, our
crosses are never in vain. Somewhere they bear their fruit and
some heart will receive their blessing and their joy.
86. My candle burns at both ends;
It will not last the night;
But, ah, my foes, and, oh, my friends--
It gives a lovely light.
--Edna St. Vincent Millay
87. It is so little I can do!
It is so little I can say!
Nay, but what God demands of you
Is just that little: Hear--obey.
88. Years ago I was called to the home of a widow
whose daughter was the apple of her eye. When the child was
three years old she became very ill, & the doctors said that she
would die. We can all understand the shock of this news, but we
cannot justify the mother's reaction. She rebelled violently &
accused God of cruelty--like the Israelites in Exodus 17:3. She
demanded that the Lord spare her daughter & told Him she
could never trust Him again if He did not do so.
Well, God granted the request, in spite of the doctor's
predictions. The child grew up & lived a normal life for 13
years, but then joined with bad companions. Finally, the girl
broke her mother's heart when at the age of 17 she fell into real
trouble.
The tragic end of the story was told me by the weeping
woman when I arrived at her home that morning. "My Janie is
dead--a suicide. Last night she hung herself in her room!" After
minutes of convulsive sobbing she concluded, "O Doctor, how I
wish God had taken her when she was three years old."
89. A wonderfully appealing ideal of life is found in
the words of G.B. Shaw in a letter to a friend: "This is the true
job of life, the being used for a purpose recognized by yourself
as a mighty one, the being thoroughly worn out before you are
thrown on the scrapheap, the being a force of nature instead of a
feverish little clod of ailments and grievances complaining that
the world will not devote itself to making you happy." How
about that for one of your aims for the New Year?
90. O Love, that wilt not let me go,
I rest my weary soul in thee;
I give Thee back the life I owe,
That in Thine ocean depth its flow
May richer, fuller be.
O Light, that followest all my way,
I yield my flickering torch to Thee;
My heart restores its borrowed ray,
That in Thy sunshine's blaze its day
May brighter, fairer be.
O Joy, that seekest me through pain,
I cannot close my heart to Thee;
I trace the rainbow through the rain,
And feel the promise is not vain,
That morn shall tearless be.
O Cross, that liftest up my head,
I dare not ask to fly from Thee;
I lay in dust life's glory dead,
And from the ground there blossoms red
Life that shall endless be.
--George Matheson
91. I gave My life for thee,
My precious blood I shed,
That thou might'st ransomed be,
And quickened from the dead.
I gave, I gave My life for thee,
What hast thou given for Me?
I gave, I gave My life for thee,
What hast thou given for Me?
92. God bade me go when I would stay
('Twas cool within the wood);
I did not know the reason why.
I heard a boulder crashing by
Across the pathway where I'd stood.
He bade me stay when I would go;
"Thy will be done," I said.
They found one day at early dawn,
Across the way I would have gone,
A serpent with a mangled head.
No more I ask the reason why,
Although I may not see
The path ahead, his way I go;
For though I know not, He doth know,
And He will choose safe paths for me.
93. Michelangelo, painting the matchless frescoes on
the high ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, spent countless hours on
his back on high scaffolding, carefully perfecting the details of
each figure. A friend asked him why he took such pains with
figures which could be seen only at a distance by viewers.
"After all," said the friend, "who will know whether it is perfect
or not?" "I will," replied the artist.
94. A patient cannot accept the physician & at the
same time reject his remedy.
95. I'll go where You want me to go, dear Lord
Real service is what I desire.
I'll say what You want me to say, dear Lord
But don't ask me to sing in the choir.
I'll say what You want me to say, dear Lord,
I like to see things come to pass.
But don't ask me to teach girls & boys, dear Lord,
I'd rather just stay in my class.
I'll do what You want me to do, dear Lord,
I yearn for the Kingdom to thrive.
I'll give you my nickels & dimes, dear Lord
But please don't ask me to tithe.
I'll go where You want me to go, dear Lord
I'll say what You want me to say.
I'm busy just now with myself, dear Lord--
I'll help You some other day.
96. Christ never asks of us such busy labour
As leaves no time for resting at His feet;
The waiting attitude of expectation
He oft times counts a service most complete.
He sometimes wants our ear, our rapt attention.
That He some sweetest secret may impart;
'Tis often in the time of deepest silence,
That heart finds deepest fellowship with heart.
We sometimes wonder why our Lord doth place us
Within a sphere so narrow, so obscure,
That nothing we call work can find an entrance;
There's only room to suffer, to endure.
Well, God loves patience. Souls that dwell in stillness.
Doing the little things or resting quiet.
May just as perfectly fulfil their mission,
Be just as useful in the Father's sight.
As they who grapple with some giant evil,
Clearing a path that every eye may see,
Our Saviour cares for cheerful acquiescence
Rather than a busy ministry.
And yet He does love service, where 'tis given
By grateful love that clothes itself in deed;
But work that's done beneath the scourge of duty,
 Be sure, he gives to such but little heed.
Then seek to please Him, whatso'er He bids thee,
Whether to do, to suffer, or lie still;
'Twill matter little by what path He led us,
If in all we sought to do His Will.
97. The wise man does not expose himself needlessly
to danger, but he is willing, in great crises, to give even his life-
-knowing that under certain conditions it is not worthwhile to
live.--Aristotle
98. "Why do you stand in such an unbecoming
position?" the Duke of Wellington once asked an officer caught
slouching in uniform. "I'm off duty, sir," the man replied. Then
the Duke bellowed, "A British officer is never off duty. Resume
your military position."
99.
He sendeth sun, He sendeth shower,
Alike they're needful for the flower;
And smiles & tears alike are sent,
To give the soul fit nourishment.
As comes to me or cloud or sun,
Father! Thy will, not mine, be done.
Can loving children e'er reprove
The father whom they trust & love!
Creator! I would ever be
A loving, trusting child to Thee,
As comes to me or cloud or sun,
Father! Thy will, not mine, be done.
100. You ask: "What is the will of God?"
Well, here's the answer true;
"The nearest thing, that should be done,
That he can do--through you!"
--E.C.Baird
101. Noah preached to the old world for 120 years, but
only eight souls were saved. Lot preached to the cities of the
plain, but only three souls were chosen from them. Six hundred
thousand men, besides women and children, passed through the
Red Sea, but only two entered the Promised Land. (Ex.12:37)
Gideon went to fight the Midianites with 32,000 men, but only
300 were allowed to participate in the victory. "Many are called
but few chosen."
102. Who is on the Lord's side? Who will serve the
King?
Who will be His helpers other lives to bring?
Who will leave the World's side? Who will face the
foe?
Who is on the Lord's side? Who for Him will go?
Not for weight of glory, not for crown & palm,
Enter we the army, raise the warrior psalm;
But for Love that claimeth lives for whom He died:
He whom Jesus nameth, must be on His side.
Jesus, Thou hast bought us, not with gold or gem,
But with Thine own life-blood, for Thy diadem:
With Thy blessing filling each who comes to Thee,
Thou hast made us willing, Thou hast made us free.
Fierce may be the conflict, strong may be the foe,
But the King's Own army none can overthrow:
Round His standard ranging, vict'ry to secure;
For His Truth unchanging makes the triumph sure.
--Francis R. Havergal
103. To understand the whole work of the Master is
not in my power, but to do His will, written in my conscience,
that is in my power, and that I know without a doubt. And when
I do this, then undoubtedly I am at peace.
104. There's the story of the black boy during WW1
who was sent with a message through enemy territory. To
prevent being shot, be was told to "zig-zag". When he returned
all wounded & shot up, his officers asked him what happened,
& the boy responded, "Well, suh, I guess I musta' ZAGGED
when I shoulda' ZIGGED & ZIGGED when I shoulda'
ZAGGED!"--Dad
105. Enthusiasm is essential to the triumph of truth.
106. I want my religion like my tea--hot!
107. Zeal is as needful for a Christian as salt for the
sacrifice or fire on the altar.
108. For the early Christians "fellowship" was not the
frilly fellowship of the church-sponsored bi-weekly outings. It
was not tea, biscuits & sophisticated small talk in the
Fellowship Hall after the sermon. It was an unconditional
sharing of their lives with the other members of Christ's body.
109. Before Pentecost the disciples found it hard to do
easy things; after Pentecost they found it easy to do hard things.
110. If it were possible to put the Holy Spirit into a
textbook of pharmacology I would put Her under the stimulants,
for that is where She belongs.
111. Those whom God will employ are first struck
with a sense of their unworthiness to be employed.
112. Until a man is nothing God can make nothing out
of him.
113. Christ can never be known without a sense of awe
& fear accompanying the knowledge. No one who knows Him
intimately can ever be flippant in His presence.
114. Enemy-occupied territory--that is what the World
is.
 115. Every responsibility is a privilege, & every
privilege a responsibility.
116. I will stay in prison till the moss grows on my
eyebrows rather than make a slaughterhouse of my principles.--
John Bunyan
117. Of what use is it to have many irons in the fire if
the fire is going out?
118. I reckon him a Christian indeed that is neither
ashamed of the Gospel nor a shame to it.
119. If your Christianity is comfortable, it is
compromised.
120. There is no such thing as an easy Christianity. If it
is easy, it is not Christianity; if it is Christianity, it is not easy.
121. The proper temperature of Christianity is red-hot.
122. Christianity is the faith for men who are prepared
to swim against the stream, the religion for radicals.
123. Christianity is life under sealed orders.
124. "Crucified" is the only definitive adjective by
which to describe the Christian life.
125. If you are in Christ, & Christ is in you, then the
world should see nothing else but Him!
126. The Christian's task is to make the Lord Jesus
visible, intelligible & desirable.
127. It is not great talents that God blesses, so much as
great likeness to Jesus.
128. You & I were created to tell the truth about God
by reflecting His likeness. That is normality. How many lies
have you told about God today?
129. When no mark of the cross appears in our
discipleship, we may doubt the ownership. We should be
branded for Christ.
130. We don't GO to church; we ARE the church.--
Dad
131. Attachment to Christ is the secret of detachment
from the world.
132. The more any man loves Christ, the more he
delights to be with Christ alone. Lovers love to be alone.
133. A dungeon with Christ is a throne, & a throne
without Christ is a hell.--Martin Luther
134. To please Christ is to live a life in such deep
fellowship with Him that our walk is characterised by an
eagerness to explore His every wish.
135. God finds pleasure in us when we find pleasure in
Him.
136. To be little with God is to be little for God.
137. I can afford to lose everything except the touch of
God on my life.--Willard Cantelon
138. Christian evangelism is the only reason for our
being on Earth.
139. The Lord is King! Who then shall dare
Resist His will, distrust His care,
Or murmur at His wise decrees,
Or doubt His royal promises?
--Josiah Conder
140. In the North of Scotland, where the main railway
line crosses a gully--bridged by a viaduct--one night a fearful
storm raged, and the little burn under the viaduct became a
raging torrent.
A young shepherd, a Highland laddie, sheltered his
sheep as best he could for the night, and in the morning, long
before dawn, he set out to see how they fared. As he made his
way up the hillside he noticed, to his dismay, that the central
column of the viaduct had gone, and the bridge was broken. He
knew the mail train was due and, if not warned, would be
dashed to pieces and many lives lost. He made his way up as
best he could, wondering if he would be in time. As soon as he
reached the rails he heard the pound of the mighty engine. He
stood and beckoned wildly, but the engine-driver, making up
time, drove on. The train drew nearer, and still he stood,
beckoning it to stop. At last it came to where he stood, and he
flung himself in front of the engine. The driver applied the
brakes and managed to stop the train in its own length. The stop
was sudden and the passengers, awakened, came to see what
was the matter. The driver said, `It has been a close shave this
time. We might all have been lost. Come and I'll show you the
one who saved us tonight.'
A little way along they saw the mangled remains of the
shepherd laddie who gave his life for them, dying that they
might live. (1Thes.5:10; Tit.2:13,14)
141. "God first! My interests must always come
second to His, never first."
"Seek ye first the kingdom of God."
Dr. Graham Scroggie was one time speaking along
these lines, and at the close of the service he was approached by
a young woman a professing Christian, who had been greatly
stirred.
"And why don't you yield?" inquired Dr. Scroggie.
"I'm afraid I should have to do two things if I did,"
responded the girl.
"What are they?" asked Dr. Scroggie.
"I play the piano in a concert hall, and I fear I would
have to give it up," she replied.
"And the other?"
"I am afraid God would send me to China as a
missionary."
Opening his Bible at Acts 10:14, Dr. Scroggie
explained to the young woman the absurdity of Peter's answer.
A slave never dictates. And to say, "Not so," and then use the
word "Lord" was impossible.
"Now," said Dr. Scroggie, "I want you to cross out the
two words, `Not so' and leave the word `Lord'; or else cross out
`Lord' and leave `Not so'."
Handing here his pencil he quietly walked away. For
two hours she struggled. Then he returned. Looking over her
shoulder, he saw a tear-stained page, but the words "Not so"
were crossed out. With a glad light in her eyes she left and went
home, repeating over the one word, "Lord". No longer would
she dictate. She was now His disciple and He her Lord and
Master. (Acts 10:14,36; Col.3:24; 1Pet.3:15)
142. First, plant five rows of peas: Preparedness,
Promptness, Perseverance, Politeness, and Prayer. Next to them
plant three rows of squash: Squash Gossip, Squash Criticism,
and Squash Indifference. Then five rows of lettuce: Let us be
Faithful, Let us be Unselfish, Let us be Loyal, Let us be
Truthful, Let us Love One Another. And no garden is complete
without turnips: Turn up for Fellowship, Turn up with a Smile,
Turn up with Determination.
143. A mule makes no headway while he's kicking;
neither does a man.
144. This is a true story about a teacher named Mary
who taught in an Indian school. There was another teacher in
the school that Mary did not like and one day Mary felt
something inside her telling her that this bad feeling was wrong.
Mary had learned to listen to this "inner voice" because she
knew it came from God, so she decided to obey it. "But what
can I do?" she wondered.
"Give her an egg," was the thought which came.--But
that seemed like a foolish idea to Mary. Just one egg! The
teacher might feel insulted at such a present! A dozen eggs, now
that would be different, but just one egg! She put the thought
out of her mind and went off to her day's teaching.
But when she came home in the evening, there on the
chair in her room sat a hen. It cackled and flew down; and there
was an egg. Mary remembered her thought about giving an egg
to the other teacher.--And here God had even supplied the egg
to give her! So, somewhat reluctantly, she picked it up and set
off for the other teacher's house.
This other teacher was married and had several
children, and one of them, a little boy, was outside the house
when Mary reached it. She was glad to see him--it was easier to
give the egg to him. "Will you give this egg to your mother,
please?" she asked, "It is for her."
The next day the other teacher came to Mary. "What
made you give me that egg?" she asked. "It was so nice and
fresh!" So Mary told her about being sorry for her bad feelings
and about the thought she had had of what to do about them,
which she felt had come from God.
"Yes, that is just like God," said the other teacher. "He
must have known that we had so little food in the house that
when everyone had had some, there was none left for me. And
then your egg came! I was so happy and satisfied when I had
eaten it!"
145.It costs to be faithful. It cost Abraham the yielding
up of his only son. It cost Esther the risk of her life. It cost
Daniel being cast into the den of lions. It cost Shadrach,
Meshach & Abednego being put in a fiery furnace. It cost
Stephen death by stoning. It cost Peter a martyr's death. It cost
Paul his life. Does it cost you anything to be faithful to your
Lord & King? (Mat.25:31; Luke 19:17; 1Cor.4:2; Rev.2:10)
146. Some people ask the Lord to guide them; then
they grab the steering wheel.
147. "Yield yourselves to God'; `Present your bodies a
living sacrifice."
A certain preacher had two daughters, one of them
older than the other. One Monday morning the minister was
sitting in his study in London, feeling that the previous day had
been a bad day, without blessing--and he was very unhappy.
Mummy was making the breakfast downstairs, and suddenly
turned to the children and said, "Run upstairs and tell Daddy
breakfast's ready!" So they both ran upstairs; but the big one
outran her little sister, dashed into the study, jumped on to
daddy's knee, put her arms round daddy's neck and kissed him,
and said, "Daddy, breakfast's ready!" The little one came
puffing and panting, and looked somewhat crestfallen as she
took in the situation. And big sister said something rather catty
to little sister: "I've got all there is of Daddy today!" And Daddy
looked at that little girl, and held out to her his arm that was
free--and she ran into the study and jumped on to the other
knee, and he hugged her and put his arm right round her. And
that little girl looked at her big sister and said, "You may have
all there is of Daddy; but Daddy's got all there is of me."
Listen. You have got all there is of Jesus. Has He got
all there is of you? (Rom.6:13; 12:1)
148. It was advertised in one of our large cities that a
great violinist would play on a violin worth a thousand dollars.
The theatre was packed. Many came as much to see the fine
violin as to hear the music. The violinist came out and played,
and the people were enraptured. But suddenly he threw the
violin down and stamped on it, crushed it into matchwood and
walked off the stage. The people were shocked, and thought the
man must have lost his mind to destroy such a lovely and costly
instrument. Then the manager came on and addressed the
audience, saying, `Friends, the violinist has not been playing on
the thousand-dollar violin yet. The instrument you have heard
he bought at a second-hand store for 65 cents. He will play on
the thousand-dollar violin now.'
 And so he did, and there were few people in the
audience who could tell any difference. He simply wanted to 153. I'm feeling very rich today,
show them that it is the violinist rather than the violin that For Jesus holds my purse.
makes the music. You may be a 65-cent fiddle, but the Master I need not count its scanty store
will make music upon you if yielded to Him. (Acts 4:13-14; As the only assets at my door;
Rom.12:1,2) Behind it stands a wealthy name,
And vast resources I may claim
149. `Why am I not happy?' inquired a wealthy lady as Since Jesus holds my purse.
she stood beside the missionary, Dr. Goforth of China, in her
home. My Cashier never lets me want
`Have you surrendered all?' enquired the man of God, Since He controls my purse:
quietly. Debit and credit always meet.
`Yes, as far as I know, I have surrendered all,' I marvel at His counsel sweet
responded the woman. Concerning purchases I make,
`Are you sure?' insisted Dr. Goforth, `that your all is Or money given for His dear sake
on the altar?' While He controls my purse.
`My all is on the altar, I believe,' answered the woman
again. I'd face the world in great alarm
`And you are willing for God to take your little girl If Judas held my purse.
here and send her to China?" asked the missionary, placing his He'd call the gifts of humble love
hand on her head. Naught but a waste, treasure above
`God take my daughter, and make her a missionary in Uncertain quantity and poor.
China! I should say not. I want her with me,' exclaimed the My life would barren be, I'm sure,
mother. If Judas held my purse.
`And yet you tell me you have yielded all, and you
haven't even given your own child to God. How can you expect And thus I live a carefree life
God's blessing and peace and joy? You stand as it were between Fore Jesus holds my purse.
God and His will for your daughter, and you say to Him, "Thus Since money is a sacred thing,
far shalt Thou come and no farther. You can have my home; Both joy and sorrow it may bring
You can have my money; You can have me, but--don't touch According as we do His will,
my daughter." Madam, do you call that surrender?' (Mark Or find our hearts rebellious still.
12:44; Rom. 12:1; Phil.3:8) Let Jesus hold your purse.

150. A Christian in great perplexity prayed but found
no relief in prayer. Looking up from where he knelt, his eye
alighted on a card, "Try Thanksgiving! He did, & the Lord gave
him peace & removed his cares. (Phil.4:6; 1Tim.2:1)
151. Like the old story about the Christian camp
meeting where they put up signs: "Girls, no slacks allowed!"--
And they all came out in shorts! They obeyed the letter of the
law but not the spirit thereof.--Dad.
152."May I have those pearls?" He questioned,
Knowing that I prized them so--
"If you love Me, will you lay those
At My feet?" I answered, "No."
154. As long as there's a little dark unyielded corner of
your life that you're not willing to yield to the Lord, if there's
one little part of it, the Enemy can get at you there, like the
camel's nose, & he can bother you in that one little thing, plague
you with that one little thing. Like the guy who said to the rich
man who'd bought the whole village except his cottage:
"Remember, Huddersfield belongs to thee & to me!" In
other words, the Devil can say, "Aha, see! He's yielded
everything except this one little thing! So even though he
belongs mostly to Thee, a little bit still belongs to me!"--Some
little thing.--Dad
155. Fellowship with God means warfare with the
world.

But He looked so disappointed;
The I cried, "O though it grieves,
Take them, Master, take them, take them!
Yea, I love THEE `more than these.'"
Yes, He took my pearls, just cheap things
That could last but for a day,
But He gave me back some REAL ONES--
PRICELESS! JOYS for aye--FOR AYE!
--Edith Mapes
156. I fear not the tyranny of man, neither yet what the
Devil can invest against me.--John Knox
157. It costs to follow Jesus Christ, but it costs more
not to.
158. Jesus promised His disciples three things--that
they would be completely fearless, wonderfully happy & in
constant trouble.
 159. A disciple is a person who learns to live the life
his teacher lives.
160. Discipleship is more than getting to know what
the teacher knows. It is getting to be what He is.
161. The making of a disciple means the creating of a
duplicate.
162. Who escapes a duty, avoids a gain.
178. We cannot do everything we want to do, but we
should do everything God wants us to do.
179. A conscience is a safe guide only when God is the
guide of the conscience.
180. No person can fully & completely discharge his
debt to Almighty God, but surely he can make regular payments
on it.

163. When a Christian presents the Good News about 181. Oh, there are heavenly heights to reach
Jesus he is preaching treason in the Devil's kingdom. In many a fearful place,
While the poor, timid heir of God
164. Anyone who witnesses to the grace of God Lies blindly on his face;
revealed in Christ is undertaking a direct assault against Satan's Lies languishing for light Divine
dominion. That he shall never see
'Til he goes forward at Thy sign,
165. It is impossible to save a life from burning & And trusts himself to Thee.
avoid the heat of the fire. --Rev. C.A. Fox

166. The Spirit of Christ is the spirit of missions, & the 182. The dearest idol I have known,
nearer we get to him the more intensely missionary we must Whate'er that idol be,
become. --Henry Martyn Help me to tear it from Thy Throne,
And worship only Thee.
167. True religion is keeping one's heart clean & hands
dirty--in human service. 183. We mutter & sputter,
We fume & we spurt.
168. A religion that does nothing, costs nothing, We mumble & we grumble,
suffers nothing--is worth nothing. Our feelings get hurt.
We can't understand things,
169. The hardest job that people have is to move their Our vision grows dim.
religion from their throats to their muscles. But all that we need is
Surrender to Him!
170. Always stand for the right; then you win even if
you lose. 184. I carefully laid my every plan:
The future seemed so bright.
171. No man can truly stand erect until he has first My hopes and dreams they towered high--
bent the knee to Almighty God. I saw no trace of night.

172. Those who go against the grain of God's law And then at closing of the day
shouldn't complain when they get splinters. I knelt in usual prayer,
And prayed: "Dear Lord, bless every plan--
173. God holds us responsible, not for what we have, All that I hope and dare."
but for what we could have; not for what we are, but for what
we might be. But day by day my plans all failed,
My hopes came tumbling down.
174. Man is responsible to God for becoming what All my ambitions disappeared,
God has made possible for him to become. And FAILURE was my crown.

175. No man can be at peace with God without getting Perplexed--I could not understand;
into an argument with the Devil. Had I not knelt and prayed?
Why then was every plan and hope
176. Some people are willing to serve God, but only as Discarded and waylaid?
His consultant.
Then in the stillness of the night,
177. Satan doesn't care what we worship, as long as we Out from the shadows dim,
don't worship God. I heard a sweet persuading voice
 That called me close to Him:
"Why don't you let ME make your plans?
I know just what you need.
Just leave the future in MY hands,
And let ME take the lead."
I put my future in His hands,
And felt Him draw so near,
That I couldn't doubt He'd work things out
Throughout the coming year!
185. At the close of an address by D.L. Moody, a
highly-educated man said to him coldly, "Excuse me, but you
made eleven mistakes in your grammar tonight." Mr. Moody
replied, "I probably did. My early education was very faulty.
But I am using all the grammar I know in the Master's service.
How about you?" (Acts 4:13; Col.3:17,23,24)
186. I said, "Let me walk in the fields."
He said, "No, walk in the town."
I said, "There are no flowers there."
He said, "No flowers, but a crown."
I said, "But the skies are black;
There is nothing but noise and din."
And He wept as He sent me back;
"There is more," He said; "there is sin."
I said, "But the air is thick,
And fogs are veiling the sun."
He answered, "Yet souls are sick,
And souls in the dark undone."
I said, "I shall miss the light,
And friends will miss me, they say."
He answered, "Choose to-night
If I am to miss you, or they."
I pleaded for time to be given.
He said, "Is it hard to decide?
It will not seem hard in heaven
To have followed the steps of your Guide."
I cast one look at the fields,
Then set my face to the town;
He said, "My child, do you yield?
Will you leave the flowers for the crown?"
Then into His hand went mine,
And into my heart came He;
And I walk in a light divine
The path I had feared to see.
--George Macdonald
187. A poem written by someone who met an old
negro in charge of an ancient paddle steamer on the Great
Lakes. Asked why he kept the brasswork so bright, the negro
said, "You gotta get a glory."
O you gotta get a Glory in the work you do,
A Hallelujah Chorus in the heart of you.
Paint, or tell a story, sing or shovel coal,
O you gotta get a Glory, or the job lacks soul.
O Lord, give me a Glory--is it much to give?
For you gotta get a Glory, or you just don't live.
The great, whose shining labours make our pulses
throb,
Were men who got a Glory in their daily job.
The battle might be gory, and the odds unfair,
But the men who got a Glory never knew despair.
Or Lord, give me a Glory--when all else is done.
If you've only got a Glory, you can still go on.
For those who get a Glory, it is like the sun,
And you can see it glowing through the work they've
done,
O fame is transitory--riches fade away--
But when you've got a Glory, it is there to stay.
O Lord, give me a glory, and a workman's pride,
For you gotta get a Glory, or you're dead inside.
188. He who wants anything from God must approach
Him with empty hands.
189. You must die while you live before you can live
after you die.
190. If you don't surrender to Christ, you surrender to
chaos.
191. If you can't be a pine on the top of the hill,
Be a scrub in the valley--but be
The best little scrub by the side of the rill;
Be a bush, if you can't be a tree.
If you can't be a bush, be a bit of the grass,
And some highway happier make;
If you can't be a muskie, then just be a bass--
But the liveliest bass in the lake!
We can't all be captains, we've got to be crew,
There's something for all of us here.
There's big work to do & there's lesser to do
And the task we must do is the near.
If you can't be a highway, then just be a trail,
If you can't be the sun, be a star;
It isn't by size that you win or you fail--
Be the best of whatever you are!
192. Bondslave of Jesus Christ, Thine, Thine alone;
Whom have I else in Heaven, or earth ,or sea?
 Naught that I have, my Lord, I call mine own:
All that I am, O God, I pledge to Thee.
Against the doorposts of eternity,
The high and holy place of Thine abode,
Pierce through mine ear the sign of slavery
And point me any service, any road.
A slave! I would not question, would not choose.
Man's praise or blame no more can trouble me;
Even my right to self to Thee I lose,
And in that bondage find that I am free.
(Exod.21:1-6; Rom.12:1)
193. We are not storerooms but channels;
We are not cisterns but springs,
Passing our benefits onward,
Fitting our blessings with wings,
Letting the water flow outward
To spread o'er the desert forlorn;
Sharing our bread with our brothers,
Our comforts with those who mourn.
(Neh.8:10; John 7:38)
194. God has a wireless to everywhere:
We call it the Word of God and prayer.
And every one may daily win
God's choicest gifts by "listening in."
First you must shut out every sound
From the heedless world that throngs around.
Vanity fair makes a deafening din
On purpose to hinder "listening in."
The devil will use his utmost power
To keep you from having this quiet hour.
He knows that you can be freed from sin
Always and only by "listening in."
But when you prayerfully read God's Word,
The still small voice is clearly heard.
And wondrous peace and power within
Daily results from "listening in."
God longs to give His best to you
To keep you loyal and strong and true.
If you haven't begun, today begin
To prove the joy of "listening in."
195. The life of the believer is a conducted tour, & the
skilful guide is Abraham's guide & ours. He knows the end of
the journey which is in view, & he knows the best way to arrive
there.
196. LIVINGSTONE, ON SACRIFICE
PEOPLE TALK of the sacrifice I have made in
spending so much of my life in Africa. Can that which is simply
paid back as a small part of a great debt we owe to our God be
called a sacrifice? Is that a sacrifice which brings its own best
reward in healthful activity, the consciousness of doing good,
peace of mind, and a bright hope of a glorious destiny
hereafter?
"Away with the word in such a view and with such a
thought! It is emphatically no sacrifice. Say, rather, it is a
privilege. Anxiety, sickness, suffering, or danger, now and then,
with a foregoing of the common conveniences and charities of
this life, may make us pause, and cause the spirit to waver and
the soul to sink, but let this be only for a moment.
"All these are nothing when compared with the glory
which shall hereafter be revealed in and for us. I never made a
sacrifice. Of this we ought not to talk when we remember the
great sacrifice which was made by Him who left His Father's
throne on high to give Himself to us."
"MY JESUS, MY LORD, MY LIFE, MY ALL,
I AGAIN DEDICATE MY WHOLE SELF TO
THEE."
The above words were found in Dr. Livingstone's diary
under date of the day Stanley left him after failing to persuade
him to take the only possible opportunity of returning home.
197. It's pretty hard for the Lord to guide a man if he
hasn't made up his mind which way he wants to go.--The path
of obedience or disobedience.
198. The Lord calls for us to stand, though not always
to understand.
199. God's main problem with the labourers in His
vineyard is absenteeism.
200. If God is small enough for us to understand, He
isn't big enough for us to worship.
201. I count that hour lost in which I have done no
good by my pen or tongue or deed.
202. Our enemies are on every side, so must our
armour be.
203. True conversion gives a man security, but it does
not allow him to leave off being watchful.
204. Nothing is right for a Christian if it is not God's
will for him.
205. Once the will of God to me was a sigh; now it is a
song.--Frances Ridley Havergal
206. God will always reveal His will to one who is
willing to do it.
207. Most people don't want to know the will of God
in order to do it; they want to know it in order to consider it.
 208. If the World goes against truth, then I go against
the World.
209. Egypt must be out of Moses as well as Moses out
of Egypt before God can use him.
210. Terms with God must always be His terms, not
yours.
211. If you don't surrender to Christ you surrender to
chaos.
212. Let God have your life; He can do more with it
than you can.
213. Men must choose to be governed by God or they
condemn themselves to be ruled by tyrants.
214. May the mind of Christ my Saviour
Live in me from day to day,
By His Love & power controlling
All I do & say.
--Katie Barclay Wilkinson
215. Sacrifice is the ecstasy of giving the best we have
to the One we love the most.
216. The sign of our professed love for the Gospel is
the measure of sacrifice we are prepared to make in order to
help its progress.
217. Nothing less than a living sacrifice is demanded.
Not a loan, but a gift; not a compromise, but a sacrifice; not our
poorest, but our best; not a dead but a living offering. Each drop
of our blood, each ounce of our energy, each throb of our heart,
we must offer to God.
218. If Jesus Christ be God & died for me, then no
sacrifice can be too great for me to make for Him.--C.T.Stud
219. Life offers only two alternatives: Crucifixion with
Christ or self-destruction without Him.
220. 'Twas battered and scarred, and the auctioneer
Thought it scarcely worth his while
To spend much time on the old violin,
But he held it up with a smile.
`What am I bidden for this?' he cried.
`Who'll start the bidding for me?
A dollar--one dollar: then two--only two:
Two dollars are bidden; say three.
`Three dollars once: three dollars twice:
Going for three!' But lo!
From the back of the crowd a grey-haired man
Came forward and picked up the bow.
Then, wiping the dust from the old violin
And tight'ning the loosened strings,
He played a melody passing sweet,
The kind that haunts and clings.
The music ceased, and the auctioneer,
With a voice that was soft and low,
Said, `Now what is bid for the old violin?'
And he held it up with the bow.
`A thousand dollars: who'll make it two?
Two--two thousand: say three.
Three thousand once, three thousand twice,
Three thousand--gone!' said he.
The people cheered, but some exclaimed,
`We do not quite understand
What changed its worth:' and the answer came,
`Twas the touch of the Master's hand.
And many a man with soul out of tune,
And battered and scarred by sin,
Is auctioned cheap by the thoughtless crowd,
Just like the old violin.
But the Master comes, and the foolish crowd
Never can quite understand
The worth of a soul, and the change that is wrought
By the touch of the Master's hand.
O Master! I am the tuneless one:
Lay, lay Thy hand on me,
Transform me now, put a song in my heart
Of melody, Lord, to Thee.
(Rom.6:16; 12:1,2; 2Cor.3:18)
--Myra Brooks Welch
221. WHEN WE picture God's call nearly all of us
think of something dramatic, revolutionary, and startling. The
scene on the road to Damascus at once comes to mind. We see
the great light in the sky; we hear the voice from heaven; we
picture the revolutionizing effects of it all upon the Apostle to
the Gentiles. But we forget the great number of men to whom
God's call came when they stood upon the holy ground of their
everyday life and service. God's call came to Samuel as he
ministered in the daily round of the temple; it came to David in
the sheepfold; it came to some of the disciples as they were
mending and casting their nets. In all these cases the call came
to them as they stood upon the holy ground of their daily duties.
As of old, He calls His Gideon from the threshing
floor, and His Amos from the sycamore fruit; His Moses from
the flocks; His Matthew from the receipt of custom; His John
from the priestly family; His Peter from the fishing net, and His
Paul from the rabbi's school; so now He calls us from the farm
and from the merchandise, from the shop and from the office,
from the profession and from the trade, from the pulpit and
from the servants's hall. He calls us in boyhood; He calls us in
manhood; He calls us in old age. ALL have a mission to fulfill
and all alike shall, if they do Christ's work, receive His reward.
"Among the things that this day brings
Will come to you a call,
The which, unless you're listening,
You may not hear at all;
Lest it be very soft and low,
What'er you do, where'er you go,
Be listening
"When God shall come and say to you,
`Here is the thing that you must do,'
Be listening."
222. A little star shone singly in the night,
And thought "How very feeble is my light!
There's not a traveler who will see his way,
Who will be guided by my tiny ray.
But I will not go out--the more will I
Attempt to shine in this vast, darkened sky."
Down in the world there was a weary soul
Striving alone to see the clouded goal.
Full of despair, she wrestled all the night,
But saw no shining of a guiding light.
She said, "There is no moon, I am so sad,"
And lost the very little hope she had.
But through her narrow window did she see
A point of brightness gleaming fervently.
It was the single star. She cried aloud,
And hoped anew for passing of the cloud.
When morning came, with all its golden light,
She said, "I found the Saviour in the night.
"I found Him through a star -- it must have been
The Star of Bethlehem that I have seen,
For to the Lord it led -- and so I came
And saw the hills of Heaven all aflame,
All shining with the glory of that star,
Whose small but steady light had called afar."
O little star! be not afraid thy light
Will be too feeble to be seen at night.
However small, if steady, it will be
Lighting the roadway to Eternity.
They know in Heaven, where the angels are,
A soul was lighted by a little star.
--Vivien Jameson
223. Once an Indian lived alone, hunting and trapping
in the Selkirk Mountains. His family had all been killed by a
band of white hunters and he grew up a wild man. At length
another trapper, a white man, came to the mountains to live. He
was kind and patient, and gradually the wild boy came to trust
him and to love him. Slowly he entered into the love of Jesus
Christ, as the white man taught him. After many months of
thought, one moonlit night on top of a noble peak, the young
Indian dressed himself in all his heathen finery, took his friend's
hand, knelt and prayed silently. Then he rose and made his
confession of his new purpose, suiting the action to the word:
"Indian lay down blanket,
Indian lay down pipe.
Indian lay down tomahawk.
Indian lay down Indian."
Well may all of us learn a lesson from that child of the
forest. What Christ requires of us is not some modifications,
more or less complete, of our old life of sin and selfishness and
doubt, but that we walk with Him in entire newness of life.
"Indian must lay down Indian!"
224. Set apart for Jesus! Is not this enough,
Though the desert prospect's often wild and rough?
Set apart for His delight,
Chosen for His holy pleasure,
Sealed to be His special treasure!
Could we choose a nobler joy,
And would we if we might?
Set apart to love Him, and His love to know!
Not to waste affection on appearing show.
Called to give Him life and heart,
Called to pour the hidden treasure
That none other claims to measure,
Into His beloved hand!
Thrice blessed set apart.
Set apart for ever, for Himself alone!
None to see our calling gloriously shown!
Owning, with no secret dread, this our holy separation;
Now the crown of consecration
Of the Lord our God shall rest
Upon our willing head.
(John 17:16,17; Rom.12;1,2)
225. How far in service must I go,
What sacrifices bring
To God, Whose loving hands bestow
Each good and perfect thing?
How much of time and thought should I
Devote to him Who died?
What is my debt to him, and why,
And how, may I decide?
A measured service bound would be,
A service mean and small:
He did not ask `How much?' from me:
He gave Himself, His all.
He did not ask how far to go.
How far was not to say
What bound? How far? I only know
That He went all the way.
 226. THE KEEPER of a lighthouse at Calais was
boasting of the brightness of his lantern, which could be seen
ten leagues at sea. A visitor said to him, "What if one of the
lights should chance to go out?" "Never! Impossible!" he cried,
horrified at the thought. "Sir," said he, pointing to the ocean,
"yonder, where nothing can be seen, there are ships going out to
all parts of the world. If tonight one of my burners went out,
within six months would come a letter, perhaps from India,
perhaps from America, perhaps from some place I never heard
of, saying, on such a night, at such an hour, the light of Calais
burned dim, the watchman neglected his post and vessels were
in danger! Ah, sir, sometimes in the dark nights, in stormy
weather, I look out to sea and feel as if the eyes of the whole
world were looking at my light. Go out? Burn dim? Never!"
227. You are God's opportunity in your day. He has
waited for ages for a person just like you. If you refuse Him,
then God loses His opportunity which He sought through you,
and He will never have another, for there will never be another
person on the earth just like you.
Bring to God your gift, my brother,
He'll not need to call another,
You will do;
He will add His blessing to it,
And the two of you will do it,
God and you.
--R. E. Neighbour
228. He held the lamp of truth that day
So low that none need miss the way,
And yet so high, to bring in sight
That picture fair, the world's great Light,
That, gazing up, the lamp between,
The hand that held it scarce was seen.
He held the pitcher, stooping low,
To lips of little ones below,
Then raised it to the weary saint
And bade him drink when sick and faint.
They drank:--the pitcher thus between,
The hand that held it scarce was seen.
He blew the trumpet soft and clear
That trembling sinners need not fear,
And then with louder note and bold
To raze the walls of Satan's hold.
The trumpet coming thus between,
The hand that held it scarce was seen.
And when the Captain says, `Well done!
Thou good and faithful servant, come,
Lay down the pitcher and the lamp,
Lay down the trumpet--leave the camp,'
The weary hands will then be seen
Clasped in His pierced ones, naught between.
(2Cor.4:5-8; 2Tim.4:6-8)
229. IN THE cemetery of an English town there is a
tombstone which attracts the attention of many visitors. It marks
the grave where the celebrated Swedish singer, Jenny Lind,
known as the Swedish Nightingale, was buried, and upon the
stone is the text, "I know that my Redeemer liveth."
Jenny Lind was born in 1820. When only seventeen
she came from her native land, and her lovely voice took the
concert-loving people by storm. The good Queen Victoria often
was found in her audience and signally honored "the slim girl
with a marvelous voice," as she was called , by throwing to her
a bouquet of flowers. From the crowned heads of Europe Jenny
Lind received honor, and gifts were showered upon her from all
sides. Wealth poured in, but all her success did not make her
proud or exacting, as is so often the case, and she humbly wrote
to a friend in later years, "My unceasing prayer is that what I
gave to my fellows may continue to live on through eternity and
that the Giver of the gift and not the creature to whom He lent it
may be acknowledged."
A certain writer has remarked, "Nothing is more
astonishing about the career of Jenny Lind than its comparative
shortness. She sang in the English opera for only two years and
retired practically in five years after her first appearance in
London, though she appeared occasionally during the next few
years, but chiefly for charities."
To many it would seem strange circumstances which
led a young girl to abandon such a promising career and retire
to the quietness of an English country home. On one occasion
she sat on the seashore, reading a Bible, when one who greatly
admired her beautiful voice saw her and asked, "How is it,
madam, that you abandoned the stage at the very height of your
success?" Jenny Lind gave the following reason: "When every
day it made me think less of this"--laying her hand upon the
open Bible, "what else could I do?" What a beautiful answer
and how convincing! It was the knowledge that this precious
Book had brought her--the knowledge of a Saviour's love which
led her to abandon what the world counts of such value--riches,
honor and popularity.
230. I love, my God, but with no love of mine,
For I have none to give;
I love Thee, Lord, but all the love is Thine,
For by Thy life I live.
I am as nothing, and rejoice to be
Emptied and lost and swallowed up in Thee.
Thou, Lord, alone art all Thy children need,
And there is none beside;
From Thee the streams of blessedness
proceed;
In Thee the blest abide,
Fountain of life, and all-abounding grace,
Our source, our center, and our dwelling
place.
--Madame Jeanne Marie Guyon
231. The legend of the raindrop
Has a lesson for us all,
As it trembled in the heavens...
Questioning whether it should fall
For the glistening raindrop argued
To the genie of the sky,
"I am beautiful and lovely
As I sparkle here on high,
And hanging here I will become
Part of the rainbow's hue
And I'll shimmer like a diamond
For all the world to view."...
But the genie told the raindrop,
"Do not hesitate to go,
For you will be more beautiful
If you fall to earth below,
For you will sink into the soil
And be lost a while from sight,
But when you reappear on earth,
You'll be looked on with delight;
For you will be the raindrop
That quenched the thirsty ground
And helped the lovely flowers
To blossom all around,
And in your resurrection
You'll appear in queenly clothes
With the beauty of the lily
And the fragrance of the rose;
Then, when you wilt and wither,
You'll become part of the earth
And make the soil more fertile
And give new flowers birth."...
For there is nothing ever lost
Or eternally neglected
For everything God ever made
Is always resurrected;
So trust God's all-wise wisdom
And doubt the Father never,
For in His heavenly kingdom
There is nothing lost forever.
--Helen Steiner Rice
232. I worship thee, sweet will of God!
And all thy ways adore;
And every day I live, I long
To love thee more and more.
When obstacles and trials seem
Like prison-walls to be,
I do the little I can do,
And leave the rest to thee.
He always wins who sides with God
To him no chance is lost:
God's will is sweetest to him when
It triumphs at his cost.
Ill that God blesses is our good,
And unblest good is ill;
And all is right that seems most wrong,
If it be His dear will!
--Frederick William Faber
233. Once it was the BLESSING, now it is the LORD;
Once it was the FEELING, now it is His WORD;
Once His GIFT I wanted, now, the GIVER own;
Once I sought for HEALING, now HIMSELF alone.
All in all forever, JESUS will I sing;
Ev'ry thing in JESUS, and JESUS ev'ry thing.
Once 'twas painful TRYING, now 'tis perfect TRUST;
Once a HALF salvation, now the UTTERMOST;
Once 'twas ceaseless HOLDING, now HE holds me
fast;
Once 'twas constant DRIFTING, now my ANCHOR'S
CAST.
Once 'twas busy PLANNING, now 'tis trustful
PRAYER;
Once 'twas anxious CARING, now HE has the care;
Once 'twas what I wanted, now what JESUS says;
Once 'twas constant ASKING, now 'tis ceaseless
PRAISE.
Once it was MY working, HIS it hence shall be;
Once I tried to use HIM, now HE uses ME;
Once the POW'R I wanted, now the MIGHTY ONE;
Once for SELF I labored, now for HIM alone.
Once I HOPED in Jesus, now I KNOW He's mine;
Once my lamps were DYING, now they brightly
SHINE;
Once for DEATH I waited, now His COMING hail;
And my hopes are anchored safe within the veil.
234. Five little pebbles lay in a brook,
Five little pebbles hid in a nook.
`What are we good for?' one said to another.
`Little or nothing, I'm thinking, my brother.'
Wearing away day after day--
It seemed that for ever those pebbles must stay.
If they were flowers ever so gay,
Doubtless someone would take them away;
Or if they were big stones that builders could use,
Perhaps then some builder those big stones
would choose.
Wait, little pebbles, rounded and clean,
Long in your loneliness lying unseen,
 God has a future waiting for you
Five little pebbles, sturdy and true.
Five little pebbles hid in a brook.
David came down and gave them a look,
Picked them up carefully out of the sand:
Five little pebbles lay in his hand.
Hark! there is shouting and fighting today,
And boldly these pebbles are borne to the fray:
One of them chosen and put in a sling.
Would we have thought that a stone could thus wing?
Onward it sped with a might not its own:
Onward it sped, by a shepherd boy thrown;
Swift as an arrow, straight as a dart!
For the whole nation that stone did its part,
Striking the giant's great, terrible head,
Laying him low--a mighty man dead.
Five little pebbles found in a brook
Are mentioned with honour in God's holy Book.
Be thou a pebble, contented and low,
Ever kept clean by His Spirit's pure flow,
Hidden and ready till Jesus shall look
And choose you, and use you, a stone from the brook.
(1Sam.17:40)
--Samuel J. B. Carter
235. Thy Will be done. No greater words than these
Can pass from human lips, than these which rent
Their way through agony and bloody sweat,
And broke the silence of Gethsemane
To save the world from sin.
--G. A. Studdert-Kennedy
236. We are bid to take, not to make our cross. God in
His providence will provide one for us.
237. Christ's cross is the sweetest burden that ever I
bare; it is such a burden as wings are to a bird or sails to a ship.-
-Samuel Rutherford
238. Prepare yourselves to become weaker & weaker;
prepare yourselves for sinking lower & lower in self-esteem;
prepare yourselves for self-annihilation--& pray God to
expedite the process.
239. When you put your life on the altar, when you
make ready & accept to die, you are invincible. You have
nothing any more to lose.
240. It is easier to give anything we have than to give
ourselves.
241. God does not ask about our ability or our
inability, but our availability.
242. It has always been my ambition to have no plans
as regards myself.
243. Inside the will of God there is no failure. Outside
the will of God there is no success.
244. Without Christ, not one step; with Him,
anywhere!
245. A disciple can be forgiven if he does not have
great mental ability. He can be forgiven also if he does not
display outstanding physical prowess. But no disciple can be
excused if he does not have zeal. If his heart is not aflame with
a red-hot passion for the Saviour, he stands condemned.
246. Mix a conviction with a man & something
happens!
247. A zealous Saviour ought to have zealous
disciples.
248. A man cannot be thoroughly humbled until he
comes to know that his salvation is utterly beyond his own
powers, counsel, endeavours, will & works & is absolutely
dependent upon the will, counsel & pleasure of another.
249. If God were not my friend, Satan would not be so
much my enemy.
250. Put relentless hands down into your heart, & tear
out by the roots everything that will not advance the interests of
the Redeemer's Kingdom.
251. God does not want us to think less of ourselves.
He wants us not to think of ourselves at all.
252. There are no trivial assignments in the work of
the Lord.
253. Men who love much will work much.
254. God knows all about my health & need of a rest
& need of many other things regarded as absolutely
necessary...I gladly laugh at being without them, & rejoice in a
living death with a marvellous joy in order to fill the place that
others have left unoccupied whatever their reasons for so
doing.--C.T.Studd
255. I have taken my good deeds & bad deeds &
thrown them together in a heap, & fled from them both to
Christ, & in Him I have peace.
256. Recreation to a preacher of the Gospel must be a
whetting is with the mower, that is, only to be used so far as is
necessary for his work.
257. A religion which costs nothing is worth nothing.
 258. How we use our money demonstrates the reality
of our love for God. It proves our love more conclusively than
depth of knowledge, length of prayers or prominence of service.
259. To pay the price of obedience is to escape the cost
of disobedience.
260. Doing the will of God leaves me no time for
disputing about His plans.
261. What is obedience? Giving up my will to the will
of another.
262. True obedience neither procrastinates nor
questions.
263. Christian obedience is unlike every other kind of
obedience. It is not the obedience of slaves or soldiers, but
essentially the obedience of lovers who know, love & trust the
person who issues the commands.
264. If God has called you, don't spend time looking
over your shoulder to see who is following.
265. When Christ takes the burden of guilt off a
sinner's shoulders He places the yoke of obedience upon his
neck.
266. Just as obedience to the Lord is an indication of
our love for Him, so is it also a proof of our fear of God.
267. God marks with sorrow the point in the history of
any one of His servants where there is failure to yield to Him
implicit, unquestioning, heroic obedience.
268. Obedience to God is the most infallible evidence
of sincere & supreme love to Him.
269. Not only does God require obedience, but an
obedience which issues from, is animated by, & is an
expression of Love.
270. Christ's lovers prove their love by their obedience.
271. The possessive clinging to things...must be torn
from our souls in violence as Christ expelled the money
changers from the temple.
272. Oh, how greatly has the man advanced who has
learned not to be his own, not to be governed by his own
reason, but to surrender his mind to God!
273. What then is the nature of true liberty? Not being
free to do anything you want to do, but in coming to the place
where you delight in the performance of what you ought to do.
274. The primary test of life is not service but love,
both for man & for God.
275. Idolatry is everywhere represented in Scripture as
the greatest insult the creature can offer the Creator.
276. Man in his rebellion against the Creator remains
incurably religious, & he seeks to satisfy this instinct by making
his own deities. He much prefers these lifeless puppets to the
One True Living God, because they allow him to pull the
strings.
277. Not to do what we ought to do is as bad as doing
what we ought not to do.
278. To be much like Christ, be much with Christ.
279. We are not merely to serve Christ, we are to be
like Him.
280. No Christian is where he ought to be spiritually
until the beauty of the Lord Jesus Christ is being reproduced in
his daily Christian life.
281. To withhold one thing from God is theft, for
everything is His.
282. Anything that takes God's place is out of place.
283. What is holiness except Christlikeness?
284. To be holy is to be like Jesus.
285. Christians are the light of the World, but the
switch must be turned on.
286. The roots of happiness grow deepest in the soil of
service.
287. Character does not reach its best until it is
controlled, harnessed & disciplined.
288. The greatness of a man's power is the measure of
his surrender.
289. I will place no value on anything I have or may
possess, except in relation to the Kingdom of Christ.--David
Livingstone
290. Before we can pray, "Thy Kingdom come," we
must be willing to pray, "My kingdom go."
291. Christianity is the total commitment of all I know
of me to all I know of Jesus Christ.
292. Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were an offering far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all.
--Isaac Watts
 293. Unless I go about my business of saving the souls
of men with an energy & a zeal almost amounting to madness,
nobody will take any notice of me, much less believe what I say
& make everlasting profit out of it.--William Booth
294. Give me the love that leads the way,
The faith that nothing can dismay,
The hope no disappointments tire,
The passion that will burn like fire.
Let me not sink to be a clod;
Make me Thy fuel, Flame of God.
--Amy Carmichael
295. If by excessive zeal we die before reaching the
average age of man, worn out in the Master's service, then glory
be to God, we shall have so much less of Earth & so much more
of Heaven.
296. The supreme need of the church is the same in the
twentieth century as in the first; it is men on fire for Christ.
297. No craze is so great as that of the gambler, & no
gambler for Jesus was ever cured, thank God.
298. Let us live as people who are prepared to die, &
die as people who are prepared to live.
299. The first qualification for being a spiritual
shepherd is to be a good sheep.
300. The Christian life is not applied like make-up to
the outside of our personalities, but is an outgrowth from an
inner transformation.
301. When God declares a man righteous He instantly
sets about to make him righteous.
302. We are God's expendables!--Created to burn out
on His altar of sacrifice--made to wear out as His tools of
design--to die, that you might live.--Dad
303. Where God guides He provides. He is responsible
for our upkeep if we follow His directions. He is not responsible
for expenses not on His schedule.
304. God is a totalitarian Ruler Who demands full
allegiance from his subjects.
305. The Christian should resemble a fruit tree, not a
Christmas tree.
306. The crosses & comforts of this present time
would not make such an impression upon us as they do if we
did but believe the things of Eternity as we ought.
307. Men do less than they ought unless they do all
that they can.--Thomas Carlyle
308. A missionary was preaching on an Indian
reservation & there was a chief sitting in the back. And as the
preacher was preaching away, this Indian chief got under
conviction & he came running up to the front & said, "This
Indian chief give his pony to this Jesus." And he went back &
sat down. But it didn't phase the missionary at all! He just kept
preaching away & pretty soon the Indian chief came running up
again! "This Indian chief give his blanket to this Jesus!" & he
went back & sat down. The missionary continued preaching &
this Indian chief continued to get under further conviction & he
came running up & took off his headdress & laid it at the
preacher's feet & said, "This Indian chief give his headdress to
this Jesus." & he went back & sat down.
Pretty soon the Indian chief with tears in his eyes came
running up to the front & threw himself down on the ground &
said, "This Indian chief give HIMSELF to this Jesus!" The
missionary knew he'd finally gotten his point across!--And
came down & threw his arms around the Chief & wept &
prayed with him!
309. Our strength is shown in the things we stand for;
Our weakness is shown in the things we fall for.
310. I heard Dr. Morrison tell at Winona Lake about
his trip around the world, preaching and teaching the gospel
truth. He went on this trip at the same time that Roosevelt went
to Africa. Morrison preached the gospel at every port. "Teddy"
went to Africa to do some exploring and shoot a few water
hogs. When he came back, he was accorded a reception such as
few living men had. The governor and the mayor greeted him,
the bands played, and countless thousands thronged the wharf to
welcome him.
Morrison came home. The governor of the state did not
come to meet him, nor did the mayor or the police force. The
fire department never noticed him. No flags were waving, no
whistles blowing. He did not even have a relative waiting for
him. In New York Roosevelt boarded a train and had the same
sort of reception all over again when he reached his home city.
He was lauded and honored all the way.
Morrison also boarded a train and went home. He did
not have a reception at all. Nobody met him. The only person
who recognized him was the old baggage master, and he just
said, "Hello, there!" in a casual sort of way.
Morrison said: "I picked up my heavy grips and started
off, all alone. I could not help contrasting the homecoming of
Roosevelt with my own. God had privileged me to lead ten
thousand souls to Christ on that trip--and yet there I was,
without a soul to meet me! Nobody cared. Suddenly I stopped.
A new, glorious truth had gripped me. And I found myself
saying aloud, slowly, exultantly, `Maybe I'm not home yet!
Maybe I'm not home yet!'"
311. When King George V was opening the
Conference on Disarmament, a special room was prepared in
New York so that the king's message might be relayed through
the United States of America. Just at the critical moment, a man
tripped over the cable and broke it, and twenty minutes would
be required to repair it. Something had to be done.
Mr. Vivian, who was is charge, threw himself into the
breach, seized one end of the cable in one hand and the other
end in the other, and stood there as the king's message passed
through his body. Then he fell down and was taken to hospital.
His body was the vessel used to convey, uninterrupted, the
king's message.
(Phil 1:20; 2Tim.2;21)
312. I want to be thoroughly used up when I die, for
the harder I work, the more I live. Life is no brief candle for me.
It is a sort of splendid torch which I have got hold of for a
moment, and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible
before handing it on to future generations.
313. What kind of an organisation would my
organisation be if all of its members were just like me.
314. Many Christians look upon the will of God as
bitter medicine they must take, instead of seeing it as the
gracious evidence of the Love of God.
315. Likeness comes from liking. We grow to be like
that which we like.
316. Conformity to the World can be overcome by
nothing but conformity to Jesus.
317. The guard of the train had a rose in his button
hole. A drunken man came along the platform and snatched it
out. The guard went red but said nothing. An onlooker said,
`However did you keep your temper? You said nothing.' The
guard replied simply, `I'm on duty.'
As Christians, we should remember that, wherever we
are and whatever happens to us, we are always `on duty.'
318. A young mulatto girl was being sold at auction
one day. She was a beautiful girl, tall and slender. The bidding
was keen, and quickly mounted higher and higher until at last
only two men were left bidding for her ownership: the one a
low, uncouth fellow who swearingly raised his bid every time to
outbid the other, a quiet man of refinement. Finally the bidding
stopped, and to the gentleman who had bid so very earnestly
were given the papers which made him the lawful owner of the
young girl. With a shove the auctioneer presented her to her
new master. Proudly, defiantly, she stood before him, hating
him with every part of her being. Suddenly, a change came over
her face: first there was a look of pure amazement closely
followed by one of utter incredulity. Her owner was ripping up
the papers of ownership, and, with a smile of kindness, said to
the now trembling girl, "My dear, you are free. I bought you
that I might free you." Too stunned for speech, the girl merely
stared till finally, with a cry of happiness too deep for words,
she cast herself at the man's feet, and through her tears
exclaimed, "Oh, master, I'll love you and serve you for life!"
What the papers of ownership could not do, the man's kindness
had won completely. The Lord Jesus has loved you and has paid
such a price that He might buy you from the slavery of Satan
and free you. Will you not tell Him, "Master, I'll love Thee and
serve Thee for life?"
319. Famous men of the past have bequeathed us
statements that have become mottoes. History declares that
Henry Clay was about to introduce a certain bill in Congress
when a friend said, "If you do, Clay, it will kill your chance for
the presidency."
"But is the measure right?" Clay asked, and on being
assured it was right said, "I would rather be right than be
president."
320. Love to God & obedience to God are so
completely involved in each other that any one of them implies
the other too.
321. Obedience to God is the most infallible evidence
of sincere & supreme love to Him.
322. Even the heart of God thirsts after love.
323. Don't throw God a bone of your love unless
there's the meat of obedience on it.
324. The proof of love is its capacity to suffer for the
object of its affection.
325. To be His slave is to be a king.
326. Many people fervently pray, "Oh, God, guide
me": then they grab the steering wheel.
327. There are three possible positions the Lord Jesus
can occupy in a Christian's life: In all Christians, He is present.
In some Christians, He is prominent. In a few Christians, He is
pre-eminent.
328. I you are not living as close to God as you once
did, you need not guess who moved.
329. I you were on trial, accused of being a Christian,
would there be enough evidence to convict you?
330. So live, that as people get to know you better they
will get to know Christ better.
331. Treasures in Heaven are laid up only as treasures
on Earth are laid down.
332. I have held many things in my hands, & I have
lost most of them; but whatever I have placed in God's hands,
that I still possess.--Martin Luther.
333. A modern fable relates that a hen & a hog were
travelling together. They passed a church that displayed the
sermon subject for the coming Sunday: "How Can We Help
The Poor?" After a moment's reflection the hen ventured: "I
know what we can do! We can give them a ham & egg
breakfast." The hog promptly relied: "You can say that because
for you that's just a contribution, but for me it's total
commitment."
334. Life is like a game of tennis. The player who
serves well seldom loses!
335. The Gospel brings abundance of life, & also death
at the stake; freedom, & also imprisonment; peace, & also the
sword.
336. It is far less important to die the martyr's death
than to live the martyr's life.
337. Jesus invested His life in you. Have you shown
any interest?
338. God is looking for some wicks to burn. The oil &
the fire are free.
no
spectacular revivals, but his faithful witness and godly
life had much to do with giving India its Carey and England its
Robert Hall.
348. ANONYMOUS WRITER, about an American
tourist's visit to the 19th-century Polish rabbi, Hofetz Chaim:
Astonished to see that the rabbi's home was only a
simple room filled with books, plus a table and a bench, the
tourist asked, "Rabbi, where is your furniture?"
"Where is yours?" replied the rabbi.
"Mine?" Asked the puzzled American. "But I'm a
visitor here. I'm only passing through."
"So am I," said Hofetz Chaim.
349. Father, let me dedicate
All this year to Thee,
In whatever worldly state
Thou wilt have me be:

339. It is much better to suffer for the truth than to be Not from sorrow, pain, or care
rewarded for a lie. Freedom dare I claim;
This alone shall be my prayer,
340. If I really love God there are some things I will "Glorify Thy name."
have to hate.
Can a child presume to choose
341. If you find it hard to stand for Jesus, try kneeling Where or how to live?
first. Can a Father's love refuse
All the best to give?
342. The crowd is usually going the wrong way. More Thou givest every day
Sacred & secular history indicate that it is usually God's Than the best can claim,
righteous minority bucking the crowd that is going the right Nor withholdest aught that may
way. Glorify Thy name.

343. What we can do for Christ is the test of service. If thou callest to the cross,
What we can suffer for Him is the test of love. And its shadow come,
Turning all my gain to loss,
344. The service that counts is the service that costs. Shrouding heart and home;
Let me think how Thy dear Son
345. Service is love in working clothes. To His glory came,
And in deepest woe pray on,
346. Service can never become slavery to one who "Glorify Thy name."
loves.
If in mercy Thou wilt spare
347. A century and a half ago there died a humble Joys that yet are mine;
minister in a small village in Leicestershire, England. He had If on life, serene and fair,
never attended college and had no degrees. He was merely a Brighter rays may shine;
faithful village minister. In his congregation was a young Let my glad heart, while it sings,
cobbler to whom he gave special attention, teaching him the Thee in all proclaim,
Word of God. This young man was later to be renowned as And, whate'er the future brings,
William Carey, one of the greatest missionaries of modern Glorify Thy name.
times. This same minister had a son, a boy whom he taught --By L. Tuttett
faithfully, and constantly encouraged. The boy's character and
powers were profoundly affected by his father's life. That son 350. Love goes beyond safety.
was Robert Hall, the mightiest public orator of his day, whose
sermons influenced the decisions of statesmen and whose 351. God rarely seems to use a man who pampers
character was as saintly as his preaching was phenomenal. It himself with luxury.
seemed that the village pastor accomplished little. There were
 352. It doesn't take a great mind to be a Christian, but
it takes all the mind a man has.
353. All Heaven is waiting to help those who will
discover the will of God & do it.
354. Obedience won't stop the decomposition of our
physical lives but it will halt the decay of our spiritual lives.
355. In the nineteenth century people who passed the
Rothschild mansion in the fashionable quarter of London
noticed that the end of one of the cornices was unfinished. The
question maybe asked: Could not the richest man in the world
afford to pay for that cornice, or was the lack due to
carelessness?
The explanation is a very simple yet suggestive one
when it is known. Lord Rothschild was an orthodox Jew, and
every pious Jew's house, tradition says, must have some part
unfinished, to bear testimony to the world that its occupant is
only, like Abraham, a pilgrim and a stranger upon the earth.
356. The Calif Omar said, "Either these books conform
to the Koran or they do not. If they do, they are not needed; if
they do not, they are positively harmful. Therefore let them be
destroyed."
And so he ordered the destruction of the 700,000
manuscript volumes of the great Alexandrian Library.
357. When Robert Morrison, the first missionary to go
to China, disembarked from his ship in a Chinese port, the
captain sneeringly said, "So you think you are going to make an
impression upon China."
Morrison quietly replied, "No, sir, but I believe God
will."
358. I am only an average man, but I work harder at it
than the average man.--Theodore Roosevelt
359. When Thorwaldson was asked, "Which is your
greatest statue," He replied, "The next one."
360. Charles Dickens, when asked the secret of his
success, answered, "Whatever I have tried to do in life, I have
tried with all my heart to do well: whatever I have devoted
myself to I have devoted myself to completely." This is simply
another version of Paul's advice. "Whatsoever you do, do it
heartily." He was writing to slaves, for whom it was hard to
throw their soul into the work. He reminded them that they were
working not for men but for God. "Ye serve the Lord Christ."
(Col.3:23)
361. It's like the old maid: They asked her one day,
"How come now you're always so peaceful & you seem now to
be happy when before you were always upset & nervous &
worried?" She said, "I've quit struggling." She quit worrying
about getting a husband, "I quit struggling". When you stop
worrying about being good, if you have God's goodness, He
will make you good enough for Him, when you stop worrying
about what people think about you.--Dad
362. The Rev. J. Alexander Clark, a Scotch missionary
from Africa, told in this country a very striking story of an
African who had been mauled by a lioness and was well-nigh
dead. Mr. Clark cared for his wounds, and when he got well he
left. After three months he came back to Mr. Clark, and said,
"You know the law of the African forest, that the redeemed
belongs to the redeemer. I was dead, but I am now alive. I am
yours. Here are my six wives and my children and my cattle; do
with me as you will." Are we willing to surrender all to Christ
like that? The secret of our lack of power and service is just
this--we do not acknowledge that we, the redeemed, belong to
the Redeemer.
363. Some years ago a couple of stock buyers in the
South rode up to the home of an old colored man and noticed a
fine milk cow grazing in the yard. One of them said, "Uncle, we
would like to buy this cow. Is she yours?" The old Negro
replied, "No, sah, boss, dat ain't my cow. Hit's de Lawd's cow.
I'm jest a-keepin' her fer Him."
That old man had grasped the great principle of
stewardship. We really do not own anything. Whatever we
seem to possess is just loaned to us for a little while, for "the
earth is the Lord's and the fulness thereof."
364. A young lady stood talking to an evangelist on the
subject of consecration. "I dare not give myself wholly to the
Lord," she said, "for fear He will send me out to China." The
man of God said: "If some cold, snowy morning a little bird
should come, half frozen, pecking at your window, and should
let you take it in and feed it, thereby putting itself entirely in
your power, what would you do? Would you grip it in your
hand and crush it? Or would you give it shelter, warmth, food,
and care?" A new light came into the girl's eyes. "Ah, I see, I
see!" And her face shone as she went away. Two years later she
again met the clergyman and recalled to him the incident. With
a countenance all aglow with holy joy, she said, "And, do you
know, I am going to China!"
365. The Christian needs won't power as well as will
power.
366. There are three particular temptations that assail
Christian workers: the temptation to shine, the temptation to
whine & the temptation to recline.
367. I don't like to hear cut-&-dry sermons. When I
hear a man preach I like to see him act as if he were fighting
bees.--Abraham Lincoln
368. Salvation is a helmet, not a nightcap.
369. You do not do God a favour by serving Him. He
honours you by allowing you to serve Him.
370. Service is the rent we pay for the space we
occupy in this World.

371. We are saved to serve, not to be served.
372. To be of use in the World is the only way to be
happy.
373. Shamgar had an oxgoad
David had a sling,
Samson had a jawbone,
Rahab had a string,
Mary had some ointment,
Aaron had a rod,
Dorcas had a needle,
All were used for God.
374. If we are correct & right in our Christian life at
every point, but refuse to stand for the truth at any particular
point where the battle rages--then we are traitors to Christ.--
Martin Luther.
375. "Work for Christ"
1) The field is large. Mat.13:38
2) The need is great. Jn.4:35
3) The time is now. Gal.1:10
4) The call is urgent. Mt.20:6
5) The work is varied. 1Cor.12:12
6) The partner is Almighty. 2Cor.6:1
7) The means are provided. Lk.19:15
376. A ship is safe in the ocean as long as the ocean is
not in the ship, & a Christian is safe in the World so long as the
World is not in the Christian.
377. Commitment is a relationship with the Lord Jesus
that enables us in the midst of life's greatest comforts to be
willing to die, & in the midst of life's greatest trials to be willing
to live.
378. Give your life to God; He can do more with it
than you can!
379. Sonship costs us nothing,
Jesus paid the price.
Discipleship costs us all we have,
A total sacrifice.
380. If the Lord Jesus isn't worth serving every
moment of every day, then He is not worth serving any moment
of any day.
381. Discipleship is not dynamic until it is willing to
be despised by the World. Furthermore, discipleship is not
dynamic until it is despised by the World. And the converse is
equally true. Discipleship is not despised by the World until it is
dynamic.
382. The will of God will never lead you where the
grace of God cannot keep you.
383. The secrets of the Lord are for those who live
close to Him.
384. He who lives for God's honour & glory seeks
neither praise nor reward, but in the end he is certain of both.
385. 1. Others saw the giants, Caleb saw the Lord;
They were sore disheartened, he believed God's word;
And that word he fully, fearlessly obeyed-
Was it not sufficient that the Lord hath said?
Chorus:
"I will never leave thee, go in this thy might;
One shall chase a thousand, two put ten to flight."
Oh, to follow fully like this one of old;
Oh, to be like Caleb, doing what is told;
Then the Lord's rich blessing will be ours today,
He will prosper ever those who Him obey.
If we are half-hearted, we'll not taste God's best;
Those who follow wholly will be wholly blest,
Blest in soul and spirit, body, mind and heart,
Rich in heav'nly treasure, which He will impart.
Oh, to have one Master, only One to please;
Oh, to have one purpose, not our will or ease;
Pressing ever onward to the goal before,
Serving gladly, wholly, Him Whom we adore.
--Mabel Johnston Camp.
386. I dare not choose my lot; would not if I might,
Choose Thou for me, my God, so shall I walk aright.
--H. Bonar (1808-1888)
387. A fugitive is one who is running from home,
A vagabond is one who has no home;
A stranger is one away from home,
And a PILGRIM is on his way home.
388. Who builds a church within his heart
And takes it with him everywhere
Is holier far than he whose church
Is but a one-day house of prayer.
--Morris Abel Beer, 1887-
389. The English novelist, J. B. Priestly, was once
asked why it was that several gifted writers who were young
with him had not matured in their arts as he had. His answer
was this: "Gentlemen, the difference between us was not in
ability, but in the fact that they merely toyed with the
fascinating idea of writing, I cared like blazes! It is this caring
like the blazes that counts."
390. Sir Joshua Reynolds was one of the most
distinguished painters of his day; and, in answer to the inquiry, friends,
how he attained to such excellence, he replied: "By observing Or would you hope they'd stay away until His visit
one simple rule, viz., to make each painting the best." ends?

391. Always & everywhere the servants of Christ are
under order to evangelise.
392. If Jesus came to your house to spend a day or
two....
If He came unexpectedly, I wonder what you'd do.
Oh, I know you'd give your nicest room to such an
honored guest
And all the food you'd serve to Him would be the very
best,
And you would keep assuring Him you're glad to have
Him there....
But....when you saw Him coming, would you meet
Him at the door
With arms outstretched in welcome to our heav'nly
visitor?
Or would you maybe change some things before you
let Him in.
Hide some magazines and put the Bible where they'd
been?
Would you be glad to have Him stay forever on and
on,
Or would you sigh with great relief when He at last
was gone?
It might be interesting to know the things that you
would do,
If Jesus came in person to spend some time with you.
393. It's like the story of Saint Dominic: He came into
this town & he was preaching the Gospel & they grabbed him &
they were going to kill him. They had false witnesses paid to
testify against him & they accused him. They said, "You're a
thief!" He said, "Yes, I am." They said, "You're a liar!" He said,
"Yes, I have been a liar too!" "You're a bad wicked man!" "Yes,
it's true!"
All the things they accused him of he said, "That's
true! I'm very bad, wicked. I'm a sinner, all these things." "You
deserve to die!" He said, "Yes, I do!" But he said, "God has
forgiven me because Jesus died for me. I'm all these bad things,
I would be even this & worse except for God & His goodness!"-
-Dad

Would you turn off the loud TV & hope He hadn't 394. I have learn'd the wondrous secret
heard, Of abiding in the Lord;
And wish you hadn't uttered that last, loud and hasty I have tasted life's pure fountain,
word? I am drinking of His Word;
Would you hide your wordly music and put some
hymn books out? I have found the strength and sweetness
Could you let Jesus walk right in, or would you rush Of abiding 'neath the blood;
about? I have lost myself in Jesus
I am sinking into God.
And I wonder....If the Savior spent a day or two with
you, I am crucified with Jesus,
Would you go right on doing the things you always And He lives and dwells with me;
do? I have ceased from all my struggling,
Would you go right on saying the things you always 'Tis no longer I, but He.
say?
Would life for you continue as it does from day to All my will is yielding to Him,
day? And His Spirit reigns within;
And His precious blood each moment
Would your family conversation keep up its usual Keeps me cleansed and free from sin.
pace?
And would you find it hard each meal to say a table All my sicknesses I bring Him,
grace? And He bears them all away;
Would you sing the songs you always sing and read All my fears and griefs I tell Him,
the books you read? All my cares from day to day,
And let Him know the things on which your mind and
spirit feed All my strength I draw from Jesus,
By His breath I live and move;
Would you take Jesus with you everywhere you'd E'en His very mind He gives me,
planned to go, And His faith, and life and love.
Or would you, maybe, change your plans for just a day
or so? For my words I take His wisdom.
Would you be glad to have Him meet your very closest For my works His Spirit's pow'r;
 For my ways His ceaseless Presence,
Guards and guides me ev'ry hour.
Of my heart, He is the Portion,
Of my joy the boundless Spring;
Savior, Sanctifier, Healer,
Glorious Lord and coming King.
Chorus:
I'm abiding in the Lord,
And confiding in His Word;
And I'm hiding in the bosom of His love.
Yes, abiding in the Lord,
And confiding in His Word,
And I'm hiding in the bosom of His love.
--Rev. A. B. Simpson; J. H. Burke.
395. We can't afford to win the gain that means
another's loss;
We can't afford to miss the crown by stumbling at the
cross.
We can't afford the heedless jest that robs us of a
friend;
We can't afford the laugh that finds in bitter tears an
end.
We can't afford the feast today that brings tomorrow's
fast;
We can't afford the race that comes to tragedy at last.
We can't afford to play with fire, or tempt a serpent's
bite;
We can't afford to think that sin brings any true
delight.
We can't afford with serious heed to treat the cynic's
sneer;
We can't afford to wise men's words to turn a careless
ear.
We can't afford for hate to give like hatred in return;
We can't afford to feed a flame and make it fiercer
burn.
We can't afford to lose the soul for this world's fleeting
breath;
We can't afford to barter life in mad exchange for
death.
But blind to good are we apart from THEE, all-seeing
Lord;
Oh, grant us light that we may know the things we
can't afford!
396. Unless Jesus Christ is Lord of all, He cannot be
Lord at all.
397. D. L. Moody said he wanted the "O & O" degree-
-"Out & Out" for Jesus.
398. Testimony of an enthusiastic Christian: "If people
want to call me a nut, that's OK. But remember, I'm screwed on
to a strong Bolt!"
399. Is the Holy Spirit only a resident in your life, or is
She president of your life?
400. I have resolved never to do anything that I would
be afraid to do if it were the last hour of my life.
401. Those who can see God's hand in everything can
best leave everything in God's hand.
402. If you cannot on the ocean
Sail among the swiftest fleet,
Rocking on the highest billows,
Laughing at the storms you meet,
You can stand among the sailors
Anchored yet within the bay;
You can lend a hand to help them,
As they launch their boats away.
If you are too weak to journey
Up the mountain steep & high,
You can stand within the valley
While the multitudes go by;
You can chant in happy measure
As they slowly pass along,
Though they may forget the singer,
They will not forget the song.
Do not, then, stand idly waiting
For some greater work to do;
Fortune is a lazy goddess,
She will never come to you;
Go, & toil in any vineyard,
Do not fear to do or dare;
If you want a field of labor,
You can find it anywhere.
403. Before you go to sleep, say to yourself, "I haven't
reached my goal yet & I'm going to be uncomfortable & in a
degree unhappy until I do."
404. Centuries ago, there lived in Italy a maker of
violins, Antonio Stradivari. When he became able to have a
workshop of his own he made it a rule that no violin should
ever leave the shop until it was as near perfection as human care
& skill could make it. He said, "God needs violins to send His
music into the World, & if my violins are defective, God's
music will be spoiled."
405. Bending over his workbench in Cremona,
Antonio Stradivari, who died December 18, 1737, issued a vow
that, through more than 200 years, has remained valid:
"Other men will make other violins, but no man shall
make a better one."
406. Give me souls or take away my soul!
407. He who abandons himself TO God will never be
abandoned BY God.

408. HE CALLED ME OUT, the Man with garments
dyed.
I knew His voice--my Lord, the Crucified.
He showed Himself, and oh, I could not stay;
I HAD to follow Him, HAD to obey.
IT cast me out--this world, when once it found
That I within my rebel heart had crowned
The Man it had rejected, spurned, and slain;
Whom God in wondrous power has raised to reign.
And so we are "without the camp"--my Lord and I.
But oh, His presence sweeter is than any earthly tie,
Which once I counted greater than His claim:
I'm "OUT" not only FROM the world, but "TO His
Name."
409. What is a mother but a slave to the child? What is
a wife but a slave to her husband--a helpmeet! What is a
shepherd but a servant unto his flock? The farmer kneels by the
cow & serves her, & the cow is like a queen with the farmer at
her feet--a mere servant. A teacher is the servant of the class. A
leader is servant of the follower! May we be servants of the
flock, Lord, slaves of Thy Children.--"In honour preferring one
another." You are our Servant, Lord, waiting upon us all--
ministering rather than being ministered unto! You are the
greatest sample of all!--The greatest of all samples of humility
& mercy!--Dad.
410. The Almighty appeared on Earth as a helpless
human baby, unable to do more than lie & stare & wriggle &
make noises, needing to be fed & changed & taught to talk like
any other child...The more you think about it, the more
staggering it gets.
411. Happy is he who makes daily progress & who
considers not what he did yesterday but what advance he can
make today.--Jerome
412. I can say from experience that 95% of knowing
the will of God consists in being prepared to do it before you
know what it is.
413. "A martyr is not a martyr because he dies; he dies
because he is a martyr."
414. Shall I, I pray Thee, change Thy will, my Father
Until it be according unto mine?
But no, Lord, no, that never shall be, rather
I pray thee blend my human will with Thine.
415. Oh, to grace how great a debtor,
Daily I'm constrained to be!
Let that grace, Lord, like a fetter,
Bind my wandering heart to Thee.
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,
Prone to leave the God I love;
Take my heart, Oh, take and seal it,
Seal it for Thy courts above!
416. The Master stood in His garden,
Among the lilies fair,
Which His own right hand had planted,
And trained with tend'rest care.
He looked at their snowy blossoms,
And marked with observant eye
That the flowers were sadly drooping,
For their leaves were parched & dry.
"My lilies need to be watered,"
The Heavenly Master said;
"Wherein shall I draw it for them,
And raise each drooping head?"
Close to his feet on the pathway,
Empty, & frail, & small,
An earthen vessel was lying,
Which seemed no use at all;
But the Master saw, & raised it
From the dust in which it lay,
And smiled, as He gently whispered,
"This shall do My work today:
"It is but an earthen vessel,
But it lay so close to me;
It is small, but it is empty--
That is all it needs to be."
So to the fountain He took it,
And filled it full to the brim;
How glad was the earthen vessel
To be of some use to Him!
He poured forth the living water
Over His lilies fair,
Until the vessel was empty,
And again He filled it there.
He watered the drooping lilies
Until they revived again;
And the Master saw with pleasure
That His labour had not been vain.
His own hand had drawn the water
Which refreshed the thirsty flowers;
But He used the earthen vessel
To convey the living showers.
And to itself it whispered,
As He laid it aside once more,
"Still will I lie in His pathway,
Just where I did before.
 "Close would I keep to the Master,
Empty would I remain,
I'll be here whenever He wants me
To water His flowers again."
417. We must not seek rest or ease in a world where
He whom we love had none.
418. Ease is never good for the people of God.
419. He values not Christ at all who does not value
Christ above all.
420. Give me one hundred preachers who fear nothing
but sin & desire nothing but God, & I care not a straw whether
they be clergymen or laymen; such alone will shake the gates of
Hell & set up the Kingdom of Heaven on Earth.--John Wesley
421. I cannot say "Our" if I live in a water-
tight spiritual compartment.
I cannot say "Father" if I do not demonstrate the
relationship in daily life.
I cannot say "which art in Heaven" if I am so
occupied with the Earth that I am laying up no
treasure There.
I cannot say "hallowed be Thy name" if I , who am
called by His name, am not holy.
I cannot say "Thy Kingdom come" if I am not doing
all in my power to hasten its coming.
I cannot say "Thy will be done" if I am
questioning, resentful of, or disobedient to His
will for me.
I cannot say "in Earth, as it is in Heaven" if I
am not prepared to devote my life to His service.
I cannot say "give us this day our daily bread"
if I am living on past experience or if I am an
under-the-counter shopper.
I cannot say "forgive us our trespasses, as we
forgive those who trespass against us" if I harbour a
grudge against anyone.
I cannot say "lead us not into temptation" if I
deliberately place myself in a position to be tempted.
I cannot say "deliver us from evil" if I am not
prepared to fight it in the spiritual realm with the
weapon of prayer.
I cannot say "Thine is the Kingdom" if I do not
accord the King the disciplined obedience of a loyal
subject.
I cannot say "Thine is the power" if I fear what
men do or what my neighbours may think.
I cannot say "Thine is the glory" if I am claiming
glory for myself.
I cannot say "for ever" if my horizon is bound by
the things of time.
422. A classic in the annals of the U.S. Coast Guard is
the story of Captain Pat Etheridge of the Cape Batterne station.
One night in the howling hurricane, the look-out saw a distress
signal from a ship that had gone aground on the dangerous
Diamond Shoals, ten miles at sea. The lifeboats were ordered
out. One of the life-guards protested, "Captain Pat, we can get
out there, but we can never get back."
"Boys," came the reply that has gone down in history,
"we don't have to come back."
The Lord Jesus has given us our marching order. He
has commanded that the Gospel be preached in all the World.
He has not promised His messengers an easy time. He has not
given the assurance of a safe return to the home base--but He
did say--"Go!"
423. God is not looking for ornamental but fruit-
bearing Christians.
424. If we are to have genius we must put up with the
inconvenience of genius, a thing the world will never do; it
wants geniuses, but would like them just like other people.
425. Jim Elliot, martyr: "He is no fool who gives what
he cannot keep, to gain what he cannot lose."
426. Though love repine, and reason chafe,
There came a voice without reply,--
"'Tis man's perdition to be safe,
When for the truth he ought to die."
427. Christ's sheep are marked in the ear & the foot;
they hear His voice & they follow Him.
428. Understanding can wait. Obedience cannot.
429. Faith & obedience are bound up in the same
bundle. He that obeys God, trusts God; & he that trusts God,
obeys God.
430. I had rather obey than work miracles.--Martin
Luther
431. Who answers Christ's insistent call
Must give himself, his life, his all,
To give the World glad tidings!
Who sets his hand unto the plough
And glances back with anxious brow
Will not be long abiding!
432. Once upon a time in the heart of the Eastern
Kingdom lay a beautiful garden. And there in the cool of the
day was the Master of the garden, who went for a walk. Of all
the dwellers of the garden, the most beautiful & beloved was a
gracious & noble Bamboo. Year after year Bamboo grew yet
more beautiful & gracious. He was conscious of his Master's
love & watchful delight. Yet he was modest & in all things
gentle. Often when Wind came to revel in the garden, Bamboo
would throw aside his dignity. He would dance & sway merrily,
tossing & swaying & leaping & bowing in joyous abandon. He
would lead the great dance of the Garden which most delighted
his Master's heart.
 One day the Master himself drew near to contemplate
His Bamboo. With eyes of curious expectancy, Bamboo bowed
his great head to the ground in loving greeting. The Master
spoke: "Bamboo, Bamboo, I would use you." Bamboo said:
"Master, I am ready, use me as you want." "Bamboo," the
Master's voice was grave, "I would be obliged to take you & cut
you down." A trembling of great horror shook Bamboo.
"Cut...me...down? Me whom you, Master, have made the most
beautiful in all of your garden? To cut me down, ah, not that,
not that. Use me for your joy, O Master, but cut me not down!"
"Beloved Bamboo," the Master's voice grew graver still, "if I do
not cut you down, then I cannot use you."
The garden grew still. Wind held his breath. Bamboo
slowly bent his proud & glorious head. There came a whisper.
Bamboo replied, "Master, if you cannot use me unless you cut
me down, then do your will & cut." "Bamboo, beloved
Bamboo, I would cut your leaves & branches from you also."
"Master, Master, spare me. Cut me down & lay my beauty in
the dust, but would you take from me my leaves & branches
also?" "Bamboo, alas; if I do not cut them away, I cannot use
you." The Sun hid his face. A listening butterfly glided fearfully
away. Bamboo shivered in terrible expectancy, whispering low:
"Master, cut away." "Bamboo, Bamboo, I would divide you in
two & cut out your heart, for if I do not cut so, I cannot use
you." "Master, Master, then cut & divide."
So did the Master of the garden take Bamboo & cut
him down & hack off his branches & stip off his leaves &
divide him in two & cut out his heart, & lifting him gently,
carried him to where there was a spring of fresh, sparkling
water in the midst of Master's dry fields. Then putting down one
end of Bamboo in the spring, & the other end into the water
channel in his field, the Master laid down gently his beloved
Bamboo. The spring sang welcome. The clear sparkling water
raced joyously down the channel of Bamboo's torn body into
the waiting fields. Then the rice was planted & the days went
by. The shoots grew. The harvest came. In that day was
Bamboo, once so glorious in his stately beauty, yet more
glorious in his brokenness & humilty. For in his beauty he was
life abundant. But in his brokenness he became a channel of
abundant life to his Master's world.
433. Do you do your job each day well enough that
you would hire yourself?
434. There is healing in the Promise,
There is healing in the Blood,
There is strength for all our weakness
In the Risen Son of God.
And the feeblest of His children
All His glorious life may share,
He has better balm in Gilead;
He's the Great Physician there.
Would you prove this Great Physician,
You must do what He commands;
Carefully obey His orders;
Lie submissive in His hands.
You must trust without a question;
Cast upon Him ev'ry care,
And you'll find there's balm in Gilead,
There's a great Physician there.
435. Christians who move the World are those who do
not let the World move them.
436. Understanding can wait. Obedience cannot.
437. Martha in the kitchen, serving with her hands;
Occupied for Jesus, with her pots & pans.
Loving Him, yet fevered, burdened to the brim--
Careful, troubled Martha, occupied for Him.
Mary on the footstool, eyes upon her Lord;
Occupied with Jesus, drinking in His Word.
This the one thing needful, all else strangely dim:
Loving, resting Mary, occupied with Him.
So may we, like Mary, choose the better part:
Resting in His presence--hands & feet & heart;
Drinking in His wisdom, strengthened with His grace;
Waiting for the summons, eyes upon His face.
When it comes, we're ready, spirit, will, & nerve;
Mary's heart to worship, Martha's hands to serve;
This the rightful order, as our lamps we trim--
Occupied with Jesus, then occupied for Him!--
--Lois Reynolds Carpenter
438. Rest in the Lord, my soul;
Commit to Him thy way.
What to thy sight seems dark as night,
To Him is bright as day.
Rest in the Lord, my soul;
He planned for thee thy life,
Brings fruit from rain, brings good from pain,
And peace & joy from strife.
Rest in the Lord, my soul;
This fretting weakens thee.
Why not be still? Accept His will;
Thou shalt His glory see.
439. A pilot was experiencing difficulty in landing his
plane because of fog; & the airport decided to bring him in by
radar. As he began to receive directions from the ground he
suddenly remembered a tall pole in the flight path, & appealed
in panic to the control tower about it. The reply came bluntly,
"You obey instructions; we'll take care of obstructions". How
many a Christian hesitates to obey God's Word because of
problems & difficulties! If we only obey, He is capable of
dealing with the problems & difficulties.
440. You can take change in your life two ways--
victoriously or defeatedly! You've been defeated because you
weren't yielded, and that has opened the door to
discouragement, doubt, fear and lack of faith! But you've got to
snap out of that no matter what it takes!--Even if it means 442. Out of my bondage, sorrow and night,
asking for desperate prayer from the Family to lay hands on Into Thy freedom, gladness and light.
you, and then FIGHT, because unyieldedness is a dangerous Out of my shameful failure and loss,
road to go down! NON-YIELDEDNESS to the Lord's will is Into the glorious gain of the Cross.
SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS! In essence you're saying, "I know Out of unrest and arrogant pride,
better than the Lord! My will is more important than the Lord's Into Thy blessed Will to abide.
will!" That is self-righteousness! And when you open your heart I'll leave all the tears and sorrow I've known,
to this, the Devil can come in like a flood, and he'll keep And come to the joy and light of Thy throne!
smashing you down. On the other hand, if you yield to Jesus, All of the things that once I held dear,
then HE can control your life and give you peace and make you Lord, I forsake, that I might draw near,
happy in SPITE of circumstances. Near to Thy bosom, for no Earthly care,
When everything's going your way, you can be a great Dare trouble or worry or weary me there.
Christian! But sometimes the Lord allows us to get in these I lay at Thy feet my pride and my plans,
situations to remind us or show us that we're not really all that And place all my hopes in Thy nail-pierced hands.
wonderful and we're not all that great and that we're really a
wreck! And He does all he can to show us that WE can't get the 443. Out of my sickness, into THY health,
victory. It seems like everything we do is just like sinking Out of my want and into THY wealth,
deeper into the mud, worse and worse! It's like quicksand, the Out of my sin and into Thyself,
harder we struggle, the deeper we sink, and pretty soon we're Jesus I come to Thee.
just sucked under, and then we see that only the Lord can pull
us out!--Peter Out of my sorrows, into Thy balm,
Out of life's storms, into Thy calm,
441. If you're putting the Lord and His work first and Out of distress to jubilant psalm,
His Kingdom first, with all your heart and soul and mind and Jesus I come to Thee.
strength, everything else isn't going to make that much
difference. The Lord can send blessings your way then because Out of myself to dwell in Thy Love,
He can TRUST you with them, but if you forsake your plow Out of despair to raptures above,
and your relationship with the Lord to run off and get involved Upward for ever on wings like a dove,
with some personal relationship, the Lord's not going to bless it Jesus I come to Thee!
and the Enemy can use it as a distraction!
You have to put the LORD first. The Lord is the only Out of the depths of ruin untold,
place you'll ever find the comfort and the peace that you need. Into the peace of Thy shelter and fold,
Every other situation or person will fail--your job, everything. If Ever Thy glorious face to behold,
you put your hopes in natural relationships they will fail. It just Jesus I come to Thee!
doesn't work! It was designed that way! The Lord's pretty smart,
He designed things so that the only thing that really fills the 444. I CANNOT but God CAN,
void is Him, and nothing else satisfies! So just love the Lord O balm for all my care,
and put Him first and let Him work out whatever other situation The burden that I DROP
He wants to work out. HIS hand will lift and BEAR.
We have to know how to be in love or not in love, to Though eagle pinion's tire
have a relationship or not have a relationship. Whether you I walk where once I ran,
have someone to have sex with all the time or you're in jail and This is my strength: To know
you don't have anybody to have sex with ever, what's the I cannot, but GOD can!
difference really? Does that mean you're going to stop serving
the Lord or stop loving the Lord?--It shouldn't! Because all that I know not, but GOD knows,
counts is the LORD! All the other stuff should really be neither O blessed rest from fear,
here nor there. It's just a little extra added frosting on the top! All my unfolding days
As long as you've got your eyes on the Lord and you're To Him are plain and clear.
going forward and staying on the Lord's path and His will and Each anxious puzzle, "Why?"
not getting sidetracked by your job, your mate, your lover, He From doubt or dread that grows,
supplies all those things and gives you what you need, but Finds answer in this thought,
they're not that important. But boy, if you get your eyes off the I know not, but GOD KNOWS!
goal, your usefulness is lessened or lost--your connection with
the Lord, your connection with the Word, your relationship with 445. When I stand at the Judgement Seat of Christ
others, everything suffers! But as long as you put Him and His And He shows me His plan for me:
Kingdom first, everything works out right and all the pieces fall The plan of my life as it MIGHT have been
into their right place. --Peter Had He had His way. And I see
 How I blocked Him here & I checked Him there
And I would not yield my will.
Will there be any GRIEF in my Saviour's eyes?
Grief, though He loves me still?
When I stand at the Judgement Seat of Christ
And He shows me His plan for me,
The plan of my life as it might have been
Had He had His Way, and I see.
Will my desolate heart then well-nigh break
With the tears I cannot shed.
Will I cover my face with my empty hands
And bow my uncrowned head?
Oh Lord, mold me now as Thou wilt,
In the pattern THOU hast planned.
For the years that are left for me to live,
I give them to THY hand.
446. The will of God for us is not something that we're
to be resigned to in a sort of melancholy reluctant way, but
something we are to feel JUBILANT about, because of what it
is going to do THROUGH us, in making us malleable and
submissive. "I delight to do Thy will, O my God." (Psalm 40:8)
Not in dumb resignation
Lift we our hands on high,
Not like the nerveless, faithless,
Content to do & die.
Instead our faith springs like the eagle's,
Who soars to meet the sun!
We cry exultantly unto Thee,
O Lord, Thy Will be done!
447. Holy Ghost with light divine,
Shine upon this heart of mine.
Chase the shades of night away,
Turn my darkness into day.
Holy Ghost with power divine,
CLEANSE this guilty heart of mine.
So long SIN did have control,
Held dominion o'er my soul.
Holy Ghost, all divine,
Dwell within this heart of mine,
Cast down every idle throne,
Reign supreme and reign alone!
448. I worked so hard for Jesus
I'd often boast and say,
I've sacrificed a lot of things
To walk the narrow way.
I gave up fame and fortune
I'm worth a lot to Thee.
Then I'd hear Him gently say to me:
I left the Throne of Glory
And counted it but loss
My hands were nailed in anger
Upon the cruel Cross.
You've suffered, yes, but do you think
You've suffered all that much?
The cup of sorrow that I drank
You did but scarcely touch!
449. "His Will be done", we say, reluctantly with
sighs,
Expecting trial, bitter loss & tears.
But often He then answers us with blessings,
And sweet rebuking of our faithless fears.
Why do we often fear to do His bidding,
And fail to do the thing He wants us to?
The One Who clears a path and leads us down it
Will light our way and also see us through.
God's Will at times is not so soft and easy
And often seems the harder path to choose,
But let Him have His way and trust Him wholly,
For though you give Him all, you'll never lose!
It's true the road to Heaven's straight and narrow
But let us bear our burdens with a smile,
When we get Home beyond those shimmering portals,
How small will seem each Earthly test and trial!
His Will for us is good, & grace, & glory
His Kingdom coming & on Earth begun.
Why should we fear to say, "His Will, His righteous,
Tender loving, joyous Will be done!"?
450. Dare to be like Daniel,
Dare to stand alone,
Dare to brave the lion's jaws.
Dare to stand up for your cause,
Dare to stand alone!
Dare to stand up boldly for
all you know is true,
Dare to risk your reputation,
Risk your life to save the nation,
Dare to stand alone!
Dare to trust that God is
with you in your stand!
Trust He'll cause you to succeed,
And give you courage that you need!
Stand where Daniel stands!
451. OTHERS saw the giants, CALEB saw the Lord;
THEY were sore disheartened, HE believed God's
word;
And that word he fully, fearlessly obeyed--
Was it not sufficient that the Lord hath said?
"I will never leave thee;" "Go in this thy might;"
"One shall chase a thousand, two put ten to flight."

Oh, to follow fully like this one of old;
Oh, to be like Caleb, doing what is told;
Then the Lord's rich blessing will be ours today,
He will prosper ever those who Him obey.
If we are half-hearted, we'll not taste God's best;
Those who follow wholly will be wholly blest,
Blest in soul and spirit, body, mind and heart,
Rich in heav'nly treasure, which He will impart.
Oh, to have one Master, only One to please;
Oh, to have one purpose, not our will or ease;
Pressing ever onward to the goal before,
Serving gladly, wholly, Him whom we adore.
Mabel Johnston Camp
452. Grant us hearts, dear Lord, to yield Thee
Gladly, freely, of Thine own;
With the sunshine of Thy goodness
Melt our thankless hearts of stone
Till our cold and selfish natures,
Warmed by Thee, at length believe
That more happy and more blessed
'Tis to give than to receive.
453. 1) Take my life, and let it be
Consecrated, Lord, to Thee;
Take my hands and let them move
At the impulse of Thy love.
2) Take my feet, and let them be
Swift and beautiful for Thee;
Take my voice, and let me sing
Always, only, for my King.
3) Take my lips, and let them be
Filled with messages for Thee;
Take my silver and my gold,
Not a mite would I withhold.
4) Take my moments and my days,
Let them flow in endless praise;
Take my intellect, and use
Ev'ry power as Thou shalt choose.
Frances R. Havergal, 1874
454. I have learn'd the wondrous secret
Of abiding in the Lord;
I have tasted life's pure fountain,
I am drinking of His Word;
I have found the strength and sweetness
Of abiding 'neath the blood;
I have lost myself in Jesus
I am sinking into God.
I am crucified with Jesus,
And He lives and dwells with me;
I have ceased from all my struggling,
'Tis no longer I, but He.
All my will is yielding to Him,
And His Spirit reigns within;
And His precious blood each moment
Keeps me cleansed and free from sin.
All my sicknesses I bring Him,
And He bears them all away;
All my fears and griefs I tell Him,
All my cares from day to day,
All my strength I draw from Jesus,
By His breath I live and move;
E'en His very mind He gives me,
And His faith, and life and love.
For my words I take His wisdom,
For my works His Spirit's pow'r;
For my ways His ceaseless Presence,
Guards and guides me ev'ry hour.
Of my heart, He is the Portion,
Of my joy the boundless Spring;
Saviour, Sanctifier, Healer,
Glorious Lord and coming King.
A. B. Simpson
455. You have longed for sweet peace and for faith to
increase,
And have earnestly, fervently prayed;
But you cannot have rest; or be perfectly blest
Until all on the altar is laid.
Is your all on the altar of sacrifice laid?
Your heart, does the Spirit control....
You can only be blest and have peace and sweet rest,
As you yield Him your body and soul.
Would you walk with the Lord, in the light of His
Word,
And have peace and contentment alway,
You must do His sweet will, to be free from all ill,
On the altar your all you must lay.
Oh, we never can know what the Lord will bestow
Of the blessings for which we have prayed,
Till our body and soul He doth fully control,
And our all on the altar is laid.
Who can tell all the love He will send from above,
And how happy our hearts will be made,
Of the fellowship sweet we shall share at His feet,
When our all on the altar is laid.
Elisha A. Hoffman
456. Encamped along the hills of light,
Ye Christian soldiers, rise,
And press the battle ere the night
Shall veil the glowing skies.
Against the foe in vales below
 Let all our strength be hurled;
Faith is the victory, we know,
That overcomes the world.
His banner over us is love,
Our sword the Word of God;
We tread the road the saints above
With shouts of triumph trod.
By faith, they like a whirlwind's breath,
Swept on o'er ev'ry field;
The faith by which they conquered death
Is still our shining shield.
On ev'ry hand the foe we find
Drawn up in dread array;
Let tents of ease be left behind,
And--onward to the fray.
Salvation's helmet on each head,
With truth all girt about,
The earth shall tremble 'neath our tread,
And echo with our shout.
To him that overcomes the foe,
White raiment shall be given;
Before the angels he shall know
His name confessed in heaven.
Then onward from the hills of light,
Our hearts with love aflame;
We'll vanquish all the hosts of night,
In Jesus' conquering name.
John H. Yates
457. I will say "Yes" to Jesus, Oft it was "No" before,
As He knocked at my heart's proud entrance, and I
firmly barred the door;
But I've made a complete surrender, And giv'n Him
right of way,
And henceforth it is always "Yes", Whatever He may
say.
I will say "Yes" to Jesus, Yes Lord, forever "Yes";
I'll welcome all Thy blessed will, And sweetly answer
"Yes."
I will say "Yes" to Jesus, His promises I'll claim,
And on ev'ry check He endorses I'll dare to write my
name;
I will put my "Amen" wherever my God has put His
"Yea."
And ever boldly answer, "Yes," whatever He may say.
I will say "Yes" to Jesus, To all that He commands,
I will hasten to do His bidding With willing heart and
hands;
I will listen to hear His whispers. And learn His Will
each day,
And always gladly answer "Yes," Whatever he may
say.
I will say "Yes" to Jesus, Whate'er His hands may
bring;
And, tho' clouds hang over my pathway, My trusting
heart will sing;
I will follow where'er He leadeth, My Shepherd knows
the way,
And while I live I'll answer, "Yes," Whatever He may
say.
A.B. Simpson
458. Jesus, I my cross have taken,
All to leave, and follow Thee;
Destitute, despised, forsaken,
Thou from hence my all shalt be:
Perish ev'ry fond ambition,
All I've sought, and hoped, or known;
Yet how rich is my condition,
God and heaven are still my own.
Let the world despise and leave me,
They have left my Saviour, too;
Human hearts and looks deceive me,
Thou art not, like man, untrue;
And while Thou shalt smile upon me,
God of wisdom, love, and might.
Foes may hate, and friends may shun me,
Show Thy face and all is bright.
Man may trouble and distress me,
'Twill but drive me to Thy breast;
Life with trials hard may press me,
Heaven will bring me sweeter rest.
O 'tis not in grief to harm me,
While Thy love is left to me;
O 'twere not in joy to charm me,
Were that joy unmixed with Thee.
Go then, earthly fame and treasure!
Come disaster, scorn, and pain!
In Thy service, pain is pleasure;
With Thy favour, loss is gain.
I have called Thee, Abba, Father;
I have stayed my heart on Thee:
Storms may howl, and clouds may gather,
All must work for good to me.
Henry F. Lyte
459. Living for Jesus a life that is true,
Striving to please Him in all that I do;
Yielding allegiance, glad-hearted and free,
This is the pathway of blessing for me.
O Jesus, Lord and Saviour, I give myself to Thee,
For Thou, in Thy atonement, didst give Thyself for
me;
I own no other Master, my heart shall be Thy throne,
My life I give, henceforth to live, O Christ, for Thee
alone.
 Living for Jesus who died in my place,
Bearing on Calv'ry my sin and disgrace;
Such love constrains me to answer His call,
Follow His leading and give Him my all.
Living for Jesus wherever I am,
Doing each duty in His holy name;
Willing to suffer affliction and loss,
Deeming each trial a part of my cross.
Living for Jesus through earth's little while,
My dearest treasure, the light of His smile;
Seeking the lost ones He died to redeem,
Bringing the weary to find rest in Him.
--Thomas O. Chisholm
460. I clasp the hand of Love divine,
I claim the gracious promise mine,
And this eternal countersign,
"I take, He undertakes."
"I take Thee, blessed Lord,"
I give myself to Thee,
And Thou, according to Thy word,
Dost undertake for me.
I take salvation full and free,
Thro' Him who gave His life for me,
He undertakes my All to be,
"I take, He undertakes."
I take Him as my holiness,
My spirit's spotless, heav'nly dress,
I take "The Lord my Righteousness,"
"I take, He undertakes."
I take the promised Holy Ghost,
I take the pow'r of Pentecost,
To fill me to the uttermost,
"I take, He undertakes."
I take Him for this mortal frame,
I take my healing through His name,
And all His risen life I claim,
"I take, he undertakes."
I simply take Him at His word,
I praise Him that my prayer is heard,
And claim my answer from the Lord,
"I take, He undertakes."
A. B. Simpson
461. Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own
way!
Thou art the Potter, I am the clay.
Mould me and make me after Thy will,
While I am waiting, yielded and still.
Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Search me and try me Master, today!
Whiter than snow, Lord, wash me just now,
As in Thy presence humbly I bow.
Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Hold o'er my being, absolute sway!
Fill with Thy Spirit till all shall see
Christ only, always, living in me!
Adelaide A. Pollard
462. Saved to serve, oh, list the wondrous story,
Saved to serve the royal King of glory;
Going forth His banner floating o'er me;
Saved to serve the King.
Saved to serve when days are bright and cheery,
Or when shadows make the pathway dreary;
Never in His service growing weary,
Saved to serve the King.
Saved to serve, allegiance gladly yielding,
Sin or wrong in any form ne'er shielding;
In His name the sword of truth e'er wielding,
Saved to serve the King.
Lida Shivers Leech
463. Tell me not of earthly pleasures,
Tempt me not with sordid gain:
Mock me not with earth's illusions,
Vex me not with honours vain.
I am weaned from sinful idols;
I am henceforth not my own;
I have given my heart to Jesus,
I belong to Him alone.
Oh, the blessed rest it brings us
To belong to Christ alone;
We can draw on all His fulness
When we've nothing of our own.
Blessed Jesus, take me, own me,
Make me, keep me wholly Thine.
Deign to find in me Thy portion,
While I joy to call Thee mine.
Weary soul, give up the struggle,
Cease at length thyself to own;
Give yourself away to Jesus,
And belong to Him alone.
Once He gave His all to win thee,
Now He asks as much of thee;
All He has He fully gives thee;
Let thy love His portion be.
A. B. Simpson
464. I choose Thee, blessed will of God!
In Thee alone, my heart can rest,
The current of Thy love, I know
Can only bear me to Thy breast.
I choose Thee blessed will of God!
In Thee alone my heart can rest.
I choose Thee, blessed will of God!
No longer shall this will of mine
In selfish blindness to Thy love,
Its hateful choice and strength combine.
I choose Thee, blessed will of God!
The sweetest thing my heart hath known
A chariot my God hath sent
To bear me upward to His throne.
I choose thee, blessed will of God!
For in the circling of Thine arms,
The gladdest Spring of Joy I find;
Outside Thee fears and strange alarms.
May Agnew Stevens
465. They tell of the bliss of the ransomed above
In the land that is far, far away;
But Jesus so fills my glad heart with His love
That I'm living in heaven today.
For heaven is Jesus and Jesus is mine,
And His presence is with me alway;
He fills me so full of His glory divine
That I'm living in heaven today.
They tell of the pleasures that never decline
And the treasures that never decay;
But Jesus Himself and His riches are mine,
And I'm living in heaven today.
No sorrows e'er come to that beautiful shore,
And their tears have been all wiped away;
But Jesus has taught me to sorrow no more,
And He fills me with heaven today.
I now have a joy that they never can know,
In that land that is far, far away;
I'm seeking and saving poor sinners below,
And this is my heaven today.
A. B. Simpson
466. Jesus, Master, whose I am,
Purchased Thine alone to be
By Thy blood, O spotless Lamb,
Shed so willingly for me,
Let my heart be all Thine own,
Let me live to Thee alone.
Other lords have long held sway,
Now Thy name alone to bear,
Thy dear voice alone obey,
Is my daily, hourly pray'r;
Whom have I in heav'n but Thee?
Nothing else my joy can be.
Jesus, Master, I am Thine;
Keep me faithful, keep me near;
Let Thy presence in me shine
All my homeward way to cheer.
Jesus, at Thy feet I fall,
Oh, be Thou my all in all.
F. R. Havergal.
467. (PROPHECY) WHILE YOU WERE PRAISING
THE LORD THE LORD WAS PRAISING YOU FOR
GIVING YOUR ALL TO HIM: "These have given all to Me!
These who have given all to Me shall receive in abundance
many times over what they have given, and they shall receive
reward beyond their comprehension, and beyond all that they
could ask or think shall I give unto them when they are come
into My house!"
468. Yes, it takes a lot of COURAGE
To put things in God's hands,
To give ourselves completely,
Our lives, our hopes, our plans;
To follow where He leads us
And make His will our own.
--But all it takes is FOOLISHNESS
To go the way alone.
--Betsy Kline
469. As children bring their broken toys with tears for
us to mend,
I brought my broken dreams to Him because He was
my friend.
But then instead of leaving Him in peace to work
alone,
I hung around & tried to help with ways that were my
own.
At last I snatched them back & cried, "How can You
be so slow?"
"My child," He said, "what could I do? You never did
let go."
COMMUNION WITH GOD And I am not afraid.
--Caroline Atherton Mason (1823-1890)

3. The Christian has to live in the World, but he must

draw all his resources from outside of the World.

4. One of Satan's methods today is to start so many

organisations in a church that the members have no time for
communion with God.

5. There is too much working before men & too little

waiting before God. There is more & more motion, & less &
less unction.

6. The Lord is my Teacher;

I shall not lose the way to wisdom.
He leadeth me in the lowly path of learning.
He prepareth a lesson for me every day.
He findeth the clear fountain of instruction.
Little by little He showeth me the beauty of Truth.
The World is a great book that He has written,
He turneth the pages for me slowly;
Related Index Topics: Communion With God; Prayer,
They are all inscribed with images & letters--
Prayer Life, Rest in the Lord, Love for God, First Place.
His voice poureth light on the pictures & the words
Then am I glad when I perceive His meaning.
1. In a sermon on "Enoch walked with God," Dr.
He taketh me by the hand to the hilltop of wisdom,
Campbell Morgan gave the following illustration:
In the valley, also, He walketh beside me
A little child gave a most exquisite explanation of
And in the dark places He whispereth in my heart.
walking with God. She went home from Sunday school, & the
Yea, tho' my lesson be hard, it is not hopeless,
mother said, "Tell me what you learned at school."
For the Lord is very patient with His slow scholar.
And she said: "Don't you know, Mother, one day they
He will wait awhile for my weakness--
went for an extra long walk, & they walked on & on, until God
He will help me to read the Truth thru' tears.
said to Enoch. 'You are a long way from home; you had better
Surely Thou wilt enlighten me daily by joy & by
just come in & stay.' And he went."
sorrow,
And lead me at last, O Lord, to the perfect knowledge
2. At cool of day, with God I walk
of Thee.
My garden's grateful shade;
--Henry Van Dyke
I hear His voice among the trees,
And I am not afraid.
7. The more a person is satisfied with Christ, the more
he will find his satisfaction in satisfying Him.
He speaks to me in every wind,
He smiles from every star;
8. The life rooted with God cannot be uprooted.
He is not deaf to me, nor blind,
Nor absent, nor afar.
9. In an effort to get the work of the Lord done, we
often lose contact with the Lord of the work.
His hand that shuts the flowers to sleep,
Each in its dewy fold,
10. Our ability to stay with God in our closet measures
Is strong my feeble life to keep,
our ability to stay with God out of the closet.
And competent to hold.
11. None reverence the Lord more than they who know
The powers below & powers above,
Him best.--William Cowper
Are subject to His care--
I cannot wander from His Love
12. How rare it is to find a soul quiet enough to hear
Who loves me everywhere.
God speak!--Francois Fenelon
Thus dowered, & guarded thus, with Him
13. One man with a glowing experience of God is
I walk this peaceful shade;
worth a library full of arguments.
I hear His voice among the trees,
 14. Nothing is more dreadful for a sinner nor more
wonderful for a Christian than to be alone with God.
15. We must live a life of communion with God, even
while our conversation is with the World.
16. How can you expect to keep your powers of
hearing when you never want to listen? That God should have
time for you, you seem to take as much for granted, as that you
cannot have time for Him.
--Dag Hammarskjold
17. There is a place where thou canst touch the eyes
Of blinded men, to instant perfect sight.
There is a place where thou canst say, Arise,
To dying captives bound in chains of night.
There is a place where thou canst reach the store
Of hoarded gold & free it for the Lord.
There is a place upon some distant shore
Where thou canst send a worker or the Word.
There is a place where Heaven's resistless power
Responsive moves to thine insistent plea.
There is a place, a silent trusting hour,
Where God Himself descends & fights for thee.
Where is that blessed place?
Dost thou ask where?
Oh friend, it is the secret place of prayer!
18. Sometimes I do not even pray in words,
I take my heart in my two hands
And hold it up before the Lord,
I'm so glad He understands.
Sometimes I do not even pray in words,
My spirit bows before His feet,
And with His hand upon my head
We hold communion, silent, sweet.
Sometimes I do not pray in words,
For I am tired & long for rest,
My heart finds all it wants & needs
Just resting on the Saviour's breast.
19. One late afternoon in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania,
wanting to be alone, I entered a strange cathedral & sat down
amid the silence & semi-darkness. It was a gloomy place at that
hour. The stained glass windows were especially forbidding.
Presently a caretaker approached me, & thinking he wished me
to leave so that he could lock up, I started to go. "Oh no," he
whispered, "don't go until the lights come on!" So I waited. The
room became darker, the shadows deepened, the windows were
ugly & repelling & I wanted so much to leave. Then suddenly
the street lights came on in full & the whole scene was changed!
What a transformation! I thought I had never seen such
exquisite colouring, such Heavenly suggestiveness as the
windows gave forth in their wonderful colouring! Everything
was enhanced with unearthly beauty that fed my soul, & I
wanted to capture & keep it forever!
Then I thought of the darkness which had shrouded
many times my spirit, & how inexplicably it can vanish with the
joy of the Lord coming in & His light flooding the soul. "The
Lord will lighten my darkness!" I had learned a secret from that
old caretaker, yes I had!--Don't go until the lights come on!--
Francis E. Seaworth
20. In the secret of His presence, how my soul delights
to hide!
Oh, how precious are the lessons which I learn at
Jesus' side!
Earthly cares can never vex me, neither trials lay me
low;
For when Satan comes to tempt me, to the secret place
I go.
When my soul is faint & thirsty, 'neath the shadow of
His wing
There is cool & pleasant shelter, & a fresh & crystal
spring;
And my Saviour rests beside me, as we hold
communion sweet;
If I tried, I could not utter what He says when thus we
meet.
Only this I know; I tell Him all my doubts, my griefs
& fears:
Oh, how patiently He listens! And my drooping soul
He cheers:
Do you think He ne'er reproves me? What a false
friend He would be,
If He never, never told me of the sins which He must
see.
Would you like to know the sweetness of the secret of
the Lord?
Go & hide beneath His shadow: This shall then be
your reward;
And whene'er you leave the silence of that happy
meeting place,
You will bear the shining image of the Master in your
face!
--Ellen Lakshmi Goreh
COMMUNION WITH GOD: PRAISE & THANKFULNESS
INCLUDES: Murmuring
RELATED INDEX TOPICS: Thankfulness
1. Start off with praise & thanksgiving. If you don't
thank the Lord for the blessings He's already given you, He's
not going to feel much like answering your prayers to give you
something else you want!
2. Just like we get specific with God in the things we
ask for, we should be just that specific in thanking Him for the
things He gives us, & get just as enthusiastic in thanking Him as
we were desperate in asking Him.
3. How often have you ever thanked God for sight? A
group of visitors at a summer resort had watched the sunset
from the gallery of the hotel. A fat, unromantic-looking man
had lingered until the last glow faded, & had seemed thrilled
through & through by the beauty of it all. One guest, more
observant than the rest, wondered about this, & so at supper she
said to this man, who sat next to her, "You certainly did enjoy
that sunset, Mr. B. Are you an artist?" "No, Madam, I'm a
plumber," he responded with a slow grin. "But I was blind for
five years."
4. The head of a household at the morning meal had
asked the blessing as usual, thanking God for a bountiful
provision. Immediately afterward he began to grumble about
the hard times, the poor quality of food he was forced to eat, &
the way it was cooked.
His little daughter interrupted him. "Father," she
began, "do you suppose God heard what you said a little while
ago?"
"Certainly," he replied confidently.
"And did He hear what you said about the bacon & the
coffee?"
"Of course"--not quite so confidently.
"Then, Father, which did God believe?"
Even when we as children of God do remember to
thank Him for the blessings He pours into our lives, are we not
often like this man? Do not our words & our deeds often
contrast sharply with the thanks we utter?
5. Don't complain. The wheel that squeaks the loudest
often gets replaced.
6. The pain in your neck you complain about may be
the result of looking back too much.
7. Happiness comes when we stop wailing about the
troubles we have, & offer thanks for all the troubles we don't
have.
8. To be content, just think how happy you would be if
you lost everything you have right now, & then got it back
again!
9. Happiness is in the heart, not in the circumstances.
10. A Christian general & a judge in India were on a
military expedition. When they came to a Mohammendan area
they were met by several ladies of a Christian mission. The
Indian judge was impressed with these cultured women
missionaries, & said, "I cannot understand why these ladies give
up their time & risk infection working in this filthy part of
town." "It is rather amazing," replied the general, "unless you
realise their motive." "Ah, that's just my difficulty." "Their
motive is gratitude." "Gratitude! What have our poor people
ever done for them that these ladies should feel gratitude? I
wish you would explain it for me." "To explain would involve
the essential differences between our religions." "I'll listen to
you," said the judge. The general gave him a story of a friend in
greatest difficulties over money matters & his debt was paid by
a kind stranger. Then he explained, "Though our debts have
been paid & we are free, we owe the deepest gratitude to Jesus
Christ our Saviour, who paid them for us, & that explains these
missionary ladies. They have only one motive: To prove their
gratitude to Him Who paid their debts."
11. O Thou whose bounty fills my cup.
With every blessing meet!
I give Thee thanks for every drop--
The bitter & the sweet.
I praise Thee for the desert road,
And for the riverside;
For all Thy goodness hath bestowed,
And all Thy grace denied.
I thank Thee for both smile & frown,
And for the gain & loss;
I praise Thee for the future crown
And for the present cross.
I thank Thee for both wings of love
Which stirred my worldly nest;
And for the stormy clouds which drove
Me, trembling, to Thy breast.
I bless Thee for the glad increase,
And for the waning joy;
And for this strange, this settled peace
Which nothing can destroy.
12. A clergyman included in his annual parochial
report the item, "Nine persons lost at sea." When the
congregation expressed shock & amazement, he said, "Well,
eleven persons requested prayers for a safe voyage, & only two
asked me to give thanks for a safe return, so I assume that the
other nine were lost at sea."
13. We shouldn't count our blessings on our fingers &
our miseries on an adding machine.
14. Our favourite attitude should be gratitude.
15. He who is not grateful for the good things he has
would not be happy with what he wishes he had. them remembered to ask God's blessing on the food.
16. He who forgets the language of gratitude can never During the feast a beggar entered, dirty & ill-clad. He
be on speaking terms with happiness. seated himself at the royal table & ate & drank to his heart's
17. If you can't be grateful for what you receive, be content. at first the pages were amazed, & they expected that
grateful for what you escape. the king would order him away. But Alfonso said never a word.
18. Worship, then, is not part of the Christian life; it is When the beggar had finished he rose & left without a word of
the Christian life. thanks. Then the boys could keep silence no longer. "What a
19. Worship is the declaration by a creature of the despicably mean fellow!" they cried.
greatness of his Creator. But the king silenced them, & clear, calm tones he
20. Christ takes no more delight to dwell in a sad heart said, "Boys, bolder & more audacious than this beggar have you
than we do to live in a dark house. all been. Every day you sit down to a table supplied by the
21. Dr. Alexander Whyte of Edinburgh was famous for bounty of your Heavenly Father, yet you ask not His blessing
his pulpit prayers. He always found something to thank God for, nor express to Him your gratitude."
even in bad times. One stormy morning a member of his
congregation thought to himself, "The preacher will have 30. When tempted:
nothing to thank God on a wretched morning like this." But Forget the slander you have heard,
Whyte began his prayer, "We thank Thee, O God, that it is not Forget the hasty, unkind word,
always like this." Forget the quarrel & the cause,
22. Matthew Henry, the famous scholar, was once Forget the whole affair, because,
accosted by thieves & robbed of his purse. He wrote these Forgetting is the only way.
words in his diary: Forget the storm of yesterday,
"Let me be thankful first, because I was never robbed Forget the chapter whose sour face
before; second, because, although they took my purse, they did Forgets to smile in any place.
not take my life; third, because, although they took my all, it Forget that you're not a millionaire,
was not much; & fourth, because it was I who was robbed, not I Forget the grey streaks in your hair,
who robbed. Forget the coffee when it's cold,
23. George Matheson, the well-known blind preacher Forget to kick, forget to scold.
of Scotland, now with the Lord, says: "My God, I have never Forget the plumber's awful charge,
thanked Thee for my `thorn'! I have thanked Thee a thousand Forget the doctor's bill is large;
times for my roses, but never once for my `thorn'; I have been Forget the repair man & his ways,
looking forward to a world where I shall get compensation for Forget the winter's blustery days.
my cross as itself a present glory. Teach me the glory of my Forget the neighbour's wagging tongue.
cross; teach me the value of my `thorn'. Show me that I have
climbed to Thee by the path of pain. Show me that my tears But don't forget to thank the Lord when the day is
have made my rainbow." done.
24. Don't complain because you have to get up early
every morning. The time may come when you can't get up-- 31. Don't pray for rain if you're going to complain
period! about the mud.
25. Those who complain about the way the ball 32. There is a sense in which no gift is ours till we
bounces are often the ones who dropped it. have thanked the giver.
26. A lot of people go through life standing at the 33. Heaven is a state of thankfulness for having
complaint counter. received what we did not deserve, & for not receiving what we
27. Some of those old codgers who keep complaining did deserve.
that things are not what they used to be always forget to include 34. Be grateful for what you have, not regretful for
themselves. what you haven't.
28. A violent thunderstorm once preserved the town of
Basle from the shells of the Russians & Hungarians who were 35. "The Lord reigneth, let the Earth rejoice."--
besieging the place. The pious people in gratitude to God, as a Psa.97:1
thankoffering, founded a school for the training of Christian Christ is risen! Christ is risen!
missionaries. This was the origin of the great Basle Missionary He hath burst His bonds in twain;
Society which sends out hundreds of missionaries. They made Christ is risen! Christ is risen!
their thanksgiving practical. Cry of gladness! soar again.
29. There was once a good king in Spain called For our gain He suffered loss
Alfonso XII. Now it came to the ears of this king that the pages By Divine decree;
at his court forgot to ask God's blessing on their daily meals, & He hath died upon the Cross,
he determined to rebuke them. He invited them to a banquet But our God is He.
which they all attended. The table was spread with every kind Christ is risen! Christ is risen!
of good thing, & the boys ate with evident relish; but none of He hath burst His bonds in twain;
 Christ is risen! Christ is risen! Earth & Heaven prolong
the strain!
See the chains of death are broken;
Earth below & Heaven above
Joy in each amazing token
Of His rising, Lord of Love;
He for evermore shall reign
By the Father's side,
Till He comes to Earth again,
Comes to claim His Bride.
Christ is risen! Christ is risen!
He hath burst His bonds in twain;
Christ is risen! Christ is risen!
Earth & Heaven prolong the strain!
Glorious Angels downward thronging
Hail the Lord of all the skies;
Heaven, with joy & holy longing
For the Word Incarnate, cries,
"Christ is risen! Earth, rejoice!
Gleam, ye starry train!
All creation find a voice;
He o'er all shall reign."
Christ is risen! Christ is risen!
He hath burst his bonds in twain;
Christ is risen! Christ is risen!
O'er the universe to reign. Amen! Rev. A.T.Gurney,
1802
36. We adore Thee, Sinless One!
For the battle fought & won,
For the thorn-crown on Thy brow,
For the crown Thou wearest now;
For the hands nailed to the tree,
Hands that opened Heaven for me:
Sacred feet pierced through for sin,
Side that let the red spear in.
We adore Thee for the blood
Sprinkled by the Throne of God,
Blood that bathed a crimson tide--
Brow & hands & feet & side.
Blood that o'er my sins doth flow,
Making me as white as snow,
Shed for me when Jesus died.
We adore Thee, Crucified!
37. Be not afraid of saying too much in the praises of
God; all the danger is of saying too little.
38. What we win by prayer we must wear with praise.
39. If Christians praised God more, the World would
doubt Him less.
40. A drop of praise is an unsuitable acknowledgement
for an ocean of mercy.
41. The concealment of praise is tantamount to
depriving the Lord of half His glory.
42. Thou Who hast given so much to me,
Give one thing more--a grateful heart;
Not thankful when it pleaseth me,
As if Thy blessings had spare days,
But such a heart, whose pulse may be Thy praise!
--George Herbert
43. A bit of praise is one of the best ways of dispelling
a dark mood. I knew a man who lost his speech during the war.
It was a case of shell shock. One Sunday evening he was at a
religious service in which the 100th Psalm--a Psalm of Praise--
was quoted. Forgetting his loss of speech, the veteran began to
praise God for His goodness. His speech had come back!
44. Flowers rejoice when night is done,
Lift their heads to greet the sun;
Sweetest looks & odours raise,
In a silent hymn of praise.
So my heart would turn away
From the darkness to the day;
Lying open in God's sight
Like a flower in the light. Henry van Dyke
45. A doctor visiting a leper colony heard an aged
sufferer singing cheerily; yet he knew that her condition was
serious.
"Well, Mother," he remarked to her, "you must be
feeling pretty well today--you're singing to happily."
She turned a face full of suffering towards him &
answered, "Oh Doctor, my sores hurt so badly I must sing!"
46. After one of the terrible battles of the Civil War, a
dying Confederate soldier asked to see the chaplain. When the
chaplain arrived, he supposed the young man would wish him
to beseech God for his recovery; but it was very different. First
the soldier asked him to cut off a lock of his hair for his mother,
& then he asked him to kneel down & thank God. "What for?"
asked the surprised chaplain. "For giving me such a mother.
Thank God that I am a Christian. And thank God for giving me
grace to die with. And thank God for the Home He has
promised me Over There." And so the chaplain knelt down by
the dying man, & in his prayer he had not a single petition to
offer, but only praise & gratitude.
47. The best atmosphere for prayer is praise.
48. We should be always wearing the garment of
praise, not just waving a palm branch now & then.
49. Worship is that to which we give our interest, our
enthusiasm & our devotion.
50. Bless God heartily though He afflict you heavily.
51. God listens for nothing more tenderly as when His
children help each other by their testimonies to His goodness &
the way in which He has brought them deliverance.
52. Praise Him when the sun is shining,
When the winds of trouble blow,
When you see no silver lining
On the clouds that hang so low.
Praise illumines clouds of sorrow,
Turns the gray skies into gold
Giving promise of a morrow
Bright with blessings manifold.

Praise Him when your load is heavy
And the day no comfort brings,
Then your burden God will carry,
Bear you as on eagles' wings.
God delights to have us praise Him,
And believe His Holy Word;
And He knoweth them that trust Him,
For they always praise the Lord.
--Ida A. Guirey
53. Be careful for nothing;
Be prayerful for everything;
Be thankful for anything.
--D.L. Moody
54. Don't count your blessings without praising the
Blesser.
55. No duty is more urgent than that of returning
thanks.
56. Praise God from Whom all blessings flow,
Praise Him, all creatures here below,
Praise Him above, ye Heavenly host,
Praise Father, Son & Holy Ghost.
57. Glory be to Him Who loved us,
Wash'd us from each sinful stain;
Glory be to Him Who made us
Priests & kings with Him to reign;
Glory, worship, laud & blessing
To the Lamb Who once was slain.
"Glory, worship, laud & blessing,"
Thus the choir triumphant sings;
"Honour, riches, pow'r, dominion,"
Thus its praise Creation brings;
Thou art worthy, Thou art worthy,
Lord of lords, & King of kings.
Glory to the King of Angels,
Glory to the church's King,
Glory to the King of nations,
Heav'n & Earth His praises sing:
Glory ever & forever
To the King of Glory bring.
Glory be to Thee, O Father,
Glory be to Thee, O Son,
Glory be to Thee, O Spirit,
Glory be to God alone,
As it was, is now, & shall be
While the endless ages run.
--Rev. Dr. H. Bonar
58. Praise is the best of all sacrifices & the true
evidence of godliness.
59. It is a bad sign when a newborn babe has not lungs
enough to make itself heard over the whole house. It is equally
a bad symptom when the new convert is born dumb & cannot
find his voice to praise God audibly.
60. No duty almost is more stressed in both Testaments
than this, of rejoicing in the Lord. It is no less a sin not to
rejoice than not to repent.
61. O Jesus, Jesus, dearest Lord!
Forgive me if I say,
For very love,
Thy sacred name
A thousand times a day.
O Jesus, Lord, with me abide;
I rest in Thee, whate'er betide;
Thy gracious smile is my reward;
I love, I love Thee, Lord!
I love Thee so I know not how
My transports to control;
Thy Love is like a burning fire
Within my very soul.
For Thou to me art all in all;
My honour & my wealth;
My heart's desire, my body's strength,
My soul's eternal heath.
Burn, burn, O Love, within my heart,
Burn fiercely night & day,
Till all the dross of earthly loves
Is burned, & burned away.
O light in darkness, joy in grief,
O Heav'n begun on Earth;
Jesus my Love, my Treasure, who
Can tell what Thou art worth?
What limit is there to this Love?
Thy flight, where wilt Thou stay?
On, on! our Lord is sweeter far
Today than yesterday.
--Rev. F.W. Faber
62. Haydn, the great musician, was once asked why his
church music was so cheerful, & he replied: "When I think
upon God, my heart is so full of joy that the notes dance & leap,
as it were, from my pen, & since God has given me a cheerful
heart it will be pardoned me that I serve Him with a cheerful
spirit."
63. "Wrinkles should merely indicate where smiles
have been."
64. Be not hot in prayer & cold in praise.
65. Contentment is what makes poor men rich.
Discontentment is what makes rich men poor.
66. Home is the place where we are treated the best &
grumble the most.
67. Pessimist: One who feels bad when he feels good
for fare he'll feel worse when he feels better.
68. Be content with what you have but not with what
you are.
69. What a Year!
 What a God! To spread through all the Earth abroad,
What a Prophet! The honours of Thy name.
What a Rod!
Jesus! the Name that charms our fears,
What a Maiden! That bids our sorrows cease;
What a Queen! 'Tis music in the sinner's ears,
What a Family! 'Tis life, & health, & peace.
What a Dream!
He breaks the power of canceled sin,
What a Work! He sets the pris'ner free;
What a Way! His blood can make the foulest clean;
What a Wonder! His blood availed for me. Charles Wesley
What a Day!
72. As the bridegroom to his chosen, as the king unto
What a Future! the realm,
What a Plan! As the keep unto the castle, as the pilot to the helm,
What a Saviour! So, O Lord, art Thou to me.
What a Man!
As the fountain in the garden, as the candle in the dark,
What a Harvest! As the treasure in the coffer, as the manna in the ark,
What a Vine! So, O Lord, art Thou to me.
What a Fruit!
What a Time! As the music at the banquet, as the stamp upon the
seal,
What a Heaven! As the medicine to the fainting, as the wine-cup at the
What an Earth! meal,
What a Body! So, o Lord, art Thou to me.
What a Birth!
As the ruby in the setting, as the honey in the comb,
What a Love! As the light within the lantern, as the father in the
What a Life! home,
What a Husband! So, o Lord, art Thou to me.
What a Wife!
As the sunshine to the heavens, as the image to the
What a Wedding! glass,
What a Feast! As the fruit unto the fig-tree, as the dew upon the
What a City! grass,
What a Release! So, O Lord, art Thou to me.
--J.Tauler (Psa.45:2; Song of Songs 2:3; Col.2:9.)
What a Vision!
What a Friend! 73. "I find in whatsoever state I am therewith to be
What a Mission! content." This would not mean so much were it not for the fact
What an End! that it was uttered by a man who was unfairly treated, unjustly
jailed, & finally was a victim to the executioner's axe.
What a Conquest! --The Apostle Paul!
What a View! 74. Satan is a chronic grumbler. The Christian ought to
What a Father! be a living doxology.
What a Crew! 75. My Swedish Grandpa always thanked the Lord for
--Cephas the food after the meal. Isn't that when you usually thank people
for doing things for you? I don't think the Lord cares whether
70. He who is thankful for little enjoys much. you thank Him before or after, as long as you thank Him.--Dad
71. O for a thousand tongues to sing 76. Thanksgiving is good, thanksliving is better.
My great Redeemer's praise, 77. Dr. Park Tucker, former chaplain of the federal
The glories of my God & King, penitentiary in Atlanta, Georgia, told of walking down the street
The triumphs of His grace! in a certain city, feeling low & depressed & worried about life
in general. As he walked along, he lifted his eyes for a moment
My gracious Master & my God, to the window of a funeral home across the street. He blinked
Assist me to proclaim, his eyes a couple of times, wondering whether his eyes were
deceiving him.
But sure enough, he saw in the window of that funeral
home was this sing, in large, bold words: "Why walk around
half-dead? We can bury you for $69.50 P.S. We also give green
stamps." Dr. Tucker said the humour of it was good medicine
for his soul. Many people are walking around half-dead because
worry has built a mountain of problem over which there is no
path, & they have surrendered to fate.
78. "Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither
shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, & the
fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the
fold, & there shall be no herd in the stalls; yet I will rejoice in
the Lord, I will joy in the God of my Salvation."--Hab.3:17,18
79. The thankfulness of the receiver ought to answer to
the benefit of the bestower as the echo answers to the voice.
80. Start off with praise & thanksgiving. If you don't
thank the Lord for the blessings He's already given you, He's
not going to feel much like answering your prayers to give you
something else you want!
81. Our forefathers did without sugar until the 13th
century; without coal fires until the 14th century; without
buttered bread until the 15th century; without potatoes until the
16th century; without coffee, tea, & soup until the 17th century;
without pudding until the 18th century; without eggs, matches,
& electricity until the 19th century; without canned goods until
the 20th century. Now, what was it we were complaining about?
82. Sometimes when you are feeling jaded or blase,
you can revive your sense of wonder by merely saying to
yourself:
Suppose this were the only time. Suppose this sunset,
this moonrise, this symphony, this buttered toast, this sleeping
child, this flag against the sky...suppose I would never
experience these things again!
Few things are commonplace in themselves. It's our
reaction to them that grows dull, we move forward through the
years.
83. There is a story told of a king who was suffering
from unhappiness, whose astrologer told him that the only cure
for him was to find a happy man, get his shirt, & wear it night
& day. So messengers were sent through the king's realm in
search of such a man, with orders to bring back his shirt.
Months passed, & after a thorough search of the
country the messengers returned, but without the shirt.
"Did you find a truly happy man in all my realm?" the
king asked.
"Yes, O king, we found one, just one in all thy realm,"
they replied.
"Then why did you not bring back his shirt?" the king
demanded.
"Master, the man had no shirt," was the answer.
84. Christians should have a gratitude attitude.
85. I have known Harold Abbott for years. He lives at
820 South Madison Avenue, Webb City, Missouri. He used to
be my lecture manager. One day he & I met in Kansas City &
he drove me down to my farm at Belton, Missouri. During that
drive, I asked him how he kept from worrying; & he told me an
inspiring story that I shall never forget.
"I used to worry a lot," he said, "but one Spring day in
1934, I was walking down West Dougherty Street in Webb City
when I saw a sight that banished all my worries. It all happened
in ten seconds, but during those ten seconds I learned more
about how to live than I had learned in the previous ten years.
For two years I had been running a grocery store in Webb City,"
Harold Abbott said, as he told me the story. "I had not only lost
all my savings, but I had incurred debts that took me seven
years to pay back. My grocery store had been closed the
previous Saturday; & now I was going to the Merchants &
Miners Bank to borrow money so I could go to Kansas City to
look for a job.
"I walked like a beaten man. I had lost all my fight &
faith. Then suddenly I saw coming down the street a man who
had no legs. He was sitting on a little wooden platform
equipped with wheels from roller skates. He propelled himself
along the street with a block of wood in each hand. I met him
just after he had crossed the street & was starting to lift himself
up a few inches over the curb to the sidewalk. As he tilted his
little wooden platform to an angle, his eyes met mine. He
greeted me with a grand smile, `Good morning, Sir. It is a fine
morning, isn't it?' he said with spirit.
"As I stood looking at him, I realised how rich I was. I
had two legs. I could walk. I felt ashamed of my self-pity. I said
to myself, `if he can be happy, cheerful, & confident without
legs, I certain can with legs.' I could already feel my chest
lifting. I had intended to ask the Merchants & Miners Bank for
only one hundred dollars. But now I had courage to ask for
TWO hundred. I had intended to say that I wanted to go to
Kansas City to TRY to get a job. But now I announced
confidently that I wanted to go to Kansas City to GET a job. I
got the loan; & I got the job.
"I now have the following words pasted on my
bathroom mirror, & I read them every morning as I shave: I had
the blues because I had no shoes,
Until upon the street, I met a man who had no feet."
86. They said to Mrs. Billy Graham: "How can you
stand to be married to a man who's gone most of the time?" She
said, "I'd rather have a little bit of Billy Graham than a whole
lot of somebody else!" Amen? Maybe you'd better be thankful
for what little God gives you, or He may take it all back!--Dad
87. Don't grumble because you don't have what you
want...rather be exceedingly grateful you don't get what you
deserve!
88. It is not the greatness of my trials but the littleness
of my faith that causes me to complain.
89. If you don't enjoy what you have now, how can
you be happier with more?
90. Oftentimes we don't appreciate life until it's time
for it to end.
91. It isn't what you have in your pocket that makes
you thankful, but what you have in your heart.
92. I've been countin' up my blessings,
I've been summin' up my woes,
But I ain't got the conclusion
Some would naturally suppose.
Why I quit accounting troubles,
For I had half a score,
While the more I count my blessings,
I keep a finding more & more!
There've been things that weren't exactly
As I thought they oughtta be,
And I often growled at problems
For not a peppin' me.
But I hadn't stopped to reason
What the other side had been,
How much of good & blessing
Had been thickly crowded in.
For there'd been a rift of sunshine
After every shower of tears,
And I found a load of laughter
Scattered all along the years.
If the thorns had pricked me sometimes,
I've good reason to suppose,
Love has hid them often from me
`Neath the shadow of the rose.
So I'm gonna still be thankful
For the sunshine & the rain,
For the joy that's made me happy,
For the purgin' done by pain.
For the love of little children
For the friends that have been true,
For the Guiding Hand that's led me
Every threatenin' danger through!
93. Little Boy kneels at the foot of the bed,
Droops on the little hands little gold head.
Hush! Hush! Whisper who dares!
Christopher Robin is saying his prayers.
God bless Mummy. I know that's right.
Wasn't it fun in the bath tonight?
The cold's so cold, & the hot's so hot.
Oh! God bless Daddy--I quite forgot.
If I open my fingers a little bit more,
I can see Nanny's dressing-gown on the door.
It's a beautiful blue, but it hasn't a hood.
Oh! God bless Nanny & make her good.
Mine has a hood, & I lie in bed,
And pull the hood right over my head,
And I shut my eyes, & I curl up small,
And nobody knows that I'm there at all.
Oh! Thank You, God, for a lovely day.
And what was the other I had to say?
I said `Bless Daddy', so what can it be?
Oh! Now I remember it. God bless me.
Little Boy kneels at the foot of the bed,
Droops on the little hands little gold head.
Hush! Hush! Whisper who dares!
Christopher Robin is saying his prayers.
--A.A. Milne
94. Crown Him with many crowns,
The Lamb upon His Throne;
Hark! how the heavenly anthem drowns
All music but its own:
Awake, my soul, & sing
Of Him Who died for thee,
And hail Him as thy matchless King
Through all Eternity.
Crown Him the Lord of Love:
Behold His hands & side,
Rich wounds, yet visible above,
In beauty glorified:
No angel in the sky
Can fully bear that sight,
But downward bends his burning eye
At mysteries so bright.
Crown Him the Lord of peace;
Whose power a scepter sways
From pole to pole, that wars may cease,
And all be prayer & praise:
His reign shall know no end;
And round His pierced feed
Fair flowers of Paradise extend
Their fragrance ever sweet.
Crown Him the Lord of years,
The Potentate of time;
Creator of the rolling spheres,
Ineffably sublime:
All hail, Redeemer, hail!
For Thou hast died for me:
Thy praise shall n ever, never fail
Throughout Eternity. Matthew Bridges
95. Of all the gifts God gives for free,
The greatest (so it seems to me),
Aside from lasting soul-salvation
Is the gift of inspiration.
I've only pity for the soul
That takes the credit, part or whole
For all the good within his mind.
He is not clever, simply blind
If he cannot to some degree
Perceive the truth so plain to see:
That any gift that he has got
Is simply that--a GIFT--& not
Some special power he alone
Created, & can call his own.
For all good things come from Above
 They're given from the Lord in Love. And daily vows ascend;
Yet artists seem to still resent His Kingdom still increasing,
The thought that "their" ideas were "sent". A Kingdom without end:
(Usually people blessed from birth The mountain dews shall nourish
Are much more trouble than they're worth!) A seed in weakness sown,
It's a sight quite sad to see, Whose fruit shall spread & flourish,
And legally it's plagiary! And shake like Lebanon.
So here's to those, who when they get
Those good ideas, do not forget O'er every foe victorious,
To give the credit to the Lord He on His Throne shall rest,
And try not for themselves to hoard From age to age more glorious,
All glory for their inspiration. All blessing & all-blest.
But call it Godly Revelation. The tide of time shall never
--Anthony His covenant remove;
His Name shall stand for ever;
96. We aren't what we ought to be, & we aren't what That Name to us is Love.
we want to be, & we aren't what we're going to be. But thank --James Montgomery
God--we aren't what we was.
97. Try to be satisfied with your lot, even if you don't 99. God's giving deserves our thanksgiving.
have a lot. 100. How strange that the Lord must plead with those
whom He has saved from the pit to show gratitude to Him!
98. Hail to the Lord's Anointed, 101. Just like we get specific with God in the things we
Great David's greater Son! ask for, we should be just that specific in thanking Him for the
Hail, in the time appointed, things He gives us, & get just as enthusiastic in thanking Him as
His reign on Earth begun! we were desperate in asking Him.
He comes to break oppression,
To set the captive free, 102. Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty!
To take away transgression, Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee: Holy,
And rule in equity. Holy, Holy! Merciful & Mighty!
God in THREE Persons, Blessed TRINITY!
He comes with succour speedy Holy, Holy, Holy! all the Saints adore Thee,
To those who suffer wrong, Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy
To help the poor & needy, sea;
And bid the weak be strong, Cherubim & Seraphim falling down before Thee,
To give them songs for sighing, Which wert, & art, & evermore shalt be.
Their darkness turn to light
Whose souls, condemned & dying, Holy, Holy, Holy! thought the darkness hide Thee,
Were precious in His sight. though the eye of sinful man Thy glory may not see,
Only Thou art Holy, there is none beside Thee
He shall come down like showers Perfect in power, in love, & purity.
Upon the fruitful Earth;
And love, joy, hope, like flowers Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty!
Spring in His path to birth. All Thy works shall praise Thy Name, in Earth, & sky,
Before Him, on the mountains, & sea;
Shall peace, the herald, go; Holy, Holy, Holy! Merciful & Mighty!
And righteousness, in fountains, God in THREE Persons, Blessed TRINITY!
From hill to valley flow. --Regina Heber

Kings shall fall down before Him, 103. Today upon a bus, I saw a lovely girl with golden
And gold & incense bring; hair;
All nations shall adore Him, I envied her--she seemed so gay--& wished I were as
His praise all people sing: fair.
For He shall have dominion When suddenly she rose to leave, I saw her hobble
O'er river, sea, & shore, down the aisle;
Far as the eagle's pinion She had one foot & wore a crutch, but as she passed, a
Or dove's light wing can soar. smile.
Oh, God, forgive me when I whine;
For Him shall prayer unceasing I have two feet-t world is mine!

And then I stopped to buy some sweets. The lad who
sold them had such charm,
I talked with him--he said to me; "It's nice to talk with
folks like you.
You see," he said, "I'm blind."
Oh, God, forgive me when I whine;
I have two eyes--the world is mine!
Then, walking down the street, I saw a child with eyes
of blue.
He stood & watched the others play; It seemed he
knew not what to do.
I stopped for a moment, then I said: "Why don't you
join the others, dear?"
He looked ahead without a word, & then I knew he
could not hear.
Oh, God, forgive me when I whine;
I have two ears--the world is mine!
With feet to take me where I'd go
With eyes to see the sunset's glow,
With ears to hear what I would know,
Oh, God, forgive me when I whine;
I'm blessed, indeed! The World is mine.
104. All hair the Power of Jesus' Name!
Let Angels prostrate fall;
Bring forth the royal diadem,
And crown Him Lord of all!
Crown Him, ye martyrs of our God,
Who from His altar call;
Extol the stem of Jesse's rod,
And crown Him Lord of all.
ye seed of Israel's chosen race,
Ye ransomed from the Fall,
Hail Him Who saves you by His grace,
And crown Him Lord of all.
Let every kindred, every tribe,
On this terrestrial ball,
To Him all majesty ascribe,
And crown Him Lord of all.
Oh that with yonder sacred throng
We at His feet may fall,
Join in the everlasting song,
And crown Him Lord of all!--Edward Perronet
105. Grandmother once took a four-day, four-night
train trip from Miami to Los Angeles via Chicago, during
WW2, & the train was so crowded that people were sleeping in
the aisles & up in the luggage racks overhead! She couldn't lie
down to sleep because all the Couchette-cars were full.--And on
top of it, she had to sit there with one of her grandchildren on
her lap almost the whole trip! She was so uncomfortable that
she complained to the Negro Porter one night telling him she
was unable to sleep. He said, "Ma'am, I tells you what to do!
You jes' close your eyes & you think about those boys out
yonder trying to sleep knee-deep in the mud & the water &
blood in some shell-hole, with war going all around them,
wondering if any minute a shell is going to hit them. You jes'
think about what THEY'RE going through & sit back & rest, &
you'll sleep like a baby." She took his advice & did that, & she
was so thankful for what she had that she went sound asleep!--
Dad
106. There was once an old lady who was always
going around groaning & moaning & sighing & complaining &
murmuring. She was so negative & pessimistic that people
hated to even greet her with the common courtesy, "How are
you?"--Because she'd immediately start pouring out all her
complaints & troubles! So finally someone asked her one day,
"Well, don't you EVER feel good?" She sourly replied, "Yes,
sometimes. But even when I feel good, I feel bad, because I
know it won't be very long before things will all be bad again!"
How sad! Don't YOU be like her!--Dad
107. To praise God for our miseries--ends them. To
praise God for our blessings--extends them.
108. Our praise for mercy granted should be as earnest
as our prayer for mercy needed.
109. The Christian should be a Hallelujah! from head
to foot.--Saint Augustine
110. Thank God for life!
There! A meadowlark sings! Do you hear it?
For the sigh of the heart,
The contagion of laughter,
For the longing apart,
For the joy that comes after,
For the things that we feel
When we clasp, when we kneel--
Thank God for the sharing,
The caring, the giving,
For the things of Life's living.
Thank God for the riches
Of flowers in the ditches,
For the roof from the weather,
The fireside together,
For the step at the portal,
For the love we have treasured,
For something unmeasured,
For something immortal,
For our grief, for our mirth,
For heavens on earth,
For the things of the Spirit!
There! A meadowlark sings! Do you h ear it?--Douglas
Malloch, 1877-1938
111. It ought to be as habitual to us to thank as to ask.
112. God made us to be worshippers. That was the
purpose of God in bringing us into the World.
 113. Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Hearts to Heaven & voices raise;
Sing to God a hymn of gladness,
Sing to God a hymn of praise;
He Who on the Cross a victim
For the World's Salvation bled,
Jesus Christ, the King of glory,
Now is risen from the dead.
Now the iron bars are broken,
Christ from death to life is born,
Glorious life, & life immortal,
On this holy Easter morn;
Christ has triumphed, & we conquer
We with Him to life eternal
By His resurrection rise.
Christ is risen, Christ the first-fruits
Of the holy harvest field
Which will all its full abundance
At His Second Coming yield;
Then the golden ears of harvest
Will their heads before Him wave,
Ripened by His glorious sunshine
From the furrows of the grave.
Christ is risen, we are risen;
Shed upon his heavenly grace,
Rain & dew & gleams of glory
From the brightness of Thy face;
that, with hearts in Heaven dwelling,
We on Earth may fruitful be,
And by Angel hands be gathered,
And be ever, Lord, with Thee.
(Christopher Wordsworth--1807-85.) "Death is
swallowed up in victory." 1Cor.15:54
114. Come, see the place where Jesus lay,
And hear Angelic watchers say--
"He lives, Who once was slain,
Why seek the living 'midst the dead?
Remember how the Saviour said
That He would rise again."
O joyful sound! O glorious hour,
When by His own Almighty power
He rose, & left the grave!
Now let our songs His triumph tells,
Who burst the bands of death & hell,
And ever lives to save.
The First-begotten of the dead,
For us He rose, our glorious Head,
Immortal life to bring:
What though the saints like Him shall die,
They share their Leader's victory,
And triumph with their King.
No more they tremble at the grave.
115. Those blessings are sweetest that are won with
prayers & worn with thanks.
116. The Christian is suspended between blessings
received & blessings hoped for, so he should always give
thanks.
117. As the Lord loves a cheerful giver, so likewise a
cheerful thanksgiver.
118. We should spend as much time in thanking God
for His benefits as we do in asking Him for them.
119. The strife is o'er, the battle done;
Now is the Victor's triumph won;
O let the song of praise be sung: Hallelujah!
Death's mightiest powers have done their worst,
And Jesus hath His foes dispersed;
Let shouts of praise & joy outburst:
On the third morn He rose again
Glorious in majesty to reign;
O let us swell the joyful strain:
He broke the age-bound chains of hell;
The bars from Heaven's high portals fell;
Let hymns of praise His triumph tell:
120. Public worship will not excuse us from secret
worship.
121. I say that the greatest tragedy in the World today
is that God has made man in His image & made him to worship
Him, made him to play the harp of worship before the face of
God day & night, but he has failed God & dropped the harp. It
lies voiceless at his feet.
122. Be grateful for the kindly friends that walk along
your way;
Be grateful for the skies of blue that smile from day to
day;
Be grateful for the health you own, the work you find
to do,
For round about you there are less fortunate than you.
Be grateful for the growing trees, the roses soon to
bloom,
The tenderness of kindly hearts that shared your days
of gloom;
Be grateful for the morning dew, the grass beneath
your feet,
The soft caresses of your babes & all their laughter
sweet.
Acquire the grateful habit, learn to see how blest you
are,
How much there is to gladden life, how little life to
mar!
And what if rain shall fall today & you with grief are
sad;
Be grateful that you can recall the joys that you have
had.--Edgar Guest
 123. The finest test of character is seen in the amount
& the power of gratitude we have.
124. Where God becomes a donor man becomes a
debtor.
125. Look, ye saints! the sight is glorious;
See the Man of Sorrows now,
From the fight returned victorious,
Every knee to Him shall bow:
Crown Him! crown Him!
Crowns become the Victor's brow.
Crown the Saviour! Angels, crown Him!
Rich the trophies Jesus brings;
In the seat of power enthrone Him,
While the vault of Heaven rings:
Crown Him! crown Him!
Crown the Saviour King of kings!
Sinners in derision crowned Him,
Mocking thus the Saviour's claim;
Saints & Angels crowd around Him,
Own His title, praise His name:
Crown Him! crown Him!
Spread abroad the Victor's fame.
Hark, those bursts of acclamation!
Hark, those loud triumphant chords!
Jesus takes the highest station:
O what joy the sight affords!
Crown Him! crown Him!
King of kings, & Lord of lords! (Thomas Kelly--1769-
1854.)
Simpson
130. When upon life's billows you are tempest-tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.
Count your blessings, name them one by one;
Count your blessings, see what God hath done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one;
Count your many blessings, see what God hath done.
Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings, ev'ry doubt will fly,
And you will keep singing as the days go by.
When you look at others with their lands & gold,
Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;
Count your many blessings, wealth can never buy,
Your reward in Heaven, nor your Home on High.
So, amid the conflict, whether great or small,
Do not be disheartened, God is over all;
Count your many blessings, Angels will attend,
Help & comfort give you to your journey's end.
--Rev.J. Oatman

126. Murmuring often ends in cursing.--Thomas

Watson
127. When opportunity knocks, some people object to
the noise!
128. If we could forget our troubles as easily as we
forget our blessings, how different things would be.
129. The joy of the Lord is the strength of His people,
the sunshine that scatters their sadness & gloom;
The fountain that bursts in the desert of sorrow,
And sheds o'er the wilderness, gladness & bloom.

The joy of the Lord is our strength for life's burdens,

And gives to each duty a heavenly zest;
It sets to sweet music the task of the toiler,
And softens the couch of the labourer's rest.

The joy of the Lord is our strength for life's trials,

And lifts the crushed heart above sorrow & care;
Like the nightingale's notes, it can sing in the darkness,
And rejoice when the fig tree is fruitless & bare.

The joy of the Lord is the hope of our calling,

And oh, for His coming, how fondly we pray!
When we shall return with rejoicing to Zion,
And sorrow & sighing shall vanish away. A.B.
COMMUNION WITH GOD: PRAYER
RELATED INDEX TOPICS: Prayer Life, Prayer (Public),
Faith & Trust, Trials & Triumphs, Answered Prayer, Miracles,
Promises
1. A moment in a morning,
Ere the cares of day begin,
Ere the heart's wide door is open,
For the world to enter in,
Oh, then alone with Jesus,
In the silence of the morn,
In heavenly, sweet communion,
Let your joyful day be born,
In the quietude that blesses,
With a prelude of repose,
Let your soul be soothed & softened,
As the dew revives the rose!
2. The missionaries at a certain Chinese mission were
ordered by the British legation to leave Sanyuan because of the
dangers from conflicting soldiery. "Carts were ordered, & all
was ready to start the next day. Then it came over the
missionaries that it would be dishonoring God to go to a place
of safety, leaving their flock exposed. So a prayer meeting was
held, with the result that carts were sent away & they stayed.
They were kept in peace of mind, although a robber band, a
thousand strong, was marching on the city & was within 12
miles. Then came a terrific downpour of rain, such as had not
been known for years, scattering the robbers & making the
roads impassable." It was a small scale representation of the
story of Sennacherib's host.
3. A British soldier was one night caught creeping
stealthily back to his quarters from the nearby woods. He was
taken before his commanding officer & charged with holding
communications with the enemy. The man pleaded that he had
gone into the woods to pray by himself. That was his only
defense.
"Have you been in the habit of spending hours in
private prayer?" the officer growled. "Yes, Sir!" "Then down on
your knees & pray now!" he roared. "You never needed it so
much." Expecting immediate death, the soldier knelt & poured
out his soul in prayer, that for eloquence could have been
inspired only by the power of the Holy Spirit. "You may go,"
said the officer simply when he had finished. "I believe your
story. If you hadn't been often at drill, you couldn't have done
so well at review."
4. The Bible is a book of prayers. Out of 667 recorded
prayers, there are 454 recorded answers.
5. A small boy said to his best friend, "It may be
unconstitutional, but I always pray before an exam."
6. No one can live in doubt when he has prayed in
faith.
7. A real friend warms you by his presence, trusts you
with his secrets, & remembers you in his prayers.
8. God honours no drafts where there are no deposits.
9. To grow tall spiritually, a man must first learn to
kneel.
10. Dr. Alexis Carrel is a medical doctor who won a
Nobel Prize in physiology. He wrote: "Prayer is the most
powerful form of energy that one can generate. The influence of
prayer on the human mind & body is as demonstrable as that of
secreting glands. Its results can be measured in terms of
increased buoyancy, greater intellectual vigour, moral stamina
& a deeper understanding of human relationships.
"Prayer is indispensable to the fullest development of
personality. Only in prayer do we achieve that complete
harmonious assembly of mind, body & spirit which gives the
frail human need its unshakable strength. When we pray we link
ourselves with the inexhaustible motive that spins the
Universe."
11. "Stonewall Jackson," says E.M. Bounds in Purpose
in Prayer, "was a man of prayer." Said he, "I have so fixed the
habit of prayer in my mind that I never raise a glass of water to
my lips without asking God's blessing, never seal a letter
without putting a word of prayer under the seal, never take a
letter from the post without a brief sending of my thoughts
Heavenward, never change my classes in the lecture-room
without a minute's petition for the cadets who go out & for
those who come in."
12. An officer once complained to General Stonewall
Jackson that some soldiers were making a noise in their tent.
"What are they doing?" asked the General. "They are praying
now, but they have been singing," was the reply. "And is that a
crime?" the General demanded. "The articles of war orders
punishment for an unusual noise," was the reply. "God forbid
that praying should be an unusual noise in the camp," replied
General Jackson.
13. Sweet hour of prayer,
Sweet hour of prayer,
That calls me from a world of care
And bids me at my Father's Throne
Make all my wants & wishes known.
In seasons of distress & grief,
My soul has often found relief,
And oft escaped the Tempter's snare
 By thy return, sweet hour of prayer.
14. When you get the daily bread you've been praying
for, don't grumble because it's not cake.
15. Some people talk about Heaven being so far away.
It is within speaking distance of those who belong there.
16. A hypocrite prays on his knees on Sunday--& on
his neighbours the rest of the week.
17. Throughout the ages no nation has ever had a
better friend than the mother who taught her children to pray.
18. Prayers can't be answered unless they are prayed.
19. I got up early one morning
And rushed right into the day;
I had so much to accomplish
I didn't have time to pray.
Troubles just tumbled about me
And heavier came each task.
Why doesn't God help me, I wondered,
He answered, "You didn't ask."
I tried to come into God's presence,
I used all my keys at the lock.
God gently & lovingly chided,
"Why child, you didn't knock."
I wanted to see joy & beauty,
But the day toiled on grey & bleak,
I called on the Lord for the reason--
He said, "You didn't seek."
I woke up early this morning
And paused before entering the day.
I had so much to accomplish
That I had to take time to pray.
20. Last night I took a journey
To a land across the seas;
I did not go by boat or plane,
I travelled on my knees.
I saw so many people there
In deepest depths of sin,
But Jesus told me I should go,
That there were souls to win.
But I said, "Jesus, I cannot go
And work with such as thee."
He answered quickly, "Yes, you can
By travelling on your knees."
He said, "You pray; I'll meet the need,
You call & I will hear;
Be concerned about lost souls,
Of those both far & near."
And so I tried it, knelt in prayer,
Gave up some hours of ease;
I felt the Lord right by my side
While travelling on my knees.
As I prayed on & saw souls saved
And twisted bodies healed,
And saw God's workers' strength renewed
While labouring on the field.
I said, "Yes, Lord, I have a job,
My desire Thy Will to please;
I can go & heed Thy call
By travelling on my knees."--Sandra Goodwin
21. Most of us would be in more trouble than we are if
all our prayers had been answered.
22. Most of us pray for more things than we are willing
to work for.
23. People who do a lot of kneeling don't do much
lying.
24. Sign in a Nebraska high school building: "In the
event of an earthquake or tornado, the Supreme Court ruling
against prayer in school will be temporarily suspended."
25. Strength in prayer is better than length in prayer.
26. Dr. Torrey in illustrating the definiteness of prayer,
tells the following: "Up in a little town in Maine, things were
pretty dead some years ago. The churches were not
accomplishing anything. There were a few godly men in the
churches, & they said, `Here we are, only uneducated lawmen,
but something must be done in this town. Let us form a praying
band. We will all center our prayers on one man; who shall it
be!'"
They picked out one of hardest men in town, a
hopeless drunkard, & all centered their prayers on him. In a
week he was converted. They centered their prayers on the next
hardest man in town, & soon he was converted. Then they took
up another & another, until within a year, two or three hundred
were brought to Christ, & the fire spread out into the
surrounding country. Definite prayer for those in the prison
house of sin is the need of the day.
27. Newman Hall stood early one morning on the
summit of Snowdown, in Wales, with a hundred & twenty
others who had been attracted by the prospect of an unusually
grand sunrise. They were not disappointed. As they stood
watching the sun tinge the mountain peaks with glory, &
sparkle in the lakes, Dr. Hall was invited to preach. He was so
overpowered with emotion that he could not preach, but felt
moved to pour out his soul in prayer.
 As he supplicated, the tears rolled down the faces of
the people. A superhuman stillness possessed them. Quietly,
with solemn awe, they descended the mountain & scattered.
Afterwards visiting this region, Newman Hall was informed
that 40 people were converted that morning & had joined the
church in the neighbourhood. "But," said he, "I did not say a
word to them; I only prayed." "Yes," they replied, "and more
wonderful still, they did not know a word you said, for none of
them could speak English, only Welsh."
28. Moses prayed, his prayer did save,
A nation from death & from the grave.
Joshua prayed. The sun stood still
His enemies fell in vale & hill.
Hannah prayed, God gave her a son;
A nation back to the Lord he won.
Solomon prayed for wisdom.
Then God made him the wisest of mortal men.
Elijah prayed with great desire,
God gave him rain, & sent the fire.
Jonah prayed, God heard his wail;
He quickly delivered him from the whale.
Three Hebrews prayed, through flames they trod;
They had as a comrade the "Son of God."
Elisha prayed with strong emotion;
He got the mantle & a "double portion."
Daniel prayed. The lion's claws
Were held by the Angel who locked their jaws.
Ten lepers prayed, to the priests were sent;
Glory to God! they were healed as they went.
Peter prayed, & Dorcas arose
To life again, from death's repose.
The thief who prayed--for mercy cried,
He went with Christ to Paradise.
The Church, she prayed, then got a shock;
When Peter answered her prayer with a knock!
Abram stopped praying, cities fell,
With all their sins, into Hell!
The disciples kept praying, the Spirit came,
With "cloven tongue", & revival flame!
Conviction filled the hearts of men;
Three thousand souls were "born again"!
When Christians pray, as they prayed of yore,
With living faith, for souls implore,
In one accord, united stand--
Revival fires shall sweep the land!
And sinners shall converted be,
And all the was God's glory see!
29. The prayers a man lives on his feet are just as
important as those he says on his knees.
30. Prayer is a little bit like eating salted peanuts; the
more you do it, the more you want to do it.
31. It is good to pray for the repair of mistakes, but
praying earlier would likely keep us from making so many.
32. After we bow our heads seeking divine guidance,
we often bow our necks in resistance to His divine Will.
33. Do not expect a thousand-dollar answer to a ten-
cent prayer.
34. Before a fulltime chaplain was engaged, individual
Congressmen took turns opening sessions of Congress with
prayers. Finally a permanent chaplain was appointed.
One day he was late in arriving, & when time came for
the session to begin, he was not there to pray. An older
congressman stepped to the front & prepared to pray.
The Speaker of the House hit the desk with his gavel &
asked, "By what right does the gentleman pray?"
The volunteer answered the Speaker, "The right of any
sinner, sir."
He was permitted to pray.
35. A lot of little prayers as we go along through life
would save a lot of long ones in case of emergencies.
36. Too many of us are like the old deacon who
prayed, "Use me, O Lord, in Thy Work--especially in an
advisory capacity."
37. Prayer must mean something to us if it is to mean
anything to God.
38. A short prayer will reach the throne of grace--if
you don't live too far away.
39. Prayer does not need proof, it needs practice.
40. Christian, seek not yet repose;
Cast thy dreams of ease away;
Thou art in the midst of foes:
Watch & pray.--Charlotte Elliott
41. When the great seething mass
of others' need
Overwhelms me,
I will pray.
When the great scalding blow
of others wrath
falls round me,
I will pray.
When the blind indifference
of this world
dismays me,
I will pray.
When selfish greed & lack of faith hold sway,
appall me,
I will pray.
When the loved beauty of
our Father's World
 enchants me,
I will pray.
When God's mercy, His pardon
and His grace
challenge me,
I will pray.
Then His good gift to us
His children here--
that we may pray.--Mary C. Rider
42. You cannot stumble if you are on your knees.
43. For two years or more Haydn toiled on his grand
oratorio. When friends urged him to bring his task to a close he
replied: "I cannot make haste; I am writing for all time." Each
day before beginning he knelt & prayed for divine guidance as
he wrote.
44. When we were in France we met a couple whom
Sara knew before & who got saved then. This couple tried for
five years to have a baby but couldn't. We prayed with them
that the Lord would give them a baby. We just received a letter
a few days ago announcing to us that she is pregnant.--Michael
& Sara
45. Prayer by people in the pew will give preachers
power in the pulpit.
46. The person who gets down on his knees is better
able to stand up to the problems of life when he has to face
them.
47. Prevailing prayer brings perpetual power.
48. God visits us, but often we are not at home.
49. Probably everyone of us has at some time or
another wondered how our prayers are being answered, but I
recall ones about which there is no doubt.
Once in the middle of the night I awoke in the most
terrible moment of a very realistic dream. I was driving a car &
I had just struck a child. The effect upon me was so real &
terrible that I climbed out of bed, got down on my knees &
asked my Father in Heaven not to let that thing happen to me.
Then it was as though the burden was taken from me, sleep was
restored, & not another thought was given to the matter until
noon next day.
Now five of us were in a car. I was at the wheel, & we
were moving out Worth Street at around 25 miles per hour.
Suddenly an urge to immediately stop came upon me with no
apparent reason, & this we did quite abruptly.
When the other four passengers picked themselves off
the dashboard & the back of the front seat, & all five of us tried
to figure out why this abrupt stop was necessary, we were
amazed to see a child dressed only in a diaper emerge between
parked automobiles & waddle out into the street immediately in
front of us. God had intervened because I had prayed!--Orville
Mitchell, Sr.
50. The secret of prayer is prayer in secret.
51. Rowland Hill, the famous preacher, was once
driven by a storm of rain into a village inn, & compelled to
spend the night there. When it grew late, the landlord said: "Sir,
I wish you would go to bed. I must see all the lights out: I am so
afraid of fire." "So am I," was the reply; but I have been
expecting to be called for family prayer." "All very good, sir;
but it cannot be done at the inn." "Indeed! Then pray, get me
my horse. I cannot go to sleep in a house where there is no
family prayer."
The host preferred to dismiss his prejudice than his
guest, & said, "I have no objection to have prayer, but I don't
know how." "Well, then call in the family servants, & let us see
what can be done." The landlord obeyed & in a few minutes the
astonished domestics were on their knees, & the landlord called
upon to pray. "Sir, I never prayed in my life. I don't know how."
"Ask God to teach you," was the gentle reply. The landlord,
folding his hands, said, "God teach us how to pray." "That is
prayer, my friend." cried Mr. Hill, joyfully, "go on." "I am sure
I don't know what to say now, sir." "Yes, you do; God has
taught you how to pray; now thank Him for it." "Thank You,
God Almighty, for letting us pray to You." "Amen! Amen!"
exclaimed Rowland Hill, & then offered prayer himself.
Two years afterward, Mr. Hill found in that same
village a chapel & a school, as a result of the first effort of
family prayer at the "Black Lion."
52. The Lord totally changed the hearts of the
Immigration officials here towards us after desperate prayer! At
the beginning of the month they almost wanted to deport
Angela & make problems for us all, but now at the end of the
month, they love us, & even paid for our visa extension stamps!
TYJ!--Anthony & Joy
53. If your prayer isn't of sufficient importance for you
to try to pray it, why expect the Lord to answer it?
54. Practical prayer is harder on the soles of your shoes
than on the knees of your trousers.
55. I met a poor soul in the depths of despair,
Who climbed to the heights in answer to prayer.
56. Life gets scorched & lumpy when we forget to stir
it up with prayer.
57. A faithful pastor, in the dead of the night, was
overwhelmed with a burden of prayer for a missionary in
Africa. He arose & gave himself to earnest intercession for the
safety of his friend. At that very time this was happening in the
heart of Africa: The missionary, accompanied by a native, had
started out to hunt. As they journeyed they ran upon two lions
& a lioness. The missionary fired, killing one of the lions &
wounding the other. The lioness seemingly fled. In fact she had
only hidden in the jungle. The missionary now advanced &
fired again upon the wounded lion. The rifle had scarcely
cracked when the great brute lioness leaped upon him from her
ambush. With one blow she struck him to the ground. In an
instant her teeth were sunk in his arm, & her claws tore fiercely
at his shoulder. He cried out to native to shoot, but the latter
could not, as the missionary was between him & the lioness. In
his panic, however, the native fired his rifle in the air. At once
the lioness looked up. She dropped the missionary from her
jaws. He rolled over into the bottom of a shallow ditch. And
then instead of leaping upon him & finishing her work, the
lioness turned & trotted into the jungle. The bleeding
missionary was helped into camp.
There, after six weeks, he recovered completely from
an experience which it is given to but few men to pass through.
God had indeed "stopped the mouths of lions" for him. The
tidings of his wonderful escape went back home to his faithful
pastor. And he who had PRAYED now SAW. He saw the
miraculous deliverance which had come to pass. Because he
prayed, & prayed in faith, he saw the glory of God in wondrous
answer. And so may you--if you pray likewise.
58. John got his motorbike stolen in front of the post
office. We had united prayer & shortly after we prayed we saw
someone driving by with it. We prayed again, & the thief
stopped next to us & parked it, so we got it back. This happened
far away from the Post office & 30 minutes later. A complete
miracle! This bike is the main key for us to raise our fee to
India!--Jean
59. We had our car stolen, but after asking the Lord to
protect & everything it, it was found 10 days later in good order
with all contents still intact, including guitar & case!--John &
Ruth
60. A lad who had not been reared in a Christian home,
knew nothing about prayer, & cared less, had been on a
torpedoed ship, when all on board were thrust out into the water
to swim for their lives. Twelve of the boys kept together.
Suddenly, horrified, they saw a lake of burning oil coming
toward them. It was impossible to escape. What could they do?
Just then a Lutheran, the only Christian in the group, began to
pray aloud. It was the heart cry of one in dire need to the God of
mercy whom he knew: "O God, save us! O God, save us! O
God, save us!" And with that, every one of the eleven, who had
never known or thought about our God of Love, followed aloud
with, "Please, God! Please, God!" Immediately the flaming oil
parted, leaving a clear, wide path directly in front of them. And
what do you think our gracious Lord had placed in this path? A
raft! The lad who told the story ended with, "And no one can
persuade these boys that God does not hear prayer."
61. A young, delicate, sweet-faced woman, a Salvation
Army officer, was appointed to the charge of an Indian village,
where the dominance of a certain caste made any sort of
missionary effort almost hopelessly difficult. On the face of it
no good had been accomplished. But the pale-faced captain set
herself to pray. Every morning before the people were astir she
crept through the slumbering village to the jungle beyond, with
no other companion than her Bible, & on the same spot morning
after morning she prostrated herself on her face before God--the
God of India, she said in her petitions--to intercede for the souls
which sat in darkness around her. And her prayers were
answered, though not as she had asked or expected. She died &
never saw the fulfilment.
One day, a long time afterward, a tall, powerful,
handsome Hindu, with luminous eyes & regal bearing, called at
the little mud hut which served as the officers' quarters & told
to that faithful captain's successor the story, unknown as it was
supposed, of the dead woman's prayers. He had followed her to
the jungle, & peering through the heavy undergrowth, had seen
her throw herself upon her face & cry to the God of India--his
country--& shed overflowing tears for the people of his village-
-her people, she called them. "Then," he said, "I believed that
the God of that woman was a real God, & I made up my mind
to worship Him.' This was the beginning of a great wave of
soul-saving in the village.
62. One day as I was eating, a violent storm fell in our
area & a violent wind shook the house. I was afraid & said real
loud, "Lord, stop the storm!" Ten seconds later the wind
completely stopped! I immediately thanked the Lord!--Albert
63. Waiting for an answer to prayer is often part of the
answer.
64. To spend an hour worrying on our knees is not
prayer. Indeed, there are times when it is our duty, having
committed a problem to God in prayer, to stop praying & to
trust & to do the necessary work to arrive at a solution.
o
65. An influential lawyer once rose in a meeting of Mr.
Earle, the evangelist, & said: "I have often heard of the power
of prayer, but I don't believe a word of it: If you want to test it,
take me." The evangelist invited him to come to the front. He
replied, "I will do nothing of the kind; but, if you have 'power in
prayer', try it on me." In closing the meeting, Mr. Earle invited
all present to pray for the lawyer at an hour he named, & asked
the lawyer to note the fact. On the third day that man was crying
to God for mercy; & selling his law books, he became a
minister of Christ.
66. In some parts of Africa, where the natives live in
small crowded mud huts, with little chance of privacy, the
Christians choose each one a tree in the forest, where they may
go to pray & be alone with God. If one becomes unfaithful &
neglects his place of prayer, another says, "Brother, the grass
grows on your path."
67. Dr. J.H. Jowett used to tell of a little servant girl
who applied for membership in his church. He asked her what
she was doing for her Lord. She explained that she had very
little time off & could seldom attend services or meetings, but,
she said, she always took the daily paper up to her bedroom
with her at night. Dr. Jowett asked what good that did. "Well,"
she explain, "I always turn to the Births & Marriages & Deaths.
I read over each of these births & pray that these little babies
may be early led to the Saviour & made a great blessing to their
parents; I read of each wedding & pray that these bridges &
bridegrooms may be very happy & may always be true to each
other; &, reading each of the death notices, I pray, one by one,
for all the bereaved that they may turn in their sorrow to the
only source of lasting comfort."
68. As long as there are final examinations, there will
be at least SECRET prayers in our schools.
69. Bending our knees in prayer keeps us from
breaking under the load of cares.
70. Prayer gives strength to the weak, faith to the
fainthearted, & courage to the fearful.
71. Wonderful things happen to us when we live
expectantly, believe confidently, & pray affirmatively.
72. Satan hinders prayer but prayer also hinders Satan.
73. A Chinese Christian had been asked to give to a
fund to be expended in sacrifice to idols as an insurance of his
house against fire. He declined, on the ground that he trusted in
the living God, & idols could not save from fire. When the
idolatrous ceremony was over, fire broke out in the street where
his home was & burned over 120 houses. When the flames were
coming nearer & nearer to his house they tried to persuade him
to remove his furniture, but he refused, & in their presence
prayed to God to show that He was indeed the Lord of hosts
Who could send legions of Angels to deliver him, if need be,
from so great a calamity. Nearer & nearer came the fire, until
only one house stood between his own house & the flames.
Suddenly there were a change of wind & his house was saved.
74. There was once a little cripple who lay upon her
deathbed. She had given herself to God & was distressed
because she could not labour for Him actively among the lost.
Her pastor visited her, & hearing her complaint, told her that
from her sick bed she could pray earnestly. He went away &
thought of the subject no more. Soon a feeling of religious
interest sprung up in the village & the churches were crowded
nightly. The little cripple heard of the progress of the revival &
inquired anxiously for the names of the saved. A few weeks
later she died & among a roll of papers that was found under
her pillow was one bearing the names of 56 persons, every one
of whom had been converted in the revival. By each name was
a little cross, by which the poor crippled saint had checked off
the names of the converts as they had been reported to her.
75. One Sunday night in April, 1912, an American
woman was very weary, yet could not sleep because of an
oppression of fear. At last she felt a burden of prayer, & with
tremendous earnestness began to pray for her husband then in
mid-Atlantic, homeward bound on the Titanic. As the hours
went by she could get no assurance, & kept on praying in
agony, until about five o'clock in the morning when a great
peace possessed her, & she slept.
Meanwhile her husband, Colonel Gracie, was among
the doomed hundreds who were trying frantically to launch the
lifeboats from the great ship whose vitals had been torn out by
an iceberg. He had given up all hope of being saved himself, &
was doing his best to help the women & children. He wished
that he could get a last message through to his wife, & cried
from his heart, "Good-by, my darling." Then as the ship
plunged to her watery grave, he was sucked down in the giant
whirlpool. Instinctively he began to swim under water, ice cold
as it was, crying in his heart, "Good-by, my darling, until we
meet again." Suddenly he came to the surface & found himself
near an overturned lifeboat. Along with several others he
climbed aboard, & was picked up by another lifeboat, about five
in the morning, the very time that peace came to his praying
wife! Supplication! The prayer that will not take "No" for an
answer; that storms the battlements of Heaven, & brings
confusion & defeat to all the powers of Hell, even death itself!
76. All my discoveries have been made in answer to
prayer.--Isaac Newton
77. We should believe that nothing is too small to be
named before God.What should we think of the patient who
told his doctor he was ill, but never went into particulars?
78. When we shoot an arrow, we look to the fall of it;
when we send a ship to sea, we look for the return of it; & when
we sow seed, we look for a harvest; & so when we sow our
prayers into God's bosom, shall we not look for an answer?
79. F.W. Boreham, the writer, tells the story of an old
Scotchman who lay very ill. His minister came to see him. As
the minister sat down on a chair near the bedside he noticed on
the other side of the bed another chair placed at such an angle as
to suggest that another visitor had just left it. "Well, Donald,"
said the minister, "I see I am not your first visitor." The
Scotchman looked up in surprise; so the minister pointed to the
chair. "Ah," said the sufferer. "I'll tell you about that chair.
Years ago I found it impossible to pray. I often fell asleep on
my knees; I was so tired. And if I kept awake, I could not
control my thoughts from wandering. One day I was so worried
I spoke to my minister about it. He told me not to worry about
kneeling down. `Just sit down,' he told me, `and put a chair
opposite you, & imagine Jesus is in it, & talk to Him as you
would to a friend.'" The Scotchman added, "I have been doing
that ever since. And so, now you know why the chair is
standing like that."
A week later the daughter of the old Scot drove up to
the minister's house & knocked at the door. She was shown into
the study, & when the minister came in she could hardly
restrain herself. "Father died in the night," she sobbed, "I had no
idea death could be so near. I had just gone to lie down for an
hour o two, for he seemed to be sleeping so comfortably. And
when I went back he was dead. He had not moved since I saw
him before, except that his hand was on the empty chair at the
side of the bed. Do you understand?" said the daughter. "Yes,"
said the minister, "I understand."
 80. It is impossible to be prayerful & pessimistic at the
same time.
81. The soul without prayer is like lungs without air.
82. A suggested prayer for all preachers: "O Lord, fill
my heart with worthwhile stuff & nudge me when I've said
enough."
83. A problem not worth praying about is not worth
worrying about.
84. It is strange that in our prayers we seldom ask for a
change in character, but always a change in circumstances.
85. George Whitefield, the famous English evangelist,
said, "O Lord give me souls, or take my soul!"
Henry Martyn, missionary, kneeling on India's coral
strands, cried out, "Here let me burn out for God."
"Praying Hyde," a missionary in India: "Father, give
me these souls, or I die."
o for coming.
86. The men who have accomplished most for God
have been men of prayer. John Wesley was wont to spend at
least two hours each day in prayer. Samuel Rutherford rose at
three o'clock each morning to wait upon God. John Fletcher was
said to have stained the walls of his chamber by the breath of
his prayers. The greatest missionaries have been uniformly men
of prayer. Think of David Brainerd dying at the age of 29, &
Henry Martyn at the age of 31, & yet their names stand out as
among the brightest stars in the missionary firmament. These
young men exerted a profound influence not only upon their
own generation, but upon all succeeding generations as well. It
was not by their actual labours, which were soon cut off, so
much as by their prayer life & their resultant saintly characters.
87. Adoniram Judson, perhaps the greatest missionary
ever sent out from American shores, was emphatic in his
insistence upon prayer. Make any sacrifice to maintain it.
Consider that time is short & that business & company must not
be allowed to rob thee of thy God." That was the man who
impressed a mighty empire for God.
88. The weary ones had rest, the sad had joy
That day, & wondered "how?"
A plowman singing at his work had prayed,
"Lord, help them now."
Away in foreign lands, they wondered "how"
Their simple word had power.
At home, the gleaners, two or three had met
To pray an hour.
Yes, we are always wondering "how?"
Because we do not see
Someone, unknown perhaps, & far away
On bended knee.
89. "Kneeology" will do more for the World than
theology.
90. A sermon should never be preached until it is
soaked in prayer.
91. Most of modern man's troubles come from the fact
that he has too much time on his hands & not enough on his
knees.
92. When leading a public prayer, speak loudly enough
to be heard of men & sincerely enough to be heard of God.
93. After saying our prayers we ought to do something
to make them come true.
94. Sir Walter Raleigh once made a request of the
Queen & she petulantly answered, "Raleigh, when will you
leave off begging?" Sir Walter replied, "When your Majesty
leaves off giving," & his requested was granted. But the God of
all grace never grows weary of our asking & never rebukes us
95. The quickest way to get a church on its feet is to
get it on its knees.
96. I was awakened one night while my husband was
overseas, with an urgent need to pray. My heart was frantic, for
something told me he was in grave danger. And through the
long hours of the night I was on my knees beseeching God for
the safety of my loved one.
The next day the radio blared the news of the "Belgian
Bulge" & somehow I was sure my fears had been in this
connection. I marked the date & time of the night & resolved to
compare notes with my husband when & if I should ever see
him again.
He came home a year later & one of the first things I
wanted to know was his situation the night when I had prayed.
We even took into consideration the changes in time zones &
according to his diary those very hours when I was on my
knees, his whole battalion was surrounded by the Germans.
Many of his friends were massacred in the much written up
"observation" battalion which met such a sad fate, but God
"Preserved him alive."
97. J. Edgar Hoover, director of the FBI, says: "The
spectacle of a nation praying is more awe-inspiring than the
explosion of an atomic bomb. The force of prayer is greater
than any possible combination of man-made or man-controlled
powers, because prayer is man's greatest means of tapping the
infinite resources of God. Invoking by prayer the mercy &
might of God is our most efficacious means of guaranteeing
peace & security for the harassed & helpless peoples of the
Earth."
98. Those blessings are sweetest that are won with
prayers & worn with thanks.
 99. Our prayer & God's mercy are like two buckets in a
well; while the one ascends, the other descends.
100. If it were the case that whatever we ask God was
pledged to give, then I for one would never pray again, because
I would not have sufficient confidence in my own wisdom to
ask God for anything.
101. Prayer is talking something over with God, rather
than trying to talk God out of something.
102. One of the greatest scientists who ever lived gave
this witness to his faith in God: "I can take my telescope & look
millions & millions of miles into space; but I can lay my
telescope aside, go into my room & shut the door, get down on
my knees in earnest prayer, & I see more of Heaven & get
closer to God than I can when assisted by all the telescopes &
material agencies on Earth."--Isaac Newton
103. Billy Sunday tells of a minister who was making
calls. He came to a certain home & asked for the mother but the
child opening the door answered, "You cannot see Mother for
she prays from nine to ten." He waited 40 minutes to see that
mother, & when she came out of her prayer closet the light of
glory was on her face, & he knew why that home was so bright;
he knew why her two sons were in the ministry & her daughter
a missionary. "All Hell cannot tear a boy or girl away from a
praying mother," comments Mr. Sunday.
104. Susanna Wesley, with 17 children, spent one hour
each day shut up with God alone in her room, praying for them-
-& her two sons, under God, brought revival to England while
France weltered in the blood of a ghastly revolution.
105. A mother with three children was about to leave
home for a few days. Gathering them about her she talked to
them about her absence & their behaviour & prayers until she
should return. She then poured out her heart with them in
prayer. All heads were raised & every face was full of sunshine.
After a moment's pause a little two-year-old boy bowed his
head down by his mother's cheek, & said, "More." When a
parent's love & example can evoke from children a call for
more prayer, the home happiness is assured.
106. When war broke out my husband enlisted. I was
left with five children, the youngest being a baby of eleven
months. Two years later my husband was killed. My eldest boy
was then eighteen, & he had to join up. Day & night I prayed
for my son's safety. When he came back on his first furlough he
had not been home long when he said: "Mother, you've been
praying for me.' I said: "I have, my son, day & night." He then
told me that there had been six of them in a trench when the
hissing of a shell was heard. Suddenly the shell dropped in the
trench itself, burying its nose in the mud, unexploded. After
tense silence, one of the lads said: "Our mothers have been
praying for us."
107. A person's most fervent prayers are not said when
he is on his knees, but when he is flat on his back.
108. He who does not pray when the sun shines will
not know how to pray when the clouds come.
109. Prayer can KEEP us out of trouble a lot easier
than it can GET us out of trouble.
110. I live in the spirit of prayer. I pray as I walk
about, when I lie down & when I rise up. And the answers are
always coming.--George Muller
111. A young man had been called to the foreign field.
He had not been in the habit of preaching, but he knew one
thing, how to prevail with God; & going one day to a friend, he
said, "I don't see how God can use me on the field; I have no
special talent." His friend said: "My brother, God wants men on
the field who can pray. there are too many preachers now, & too
few prayers."
112. We can pray, believe, & receive, or we can pray,
doubt, & do without.
113. Thou art coming to a King,
Large petitions with thee bring;
For His grace & pow'r are such,
None can ever ask too much!
114. A minister was watching some men repairing a
section of a highway. His attention was especially drawn to an
elderly man who knelt as he broke stones for the hole in the
highway. The minister observed that this man did more work
than the ones who were standing while breaking stones. Then
he said to the kneeling man, whom he knew well, "John, I wish
I could break the stony hearts of my hearers as easily as you are
breaking those stones!" With a twinkle in his eyes John said,
"Pastor, you could if you worked on your knees!"
115. Prayer makes the darkened clouds withdraw;
Prayer climbs the ladder Jacob saw;
Gives exercise to faith & love;
Brings every blessing from above.
Restraining prayer, we cease to fight;
Prayer makes the Christian's armour bright;
And Satan trembles when he sees
The weakest saint upon his knees.
116. A thrilling incident happened in a little hut in
Africa. A missionary awoke suddenly. She had a feeling of
imminent danger. Fear held her in a vice-like grip. The moon's
rays shone through the window, but she could see nothing
wrong. She continued to have a feeling of great danger so she
awoke her husband. They talked in a whisper. Looking beside
the bed, they saw a fearsome creature--a giant cobra whose
head was raised, ready to strike & inject venom into the flesh of
the missionaries. Quickly the husband reached for his rifle &
shot the cobra through its head.
 Our story is not complete. One day while a friend of
the missionaries was sweeping the floor in her Canadian town,
she had an irresistible urge to pray for these missionaries. "They
are right now in great danger," she said to herself. So she began
to pray. Presently God's peace came into her heart. She knew
that God had worked in behalf of her faraway friends. Later,
when the missionaries told her of their frightful experience, she
compared the date & time of the two experiences. The peril of
the missionaries & the burden to pray for them corresponded to
the minute!
"More things are wrought by prayer than this world
dreams of!"
117. Forbidding prayers in school won't hurt our
country half as much as forgetting prayers at home.
118. The tragedy of our day is not unanswered prayer--
but unoffered prayer.
119. Are we as enthusiastic in our prayers as we are in
all other areas of our lives?
120. Those prayers that awaken God must awaken us.
121. Prayer is the gun we shoot with, fervency is the
fire that discharges it, & faith the bullet that pierces the throne
of grace.
122. When the heroic General Gordon went to the
Sudan, his parting message to me was written on a card, &
referring to a prayer-meeting held at his house: "I value more
the prayer of that little circle than all the wealth of the Sudan."
123. The Rev. George Grubb tells in his books, "What
God Hath Wrought", the following incident: During one of his
campaigns he entered the tent a little earlier than usual one
evening, & found the coloured tent attendant walking up &
down on top of the rows of seats. "What are you doing?" Mr.
Grubb asked.
"Well," he said, "I am claiming all the people who sit
in these seats tonight for Jesus, for God says that 'every place
that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto
you,' so I am walking up & down these seats & claiming them
for God." (Josh.1:3)
124. Arrangements had been made for a lecture by the
agnostic lecturer, Bradlaugh, who was a forceful orator, & it
was feared by a small group of believers in the city that his
visits would cause great spiritual harm to the youth of the place.
They covenanted together that they would take hold of God for
the hindering of the meeting. The evening came, however, &
Bradlaugh appeared on the platform before a capacity audience.
Was the prayer of the earnest group to go unanswered? After
the introductory remarks by the chairman, the great infidel
stepped to the front & began to speak. "Ladies & gentlemen,"
he said, & then passed his hand over his forehead. A second & a
third time he repeated those words, & then, turning to the
chairman, he said, "For some reason, sir, my mind seems
clouded, & I am unable to continue. I am sorry to disappoint the
audience." He sat down. The Chairman apologised, & the
audience dispersed. Bradlaugh never returned to the place.
125. When thou prayest, rather be thy heart without
words than thy words without heart.
126. No man can pray scripturally who prays selfishly.
127. Some people treat God as they do a lawyer; they
go to Him only when they are in trouble.
128. He who runs from God in the morning will
scarcely find Him the rest of the day.
129. When the road of life is steep & slippery, prayer
in action gives us traction.
130. Abraham prayed & brought God down almost to
his own terms.
Elijah prayed & called down fire from Heaven.
Daniel prayed & was saved from the lions.
Paul prayed & the prison walls were shaken.
Luther prayed & the gates of Rome shook.
Knox prayed & Queen Mary trembled.
Wesley prayed & a great revival saved England.
Muller prayed & great orphanages were reared.
Roberts prayed & a Pentecost swept Wales.
131. Dr. Goodrich...was on the lookout on a wall in
Peking during the Boxer uprising in China, & saw the enemy
approach within a second of achieving its objective, when
suddenly the whole attacking force turned & fled in confusion.
Some of those who fled were captured, & when asked why they
fled, answered: "We saw the walls suddenly swarming with
Angels in white, & we cried out, `The gods have come down to
fight for the foreigners, & our cause is lost.'"
132. When the searchers found a five-year-old boy
who had been lost in the mountains for two days, they asked,
"Were you afraid?" "It was scary," the little boy answered, "but
I prayed & God took good care of me."
133. Little Raymond returned home from Sunday
school in a joyous mood. "Oh Mother," he exclaimed as he
entered the house, "the superintendent said something awfully
nice about me in his prayer today."
"Isn't that wonderful!" said the mother. "What did he
say?"
"He said, `Oh, Lord, we thank Thee for food &
Raymond,'" replied the lad.
134. The greatest of men must turn beggars when they
have to do (?) with Christ.
135. Take God into thy counsel. Heaven overlooks
Hell. God at any time can tell thee what plots are hatching there
against thee.
 that does not whimper, whine, or sigh.
136. Prayer is a swift messenger, which in the Don't let me worry over much about the fussy thing
twinkling of an eye can go & return with an answer from called I.
Heaven. Give me a sense of humour, Lord;
give me the grace to see a joke,
137. Could we be content to meet a loved one only in To get some happiness from life
public? and pass it on to other folk.--Thomas H. B. Webb

138. The chief purpose of prayer is that God may be 144. Satan rocks the cradle when we sleep at our
glorified in the answer. devotions.

139. Prayer is to ask not only what we wish of God, 145. Many people pray for things that can only come
but what God wishes of us. by work & work for things that can only come by prayer.

140. If I can do some good today, 146. Prayer without love has no suction. It does not
If I can serve along life's way, draw the blessing down.
If I can something helpful say,
Lord, show me how. 147. Yank some of the groans out of your prayers, &
shove in some shouts.
If I can right a human wrong,
If I can help to make one strong, 148. It is foolish to pray against sin & then sin against
If I can cheer with smile or song prayer.
Lord, show me how.
149. Pray, & then start answering your prayer.
If I can aid one in distress,
If I can make a burden less, 150. Lord, make me free...
If I can spread more happiness, From fear of the future;
Lord, show me how.--Grenville Kleiser From anxiety of the morrow;
From bitterness toward anyone;
The victories won by prayer, From cowardice in face of danger;
By prayer must still be held; From failure before opportunity;
The foe retreats...but only when From laziness in face of work.
By prayer he is compelled.
151. Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace.
141. Tell Him about your heartache Where there is hatred...
And tell Him about your loneliness too, Let me sow love;
Tell Him your baffled purpose Where there is injury...
When you scarce know what to do. Pardon;
Then leaving all your weakness Where there is doubt...
With the One divinely strong, Faith;
Forget that you bear the burden Where there is despair...
And carry away the song. Hope;
Where there is darkness...
142. Wrestling prayer can wonders do, Light;
Bring relief in deepest straits; Where there is sadness...
Prayer can force a passage through Joy.
Iron bars & brazen gates.
O Divine Master, grant that I may
143. Give me a good digestion, Lord, Not so much seek to be consoled...
and also something to digest. As to console;
Give me a healthy body, Lord, To be understood...
and sense to keep it at its best. As to understand,
Give me a healthy mind, dear Lord, To be loved...
to keep the good & pure in sight, As to love, for
Which, seeing sin, is not appalled, It is in giving that we receive,
but finds a way to set it right. It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
It is in dying that we are born to Eternal life. St.
Give me a mind that is not bound, Francis of Assisi
 152. Prayer is so simple
It is like quietly opening a door
And slipping into the very presence of God,
There in the stillness
To listen for His voice.
Perhaps to petition
Or only to listen,
It matters not;
Just to be there,
In His presence,
Is prayer!
153. Please don't pray for rain if you're going to
complain about the mud.
154. There is nothing that makes us love a man so
much as praying for him.
155. Prayer is not the least we can do; it is the most.
156. To attempt any work for God without prayer is as
futile as trying to launch a space probe with a peashooter.
157. We need more Christians for whom prayer is the
first resort, not the last.
158. What various hindrances we meet
In coming to the mercy seat;
Yet who, that knows the worth of prayer,
But wishes to be often there?--William Cowper
159. In prayer, you've got to stick up your antenna.
Your SPIRIT is your antenna, because it is spiritually sensitive.
When you're in prayer your spirit is seeking the Lord. In a sense
your spirit comes out & up & reaches out for the Lord. The
minute you start thinking about the Lord & get spiritually
sensitive, your little spiritual antenna goes up! And it receives
the impressions & impulses that you feel in the spirit. God has
made the rules that way & that's the way you have to play! You
get these things in the spirit when you're quiet or alone or most
spiritually sensitive or asleep. It seems like your spiritual
antenna can then go up a little higher & get a little better
reception.
160. Selfishness short-circuits prayer.
161. The plane had caught fire like a torch.
"I was still conscious," said the pilot, "and I tried to get
through the little window next to my seat. Flames licked at my
back & legs. I got halfway through, but the chute on my back
wedged me in. I had to go back into a fire & try to get it off. But
I couldn't. My fingers were numb. The last thing I remembered
was shouting, `Please help me, God!' And the next thing I knew
I was lying on the ground, with the doctor bending over me.
Nobody knows yet how I got out of that window."
He hesitated for a moment, & then added, "My theory,
of course, is that the Lord pulled a fast one."
162. When we are listless about prayer is the very time
when we need most to pray! The only way we can overcome
listlessness in anything is to put more of ourselves, not less, into
the task. To pray when you do not feel like praying is not
hypocrisy--it is faithfulness to the greatest duty of life.
163. ROYAL TELEPHONE
Central's never busy, always on the line,
You may hear from Heaven almost any time.
'Tis a royal service free to one & all;
When you get in trouble, give this royal line a call.
Telephone to glory, Oh, what joy divine!
I can feel the current moving on the line;
Built by God the Father for His loved & own
We may talk to Jesus through this royal telephone.
There will be no charges, telephone is free;
It was built for service just for you & me;
There will be no waiting on this royal line,
Telephone to glory always answers just in time.
Have you failed to get the answer,
Satan's crossed your wire,
By some strong delusion or some base desire?
Take away obstructions, God is on the throne,
And you'll get the answer through this royal telephone.
If your line is ground & connection true
Has been lost with Jesus, I'll you what to do:
Prayer & faith & promise mend the broken wire
Till your soul is burning with the Pentecostal fire.
Carnal combinations cannot get control
Of this line to glory anchored in the soul.
Storm & trial cannot disconnect the line
Held in constant keeping by the Father's hand divine.
164. God is not mocked. He does not answer prayers if
He has already given us the answer & we are not willing to use
it.
165. To give prayer the secondary place is to make
God secondary in life's affairs.
166. Prayer does not enable us to do a greater work for
God. Prayer IS a greater work for God.
167. Prayer is the highest use to which speech can be
put.
168. Once in an Eastern place wide
A little child sat weaving;
So patiently her task she plied,
The men & woman at her side
Flocked around her almost grieving.
"How is it, little one," they said,
 "You always work so cheerily?
You never seem to break your thread,
Or snarl or tangle it, instead
Of working smooth & clearly."
"I only go & tell the King,"
She said, abashed & meekly;
"You know He said, `In everything.'"
"Why so do we!" they cried. "We bring
Him all our troubles weekly."
She turned her little head aside;
A moment let them wrangle;
"Ah, but," she softly then replied,
"I go & get the knot untied
At the first little tangle!"
169. As it is the business of tailors to make clothes &
of cobblers to mend shoes, so it is the business of Christians to
pray.
170. The measure of our love for others can largely be
determined by the frequency & earnestness of our prayers for
them.
171. God does nothing but in answer to prayer.
172. She asked to be made like her Saviour:
He took her right then at her word,
And sent her a heart-crushing burden
Till the depths of her soul were stirred.
She wanted a meek, lowly spirit--
The work He gave answered that cry.
Till someone who had once been companions,
With a pitying smile passed her by.
She asked to lean hard on her Saviour,
He took human props quite away,
Till no earthly friend could give comfort,
And she could do nothing but pray.
She had prayed to be made like the Saviour,
And the burdens He gave her to bear
Had been put the great Sculptor's teaching;
To help answer her earnest prayer.
173. I'll never forget a miracle of encouragement the
Lord did for us while in some difficult days living in a pension
alone & trying to pioneer a new city. One day while Sos was
busy arranging documents, househunting & litnessing, I took all
four children out to provision our needs.
I had the baby in my arms, two hanging onto my skirt
& the oldest was pushing the stroller full of bags & bottles, &
boy, was I struggling down that busy crowded city street!
Thank the Lord we just couldn't do it in our own strength, &
finally we just pulled over to pray.
When we opened our eyes, there were two very old
ladies, foreigners--they sure weren't from here as the hey were
very white with white hair, in their 80's at least, & we could not
understand a word they said! But they were leaning way over
into our circle to hear our prayer!
They had the slowest most tranquil spirit in the midst
of all that city confusion, & finally one said in broken English,
"You are like a beautiful garden, full of beautiful flowers!"
Wow!--And she slipped a very large donation into one of the
children's hands, gave us a most angelic smile & puttered down
the street! All of us still believe these "foreigners" were from
Heaven--Angels! Praise the Lord!--Sos & Ahlai
174. To pray without labouring is to mock God: To
labour without prayer is to rob God of His glory.
175. Prayer should be fundamental, not supplemental.
176. UNANSWERED YET?
Faith cannot be unanswered.
Her feet were firmly planted on the Rock;
Amid the wildest storms she stands undaunted,
Nor quails before the loudest thunder shock.
She knows Omnipotence has heard her prayer,
And cries, "It shall be done," sometime, somewhere.
Unanswered yet? Nay, do not say ungranted;
Perhaps your part is not yet wholly done.
The work began when your first prayer was uttered.
And God will finish what He has begun.
If you will keep the incense burning there,
His glory you shall see, sometime, somewhere.--
Robert Browning
177. A MISSIONARY'S PLEA
Dear Mother:
Are they praying for us at home?
Are they meeting together for prayer,
Or, going on still in the usual way,
As they did when I was there?
We thank them all for their money,
We thank them all for their care.
But, oh, just tell them, dear mother
We are needing so much their prayers.
Will you ask them to gather together,
To meet at our Father's throne,
That we may be kept from faltering,
When we feel we are standing alone?
There are moments when courage fails us,
And dangers around us stare;
Do tell them again, dear mother,
We are needing so much their prayers.
Your Missionary Children
178. A Persian fable says--One day
A wanderer found a piece of clay
So redolent of sweet perfume
Its odour scented all the room.
"What are thou?" was the quick demand:
 "Art thou some gem of Samarcand
Or spikenard rare in odd disguise?
Or other costly merchandise?"
"Nay, I am but a piece of clay." "Then, whence this
wondrous sweetness, pray?" "Friend, if the secret I disclose,
I have been living with the rose." (Song of Songs 2:1;
2Cor.3:18)
179. What comes from Heaven in a promise
Should be sent back to Heaven in a prayer.
180. BECAUSE YOU PRAYED
God touched our weary bodies with His power
And gave us strength for many a trying hour
In which we might have faltered, had not you,
Our intercessors faithful been, & true.
Because you prayed--
God touched our lips with coals from altar fire,
Gave Spirit-fulness, & did so inspire
That, when we spoke, sin-blinded souls did see;
Sins chains were broken;
Captives were made free.
Because you prayed--
The dwellers in the dark have found the Light;
The glad good-news has banished heathen
The message of the Cross, so long delayed,
Has brought them life at last--
Because you prayed.--Charles B. Bowser
181. Somebody prayed, my burden was lighter,
Somebody prayed & my path became clear,
Clouds rolled away, & the sunshine was brighter,
Jesus my Wonderful Saviour was near.
Prayer hands, outstretched, over ocean & mountain
Helped me press onward, when I was afraid.
Thirsty souls drank at the life-giving Fountain,
Somebody, somewhere, had earnestly prayed.
Faith flickered low in my pain-tortured body,
Jesus, the Mighty Physician, was there,
Healing me, giving me joy in His Presence,
Answering somebody's unfailing prayer.
Gems for the Master afar I may gather,
Trophies at last at His feet to be laid,
"Well done," He'll say, but methinks I shall answer,
"It's all by Thy Grace, Lord, 'cause somebody
prayed."--Louise J. Walker
182. BEYOND OUR ASKING
More than hearts can imagine
or minds comprehend,
God's bountiful gifts are ours without end--
We ask for a cupful when the vast sea is ours,
We pick a small rosebud from a garden of flowers,
We reach for a sunbeam
but the sun still abides,
We draw one short breath
but there's air on all sides--
Whatever we ask for falls short of God's giving
For His Greatness exceeds every facet of living,
And always God's ready
and eager and willing
To pour out His mercy completely fulfilling
All of man's needs for peace, joy and rest
For God gives His children Whatever Is Best--
Just give Him a chance to open His Treasures
And He'll fill your life
with unfathomable pleasures,
Pleasures that never grown worn out & faded
And leave us depleted, disillusioned and jaded--
For God has a "storehouse"
just filled to the brim
With all that man needs
if we'll only ask Him.--Helen Steiner Rice
183. MORNING PRAYER
Jesus, where'er Thy people meet,
There they behold Thy Mercy-seat:
Where'er they seek Thee, Thou art found,
And every place is hallowed ground.
For Thou, within no walls confined,
Inhabitest the humble mind:
Such ever bring Thee where they come,
And going, take Thee to their home.
Great shepherd of Thy chosen few,
Thy former mercies here renew;
Here to our waiting hearts proclaim
The sweetness of Thy saving Name.
Here may we prove the power of prayer,
To strengthen faith, & banish care,
To teach our faint desires to rise,
And bring all Heaven before our eyes.
Lord, we are few, but Thou art near,
Nor short Thine arm, nor deaf Thine ear;
O rend the heavens, come quickly down,
And make a thousand hearts Thine own!--William
Cowper
184. It is not the arithmetic of our prayers, how many
they are; nor the rhetoric of our prayers, how eloquent they may
be; nor the geometry of our prayers, how long they be; nor the
music of our prayers, how sweet our voice may be; nor the logic
of our prayers, how argumentative they may be; nor the method
of our prayers, how orderly they may be--which God cares for.
Fervency of spirit is that which availeth much.
185. The Lord's answers to prayer are infinitely
perfect, & they will show that often when we were asking for a
stone that looked like bread, He was giving us bread that to our
short-sightedness looked like stone.

186. GOD IS STILL ON THE THRONE
How sweet the memory--as a child
when disappointments came
My mother's faith & courage sweet,
that put my own to shame.
For in the time of trouble deep
my faith would weaken sore,
While hers just seemed to thrive on trials
and only grow the more.
And then it was I'd hear her say
as my doubts took to wings,
"Why,--God is Still upon the Throne
and PRAYER CHANGES THINGS."
But, after years, I wandered from
the shrine at mother's knee;
For seeming wise & learned men
had clearly shown to me
That such a simple, childlike faith
was now quite obsolete,
Belonging just to ages past,
today--for fools 'twas meet.
"All this", they said, "is only myth
and from gross ignorance springs,
That God is Still upon the Throne,
and PRAYER CHANGES THINGS."
Their way seemed well in weather fair
but Oh! when troubles came
It didn't meet the need at all--
'twas such a futile game.
"Now just hold on", the scoffer said,
"there's nothing else to do."
But that was just the trouble when
there was naught to hold on to.
For I had lost the simple faith
that such assurance brings,
That God is Still upon the Throne,
and PRAYER CHANGES THINGS."
So I turned back with eager heart
to the old-fashioned way;
And now I KNOW that God is real,
no matter what they say.
For better proof could not be had
than truly answered prayer,
And answered too in such a way
as to know--God is there.
And where is greater happiness
than the peace that this truth brings
That God is Still upon the Throne,
and PRAYER CHANGES THINGS." By
Grandmother
187. How little we use this method of holy argument in
prayer; & yet there are examples of it in Scripture: Abraham,
Jacob, Moses, Elijah, Daniel. All used arguments in prayer, &
claimed the divine interposition on the ground of the pleas
which they presented.
188. The worth of a prayer is not gauged by its
dimensions.
189. It IS necessary to draw near unto God, but it is not
required of you to prolong your speech till everyone is longing
to hear the word "Amen".
190. Units of prayer combined, like drops of water,
make an ocean which defies resistance.
191. INTERCESSION, by Grandmother
Say not I do not understand the fierceness of your
fight,
For I was with you many times in the darkness of your
night.
Though you were many miles away & we were years
apart,
I felt oft-times your agony, the pain within your heart.
Say not you fought the battle grim in darkness all
alone,
For I was with you there in PRAYER, stood by you at
the Throne.
With shield of faith & Spirit's sword I answered at His
Word,
And came to battle by your side when first your call I
heard.
Say not, "Tis fantasy that one should hear such distant
cry".
For we are one in Him we love, His Spirit draws us
nigh.
And oft He whispers to my heart the call to
"QUICKLY PRAY".
So I have reached you there in prayer though you are
far away."
192. Nothing lies beyond the reach of prayer except
that which lies outside the Will of God.
193. No praying man or woman accomplishes so much
with so little expenditure of time as when he or she is praying.
194. Lord, I have shut the door, speak now the word
Which in the din & throng could not be heard;
Hushed now my inner heart, whisper Thy Will,
While I have come apart, while all is still.
Lord, I have shut the door, here do I bow;
Speak, for my soul attent turns to Thee now.
Rebuke Thou what is vain, counsel my soul,
Thy Holy Will reveal, my will control.
In this blest quietness clamorings cease;
Here in Thy presence dwells infinite peace;
 Yonder the strife & cry, yonder, the sin:
Lord, I have shut the door, Thou art within!
Lord, I have shut the door, strengthen my heart;
Yonder awaits the task--I share a part.
Only through grace bestowed may I be true;
Here, while alone with Thee, my strength renew.--
William M. Runyan
195. Prayer can do anything that God can do.
196. The one concern of the Devil is to keep the saints
from praying. He fears nothing from prayerless studies,
prayerless work, prayerless religion. He laughs at our toil, he
mocks at our wisdom, but he trembles when we pray.
197. Prayer is the rope up in the belfry; we pull it, & it
rings the bell up in Heaven.
198. The man who kneels to God can stand up to
anything.
199. Prayer is striking the winning blow...service is
gathering up the results.
200. My God, is any hour so sweet,
From blush of morn to evening-star,
As that which calls me to Thy feet,
The hour of prayer?
Blest is that tranquil hour of morn,
And blest that solemn hour of eve,
When, on the wings of prayer upborne,
The world I leave.
Then is my strength by Thee renewed;
Then are my sins by Thee forgiven;
Then dost Thou cheer my solitude
With hopes of Heaven.
No words can tell what sweet relief
Here for my ev'ry want I find;
What strength for warfare, balm for grief,
What peace of mind.
Hushed is each doubt, gone ev'ry fear;
My spirit seems in Heaven to stay;
And e'en the penitential tear
Is wiped away.--Charlotte Elliott
201. Prayer is the soul's sincere desire,
Unuttered or expressed;
The motion of a hidden fire
That trembles in the breast.
Prayer is the burden of a sigh;
The falling of a tear;
The upward glancing of an eye,
When none but God is near.
Prayer is the contrite sinner's voice
Returning from his ways,
While Angels in their songs rejoice,
And say--"Behold, he prays.'
Prayer is the Christian's vital breath,
The Christian's native air,
His watch-word at the gate of death:
He enters Heaven with prayer.--J.Montgomery
202. In the secret of His presence, how my soul
delights to hide!
Oh, how precious are the lessons which I learn at
Jesus' side!
Earthly cares can never vex me, neither trials lay me
low;
For when Satan comes to tempt me, to the secret place
I go!
When my soul is faint & thirsty, 'neath the shadow of
His wing
There is cool & pleasant shelter, & a fresh & crystal
spring;
And my Saviour rests beside me, as we hold
communion sweet;
If I tried, I could not utter what He says when thus we
meet!
Only this I know: I tell Him all my doubts, my griefs
& fears:
Oh, how patiently He listens! and my drooping soul He
cheers:
Do you think He ne'er reproves me? what a false friend
He would be,
If He never, never told me of the sins which He must
see!
Would you like to know the sweetness of the secret of
the Lord?
Go & hide beneath His shadow: this shall then be your
reward;
And whene'er you leave the silence of that happy
meeting place,
You must hold & bear the image of the Master in your
face. --Ellen Lakshmi Goreh
203. In a factory where delicate fabrics are woven the
operators are required, when the threads at any time become
tangled, to press a button which calls the foreman to come &
put matters right. On one occasion, however, a woman who was
an old hand at the work thought she could disentangle the
threads without the foreman's help, but she made things much
worse. When the foreman did come she said, "I did my best,
sir."
His answer was, "Remember that doing your best is to
send for me."
 When things get in a tangle, doing our best is sending
for the Master, asking Him to straighten them out for us.
204. God shapes the World by prayer.
205. Confessing sin is not informing God, it is
agreeing with Him.
206. Did not God sometimes withhold in mercy what
we ask, we should be ruined at our own request.
207. Prayer is not monologue, but dialogue; God's
voice in response to mine is its most essential part. Listening to
God's voice is the secret of the assurance that He will listen to
mine.
208. In prayer, while we seek in appearance to bend
God's Will to ours, we are in reality bringing our will to His.
209. Turn the Bible into prayer.
210. We ask for silver & God sometimes sends His
denials wrapped in gold.
211. two friends stood in a large railway station &
watched an express train with the most modern of engines go
flying through. "What a powerful engine!" remarked one of
them to his friend, who was the Station-master of that station.
"Yes!" said the Station-master who was a Christian, "On the
rails. But off the rails it is the weakest thing in the World. And,"
he added, "how like the Christian! His power lies in communion
with his Lord & Saviour, but when he leaves the path of
communion he is the weakest person in the World."
212. The story is told of a certain minister who was
disturbed to see a shabby old man go into his church at noon
every day & come out again after a few minutes. What could he
be doing? He informed the caretaker & bade him question the
old man. After all, the place contained valuable furnishings.
"I go to pray," the old man said in reply to the
caretaker's questioning.
"Come, come now," said the other, "you are never long
enough in the church to pray."
"Well, you see," the shabby old man went on, "I
cannot pray a long prayer, but every day at twelve o'clock I just
comes & says, `Jesus, it's Jim' & waits a minute & then comes
away. It's just a little prayer, but I guess He hears me."
When Jim was injured some time later & taken to the
hospital, he had a wonderful influence on the ward. Grumbling
patients became cheerful & often the ward would ring with
laughter.
"Well, Jim," said the sister to him one day, "the men
say you are responsible for this change in the ward. They say
you are always happy."
"Aye, sister, that I am. I can't help being happy. You
see, it's my Visitor. Every day He makes me happy."
"Your visitor?" The sister was puzzled. She always
noticed that Jim's chair was empty on visiting days, for he was a
lonely old man, with on relations. "Your visitor? But when does
he come?"
"Every day," Jim replied, the light in his eyes growing
brighter. "Yes, every day at twelve o'clock He comes & stands
at the foot of my bed. I see Him & He smiles & says, `Jim, it's
Jesus'."
213. No answer to prayer is an indication of our merit;
every answer to prayer is an indication of God's mercy.
214. The prayer that is faithless is fruitless.
215. The answer of our prayers is secured by the fact
that in rejecting them God would in a certain sense deny His
own nature.
216. If we be empty & poor, it is not because God's
hand is straitened, but ours is not opened.
217. GOD HEARS OUR PRAYERS
If radio's slim fingers
Can reach out in the air
And pluck the sweet
Melodies found lingering there
And send them at once to both you & me
Direct to our homes or wherever we be;
If the old refrain on the violin
Can reach us so clearly above Earth's din,
If the voice that is singing sweet & low
Is not torn asunder by storm clouds of woe;
If whispering hope from the strings of the harp
Can travel for miles, speak to our heart;
If the strains of the organ we can hear through the
night,
And pleads in the darkness, "Lead kindly light";
If all of these things we can hear in the air,
Then why should we doubt that God hears our
prayers?
218. If we are weak in communion with God we are
weak everywhere.
219. The man who walks with God always gets to his
destination.
220. The hand of faith turns the knob which makes the
contact & throws the switch which turns on what little power
you have. The hand of hope tunes with expectancy feeling for
the frequency upon which God is broadcasting, & suddenly His
great broadcasting station booms in with tremendous positive
volume & power & certainty--& the messages come through
loud & clear!
But if you're not skillful to tune in your fine tuning &
absolutely zero in at the dead centre, or rather live centre of
God's perfect frequency--with tremendous concentration &
without distraction--if you allow any other signals to pull you
off course or distort with static, God's message may become
faint, distorted, interrupted, unclear, or even totally jammed by
the static & power of the Enemy! Be sure your battery is well-
charged by His power, fresh & renewed--that your contact is
good & clean & firm--that you're tuning in attentively,
accurately, with patient determination, waiting even in silence,
if need be, while you wait for God's signal!
If you wait with faith & patience, without distraction,
& with the utmost concentration, sooner or later you'll receive
some of the most beautiful music you've ever heard, & some of
the most powerful, thrilling, & amazing messages that will
really stir you to action! You'll dance to His tunes, & battle
according to His signals--His directions--& you'll know you're
fulfilling His Will--the purpose for which you were created,
regardless of the consequences!
221. Mr. Spurgeon once came to Bristol. He was to
preach in the three largest Baptist chapels in the city, & he
hoped to collect 300 pounds, which were needed immediately
for his orphanage. He got the money. Retiring to bed on the last
night of his visit, Spurgeon heard a voice which, to him, was the
voice of the Lord, saying, "Give those 300 pounds to George
Muller.' "But, Lord," answered Spurgeon, "I need it for my dear
children in London.' Again came the word, "Give those 300
pounds to George Muller." It was only when he had said, "Yes,
Lord, I will," that sleep came to him.
The following morning he made his way to Muller's
Orphanages, & found George Muller on his knees before an
open Bible, praying. The famous preacher placed his hand on
his shoulder & said, "George, God told me to give you these
300 pounds." "Oh," said Muller, "dear Spurgeon, I have been
asking the Lord for that very sum." And those two prayerful
men rejoiced together.
Spurgeon returned to London. On his desk, he found a
letter awaiting him. He opened it, to find it contained 300
guineas. "There!" cried he with joy, "the Lord has returned my
300 pounds with 300 shillings interest."
222. I cannot tell why there should come to me
A thought of someone miles & miles away,
In swift insistence on the memory,
Unless there be a need that I should pray.
Too hurried oft are we to spare a thought
For days together for some friend away:
Perhaps God does it for us, & we ought
To read His signal as a call to pray.
Perhaps just then, my friend has fiercer fight;
Some overwhelming sorrow or decay
Of courage, darkness, some lost sense of right,
And so, in case my friend needs prayer, I pray.
Friend, do the same for me, if I, unsought,
Intrude upon you on some crowded day;
Give me a moment's prayer in passing thought;
Be very sure I need it, therefore pray.--E. Middleton
223. How lovely are the faces of
The men who talk with God--
Lit with an inner sureness of
The path their feet have trod;
How gentle is the manner of
A man who walks with Him!
No strength can overcome him, &
No cloud his courage dim.
Keen are the hands & feet--ah, yes--
Of those who wait His Will,
And clear as crystal mirrors are
The hearts His Love can fill.
Some lives are drear from doubt & fear
While others merely plod;
But lovely faces mark the men
Who walk & talk with God.
224. God's chief gift to those who seek Him is
Himself.
225. I seldom made an errand to God for another but I
got something for myself.
226. A naturalist walking with his friend through the
busy streets of a great city, stopped suddenly, and asked: "Do
you hear a cricket?"
"Of course not," laughed his friend. "You could never
hear a cricket with all this roar of traffic."
"But I hear a cricket," persisted the naturalist, and,
turning over a stone, he uncovered the insect.
"Did you actually hear that cricket chirping above the
noise of the street?" asked his friend in astonishment.
"Certainly," said the naturalist. "I spend my time
listening to nature, whether I am in the forest, the field, or the
town. Everyone hears that for which he is listening."
Taking a coin from his pocket, he dropped it on the
pavement, and each passer-by put his hand in his pocket to see
if he was the one who had dropped it.
For what are you listening? Gold or God? Your ears
are tuned to listen for something, even as the receiving set is
tuned to receive the program from a distant radio station. God's
ears are tuned to hear our prayers. Are ours tuned to hear His
commands?
227. A violent storm struck Tupelo, Mississippi. The
following day a Negro asked his friend if he had prayed while
the storm raged. The man replied in his unique and fascinating
way, "Co'se I did! Who wouldn't pray in a storm lak dat?" A
third Negro, hearing what was said added, "I 'security de Lawd
heard plenty strange voices roun' here las' night!"
228. When I was young, I said to God, "Lord, tell me
the mystery of the Universe." God seemed to say, "That
knowledge is reserved for Me alone." So I said, "God, tell me
the mystery of the peanut." God seemed to say, "Well, George,
that's more nearly your size!" And the Lord told me!--Dr.
George Washington Carver.
229. It is good to pray for the repair of mistakes, but
praying earlier would likely keep us from making so many.
 230. God can pick sense out of a confused prayer.
231. Because God is the living God, He can hear;
because He is a loving God, He will hear; because He is our
covenant God, He has bound Himself to hear.
232. Grass cannot call for dew as I do. Surely the Lord
Who visits the unpraying plant will answer to His pleading
child.
233. Even your simple little transistor radio or the
more complicated telephone set, work much on these same
principles, designed for pre-selected frequency responses by its
creator, when operated properly by the various operators which
control these frequencies, both at the broadcasting station & you
at the receiver. The broadcasting station operates with
tremendous power on a certain frequency--sometimes on
several frequencies. But you, the operator of the receiver, need
not have much power or wisdom yourself, but only the simplest
of skill to know how to turn on your own little individual power
source, make contact with your own tiny battery--your own
spirit--just a tiny little mini-volt of power or faction thereof--
just enough to activate your own circuit, & then only enough
skill to tune in to the powerful frequency of the broadcasting
station to receive sounds dropped out of the sky!--Tune, turn on,
& receive His dropouts--or rather, turn on whatever little power
or strength of the Spirit that you have that He's already charged
your tiny battery with--your own spirit--so that your circuits
might be activated to receive His powerful messages dropped
out of the Heavens!--Dad
234. It's one thing to take what the Lord gives, but it's
another thing to have enough faith to ask Him to give you
something good enough to operate in!
Reminds me of the guy I once knew who was so
desperate for a car that he said, "Lord, please give me a car! I
gotta have a car, Lord--just any old car!" So that's exactly what
he got--exactly what he asked for--a real clunker! You get what
you ask for, & what you have faith for! God takes you exactly
at your word!--Dad.
235. Prayer's like a mathematical problem: The more
complicated the problem is & the more factors involved, the
more difficult the solution. The bigger the problem & the more
parts there are to the problem, the harder it is to work out the
answer. But for a simple little problem like two plus two, it's
easy to get a simple answer like four, because you have very
little involved. Then it's easy to get the answer.
236. When we miss out on prayer we cause
disappointment to Christ, defeat to ourselves & delight to the
Devil.
237. God tells us to burden Him with whatever
burdens us.
238. When a good man falls, he falls on his knees.
239. Let the day have a blessed baptism by giving your
first waking thoughts into the bosom of God. The first hour of
the morning is the rudder of the day.
240. What is the life of a Christian but a life of prayer?
241. It's a little bit like Astrology: All the stars,
constellations, sun, moon, planets & all, have to be in a certain
conjunction & positioned at just the right time in order to get
the right results. You can't rush God, the planets or the stars.
You have to wait till they're in that position. You've got to wait
till it's God's time. But if you wait on God's time & you shoot
straight at the right time, you'll get the right answer!--Dad.
242. I silenced an atheistic Jew in the park once by
insisting on reading him nothing but the Bible, & a hush fell on
the whole crowd, who said to him, "Shut up, we want to hear
what the Bible has to say!" Never underestimate the power of
the Word!--Or, for that matter, the power of prayer!--I've
oftentimes shut up some vain babblers or hecklers just by
starting to pray. There are very few people who don't respect
prayer or at least your right to pray.
Ho did it at a big New York TV talk show & it hushed
the whole crowd, & when he finished, some were in tears!
There's something electrifying about prayer! Or how about a
little praise! If you all started praising the Lord together, what
could they do? You could drown them out! I'm convinced a
sincere song, prayer, praise, or Bible reading could do a lot
more good than all the arguing in the World. However, that
might not be fair to the poor weak M.C. if you've agreed to be
interviewed, unless you have to do it to bring peace! So you
don't necessarily have to resort to such extreme measures unless
you're in an emergency & need to get extraordinary results!--
Dad
243. God said to Israel one time that bad things were
happening because He said, "No man stirreth himself to call
upon Me!" (Isa.64:7) My Mother told me of an incident that
happened to an old missionary who was preaching in China in
the pulpit one Sunday morning & the Communists invaded the
town, threw open the front doors of the Church & just mowed
the people down with machine guns including the preacher in
the pulpit, a horrible, horrible massacre!
Here were all these Christians of this small village in
China totally massacred! My Mother was horrified when she
heard the news! She asked, "God, why? Why did You let that
happen to all those precious Chinese Christians & that pastor, a
good missionary that's gone clear to China to evangelise them?"
"Why Lord?" She was kind of angry with the Lord.
"Why did You let that happen?" And God spoke back to her just
as clear as she ever heard the voice of the Lord:
"Because My people pray not for My missionaries!"
There is God passing back the buck! We're trying to blame
God, but He's putting the responsibility on you! Now if you can
pray & your prayers can change things, then if things are not
changed it's your fault for not praying & believing & asking
God to do something else.--Dad

244. Prayer should be the key of the day & the lock of
the night.
245. Jesus has never slept for an hour while one of His
disciples watched & prayed in agony.
246. If you can't pray as you want to, pray as you can.
God knows what you mean.
247. I have many times been driven to my knees by the
utter conviction that I had nowhere else to go.
248. Men of God are always men of prayer.
249. Let's take the radio for another example: You're
going to send a radio message across the World for someone
over there to pick it up. Number one: Your transmission won't
have any power at all unless it's plugged into the current, the
Holy Spirit, God's Power, the main current, the main line.
Your transmitter has to be in good condition. If it's
faulty or out of tune or on the wrong channel, it won't transmit
like it ought to & won't get the message through clear.
On top of that, it's got to be beamed in exactly the right
direction at God's satellite. God, in a sense, really controls the
limits of the direction of the prayer, because if you don't beam it
in the general area where He wants it to go so it hits His
satellite, it will miss the point all together. It won't do a bit of
good if you're firing off in some other direction. You've got to
be right on target in the direction God wants it to go, or it won't
bounce right.
But if you're in tune, the Holy Spirit directs it. If your
set is automated & the Holy Spirit is absolutely in control, then
it's automatically tuned just right--power, beam, direction,
everything--by the Lord's Own Computer, & it can't miss! But if
you've been fooling around with the dials & the settings, you
can mess up the whole works by trying to do it your way.
Also, the Lord has to have His satellite of His Will in
just the right position to bounce it down to the receiver, & the
receiver's got to be in just the right position to receive it. The
satellite is on a fixed orbit that you can't change, like God's
overall plan that is fixed. You must aim within that fixed orbit.
Then, depending on your prayer & the recipient of your prayer,
& providing conditions are right & you aim right in the
direction that God has already sent the satellite of His Will, you
can hit right on target! It's got to go according to God's general
direction if you want it to work.
Then if your receiver gets in the right position he'll
receive it. If the recipient is tuned in right & has the right power
& is on the right channel, he will get the message.
So there are an awful lot of factors which affect the
whole process of prayer. Which is one reason, of course, why
you don't always get the answer right away. The trouble may be
with you, or it's maybe not God's time 'cause His satellite isn't
in the right position yet, or the trouble may be at the other end.--
Dad.
250. Never, never may we forget that if we would do
good to the World, our first duty is to pray!
251. Whatever else you make a business of, make a
business of prayer.
252. The prayers of the Christians are secret, but their
effect cannot be hidden.
253. I know no blessing so small as to be reasonably
expected without prayer, nor any so great but may be obtained
by it.
254. How come it takes so long for some prayers to be
answered? Again, the picture of the billiard table: The balls are
numbered, & the player is supposed to hit a ball of a certain
number in proper sequence at a certain time in the game.
But you can't hit that ball until its number comes up.--
And of course, the One Who created the game numbered the
balls!--And you don't regulate where that ball's going to be at
the time it's supposed to be hit. That's all ordered by the way the
balls were scattered in the first place. You have to wait until
your ball & that ball are in just the right position regarding that
corner pocket to make the right shot to get the ball where you
want it to go.
In a way, it's almost like the Lead Player is God, & He
is the One that made the breakshot that scattered the balls
originally. And as you go along, He plays too & keeps changing
the position of the balls by His shots. The only difference is,
God is not trying to beat you. He's actually trying to help you
win if you're on His side, like playing doubles: Your partner is
God, & your opponent's partner is the Devil! God's shots are
made to try to make it easier for you.
It's like when you play partners: Your partner, God,
tries to "set it up" for you. The same is true in another game,
croquet: God is like your partner & He tries to give you set-ups
to make it easier for you to shoot. Of course, it doesn't matter
how good God sets things up, if you don't shoot straight it won't
do any good.
And no matter how good your shot is, that ball, planet
or person has to be in a certain position for it to hit right. You
may be firing away, maybe even hitting the planet right, but if
the object of your prayers is not at the right angle of reflection
it's not getting through to him.--Dad
255. Prayer is the key to Heaven's treasures.
256. I had rather stand against the cannons of the
wicked than against the prayers of the righteous.
257. The mightier anyone is in the Word, the more
mighty he will be in prayer.
258. God's Promises are to be our pleas in prayer.
259. I fell asleep one time when I was praying in our
little house in Downham, England. The family were all sitting
round me at Christmastime & I was praying away & I fell
asleep praying & they said I kept right on praying. That was the
funniest feeling I ever had. I was so surprised when I woke up 263. A friend of mine, Miss L. Dennis of the Heart of
& I was still praying!--Dad Africa Mission, spent her Christmas Day as the only European
in a Congo village. She was without food at dinner time, and
260. It's just like a telephone call. You're almost like kneeled at her bedside in the tiny one-roomed native hut to
the exchange. And God sends the main call from His Spirit to pray, "Give me this day my daily bread." As she arose, out flew
your mind. And then you have to make the connection to send it a little hen with a loud, "Tuck, Tuck, Tuck." She had laid her
on to the party that needs to receive it. But if you just think first egg under the bed.
about them & then don't pass on the thought to the Lord in the
form of a desperate plea for them & instead you just cut it off, 264. To talk with God,
it's just like you're turning the phone off on God! No breath is lost--
It's like when He's trying to make a phone call & He Talk on!
gives you the number & you put it through. He tells the
operator--you're the operator. God is the One that's calling, & To walk with God,
He tries to put it through you because He wants to show you No strength is lost--
what Love really is. Walk on!
`Love is making a connection like that from to
somebody who needs your love. You are the connection To wait on God,
between God & that person, in Love. In everything we do in No time is lost--
witnessing, God is the One Who's sending the message, right? Wait on! Dnyanodaya (Indian Poet)
And they are the one He wants to get it to. 265. Martha was busy & hurried
But it has to go through you.--You're the operator. And Serving the Friend Divine,
if you don't make the connection, if you're lazy & slow & Cleansing the cups & the platters,
negligent & you don't care & you don't even want to be Bringing the bread & the wine.
bothered with these calls & so you don't make the connection,
then it's a broken connection, & they never get the message, & But Martha was careful & anxious,
they never receive the Love, & so there's never any answer.-- Fretting in thought & in word.
Dad. She had no time to be learning
While she was serving the Lord.
261. "Mama!" said the little boy as he was kneeling
down to say his bedtime prayers, "What does `Fi-shu-die' For Martha was cumbered with serving, Martha was
mean?" "Fi-shu-die?" said the mother. "Yes, you know--`Fi- troubled with things.
shu-die before I wake.'" Those that would pass with the using
She was forgetting her wings.
262. There is an Eye that never sleeps
Beneath the wing of night; But Mary was quiet & peaceful
There is an Ear that never shuts, Learning to love & to live.
When sink the beams of light: Mary was learning His precepts,
Mary was letting Him give--
There is an Arm that never tires,
When human strength gives way; Give of the riches eternal,
There is a Love that never fails, Treasures of mind & of heart,
When earthly loves decay. Learning the mind of the Master,
Choosing the better part.
That Eye is fix'd on Seraph throngs;
That Arm upholds the sky; Do we ever labour at serving
That Ear is fill'd with Angel songs: Till voices grow fretful & shrill?
That Love is throned on High. Forgetting how to be loving?
Forgetting how to be still?
But there's a power, which man can wield,
When mortal aid is vain, Do we strive for things & possessions
That Eye, that Arm, that Love, to reach, And toil for the perishing meat?
That listening Ear to gain. Neglecting the one thing needful?
--Sitting at Jesus's feet!
That power is prayer, which soars on High
Through Jesus to the Throne, Oh, service is good when He asks it,
And moves the Hand, which moves the world, Labour is right in its place,
To bring Salvation down. Amen. J.A.Wallace But there is one thing far better--
Looking up into His face.

There's so much that He would tell us,
There are so many truths oh so deep!
This is the place where He wants us
And these are the things we can keep!--Grandmother.
266. God still speaks to those who take the time to
listen.
267. If you would have God hear you when you pray,
you must hear Him when He speaks.
268. A Christian in great perplexity prayed but found
no relief in prayer. Looking up from where he knelt, his eye
alighted on a card, "Try Thanksgiving!" He did, & the Lord
gave him peace & removed his cares. (Phil.4:6; 1Tim.2:1)
269. How much does a prayer weigh? The only man I
ever knew who tried to weigh one still does not know.
Once upon a time he thought he did. That was when he
owned a little grocery store on the West side. It was the week
before Christmas after the World War. A tired looking woman
came into the store & asked him for enough food to make up a
Christmas dinner for her children. He asked her how much she
could afford to spend.
She answer, "My husband was killed in the war, I have
nothing to offer but a little prayer."
This man confesses that he was not very sentimental in
those days. A grocery store could not be run like a bread line.
So he said, "Write it on paper," & turned about his
business.
To his surprise, the woman plucked a piece of paper
out of her bosom & handed it to him over the counter & said, "I
did that during the night watching over my sick baby."
The grocer took the paper before he could recover
from his surprise, & then regretted having done so! For what
would he do with it, what could he say?
Then an idea suddenly came to him. He placed the
paper, without even reading the prayer, on the weight side of his
old-fashioned scales. He said, "We shall see how much food
this is worth."
To his astonishment the scale would not go down
when he put a loaf of bread on the other side. To his confusion
& embarrassment, it would not go down though he kept on
adding food, anything he could lay his hands on quickly,
because people were watching him.
He tried to be gruff & he was making a bad job of it.
His face got red & it made him angry to be flustered.
So finally he said, "Well, that's all the scales will hold
anyway. Here's a bag. You'll have to be put it in yourself. I'm
busy."
With what sounded like a gasp or a little sob, she took
the bag & started packing in the food, wiping her eyes on her
sleeves every time her arm was free to do so. He tried not to
look, but he could not helping seeing that he had given her a
pretty big bad & that it was not quite full. So he tossed a large
cheese down the counter, but he did not say anything; nor did
he see the timid smile of grateful understanding which glistened
in her moist eyes at this final betrayal of the grocer's crusty
exterior.
When the woman had gone, he went to look at the
scales, scratching his head & shaking it in puzzlement. Then he
found the solution. The scales were broken.
The grocer is an old man now. His hair is white. But he
still scratches it in same place & shakes it slowly back & forth
with the same puzzled expression. He never saw the woman
again. And, come to think of it, he had never seen her before
either. Yet for the rest of his life he remembered her better than
any other woman in the world & thought of her more often.
He knew it had not been just his imagination, for he
still had the slip of paper upon which the woman's prayer had
been written: "Please, Lord, give us this day our daily bread."
(Matt.6:11)
270. If you "Trust in the Lord with all thy heart & lean
not unto thine own understanding, & in all thy ways
acknowledge Him, He shall direct thy paths." (Pro.3:5-6) In
order for Him to direct your path you should do the first three
things: Trust Him, acknowledge Him & don't lean to your own
understanding!--Dad.
271. When you're really asking & praying, you know
good & well if you're asking for a fish He'll not give you a
serpent, & if you're asking for bread He'll not give you a rock.
(Matt.7:9,18)--Dad
272. Sinning stops praying &...Praying stops sinning.
273. I knelt to pray when day was done,
And prayed "O Lord bless every one,
Lift from every saddened heart the pain,
And let the sick be well again."
And then I woke another day,
And carelessly went upon my way.
The whole day long I did not try
To wipe a tear from any eye.
I did not try to share the load
Of any brother on the road.
I did not even go to see
The sick man just next door to me.
Yet once again when day was done,
I prayed "O Lord bless everyone."
But as I prayed, unto my ear
There came a voice that whispered clear.
"Pause, hypocrite, before you pray,
Whom have you tried to bless today?
God's sweetest blessings always go,
By hands which serve Him below."
And then I hid my face and cried,
"Forgive me, God, for I have lied.
Let me but live another day,
 And I will live the way I pray!"
274. Let's have a little seance with Jesus, right now,
shall we? Let's hold hands to show our unity in the Spirit, show
our love, our affection, touch! There's a lot in touch that's
important! You kind of mix auras, you feel the current flowing
on the line, you complete the circuit! It doesn't mean that you
guys who can't reach the other guys at the end of the line are not
completing the circuit, you've got one long line & a lot of
electricity on that, praise the Lord?--Dad.
275. Prayer is weakness leaning on omnipotence.
276. Gipsy Smith was once asked how to start a
revival. He answered:
"Go home, lock yourself in your room, kneel down in
the middle of your floor. Draw a chalk mark all around yourself
& ask God to start the revival inside that chalk mark. When He
has answered your prayer, the revival will be on."
277. A Chinaman brought a number of his friends to
the mission. When asked how he succeeded in getting so many
to come, he said, "I got on my knees & talkee, talkee, talkee.
Then I got up & walkee, walkee, walkee." Pray & then work.
Prayer without works is vain. Praying without working like
working without praying, is dead. Let us all talkee & walkee.
278. A sergeant-major, converted some time ago in a
Salvation Army hut while on duty in the Middle East, had
charge of the locomotive which ran between Cairo & Haifa.
After his conversion he made it a practice, before starting on
each journey, to pray for the safety of the train & of his
passengers. On one journey the engine suddenly stopped, for no
apparent reason. A civil engineer on the train, as well as the
engine staff tried in vain to discover the cause of the breakdown
which took place at 3 o'clock on a week morning. As dawn
approached, two workmen came running farther down the line
with the news that a rainstorm had made a hole in the
permanent way large enough to engulf the whole train had it
proceeded. "What luck!" the passengers said. But the driver
quietly gave his witness & spoke of the prayer he offered for
their safety every time he took his place on the footplate.
Strangely enough, as it seemed to the passengers, the engine
started without a hitch when the track had been repaired after a
14-hour holdup.
279. "Men ought always to pray & not to faint!" (Luke
18:1) It's too bad that we seem to sort of pull our antenna in
when we get busy physically & then we don't seem to have as
good reception. But it's probably because antennas are all quite
frail & delicate. Your spiritual sensitivity is a very sensitive part
of your spiritual equipment, & you've got to keep it well
protected. You couldn't run around with your antenna sticking
up all the time while you're working hard in the kitchen.--Dad.
280. If we do not "come apart", we will come apart.
281. Testified Olga Kristensen, who spent forty years
in China as a Missionary:
"Toward the end of my stay I had nearly 80 refugees at
the mission station besides the women living there. One night
we heard the bandits approaching. There were shots at the end
of the street. We all knew that without intervention, murder &
disaster were on the way. I went into my closet & prayed to
God for a word to calm myself & the others with me. My
tortured soul then found a word I had often read before, but
which now had a real meaning for me--`When thou liest down,
thou shalt not be afraid: yea,...thy sleep shall be sweet. Be not
afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked,
when it cometh.' Could I have a better message? I brought it to
all the others & told them to go to rest. When I was going to bed
I was tempted to lie down with my clothes on, but after a little
struggle I undressed &, lying down, slept soundly. Next
morning the dead were lying outside our premises. There had
been fighting & murder, but no one had even gone so far as to
knock on our door."
282. Spurgeon was once asked the reason of his
marvellous power in the ministry. Pointing to the floor of the
Metropolitan Tabernacle, he said, "In the room beneath, you
will find 300 praying Christians. Every time I preach they
gather there, & uphold my hands by continuous prayer &
supplications. It is in that room that you find the secret of the
blessings."
283. We mutter & sputter,
We fume & we spurt;
We mumble & grumble,
Our feelings get hurt;
We can't understand things,
Our vision grows dim,
When all that we need is
A moment with Him.
284. When we pray unitedly, joining hands in a circle,
we can feel that unity in both flesh & spirit & a united strength
& power like electricity flowing through us, having made the
contact & the connection with our hands from one to the other
in a continuous circle symbolising the unending eternity of the
Hereafter, a circle being endless & encompassing all within it!--
Dad.
285. Thank You for Your Word, Lord, that gives us
the faith that we can come boldly before the throne of grace
seeking help, Lord, in time of need, & that Your Spirit Herself
will make intercession for us with groanings which cannot be
uttered, in Jesus's name! (Heb.4:16; Rom.8:26)--Maria
286. You've got to have an antenna, feet on the Word,
& you've got to turn it on & tune in!--Dad.
287. Intercession is standing in other people's shoes &
representing them before God.
288. The World is too much with us!!--Every great
man of God in the Bible, from Moses to Jesus, had to go away
alone into his mountain for awhile, away from the multitude &
its incessant demands & needs, in order to have time to meditate
& pray, & to produce, from communion with God, the laws of
God, for the needs of man.--Dad
289. Biographers of Fenelon tell us that he lived in
such intimate fellowship with God that his very face shone.
Lord Peterborough, a sceptic, was obliged to spend a night with
him at an inn. In the morning he rushed away, saying, "If I stay
another night with that man I shall be a Christian in spite of
myself." Someone else said of him, "His manners were full of
grace, his voice full of love, & his face full of glory."
290. Archibald Orr Ewing, a successful business man
in Glasgow, went to China as a missionary. Through
communion with his Lord Jesus Christ, his features became so
radiant that the people there gave him a new name--"Mr. Glory-
face". (Exo.34:29; 2Cor.3:18;4;6.)
291. Lord, be within me
--To strengthen me; without me
--To preserve me; over me
--To shelter me; beneath me
--To support me; before me
--To direct me; behind me
--To bring me back; around me
--To fortify me.--Lancelot Andrews
292. Take away everything I have, but do not take
away the sweetness of walking & talking with the King of
Glory!
293. We have become so engrossed in the work of the
Lord that we have forgotten the Lord of the work.
294. One of the many interesting stories of the Bible is
that of Elijah & the ravens. You remember that God sent ravens
to bring His servant food, when he was at the brook, hiding
from Ahab. Sometimes we seem to think that such wonderful
things happened long ago, but that they do not happen any
more. But in this we are mistaken. God still cares for His
people. He is always near, when they need Him.
David Brainerd was a famous missionary who went to
the Indians to preach the Gospel. As a result of his labours,
many of the Indians found their Saviour. Brainerd was a man of
prayer. In his diary he tells of his experiences on his many
travels. And he often mentions how the Lord heard & answered
his prayers.
One day, on one of his many journeys to visit an
Indian tribe, he was overtaken by a severe storm. He looked for
a place of shelter & eventually found one in a hollow log of a
very large tree. While there, he prayed for the Indians & also
that the Lord would take care of him & his needs.
When meal time came, he was hungry, but there was
nothing to eat. He noticed a squirrel approaching the tree. The
squirrel chattered a while. When the little animal disappeared,
Brainerd noticed that he had left a few nuts behind. The
missionary ate those nuts.
Three days the storm continued, & for three days
Brainerd remained in the log. Each day the squirrel came to
deposit some nuts at the entrance. David Brainerd knew that the
Lord had sent that squirrel.
295. After Charran & our four oldest children sang at
an old folks' home & led all 55 people in prayer to receive
Jesus, the people who were having a party drew numbers to
receive little prizes. Many of them gave the prizes they had won
to the children.
We were given several very useful things but the
miracle was that 3-year-old Lara needed a nightie & one of the
prizes was a beautiful warm flannel nightie that fit her
perfectly!--And yet these were prizes being given to old people!
Thank You Jesus for how He always supplies!--Job & Charran
296. The camel at the close of the day
Kneels down upon the sandy plain
To have his burden lifted off,
And rest to gain.
My soul, thou too shouldst to thy knees
When daylight draweth to a close
And let thy Master lift thy load,
And grant repose.
Else how canst thou tomorrow meet,
With all tomorrow's work to do,
If thou thy burden all the night
Dost carry through?
The camel kneels at break of day
To have his guide replace his load;
Then rises up anew to take
The desert road.
So thou shouldst kneel at morning dawn,
That God may give thee daily care;
Assured that He no load too great
Will make thee bear.
297. It is said that Moody could not stand long prayers
in public. At one of his meetings he called on a brother to pray,
& he became lost in an eulogy on the Almighty. As Moody saw
no landing in sight, he suddenly said, "While the brother is
finishing his prayer let us sing number 75." A medical student
happened to be bored with the long prayer, & was just reaching
for his hat to leave when Moody's sudden switch from the
prayer to the song arrested his attention. He put his hat down,
remained in the service, & was converted. The student was the
famous missionary afterward, Sir William Grenfell.
298. Marie had a friend who took her to the casino.
She had never gambled before & prayed that the Lord would
anoint her & make her win--& she won $110. A week later,
another friend took her & she just sat there & watched him play,
praying that he'd win & he won $100. When she later told him
about it, he gave her the $100.--Johannes & Joanna, Pacific.

299. The granting of prayer, when offered in the Name
of Jesus, reveals the Father's Love to Him, & the honour which
He has put upon Him.
300. I remember reading years ago a simple story of an
old violinist. He was poor, but possessed an instrument which
never failed to charm by its soothing mellowness. Played as he
could play, it never failed to awaken responsive chords in the
heart! Asked to explain its charm, he would hold out his violin
&, tenderly caressing its graceful curves say: "Ah, a great deal
of sunshine must have gone into this wood, & what has gone in
comes out."
How much of God's sunshine has entered your life?
How much time have you spent in the radiance of His presence?
It is only too true of all of us that if more of God's radiance had
entered into our souls we should be better able to radiate peace
& hope to the crowds around us.
301. Weary, anxious, & burdened with toil,
Martha is serving a meal for her Lord;
Mary, with love that no doubt can despoil,
Eagerly feedeth her soul on His Word.
Food for the body sustains for a day.
Food for the spirit will nourish alway.--Melvin J. Hill
302. Dr. Walter Wilson & a missionary friend were
praying for a car which was greatly needed for the missionary's
work in Africa. The missionary prayed, "O God, You know
how badly I need a car for my work. Do, Lord, send me a car.
Any kind of an old, ramshackle car will do!" Dr. Wilson
interrupted. "Stop praying that way, brother! God is not in the
junk business!"
303. When you awoke from sleep this morning,
Though the hour was rather late,
Did you stop to speak with Jesus,
And His benediction wait?
Did you thank Him for His mercy,
For His care through all the night,
That no evil had befallen,
That no tears now dim your sight?
Did you ask Him for the blessing
Of His presence through the day,
For His leading safely onward,
For His guiding, lest you stray?
Did you tell Him that you'd gladly
Go wherever He would lead;
That you'd try to do His bidding,
Helping every soul in need?
If you go without these blessings
As you start another day,
Be assured your strength will fail you,
And you'll faint along the way.
Oh, live closer to the Master;
For unless you're very near,
Words of Love He whispers to you
Will not reach your listening ear.
304. Two Senators were conversing in the anterom of
the U.S. Capitol. They were discussing who was the better
Christian. One said, "Humph, I bet you $10 you can't even
recite the Lord's Prayer." "I bet you I can," replied the other.
"Well, let's hear you," the first challenged. The other
immediately intoned, "Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray
Thee, Lord, my soul to keep..." The first Senator listened with
amazement. "Here's your $10," he said, "I sure didn't think you
knew it!"
305. Prayer does not need proof; it needs practice.
306. I asked God for strength, that I might achieve,
I was made weak, that I might learn humbly to obey...
I asked for health, that I might do greater things,
I was given infirmity, that I might do better things...
I asked for riches, that I might be happy,
I was given poverty that I might be wise...
I asked for power, that I might have the praise of men,
I was given weakness, that I might feel the need of
God...
I asked for all things, that I might enjoy life,
I was given life, that I might enjoy all things...
I got nothing that I asked for--but everything I had
hoped for,
Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were
answered.
I am among all men most richly blessed.
307. I keep in step with Jesus
And he keeps in step with me,
And so we walk together,
In perfect harmony.
--There's not an hour that passes,
There's not a day goes by,
But that we have sweet fellowship,
My precious Lord & I.
308. Pray for a good harvest, but keep on hoeing.
309. One day a lady was giving her little nephew a
lesson. He was generally a good, attentive child, but on this
occasion he could not fix his mind on his work. Suddenly he
said, "Auntie, may I kneel down & ask God to help me to find
my marble?" His aunt having given her consent, the little boy
knelt by his chair, closed his eyes, and prayed silently. Then he
rose and went on with his lesson contentedly. Next day, almost
afraid of asking the question, lest the child had not found his
toy, and so might lose his simple faith, she said, "Well, dear,
have you found your marble?" "No, Auntie," was the reply, "but
God has made me not want to." God does not always answer
our prayers in the way we wish or expect, but if we are sincere,
He will take from us the desire for what is contrary to His Holy
will.

310. When we make self the end of prayer, it is not
worship but self-seeking.
311. Most commit the same mistake with God that
they do with their friends: they do all the talking.
312. The secret of reaching men is to know the secret
of reaching God.
313. When little Peter heard the minister shout as he
prayed, he said to his mother, "Don't you think that if he lived
nearer to God he wouldn't have to talk so loud?"
314. I love to lie awake at night,
When all the World's so still
Then I can hear my Father's voice
And know my Saviour's Will.
'Tis then He shines His purest beams
To search my secrets out;
And shows me all my hidden faults,
Putting each to rout,
Why fight insomnia with a pill?
Why dread to meet the nights?
There is no better time to find
The everlasting Light.--Frances Cooke
315. A moment in the morning,
Ere the cares of day begin,
Ere the heart's wide door is open,
For the world to enter in,
Oh, then alone with Jesus,
In the silence of the morning,
In heavenly, sweet communion,
Let your joyful day be born.
316. When the disciples locked the doors, Christ knew
He was sure of a welcome. He could not get their ear because of
the din & confusion that came through the open doors. Closing
the door to the world is opening the door to the Master. Don't be
afraid of shutting the door. It is the best invitation for the
Master to enter.
317. The Rev. Thomas Bradbury was remarkable for
punctuality in the time he devoted to family worship. One
evening when the bell had rung, the servants went up to prayer,
& forgot to shut the area door near the street. Some men
observed the door open, & one of them entered the house to rob
it.
Creeping upstairs, he heard the old gentleman praying
that God would preserve his house from thieves. The man was
thunderstruck, & unable to persist in his design. He returned &
told the circumstance to his companions, who abused him on
account of his timidity; but he was so affected that, some time
after, he related the circumstance to Mr. Bradbury, & became
an attendant on his ministry.
318. A Christian farmer was in town at noon & went
into a restaurant for a hamburger & french fries. When he was
served, he quietly bowed his head to give the Lord thanks for
his food. Some fellows at the next table saw him & thought they
would poke fun at him. One of them called out, "Hey, farmer,
does everyone do that where you live?" "No, son," answered the
farmer, "the pigs don't."
319. One day of preaching (Day of Pentecost) was
preceded by ten days of praying. Our pattern is oftentimes--one
day of praying precedes ten days of preaching.
320. The two most famous legions in the Roman army
were the Tenth Legion & the Thundering Legion. The Tenth
Legion was composed of Caesar's veteran shock troops. In
every great emergency it was upon that Legion that he called, &
it never failed him. The Thundering Legion was the name given
to the Militine Legion in the days of the philosophy emperor--&
yet one of the worst persecutors of the Church--Marcus
Aurelius.
Tertullian tells us how the legion won that name, the
"Thundering Legion". In A.D.176 the army of the emperor was
engaged in a campaign against the Germans. In their march the
Romans found themselves encircled by precipitous mountains
which were occupied by their savage enemies. In addition to
this danger the army was tormented by thirst because of the
drought. It was then that the commander of the Praetorian
Guard informed the emperor that the Militine Legion was made
up of Christians & that they believed in the power of prayer.
"Let them pray, then," said the emperor. The soldiers
of the Legion then bowed on the ground & earnestly besought
God in the name of Christ to deliver the Roman army. They had
scarcely risen from their knees when a great thunderstorm
arose, accompanied by hail. The storm drove the barbarians out
of their strongholds; &, descending from the mountains, they
entreated the Romans for mercy. His army delivered from death
at the hands of the barbarians, all delivered from death by the
drought, the emperor decreed that this legion should be
thereafter called the "Thundering Legion". He also abated
somewhat his persecution of the Christians.
321. It was only an earthen vessel of no particular
beauty. But all who came near it were charmed by the exquisite,
delicate odor emanating from it. Someone asked the potter,
"What did you put into the clay you used to mould this vessel to
make it so appealing to all who enter your shop?" "Nothing!
Nothing at all! I, too, noticed the flowerlike fragrance of the
clay from which I wrought the vessel. So I went to the place
from where the clay came & there I found a wild rosebush
growing. Its petals covered the ground & filled the atmosphere
with fragrance. The petals it shed year after year must have
given the clay its odor."
We should stay so close to Christ that our daily lives
will radiate His grace, goodness & sweetness.
322. Everything is needful that He sends. Nothing is
needful that He withholds.
323. The purpose of prayer is not to get man's will
done in Heaven, but to get God's Will done on Earth.
324. It is as natural for the spiritual man to pray as it is
for the natural man to breathe.
325. The truest economy of time & labour is to be
found in prayer.
 326. The quickest way to solve any problem is to first
bathe it in prayer.
327. James Gilmour, a missionary to Mongolia, was
once asked to treat some wounded soldiers. Although he was
not a doctor, he did have some knowledge of first aid, so he felt
he could not refuse the request. He dressed the wounds of two
of the men but a third had a badly broken thigh bone. The
missionary had no idea what to do for such an injury. Kneeling
beside the man, he asked the Lord for help.
He didn't know how God would answer his prayers,
but he was confident that his need would be supplied. He
couldn't find any book on physiology in the primitive hospital,
& no doctor arrived. To complicate matters, a crowd of beggars
came to him asking for money. He was deeply concerned about
his patient, yet his heart went out to those ragged paupers.
Hurriedly he gave them a small gift, plus a few kind words of
spiritual admonition.
A moment later he stared in amazement at one weary
beggar who had remained behind. The half-starved fellow was
little more than a LIVING SKELETON. The missionary
suddenly realised that the Lord had brought him a walking
lesson in anatomy! He asked the elderly man if he might
examine him. After carefully tracing the femur bone with his
fingers to learn how to treat the soldier's broken leg, he returned
to the patient & was able to set the fracture.t
328. In Central British Columbia, in a very isolated
community, a Shantyman missionary was leading an open air
service in front of a general store. Soon the program was
interrupted by the appearance of a drunken cowboy who
spurred his horse in a headlong gallop directly toward the
missionary. Not one of the people who stood & watched the
scene was aware of the quick inner cry for guidance & help that
flashed from the missionary's heart to the throne of God. A
split-second decision was reached: "Lord, You are able to
protect--if You permit that horse & rider to run me down--Thy
Will be done."
The horse lunged forward until its next step must
smash the missionary to the ground. Suddenly it reared on its
hind legs, as if encountering an invisible wall of the protection
of the Lord. Three times the booze-crazed rider spurred his
frothing mount at the missionary, & three times the horse
refused to take the final leap that would have spelled serious
injury or death to the Shantyman. The service proceeded to a
conclusion as if there had been no danger.
329. To pray "in Jesus' name" means to pray in His
Spirit, in His compassion, in His Love, in His outrage, in His
concern. In other words, it means to pray a prayer that Jesus
Himself might pray.
330. One psychiatrist has reported that, though he
himself does not pretend to be a religious man, he cannot help
being impressed by the fact that, in 25 years of active practice
in New York City, he has never had a patient who really knew
how to pray.
331. Trouble may drive you to prayer, but prayer will
drive away trouble.
332. Formerly our church was built upon a high bluff.
The street in front was wide, & an experienced driver had no
difficulty in turning there. I had not been driving long enough to
have confidence in myself, & usually sought a safer turning
point. Once I was in a hurry & tried to make the turn near the
embankment. I don't know what happened, but I found the car
going backward at full speed & the brake would not work.
There was a slight rise before the drop, but it did not stop the
car. All earthly hope was gone. In my extremity I called upon
the Lord, & the car stopped instantly with the rear wheels
hanging over the high embankment. When I reached home I
opened my Bible to find a Psalm of thanksgiving, & my eyes
fell upon these words: "He inclined unto me, & heard my cry.
He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the
miraculously clay, & set my feet upon a rock." The Word made
me even surer that this was a miracle.
333. Two missionaries in Malaya walked to a distant
village for some money which had been sent to a bank for them.
When they were returning to their station, night overtook them.
They prayed & committed themselves to God. Then they lay
down to sleep on a lonely hillside. Some weeks later a man
came to the mission hospital for treatment. He looked intently at
the missionary doctor. "I have seen you before," he said. "No, I
don't think we have met before," said the doctor. "But we have
met before! You were sleeping one night on a hillside. Several
of us saw you withdraw some money from the bank. We
followed you, intending to rob you when it was dark. But we
could not get near you because you were surrounded by
soldiers." "Soldiers!" exclaimed the missionary. "There were no
soldiers with us!" The bandit said, "But there were soldiers with
you--sixteen of them. Their swords were drawn. We were filled
with fear & ran away!"
"The Angel of the Lord encampeth round about them
that fear Him, & delivereth them." (Psa.37:7)
334. When I pray, "coincidences" happen, & when I do
not, they don't.
335. Most people don't know that God rules the World
by the prayers of His Saints.
336. Powerful praying is not pretty phrases, but it is
persistent prevailing.
337. A holy life does not always live IN the closet, but
it cannot live WITHOUT the closet. (Mat.6:6)
338. Teachers, to be prepared you must be pre-
prayered.
339. An African told how God worked Easter Sunday
at the Ibuga Church of Western Tanzania. The Ibuga Christians
had to meet outdoors because the buildings could not
accommodate the 800 who attended. While they sang &
worshipped, they had no idea of the calamity that was striking
their neighbourhood.
About the time they started their service, a huge
lioness came from the forest wild & mad. Normally a lion
would kill & eat, but she was only bent on killing. She dashed
from house to house attacking everything in her path. She killed
three goats, a cow, & then a woman & her child! As the cry of
anguish arose, the lioness ran off in the direction of the Ibuga
Church meeting. The villagers said that now the "Mungu
Mwena" ("God is good") people will get it, for that lioness is
headed directly for them.
The congregation suddenly saw the creature only a few
yards away. She stopped & growled furiously. The people
quivered with shock! The preacher shouted, "Folks, don't be
afraid, the God who saved Daniel from the lions is here. The
Risen Christ of Easter is here." Then with a God-given faith &
authority he turned to the lioness & said, "You lion, I curse you
in the Name of Jesus Christ!"
Then the most amazing thing happened. From the
scattered clouds, though there had been no rain--nor was there
any later--a bolt of lightning struck the lioness & she dropped
dead in her tracks. The preacher ran & jumped up & down on
the carcass & then used it as a platform to preach!
Seventeen people were instantly saved. The
community was stirred & agreed with the local policeman who
muttered as they carried the carcass to the police station, "the
God of these `Mungu Mwena' people surely is a God of
miracles!"
340. Prayer is a shield to the soul, a sacrifice to God, &
a scourge to Satan.
341. Prayer with obedience is power: Prayer without
obedience is presumption!
342. Prayer as it comes from the saint is weak &
languid; but when the arrow of a saint's prayer is put into the
bow of Christ's intercession it pierces the throne of grace.
343. You never pray with greater power than when you
plead the promises of God.
344. A well-known missionary who has gone to his
heavenly Father, told how on one occasion he had to make all
possible haste to a certain place on the mission field. A deep
stream which had to be crossed was all in flood, no boat was
available, & humanly speaking it was an impossibility to cross
at that time. He & his party camped, & prayed. His heavenly
Father knew all. As they prayed, a loud crashing noise was
heard. A tall tree which had stood the storms of years had
fallen, & it fell clear across the stream. Truly He knows how to
deliver the godly.
345. Before the Communists took over China, John
Ting, "God's Fool", did a mighty work for God. He was a
member of the "Little Flock Evangelists." By his life & by his
witnessing, he won many Chinese to Christ. He had utter faith
in God's care, as the following thrilling incident attests.
One day Ting & his companions arrived at a river
which had to be crossed. The river was overflowing its banks &
the water was deep. Ting & his companions were being pursued
by bandits. The situation seemed humanly hopeless! But Ting
said, "Our God is a mighty God. He can open a way for us
through the river!" He prayed simply & earnestly: "O, Lord,
hold back the waters, & make a way for us to escape from our
enemies!" Then he stepped into the raging water which swirled
about his knees. He motioned to the others to cross as he bowed
his head & prayed silently. For a moment, Ting's companions
hesitated. Then, to their amazement, they saw that the water
was steadily dropping. In a short while, all had crossed the river
to safety!
The God Who wrought this miracle in answer to
believing prayer, the God Who divided the Red Sea & rolled
back the water of the River Jordan that His people might pass
through safely, STILL LIVES! He still urges His children: "Call
unto Me, & I will answer thee, & shew thee great & mighty
things which thou knowest not." (Jer.33:3.)
346. In February, 1931, our district was reduced to a
state of famine, & there was yet another month to wheat
harvest. We had helped many, but one day when the Christians
came for help we had to tell them we had nothing left. I told
them that God wa a prayer-hearing & prayer-answering God.
They proposed to come & join in prayer each afternoon.
On the fourth day of intercession I was called out of
the meeting to see what was happening. Away in the north was
a dark cloud appearing, & as we watched, it crossed our district
& rained heavily. It wa not an ordinary rain, but a deluge of
little black seeds in such abundance they could be shoveled up.
They asked, "What is it?" reminding us of the children of Israel
in the wilderness who asked a similar question. The seeds
proved edible, & the supply so great it sustained the people until
harvest. We learned later that the storm had arisen in Mongolia
& wrecked the places where this grain was stored. The seed was
carried 1500 miles to drop on the district where prayer was
being answered.
347. Power in the Christian life depends upon our
communication with the Source of power.
348. When we seek the Lord, we soon discover that He
has never been far away.
349. Prayer puts God's Work in His hands--& keeps it
there.
350. As air is to life, so prayer is the breath of faith.
351. God's ear lies close to the believer's lip.
352. The prayer of faith is the only power in the
Universe to which the great Jehovah yields.
353. One morning I was on my knees praying, asking
God to send me $10.00 some way, so that I could buy an
automobile license. If I were to preach the next Sunday morning
at the penitentiary, I needed means of transportation. And so I
prayed & told God that if He wanted me to preach there, it was
His problem, & not mine.
While I was talking to the Lord, my wife was cleaning
the carpets downstairs. She turned off the vacuum cleaner &
shouted upstairs, "Are you praying for $10.00?"
I answered, "Yes."
"Well, quit praying," she said, "Somebody has just
shoved it through the letter slot in the door."
354. Tomahawks in hand, the Indians crept toward the
strange tent. As they cautiously peered under the flap, their
intention to kill was forgotten. There, in the centre of the tent
was a man on his knees. As he prayed, a rattlesnake crossed his
feet & paused in position to strike. But the snake did not strike.
It lowered its head again & glided out of the tent. It was a long
time later when David Brainerd, the man in the tent, found out
why the Indians at the village received him with such honour as
they did. He had expected that they would want to kill him. The
reason for their change of heart was the report their comrades
had brought of the marvellous thing they had seen. The Indians
looked upon David Brainerd as a messenger from the Great
Spirit, which indeed he was. He had come into the deep forest
to preach the Word of God to the savages. Surely it is a good
thing that in all good work the protection of God is with the
worker.
355. We lie to God in prayer if we do not rely on Him
afterwards.
 356. The Devil enjoys hearing a prayer that is
addressed to an audience.
357. Cold prayers shall never have any warm answers.
358. The history of the church's progress is the history
of prayer.
359. He stands best who kneels most.
360. Two men praying the same prayers anywhere on
Earth will raise a commotion in Heaven!
361. An officer in the first World War gives this
account of God's willingness & ability to save men from shot &
shell when they will pray. A German machine gun crew had
their gun trained on an angle of our trenches where troops
frequently passed back & forth, & the casualties were many. As
a last resort volunteers were called to storm the gun in the open.
Fifteen men volunteered. They themselves could see at a glance
that most if not all of them must die. Even if they succeeded in
silencing the gun they would scarcely escape the hail of lead
that would follow them back to their lines. The young officer
appointed to lead them, a chum of the one reporting the
incident, before going over, addressed the volunteers as follows:
"Men, I am a Christian. Before every undertaking I pray. Those
of you who are willing, kneel with me & pray about this one."
Then he uncovered his head & kneeling prayed, asking God to
spare their lives, but if any must go that their souls might be
saved. When he arose from his knees he noted that every man
of them had knelt with uncovered head. Then they went over
the top & raced for the machine gun nest amid a hail of lead &
steel. They overcame the gun crew, tore up the gun & took it
with them as they ran back to their trenches--not a man missing
or seriously wounded. To the men looking on it was a miracle
indeed. None among them will ever say that the day of miracles
is past. God has not withdrawn His "exceeding great & precious
promises."L
362. H.Clay Trumbull, in his book, "Personal Prayer",
tells of a widow who had a hard struggle providing for her two
children. One stormy night, she found she had not one particle
of food in the house for the next day's need. She prayed with
her children that night, omitting to tell them of their need.When
morning came, she prayed for their daily bread, assured that her
Father could supply it--as He alone knew how. She asked her
children to go down to the shore before breakfast, & get some
clean sand for their sitting room floor. Before the days of
woolen carpets, in the humbler New England homes they were
accustomed to strew sand on the floor. When the children had
gone, the mother again kneeled & prayed for their daily bread.
After this she spread the breakfast table, for which she had no
food. Suddenly the children returned without the sand, but
bringing gleefully a fine fish, which they had found in a hollow
of the beach, as left by the outgoing tide after the storm, &
which they together had captured. With a grateful heart she
thanked God for His goodness, & prepared the fish for their
breakfast.
363. Why not change the pattern of your prayers now
& then? Wake up some morning & ask, "Dear Lord, is there
anything I can do for You today?"
364. Prayer moves the arm that moves the World!
365. How deeply rooted must unbelief be in our hearts
when we are surprised to find our prayers answered.
366. I have so much to do that I must spend several
hours in prayer before I am able to do it.
367. William Hacquist of the Evangelical Alliance
Mission tells a story of escape in Boxer Days. They had
travelled six days & had come to a point where they must
choose by land or river for further travel. But, because of
drought, there was no water in the Han River at the time.
Further, their carriers & escort refused to travel other than on
the land route. So a prayer meeting was called in a native inn to
ask God's guidance. They felt led to procure two large flat-
bottom river boats; they bought food & placed it with their
baggage on board. But there was no water. "The place where we
stayed was surrounded by high hills. As we prayed & waited, in
about mid-afternoon, heavy dark clouds came over the hilltops,
& from them came pouring down the heaviest rain I have ever
seen. It really looked like a cloudburst. In a very short time the
river bed was filled with water, so we could release the boats &
nicely float down the river. We later learned why we were led
not to travel by land. In a mountain pass, several hundred
bandits were waiting to kill us. God sent us the safe way."
368. A pioneer preacher tells of a personal experience.
He says, "In the course of my work in a certain settlement I
incurred the ill will of the leader of a gang of horse thieves &
bandits, who made his honest boast that he would `get me'. One
afternoon a man was hurt by a falling tree & I was sent for. To
reach the lumber camp I had to pass through some rough, cut-
over land. It was evening as I entered it, & all at once I was
overcome with fear & foreboding, which I could not shake off
until I dismounted & laid my trouble before the Lord. I went on
unmolested.
"The next day the head bandit was shot by one of his
men, & I was again summoned to a deathbed. The man
confessed on the previous night he had lain in wait in the cut-
over land, intending to kill me, adding, `But who were those
men who rode with you?' When I said I was alone he screamed,
`You were not! Two men were with you, one on either side, &
in all my life I never saw such horses as they rode. Who were
they?' The excitement brought on hemorrhage, & he fell into
unconsciousness from which he never rallied. But I have never
doubted that on the night of my terror God sent me supernatural
protection & deliverance."
369. In December 1940, Mrs. A.E. Gadsby of Niagara
Falls, Canada, mailed a Christmas parcel to her daughter in
Prestwick, Scotland & prayed that it would arrive safely. The
ship carrying the mails was torpedoed off the West Coast of
Ireland, but a favourable tide floated the package & unerringly
cast it ashore on the beach of Prestwick. The contents were
soaked but perfectly usable. The address was still legible & the
package reached the addressee two days after Christmas.
370. Picture an old woman with a halo of silvered hair-
-the hot tears flowing down her furrowed cheeks--her worn
hands busy over a washboard in a room of poverty--praying--
for her son John--John who ran away from home in his teens to
become a sailor--John of whom it was now reported that he had
become a very wicked man--PRAYING, praying always, that
her son might be of service to God. The mother believed in two
things, the power of prayer & the reformation of her son. God
answered the prayer by working a miracle in the heart of John
Newton.
John Newton, the sailor-reacher. Among the thousands
of men & women he brought to Christ was Thomas Scott,
cultured, selfish, & self-satisfied. Because of the washtub
prayers another miracle was worked, & Thomas Scott used both
his pen & voice to lead thousands of unbelieving hearts to
Christ, among them a dyspeptic, melancholic young man,
William Cowper by name. He, too, was washed in the cleansing
blood & in a moment of inspiration wrote, "There is a Fountain
Filled With Blood." And this song has brought countless
thousands to the Man Who died on Calvary. All this resulted
because a mother took God at His Word & prayed that her son's
heart might become as white as the soapsuds in the washtub.
371. In the days of war the Japanese policeman who
had absolute power said that within three days everyone in a
certain Formosan mountain village must come to the police
station & swear that he would not be a Christian, or he would be
tied hand & foot, & stones tied to him, & he would be thrown
from the high bridge into the rushing river below. The
Christians met at midnight to decide what to do. Some said,
"We'll have to give it up. We cannot be Christians now. He will
surely kill us." Then a young boy arose. "But don't you
remember that Jesus said not to be afraid of those who can only
kill the body, but to be afraid of those who kill body & soul? If
he kills us, it will only be our bodies--our souls will go to be
with Jesus." They all said, "That's true."
When the vote was taken, every hand was raised--all
voted to die. Next day the policeman laughed cruelly, & said,
"Tomorrow you die." Now the policeman liked to fish, &
waded out into the river. A sock or tree in the current struck his
leg & broke it. While the mountain people were praying, a
messenger rushed in, & said, "The man who was to kill you
tomorrow has been drowned in the river."
372. Motto in a church: If you must whisper, whisper a
prayer.
373. Prayer is a serious thing. We may be taken at our
words.
374. When it is hardest to pray, we ought to pray
hardest.
375. Prayer is releasing the energies of God.--For
prayer is asking God to do what we cannot do.
376. The Christian on his knees sees more than the
philosopher on tiptoe.
377. If prayer does not drive sin out of your life, sin
will drive prayer out.
378. a native African Christian moaned & tossed with
a raging high fever. The missionary used what simple remedies
he had. He longed, however, for an ice pack. No ice was
possible, he thought, & dismissed the longing. The mother of
the fevered boy asked, "Cannot the Great-God send ice for my
dear son?" Then she reminded him of one of his sermons when
he said that God delights to do miracles. "But," he protested,
"Ice! Ice!" She gave no heed to his doubts, & said, in a tone of
implicit faith, "Shall we not pray?" Down on their knees they
went, he praying first, telling the Lord things He already knew,
& making very general requests. But the mother plainly said,
"Lord, if ice is necessary to his healing, Thou canst send it. I do
believe."
When the prayer ended, a hailstone the size of a walnut
rolled into the hut, & when they looked out, they saw drifts of
hailstones beyond the door. Sekunzi seized & shook her pastor,
& exclaimed, "Did not the Great-God answer in His own
wonderful way?" The hailstorm was local--the crops of the
neighbours were not harmed--the son recovered completely--the
miracle increased the faith of all who heard it--the pastor
learned never to limit the power of God.
379. I read an incident that occurred during the first
settling of the United States when there were plenty of wild
Indians & wild animals. The country was thinly settled with
white people. There was a young Christian family living in
Virginia, consisting of a man, his wife & two small children.
One day in the summer after they got their crop done they went
to visit their nearest neighbour, eight or ten miles away, the
woman & the children on their only horse & the man with his
rifle walked beside his family.
In the evening about the time they started for home,
there rose a storm & before they reached home dark overtook
them. The storm was raging, the lightning was fearfully flashing
every few seconds--they could only see their Indian path by the
flashing lightning. They got about a mile from their home. All
at once the horse stopped & by the flash of lightning they saw a
huge panther on a limb of a tree just in front of them, ready to
make his spring on the woman & children; (the man started to
shoot, but in morning he had forgotten to take but one load for
his rifle & he had used that one.) Just as the animal started to
leap, the woman looked up through the fearful clouds, & prayed
to the Lord to save them, & at that very moment there came a
stroke of lightning, tore the tree up & the wild beast fell dead
right in front of them. Such is the power of the Almighty to
answer an earnest & faithful prayer.
380. A short prayer will reach the throne--if you don't
live too far away.
381. The family altar which does not alter the family is
not a good family altar.
382. We organise instead of agonise.
383. All we have to do, Lord, is turn on the power, let
You flood our beings with Thy power, & tune in to Your
frequency. For You're not just frequent, Lord, but You're there
all the time! Amen!--Dad.
384. There is a legend about two Angels who were
sent to Earth to gather up the prayers of men. One was to fill his
basket with the petitions of Mankind. The other was to gather
their prayers of thanksgiving. Some time later they went back to
the Father's house. One had a basket heaped high, & running
over, with the innumerable petitions of men. The other returned
with a sad & heavy heart, for his basket was almost empty. The
thanks of men were heard but rarely on Earth, even though the
Angel had searched diligently. Do not let us forget the
thanksgiving side of our prayers.
385. Strong is the lion--like a coal
His eyeball--like a bastion mole
His chest, against his foes;
Strong the gier-eagle on his sail;
Strong against tide th'enormous whale
Emerges as he goes.
 But stronger still in earth or air,
And in the sea, the man of prayer,
And far beneath the tide;
And in the seat to faith assigned,
Where ask is have & seek is find,
Where knock is open wide. (1Sam.12:23; Ps.106:23;
Dan.2:18-20; Jam.5:17.)
386. Prayer meetings are the throbbing machinery of
the church.
387. If we are weak in communion with God, we are
weak everywhere.
388. Effective prayer is a quartet--the Father, the Son,
the Spirit & the Christian.
389. Talking to men for God is a great thing, but
talking to God for men is greater still.
390. He who wants anything from God must approach
Him with empty hands.
391. The Bible is a letter God has sent to us; prayer is a
letter we send to Him.
392. Prayer is possession by anticipation.
393. I was longing to serve the Master
But alas I was laid aside
From the busy field of workers
In the harvest field so wide
They were few, yes, few in number
And I could not understand
Why I should be left inactive;
It was not as I had planned.
I was longing to SERVE the Master
And the need indeed was great.
For me it was easy to LABOUR
But oh, it was hard to WAIT,
To lie quite still & be silent
While the song was borne to my ear
From the busy field of workers
In the harvest field so dear.
I was longing to serve, just to SERVE the Master
But He led to a desert place
And there as we stopped & rested
His eyes looked down in my face,
So full of tender reproaching
They filled me with sad surprise!
Did He think I had grudged my service
Or counted it sacrifice?
Oh, Master, I long to serve, just to serve Thee,
There are so far at the best
Let me off to the fields, I pleaded,
I care not to stay & rest.
I knelt at His feet imploring,
I gazed in His face above.
"My child," He said, "Don't you know,
Your SERVICE is NOTHING without your LOVE?"
I was longing to serve, to serve my Master
Oh, this was my one fond thought,
For this I was ever pleading
As His footstool in prayer I sought,
But there in that lonely desert
Apart from the busy scene
It dawned on me slowly & clearly
Where my great mistake had been.
My mind was so full of service, just service,
I had drifted from HIM apart.
And he longed for that sweet communion,
That UNION OF HEART WITH HEART!
Well, I sought & I found forgiveness,
While mine eyes with pain were dim
And now, though His Work is still precious
The FIRST Place is kept for HIM!--By Grandmother
394. Prayer is the slender sinew that moves the muscle
of omnipotence.
395. Prayer is that mightiest of all weapons that
created natures can wield.
396. There is no burden of the spirit but is lighter by
kneeling under it.
397. A father & his young daughter were great friends
& much in each other's company. Then the father noted a
change in his daughter. If he went for a walk, he excused herself
from going. He grieved about it, but could not understand.
When his birthday came, she presented him with a pair of
exquisitely worked slippers, saying, "I have made them for
you."
Then he understood what had been the matter for the
past three months, & he said, "My darling, I like these slippers
very much, but next time buy the slippers & let me have you all
the days. I would rather have my child than anything she can
make for me."
Some of us are so busy for the Lord that He cannot get
much of us. To us He would say, "I know your works, your
labour, your patience, but I miss the first love." (Rev.2:2-4)
398. Help me to follow You today
Help me to walk in the narrow Way
Help me to seek You first when I wake
Help me Your guiding Hand to take
Help me to listen to Your voices
Help me to make the right choices
Help me to find Your perfect Will
Help me to stop & be perfectly still
Help me to listen to Your Word
Help me to live by all I've heard
Help me to love You more & more
Help me to share, not keep things in store
Help me to follow You just like a sheep
Help me to know my soul You will keep
Help me to trust You with my life
Help me to pass by malice & strife
Help me at all times Thy face to seek
Help me, Lord, to be loving & meek
Help me to learn to let You work
Help me to squeeze & not to jerk
Help me to rise whenever I fall
 Help me in falling to grow more tall Holy Spirit, prompt us
Help me be strong when I am weak When we kneel to pray;
Help me Your Kingdom first to seek Nearer come, & teach us
Help me forgive those who are cruel What we ought to say.
Help me to know I too am a fool
Help me to know I need You so much Holy Spirit, shine Thou
Help me to find sweet rest in Your touch, & On the Book we read;
Help me tonight when I lie down Gild its Holy pages
To be wearing a smile & not a frown.--By Solomon With the Light we need.
399. You can do all things through Christ which
strengtheneth you! Ask God for help--& if you really are Holy Spirit, give us
overloaded, He'll help you!If you really need help, tell it to Each a lowly mind;
Jesus first of all! Seek the Lord! "Cast thy burden upon the Lord Make us more like Jesus,
& He shall sustain thee!" Just roll it over on Jesus & roll over & Gentle, pure, & kind.
go to sleep--& let Him stay up all night! Don't worry about it!
Let the Lord do the worrying! His shoulders are broad enough Holy Spirit, brighten
to carry any load--all the burdens put together, including His Little deeds of toil;
Own!--Dad. And our playful pastimes
400. General McArthur told an American Bible Let no folly spoil.
Society visitor: "Never a day goes by, be I ever so tired, but I
read the Bible before I go to bed." (John 5:39; Acts 17:11.) Holy Spirit, keep us
401. Look on His face: so shall His light Divine Safe from sins which lie
On Thee in radiancy & beauty shine: Hidden by some pleasure
Walk in His steps; the path that Jesus trod From our youthful eye.
Shall lead thee safely on to Heaven & God.
List to His voice, & thou shalt ever hear Holy Spirit, help us
His Words of comfort, peace, thy heart to cheer. Daily, by Thy might,
Put thou thy hand in His, & thou shalt see What is wrong to conquer,
How strong, how firm His hold on thee shall be. And to choose the right. Amen. W.H. Parker (1845-
(2Cor.3:18.) 1929)
402. A legend is told of how Moses once heard a 405. Most Christians don't pray Samuel's prayer,
shepherd praying, "O God, show me where You are that I may "Speak, Lord, Thy servant heareth." Most of them pray, "Hear,
become Your servant. I will clean Your shoes, & comb Your Lord, Thy servant speaketh!" They don't really expect to hear
hair, & sew Your clothes, & bring You food." Moses rebuked anything from the Lord. Isn't that sad? But they expect God to
him with the words: "God is Spirit & needs not such hear them. Whereas a large part of prayer is not only talking,
ministrations." There upon the shepherd rent his clothes in but LISTENING. If you want the Lord to speak you've got to
dismay & fled to the desert. Then Moses was rebuked by God, shut up so you can hear Him!--Dad
saying, "You have driven away My servant...I regard not the 406. During the Second World War, when the
words that are spoken but the heart that offers them." Japanese were invading Java, a lady called Marquita Bischop &
403. One hot summer day a young farmer came from her daughter had to leave their home & flee from the enemy.
his cornfield hot & tired. He took the name of the Lord in vain, After travelling a long way, they came to house of a Dutchman,
cursing the cornfield for being such a grassy mess. He finally & he allowed them to stay in a little hut on his plantation, &
succeeded in cleaning the field thoroughly, the rain came, the helped them with food supplies.
sun shone, but field of corn refused to grow as it should. When But after a time this man was taken away by the
harvest time came the farmer complained that he didn't make enemy, & though the two women stayed on in their hut, they
enough corn to pay the fertiliser bill. His Christian wife calmly were in great need. They had no food, & were close to
asked, "Didn't you ask God to damn that field of corn?" Then starvation. In despair, they went out to dig in the ground to see
the young fellow repentantly remembered his words. God does if they could find any roots to eat.
hear & answer us, & if many profanity users realised just what Suddenly Marquita decided to ask God for help. She
they were asking for, I believe they would be a little more got down on her knees & prayed, "God, we are starving, & must
careful. have meat. And, please, God, we want it now!" Then she sat
404. "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they back & waited.
are the sons of God." (Rom.8:14.) Almost at once a huge bird came flying overheard,
Holy Spirit, hear us; carrying in its beak a chicken which it had seized. As it came
Help us while we sing; near, it dropped the chicken, only a few yards away from her.
Breathe into the music They were able to cook the bird & eat it, & so save their lives.
Of the praise we bring. Telling this story afterwards, Marquita said, "Of course
there are missionary, & of course there is a God."
 407. When Napoleon's army was marching through the
country, a good Christian woman, a widow with children, was
somewhat fearful lest the soldiers should molest the home; &
that night, around the family altar, she breathed her prayer, "Oh,
God, build a wall around our home & protect us from the
enemy." When the children retired they were heard asking one
another, "What did Mother mean asking God to build a wall
around our home?' In the morning they knew, for a heavy wind
& snow storm had come, & snowdrifts were all around the little
home; the soldiers went by, not knowing that the house was
there. That mother used God's Promise. So may you, & then
you will thank God for the answer.
408. The most important thing you have to do is to
listen & look at what God has to show you. There's nothing
more important than that.--Dad.
409. In the Spring of 1921, a group of British soldiers
faced death from thirst on the Sinai Desert, in Egypt.
They were a small desert patrol which had become lost
in a furious sandstorm & had run out of water. In desperation,
they decided to dig in the sand, hoping to find a well.
Suddenly, one of the men remembered a passage from
the Bible, the one referring to Moses striking the desert rock &
bringing forth water for the children of Israel. He pointed out to
his companions that this was the same Sinai Desert, & that there
was a rock ledge nearby. Why not, he asked, try to find water
just as Moses had done?
The tortured men, willing to believe anything,
immediately started to swing at the rocky ledge with a small
pick-ax they carried. Then, as they struck out frantically, a
miracle occurred...a trickle of clear, sweet water came out of the
face of the rock.
The rock was actually soft limestone, & part of it
covered a hidden spring. This water kept the men alive until
they were rescued...proving that an Old Testament miracle
could be repeated in the 20th Century.
410. My pail I'm often dropping deep down into the
well
It never touched the bottom, however deep it fell.
And though I keep on dipping by study, faith & prayer,
I have no power to measure the living water there.
(John 4:11; Acts 17:11.)
411. I met God in the morning
When my day was at its best,
And His presence came like sunrise,
Like a glory in my breast.
All day long the Presence lingered,
All day long He stayed with me,
And we sailed in perfect calmness
O'er a very troubled sea.
Other ships were blown & battered,
Other ships were sore distressed,
But the winds that seemed to drive them
Brought to us a peace & rest.
hen I thought of other mornings,
With a keen remorse of mind,
When I too had loosed the moorings,
With the Presence left behind.
So I think I know the secret,
Learned from many a troubled way:
You must seek Him in the morning
If you want Him through the day!
Ralph Spaulding Cushman
412. God, Who touchest Earth with beauty,
Make me lovely too;
With Thank you Spirit re-create me,
Make my heart anew.
Like Thy springs & running waters,
Make me crystal pure;
Like Thy rocks of towering grandeur,
Make me strong & sure.
Like Thy dancing waves in sunlight,
Make me glad & free;
Like the straightness of the pine trees
Let me upright be.
Like the arching of the heavens,
Lift my thoughts above;
Turn my dreams to noble action--
Ministries of Love.
God, Who touchest Earth with beauty,
Make me lovely too;
Keep me ever, by Thy Spirit,
Pure & strong & true.--Mary S. Edgar
413. David Brainerd was a man of great spiritual
power. The work which he accomplished by prayer was simply
marvellous. Dr. A.J. Gordon, in giving a sketch of Brainerd's
experience, said,
"In the depths of those forests, alone, unable to speak
the language of the Indians, he spent whole days literally in
prayer. What was he praying for? He knew that he could not
reach those savages; he did not understand their language. If he
wanted to speak at all, he must find somebody who could
vaguely interpret his thought; therefore he knew that anything
he should do must be absolutely dependent upon the power of
God.
"So he spent whole days in prayer, simply that the
power of the Holy Ghost might come upon him so unmistakably
that these people should not be able to stand before him. What
was his answer? Once he preached & the interpreter was so
intoxicated that he could hardly stand up. That was the best he
could do. Yet scores were converted through that sermon. We
can account for it only by the tremendous power of God behind
him."
414. When your witnessing or preaching on the street
corner or in the park isn't going well, stop & pray. If you can't
do it, let God do it! When the computer just doesn't seem to
want to do the right thing, stop, lay your hands on it & pray! It
could be the Devil or one of his little imps getting into the
works! Or when the cooking just doesn't seem to go right, stop
& pray! Or if somehow or other you just can't make those books speak your piece, but to let God speak His, too!--And wait until
balance, stop & pray! Maybe the Devil's throwing some kind of He answers!--Dad
a gimmick or a monkey wrench into the figures somewhere!--
Dad. 421. Otherwise the day is over,
415. For all who watch to-night-- Night is drawing nigh,
By land, or sea,, or air, Shadows of the evening
O Father, may they know that Thou Steal across the sky.
Art with them, "even there."
Now the darkness gathers,
For all who weep to-night-- Stars begin to peep.
The hearts that cannot rest-- Birds, & beasts, & flowers
Reveal Thy Love--that wondrous Love Soon will be asleep.
Which gave for us Thy Best.
Jesus, give the weary
For all who wake to-night-- Calm & sweet repose;
Love's tender watch to keep, With Thy tend'rest blessing
Watcher Divine, Thyself draw nigh, May mine eyelids close.
Thou Who dost never sleep.
Grant to little children
For all who fear to-night, Visions bright of Thee;
Whate'er the dread may be, Guard the sailors tossing
We ask for them the perfect peace On the deep blue sea.
Of hearts that rest in Thee.
Comfort every sufferer
Our own beloved to-night-- Watching late in pain;
O Father, keep, & where Those who plan some evil,
Our love & succour cannot reach, From their sin restrain.
Now bless them through our prayer.
Through the long night watches
And--all who pray to-night-- May Thine Angels spread
Thy wrestling Hosts, O Lord, Their white wings above me,
Make weakness strong, let them prevail, Watching 'round my bed.
According to Thy Word. Amen.
Constance Lady Coote When the morning wakens,
416. Thank You Lord for answering prayer! Thank Then may I arise,
You Jesus for sparing U.S. & thank You, Lord, for also scaring Pure & fresh & sinless
us, to make us realise how dependent we are on Thee & Thy In Thy holy eyes.
loving protective hand & Thy tender loving care, & to remind 422. Now the night is falling,
us through some of these trials & troubles & tribulations to Father, be Thou nigh,
PRAY! "We need always to pray & not to faint" (Lk.18:1), & In Thy tender keeping
remember that we are dependent on Thee & Thy protection & May we safely lie,
need to talk to You & remind You that we are dependent & ask
You to take care of us. You like to hear us pray! You like to Till the morning sunbeams
hear & see us manifest our love & faith & dependency on Thee, Hail another day,
& then You answer.--Dad. Then, O Father guide us
417. Dear Lord, Help us to e empty with no will of our On our pilgrim way.--By William Acfield.
own & no thoughts or ideas of our own, but just willing to 423. You say, "Why didn't the Lord make prayer
receive whatever You have for us. As we seek we'll find. "Ask easier? Why do the spirits have such a hard time getting through
& ye shall receive. Seek & ye shall find. Knock & it shall be to us?" Well, aren't you glad that you aren't sensitive to all of
opened unto you." (Mat.7:7.) He that hungereth & thirsteth after the wavelengths there are & all the sounds on the air right now?
righteousness, including ANSWERS, is going to be filled! Wouldn't it be horrible if you could hear them all? You'd be
(Mat.5:6.)--Dad getting a lot of the wrong stuff, right? So the Lord has made you
418. What the Lord wants to be a lesson for you, may to have to really seek the right signals & to find'm & to tune in!-
not BE a lesson if you don't take the time to ask the Lord, -Not only turn on. I've seen a lot of Pentecostals, boy, they
"What are You trying to show me?"--Dad. could get turned on, but they never seemed to know how to tune
419. The Lord is here! So sit down & talk to the Lord.- in or get anything out of it except a lot of fireworks! Whereas
-And let Him talk to you, which is most important.--Dad. they need to learn how to tune in & get something from the
420. Prayer is not just to get down on your knees & Lord! Most of the chattering away in tongues that I've heard in
most Pentecostal churches, nobody ever got anything!--Dad
424. Prayer is work! Real desperate prayer is
FIGHTING!--Not just calmly quoting a little healing verse, but
really getting DESPERATE in prayer & really FIGHTING for
the victory!--Dad.
425. prayer is not dependent upon the position of your
body. You can be standing up, kneeling down, sitting down,
lying down, walking around or working in the kitchen! That's
one place you really have to do a LOT of praying, because it's a
dangerous room & it's a very important room.--But it's not the
most conducive place to LISTENING!--Dad.
426. Prayer & meditation & getting alone with the
Lord & quiet & really dealing directly with the Lord is very
necessary, because it's kind of hard for Him to get through to
you when your minds are filled with the events of the day.--
Dad.
427. Why fight insomnia with a pill?
Why dread to meet the nights?
There is no better time to find
The everlasting Light.
428. Sometimes maybe the Lord just lets us have a
problem in order that He can give us the answer! He likes to
have us pray & find out we can't always solve all our problems
& that we need His help! After all, if we could figure it all out
& solve all our problems, we wouldn't need Him! So the Lord
lets us have a little problem now & then to show us we need
Him & we have to pray. He likes to give us answers to remind
us that we're dependent on Him & we need Him, & besides, He
likes us to love Him & appreciate Him. So praise the Lord!
Amen? He likes us to appreciate His help & to love Him for it--
like a Father!--Dad.
429. You can hear from God everyday, & you
SHOULD be hearing from Him everyday. God expects His
children, those who know Him personally & know His Will &
His Word, to touch Him personally, directly, & make a direct
contact with Him, not through somebody else's faith or prayers.-
-Dad.
430. If you want to HEAR from the Lord, if you want
to hear something besides yourself, then you're going to have to
really turn on that power & TUNE IN! It takes a little work, it
takes a little concentration, but if you just stop long enough &
get other things off your mind & out of your way & just give
Him your attention, you'll hear Him.--Dad.
431. He's given you all the equipment, you've got Him,
you've got the Power, you've got everything, all He asks you to
do is get in a position where you can turn on & tune in!--To
HIM!--Dad.
432. Prayer is not a substitute for work, thinking,
watching, suffering, or giving; prayer is a support for all other
efforts.
433. If laser beams can cut through mountains, why
should we doubt the power of prayer? Wonderful things can
happen to us when we live expectantly, believe confidently, &
pray affirmatively.
434. The pulse of prayer is praise. The heart of prayer
is gratitude. The voice of prayer is obedience. The arm of
prayer is service.
435. Prayer provides power, poise, peace, & purpose.
436. Lord, make me more like Yourself, less like
myself.
437. If this obstacle is from Thee, Lord, I accept it; but
if it is from Satan, I refuse him & all his works in the Name of
Calvary.
438. A Christian once told his non-Christian friend,
"You sure swear a lot."
The unbeliever replied, "Yeah, but I don't mean
nothing by it. You sure pray a lot, but you don't mean nothing
by it either."
439. In my escape from the Boers in 1899, I realised
with awful force that no exercise of my own feeble wit &
strength could save me from my enemies, & that without the
assistance of that High Power, I could never succeed. I prayed
long & earnestly. My prayer, as it seems to me, was swiftly &
wonderfully answered.--Winston Churchill
440. Really to pray is to stand to attention in the
presence of the King & to be prepared to take orders from Him.
441. Keep praying, but be thankful that God's answers
are wiser than your prayers!
442. A good prayer, though often used, is still fresh &
fair in the eyes & ears of Heaven.
443. Certain thoughts are prayers. There are moments
when, whatever be the attitude of the body, the soul is on its
knees.--Victor Hugo
444. God loves us to pray to Him, but He very much
dislikes our making prayer an excuse for neglecting the effort of
doing good works.--Pope John Paul I
445. Pray to God in the storm--but keep on rowing.
446. In praying we must not forget that our prayers are
to be answered. Some are answered just as we wish; some are
answered in a way different from what we wish--in a better
way! Some are answered by a change in us; some by a change
in others. Some are answered by the giving of a greater strength
to bear trials, & some by the lifting of the trials. Some at once;
some in years to come; & some await Eternity.
447. Asleep, wrapped in night's shadow,
The woodland, field & meadow,
In rev'rent stillness lie,
Beneath a quilt of starry sky!
But thou, my heart, awake thee,
To prayer & song betake thee!
While all the World in slumber lies,
Let praise to thy Creator rise!
Long 'foreigner the dawn is breaking,
O Lord, my heart's a'waking!
Thy Angels never seem so near,
Nor is Thy voice so loud & clear
As in the night, so soft & still,
When I awake to hear Thy Will!
While all the World in slumber lies,
My prayer to Thee, O God, shall rise!--Catherine
Winkworth
448. There was once a clergyman who lived in a town
that was hit by a major flood. The water was a foot deep in his
living room. Some parishioners in a boat rowed up to his door,
asking him to join them. "No, go ahead," the clergyman replied.
"I'll be just fine. God is taking care of me." So they left.
Then the water rose to the second floor. Back came his
anxious parishioners in the boat. Again they asked him to join
them. Again he refused.
By the time the boat came back once more, the house
had been completely engulfed & the clergyman was standing on
his chimney. "Reverend," his parishioners called to him, "Come
with us! You'll drown!"
"No," the clergyman replied. "I'll be fine. The Lord is
providing."
So they left. And he drowned.
Later, in Heaven, the clergyman angrily made an
appointment to see God. "Why did You do this to me?" the
clergyman fumed. "I did what You said. I prayed. And You
didn't help me."
"Didn't help you?" God answered in surprise. "What
do you mean? I sent a boat around to get you three times!"
COMMUNION WITH GOD: WORD
RELATED INDEX TOPICS: Proof of Inspiration, Reading &
Viewing.
1. When he had become one of the country's greatest merchants,
John Wanamaker once said, "In my lifetime, I have made many
purchases. I have bought things which have cost me thousands
of dollars . But the greatest purchase I ever made was when I
was a boy twelve years old. Then I bought a Bible for two
dollars and fifty cents. That was my greatest purchase, for that
Bible made me what I am today."
John Wanamaker became a great man because he, as a
poor boy, loved God and His Word. He loved the Bible, read it,
and followed its teachings.
2. A noted orator asked Dickens for the most pathetic story in
literature, and he said it was that of the prodigal son. Mr.
Coleridge was asked for the richest passage in literature, and he
said it was the first sixteen verses in the fifth chapter or
Matthew. Another asked Daniel Webster for the greatest legal
digest, and he replied that it was the Sermon on the Mount. No
one has equaled Moses for law, nor David for poetry, nor Isaiah
for visions, nor Jesus for ethics, nor Peter for holy zeal, nor
Apollos for fiery oratory, nor Paul for logic, nor John's
statements of sanctified love. What a ridiculous statement that
to study the Bible "marks a step backward in education!" God's
Word is the very greatest of all books, and its Author is the very
greatest of all teachers. We do well to stay close to its pages. It
is the Book.
3. LORD, Thy Word abideth,
And our footsteps guideth;
Who its truth believeth
Light and joy receiveth.
When our foes are near us,
Then Thy Word doth cheer us,
Word of consolation,
Message of salvation.
When the storms are o'er us,
And dark clouds before us,
Then its light directeth,
And our way protecteth.
Who can tell the pleasure,
Who recount the treasure,
By Thy Word imparted
To the simple-hearted?
Word of mercy, giving
Succour to the living;
Word of life, supplying
Comfort to the dying!
Oh, that we discerning
Its most holy learning,
LORD, may love and fear Thee,
Evermore be near Thee! Amen.
REV. SIR H. W. BAKER
4. A learned Chinese was employed by some missionaries to
translate the New Testament into Chinese. At first the work of
translating had no effect upon the scholarly Chinese. But after
some time he became quite agitated & said, "What a wonderful
book this is!" "Why so?" said the missionary. "Because," said
the man, "it tells so exactly about myself. It knows all that is in
me. The One Who made this book must have made me!"
5. The Bible sure throws a lot of light on the Bible
commentaries.
6. J. Hudson Taylor, founder of the great China Inland Mission,
was Converted through reading a little tract in his father's
library when he was fifteen years old. Carelessly, he picked it
up to while away the time, but, eighty miles away, his mother
was praying for his salvation. Before he laid it down, he was
rejoicing in the knowledge of sins forgiven! When we think of
the stupendous work of the mission he founded, we marvel that
God should have used such a little thing to bring it all about!
7. The fact that the Standard Oil Company discovered oil and is
operating wells in Egypt is generally known but the reason for
its going to that ancient land to look for oil is probably not so
well-known.
It is asserted that one of the directors of the company
happened to read the second chapter of Exodus. The third verse
caught his attention. It states that the ark of bulrushes which the
mother of Moses made for her child was "daubed with slime
and with pitch."
This gentleman reasoned that where there was pitch,
there must be oil, and if there was oil in Moses' time it is
probably still there. So the company sent out Charles Whitshott,
its geologist and oil expert, to make investigations, with the
result that oil was discovered.
8. A minister recently sent a number of books, among them a
copy of the New Testament, to be rebound. He was surprised on
the return of the books to find on the backbone of the New
Testament a label in gilt letters, "T.N.T." There was no room to
spell out "The New Testament", so the bookbinder inscribed
merely "T.N.T.", the first letters of the three words. Not a bad
name for the New Testament! It is T.N.T.--it is spiritual
dynamite!
9. The reason people are down on the Bible is that they're not
up on the Bible!
10. Twenty years after Adoniram Judson reached Burma the
New Testament was translated into the Burmese tongue. In
1824, when war was waged between England and Burma, Mr.
Judson was thrown into prison, and Mrs. Judson buried the
precious manuscript, just ready for the printer, in the earth
beneath their house. But as mold was gathering upon it, on
account of the dampness caused by heavy rains, with a woman's
ready wit, she sewed the treasure inside a roll of cotton, put on a
cover and took it to the jail to be used by Mr. Judson as a
pillow.
In nine months he was transferred to the inner prison,
where five pairs of fetters were upon his ankles, and it was
announced that he, with a hundred others, fastened to a bamboo
pole, were to be killed before morning. During this terrible
night, much prayer ascended for the precious pillow. It had
fallen to the share of the keeper of the prison, but Mrs. Judson,
producing a better one, induced him to exchange.
Mr. Judson was not killed, but was hurried away to
another place, and again the pillow was his companion. But one
of the jailers untied the mat that served as its cover and threw
the roll of cotton into the yard as worthless. Here a native
Christian, ignorant of its value, found and preserved it as a relic
of his beloved master, and with him months afterward its
contents were discovered intact. After the close of the war this
New Testament was printed, and in 1834 the whole Bible was
translated into the Burmese language--a language peculiarly
difficult on account of its construction and curious
combinations.
11. Dr. S. D. Gordon tells of an old Christian woman whose age
began to tell on her memory. She had once known much of the
Bible by heart. Eventually only one precious bit stayed with her.
"I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is
able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that
day." By and by part of that slipped its hold, and she would
quietly repeat, "That which I have committed unto him." At
last, as she hovered on the borderline between this and the spirit
world, her loved ones noticed her lips moving. They bent down
to see if she needed anything. She was repeating over and over
again to herself the one word of the text, "Him, Him, Him." She
had lost the whole Bible, but one word. But she had the whole
Bible in that one word.
12. Walter F. Burke, general manager of Project Mercury &
Gemini, & vice president of the McDonnell Aircraft
Corporation, teaches Sunday school in his church. In an
interview he declared: "I have found nothing in science or space
exploration to compel me to throw away my Bible or to reject
my Saviour, Jesus Christ, in Whom I trust. The space age has
been a factor in the deepening of my own spiritual life. I read
the Bible more now. I get from the Bible what I cannot get from
science--the really important things of life."
13. There are two dominant themes in the Bible: the one is the
story of man's seduction by sin; the other, man's salvation by
Christ.
14. As God is the only holy person, so Scripture is the only holy
book.
15. The Bible is not only the book of God but also the God of
books.
16. Sin will keep you from this Book or this Book will keep you
from sin.--John Bunyan
17. If the Word is to get into us we must get into the Word.
18. I never saw a useful Christian who wasn't a student of the
Word.
19. The Spirit is not given to make Bible study needless, but to
make it effective.
20. If I were the Devil, one of my first aims would be to stop
folk from digging into the Bible.
21. God's promises are like life preservers. They keep the soul
from sinking in the sea of trouble.
22. The Lord prepares a table for His children, but too many of
them are on a diet.
23. If there is a man anywhere who is hungering after God & is
not filled, then the Word of God is broken. We are as full as we
want to be.
24. You are only as spiritual as you are Scriptural.
25. The Christian who is careless in reading the Word is
careless in living the Life!
26. You can have a head full of Scripture & a heart full of sin.
27. Let me always remember that it is not the amount of
spiritual knowledge which I have, but the amount which I use,
that determines my spiritual position & character.
28. Believing & reading Scripture means that we hear the Word
from Christ's mouth.
29. The Scriptures are in print what Christ is in person. The
inspired Word is like a faithful portrait of Christ.
30. As in paradise, God walks in the Holy Scriptures, seeking
man.
31. In God's Work we see His hand, but in His Word we see His
face.
32. The mightier any is in the Word, the more mighty he will be
in prayer.
33. The Word is alive, it speaks to me; it has feet, it runs after
me; it has hands, it lays hold on me.--Martin Luther
34. All in the Bible that is vital is clear, & all that is not clear is
not vital.
35. Let us beware of being wiser than God. What He has
written, He has written not for our opinion but for our
obedience.
36. As we search the Scriptures, we must allow them to search
us, to sit in judgement upon our character & conduct.
37. The story is told of a young curate in the church of England
who was greatly helped in his understanding of the Scriptures
by frequent conversations with an uneducated cobbler, who
was, nevertheless, well acquainted with the Word of God.
On one occasion when a friend of his, a young
theologian, was visiting him, he mentioned this remarkable
knowledge of the Bible which the cobbler possessed. The young
theologue, in a spirit of pride, expressed a desire to meet him,
saying he felt sure he could ask some questions which he would
be quite unable to answer. Upon being introduced to the man in
his little shop, the question was put, "Can you tell me what
Urim and the Thummin were?"
The cobbler replied, "I don't know exactly; I
understand that the words apply to something that was on the
breastplate of the high priest. I know the words mean `Lights
and Perfection,' and that through the Urim and Thummin the
high priest was able to discern the mind of the Lord. But I find
that I can get the mind of the Lord by just changing two letters.
I take this blessed Book, and by `usin' and thummin,' I get the
mind of the Lord that way."
38. It is a remarkable fact that Sir Isaac Newton, writing on the
prophecy of Daniel 12:4 said that if they were true, it would be
necessary that a new mode of traveling should be invented, for
knowledge would be so increased that man would be able to
travel at the rate of fifty miles an hour.
Voltaire, true to the spirit of skepticism, said: "Now
look at the mighty mind of Newton, who discovered gravitation;
when he began to study the Book called the Bible, it seems in
order to credit its fabulous nonsense, he believed that the
knowledge of mankind will be so increased that we shall be
able to travel fifty miles an hour! The poor dotard!" Today even
a skeptic would have to say, "Newton was a wise philosopher;
Voltaire a poor old dotard."
39. Sir Bartle Frere, travelling in India, was amazed to find a
small town in which the idol shrines and temples were empty,
and the townsfolk professed the Christian faith. Some years
earlier, one of the townsfolk had been given an old garment by
an English resident, in a pocket of which, forgotten, lay a
Gospel portion with eight or nine tracts in the native language.
The life is not in the sower, but in the seed. Even if an infidel
scattered the Scriptures, he would only be exploding his own
battlements.
40. There was a godly man in Germany, named Bengel, who
was noted for his intimacy with Christ. A friend desired to
watch the saintly man at his devotions. So he concealed himself
one night in his room. Bengel sat long at his table, reading his
New Testament. The hours passed. At length the clock struck
midnight, & the old man spread out his hands & said with great
joy, "Dear Lord Jesus, we are on the same old terms." Then
closing his book, he was soon in bed & asleep. He had learned
the secret of friendship with Christ.
41. A skeptic in London recently said, in speaking of the Bible,
that it was quite impossible in these days to believe in any book
whose author was unknown. A Christian asked him if the
compiler of the multiplication table was known. "No," he
answered.
"Then, of course, you do not believe in it?"
"Oh, yes, I believe in it because it works well," replied the
skeptic.
"So does the Bible," was the rejoinder, and the skeptic had no
answer to make.
42. We search the world for truth. We cull
The good, the true, the beautiful,
From graven stone and written scroll,
And all old flower-fields of the soul;
And, weary seekers of the best,
We come back laden from our quest,
To find that all the sages said
Is in the Book our mothers read.
John Greenleaf Whittier
43. I am the Bible.
I am God's wonderful library.
I am always - and above all - the Truth.
To the weary pilgrim, I am a good strong Staff.
To the one who sits in black gloom, I am the glorious Light.
To those who stoop beneath heavy burdens, I am sweet Rest.
To him who has lost his way, I am a safe Guide.
To those who have been hurt by sin, I am healing Balm.
To the discouraged, I whisper a glad message of Hope.
To those who are distressed by the storms of life, I am an
Anchor, sure and steadfast.
To those who suffer in lonely solitude, I am as a cool, soft Hand
resting upon a fevered brow.
Oh, child of man, to best defend me, just use me!
44. When Dwight L. Moody was dedicating the first building of
what later became the Moody Bible Institute, he gave the
cornerstone a whack with the trowel, then made an invocation
to this effect: "Lord, You know that what this old World needs
more than anything else is Thy Word. We pray that if the day
ever comes when anything contrary to the Bible is taught here,
You will wipe this school from the face of the Earth!"

45. Generations follow generations - yet it lives.
Nations rise and fall - yet it lives.
Kings, dictators, presidents come and go - yet it lives.
Torn, condemned, burned - yet it lives.
Doubted, suspected, criticised - yet it lives.
Damned by atheists - yet it lives.
Exaggerated by fanatics - yet it lives.
Misconstrued and misstated - yet it lives.
Ranted and raved about - yet it lives.
Its inspiration denied - yet it lives.
Yet it lives - as a lamp to our feet.
Yet it lives - as a light to our paths.
Yet it lives - as a standard for childhood.
Yet it lives - as a guide for youth.
Yet it lives - as an inspiration for the matured.
Yet it lives - as a comfort for the aged.
Yet it lives - as food for the hungry.
Yet it lives - as water for the thirsty.
Yet it lives - as rest for the weary.
Yet it lives - as light for the heathen.
Yet it lives - as salvation for the sinner.
Yet it lives - as grace for the Christian.
To know it is to love it.
To love it is to accept it.
To accept it means Life Eternal.
46. A young man was home from the theological school to visit
his grandmother. To have a bit of fun at her expense, he said,
"Grandmother, you know the Bible that you say you believe
was written in Hebrew and Greek. It had to be translated by
great scholars into our language. How do you know those who
translated it got it right?" "Ah," she answered, "never mind the
great men. I have translated a few of the promises myself!"
47. If religious books are not widely circulated among the
masses in this country and the people do not become religious, I
do not know what is to become of us as a nation. And the
thought is one to cause solemn reflection on the part of every
patriot and Christian. If the truth be not diffused, error will be;
if God and His Word are not known and received, the devil and
his works will gain the ascendancy; if the evangelical volume
does not reach every hamlet, the pages of corrupt and licentious
literature will.
DANIEL WEBSTER
48. Within this ample volume lies
The mystery of mysteries.
Happiest they of human race
To whom their God has given grace
To read, to fear, to hope, to pray,
To lift the latch, to force the way;
But better had they ne'er been born
That read to doubt or read to scorn.
Sir Walter Scott
49. If asked what is the remedy for the deeper sorrows of the
human heart, what a man should chiefly look to in his progress
as the power that is to sustain him under trials & enable him to
confront his inevitable afflictions, I must point him to
something which in a well-known hymn is called "The Old, Old
Story", told in an old, old Book, which is the greatest & best
gift ever given to mankind.--Wm. E. Gladstone, three times
Premier of Great Britain
50. A YOUNG Christian, packing his bag for a journey, said to
a friend, "I have nearly finished packing. All I have to put in the
bag yet are a guide book, a lamp, a mirror, a microscope, a
volume of fine poetry, a few biographies, a package of old
letters, a book of songs, a sword, a hammer, and a set of books I
have been studying." Then he placed his Bible in a corner of the
suitcase and closed it.
All this--and more--is the blessed Word of God which
God has magnified above His own holy name (Psalm 138:2).
If this young man had put in a can of honey and a bag
of gold, he would have included something else that the Bible
is.
51. Some time ago an elderly man living in New Jersey made
an unusual discovery as he leafed through an old family Bible.
Many years earlier, his aunt had died and left it to him. Part of
her will read: "To my beloved Steven Marsh I bequeath my
family Bible and all it contains, along with the residue of my
estate after my funeral expenses and just and lawful debts are
paid." When everything had been settled the nephew got a few
hundred dollars plus the old volume mentioned in the will.
After the money was used up, his only support was a
small pension, and for more than 30 years he lived in poverty.
Then one day he cleaned out his attic in preparation for a move
to his son's home where he hoped to spend his old age. There in
a trunk was the family Bible he had inherited. Opening it, he
was amazed to find banknotes scattered throughout its pages.
He counted over $5000 in cash. Within his reach were riches he
could have been enjoying all along.
52. When William IV of England died, there was a young girl
spending the night at the palace. They awakened her and told
her that she was now the Queen of England. As soon as she
heard the news she dropped on her knees and asked the
Heavenly Father to help and guide her through all the years that
were to follow.
For sixty-four years this girl, who was Queen Victoria,
reigned over the British Empire. England never made greater
progress than during her reign. A prince of India asked her what
was the secret of England's power, and for her answer she
quietly picked up a Book from the table near by. "This is the
secret," she said. The Book was God's Word, the Bible.
53. The Bible's almost incredibly correct historical memory has
been validated many times by archaeological discoveries. No
discovery has ever controverted a Bible reference.--Dr. Nelson
Glueck, Jewish archaeologist.
54. It is my confident hope that my subjects may never cease to
cherish their noble inheritance in the English Bible which is the
first of national treasures. Its spiritual significance is the most
valuable thing the World affords.--King George V
55. There is a huge painting hanging in the Supreme Court
Building in the little country of Switzerland. It was painted by
an artist named Paul Robert, and the title is "Justice Instructing
the Judges."
In the foreground are the litigants - the wife against the
husband, the architect against the builder, and the like. Above
them stand the Swiss judges with their little white dickeys. How
are these people going to judge the various litigations? A whole
sociological theory is opened up.
The artist's answer is simply this: Justice (usually
blindfolded, with her sword vertical as is common) is
unblindfolded, with her sword pointing downward to a book on
which is written "The Word of God."
56. The true story of the Mutiny on the Bounty has often been
retold. One part that deserves retelling was the transformation
wrought by one book. Nine mutineers with six native men and
twelve native (Tahitian) women put ashore on Pitcairn Island in
1790. One sailor soon began distilling alcohol, and the little
colony was plunged into debauchery and vice.
Ten years later, only one white man survived,
surrounded by native women and half-breed children. In an old
chest from the Bounty, this sailor one day found a Bible. He
began to read it and then to teach it to the others. The result was
that his own life and ultimately the lives of all those in the
colony were changed. Discovered in 1808 by the USS Topas,
Pitcairn had become a prosperous community with no jail, no
whisky, no crime, and no laziness.
57. Wherever the Bible has gone, civilisation has taken root, &
dehumanising, degrading customs have disappeared. Two
sailors swam from their wrecked ship to a cannibal island in the
South Pacific. "We will probably end in the pot!" said one.
Going inland in search for food, the two men cautiously entered
a hut whose occupant was out. Seeing a Bible on a table, one
exclaimed; "We're all right! We are safe!"
58. The Gospel breaks hard hearts & heals broken hearts.
59. Seldom was ever any knowledge given to keep, but to
impart.
60. Knowledge of the Scriptures does not help if it is not
accompanied by a believing submission.
61. Some people are critical of everything; some embrace
anything. The wise weigh all things by the Word.
62. The Bible would not be the Book of God if it had not deep
places here & there which man has no ability to fathom.
63. What makes the difference is not how many times you have
been through the Bible, but how many times & how thoroughly
the Bible has been through you.--Gypsy Smith
64. God's mind is revealed in Scripture, but we can see nothing
without the spectacles of the Holy Ghost.
65. Thy Word is like a glorious choir,
And loud its anthems ring;
Though many parts & tongues unite,
It is one song they sing.
66. The study of God's Word for the purpose of discovering
God's Will is the secret discipline which has formed the greatest
characters.--James W. Alexander
67. If you put the Word on the shelf, you will surely follow it.
68. Reading gives us breadth, but study gives us depth.
69. Lay hold on the Word until the Word lays hold on you.
70. I hold that the Bible is essentially a plain book. Common
sense is a wonderful help in reading it.
71. Read the Word to get the facts, study it to get the meaning,
meditate on it to get the benefit.
72. Whatever keeps me from the Word is my enemy, however
harmless it may appear to be.
73. The Bread of Life never becomes stale.
74. Men do not reject the Bible because it contradicts itself, but
because it contradicts them.
75. The Word... know it--in your head; Stow it--in your heart;
Sow it--in the World; Show it--in your life!
76. Don't feed on the World's crumbs; get some delicious meals
from the Living Bread.
77. Other books have been written for our information; The
Bible was given for our transformation
78. No man is uneducated who knows the Word & no one is
wise who is ignorant of its teaching.
79. There will be no sceptics in Hell. Neither atheists, infidels,
or agnostics. Eternity will make everyone a Bible-believer.
80. Read it through; pray it in; live it out; pass it on.
81. In Genesis the world was made by God's creative hand;
In Exodus the Hebrews marched to gain the Promised Land;
Leviticus contains the law, holy, and just and good.
Numbers records the tribes enrolled--all sons of Abraham's
blood.
Moses in Deuteronomy, records God's mighty deeds;
Brave Joshua into Canaan's land the host of Israel leads.
In Judges their rebellion oft provokes the Lord to smite.
But Ruth records the faith of one well pleasing in His sight,
In First and Second Samuel of Jesse's son we read.
Ten Tribes in First and Second Kings revolted from his seed.
The First and Second Chronicles see Judah captive made:
But Ezra leads a remnant back by princely Cyrus' aid.
The city wall of Zion, Nehemiah builds again,
While Esther saves her people from the plots of wicked men.
In Job we read how faith will live beneath affliction's rod,
And David's Psalms are precious songs to every child of God.
The proverbs like a goodly string of choicest pearls appear,
Ecclesiastes teaches man how vain are all things here.
The mystic Song of Solomon exalts sweet Sharon's Rose;
Whilst Christ the Saviour and the King, the "rapt Isaiah" shows.
The warning Jeremiah apostate Israel scorns;
His plaintive Lamentations their awful downfall mourns.
Ezekiel tells in wondrous words of dazzling mysteries;
While kings and empires yet to come, Daniel in vision sees.
Of judgment and of mercy, Hosea loves to tell;
Joel describes the blessed days when God with man shall dwell.
Among Tekoa's herdsmen Amos received his call;
While Obadiah prophesies of Edom's final fall.
Jonah enshrines a wondrous type of Christ, our risen Lord,
Micah pronounces Judah lost - lost, but again restored.
Nahum declares on Nineveh just judgment shall be poured.
A view of Chaldea's coming doom Habakkuk's visions give;
Next Zephaniah warns the Jews to turn, repent, and live;
Haggai wrote to those who saw the Temple built again,
And Zechariah prophesied of Christ's triumphant reign.
Malachi was the last who touched the high prophetic cord;
Its final notes sublimely show the coming of the Lord.
Matthew and Mark and Luke and John the Holy Gospel wrote,
Describing how the Saviour died - His life, and all He taught;
Acts proves how God the apostles owned with signs in every
place.
St. Paul, in Romans, teaches us how man is saved by grace.
The apostle, in Corinthians, instructs, exhorts, reproves,
Galatians shows that faith in Christ alone the Father loves.
Ephesians and philippians tell what Christians ought to be:
Colossians bids us live to God and for eternity.
In Thessalonians we are taught the Lord will come from
heaven.
In Timothy and Titus, a bishop's rule is given.
Philemon marks a Christian's love, which only Christians know.
Hebrews reveals the Gospel prefigured by the Law.
James teaches without holiness faith is but vain and dead.
St. Peter points the narrow way in which the saints are led.
John in his three epistles on love delights to dwell.
St. Jude gives awful warning of judgment, wrath and hell;
The Revelation prophesies of that tremendous day
When Christ - and Christ alone - shall be the trembling sinner's
stay.
82. A heathen Chinese gave a gift Bible back to the missionary.
"Every time I read it," he said, "it kicks me!"
83. Testifying before the Senate Agriculture Committee on the
value of the peanut, George Washington Carver, who as an
infant was traded for a brokendown race horse, said that he got
his knowledge of peanuts from the Bible. Asked what the Bible
said about peanuts he replied, "The Bible does not teach
anything regarding the peanut. But it told me about God, & God
told me about the peanut!"
84. Dr. Howard W. Pope tells the glory of a young lady who
read a certain book and, having completed it, remarked that it
was the dullest book she had read in many a day. Not long after
this, she met a certain young man. In the course of time their
friendship ripened into love, and they became engaged. During
a visit in the home of his fiancee one evening, she said to him,
"I have a book in my library which was written by a man whose
name and even initials are the same as yours. Is not that a
singular coincidence?" I do not think so," he replied. "Why
not?" "For the simple reason that I wrote the book."
Dr. Pope concludes the story by remarking that the
young lady sat up until the early morning hours to read the book
again. When she had completed it, she thought it the most
interesting book she had ever read! The secret? She now knew
and loved the author.
85. One day I found a sealed addressed letter someone had left
on a city bus. So I stamped it & mailed it. Then I wrote to the
man on the return address that I had mailed his letter. A month
later I was thrilled to receive an answer from him thanking me
for the Gospel leaflet I sent him & asking if I could please send
more. Also he said that sending the letter saved his job & that
he was so thankful!--Enoch & Galilee Teman
86. There's a big difference between the books that men make
& the Book that makes men.
87.The editor of a well-known London newspaper sent a letter
of inquiry to one hundred important peers, members of
parliament, university professors, authors, merchants--a varied
list. The inquiry was: "Suppose you were sent to prison for
three years and you could only take three books with you.
Which three would you choose? Please state them in order of
their importance."
Out of the replies, ninety-eight put one book first on
their list--the Bible. Few of those men were keen about religion,
many were not even church-goers; others were agnostics or
atheists. Yet they knew that no other book could give them
cheer and comfort to help in dark, difficult days.
88. Martha in the kitchen, serving with her hands;
Occupied for Jesus, with her pots and pans.
Loving Him, yet fevered, burdened to the brim, -
Careful, troubled Martha, occupied for Him.
Mary on the footstool, eyes upon her Lord;
Occupied with Jesus, drinking in His word.
This the one thing needful, all else strangely dim:
Loving, resting Mary, occupied with Him.
So may we, like Mary, choose the better part.
Resting in His presence - hands and feet and heart;
Drinking in His wisdom, strengthened with `His grace;
Waiting for the summons, eyes upon His face.

When it comes, we're ready, spirit, will, and nerve;
Mary's heart to worship, Martha's hands to serve;
This the rightful order, as our lamps we trim, -
Occupied with Jesus, then occupied for Him!
--Lois Reynolds Carpenter
89. "Just one letter of the alphabet makes all the difference
between us now," said a recently converted young woman to an
unsaved friend, who could not understand the great change that
had come over her. "You love the World", she said, "& I love
the Word."
90. Other books were given for our information. The Bible was
given for our transformation.
And the song in them;
For the throngs of folks they bring to us
And the songs of hope they sing to us!
WILLIAM L. STIDGER
94. Century follows century - The Word stands.
Dynasty succeeds dynasty - there it stands.
Empires rise and fall and are forgotten - there it stands.
Kings are crowned and uncrowned - there it stands.
Storms of hate swirl about it - there it stands.
Atheists rail against it - there it stands.
Profane, prayerless punsters caricature it - there it stands.
Unbelief abandons it - there it stands.
Thunderbolts of wrath smite it - there it stands.
The flames are kindled about it - there it stands.

91. In this Revolution we don't toss anything as weak as bombs 95. An African chief wanted to know the secret of Britain's
& molotov cocktails into an assembly, we throw out to them the greatness. Queen Victoria, holding a Bible in her hand, said,
Truth of the Word of God!--Dad "Tell the chief that this book, the Bible, is the secret of our
greatness!" (Psa.19:9; Prov.14:34)
92. Last eve I paused beside a blacksmith's door,
And heard the anvil ring the vesper chime; 96. Moody said: "The blood alone makes us safe; the Word
Then looking in, I saw upon the floor, alone makes us sure!"
Old hammers worn with beating years of time.
97. The Bible
"How many anvils have you had," said I, The charter of all true liberty.
"To wear and batter all these hammers so?" The forerunner of civilization.
"Just one," said he, and then with twinkling eye, The moulder of institutions and governments.
"The anvil wears the hammers out, you know." The fashioner of law.
The secret of national progress.
"And so," I thought, "The Anvil of God's Word The guide of history.
For ages skeptic blows have beat upon, The ornament and mainspring of literature.
Yet, thought the noise of falling blows was heard, The friend of science.
The Anvil is unharmed, the hammers gone." The inspiration of philosophies.
John Clifford The textbook of ethics.
The light of intellect.
93. Words! Words! Words! The answer to the deepest human heart hungerings.
And we thank Thee, Lord! The soul of all strong heart life.
For the gift of them; The illuminator of darkness.
And the lift of them; The foe of superstition.
For the gleam in them The enemy of oppression.
And the dream in them; The uprooter of sin.
For the things they teach The regulator of all high and worthy standards.
And the souls they reach! The comfort in sorrow.
For the maze of them The strength in weakness.
And the blaze of them; The pathway in perplexity.
For the ways they open to us The escape from temptation.
And the rays that they shoot through us. The steadier in the day of power.
The embodiment of all lofty ideals.
Words! Words! Words! The begetter of life.
And we thank Thee, Lord! The promise of the future.
For the light in them; The star of death's night.
For the might in them; The revealer of God.
For the urge in them; The guide and hope and inspiration of man.
And the surge in them; BISHOP ANDERSON
For the souls they wake
And the paths they break; 98. My Bible is not true in spots,
For the going in them But true in every sense;
True in its tittles and its jots,
True in each verb and tense;
True when it speaks of heaven's joy,
True when it warns of hell;
Its truth is gold without alloy -
Its source a Springing Well.
KEITH BROOKS
99. Some years ago Israeli businessman Xiel Federmann began
to brood over the account of the destruction of Sodom &
Gomorrah ("And, lo, the smoke of the country went up as the
smoke of a furnace"), & guessed that such conflagrations might
indicate underground gas--& underground gas meant oil. He
was right. In 1953 Israel's first oil well went into operation near
the ancient site of Sodom & Gomorrah.
100. A humble & prayerful spirit will find a thousand things in
the Bible which the proud, self-conceited student will utterly
fail to discern.
101. We must read the Word like men digging for hidden
treasures.
102. Neglect the Word & you neglect the Lord.
103. To do God's work we must have God's power. To have
God's power we must know God's will. To know God's will we
must study God's Word.
104. The answers we find in the Word are not quick or easy
answers, but they are in fact the only real answers.
105. Apply thyself wholly to the Scriptures & the Scriptures
wholly to thyself.
106. No time for God?
What fools we are...
No time for God?
As soon to say no time
To eat , to sleep, to live, to die.
Take time for God,
Or a poor misshapen thing you'll be
To step into eternity,
And say, "I had no time for Thee."
107. Unless there is within us that which is above us, we shall
soon yield to that which is about us.
108. A knowledge of the Bible without a college course is more
valuable than a college course without a knowledge of the
Bible.
109. A Bible that's falling apart often belongs to one who isn't.
110. Carrying a Bible will never take the place of reading it.
111. The most desirable time to read the Word is as often as
possible.
112. Keep your Bible open & you will not find the door to
Heaven shut.
113. A Bible in the hand is worth two in the bookcase.
114. Dust on your Bible is not evidence that it is a dry book.
115. Many Christians expect the World to respect a book they
neglect.
116. How can you have faith in the Bible unless you know
what's in it?
117. A Book which will lift men up to God must have come
down from God.
118. The Bible contains the vitamins for a healthy soul.
119. Bible verses will save you from spiritual reverses.
120. It's a terrible responsibility to own a Bible.
121. We should study the Bible as a privilege, not as a duty.
122. Don't criticise the Bible; let the Bible criticise you.
123. A colporteur traveling in Bohemia through a Roman
Catholic district was surprised to come upon a locksmith who
knew the Bible well. He learned that seventeen years before, a
priest had gathered all the copies of the Bible together and made
a bonfire of them. A gust of wind carried away two burning
pieces out of the bonfire, which the locksmith had picked up
and read. The first words that caught his eyes were, "Heaven
and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away."
So impressed was he that he and his father saved a whole Bible
out of the burning, and became Bible readers and Bible
students.
124. It was in a meeting where they were giving personal
testimony. One man arose, holding a New Testament in his
hand. "My story," said he, "is unlike other men. I was a
pickpocket, and one day I saw a man with a definite bulge in his
hip pocket. 'A fat purse,' thought I, and soon it was in my
pocket. But when I arrived home, behold, it was a Book. In
disgust I threw it aside, but afterward, out of curiosity, I opened
it and began to read. Before many days had passed I discovered
Christ as my Saviour and Lord."
Listening to this testimony, one of the volunteer
colporteurs of the Bible Society became interested. After the
service he asked to see the New Testament. It was the one he
had carried with him for years, the one he had considered lost.
Is not this evidence of the power of the Word to change and to
transform man's life? What has the Word done for you?
125. A young lady, asked by her friend to explain what is meant
by devotional reading of the Bible, made answer as follows:
"Yesterday morning I received a letter from one to
whom I had given my heart and devoted my life. I freely
confess to you that I have read that letter five times, not because
I did not understand it at the first reading, nor because I
expected to commend myself to the author by frequent reading
of his epistle. It was not with me a question of duty, but simply
one of pleasure. I read it because I am devoted to the one who
wrote it.
"To read the Bible with the same motive is to read it
devotionally, and to one who reads it in that spirit it is indeed a
love Letter."
126. And the noted Dr. J. O. Kinnamn said: "Of the hundreds of
thousands of artifacts found by the archaeologists, not one has
ever been discovered that contradicts or denies one word,
phrase, clause, or sentence of the Bible, but always confirms &
verifies the facts of the Biblical record."
127. Someone asked a young convert how he could believe the
Bible was inspired. He said, "It inspires me!"
128. The most desirable time to read the Word is as often as
possible.
129. A Christian worker entered a wretched, poverty-stricken
home. Beneath a rickety table, he saw a dust-covered Bible. As
he left, he said, "There's a treasure in this house which if
discovered and believed would make you all rich!" A diligent
search was made for the hidden treasure. "Could it be a jewel or
a pot of gold left by the former occupants of the home?" asked
the searchers one of another. Their search was in vain. No
treasure was found.
Not long thereafter, the mother picked up the old
Bible. She began to shift the pages of the unread Bible. On the
flyleaf were written these words, "Thy testimonies are better to
me than thousands of gold and silver!" "Ah!" she exclaimed,
"can this be the treasure the stranger spoke of?" She and the
other members of the family began to read the Bible. A change
came into their lives. A change came into the home. Love, joy
and peace came into hearts which were formerly filled with sin
and discontentment.
When the Christian worker returned to the home, the
grateful family exclaimed, "We have found the treasure, and in
reading it and receiving it into our hearts, we have also found
the Saviour!"
130. A woman of nervous temperament visited the world-
renowned physician, Dr. Howard A. Kelly. The cares of life
threatened her physical strength and even her reason. Having
given her symptoms to the physician, she was greatly
astonished at his prescription: "Madam, what you need is to
read the Bible more!" "But, Doctor - " began the bewildered
woman. "Go home and read your Bible an hour a day," the great
man reiterated with kindly authority, "then come back to me a
month from today."
At first, the woman was inclined to be angry. But she
reflected with a pang of conscience that she had neglected the
daily reading of God's Word, and "the secret place of the most
High," where formerly she communed with her Lord. In coming
back to her God, and His Word, the joys of her salvation
returned. When she presented herself to the doctor a month
later, he said, "Well, I see you have been an obedient patient.
Do you feel as if you needed any other medicine now?" "No,
Doctor, I feel like a different person. But how did you know
what I needed ?" Taking up his own worn and well-marked
Bible, he said, "If I would omit my daily reading of God's
Word, I would not only lose my joy, but I would lose my
greatest source of strength and skill ... Your case called not for
medicine, but for a source of peace and strength outside your
own mind. My prescription, when tried, works wonders!"
131. If God gives Himself to us in promises, we must give
ourselves to Him in duties.
132. You cannot starve a man who is feeding on God's
promises.
133. We cannot rely on God's promises without obeying His
commandments.
134. A little saint may enjoy a great promise.
135. The wise Christian will store himself with promises in
health for sickness, & in peace for future perils.
136. A minister went far into a backwoods settlement to hold a
meeting and it was necessary that he return late in the very dark
night. A woodsman provided him with a torch of pitch-pine
wood. The minister, never having seen anything of the kind,
said, "It will soon burn out." "It will light you home," answered
the other. "The wind may blow it out," said the preacher. "It
will light you home," was again the answer. "But what if it
should rain?" "It will light you home," was the answer a third
time. And, contrary to the minister's fears, the torch did last him
all the way home. The Word of God is a torch given into the
hands of each of us. What if it rains? What if the wind blows?
What if the fires of persecution come? If you will hold the torch
high it will light you home.
137. Ingersoll held up a copy of the Bible and said, "In fifteen
years I'll have this book in the morgue." Fifteen years rolled by,
Ingersoll was in the morgue, and the Bible lives on. Voltaire
said that in one hundred years the Bible would be an outmoded
and forgotten book, to be found only in museums. When the
one hundred years were up, Voltaire's house was owned and
used by the Geneva Bible Society. And recently ninety-two
volumes of Voltaire's works - a part of the Earl of Derby's
library - were sold for two dollars!
138. How to Make the Best Use of the Word
Read it through.
Pray it in.
Work it out.
Note it down.
Pass it on.
139. The Whole Bible Contains
The mind of God.
The state of man.
The doom of sinners.
The happiness of believers.
Its doctrines are holy.
Its precepts are binding.
Its histories are true.
Its decisions are immutable.
140. God's promise is better than any bond or note on any bank,
financial institution, or most stable government, for all these
may have to repudiate their bond; God never does so.
141. Learn to put your hand on all spiritual blessings in Christ
& say "Mine."
142. God's promises are like the stars; the darker the night the
brighter they shine.
143. Know the Word in your mind, Keep it in your heart; live it
in your life, Share it with the World.
144. The Word has nothing to fear--except neglect.
145. The Bible is the constitution of Christian civilisation.
146. A Bible known is worth a dozen merely owned.
147. The Bible is not only the World's best seller, it is man's
best purchase.
148. A Bible stored in the mind is worth a dozen stored in the
bottom of a trunk.
149. One evidence of the value of the Bible is the Character of
those who oppose it.
150. Satan is not afraid of a Bible with dust on it.
151. The Bible is most helpful when it is open.
152. Those who don't read the Word have no advantage over
those who can't read it.
153. An aged grandfather explained why he reads the Word
several hours every day, "You might say I am cramming for my
final examination."
154. Sister Jones got out her Bible & decided she would let the
Lord lead to the specific verse she needed for the day. So with
eyes closed she opened her Bible & put her finger on a verse.
Opening her eyes she read, "And Judas went out & hanged
himself." She quickly sought a different verse, once again
closing her eyes & placing her finger on the specific spot. This
time she was disappointed to read, "Go & do thou likewise!"
Undaunted she followed the same plan a third time, & the verse
was, "What thou doest, do quickly!"
155. One of the best evidences of the inspiration & infallibility
of the Bible is that it has survived the fanaticism & ignorance of
its friends.
156. The family Bible can be passed from generation to
generation, because it gets so little wear.
157. Other books were given to us for information, but the
Bible was given to us for transformation.
158. The value of the Word doesn't consist in merely knowing
it, but in obeying it.
159. If you will carry the Bible while you are young, it will
carry you when you are old.
160. The study of the Bible is a postgraduate course in the
richest library of human experience.
161. You can't understand all you read in the Word, but you can
obey what you do understand.
162. The Word finds us where we are, &, with our permission,
will take us where we ought to go.
163. If all the neglected Bibles in this country were dusted off at
the same time, we would suffer the worst dust storm in years.
164. A thumbprint on the Bible is more important than a
footprint on the moon.
165. The way some people use the "Sword of the Spirit," one
would think it was made for splitting hairs.
166. Printers are always especially careful to safeguard against
typographical errors in the Scriptures. Especially in earlier
editions, however, some peculiar mistakes have occurred. For
instance, have you heard of the "Vinegar Bible"? This was so
named because the heading for Luke 20 appeared as "Parable of
the Vinegar" instead of "Parable of the Vineyard." A Bible
published in 1823 became known as the "Camel Bible" because
it contains the statement, "Rebecca arose, and her camels,"
instead of "damsels."
An edition appearing in 1702 has been called the
"Printers' Bible" because, instead of "Princes" in the Psalms,
this version made David complain bitterly, "Printers have
persecuted me without cause." In another edition, "Blessed are
the peacemakers" became "Blessed are the placemakers."
Then there is the "Wife Hater Bible," which has Jesus
saying, in Luke 14:26, that He must be first in our lives above
all else, and that relatives, possessions, "yes, and his own wife
also," must be held in secondary esteem. The correct word in
this instance is "life." The so-called "Wicked Bible" was named
because a printer's mistake omitted the word "not" from the
commandment, "Thou shalt not commit adultery."
167. Read the Word
1) Slowly, with mind alert.
2) Carefully and with prayer.
3) Expectantly and with anticipation.
4) In a spirit of enjoyment.
5) Eager to respond inwardly.
6) Seeking a personal message.
7) Repeating aloud verses which strike fire.
8) Keeping a definite time each day for reading.
9) Copying out a key verse to carry with you for re-
reading through the day.
168. A few years ago before the war, a humble villager in
eastern Poland received a Bible from a man who visited his
small hamlet. He read it, was converted, & passed the Book to
others. Through that one Bible two hundred more became
believers.
When the same man revisited the town in the Summer
of 1940, he found that those villagers had memorised, not only
chapters, but whole books of the Bible. Thirteen knew Matthew
& Luke & half of Genesis. One had committed all of the Psalms
to memory. Together, the two hundred knew virtually the entire
Bible. Passed around from family to family & brought to the
gathering on Sundays, the old Book had become so worn with
use that its pages were hardly legible.
169. Bumper sticker on a car in Tyler, Texas: "Read the Bible--
it'll scare the Hell out of you."
170. There are a number of splendid translations of the Bible.
However, the most effective is its translation into the lives of
people.
171. A person who merely samples the Word of God never
acquires much of a taste for it.
172. Our Lord does not open the windows of Heaven to the
person who keeps his Bible closed.
173. If some Christians knew as little about their jobs as they do
the Bible, they would have to be guided to their work benches
every morning.
174. The Bible promises no loaves to the loafer.
175. Jesus knows we must come apart & rest awhile, or else we
may just plain come apart!
176. There's a vast difference between books that men make &
the BOOK that makes men.
177. Fill your mind with the light of God's Word & the darkness
will flee! Quote Scriptures! Don't listen to the Devil's lies !
You'd better not, because if you listen to him, the same thing
that happened to Eve, will happen to you. Don't even listen to
him! Don't listen to his doubts & his fears & his discouragement
& his temptations & all the rest, sock him with the Word of
God! --Dad
178. You doubt God's will if you doubt God's Word, & of
course if you doubt the Word, then you've got nothing to stand
on, you're bound to go astray! This is exactly what Saul did, he
doubted God's Word, he doubted the Word of the Prophet, & he
went ahead & took things into his own hands & as good as said,
"Well, I can't stand around here waiting for that Prophet of
God! I can't stand around here doing nothing while we're
destroyed & while we're being defeated; I've got to do
something! whether God or the Prophet tells me to do it or not,
I've got to do it! I'll do it my own way!"--And he did, & crash!
And God dethroned him & destroyed his kingdom! He lost his
birthright, he lost his throne, he lost his crown, he lost his
family, he lost everything!--Dad
179. I've got to have the Word to feed my soul & strengthen my
body & renew my mind & lift my spirit & encourage my heart
& purify my whole being, the refreshing Water of the Word or
the inspiring songs of the Faith!--Dad
180. You can read a Scripture maybe all your life without
meaning, until the Holy Spirit speaks it to you & applies it to
your situation & brings it to life! The voice of His word, as it's
called, when He gives it to you personally for something or He
gives it to you in an answer, He brings it to life, applies it to a
situation & it becomes alive suddenly! It's no longer just mere
words any more, or words that just run through your head, but
all of a sudden it hits you & you really get the point!--Dad
181. You can read all the Word you want, but if it doesn't come
to life by the Spirit, it's not going to do anything! You can quote
it word for word right out of the Bible, but if you don't live it in
Love it won't do any good.--Dad
182. You say, "Dad, I've got so much to read now & so much
work to do, how am I ever going to get time to read the Bible?"
Well, if you haven't got time to read the Bible, I don't see how
you've got time to watch videos! If you haven't got time to read
the Bible or do your homework, you shouldn't have time to
watch videos, should you?--Because that's just pure pleasure,
relaxation, entertainment & recreation, which is fine & you're
supposed to have that. But I'll tell you, when I was your age I
never came home from school & went directly out to play, I
always made sure I did my homework first & then I didn't have
to worry about it. I got it done, & then I went out to play! So do
your homework first! Amen? PTL!--Dad
183. "If you continue in My Word, then ye shall know the
Truth, & then the Truth shall make you free!"-- Only if you
continue in God's Word! There's no other freedom on Earth!
There's no other Truth on Earth! There's no other way of being
free! This is what gives us the Truth & this is what makes us
free, nothing else! So if they don't have this, if they don't
believe this, if they don't believe God's Word, they don't have
the Truth & they have no freedom, they're slaves of the Devil!--
Which means most of the World!--Dad
184. I see new things, constantly new things. It never gets old!
There's always something new that God reveals from the
Scripture, as well as by direct prophecy & revelation.--Dad
185. When I am tired, the Bible is my bed;
Or in the dark, the Bible is my light.
When I am hungry, it is living bread;
Or fearful, it is armour for the fight.
When I am sick, 'tis healing medicine,
Or lonely, throngs of friends I find therein.
If I would work, the Bible is my tool;
Or play, it is a harp of tuneful sound.
If I am ignorant, it is my school:
If I am sinking, it is solid ground.
If I am cold, the Bible is my fire,
And it gives wings if boldly I aspire.
Does gloom oppress? The Bible is a sun;
'Midst ugliness it is a garden fair.
Am I athirst? How cool its waters run!
Or stifled? What a vivifying air!
Since thus thou givest of thyself to me,
How I should give myself, great Book, to thee!
(Ps. 12. 6; 19. 7; 119. 50; Eph. 5.26; 6.17; Col. 3.16)
186. A certain wayward young man ran away from home and
was not heard of for years. In some way, hearing that his father
had just died, he returned home and was kindly received by his
mother. The day came for the reading of the will; the family
were all gathered together, and the lawyer began to read the
document. To the surprise of all present, the will told in detail
of the wayward career of the runaway son. The boy in anger
arose, stamped out of the room, left the house, and was not
heard from for three years. When eventually he was found he
was informed that the will, after telling of his waywardness, had
gone on to bequeath him $15,000. How much sorrow he would
have saved himself and others, if he had only heard the reading
through! Thus many people only half read the Bible, and turn
from it dissatisfied. The Bible says, "The wages of sin is death,"
yes, but it says more, it says, "but the gift of God is eternal life."
187. Engraved as in eternal brass,
The mighty promise shines;
Nor can the powers of Darkness 'rase
Those everlasting lines.
188. I want the proved certainties
To sooth the soul's deep cries;
And not man's vain philosophies
Based only on surmise.
I want a book that is inspired
In which to posit faith;
And not some mutilated scroll,
Or literary wraith.
I want the calm assurance of
A voice beyond this dust,
A voice from out eternity
In which to place my trust.
For when I come, at eventide,
To Jordan's swollen stream,
I want the tested verities,
And not some mystic dream.
This mortal life is far too brief,
Eternity too vast,
To follow human sophistries
And lose the soul at last!
Then give me back the Holy Book
By inspiration penned;
I'm through with fabled falsities,
And allegoric trend.
M. D. Clayburn
189. Believe me, sir, never a night goes by, be I ever so tired,
but I read the Word of God before I go to bed.--Douglas
MacArthur
190. God never promises more than He is able to perform.
191. Sir. Monier Williams, possibly the greatest authority on the
so-called sacred books of the East--the Koran, the Hindu Vedas,
the Buddhist Tripitaka, and the Zend Avesta--said: "They all
begin with some flashes of true light, and end in utter darkness.
There is a gulf between the Bible and the so-called sacred books
of the East which severs the one from the other utterly,
hopelessly and forever, a veritable gulf which cannot be bridged
over by any science of religious thought!"
192. Seven Wonders of the Word:
1) The wonder of its formation - the way in which it
grew is one of the mysteries of time.
2) The wonder of its unification - a library of 66 books,
yet one book.
3) The wonder of its age - most ancient of all books.
4) The wonder of its sale - best seller of any book.
5) The wonder of its interest - only book in world read
by all classes.
6) The wonder of its language - written largely by
uneducated men, yet the best from a literary standpoint.
7) The wonder of its preservation - the most hated of
all books, yet it continues to exist. "The word of our God shall
stand for ever."
193. There are Christians living on spiritual stale bread &
mouldy cheese when they might be enjoying roast turkey from
Heaven!
194. Certainly no revolution that has ever taken place in society
can be compared to that which has been produced by the Words
of Jesus Christ.
195. We must throw the printer's inkpot at the Devil.--Martin
Luther
196. It is easier to go six miles to hear a sermon, than to spend
one quarter of an hour meditating on it when I come home.
197. Doers of the Word are the best hearers.
198. Busyness in the King's business is no excuse for neglecting
the King.
199. No man has a right to lead such a life of contemplation as
to forget in his own ease the service due to his neighbour; nor
has any man a right to be so immersed in active life as to
neglect the contemplation of God.--Augustine
200. The Bible is the sceptre by which the Heavenly King rules
His church.
201. Our vision of God must be controlled not by what we see
in the world but by what Scripture authorises us to believe.
202. I will put down all apparent inconsistencies in the Bible to
my own ignorance.--John Newton
203. The Lord does not shine upon us, except when we take His
Word as our light.
204. The Scriptures teach us the best way of living, the noblest
way of suffering & the most comfortable way of dying.
205. While other books inform, & some few reform, this one
Book transforms.
206. Scripture is not only pure but purifying.
207. When the dust of battle dies down we shall hear all sixty-
six books declare with the apostle Paul, 'Do thyself no harm, for
we are all here.'
208. In the study of the Scriptures, "on the threshhold of your
task you will find a host of lurking demons to lure you away
from it," warns Dr. Samuel Zwemer. In this, as in all branches
of study, "concentration is the secret of success," as Emerson
has said.
D. L. Moody said: "I never saw a useful Christian who
was not a student of the Bible. If a person neglects the Bible
there is not much for the Holy Spirit to work with. We must
have the Word." And Bengel's advice is very sound: "Apply
yourself wholly to the Scriptures, and apply the Scriptures
wholly to yourself."
209. There is a story told of an American who went over to
Paris, and, wishing to buy his wife a little gift, purchased a
phosphorescent, mother-of-pearl match-box container; and the
beauty of it was that in the dark it was said to radiate a
wonderful light. He packed it in his trunk, took it home to the
U.S.A., and after the family welcome dinner asked for the lights
to be put out. In the dark he took the match-box container from
his pocket to present it to his wife, but, when he looked at it, it
was as black as the darkness around. Then he said, 'That is just
what they palm off on foreigners. I've been swindled.' Next day
his wife, a bit curious, discovered on the box a few words in
French. She took it down to some friends who had a French
maid and had it translated. That night, in the darkness, it was all
aglow, for she had followed the instructions written on the box,
which said: 'If you keep me all day long in the sunlight, I will
shine for you all night long in the darkness.' (2 Cor. 4.6; Phil.
2.15)
210. When fiery darts and doubts attack,
Use God's Word to drive them back!
Don't dream and waste the time away;
Redeem the time, review today!
--so when you come to fight some doubt,
You'll have the Word to drive it out!
Each verse is hot and well-refined,
Like ammo dug from Heaven's mine!
So stock up well and memorise
If you'd be well and strong and wise!
'Cause when the tests and trials hit
You'd sure hate to be out of it,
Or sit back blank and all spaced-out,
Your mind wide open for some doubt.
That's been my case, well, more than once,
And I sure felt just life a dunce!
I'd idly daydreamed, fiddled and
My thoughts were not at my command.
I'd missed Word-time to dream and play,
And when hot trials came my way,
My faith forcefield was low and weak,
Instead of glowing on high peak!
My verses I could barely find,
And I was really in a bind.
And then some doubt, I knew and sensed,
Shot through my faith's line of defense!
It was some knavish fiery dart
The Devil'd aimed right for my heart!
My power source had fallen low;
Forcefields of faith would barely glow.
I hadn't read some Word that night
And I was in for quite a fight!
Then came a Voice, so clearly heard:
"Your only hope's to use the Word!
Nothing can blow those doubts apart,
Save all that Word hid in your heart!"
But oh, I'd missed my Word that day,
And hadn't stored one verse away!
I pulled some rusty verses out
I thought might fight that fatal doubt;
But no, they really wouldn't do!
I needed something hot and new!
I grabbed my MOP and Memory Book,
Then prayed real hard and took a look:
And there it was!--The Quote I prized,
Lying there hot and energised!
Just what I needed to fight that trial!
I loaded it with a fightin' smile;
Then "Battle stations!--Every thought!
Now give it everything you've got!"
I grabbed more verses!--Real good ones!
And loaded them into my Gospel guns!
I aimed at the doubt (It was so absurd!)
And blasted it with the white-hot Word!
I winged it! Good! It fell down fast!
I took quick aim, gave one more blast!
There went the death-rays of the Word!
A mighty roar was sudd'nly heard!
It shot the hell out of that doubt
That fiery dart was all put out!
I'd knocked that doubt-dart from the sky,
And zapped it out of my mind's eye!
It fizzled out without a spark
When my Word cannons hit their mark!
So if you'd be a warrior too,
I think you know just what to do:
Redeem the time and don't daydream.
Keep faith forcefields up on high beam.
Take Word-time now, you'll find at last
That memorising's quite a blast!
--Written by Hart
CONVICTION/COMPROMISE
Related Index Topics: Boldness/Shyness, Courage, Doubt,
Fight, Neutrals, Popularity, Take Action.
1. If you don't stand for something, you'll fall for
anything.
2. Is my religion a steering wheel, or only a spare
wheel?
3. Great men forget themselves. That is why they are
remembered by others.
4. To understand the whole work of the Master is not
in my power; but to do His will, written in my conscience, that
is in my power, and that I know without a doubt. And when I do
this, then undoubtedly I am at peace.--Leo Tolstoy (1828-1910)
5. It is not lawful for you to make a compromise with
God: To try to fulfil part of your duties, & to omit others at your
own pleasure.--John Calvin
6. An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile--hoping it
will eat him last.--Winston Churchill
7. People who always bend backwards to please
everybody soon weaken their spine.
8. A dog barks when his master is attacked. I would be
a coward if I see that God's Truth is attacked & yet I remain
silent without giving any sound.--John Calvin
9. It is better to refuse a request with firmness &
courtesy than to make a promise you can't keep.
10. The collapse of character often begins on
compromise corner.
11. It is important that people know what you stand
for; it is equally important that they know what you won't stand
for.
12. Be bold in what you stand for, but careful in what
you fall for.
13. A cool head may sometimes keep a man out of
trouble, but more often it's cold feet.
14. Many great ideas have been lost because the people
who had them couldn't stand being laughed at.
15. It's sad when a person has a head like a doorknob--
anybody can turn it.
16. He who tolerates evil without protesting against it
is really cooperating with it.
17. If you are holding something back from God, then
God is holding something back from you.
18. If I profess with the loudest voice & clearest
exposition every portion of the truth of God except precisely
that little point which the World & the Devil are at that moment
attacking, I am not confessing Christ, however boldly I may be
professing Him. Where the battle rages, there the loyalty of the
soldier is proved, & to be steady on all other battlefields besides
is mere flight & disgrace if he flinches at that point.
19. God hates compromisers & half-hearted people.
20. You may not always get the results the first time,
but don't quit trying! Keep screaming, keep yelling, keep
pounding away! Keep fighting for your rights & for what you
want to get done, & eventually the constant dropping will wear
away the stone, & by your importunity--like the old lady in the
Bible who kept pestering the judge until she finally got what
she wanted just so he could get rid of her (Lk.18:2-5)--you may
finally convince a few more & a few more until finally the
System will just have to yield & make some changes.
21. The thing that started the Jesus Revolution was an
all-out declaration of war against the System & the Churches! It
was a call-to-arms, come fight & die with us for the Truth & the
Lord!--Drop out, forsake all, join the Family & become a real
red-hot rebel, revolutionary disciple. You have to make that
choice, whether to stick true & all-out for your message &
doctrine & preaching it & practicing it, or choose safety,
comfort, convenience, compromise, peace & support.
22. There's a great temptation to compromise,
especially for you poor missionaries trying to raise support, not
only compromise at home but compromise on the field for
security, support, influence, protection, provision & all the rest.
The Devil uses all kinds of tricks to get you to compromise, &
once you've compromised, then you begin to become more &
more like the System & closer to them until pretty soon you
can't tell the two apart!
23. In a sense the concision Jew-Christians were
compromisers trying to straddle the fence, & that's kind of an
uncomfortable place if you've ever tried to straddle a fence,
trying to have one foot in one World & the other foot in the
other World & trying to enjoy both Worlds & please both
Worlds & be still respected so that you could hardly tell the
difference between what they had been & what they were
supposed to be now as Christians. (Acts 21:20)
24. Even at the expense of hurting someone's feelings,
I've had to often ask some people to please stop playing certain
kinds of music when I'm around because I don't like it & don't
want to hear it & it really gets me down! So for God's sake,
don't be afraid to stick up for your convictions & tell off the
people who are playing around with such trash & annoying
noise of the netherworld!
25. Watch out about any compromise or pulling your
punches for advantage, for finances, for protection, for safety,
for anything. Be faithful to the message; be faithful to the
method; be faithful to the Word; be faithful to the Voice of
God; be faithful to His Family, be faithful to the particular
ministry He's called you to--be loyal!
26. The Devil's answer to God's challenge is always a
System-preserving compromise!
27. When the Church left the arena & started sitting in
the grandstands in order to avoid death by braving the lions, the
Church died of old age in the stands! I think I'd rather die as a
witness in the jaws of the lions than of old age in the
grandstand!
28. Peter was the leader of the rebels, the
revolutionaries, the New Church, & God mightily used him &
empowered him by the Spirit until he began to compromise
with the Old Church, until he began to listen to them & obey
them instead of Jesus! He couldn't stand a complete break with
the old Jewish brethren. It seemed he couldn't help but
compromise with people & roll whichever way the major
current was rolling. At that time it looked like the Concision,
the Circumcision, was going to win, because there were so
many Jews! (Gal. 2:11-21) So Peter lost his crown & reward &
a lot of what he might have had because he compromised with
the opposition, he tried to please too many people.
29. Maybe you're trying to be modest & shy & not too
aggressive. Well, we don't give any special credit to modesty or
shyness or non-aggressiveness in this Family! If you're going to
be a witness for the Lord, you've got to be aggressive! You've
got to go out & challenge them, you've got to get out there & go
on the offensive, & attack, attack!
30. True courage is like a kite: A contrary wind raises
it higher.
31. The number of people who believe a thing to be
true does not create a presumption about it one way or the other.
32. The hottest places in hell are reserved for those
who, in a period of moral crisis, maintain their neutrality.--
Dante
33. The real corrupters of society may be, not the
corrupted, but those who held back the righteous leaven, the salt
that has lost its savour.
34. Go to church some time. Don't panic. Sitting in a
pew is no commitment. You couldn't be safer. Most Christians
spend more time on their butts than on their knees anyway. If
they ever had to stand up for what they believe, their legs would
collapse.
35. He trespasses against his duty who sleeps upon his
watch, as well as he that goes over to the enemy.--Edmund
Burke
36. It often appears that we evangelical Christians
today do not hotly pursue or passionately embrace the
fundamentals of our faith. Neither, however, do we choose to
plunge into the cold waters of crass worldliness. Instead, we end
up somewhere in the middle--a batch of tasteless, odourless, &
colourless dough--half-warm, half-cold, half-baked, half-hidden
& only half-eaten half of the time by half of the people who,
themselves, become half-hearted.
37. The failure to vigorously reject falsehood & evil is
soon followed by the failure to accept truth & righteousness.
38. When the Lord's sheep are gray, all the black sheep
feel more comfortable.
39. It is not the compromise of the cautious but the
blood of the martyr which is the seed of the church.
40. Courage makes both friends & foes.
41. Nature often enshrines gallant & noble hearts in
weak bosoms--oftenest, God bless her!, in female breasts.--
Dickens
42. Last, but by no means least, have courage--moral
courage, the courage of one's convictions, the courage to see
things through. The World is in a constant conspiracy against
the brave. It's the age-old struggle--the roar of the crowd on one
side & the voice of your conscience on the other.--Douglas
MacArthur.
43. The true Church is the restraint of evil in the land.
When that restraint is lifted by compromise with the World, evil
takes over.
44. Fear isn't cowardice. Cowardice is failure to fight
fear. The weakling feels fear & quits. The man of courage feels
fear & fights.
45. Bravery is the capacity to perform properly even
when scared half to death.--General Omar Bradley
 46. He is not worthy of the honeycomb that shuns the
hive because the bees have stings.

47. The exhortations of the philosophers are cold &

lifeless, if compared with the convictions, affections &
boundless energy of the real believers.

48. The World's smiles are more dangerous than its

frowns.

49. Popularity has killed more prophets than

persecution.

50. Popularity is a result of pleasing people; greatness

is a result of pleasing God.

51. It is when we all play safe that we create a world of

utmost insecurity.

52. God condemned the Kings of Israel & Judah for

compromising & not destroying the Sodomites out of the land
(IKings 14:24, 22:46), because He knew it would infect the
whole society & all the people, because iniquity grows &
prospers under the atmosphere of tolerance! So God is not for
tolerance!

53. I heard a true story of a young man who was a very

courageous young Christian. After leaving school, he went to a
university near his home. During the first few weeks of class, a
godless professor asked his class if any students considered
themselves to be Christians. It was obvious that the professor
intended to embarrass anyone who raised his hand. This young
man looked around and saw that none of the two hundred
students was going to admit his faith. What should he do? He
either had to admit his Christianity or deny it, like Peter did
when Jesus was about to be crucified. He suddenly held up his
hand and said, "Yes, I'm a Christian."
The professor made him stand in front of the class and
said, "How could you be so stupid to believe that God became a
man and lived here on earth? That's ridiculous. Besides, I read
the Bible and it didn't say a thing to me."
This young man looked right at the professor and said,
"Sir, the Bible is God's letter to Christians. If you didn't
understand it, that's what you get for reading somebody else's
mail!"

54. Ten persons who speak make more noise that

10,000 who are silent.

55. Non-cooperation with evil is as much a duty as is

cooperation with good.--Mohandas Gandhi

56. Conviction is worthless unless it is converted into

conduct.--Thomas Carlyle
CREATION
Related Index Topics: God, Testimonies of Faith.
1. God could have made the sun to rise
Without such splendor in the skies;
He could have made the sun to set
Without a glory greater yet.
He could have made the corn to grow
Without the sunny, golden glow;
The fruits without those colors bright,
So pleasant to the taste and sight.
And caused the apple trees to bloom
Without the scent that doth perfume
Those dainty blossoms, pink and white,
That fill our hearts with sheer delight.
He could have made the ocean roll
Without such music for the soul-
The mighty anthem, loud and strong-
And birds without their clear, sweet song.
The charm of kittens' dainty grace,
The dimples in a baby's face--
All these are "extras" from His hand,
Whose love we cannot understand.
The God who fashioned flow'rs and trees,
Delights to give us things that please,
And all his handiwork so fair
His glory and His love declare.
Yes, He Who made the earth and skies
Gave "extras" for our ears and eyes,
And while my heart with rapture sings,
I thank Him for the "extra things."
--Margaret K. Fraser
2. "Man ploughs and plants, and digs and weeds,
He works with hoe and spade;
God sends the sun and rain and air--
And thus a garden's made.
"He must rejoice who tills the soil,
And turns the heavy sod,
How wonderful a thing to be
In partnership with God!"
3. The probability of life originating by accident is
comparable to the probability of the complete dictionary
resulting from an explosion in a printing factory.
4. If a universe could create itself, it would embody the
powers of a creator, & we should be forced to conclude that the
universe itself is a god.
5. Posterity will some day laugh at the foolishness of
modern materialistic philosophy. The more I study nature, the
more I am amazed at the Creator.--Louis Pasteur
6. If the good God were suddenly
To make a solitary Blind to see
We would stand wondering all
And call it a miracle;
But that He gives with lavish hand
Sight to a million souls we stand
And say, with little awe,
He but fulfils a natural law!
--Huw Menai
7.Creation's dawn was deep in night,
When suddenly: "Let there be light,"
Awakened grass, and flower, and tree,
The deep blue sky,' the earth, the sea;
Then, to complete creation's span
In His own image, God made man,
And signed His name, with stroke most sure--
Man is God's greatest signature!
--William L. Stidger
8. Once I was a tadpole a-beginning to begin,
Next I was a toad-frog with my tail tucked in,
Then I was a monkey in a banyan tree.
But look at me now, I'm a Ph.D.
9. Sometime ago, a female moth of a rare species was
placed in a room. Four miles away a male moth of the same
species was released. In spite of the din and smoke of the city,
in spite of the distance, and in spite of the fact that the female
was in a closed room, in a few hours the male moth was found
beating its wings against the window of the room in which the
female was confined!
10. Tagged salmon released from Columbia River
Point spend four years in the Pacific, then consistently return to
the spots from which they departed thousands of miles away.
11. The adult May flies of some species have no
mouths and stomachs because their mature lives are too short to
need them. The plant lice under laboratory tests, have produced
ninety-four generations without the interposition or birth of a
single male. Carpet beetles have lived two years in a corked
bottle with nothing whatever to eat save the cast-off skins of
their own transformations.
12.Hornets and wasps were the world's first
manufacturers of paper. The manner in which they enlarge a
little nest smaller than a hen egg into one as large as a half-
bushel measure without disturbing its symmetry or opening up
its interior, is a masterpiece in building. The katydid and
crickets hear with their front legs, in which are located the ears
that catch the music of their sweetheart's songs. Among short-
horned grasshoppers, their ears are in their abdomen,
immediately back of and above the point where the hind legs
emerge from their bodies.
All of these give evidence of design and an omniscient
Designer, of law and an omniscient Lawmaker.
13. The solitary, sublime, simple reason the Bible
gives for the existence of everything in all creation is that it
came into being by God's will, because He chose that it should.
For the unbeliever, no further explanation is possible; for the
believer none is necessary.
14. Said George Gallup, world-famed statistician, "I
could prove God statistically! Take the human body alone. The
chance that all the functions of the individual would just happen
is a statistical monstrosity!"
15. To avoid using DDT and other pesticides, more
and more U.S. communities are turning to nature for help. The
latest to do so are Claremont, Calif., and Albuquerque, N.Mex.,
whose residents have imported thousands of ladybugs to control
millions of sap-sucking aphids. Claremonters report that
ladybugs are cheaper than chemical sprays: $85 for 375,000
ladybugs vs. $180 for a chemical spray used in Claremont last
year.
Moreover, a single ladybug devours as many as 40 or
50 aphids a day. Ladybugs are also easy to handle. The
gardener should first cool them in his refrigerator to make them
drowsy, then remove them at sunset and spread them around.
When the bugs awaken, they are hungry. They gobble away
until most aphids are gone.
16. Pearls are delicate and require care. They must be
worn frequently and close to the skin or they fade and die. This
is perhaps because, as a product of the oyster, they are partly of
animal origin. The most noted specimen was the famous
"Theirs Necklace." of 145 finely graded rose pink pearls. When
Madame Theirs willed them to the French Republic, they were
placed in a museum and, never worn.
In time, they lost their color and lustre. A
"pearlmother" was found for them, who fondled them and wore
them publicly under guard, and their beauty returned. We are
told that pearls must be worn against the human flesh to retain
their life and lustre. In fact, it is so important they be worn, that
banks where pearls are stored hire girls for that purpose. The
girls sit a specified number of hours and wear pearls which
clients have left with the bank for safekeeping. These pearls are
kept "alive" by human contact.
17. That the universe was formed by a fortuitous
concourse of atoms, I will no more believe than that the
accidental jumbling of the alphabet would fall into a most
ingenious treatise of philosophy. --Jonathan Swift
18. The creation is both a monument of God's power &
a looking-glass in which we may see His wisdom.
19. To create requires infinite power. All the World
cannot make a fly.
20. On a single antenna of an ordinary June beetle,
there are as many as twenty thousand olfactory pits. The
bombardier beetle employed gas against his enemy centuries
before the Oriental invented a stinkpot or man resorted to gas
warfare. The dragonflies have eyes with as many as thirty
thousand facets, to furnish the intense vision required in
capturing darting, fast-flying prey.
21. When temperatures fall toward the freezing point,
wise motorists put antifreeze in their radiators. Many wise
insects do much the same thing, reports biochemist Fred Smith
of the University of Minnesota. What's more, their antifreeze is
glycerol (glycerin), a chemical closely resembling the ethylene
glycol that is the basis for many antifreeze brands.
Working with Dr. Peter Dubach, Douglas Pratt and C.
M. Stewart, Professor Smith was studying the hibernating
larvae of wood-boring beetles, trying to isolate the enzymes that
digest the cellulose on which the insects live. But when he
ground up the larvae and analyzed the juice, he was surprised to
find a considerable glycerol content. Since the active summer
larvae do not contain glycerol, he guessed that the larvae
possessed a mechanism that reacted to cold producing glycerol
to keep their tissues from freezing in the Minnesota winters.
To check his theory, Professor Smith experimented on
black carpenter ants, which are easy to collect in quantity.
Hibernating adult ants proved to have as much as 10 percent
glycerol in their bodies, but when the ants were gradually
warmed up and became active, all of it disappeared. Chilling the
ants for a few days at a temperature just above the freezing
point restored the glycerol again. Ants of the same species
found in warmer Maryland had no glycerol in them. But when
taken to Minnesota they did as Minnesota ants do, secreting
their personal antifreeze against the cold.
22. If the earth were as small as the moon, the power
of gravity would be too weak to retain sufficient atmosphere for
man's needs; but if it were as large as Jupiter, Saturn, or Uranus,
extreme gravitation would make human movement almost
impossible.
If we were as near to the sun as Venus, the heat would
be unbearable; if we were as far away as Mars, we would
experience snow and ice every night even in the warmest
regions. If the oceans were half their present dimensions, we
would receive only one-fourth the rainfall we do now. If they
were one-eighth larger, our annual precipitation would increase
fourfold, and this earth would become a vast, uninhabitable
swamp!
Water solidifies at 32 degrees above zero. It would be
disastrous if the oceans were subject to that law, however, for
then the amount of thawing in the polar regions would not
balance out, and ice would accumulate throughout the
centuries! To prevent such a catastrophe, the Lord put salt in the
sea to alter its freezing point! (Psalm 104:24)
23. Gold is impervious to the ravages of time. It is not
tarnished by air, water or most corrosives; & it can be melted
down time & again without shedding any of its quality. A single
ounce can be drawn out to make an unbroken wire 35 miles
long or hammered into a sheet 1/250,000th of an inch thick.
24. Scripture answers three basic questions to which
the evolutionary theory has no answer whatever. These
questions concern the origin of matter, the origin of life & the
origin of man as a religious being.
25. The cocoon of a silkworm can be unreeled to
provide a filament over two-thirds of a mile long.
The spider is so well supplied with the silky thread for
making its web that a scientist once drew out of the body of a
specimen almost two miles of thread.
26. Some say that science and the Bible are not in
harmony, that they are antagonistic one to another. But the fact
is not only that they are in harmony, but the Bible often has
anticipated discoveries of science by thousands of years, and
many scientific references in the Bible have now been proved to
be true. Let us look at some examples.
It is generally regarded that Columbus (1451-1506)
was among the first to establish the fact of our earth's
roundness, yet centuries before, the Hebrew prophet
announced--'It is He that sitteth upon the circle of the earth'
(Isa.40.22). Moreover, when our Lord spoke of His second
coming He referred to a night scene (in bed), a morning scene
(grinding), and a midday happening (men in the field), and
showed that all these things would be witnessed simultaneously
when He appeared, which of course is an indirect reference to
the rotundity of the earth.
It was recently discovered that the moon had an
influence on plant life. But in the Bible it has been foretold--
'For the precious things put forth by the moon' (Deut.33:13,14),
which gives evidence of the fact that the writer knew of the
power of the moon to affect plant life thousands of years ago.
Dr. Harvey (1578-1657) was the first scientist who
discovered that the life of the flesh is in the blood. But
thousands of years ago Moses wrote--'the life of the flesh is in
the blood' (Lev.17:11). Scientists have analyzed the body of
man and discovered it is made up of 14 elements. They have
also analyzed the dust of the earth, and found it also is
composed of 14 elements. 'God formed man,' Moses tells us, 'of
the dust of the ground' (Gen.2:7).
Sir Isaac Newton, father of physics, established the law
of gravitation in the seventeenth century. But thirty centuries
before the advent of Newton, Job wrote--'He stretcheth out the
north over the empty place and hangeth the earth upon nothing
(Job 26:7). In the year 1643 Toricelli invented the barometer
and hence discovered air has weight. But centuries before, in
the sacred book it was written that 'God makes weight for the
winds' (Job.28:25).
Galileo was the first to discover that the number of
stars is uncountable. But 2,200 years before Galileo, Jeremiah
said that 'the host of heaven cannot be numbered' (Jer.33:22).
The law of transmission of light is vividly described in
these passages--'Let there be light and there was light' (Gen.1:3)
and--'By what way is the light parted' (Job 38:24).
It has been truly said by Sir John Herschel, the famous
astronomer, 'All human discoveries seem to be made only for
the purpose of confirming more and more strongly the truth
contained in the sacred Scriptures.' (1Pet.1:25)
27. Sea life is home of teeming forms of life, from
microscopic floating plants to the largest mammal--the whale,
which can weigh over one hundred tons. Among its dwellers are
over 40,000 species of mollusks & over 20,000 kinds of fish.
Gen.1:20 says, "And God said, "Let the waters bring forth
abundantly the moving creature that hath life!"
28. The evolutionists seem to know everything about
the missing link except the fact that it is missing.
29. Consider the "small, blackish deep-sea fish"
popularly known as the "black swallower." It sometimes
swallows fish much larger than itself. Some have been caught
distended with fish inside them two or three times their own
size. Their stomach, mouth and throat are distensible, and their
teeth can be pressed backwards. Their throat and stomach
stretch like a rubber balloon. This monstrosity did not evolve; it
was made that way as a unique creation, to show the versatility
of our God.
30. Astronaut James A. McDivitt, who orbited the
earth 62 times with Edward H. White II aboard Gemini 4, said
in a talk at the foreign press Club in Rome: "I did not see God
looking into my space-cabin window, as I do not see God
looking into my car's windshield on earth. But I could recognize
His work in the stars as well as when walking among flowers in
a garden. If you can be with God on earth, you can be with God
in space as well."
31. Beneath the cover of the sod
The lily heard the call of God;
Within its bulb so strangely sweet
Answering pulse began to beat.
The earth lay darkly damp and cold
And held the smell of grave and mould,
But never did the lily say,
"O who will roll the stone away?"
It heard the call, the call of God,
And up through prison house of sod
 It came from burial place of gloom
To find its perfect life in bloom.
32. Earthworms are among the most lowly of wildlife.
From an average size of a few inches to the largest recorded in
Scotland of more than 55 meters long, they have very important
functions to fulfil. By tunnelling through the ground, they aerate
the earth. They break down organic matter so that the fertility of
the soil is increased. It has been estimated that 50,000 worms to
an acre produce 18 tons of earth-casting a year. This is
sufficient to add a three-inch layer of topsoil in 20 years' time.
33. Half a century ago, Professor Williams of Franklin
College, Ohio, published a book demonstrating The Evolution
of Man Mathematically Disproved. He showed by the most
careful calculation that if the first human pair had lived 100,000
years ago--some evolutionist say 2,000,000 years ago, or
longer-the present population of the world (at only one tenth the
rate of present net increase) would now be
4,660,210,253,138,204,000; or two and one-half billion times as
many people as at present!
34. The sun is like a vast hydrogen bomb burning
slowly. Every second, 4 million tons of hydrogen are destroyed
in explosions which start somewhere near the core, where the
temperature is 13 million degrees Centigrade.
More energy than man has used since the dawn of
civilization is radiated by this normal star in a second.
The earth's entire oil, coal and wood reserves would
fuel the sun's energy output to the earth alone for only a few
days.
Tongues of hydrogen flame leap from the sun's surface
with the force of 1000 million hydrogen bombs. They are
forced up by the enormous thermonuclear explosion at the core
of the sun where 564 million tons of hydrogen fuse to form
helium. Material at the core of the sun is so hot that a pinhead
of it would give off enough heat to kill a man 1 million miles
away.
35. In South America is a curious little spider which
has its home under the water. It forms a bubble about itself in
which, like a diving bell, it sinks to the bottom of a pond river.
It will remain there for hours, living below, and yet breathing
the air from above. When it returns to the surface it is found to
be perfectly dry. Not the slightest moisture will have penetrated
its capsule. It is in the water and yet separate from it,
maintained by contact with the beyond.
36. John Jensen, and Iowa State Senator who has
introduced the bill to require the teaching of Creation alongside
Evolution, argues that there is no fossil evidence of any one
animal developing into another. He says, "I'm a farmer & we're
raising better cattle than we used to. But when we cross cattle,
we get cattle, we don't get dogs!"
37. If you meet a fellow who claims he descended
from a monkey, don't argue with him...because, after all, he
knows his family better than you do.
38. The sun is a great power plant. If you were to mark
off one square yard on the sun you would find that it is giving
off 70,000 horsepower of energy continuously. There are a
tremendous number of square yards on the sun's surface: more
than 10,000 times the number of square yards on the surface of
the earth.
Suppose that we decide to buy the energy that the sun
gives off for a period of twenty-four hours. Suppose we can buy
this energy for one-fourth cent per kilowatt-hour. To pay for
this energy in silver dollars would require enough money to
cover the United States four miles deep.
This represents a tremendous amount of energy. Yet
when God created the sun, He had to put into that act of
creation all of the energy that has come from the sun and all that
which may yet to come from the sun. There is still enough
energy in the sun to last for some thirty billion years.
39. There is a fish belonging to the angler group that
can puff itself up by swallowing water until its stomach is
distended like a balloon. Presumably this tactic is to render it
more difficult for a predator to swallow. The spitlure frogfish,
as it is called, has an even cleverer device. On top of its head is
a built-in wormlike appendage with a jointed base. When not in
use it is rolled up to one side of the dorsal fin, but in action it is
waved around so that it looks for all the world like a juicy
fishworm. The moment a likely victim comes near to
investigate, the fish swallows it in one king-size gulp.
40. For more than forty years the Piltdown man was an
honored member of the society of "earliest humans." Then a
startling discovery proved him to be an enormous fraud.
In early 1912 fossil hunter Charles Dawson brought
the first finds of the Piltdown man to the British Museum.
Immediately the finder became famous, and soon other
fragments of the "Missing link" began coming in from Dawson.
The find was even named "Eoanthropus dawsone--Dawson's
Dawn Man."
However, forty years later scientists found that
Dawson had deceived them. The jaw had come from a modern
ape with the faker "fossilizing" it by staining it mahogany with
iron salt and bichromate. An oil paint, probably red sienna, had
stained the chewing surfaces of the teeth. Further tests revealed
every fragment of the Piltdown a forgery. It was probably the
greatest hoax perpetrated on the scientific community in
history.
41. Among the reeds that line the banks of the river
swamps in the East Indies is a most unusual fish that has
remarkable skill with which to secure its prey. It is called the
archer fish, but it doesn't shoot arrows; it shoots drops of water
from its mouth. Catching sight of a fly or spider, it shoots out a
jet stream & with surprising accuracy can bring down an insect
as far as three feet away. Actual photographs have been taken of
such a fish "shooting" its victim.
42. The heart is a hard-working marvel. It can keep on
beating automatically even if all other nerves were severed. And
what a beat!
It beats an average of 75 times a minute, forty million
times a year, or two and a half billion times in a life of 70 years.
At each beat, the average adult heart discharges about four
ounces of blood . This amounts to three thousand gallons a day
or 650,000 gallons a year--enough to fill more than 81 tank cars
of 8,000 gallons each.
The heart does enough work in one hour to lift a 150-
pound man to the top of a three-story building, enough energy
in twelve hours to lift a 65-ton tank car one foot off the ground,
or enough power in seventy years to lift the largest battleship
afloat completely out of the water.
43. In 1833 Charles Darwin went to the South Sea
Islands looking for the so-called "missing link." As he studied
the cannibals who lived there, he concluded that no creature
anywhere were more primitive, and he was convinced that
nothing on earth could possibly lift them to a higher level. He
thought he has indeed found a lower stratum of humanity that
would fit this theory of evolution.
Thirty-four years later he returned to the same islands.
To his amazement he discovered churches, schools, and homes
occupied by some of those former cannibals. In fact, many of
them wore clothes and frequently gathered to sing hymns. The
reason was soon learned: Missionary John G. Paton had been
there proclaiming the truths of salvation! Darwin was so moved
by their transformation that he made a generous contribution to
the London Missionary Society. Darwin's "missing link" thus
remained missing.
44. Imagine a group of men, working entirely in the
dark, constructing a building as complex as the American
Empire State Building and, fitting it with central heating and a
fresh-air system. This is what the termite, that incredible
builder, does when it builds its home.
In Africa, these constructions are so numerous that
they transform the landscape. Each home has at its center the
"royal quarter" where the Queen lives with her king.
The Queen lays nearly 50,000 eggs a day and has a life
span of ten years, but the population of each nest is controlled
by frequent migration of the termites to find mates.
The home maintains a temperature of about 86 degrees
Fahrenheit and humidity at 98 per cent, with ventilation
assured. How they manage to achieve this is a marvel of
engineering. The walls are built up to 18 inches thick with
cooling fins on the outside, each containing hundreds of air
shafts. The hot, stale air inside the home passes along these air
shafts and goes out through pores in the wall. Fresh air is drawn
to replace it.
To keep the air at the right temperature, hundreds of
tiny workers in the air passages control the conditions by
sealing and unsealing the many air shafts, according to the
conditions of the temperature outside.
Some of these structures reach 20 feet in height. We
can therefore imagine what remarkable builders these termites
are.
45. There is a plant in Jamaica called the "life plant." It
is almost impossible to kill or destroy any part of it. If you
detach a leaf from the plant & suspend it by a string to a wire, it
does not wilt & die. It sends out threadlike rootlets which
imbibe sustenance from the moisture of the air. New leaves
begin to grow.
46. Even though your brain will forget more than 90%
of what you learn during your lifetime, it may still store up as
much as 10 times more information than there is in the Library
of Congress with its 17 million volumes.
47. Darwin realized that the fossil record did not
support his evolutionary speculations, but he had faith that
subsequent finds would fill the gaps. However, more than a
century has passed and the hoped-for evidence has not turned
up.
In the book Darwin's Biological Work, first published
in 1959 and again in 1970, geologist John Challinor, an
evolutionist, admits that the fossil record only "partially
supports evolution," and significantly adds that it also supports
"separate and independent creation."
48. The longest flight made by a homing pigeon was
the 7,200 miles that one flew in 1931 from Arras, France to its
home in Saigon, Vietnam. To demonstrate that homers are not
guided by landmarks, the bird was taken to France in a covered
cage aboard a ship that crossed the South China Sea, the Indian
Ocean, the Red Sea and the Mediterranean. The pigeon--straight
as an arrow and over "unfamiliar" land--returned in just 24
days.
49. The ear is as much an acoustic marvel as the eye is
an optic one. The inner ear is like a keyboard with 15,000 keys,
because that is the number of different tones that can be
detected. Not only does the ear perform the function of hearing,
it acts to control equilibrium as well. Who but God could have
originated such a dual purpose instrument?
50. I know nothing of the origin of man except what I
am told in the Scriptures, that God created him. I do not know
anything more than that, & I do not know anyone who does.
51. Our hours are nothing to the birds. Why, some
birds work in the summer nineteen hours a day. Indefatigably
they clear the crops of insects.
The thrush gets up at 2:30 every morning. He rolls up
his sleeves and falls to work at once, and he never stops till 9:30
at night. A clear nineteen hours. During that time he feeds his
voracious young two hundred and six times.
The blackbird starts work at the same time as the
thrush, but he lays off earlier. His whistle blows at 7:30, and
during his seventeen-hour day he sets about one hundred meals
before his kiddies.
The titmouse is up and about at three in the morning,
and his stopping time is nine at night. A fast worker, the
titmouse is said to feed his young four hundred and seventeen
meals--meals of caterpillar mainly--in the long, hard, hot day.
 52. All nature, including man, is a wondrous
instrument of many strings, delicately tuned to work God's will
& upon which He plays with a master hand.
53. Science tells us that nothing in nature, not even the
tiniest particle, can disappear without a trace. Nature does not
know extinction, only transformation. If God applies this
fundamental principle to the most minute part of His Universe,
doesn't it make sense to assume that He applies it also to the
soul of man?--Wernher Von Braun
54. Peter the Great, when he saw sunrise, would
express his wonder that men should be so stupid not to rise
every morning to behold one of the most glorious sights in the
universe. "They delight," said he, "in gazing on a picture, the
trifling work of a mortal, and at the same time neglect one
painted by the hand of the Deity Himself. For my part," added
he, "I am for making my life as long as I can, and therefore
sleep as little as possible."
55. Sometime ago I came across a story about a group
of men who set out to find an answer to the question, "Where
did the earth come from?" They compiled much data covering
many areas of investigation and then fed it into the mammoth
computer. When they had completed their work and had given
the machine all the information, they pushed the "answer"
button and waited expectantly for the results. Lights flashed!
Bells rang! Buzzers sounded! When the great moment arrived
this printed message emerged: "See Genesis 1:1."
56. What are the heavens, the Earth, the sea, but a
sheet of royal paper, written all over with the wisdom & power
of God?
57. Our Lord has written the promise of the
resurrection, not in books alone, but in every leaf in springtime.
58. Anything may be reproduced on scale model
except the Universe. The impossibility of making such a model
accurately is shown by the fact that if the Earth were
represented by a ball only one inch in diameter, the nearest star,
Alpha Centauri, would have to be placed nearly 51,000 miles
away.
59. There's not a tint that paints the rose
Or decks the lily fair,
Or marks the humblest flower that grows,
But God has placed it there.
There's not a star whose twinkling light
Illumes the spreading earth;
There's not a cloud, so dark or bright,
But wisdom gave it birth.
There's not a place on earth's vast round,
In ocean's deep or air,
Where love and beauty are not found,
For God is everywhere.
60. There has been discovered in the forests of India a
strange plant which possesses to a very high degree astonishing
magnetic power. The hand which breaks a leaf from it
immediately receives a shock equal to that produced by the
conductor of an induction coil.
At a distance of nineteen feet a magnetic-needle is
affected by it, and it will be quite deranged if brought near. The
energy of this singular influence varies with the hour of the day.
It is all-powerful about two o'clock in the afternoon, but is
ineffective during the night. At times of storm, its intensity
increases.
61. Snowflakes have six sides. It is claimed there are
no two snowflakes alike, yet all are hexagonal in shape. An
eminent scientist, J. Wilson Bentley, devoted his life to the
study of snowflakes. He photographed over 10,000 flakes. He
found no two exactly alike, though all have six sides. He
claimed that the entire countryside from Maine to California
might be covered with snow a foot deep, yet no two flakes
would be exactly alike.
62. Snowflakes falling, twisting, swirling
There upon my window sill,
Who of Heaven's great designers
Traced your lace with such great skill?
Soft and fragile web of myst'ry
Falling on my window sill
I shall wonder, ever wonder,
Whose hand held that magic quill.
--Julian L. Janus
63. I read about a minnow-like fish called "Four eyes"
which makes his home in Central & South America. What's
unusual about him is his large, bulging eyes. They are so
situated on his head that he can spend his time cruising along
the water with only the upper half of each eye above the
surface. The top half has an air lens & the bottom half has a
water lens, which amounts to a set of bifocals, giving him the
ability to see in both the upper & under world.
64. Some feel that great antiquity of men is necessary
to produce the present population of over 4 billion. This
apparently is not the case.
If the flood did occur 4,300 years ago, & if only the
people in the ark survived on the whole earth, there would still
be sufficient time to produce the present population. Even if
each two people produced, on the average, only 2.6 children in
their lifetime the population of the earth would then double each
one hundred years.
Doubling the population each one hundred years for
4,300 years would produce a population of 10,000,000,000,000.
This is 3,000 times our present population. No, the population
of the earth alone does not require a great antiquity of men.
65. The camel is enabled, by the peculiar construction
of its stomach, to carry a supply of water sufficient for seven or
eight days together. This power adapts it to the region in which
it is found, and to the service of man in traversing the desert. It
has, also, great acuteness of scent, and, when ready to fail
through the weariness of a long march, will detect the distant
stream or fountain. Then new vigour animates it, and, sniffing
the air, it strides on till it can imbibe the refreshing waters.
66. "I am not so much of a farmer as some people
claim," said Hon. W.J. Bryan in his lecture on "The Price of
Peace", "but I have observed the watermelon seed. It has the
power of drawing from the ground and through itself 200,000
times its weight, and when you can tell me how it takes this
material and out of it colors an outside surface beyond the
imitation of art, and then forms inside of it a white rind and
within again a red heart, thickly inlaid with black seeds, each
one of which in turn is capable of drawing through itself
200,000 times its weight.--When you can explain to me the
mystery of a watermelon, you can ask me to explain the
mystery of God."
67. Mackay of Uganda, the missionary to Africa, tells
how one day he saw a colony of soldier ants suspend
themselves by their bodies joined together & extending from
the ground upward through the air to a piece of meat suspended
from a branch of a tree, thus forming a sort of Jacob's ladder of
themselves. Upon this ladder the feebler members of the ant
colony climbed, & supplied their wants.
68. The problems of origin & destiny have escaped the
philosopher & the scientist, but the humblest follower of Christ
knows the answer to both.
69. There have been a number of serious mathematical
computations which have to do with evolution, and improbable
to the vanishing point. Probably the best known case is the
symposium on the Mathematical Challenge to the Neo-
Darwinian Interpretation of Evolution, held at the Wistar
Institute in Philadelphia in 1966. It was there that a French
mathematician told that when a computer was programmed to
give the probability of an evolutionary advance, it jammed.
The interpretation of this was that the probability was
less than one chance in ten to the one thousandth power! In his
closing remarks this man said, "Thus, to conclude, we believe
that there is a considerable gap in the neo-Darwinian theory of
evolution, and we believe this gap to be of such a nature that it
cannot be bridged within the current biology."
Probability is expressed as a fraction and hence
certainty is 1 and impossibility is 0. On this basis to be helpful
to the evolutionists, the author assumed that the probability of
evolution being true (if there were no gaps in the fossil record)
as .999, which then makes the probability of creation the
difference between this and 1, or .001. But there are at least 13
well-documented gaps in the fossil record, and actually there
are very many more. But again favouring the evolutionists by
using this very conservative figure of 13, and putting these
numbers in the formula, the result is that the probability of
evolution being true is about one chance in
10,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000.
Thus, even if assumptions are made favouring the
position of the evolutionists, they cannot complain if it still
comes out in favour of creation, which it does.
70. The Bible-Science News Letter reports that
research chemists at the Interior Department's Coal Research
Center in Pittsburgh have developed a process of waste
conversion that produces just over a barrel of crude oil from
each ton of garbage. The chemists mix wet, ground garbage
with carbon monoxide and steam under pressure at about 700
degrees for 20 minutes to form a substance which is 40 percent
crude oil and 60 percent water. Since science has discovered
that man can make oil in 20 minutes, perhaps scientists will be
willing to believe that God did not need 50 million years to do
the same thing.
71. The theory of the evolution of man is based on
suppositions & inferences. As an example, the first chapter of
Charles Darwin's book "The Descent of Man" contains within a
few pages, 20 expressions of uncertainty, such as "seemed", "it
appears", "take for granted", "may", & "implies". The
concluding chapter of 14 pages has more than 50 such
expressions. Within 30 years after publication the book was
changed in 87 places.
72. We may see God's glory blazing in the sun &
twinkling in the stars.
73. In the year 1798 Bonaparte, with his army, entered
the town of Denderah, in Central Egypt. There he found two
interesting and seemingly ancient temples. From one of them
the roof, carved with certain figures, was carefully taken down
and carried to Paris.
When examined there by learned men, it was found to
be what is technically termed a zodiac, and from certain marks
they inferred that it was at least seventeen thousand years old.
Soon after this discovery, and under its influence, a professor in
the University of Breslau wrote a book with the title, An
Invincible Proof that the world is at least ten times older than
Moses supposed when he wrote the book of Genesis." Many
believers in the Bible were very much startled by this discovery,
and for a time they were in much fear of mind.
But some time later Champollion discovered the
method of reading such inscriptions as were found on this
zodiac; when he carefully examined it he discovered, among
other things, the name of Augustus Caesar inscribed upon it,
proving that it was no older than the Christian era.
74. The seed of the globe turnip is about one-twentieth
of an inch in diameter, and yet, in a few months, this seed will
be enlarged by the soil and the air to 27,000,000 times its
original bulk, and this in addition to a bunch of leaves. It has
been found by experiment that it will, under fair conditions,
increase its own weight 15 times in one minute. Turnips
growing in peat ground will increase more than 15,000 times
the weight of their seeds in one day.
75. Salt is a wonder, Salt is composed of two
poisonous substances. How is it possible that salt, which is
necessary to life, is composed of sodium and chlorine, either of ones.
which, if taken individually, would kill you? You move 750 muscles.
Water is a wonder. Its chemical formula is H2O. That Your nails grow .000046 inch.
means it has two parts of hydrogen for each part oxygen. Your hair grows .01714 inch.
Oxygen is flammable; hydrogen readily burns. Unite hydrogen You exercise 7,000,000 brain cells.
and oxygen into water and you put out fires with it! --Feel tired?

76. A French scientist named Rene Antoine Ferchault
de Reaumur, examining a wasp's nest in 1719, noted that it
seemed to be made of a type of crude pasteboard. After further
investigation he discovered that most of the material was
obtained from tree fibers. As a result of this study the first
successful production of paper from woodpulp was achieved.
Yet God had instilled this ability in the wasp at the dawn of
history.
77. Every one of God's works is in its way great. All
angels & all men united could not make one grasshopper.
78. There are several trillion hard-working cells in
every person.
A cell is so small it takes 250 of them, placed side by
side, to equal the diameter of a dot. Inside the membrane of
each cell, swimming around in the cytoplasm, are about 200 of
these wiggling, squirming particles, each one a living and active
chemical laboratory, a food and energy factory.
Inside of each of these cells are about 200 wiggling
mitochondria. Each one of these would be about 1/50,000th the
size of a globe as big as a dot! Inside of each mitochondrion are
hundreds of small "spheres" scattered along stalks in the
mitochondrion! Each sphere is about 1/1,000th size of the
mitochondrion! So, each sphere would be about one-five-
millionth (1/5,000,000) the size of a dot! Each of these tiny
spheres is a chemical factory, with a "production line" that
produces energy and food for the cell. This is such a marvel of
smallness and intricate complexity that it stretches one's
imagination even to try to think of it.
79. Although it may not understand
That Life & Death go hand in hand,
The mother bird, adroit & sleek,
Drops worms into an open beak.
Before necessity of jaws,
And moving to a simple cause,
Doubtless it will not be too long
Before the worm becomes the song.
80. If you're an adult of average weight,
here is what you accomplish in 24 hours:
Your heart beats 103,689 times.
Your blood travels 168,000,000 miles.
You breathe 23,040 times.
You inhale 438 cubic feet of air.
You eat 3 1/4 pounds of food.
You drink 2.9 quarts of liquids.
You lose 7/8 pound of waste.
You speak 4,800 words, including some unnecessary
81. "God is great in great things and very great in little
things," said Henry Dyer.
A party stood on the Matterhorn admiring the scenery,
the great things that came from the hands of God. Among them
was a scientist who produced a microscope, caught a fly and
placed it under the glass. He reminded the party that the legs of
the house-fly in England were naked. Then he showed them the
fly of the Swiss Mountains under the microscope, with legs
thickly covered with hair, proving God's greatness in His
provision for little things.
82. Found in oceans around the World, sea stars are
almost indestructible. An arm accidentally lost is soon regrown.
Oyster men once tried to get rid of starfish invading their oyster
beds by chopping them into pieces. But they eventually learned
that if a portion of the central disk was attached to the severed
parts, these parts regenerated into whole new sea stars--
increasing rather than decreasing their numbers!
83. God is not a copyist--the Devil is that because he
can be no other: but everything God makes is original.
84. Little lamb, who made thee?
Dost thou know who made thee,
Gave thee life, and bid thee feed
By the streams and o'er the mead;
Gave thee clothing of delight,
Softest clothing, woolly, bright;
Gave thee such a tender voice,
Making all the vales rejoice?
Little lamb, who made thee?
Dost thou know who made thee?
Little lamb, I'll tell thee;
Little lamb, I'll tell thee.
He is called by thy name,
For He calls Himself a Lamb;
He is meek and He is mild,
He became a little child.
I a child, and thou a lamb,
We are called by His name.
Little lamb, God bless thee!
Little lamb, God bless thee!
--William Blake
85. At the foot of the Acropolis at Athens there stand a
few beautiful Corinthian pillars. These are all that remain of the
once famous Temple of Olympian Zeus. The Athenians regard
these pillars with the utmost veneration, and everything has
been done to preserve them. To their great pain and regret,
however, they awoke one morning to find one of these
matchless pillars prostrate upon the ground, and the visitor can
still see its scattered and broken drums and examine the beauty
and finish of their workmanship.
As no storm had shaken them during the night, the
collapse of the pillar seemed inexplicable until it was found that
a colony of ants, having found a small crevice where one of the
drums of the column joined the other, had forced an entrance
and had gradually eaten away the cement, so effecting at last its
ruin.
86. There are some species of fish--most of them
bottom dwellers--that have a most unusual development cycle,
particularly as regards their eyes. The group includes halibuts,
flounders, and plaices. They pass their early life swimming like
any other fish, then a remarkable change occurs. They turn onto
their sides and swim that way the rest of their lives; hence they
are known as flat fish. The most astonishing aspect of this
change is that the eye on the under side moves to the top side of
the fish's head and remains there so that it becomes known as
the "eyed side" while the underneath is referred to as the "blind
side."
87. The more I study nature, the more I am amazed at
the Creator.--Louis Pasteur
88. The probability of life originating by accident is
comparable to the probability of the unabridged dictionary
resulting from an explosion in the print shop.
89. In nature we hear the speech of God. (Ps.19:3,4)
90. The World God made was a beautiful World. The
ugliness in it is man's own idea.
91. Researchers Sarif Salem and Francis D. Hold of
the University of Wisconsin made a three-year study and found
that one colony of ants moved fifteen tons of subsoil, building
clusters of large mounds and burrowing five-and-a-half feet
below the surface. The "deep ploughing" increased the
nutrients, clay and organic matter of the surface soil.
92. Be encouraged by the example of the Allegheny
ants, a common species in the eastern U.S., which help enrich
forest areas by carrying tons of soil from below ground to the
surface.
93. Darwin guessed that two hundred millions of years
ago one or a few germs appeared on the planet and then,
according to Darwin, they immediately went to work
reproducing. Not quite according to kind, but with just enough
variation to give us finally between two and three millions of
species. Darwin thought we had two or three million. I am so
conservative that I prefer the lowest estimate--a million species
in the animal and vegetable world--but according to Darwin's
guess, everything we now see came from one or a few germs of
life. All the evolutionists believe this whether they call
themselves Christian, theist or atheist. Our answer is that if it
were true that all species came by slow development from one
or a few germs, every square foot of the earth's surface would
teem with evidences of change. If everything changed, we
ought to find evidence of it somewhere, but because it is not
true, they have not found a single thing, living or dead, in
process of change. They have examined millions of specimens,
from insects so small that you have to look at them with a
microscope, up to mammals, but everything is perfect. They
have not found one in process of change, and they have not
been able to show that a single species ever came from another.
Darwin said so while he lived and expressed surprise that, with
two or three million species, they had not found a single one
that they could trace to another; but he thought we should
accept the hypothesis, even though the 'missing links had not
been found'--not the missing link, but the missing links (plural)
had not been found. If we have a million different species, we
must have at least million connecting links, one to link each
species to another, but a scientist, speaking in London not long
ago, said that if evolution were true, it would not be one link
between two species, but there would be a million links
between two species, and yet, with a million times a million
links that must have existed if evolution be true, they have not
found a single link.
--W. Jennings Bryan
94. As Dr. Robert Millikan said, "Behind every watch
there had to be a watchmaker, & so behind the intricate
precision of this great Universe, there had to be a Divine
Designer & Creator!" Even so, behind every great creation,
whether of God or man, there had to be worlds of work,
planning, preparation, designing, invention, discovery,
exploration, organisation & cooperation, in order to produce the
finished product--the thing that's seen--which does not begin to
reveal the vast unseen labour & the multitudes of labourers
behind it!--Dad.
95. An issue of Sunshine Magazine compares the
human mind to a computer. It stated that scientists were asked
to determine the size, the cooling system, and the power
required to perform electronically the same functions that are
automatically accomplished by a man's brain during his
lifetime. They decided that if all parts were transistorized and
built on a miniature scale like those used in rockets to the moon,
the following would be needed:
"A machine the size of the United Nations building in
New York; a cooling system with an output equal to Niagara
Falls; and a power source that would produce as much
electricity as is used in homes and industry in the entire state of
California."
96. Scientists have estimated that throughout the earth
360,000 lightning flashes per hour occur. It is computed by
General Electric officials that the average bolt has a voltage of
100 million, a current of 100 thousand amperes, and an energy
of four kilowatt hours.
Thus, one flash of lightning would keep any house lit
for 35 years. And a large bolt of lightning has enough energy to
lift the 51,821-ton ocean liner United States six feet into the air.
Moreover, by combining nitrogen and oxygen,
lightning creates 100 million tons of plant food a year, raining And midway of the radiant flood,
down far more than is produced by all the commercial fertilizer Hangs silently the boat.
plants.
The sea is but another sky,
97. The fact that adult salmon return from the ocean to The sky a sea as well,
the very gravel bed where they were hatched in some swift- And which is earth and which is heaven,
flowing northern stream in order to reproduce before death, is The eye can scarcely tell.
fairly well-known. But not everyone realizes what is involved in --Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
their doing so.
A salmon swims three to ten miles a day against the 102. In Botswana this bird lives. This honey bird is a
current for a total distance of hundreds or perhaps even creature of almost mythical behaviour. African travelers state
thousands of miles to get back to his birthplace. The spectacular that when one of these birds sees a human being it whistles to
part of his return trip is when he encounters waterfalls that must attract attention, & then leads the way to a tree where wild bees
be ascended. He has been observed swimming a sheer ten-foot have hived. It sits by while its human friends chop down the
waterfall in one leap. Higher falls can be conquered by a series tree & take their fill of honey. It then proceeds to feast on the
of tall leaps from shelf to shelf for a total distance of maybe comb that is left, especially on the young bee grubs. We find
forty or fifty feet. many human counterparts of this bird--who are willing to let the
"other fellow" do the work & they partake of the benefits &
98. I take an egg in my hand every morning, in fact I feast on the "Honey".
take three eggs, & I look at every one of them before I break it
& I think: "What a marvel of perfection, what a geometrically 103. You ask me how I know it's true
perfect form! It's not a perfect globe, it's not a mere oval, it is a That there is a living God--
most marvellous, beautiful creation! One little chicken egg! I A God who rules the universe,
almost hate to break it!" I look at that & I thank the Lord! I say, The sky...the sea...the sod;
"Thank You Jesus for this beautiful creation!" And just think, A God who holds all creatures
one little humble lowly chicken out in some poor man's chicken In the hollow of His hand;
yard does that every day, creates a marvel of creation like that!- A God who put Infinity
-Dad. In one tiny grain of sand;
A God who made the seasons--
99. Sea herring, traveling in closely packed schools too Winter, Summer, Fall and Spring,
numerous to count have a marvelous faculty for synchronizing And put His flawless rhythm
their movements. Even when some floating obstacle compels a Into each created thing;
group to divide, with part of them swimming on one side and A God who hangs the sun out
the rest on the other side of the obstruction, their rhythmic Slowly with the break of day,
motion continues in absolute unison as if they were one instead And gently takes the stars in
of thousands. They coordinate their movements up or down, And puts the night away;
right or left, as if subject to a command control. A God whose mighty handiwork
Defies the skill of man,
100. The dolphin, has special membranes analogous to For no architect can alter
man's vocal cords. It can make a variety of noises such as God's Perfect Master Plan--
chirps, pops, clicks, squeaks, groans, whines, and other sounds What better answers are there
in frequencies from 3000 to 30,000 cycles per second. To prove His Holy Being
Researchers say the dolphin can mimic human-created sounds Than the wonders all around us
such as laughter, whistles, and even word syllables in high That are ours just for the seeing,
frequency ranges. An electronic device, the sceptron, has been
contrived to "memorize" sounds of the dolphins, to catalog 104. Into the sunshine, full of light,
dolphin-sounds, and record communication patterns. It is even Leaping & flashing from morn till night;
speculated that the fish could ultimately inform man about such Into the moonlight, whiter than snow,
matters as missile cones falling into the sea, current Waving so flower-like when the winds blow.
temperatures, land formations, and so on. Into the starlight, rushing in spray,
Happy at midnight, happy by day;
101. The golden sea its mirror spreads Ever in motion, blithesome & cheery,
Beneath the golden skies, Still climbing heavenwards, never aweary.
And but a narrow strip between Glad of all weathers, still seeming best,
Of land and shadow lies. Upward or downward motion thy rest;
Ceaseless aspiring, ceaseless content,
The cloud-like rocks, the rock-like clouds, Darkness or sunshine thy element;
Dissolved in glory float, Full of nature nothing can tame,
 Changed every moment, ever the same:
Glorious fountain! Let my heart be
Fresh, changeful, constant, upward, like Thee!
--By James Russell Lowell
105. We muse on miracles who look
But lightly on a rose!
Who gives it fragrance or the glint
Of glory that it shows?
Who holds it here between the sky
And earth's rain-softened sod?
The miracle of one pale rose
Is proof enough of God!
--Edith Daley
106. "How do you know whether there be a God?" was
once asked of a Bedouin; & he replied, "How do I know
whether a camel or a man passed by my tent last night? By their
footprints in the sand." "The heavens declare the glory of God!"
(Psa.19:1)
107. I think a tree is almost as beautiful as a woman! I
think the next most beautiful thing God ever made to a woman
is a tree. It even looks like a woman with beautiful hair waving
in the breeze. It never resists, it just yields & bends & bows &
nods its head to the will of God & just smiles all day! Did you
ever notice a tree is full of smiles? Every parting of the
branches is a smile with the corners turned up, see? They're all
smiling! A tree is nothing but smiles, no frowns, unless man or
the Devil's storms sometimes bend it the other way & make it a
little ugly, then it just grows right back up again towards the
Lord!--Dad
108. Who has seen the wind?
Neither I nor you.
But when the leaves hang trembling,
The wind is passing through.
Who has seen the wind?
Neither you nor I.
But when the trees bow down their heads,
The wind is passing by.
--Christina Georgina Rossetti
109. I wandered lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o'er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils,
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.
Continuous as the stars that shine
And twinkle on the Milky Way,
They stretched in never-ending line
Along the margin of a bay:
Ten thousand saw I at a glance,
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.
The waves beside them danced, but they
Outdid the sparkling waves in glee;
A poet could not but be gay
In such a jocund company.
I gazed, and gazed, but little thought
What wealth the show to me had brought:
For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils.
--William Wordsworth
110. Modern science says, "The identical fourteen
elements found in the human body are also found in ordinary
soil of the earth." The Bible says, with scientific accuracy,
"Man is formed of the dust of the ground! " (Gen.2:7) "Dust
thou art & unto dust shalt thou return." (Gen.3:19) Said a
scientific lecturer, "If it were possible for the human body to
instantly lose all of its electrical values, that body would
instantly fly into dust."
111. "Come little leaves," said the wind one day,
"Come over the meadows with me and play;
Put on your dresses of red and gold,
Summer is gone, and the days grow cold."
Soon as the leaves heard the wind's loud call,
Down they came fluttering, one and all;
Over the brown fields they danced and flew,
Singing the soft little songs they know.
"Cricket, good-bye, we've been friends so long;
Little brook, sing us your farewell song;
Say you are sorry to see us go--
Ah, you will miss us, right well we know.
"Dear little lambs in your fleecy fold,
Mother will keep you from harm and cold;
Fondly we've watched you in vale and glade;
Say, will you dream of our loving shade?"
Dancing and whirling the little leaves went;
Winter had called them, and they were content.
Soon fast asleep in their earthly beds,
The snow laid a coverlet over their heads.
--George Cooper
112. The kindliest thing God ever made
His hand of very healing laid
Upon a fevered World, is shade.
His glorious company of trees
Throw out their mantles, and on these.
The dust-stained wanderer finds ease.
 Green temples, closed against the beat
Of noontime's blinding glare and heat
Open to any pilgrim's feet.
The white road blisters in the sun;
Now, half the weary journey done,
Enter and rest, oh, weary one!
And feel the dew of dawn still wet
Beneath thy feet and so forget
The burning highway's ache and fret.
This is God's hospitality,
And whoso rests beneath a tree
Hath cause to thank Him gratefully.
--T. Harrison
113. When Robert Bruce, the famous emancipator of
Scotland, was fleeing from his enemies, he sought refuge in a
cave. Although they were hot on his trail, when they reached his
hideout a spider had built a web over the mouth of the cave. His
pursuers concluded that he could not have entered without first
destroying the web. Naturally they presumed that he had fled
elsewhere. No wonder Bruce prayed, "O God, I thank Thee that
in the tiny bowels of a spider You can save for me a shelter, &
then send the spider in time to place it for my protection."
114. Did you know that when the first Handbook of
American Scientists was printed back in the 20's that only about
20-some-percent of American scientists claimed to believe in
any kind of God or Supreme Being or spiritual Superior Power
or Creator? But about ten years ago before we left the States,
the Handbook of American Scientists--all the most famous &
important scientists of the U.S., listed in their various fields--
76% of them said that they believed there was some kind of
Superior Power or Designer or Creator or God or Providence or
whatever they want to call it, higher than man, that was in
control!
Now that is quite a jump in faith!--Why? Because like
I quoted Dr. Steiner, who was considered the greatest authority
on the human cell, after 30 years of studying the human cell he
said: "I'm more & more convinced the more I study, the more I
marvel & wonder at the Designer behind it all!" Sort of like
what Dr. Robert A. Millikan said about the watch. So Dr.
Steiner said that the more he studied the cell, the more he
realised there had to be a Designer, a Creator!
The percentage of these honest, open-minded scientists
who are honest & willing to confess that the more they study,
the more they realise there's a Designer & Creator, Somebody
behind it all, has leaped from the 20's to the 70's in about 50
years!--Three times as many!--Dad.
115. Prof. Showwalter gives us some interesting
comparisons. If you measure man's strength and achievements
in engineering by the standards set by the insects, man's success
is overshadowed entirely in some ways.
In the Olympics it is a standard jump that clears the bar
at six feet six inches. Yet the common flea is capable of
jumping one hundred times as high as his own head. Were
champion Olympic jumpers to do as well proportionately they
would jump clear over the Washington Monument at one bound
with some eighty feet to spare.
If the modern baggage man could carry loads as heavy
in proportion to size as an ant, he could lift a half-ton trunk to
the top of Washington Monument without apparent fatigue.
If a man could dig in a few days out of hard clay or
sand, with no other tools than his nails and teeth, five or six
caverns twenty feet deep and four or five feet square, it would
not be any more comparatively than that which the wild bee
does when it digs a hole in a hard bank of earth six inches deep,
six times its own size.
116. The day after the great earthquake of San
Francisco, a newsboy was showing a dazed man the way
through, &, as they walked, the boy philosophized thus: "It took
a long time to put all this stuff up, but God tumbled it over in a
minute. Say Mister, 'tain't no use for a feller to think he can lick
God!" (Ezek.21:26,27)
117. Marvelous the structure and the intricacy of the
mysterious operations of bees. Each bee has three pairs of legs.
The bee's nose has two to three thousand tiny sense plates. The
wings of the bee in flight beat 190 times a second, or 11,400
times a minute. The wax manufactured by hive of bees floats on
water and is strongly resistant to heat--enduring a temperature
of 140 degrees Fahrenheit before melting. No other wax has
such a high melting point.
A red clover blossom contains less than one-eighth of
grain of sugar. Seven thousand grains are required to make a
pound of honey. A bee, flitting here and there for sweetness,
must visit 56,000 clover heads for a pound of honey; and there
are about 60 flower heads to each clover head. When a bee
performs that operation 60 X 56,000, or 3,360,000 times, it
secures sweetness enough for only one pound of honey.
118. The atmosphere we breathe is composed of a
combination of nitrogen and oxygen suited perfectly for our
lungs. The distance of the earth from the sun and moon is
scientifically correct for the maintenance of life, health, and
happiness. The perpetuity of the rain and snow makes the earth
fertile. The tides of the sea keep the shore clean and fresh.
Vitamins necessary for bodily existence are provided in
abundance. Laws and forces of nature stand ready to be
harnessed for man's use. Nor does nature exist merely on a
subsistence basis. God has filled the earth with beauty and
charm. There are majestic mountains and verdant valleys. There
are tall trees and lush carpets of grass. The moonlight, the
stillness of the desert, the melodious thrill of songbirds all
witness that God has made the earth for our pleasure. Food for
man grows plentifully, and beneath the soil are abundant
minerals and oils for tools and fuel. Surely this minute
agreement between man's needs and his environmental
provision gives evidence of a miracle--working God.
119. The year's at the spring,
The day's at the morn,
 Morning's at seven,
The hillside's dew-pearled.
The lark's on the wing,
The snail's on the thorn,
God's in His heaven,
All's right with the world.
--Robert Browning
120. Few of the followers of Darwin's theory of
evolution realized how he later felt about the results of his own
speculations. Lady Hope tells of calling upon Darwin and
finding him reading the book of Hebrews, which he described
as "a royal book." Lady Hope spoke of creation and of the
treatment the Genesis account of it had received at the hands of
some. Darwin fairly wrung his hands as a look of agony came
over his face. "I was a young man," he said, "with unformed
ideas. I threw out queries, suggestions, wondering all the time
about everything. The ideas took like wildfire. People made a
religion of them. Oh, if I could only undo it!" A few weeks later
he died.
"Of all sad words of tongue or pen,
The saddest are these, 'It might have been!'"
121. Alligator, beetle, porcupine, whale,
Bobolink, panther, dragonfly, snail,
Crocodile, monkey, buffalo, hare,
Dromedary, leopard, mud turtle, bear,
Elephant, badger, pelican, ox,
Flying fish, reindeer, anaconda, fox,
Guinea pig, dolphin, antelope, goose,
Hummingbird, weasel, pickerel, moose,
Ibex, rhinoceros, owl, kangaroo,
Jackal, opossum, toad, cockatoo,
Kingfisher, peacock, anteater, bat,
Lizard, ichneumon, honeybee, rat,
Mockingbird, camel, grasshopper, mouse,
Nightingale, spider, cuttlefish, grouse,
Ocelot, pheasant, wolverine, auk,
Periwinkle, ermine, katydid, hawk,
Quail, hippopotamus, armadillo, moth,
Rattlesnake, lion, woodpecker, sloth,
Salamander, goldfish, angleworm, dog,
Tiger, flamingo, scorpion, frog,
Unicorn, ostrich, nautilus, mole,
Viper, gorilla, basilisk, sole,
Whippoorwill, beaver, centipede, fawn,
Xantho, canary, pollywog, swan,
Yellowhammer, eagle, hyena, lark,
Zebra, chameleon, butterfly, shark.
--Henry Knight
122. "Three monkeys sat in a coconut tree,
Discussing things that are said to be;
Said one to the other, 'Now listen you two,
There's a certain rumor that can't be true:
That man descended from our noble race,
The very idea is a disgrace!
"'No monkey ever deserted his wife,
Starved her babies, and ruined her life;
And you've never known a mother monk,
To leave her babies with others to bunk,
Or pass them on from one to the other,
Till they scarcely knew who is their mother.
"'And another thing you'll never see,
A monk build a fence around a coconut tree,
And let the coconuts go to waste,
Forbidding all other monks to taste;
Why, if I put a fence around a tree,
Starvation will force you to steal from me!
"'Here's another thing a monk won't do:
Go out at night and get in a stew,
Or use a gun, club or knife,
To take some other monkey's life!
Yes, man descended, the ornery cuss,
But, brother, he didn't descend from us!"
123. The noted agnostic, Colonel Robert Ingersoll,
during a visit with Henry Ward Beecher, noted a beautiful globe
portraying the constellations & stars of the heavens. "This is
just what I've been looking for," he said after examining it,
"Who made it?"
"Who made it?" repeated Beecher in simulated
astonishment. "Why Colonel, nobody made it; it just
happened."
124. In many parts of the world, the most feared of all
living creatures is the lowly ant.
At best, ants can be a nuisance, but large-bodied ants
gathered in force, living in huge nests, or traveling in armies of
uncounted millions can be a terrifying sight.
On the march, the insects become very dangerous.
Looking like a big unbroken cable snaking across the earth, the
moving ants will eat everything that gets in their way, They
overcome small animals easily, and even attack men, And the
sound of their clicking jaws can be heard some distance away.
Only fire will halt these relentless hordes of insects
and travelers who must sleep out in the open often build fire
trenches around their camps at night to protect themselves
against any surprise invasion.
The big ants do have one useful function, though. For
centuries the Indians of South America have used the powerful
jaws of the insect for suturing wounds. To do this, the torn skin
is held tightly together and a big ant is placed on the wound,
Instinctively, the insect bites, embedding its sharp mandibles in
the flesh. Then the ant's body is cut off, leaving only his sharp
pincers to act as a healing "stitch."
125. Did I ever tell you the story of what cured me of
ever shooting birds again? I was about 12 years old, & this
farmer, Fred Shultz's brother, put me out in his barn to shoot the
sparrows that were eating his chicken feed. They would sit on
this little tree in the middle of the chicken yard by the scores--
there must have been 50 to 100 of them--& he set me down
inside the barn looking through this little knothole, just a perfect
place to prop my BB gun. The poor sparrows never knew what
hit'm! It was just too easy & I kept dropping those poor
sparrows to the ground! Well , I finally got tired of it & it kind
of sickened me, because I wasn't the kind of boy that liked
violence & killing! Fred Shultz's brother wasn't even a
Christian, so I was kind of on the Devil's territory.
I went home & dreamed about it that night, & all I
could see was that tree & those birds falling! And just like the
Voice of the Lord, it came to me so strongly: "Not a sparrow
falleth but your Heavenly Father knoweth it!" (Mat.10:29) And
boy, was I under conviction! I think that was one of the first
times I ever really heard so strongly from the Lord!--And I don't
think I ever shot another bird in my whole life! I don't think I
ever shot my BB gun to kill anything after that, ever!--Dad.
126. The little cares that fretted me,
I lost them yesterday,
Among the fields above the sea,
Among the winds at play,
Among the lowing of the herds,
The rustling of the trees,
Among the singing of the birds,
The humming of the bees.
The foolish fears of what might pass,
I cast them all away,
Among the clover-scented grass,
Among the new-mown hay,
Among the hushing of the corn
Where drowsy poppies nod,
Where ill thoughts die and good are born
Out in the fields with God.
127. When God had finished the stars and whirl of
coloured suns,
He turned His mind from big things to fashion little
ones.
Beautiful tiny things (like daisies) He made, and then
He made the comical ones, in case the minds of men
Should stiffen and become
Dull, humourless and glum
And so forgetful of their Maker be
As to take even themselves - quite seriously.
Caterpillars and cats are lively and excellent puns;
All God's jokes are good - even the practical ones!
And as for the duck, I think God must have smiled a
bit,
Seeing those bright eyes blink on the day He fashioned
it.
And He's probably laughing still at the sound that
came out of it's bill!
--F.W. Harvey
128. Can you sit on top of a hill in spring,
And watch the birds sailing by on the wing,
And see the clouds drifting on in the sky,
And doubt there's a God who dwells on high?
And you watch the rainbow span the blue,
Or tread the grass full of morning dew,
Or sit by the seaside and hear the waves,
And doubt there's God who lovingly saves?
Can you watch the butterfly flit through the air,
And see the flowers blooming fragrant and fair,
Or watch the trees reaching ever above,
And doubt there's a God of wisdom and love?
Oh, dear ones!
As sure as the sun tints the west,
And the birds of the air go home to their nest,
As sure as the butterflies, birds, and bees
Flit and wander 'mid flowers and trees;
As sure as the rainbow spans the sky
There's a God who reigns forever on high,
Who will all of our joys and sorrows share,
And will over us watch with infinite care,
Our divine Redeemer; in that great above,
He watches, and waits with eternal love.
--Esther E. Rowe
129. Chinese jade dealers watch a buyer's eyes to judge
whether he will pay a high price for a specimen. Confirming
this cunning practice, psychologists have established that the
pupils of a person's eyes widen when he is looking at something
that pleases him.
130. Trees, which in winter looked like posts
Against a vacant sky,
Are now arrayed in loveliness.
They mutely testify
To resurrection glory. God
Whispered, "Time now to wake,"
And sleeping nature heard His voice
And felt His power to make
A world of emerald beauty from
The drab of bush and tree.
Each passing year spring seems more like
A miracle to me!
--Olive Weaver Ridenour
131. "BEHOLD, the nations are as a drop of a bucket,
and counted as the small dust of the balance (less than a pinch):
he taketh up the isles as a very little thing. All nations before
him are as nothing; and they are counted to him less than
nothing, and vanity" (Isaiah 40:15,17).
A volcanic eruption is more powerful than an H-
Bomb; an earthquake is one hundred thousand times more
powerful than an Atom bomb; a hurricane lifts sixty million, or
more, tons of water and generates more power every ten
seconds than all the electric power used in the United States in a
year! One flash of lightning would keep any home lit for thirty-
five years. Two years ago, Hurricane Carla, three hundred and
fifty miles in diameter, one of the most violent hurricanes in
recorded weather history, whirled in from the Gulf of Mexico
onto the coast of Texas. She had ninety times as much energy as
Russia's fifty megaton bomb and pushed forty-six million tons
of water before her.
132. The humble creatures of earth and air and sea
show forth God's thought. Insects are ingenious. The firefly that
plays hide-and-seek on a summer night shows us that insects
had a flashlight before we did.
God made it so.
The ichneumon fly has a drill with which she can bore
a hole four inches deep in a tree and deposit her eggs.
God made it so.
Beetles and carpenter bees have drills. The carpenter
bee can drill a hole fourteen inches deep.
God made it so.
There is a certain ant that makes a tunnel through a
foot of solid stone.
God made it so.
The sawfly, which worked before man had a saw, has
two tiny saws, working alternately back and forth, side by side,
to produce grooves in trees.
God made it so.
Spiders are real engineers, surpassing the architects of
the Brooklyn bridge in many ways.
God made it so.
The oak tortrix draws the edges of a leaf together with
thread until he has made a comfortable shelter for himself.
God made it so.
133. I believe with Henry W. Longfellow that if Spring
came but once in a century, instead of once a year, or burst forth
with the sound of an earthquake, & not in silence, what wonder
& expectation there would be in all hearts to behold the
miraculous change! To most men only the cessation of the
miracle would be miraculous, & the perpetual exercise of God's
power seems less wonderful than its withdrawal would be.
134. Evolution is the greatest hoax ever foisted on
human minds.
135. Scientists tell us that there are nearly a hundred
elements in the make-up of our world. These elements have
affinities and aversions, and are the playgrounds of opposing
forces, yet with all their pulling and pushing there is a nicety of
balance that is amazing to thinkers. There may be other
elements somewhere in the universe, but another one here might
upset the balance of those we have, and certainly if any one of a
dozen elements that could be named were taken away, the earth
would be a desert. God has just the right number, in the right
proportion, and they behave in exactly the right way so that all
the pulls balance all the pushes. ... Most of what man knows, he
learned from some other person's experiments or mistakes, and
after a fourth of his life spent in school, man fumbles with the
mysteries of life and matter--sometimes with an air of
profundity. God served no apprenticeships.
136. No scientific instrument is as sensitive to the light
as a person's eye. And in the dark, its sensitivity increases
100,000 times; one can detect a faint glow, less than a
thousandth as bright as a candle's flame.
137. The expressive power of the human eye is so
great that it determines, in a manner, the expression of the
whole countenance. It is almost impossible to disguise it. It is
said that gamblers rely more upon the study of the eye to
discover the state of their opponents' game than upon any other
means. Even animals are susceptible of its power. The dog
watches the eye of his master & discovers from them, before a
word is spoken, whether he is to expect a caress or apprehend
chastisement. It is said that the lion cannot attack a man so long
as the man looks him steadily in the eyes.
138. There's a part of the sun in the apple,
There's a part of the moon in a rose;
There's a part of the flaming Pleiades
In every leaf that grows.
Out of the vast comes nearness;
For the God whose love we sing
Lends a little of His heaven
To every living thing.
--Augustus Wright Bamberger
139. I love a tree,
A brave, upstanding tree!
When I am wearied in the strife,
Beaten by storms and bruised by life,
I look up at a tree and it refreshes me.
If it can keep its head held high,
And look the storms straight in the eye,
Ready to stand, ready to die,
Then by the grace of God, can I--
At least with Heaven's help, I'll try;
I love a tree, for it refreshes me.
I love a tree.
When it seems dead,
Its leaves all shorn and bared its head,
When winter flings its cold and snow,
It stands there undismayed by woe;
It stands there waiting for the spring--
A tree is such a believing thing.
I love a tree,
For it refreshes me.
--Ralph Spaulding Cushman
140. What is this life if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.
No time to stand beneath the boughs
And stare as long as sheep or cows.
No time to see, when woods we pass,
Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass.
 No time to see, in broad daylight,
Streams full of stars, like stars at night.
No time to turn at Beauty's glance,
And watch her feet, how they can dance.
No time to wait till her mouth can
Enrich that smile her eyes began.
A poor life this if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.
--William Henry Davies
141. An atheist once challenged William Paley to
disprove his contention that there was no Supreme Being. Very
quietly Paley took out his watch, opened the case, & said: "If I
were to tell you that those levers & wheels & springs made
themselves & fitted themselves together & started running on
their own account, wouldn't you question my intelligence? Of
course, you would. But look up at the stars. Every one of them
has its perfect appointed course & motion--the Earth & planets
around the Sun, & the whole group pitching along at more than
a million miles a day. Each star is another sun with its own
group of worlds, rushing on through space like our own solar
system. Yet there are no collisions, no disturbance, no
confusion. All quiet, efficient, & controlled. Is it easier to
believe that they just happened or that Someone made them
so?"
142. Automatically, the muscles of the eye relax so
that the lens is small and thick for distant viewing or they
stretch the lens to bring into focus. No wonder the eye was the
original model for cameras.
Moreover, the reason a person doesn't spit in his own
eye is because of his astonishing reflexes. Due to God's
foresight, man's eyelids automatically close when he sneezes.
At the same time his soft palate opens wide to permit expulsion
through the nasal passage. But it closes tightly when he goes to
cough, in order to channel irritants out via the throat.
143. "But how do we know God made the World?--
Why does there have to be a God at all?" To this I gave the
questioner the classic illustration of Dr. Robert A. Millikan &
the watch: This great nuclear physicist or scientist who believed
in God said: "Just as behind this watch there had to be a
watchmaker, so behind the intricate precision & timing of this
great Universe there had to be a great Creator or Designer!"
Then she brought in again about Evolution something
like: "Couldn't He have done it by the process of Evolution?"
But I said, "Well, if God is God & if He is Creator & could
make the Universe, why did He have to make it by the process
of Evolution? Why couldn't He have made it in six days just
like the Bible says?
"Evolution is a religion which has to be believed by
faith! All these discoveries such as missing links have been
proved to be either fakes or lies or guesses or theories!
Evolution is really a religion of unbelief in God! That's its
whole idea: To destroy faith in God. But as far as any proofs of
Evolution are concerned, even Margaret Meade, the great
anthropologist, although she admitted that she herself was a
firm believer (note the emphasis on believer) in evolution, she
said in her own introduction to her own textbook on
anthropology: 'Nevertheless, we as honest scientists must
confess that science has yet to discover one single iota (tiny
speck) of concrete evidence to prove it!'"--Dad
144. Scientists tell us that the sound waves set in
motion by our voices go upon an endless journey through space,
and that, had we instruments delicate enough, and the power to
take our stand upon some planet long years afterwards, we
might find them again and recreate the words we spoke.
145. A strange picture appeared on English television
screens in September, 1953. Many viewers reported seeing the
call letters of KLEE-TV in Houston, Texas. But the biggest
surprise came when British broadcasting engineers contacted
KLEE in Houston & were told that the station had not been on
the air since 1950. Apparently the English TV viewers had seen
old pictures that had been plucked out of space. Where had
those pictures been for three years? Why did it appear only in
England & how did it get back from wherever it had been?
146. Never lose an opportunity to see anything
beautiful. Beauty is God's handwriting.
147. In the Pacific off Vancouver Island, there is a
stretch of water known as "The Zone of Silence." Because this
area is acoustically dead, no sound can penetrate it. And since
no bell or siren can warn ships of dangerous reefs, the ocean
floor is studded with wrecks.
148. This is a piece too fair
To be the child of Chance, and not of Care.
No Atoms casually together hurl'd
Could e'er produce so beautiful a world.
--John Dryden
149. The Evolutionists seem to know everything about
the missing link except the fact that it is missing.
150. God made the country, & man made the town.
What wonder then that health & virtue, gifts
That can alone make sweet the bitter draught
That life holds out to all, should most abound
And least be threaten's in the fields & groves?
Possess ye, therefore, ye, who, borne about
In chariots & sedans, know no fatigue
But that of idleness, & taste no scenes
But such as art contrives, possess ye still
Your elements; there only can ye shine;
There only minds like yours can do no harm.
Our groves were planted to console at noon
The pensive wanderer in their shades. At eve
The moonbeam, sliding softly in between
The sleeping leaves, is all the light 'they wish,
Birds warbling all the music. We can spare
The splendour of your lamps; they but eclipse
Our softer satellite. Your songs confound
Our more harmonious notes: The thrush departs
Scared, & the offended nightingale is mute.
There is a public mischief in you mirth;
It plagues your country! Folly such as yours,
Graced with a sword & worthier of a fan,
Has made, which enemies could ne'er have done,
Our arch of empire, steadfast but for you,
A mutilated structure, soon to fall! (& did!)
--By William Cowper, British poet (1731-1800)

151. The spacious firmament on high,

With all the blue ethereal sky,
And spangled heav'ns a shining frame,
Their great Original proclaim:
Th'unwearied sun, from day to day,
Does his Creator's power display,
And publishes to every land
The work of an Almighty hand.

Soon as the evening shades prevail

The moon takes up the wondrous tale,
And nightly, to the listening Earth,
Repeats the story of her birth;
While all the stars that 'round her burn,
And all the planets in their turn,
Confirm the tidings as they roll,
And spread the truth from pole to pole.

What tho' in solemn silence all

Move 'round the dark terrestrial ball?
What tho' no real voice nor sound
Amid the radiant orbs be found?
In reason's ear they all rejoice,
And utter forth a glorious voice,
Forever singing, as they shine,
"The hand that made us is divine!"
--Joseph Addison, 1672-1719
CRITICISM & GOSSIP
Related Index Topics: Arguing, Speech, Positiveness,
Silence, Righteousness/Self-Righteousness.
1. A farmer's wife had spread a slanderous story about
her pastor through the village, and soon the whole countryside
had heard it. Some time later the woman became sick and
confessed the story was untrue. After her recovery she came to
the pastor and craved his pardon. The old pastor said, "Of
course I will gladly pardon you if you will comply with a wish
of mine."
"Gladly," replied the woman. "Go home, kill a black
hen, pluck the feathers, and put them in a basket and bring them
here."
In half an hour she was back. "Now," said the pastor,
"go through the village and at each street corner scatter a few of
these feathers, the remaining ones take to the top of the bell
tower and scatter them to the winds, then return." She did so.
"Now go through the village and gather the feathers again, and
see that not one is missing."
The woman looked at the pastor in astonishment and
said, "Why that is impossible! The wind has scattered them over
the fields everywhere!"
"And so," said he, "while I forgive you gladly, do not
forget that you can never undo the damage your untrue words
have done."
2. If some bit of gossip come,
File the thing away;
If a scandalous, spicy crumb,
File the thing away;
If suspicion comes to you
That your neighbour is not true,
Let me tell you what to do,--
File the thing away.
Do this for a little while,
Then go out and burn the file.
3. After counting another person's faults, multiply by
two & you will have a fair estimate of your own.
4. If you must publish someone's faults, publish your
own.
5. Most of us can live peacefully with our own faults,
but the faults of others get on our nerves.
6. The friend who is constantly trying to correct your
faults is not a friend--he's a critic.
7. A successful man is one who can lay a firm
foundation with the bricks that others throw at him.
8. You may go through the world, but 'twill be very
slow
If you listen to all that is said as you go;
You'll be worried and fretted and kept in a stew,
For meddlesome tongues must have something to do--
For people will talk.
If quiet and modest, you'll have it presumed
That your humble position is only assumed;
You're a wolf in sheep's clothing, or else you're a fool;
But don't get excited, keep perfectly cool--
For people will talk.
And then if you show the least boldness of heart,
Or slight inclination to take your own part,
They will call you an upstart, conceited and vain;
But keep straight ahead--don't stop to explain--
For people will talk.
9. During early childhood I had a fiery temper which
often caused me to say or do unkind things.
One day, after an argument had sent one of my
playmates home in tears, my father told me that for each
thoughtless, mean thing I did he would drive a nail into our
gatepost. Each time I did a kindness or a good deed, one nail
would be withdrawn.
Months passed. Each time I entered our gate, I was
reminded of the reasons for those ever-increasing nails, until
finally, getting them out became a challenge.
At last the wished-for day arrived--only one more nail!
As my father withdrew it I danced around proudly exclaiming,
"See, Daddy, the nails are all gone."
Father gazed intently at the post as he thoughtfully
replied, "Yes, the nails are gone--but the scars remain."
10. After hundreds of years, a model preacher has been
found to suit everyone. He preaches exactly 20 minutes and
then sits down. He condemns sin, but never hurts anyone's
feelings.
He works from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. in every type of work
from preaching to custodial service. He gives $60 a week to the
church. He also stands ready to contribute to every good work
that comes along.
He is 26 years old and has been preaching for 30 years.
He is tall and short, thin, heavyset, and handsome. He has one
brown eye and one blue, hair parted down the middle, left side
dark and straight, the right brown and wavy.
He has a burning desire to work with teenagers, and
spends all his time with older folks. He smiles all the time with
a straight face because he has a sense of humor that keeps him
seriously dedicated to his work.
He makes 15 calls a day on church members, spends
all his time evangelizing the unchurched, and is never out of his
office.
11. You can't hold another fellow down in the ditch
unless you stay down there with him.
12. The slanderer differs from the assassin only in that
he murders the reputation instead the body.
13. The size of the other man's faults depends on how
much they annoy you.
14. A good memory test is to recall all the kind things
you have said about your neighbour.
15. Kind words are short to speak, but their echoes are
endless.
16. A little seed lay in the ground,
And soon began to sprout;
"Now which of all the flowers around,"
It mused, "Shall I come out?
The lily's face is fair, and proud,
But just a trifle cold;
The rose, I think is rather loud,
And then, its fashion's old.
The violet is all very well,
But not a flower I'd choose,
Nor yet the Canterbury bell,
I never cared for blues."
And so it criticized each flower,
This supercilious seed,
Until it woke one summer hour,
AND FOUND ITSELF A WEED!
17. Dr. Mclean tells how he was rebuked and humbled
on a certain occasion when he repeated a grave matter he had
heard to a friend. His friend opened his Bible to Deuteronomy
13:14 and read: "If thou shalt hear say ... then shalt thou
enquire, and make search, and ask diligently; and behold, if it
be truth, and the thing certain that such abomination is wrought
among you ..."
Then his friend turned quietly to him and asked: "Have
you, dear brother, enquired?"
"Have you 'made search?'
"Did you 'ask diligently?'
"Did you try and find out if the story is true?
"And is the thing 'certain?'
"Is it certain that 'such abomination is wrought among
you?'"
Dr. Mclean says he could only acknowledge
regretfully that he had not fulfilled any one condition and was
repeating the tale from hearsay without making the slightest
attempt to act thereon in a Scriptural way.
18. If you're not mature enough to take criticism,
you're too immature for praise.
19. The idea some people have of keeping a secret is
lowering their voices when they tell it.
20. Some folks' idea of keeping a secret is merely
refusing to tell who told it to them.
21. The man with a new idea is often considered a
crank until the idea succeeds.
22. Plant a little gossip & you will reap a harvest of
regret.
23. I stood on the streets of a busy town,
Watching men tearing a building down:
With a "Ho, heave, ho," and a lusty yell,
They swung a beam and a sidewall fell.
I asked the foreman of the crew,
"Are those men as skilled as those you'd hire if you
wanted to build?"
"Ah, no," he said, "no indeed.
Just common labor is all I need.
I can tear down as much in a day or two,
As would take skilled men a year to do."
And then I thought as I went on my way,
Just which of these two roles am I trying to play?
Have I walked life's road with care,
Measuring each deed with rule and square?
Or am I one of those who roam the town,
Content with the labor of tearing down?
24. David H. Fink, author of Release from Nervous
Tension, wrote an article for the Coronet Magazine, in which he
made a striking suggestion as to how we can overcome mental
and emotional tensions.
As a psychiatrist for the Veterans Administration he
was familiar with 10,000 case histories in this field. Thousands
of people, who were mentally and emotionally "tied up" had
asked Dr. Fink for some short, magic-button cure for
nervousness. In his search for such a cure he studied two
groups; the first group was made up of thousands of people who
were suffering from mental and emotional disturbances; the
second group contained only those, thousands of them, who
were free from such tensions.
Gradually one fact began to stand out: those who
suffered from extreme tension had one trait in common-they
were habitual faultfinders, constant critics of people and things
around them. Whereas the men and women who were free of all
tensions were the least faultfinding. It would seem that the habit
of criticizing is a prelude or mark of the nervous, and of the
mentally unbalanced.
25. While contending with the manifold problems of
geography and climate in the building of the Panama Canal,
Colonel George Washington Goethals had to endure the carping
criticism of countless busybodies back home who freely
predicted that he would never complete his great task. But the
resolute builder pressed steadily forward in his work, and said
nothing.
"Aren't you going to answer your critics?" a
subordinate inquired.
"In time," Goethals replied.
"How?"
The great engineer smiled. "With the canal," he
replied.
26. We usually admire the other fellow more after we
have tried to do his job.
27. At no time is a little knowledge more dangerous
than when you are using it to start a rumour.
28. Gossip is one form of crime for which the law
provides no punishment.
29. Gossip is like mud thrown on a clean wall. It may
not stick but it always leaves a dirty mark.
30. Gossip is what might be called "ear pollution."
31. Pray don't find fault with a man who limps
Or stumbles along the road,
Unless you have worn the shoes he wears
Or struggled beneath his load.
There may be tacks in his shoes that hurt,
Though hidden away from view,
Or the burden he bears, placed on your back,
Might cause you to stumble, too.
Don't sneer at the man who is down today,
Unless you have felt the blow
That caused his fall, or felt the shame
That only the fallen know.
You may be strong, but still the blows
That were his, if dealt to you
In the self same way at the self same time,
Might cause you to stagger, too.
Don't be too harsh with a man who sins,
Or pelt him with words or stones,
Unless you are sure, yea, doubly sure,
That you have not sins of your own.
For you know, perhaps, if the tempter's voice
Should whisper as soft to you
As it did to him when he went astray
"Twould cause you to falter, too."
32. Fear of criticism is the kiss of death in the
courtship of achievement.
33. The human race is divided into two classes--those
who go ahead and do something and those who sit still and
inquire, "Why wasn't it done the other way?" --Oliver Wendell
Holmes
34. A preacher had on his desk a special book labeled
"Complaints of members against one another." When one of his
people called to tell him the faults of another he would say,
"Well, here's my complaint book. I'll write down what you say,
and you can sign it. Then when I have to take up the matter
officially I shall know what I may expect you to testify to." The
sight of the open book and the ready pen had its effect, "Oh, no,
I couldn't sign anything like that!" and no entry was made. The
preacher said he kept the book for forty years, opened it
probably a thousand times, and never wrote a line in it.
35. Believe not half you hear; repeat not half you
believe; when you hear an evil report, halve it, then quarter it, &
say nothing about the rest of it.
36. One of the easiest habits for any human being to
acquire is the habit of criticising others.--Spiros Zodhiates
37. You have to be little to belittle.
38. Prophets of God have usually been on the receiving
end of more mud than medals.
39. Both Dr. Henry Clay Trumbull and Dr. Charles G.
Trumbull, the illustrious editors of The Sunday School Times,
used to say that when criticism comes we ought to see whether
there is any truth in it, and learn from that truth, and not let our
thoughts be distracted by the fact that the criticism may not
have been given in the right spirit.
In the face of criticism, by word or by letter, it is well
to
(1) Commit the matter instantly to God,
asking Him to remove all resentment or counter-criticism on
our part, and teach us needed lessons;
(2) "Consider him that endured such
contradictions of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and
faint in your minds," remembering that we ourselves are very
great sinners, and that the one who has criticized us does not
really know the worst;
(3) Take account of the personal bias of the
speaker or writer;
(4) Remember that "a soft answer turneth
away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger" (Prov.15:1);
(5) If the criticism is true, and we have made
a mistake or committed a sin, let us humbly and frankly confess
our sin to Him, and to anyone whom we may have injured;
(6) Learn afresh that we are fallible, and that
we need His grace and wisdom moment by moment to keep us
in the straight path;
(7) Then,--and not until then--"forgetting
those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those
things which are before ... press toward the mark for the prize of
the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."
40. The moon could not go on shining if it paid any
attention to the little dogs that bark at it.
41. Sometimes a reprimand is only a grouch in
disguise.
42. The critic is a person who has you write it, sing it,
play it, paint it, or carve it as he would--if he could!
43. Search thy own heart; what paineth thee in others
in thyself may be.
44. Wisdom teaches us to wink at many of the injuries
that are done to us, & act as if we did not see them.
45. The person who is never criticised is not breathing.
46. It's not the people who tell all they know who start
trouble--it's the people who tell more than they know.
47. Before criticising a sermon, why not consider how
much it actually cost you? You might conclude that you got
your money's worth.
48. Never be afraid to test yourself by your critic's
words.
49. To all my faults my eyes are blind;
Mine are the sins I cannot find.
But your mistakes I see aplenty;
For them my eyes are twenty-twenty.
50. F.W. Boreham tells of the happy soul whose home
is the Other End of Nowhere. He has two pockets. One has a
hole in it and the other is carefully watched that no hole
develops in it. Everything that he hears of a hurtful nature--
insult, cutting remark, gossip, unclean suggestion, or any such
thing--he writes on a piece of paper and sticks it into his pocket
with the hole. Everything which he hears that is kind, true, and
helpful, he writes on a piece of paper and puts it in the pocket
without the hole.
At night he turns out all that is in the pocket without
the hole, goes over all that he had put into it during the day, and
thoroughly enjoys all the good things that have come his way
that day.
Then he sticks his hand into the pocket with the hole
and finds nothing there, so he laughs and rejoices that there are
no evil things to rehearse. Too many of us reverse the other,
putting the evil things in the pocket without the hole so that we
can mull over them again and again, and the good things in the
pocket with the hole so that they are quickly forgotten. Paul's
way was: "whatsoever things are true...think on these things."
51. A guest sees more in an hour than the host in a
year.
52. Do you know that a man was once court-martialed
and sentenced to a year's imprisonment for being a discourager?
It happened during the Boer War at the siege of Ladysmith. The
fortunes of the town and garrison were hanging in the balance.
This civilian would go along the lines and speak discouraging
words to the men on duty. He struck no blow for the enemy, not
one. He was just a discourager, and that at a critical time. The
court-martial judged it a crime to speak disheartening words in
an hour like that.
53. "My talent is to speak my mind," said a woman to
John Wesley.
To which Wesley answered, "I am sure, sister, that
God wouldn't object if you buried that talent."
54. Slander has a marvellous way of driving us into the
arms of our Heavenly Father.
55. How lamentable is the way we praise the dead
saints & persecute the living ones!
56. Advice is like castor oil. It is easy enough to give,
but dreadfully uneasy to take.
57. A good thing to remember, & a better thing to do;
is to work with the construction gang & not the wrecking crew.
58. In a small village in which there was only one
church that almost every member of the community attended,
one woman made life difficult, often, by her constant prying
into the affairs of her neighbors. One day when the rector of the
church was trying to show the woman the harm she was doing,
she said: "Oh well, just prying into my neighbors affairs isn't as
bad as what Mrs. So-and-so does. She gets drunk."
"Madam," replied the rector, "your sin is classed with
murder, and with stealing, in God's Word." (Mt.15:19)
59. Several years ago a Santa Fe train was speeding
through Oklahoma. In one of the coaches sat a young woman
desperately trying to take care of a restless baby, whose crying
was evidently annoying some of the passengers.
Across the aisle sat a stout fellow, a picture of comfort
and rich living. He glowered over at the woman and shouted:
"Can't you keep that child quiet?" On taking a further look at
the young lady, he noticed that her dress was one of mourning.
Then he heard her say gently: "I cannot help it. The
child is not mine. I am doing my best."
"Where is its mother?" asked the portly passenger.
"In her coffin, sir," answered the young lady, "in the
baggage car up ahead."
The steely eyes of the fat fellow filled with tears. He
got up, took the babe in his arms, kissed it, and then walked up
and down the aisle with the child, trying his best to soothe the
motherless little one and make up for his harshness.
60. It is said that a minister dreamed he was hitched to
a covered wagon, and was laboriously, but slowly, pulling it
along, until he reached a place in the road where the mud
seemed to get deeper, and it was with much difficulty that he
moved the wagon a few inches at a time.
He thought it rather peculiar, as the last time he looked
back he thought he saw the entire congregation pushing. But the
longer and harder he pulled, the more difficult it became to
move the wagon.
Finally, almost exhausted, he went to the rear to
examine the source of the trouble. All the church members had
quit pushing. Not only had they quit pushing but they were
sitting in the wagon and were criticizing the pastor for not
pulling the church along faster.
Was it really a dream?
61. No one should judge another person by what that
person's enemies say about him.
62. After a man makes his mark in the World, a lot of
people will come around with an eraser.
63. Instead of letting their light shine, some people
spend their time trying to put out the lights of others.
64. Don't mind the fellow who belittles you; he's only
trying to cut you down to his size.
65. The typographical error
Is a slippery thing and sly
You can hunt till you are dizzy,
But it somehow will get by.
Till the forms are off the presses,
It is strange how still it keeps
It shrinks down into a corner
And it never stirs or peeps,
That typographical error,
Too small for human eyes!
Till the ink is on the paper
When it grows to mountain size,
The boss he stares with horror,
Then he grabs his hair and groans.
The copy reader drops his head
Upon his hands and moans--
The remainder of the issues
May be clean as clean can be,
But that typographical error
Is the only thing you see.
66. As an old minister, five years in my first pastorate
and forty-one in the second, I would pass on an encouraging
hint to younger brethren. I left my first pastorate scared away by
criticism, afterwards to learn the noise had all been made by one
man. One man in a church, community, or organization, may by
loud and persistent effort create the impression that matters are
all wrong and that everybody is demanding a remedy; which
puts me in mind of the old story about the "frog farm."
A farmer advertised a "frog farm" for sale, claiming
that he had a pond that was thoroughly stocked with fine
bullfrogs.
A prospective buyer appeared and was taken late one
warm evening to the pond that he might hear the frogs. The
"music" made so favorable an impression on the buyer that the
sale was made.
Soon afterward the purchaser proceeded to drain the
pond in order to catch and market the frogs. To his surprise,
when the water was drained out of the pond, he found that all
the noise had been made by one old bullfrog.
67. Said a fault-finding minister to Bishop Ryle as they
sat in one of Moody's meetings in England, "Do you hear that
young Yankee smashing the Queen's English?"
Replied Bishop Ryle, "Yes, but do you see him
breaking sinners' hearts in the gallery?"
68. A critic is one who points out how imperfectly
other people do what the critic does not do at all.
69. The trouble with most Christians today is that they
would rather be on the judgement seat than on the witness
stand.
70. Rumour is the most buoyant thing there is. It is
easy to float one & hard to sink it.
71. Rumour is like a check: Don't endorse it until
you're sure it's genuine.
72. When over the fair fame of friend or foe
The shadow of disgrace shall fall; instead
Of words of blame, or proof of so and so,
Let something good be said.
Forget not that no fellow-being yet
May fall so low but love may lift his head;
Even the cheek of shame with tears is wet,
If something good be said.
No generous heart may vainly turn aside
In ways of sympathy; no soul so dead
But may awaken strong and glorified,
If something good be said.
And so I charge ye, by the thorny crown,
And by the cross on which the Saviour bled,
And by your own soul's hope for fair renown,
Let something good be said.
--James Whitcomb Riley (1849-1916)
73. When Matthew C. Brush was president of the
American International Corporation at 40 Wall Street, I asked
him if he was ever sensitive to criticism, & he replied, "Yes, I
was very sensitive to it in my early days. I was eager then to
have all the employees in the organisation think I was perfect. If
they didn't, it worried me. I would try to please first one person
who had been sounding off against me; but the very thing I did
to patch it up with him would make someone else mad. Then
when I tried to fix it up with this person, I would stir up a
couple of other bumblebees. I finally discovered that the more I
tried to pacify & to smooth over injured feelings in order to
escape personal criticism, the more certain I was to increase my
enemies. So finally I said to myself, "If you get your head
above the crowd, you're going to be criticised. So get used to
the idea." That helped me tremendously. From that time on I
made it a rule to do the very best I could & then put up my old
umbrella & let the rain of criticism drain off me instead of run
down my neck."
74. Aesop has a fable of three bulls that fed in a field
together in the greatest peace and safety. A lion had long
watched them in the hope of making prey of them, but found
little chance so long as they kept together. He therefore began
secretly to spread evil and slanderous reports of one against
another till he fomented jealousy and distrust among them.
Soon they began to avoid each other and each took to feeding
alone. This gave the lion the opportunity it had been wanting.
He fell on them singly and made an easy prey of them all.
It is true of God's people that--"united, they stand;
divided, they fall." (Ps.133.1; 1Cor.1.10)
75. "The boneless tongue, so small and weak,
Can crush and kill," declares the Greek.
"The tongue destroys a greater horde,"
The Turk asserts, "than does the sword."
A Persian proverb wisely saith,
"A lengthy tongue--an early death."
Or sometimes takes this form instead,
"Don't let your tongue cut off your head."
"The tongue can speak a word whose speed,"
The Chinese say, "outstrips the steed."
While Arab sages this impart,
"The tongue"s great storehouse is the heart."
From Hebrew writ this maxim sprung,
"Though feet should slip, ne"er let the tongue."
The sacred writer crowns the whole:
"Who keeps his tongue doth keep his soul!"
(Prov.21.23; 1Pet.3.10)
76. One Sunday morning, just before service, a note
was handed to the Rev. Henry Ward Beecher. The famous
clergyman discovered that it contained a single word: "fool."
Mr. Beecher arose, described the communication to his
congregation, and added, "I have known many an instance of a
man writing a letter and forgetting to sign his name, but this is
the first case I have ever known of a man signing his name and
forgetting to write the letter."
77. An evangelist, when someone approached him
with a story about a sister, said to the gossip, "Before you say
anything about that person, I should like to ask you three
questions:
"First, will it do me any good if you tell me your story?
"Second, will it do you any good to tell it?
"Third, will it do the sister about whom you have come
to tell me any good?"
Needless to say, the slander was never uttered.
(2Thess.3:11; 1Tim.5:13; 1Pet.4:15)
78. It is well to remember that mansions in the sky
cannot be built out of the mud thrown at others.
79. Stones and sticks are thrown only at fruit-bearing
trees.
80. To avoid criticism say nothing, do nothing, be
nothing!
81. When I start to find fault with all that I see, it is
time to start looking for what's wrong with me.
82. We should cover the faults of our fellow-workers
with a cloak of charity, because we may need a circus tent to
cover our own.
83. Beware of a half-truth--you may have gotten the
wrong half.
84. If you must throw cold water on everything, then
get a job as a fireman.
85. One of the easiest things to find is fault.
86. The person who is always finding fault seldom
finds anything else.
87. When you deplore the condition of the World, ask
yourself, "Am I part of the problem or part of the solution?"
88. If faultfinding were electrified, some people would
be a powerhouse.
89. Faultfinding is as dangerous as it is easy.
90. The way some people find fault you'd think there
was a reward.
91. Faultfinding without suggestions for improvement
is a waste of time.
92. Faultfinding is one talent that ought to be buried, &
the grave forgotten.
 93. We do not get rid of our faults by calling attention
to the faults of others.
94. It's a pity that some folks never learn that
uncovering the other fellow's faults will never cover up their
own.
95. One of the surest marks of good character is a
man's ability to accept personal criticism without feeling malice
toward the one who gives it.
96. Adverse criticism from a wise man is more to be
desired than the enthusiastic approval of a fool.
97. Criticism is like dynamite. It has its place, but
should be handled only by experts!--Constructively.
98. Criticism should always leave a person with the
feeling he has been helped.
99. Never fear criticism when you're right; never
ignore criticism when you're wrong.
100. Criticising an egg is a lot easier than laying one.
101. You can always tell a failure by the way he
criticises success.
102. Throwing mud at another man only soils your
own hands.
103. You'll never move up if you're continually
running somebody down.
104. The difference between coaching & criticism is
your attitude.
105. Small minds are the first to criticise large ideas.
106. It takes a big man to sympathise--a little man can
criticise, & usually does.
107. When the other fellow finds a flaw in almost
everything, he's cranky; when you do, you're discriminating.
108. Many people have the mistaken idea that they can
make themselves great by showing how small someone else is.
109. The critical tongue gets its orders from an
untrained eye, an unthoughtful mind, & an ungrateful heart.
110. There's only one way to handle the ignorant or
malicious critic. Ignore him.
111. The critic who begins with himself will be too
busy to take on outside contracts.
112. I will speak ill of no man, not even in a matter of
truth, but rather excuse the fault I hear, &, upon proper
occasions, speak all the good I know of everybody.--Benjamin
Franklin
113. Gossip is like a balloon--it grows bigger with
every puff.
114. Gossip is when someone gets wind of something
& treats it like a cyclone.
115. It isn't difficult to make a mountain out of a
molehill--just add a little dirt.
116. Let's keep our mouths shut & our pens dry until
we know the facts.
117. There is nothing as effective as a bunch of facts to
spoil a good rumour.
118. There are no idle rumours. They are all busy.
119. Whenever we fan the flames of a rumour, we're
likely to get burned ourselves.
120. Don't mind criticism. If it's untrue, disregard it; if
it's unfair, keep from irritation; if it's ignorant, smile; if it's
justified, learn from it.
121. If your head sticks up above the crowd, expect
more criticism than bouquets.
122. One of the hardest things to take is one of the
easiest things to give--criticism.
123. If you are afraid of criticism, you'll die doing
nothing.
124. It is better to be criticised than to be ignored.
125. Criticism wouldn't be so hard to take if it weren't
so often right.
126. You don't have time to criticise when you
harmonise, sympathise & evangelise.
127. Nobody can make a fool out of another person if
he isn't the right kind of material for the job.
128. In a vision John Bunyan saw a man throwing
water on a flame, & yet the flame continued to burn. He
wondered how it could burn on--until he saw that there was one
behind the door pouring oil on the flame!
129. The people who like to think negatively will cling
to their conviction in the face of the most obvious contradiction.
The story is told that when Robert Fulton gave the first public
demonstration of a steamboat, one of the "impossible" fellows
stood in the crowd along the shore shouting, "He can't start it!"
Suddenly there was a belch of steam & the boat began to move
forward slowly. Startled, the man stared for a moment & then
began to yell, "He can't stop'r!"
130. A lady came to the judge because she wanted to
divorce her husband. There were many little things in their
relationship which she thought good enough reasons to break up
their marriage, so when the judge asked, "Well, what is
wrong?" the lady answered, "Oh, he doesn't hang up his clothes
& he sometimes sits at the table without having washed his
hands ... ," & on & on & on & on. But when the judge asked
her, "Well, is he a good father to the children & does he provide
well?" She only could answer those important questions
positively, so the judge suggested that she go home & in the
following 30 days to really think of the good things & see the
good things in her husband. And then afterwards if she still
thought she wanted to be divorced, she should come back again.
But the judge never saw her again!--What a wise judge! It's so
often the little thins which break up relationships, so let's think
of those things which are of good report!
131. One elderly lady in my Pennsylvania pastorate
called at the parsonage in the role of a self-appointed informant.
Before I could check her, she had laid low a member of the
church. Before she could say more, I said, "Wouldn't it be
Christian charity to have the individual, of whom you have
spoken so ill, present to answer for himself any further
accusations you may make against him?" Then I started toward
the phone as if I was going to call the man. "Oh," she pleaded,
"please don't! I confess that I have been sinful & un-Christian in
my attitude toward that person. Do pray that God will cleanse
my heart of this sin. It has rendered me powerless, joyless & has
made me largely unusable in God's service."
132. There is so much good in the worst of us,
And so much bad in the best of us,
That it hardly behooves any of us
To talk about the rest of us.
--Edward Hoch
133. He criticized her pudding,
He didn't like her cake,
He wished that she'd make biscuits
Like Mother used to make.
She didn't wash the dishes,
She didn't make a stew,
And she didn't darn his socks
Like Mother used to do.
So when one day he went the
Same ole rigmarole through,
She turned & boxed his ears,
Just like Mother used to do.
134. If we are tempted to be worried about unjust
criticism, here is a vital rule:
Remember that unjust criticism is often a disguised
compliment. Remember that no one ever kicks a dead dog.
135. When you get to know a fellow, know his joy &
know his cares,
When you've come to understand him & the burdens
that he bears,
When you've learned the fight he's making & the
troubles in his way,
Then you find that he is different than you thought him
yesterday.
You find his faults are trivial & there's not so much to
blame
In the brother that you jeered at when you only knew
his name.
You are quick to see the blemish in the distant
neighbour's style,
You can point to all his errors & may sneer at him the
while,
And your prejudices fatten & your hates more violent
grow
As you talk about the failures of the man you do not
know,
But when drawn a little closer, & your hands &
shoulders touch,
You find the traits you hated really don't amount to
much.
When you get to know a fellow, know his every mood
& whim,
You begin to find the texture of the splendid side of
him;
You begin to understand him, & you cease to scoff &
sneer,
For with understanding prejudices always disappear.
You begin to find his virtues & his faults you cease to
tell,
For you seldom hate a fellow when you know him very
well.
When next you start in sneering & your phrases turn to
blame,
Know more of him you censure than his business & his
name;
For it's likely that acquaintance would your prejudice
dispel
And you'd really come to like him if you knew him
very well.
When you get to know a fellow & you understand his
ways,
Then his faults won't really matter, for you'll find a lot
to praise.
136. In the mountains of Mexico lived a man called
Pablo. Pablo's family was very poor & simple & they had to
work hard on their small farm to make a living. Over many long
months they had saved their money to buy a donkey which
would be able to pull their plow & carry heavy loads. At last
they had enough money, & he & his son Juan walked the long,
dusty road to town. There they bought a sturdy little donkey in
the marketplace & soon they were leading it through the town
on the road back home.
"Can I ride the donkey, please?" Juan asked.
"Of course!" his father answered, lifting him up onto
the donkey's back. "In fact, a good donkey should be able to
carry me too!" he said, climbing onto the donkey's back with
Juan. They had not gone far when an old man indignantly
muttered, "How terribly cruel you are to that poor little donkey,
making it carry both of you!" Juan's father was hurt &
embarrassed & got off the donkey & led it along with Juan
riding on it.
It was not long before a stern-looking woman sharply
chided, "Oh, look how cruel that boy is to let his poor old father
walk!"
Now Juan felt bad. He got down from the donkey &
began walking & his father got back on the beast's back. They
hadn't gone 50 paces before someone from the crowd called out,
"Senor! How cruel you are to make your tired little boy walk
while you ride!" Embarrassed, Juan's father got off & they both
walked, looking dejectedly at the ground as they led their
donkey out of the village! A few minutes later they passed a
group of men who began laughing at them; one of them said
sarcasticly, "Look how ridiculous they are! They've got a
donkey, but they're both walking!" Another called out to Juan's
father tauntingly, "Why don't you do the donkey a favour then
& carry him?"
Juan's father was now angry. "What a good idea!" he
said to the men. "It seems that some people will criticize &
complain, no matter what you do to try to please them! So I
might just as well learn how to carry my donkey too, if I am
going to live my life by the opinions of others!" And with that,
he tied the donkey's legs to a pole, & he & Juan carried the
donkey the last way out of town with the townspeople looking
on astonished. Then they set the donkey down, untied it, & had
a good laugh at the people of the town who were all staring at
them. Never again would they let the criticism of opinionated
people tell them what to do!
137. If you are tempted to reveal
A tale to you someone has told
About another, make it pass,
Before you speak, three gates of gold.
These narrow gates: First, "Is it true?"
Then, "Is it needful?" In your mind
Give truthful answer. And the next
Is last and narrowest, "Is it kind?"
And if to reach your lips at last
It passes through these gateways three,
Then you may tell the tale, nor fear
What the result of speech may be.
138. The merchant Guyot lived and died in the town of
Marseilles in France. He amassed a large fortune by the most
laborious industry and by habits of the severest abstinence and
privation. His neighbors considered him a miser and thought he
was hoarding up money from mean and avaricious motives. The
populace, whenever he appeared, pursued him with hootings
and execrations, and the boys sometimes threw stones at him.
At length he died and in his will were found the following
words: "Having observed from my infancy that the poor of
Marseilles are badly supplied with water which they can only
purchase at a high price, I have cheerfully labored the whole of
my life to procure for them this great blessing, and I direct that
the whole of my property be laid out in building an aqueduct for
their use."
139. Our spiritual enemy is always looking for a
weakness, a way to enter our defenses, & is casting fiery darts
into the city of our fellowship trying to sow dissension,
jealousy, covetousness, bickering, selfishness, & internal
discord so we'll get so busy fighting amongst ourselves we
won't even notice that our walls of spiritual strength are
crumbling from neglect & smouldering with sin, giving a place
for the Enemy to enter in & destroy us & God's Work.
140. A critical spirit comes from self-righteousness! If
you know you're a mess yourself, you don't go around
criticising other people for their mistakes, but if you think
you're so righteous, that's when you start picking on other
people.
141. Criticism isn't the problem, it's just a symptom.--
A lack of Love is the problem!
142. Never start criticising & being so picky over some
details, that you miss the whole point of what's being brought
out & the whole conclusion!
143. It is possible to learn from an enemy things we
can't learn from a friend.
144. The difference between our friends & our
enemies is this: Our friends love us in spite of our faults, & our
enemies hate us in spite of our virtues.
145. A smile in giving honest criticism can make the
difference between resentment and reform.
146. I do the best I know how, the very best I can; & I
mean to keep on doing it to the end. If the end brings me out all
right, what is said against me will not amount to anything. If the
end brings me out all wrong, ten angels swearing I was right
would make no difference.--Abraham Lincoln
DEATH
Related Index Topics: Heaven, Hell, Loss, Martyrs,
Resurrection, Rewards.
1. I am standing on the seashore. A ship spreads her
white sails to the morning breeze & starts for the ocean. I stand
watching her until she fades on the horizon, & someone at my
side says, "She is gone." Gone where? The loss of sight is in
me, not in her. Just at the moment when someone says, "She is
gone," there are others who are watching her coming. Other
voices take up the glad shout, "Here she comes," & that is
dying.--Henry Scott Holland.
2. Realizing that he would soon be gone from this
world one day, Moody said to a friend, "Someday you will read
in the papers that D.L. Moody of Northfield is dead. Don't you
believe a word of it.
"At that moment I shall be more alive than I am now. I
shall have gone higher, that is all--out of this old clay tenement
into a house that is immortal, a body that sin cannot touch, that
sin cannot taint, a body fashioned like His glorious body. I was
born in the flesh in 1837; I was born of the Spirit in 1856. That
which is born of the flesh may die; that which is born of the
Spirit will live forever."
3. Dr. Wernher von Braun, well-known for his part in
the U.S. space program, says he has "essentially scientific"
reasons for believing in life after death. He explained: "Science
has found that nothing can disappear without a trace. Nature
does not know extinction. All it knows is transformation. If God
applies the fundamental principle to the most minute and
insignificant parts of the universe, doesn't it make sense to
assume that He applies it to the masterpiece of His creation--the
human soul? I think it does."
4. So live that when the preacher has ended his
remarks over your grave, those present will not think they have
attended the wrong funeral.
5. When we die we leave behind us all that we have &
take with us all that we are.
6. So live that when death comes the mourners will
outnumber the cheering section.
7. He whose head is in Heaven need not fear to put his
feet into the grave.
8. When Benjamin Franklin was about to die, he asked
that a picture of Christ on the Cross should be so placed in his
bedroom that he could look, as he said, "upon the form of the
Silent Sufferer."
He wrote in advance the epitaph to be on his
gravestone: "The body of Benjamin Franklin, Printer, like the
cover of an old book, its contents torn out and stripped of its
lettering and gilding, lies here...Yet the Work itself shall not be
lost; for it will, as he believed, appear once more in a new and
more beautiful edition, corrected and amended by the Author."
9. An elderly Christian was in much distress as he lay
dying. "Oh, Pastor," he said, "for years I have relied upon the
promises of God, but now in the hour of death I can't remember
a single one to comfort me." Knowing that Satan was disturbing
him, the preacher said, "My brother, do you think that GOD
will forget any of His promises?" A smile came over the face of
the dying believer as he exclaimed joyfully, "No, no! He won't!
Praise the Lord, now I can fall asleep in Jesus and trust Him to
remember them all and bring me safely to Heaven." Peace
flooded his soul, and a short time later he was ushered by the
angels into the light of God's eternal day.
10. For those who have to repeat the dying words of a
noted infidel: "I'm taking a leap in the dark."
Now for the contrast. A lad lay dying. Said his mother
tenderly: "Is Jesus with you in the dark valley?"
"Dark valley!" he whispered, "it's not dark, it's getting
brighter and brighter, Mother. Oh," he murmured, "it's so bright
now, that I have to shut my eyes!"
And so he passed away to be with Jesus, who said, "He
that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the
light of life."
11. In ancient Rome a guard felt sorry for a Christian
prisoner, who was soon to die because of his faith in Christ. He
secretly allowed his daughter to visit him. After she was gone
the guard stared at his prisoner. "Why do you gaze at me? "he
asked. "Because you do not seem worried," was the answer.
"You are to die tomorrow. Tonight you saw your daughter for
the last time." "Oh, but you are wrong," exclaimed the prisoner.
"I shall see her again. My daughter is a Christian, too. She will
soon follow me. Christians never see one another for the last
time. They meet in heaven, there to live forever. Now do you
understand why I am happy and why I am ready to die for my
Christian faith?"
12. My happiest moment will be when God puts His
hand on my heart & stops it beating.
 13. Death for the Christian is an honourable discharge Of a soul made free
from the battles of life. Of God's sweet liberty.

14. Death is but a physical incident in an immortal --No windows darkened;

career. For my own
Will be flung wide, as ne'er before,
15. Death is not extinguishing the light; it is putting To catch the radiant inpour
out the lamp because the dawn has come. Of Love that shall in full atone
For all the ills that I have done;
16. When death becomes the property of the believer it And the good things left undone;
receives a new name & is called sleep. --No voices hushed;
My own, full-flushed
17. THINK: With an immortal hope, will rise
Of stepping on shore In ecstasies of new-born bliss
And finding it Heaven! And joyful melodies.

Of taking hold of a hand Rather, of your sweet courtesy,

And finding it God's Hand! Rejoice with me
At my soul's loosing from captivity.
Of breathing a new air Wish me "Bon Voyage!"
And finding it celestial air! As you do a friend
Whose joyous visit finds its happy end.
Of feeling invigorated And bid me both "a Dieu!"
And finding it immortality! And "au revoir!"
Since, though I come no more,
Of passing from storm and tempest I shall be waiting there to greet you,
To an unbroken calm; At His Door.

Of waking up and finding And, as the feet of The Bearers tread

Yourself HOME! The ways I trod,
--Robert E. Selle Think not of me as dead,
But rather--
18. The following is a quotation from the words of Dr. "Happy, thrice happy, he whose course is sped!
W. B. Hinson, speaking from the pulpit a year after the He has gone home--to God,
commencement of the illness from which he ultimately died: "I His Father!"
remember a year ago when a doctor in this city said, 'You are --John Oxenham
going to die, Walt.'
" I walked out to where I live, five miles out of this 20. Be sure to celebrate my funeral scripturally & send
city, and I looked across at that mountain that I love, and I "Hallelujahs" all around. It is a better day than one's wedding
looked at the river in which I rejoice, and I looked at the stately day.--C.T. Studd
trees that are always God's own poetry to my soul.
"Then in the evening I looked up into the great sky 21. A dying man is a balloon throwing down its
where God was lighting his lamps, and I said: 'I may not see ballast.
you many more times, but, Mountain, I shall be alive when you
are gone; and, River, I shall be alive when you cease running 22. Death is the funeral of all our sorrows.
toward the sea; and, Stars, I shall be alive when you have fallen
from your sockets in the great down-pulling of the material 23. We are not here to stay; we are here to go.
universe!"' This is the confidence of one who knew the Saviour.
Is it yours? 24. When death strikes the Christian down, he falls
into Heaven.
19. As you love me, let there be
No mourning when I go,-- 25. Death to a saint is nothing but the taking of a sweet
No tearful eyes, flower out of this wilderness, & planting of it in the garden of
No hopeless sighs, paradise.
No woe,--nor even sadness!
Indeed I would not have you sad, 26. "Sisters and brothers, little maid,
For I myself shall be full glad, How many may you be?"
With the high triumphant gladness 'How many? Seven in all,' she said,
 And, wondering, looked at me.
"And where are they? I pray you tell?"
She answered, 'Seven are we;
And two of us at Conway dwell,
And two are gone to sea.'
"'Two of us in the churchyard lie,
My sister and my brother;
And, in the churchyard cottage, I
Dwell near them with my Mother.'
"How many are you, then" said I
"If they two are in heaven?"
The little maiden did reply,
'O master, we are seven!'
"But they are dead; those two are dead;
Their spirits are in heaven!"
'Twas throwing words away; for still
The little maid would have her will,
And say, 'Nay, we are seven!'"
--Wordsworth
27. A believer's last day is his best day.
28. Dying saints my be justly envied, while living
sinners are justly pitied.
29. Death is the foreshadowing of life. We die that we
may die no more.
30. Death is not so much something which happens to
the Christian as something God works for him.
31. It is no credit to your Heavenly Father for you to
be loath to go Home.
32. Death, I think, is really life,
The living, I'd call dead;
To leave this human, mortal strife,
And in new paths be led.
Death, I think, is beautiful,
A new and happy home,
To live then with the Father
And away you'll never roam.
Death, I know, brings sorrow,
And often drops a tear;
Then you think your end has come,
But it's only life that's near.
--by Ted Hagstrom age 10, killed at age 13 in an auto
accident.
33. It's a lot easier to die than it is to live in case you
don't know it, if you're a Christian! Death is the easy way out!
That's your graduation, your work is done & the Lord has
released you & relieved you of your responsibility & you've
gone home to your reward. But there's often this question that
comes up as you face death, "I wonder have I done my best for
Jesus?"
As we face the prospect of our ministry & life's work
coming to an end we kind of evaluate what we've accomplished.
We look over the books. We keep books, we look backward &
we wonder if we've accomplished what we were supposed to
accomplish & if we have left anything undone, if there's
anything yet that we ought to do, & if we're going home
prematurely not having accomplished all that the Lord wants us
to accomplish & being called home prematurely because of
failure or disobedience or stubborness or refusal to do all that
God wants us to do.
After all, if we are no longer a faithful servant or we
refuse to do what He wants us to do, we become a pretty useless
servant & either we're tossed in the scrap pile as Saul was
eventually, or we are completely taken out of this life, relieved
of our commission, relieved of our duties, & sometimes given a
somewhat dishonourable discharge. All these things we think
about & we wonder if we have accomplished all that we were
supposed to accomplish.--Dad
34. Two old sisters came up to Dr. Moody & asked
him after the church service one night. They said, "Dr. Moody,
do you have dying grace?" He said, "No, dear sisters, I don't."
And they looked shocked! "Why, Dr. Moody! You don't have
dying grace?" He said, "No, I'm not dying yet!"--Dad
35. Death mingles sceptres with spades.
36. Satan may chase him to the gates of death, but he
cannot pursue the Christian THROUGH the gates.
37. If men are prepared to die they are ready for
anything.
38. There is nothing more certain than death, nothing
more uncertain than the time of dying. I will therefore be
prepared at all times for that which may come at any time.
39. It ought to be the business of every day to prepare
for our last day.
40. Prince Edward Island, in the Gulf of St. Lawrence,
reported the strange news of Charles Coughlin's homecoming.
He was a native of the island who in eighteen ninety-five started
travelling and a few years later wound up at Galveston, Texas.
He died there and was buried.
On September eight, nineteen hundred and one, a
terrific West Indian hurricane swept the Gulf of Mexico, and
caused that historic calamity of the Southwest known as the
Galveston flood. The wind blasted at a terrific velocity of a
hundred and thirty-five miles an hour, and swept the raging
waters over the city. The churning torrents washed out the
cemetery where Charles Coughlin was buried. The water swept
away the earth and the coffins, which floated out on the Gulf.
Thirty-four years later, in nineteen thirty-five, a
floating coffin drifted ashore at Prince Edward Island. Upon
examination, they found a plate with the name of Carles
Coughlin, the same man who had left his Prince Edward Island
home those long years ago. Wind and current had carried the
coffin from the Gulf of Mexico off Galveston for thousands of
miles-all the way around into the Atlantic and up the coast to
the Gulf of the St.Lawrence. An unusual way for a local boy to
return home.
41. Alexander the Great, we are told, being upon his
deathbed, commanded that, when he was carried forth to the
grave, his hands should not be wrapped, as was usual, in the
cereloths, but should be left outside the bier, so that all men
might see them, and might see that they were empty; that there
was nothing in them; that he, born to one empire, and the
conqueror of another; the possessor while he lived, of two
worlds, of the East, and of the West, and of the treasures of
both, yet now when he was dead could retain not even the
smallest portion of these treasures; that in this matter the
poorest beggar and he were at length upon equal terms.
If we live for this world, we shall go out of it empty-
handed, but if we live for the next world we shall depart full-
handed, "rich in faith" and soon to enter upon an eternal
inheritance.
42. Death is but a passage out of a prison into a palace.
43. The belief that we shall never die is the foundation
of our dying well.
44. Death & what is beyond it will show who is wise
& who is a fool.
45. Were it not for sin, death had never had a
beginning, & were it not for death, sin would never have had an
ending.
46. Death is not part of the natural process, but is the
judgement of God on sin.
47. "Until the day break, and the shadows flee away."
(Song of Solomon 2:17)
Sleep on, beloved, sleep, and take thy rest;
Lay down thy head upon thy Saviour's Breast;
We love thee well, but JESUS loves thee best:
Good-night!
Calm is thy slumber as an infant's sleep;
But thou shalt wake no more to toil and weep;
Thine is a perfect rest, secure and deep:
Good-night!
Until the shadows from this earth are cast,
Until He gathers in His sheaves at last,
Until the twilight gloom is overpassed,
Good-night!
Until, the Lord's new glory floods the skies,
Until the loved in JESUS shall arise,
And He shall come, but not in lowly guise,
Good-night!
Until, made beautiful by Love Divine,
Thou in the likeness of thy Lord shalt shine,
And He shall bring that golden crown of thine,
Good-night!
Only "Good-night!" beloved, not "Farewell!"
A little while and all His Saints shall dwell
In hallowed union, indivisible:
Good-night!
Until we meet again before His Throne,
Clothed in the spotless robe He gives His own,
Until we know, even as we are known,
Good-night! Amen.
--SARAH DOUDNEY
48. The fear of doom is part of the judgements of God
on the guilty & those who deserve it, "who through fear of
death were all their lifetime subject to bondage." (Heb.2:15)
And yet they have an evil fascination for death! That's
why they ride these motorcycles at breakneck speed & love
these fast car races & dangerous sports, anything that dares
death, defies death, these stunt men doing death-defying stunts,
dangerous mountain climbs & dangerous feats of all kinds. It's
like they have an evil fascination for death! It reminds me again
of that Scripture: "Them that love death!" (Pro.8:36) They are
fascinated by death! They act like they really want to die, like
they're daring the Devil to kill them! But when it comes right
down to it, then they don't want to!--Dad.
49. My Mother was with lots of dying sinners & some
doctors have had to go through it. It's a horrible traumatic
experience! One doctor said, "No matter how many tines I've
been through it, to have to sit through the death of a patient is
still a terrific traumatic experience for me." Some of them
scream, some of them writhe in agony, some of them act like
they're already in the torments of Hell, & some of them cry out
about flames & demons & Hell, sinners who die. You don't hear
many stories like that. They hush that stuff up because they
don't want to scare you!--Dad
50. FEAR death?--to feel the fog in my throat,
The mist in my face,
When the snows begin, and the blasts denote
I am nearing the place,
The power of the night, the press of the storm,
The post if the foe;
Where he stands, the Arch Fear in a visible form,
Yet the strong man must go:
For the journey is done and the summit attained,
And the barriers fall,
Though a battle's to fight ere the guerdon be gained,
The reward of it all.
 I was ever a fighter, so--one fight more, The best and
the last!
I would hate that death bandaged my eyes, and
forbore,
And bade me creep past.
No! let me taste the whole of it, fare like my peers
The heroes of old,
Bear the brunt, in a minute pay glad life's arrears
Of pain, darkness, and cold.
For sudden the worst turns the best to the brave,
The black minute's at end,
And the elements' rage, the fiend-voices that rave,
Shall dwindle, shall blend,
Shall change, shall become first a peace out of pain,
Then a light, then thy breast,
O thou soul of my soul! I shall clasp thee again,
And with God be the rest!
--Robert Browning
51. "And God shall wipe away all tears from their
eyes." (Rev. 7:17)
Lo! round the Throne, at God's right hand
The Saints, in countless myriads, stand;
Of every tongue redeemed to God,
Arrayed in garments washed in Blood.
Through tribulation great they came;
They bore the cross, despised the shame;
From all their labours now they rest,
In God's eternal glory blest.
Hunger and thirst they feel no more;
Nor sin, nor pain, nor death deplore:
The tears are wiped from every eye,
And sorrow yields to endless joy.
They see their SAVIOUR Face to face,
And sing the triumphs of His grace;
Him day and night they ceaseless praise:
To Him their loud Hosannas raise:
"Worthy the LAMB for sinners slain,
Through endless years to live and reign,
Thou hast redeemed us by Thy Blood,
And made us kings and priests to God."
--REV. ROWLAND HILL
52. The marks on the grave of a guide who died while
climbing the Alps were; "He died climbing."
53. On the tomb of a Christian astronomer were these
words (by his partner); "We have gazed too long at the stars
together to be afraid of the night."
54. While some friends were talking about death, one
old lady said, "I am not looking for the undertaker, but for the
Uptaker."
55. Where you die, when you die, or by what means, is
scarcely worth a thought, if you do but die in Christ.
56. How many Christians live their lives packed up &
ready to go?
57. Live so that when death comes you may embrace
like friends, not encounter like enemies.
58. Take care of your life & the Lord will take care of
your death.
59. No Christian has ever been known to recant on his
deathbed.
60. Charles Dillingham and Florenz Ziegfeld, both
eminent producers and both now deceased, were pall-bearers at
the funeral of the great escape artist, Houdini. As they lifted the
beautiful and heavy casket to their shoulders, Dillingham
whispered to Ziegfeld, "Suppose he isn't here."
61. "Earth recedes, Heaven opens!--This is my
Coronation Day!" is the famous quote. It's what my
Grandmother said the day she died. As she was dying she pulled
the rings off her fingers & put them in my Grandfather's hand.
Then she raised both arms to Heaven & said, "I hear singing,
the angels are singing!"--Dad.
62. Houdini nearly lost his life under the ice when he
lost the hole & couldn't find it. But he heard his mother's voice
calling him & he swam in the direction of her voice & there was
the hole. When he got home to his hotel there was a telegram
saying that his mother just passed away a few minutes before he
was trying to find that hole. The Lord took her just in time to
save his life. Don't tell me they don't work for us on the Other
Side!--Dad
63. Those who have welcomed Christ may welcome
death.
64. How pleasantly does the good man speak of dying;
as if it were only undressing & going to bed!
65. Death is never sudden to a saint; no guest comes
unawares to him who keeps a constant table.
66. The wheels of death's chariot may rattle & make a
noise, but they are to carry a believer to Christ.
67. Let me die, working.
Still tackling plans unfinished, tasks undone!
Clean to its end, swift may my race be run.
No laggard steps, no faltering, no shirking;
Let me die, working!
Let me die, thinking.
Let me fare forth still with an open mind,
Fresh secrets to unfold, new truths to find,
 My soul undimmed, alert, no question blinking;
Let me die, thinking!
Let me die, laughing.
No sighing o'er past sins; they are forgiven.
Spilled on this earth are all the joys of Heaven;
The Wine of life, the cup of mirth quaffing.
Let me die, laughing!
--S. Hall Young
No more crying, no more pain, no more sorrow,
Nothing but eternal happiness in Heaven forever!
Yes, we are so selfish about death,
We count our grief far more than your joy!
We go to the grave of a friend, saying, "A man is
dead".
But angels throng about him saying, "A man is born!"
So for now, farewell, my friend!
We shall meet again!

68. He that would not die when he must, & he that

would die when he must not are both of them cowards alike.

69. Death stung himself to death when he stung Christ.

70. No man must let the tenant out of the tenement till
God the landlord calls for it.

71. We must cast the World out of our hearts, not cast
ourselves out of the World.

72. News came that you were dead. I did not believe a
word of it.
I knew that at that moment you were more alive than I
am now.

For there is no death. No. Not for the Christian!

There is only an honourable discharge from the battles
of life,
A promotion to Heavenly officership,
That glorious moment to step forward
And hear the Great Commander-in-Chief say,
"Well done, good and faithful soldier!
Come, enter into your Eternal reward"!

There is no death. Not for the Christian.

Only the soul's blessed release from dark prison.
Only a passage out of that prison into a palace.
Only a golden key that unlocks the treasures of
Eternity.

No, my friend, you are not dead.

You will be alive when the mountains are gone.
--Alive when the rivers cease their running toward the
sea!
You have gone higher, that is all.
Out of this old mud shack, into a house that is
immortal,
A body that no enemy can attack!
"Dust thou art, to dust thou shalt return"
Was not spoken of the spirit.

You don't really die, you just keep on living,

And go straight into the presence of the Lord!
I weep, dear friend, because I miss you.
If I were unselfish I would be rejoicing with you,
Thanking God that you are with Him!
Thanking God that your troubles are over!
DEVIL
Related Index Topics: Antichrist, Communism,
Discouragement, Hell, Resist the Devil
1. To invite Satan is easy, to dismiss him is hard.
2. There is no Devil in the first two chapters of the
Bible & no Devil in the last two chapters. Thank God for a
Book that disposes of the Devil!
3. The Devil is usually good-looking.
4. If you don't believe in the Devil's existence, just try
resisting him for awhile.--Charles G. Finney
5. If Satan dared to use Scripture for the temptation of
our Lord, he will not hesitate to use it for the delusion of men.
6. I believe Satan to exist for two reasons: First, the
Bible says so; & second, I've done business with him.
7. Even as great an Angel as Michael the Archangel
did not take on Satan alone but called on the Lord to rebuke
him. No Christian, then, should ever feel that he is wise enough
or powerful enough to engage Satan apart from complete
dependence on the Lord.
8. The use of a counterfeit is Satan's most natural
method of resisting the purposes of God.
9. The Devil is a better theologian than any of us & is a
devil still.
10. Satan produces mental & spiritual anesthetics more
potent than any shot from a needle.
11. It is only by posing as the champion of truth that
the prince of darkness is able to persuade men to swallow his
lies.
12. The Devil's best work is done by many who claim
to love the Lord.
13. The Devil is never too busy to rock the cradle of a
sleeping backslider.
14. He who will fight the Devil with his own weapons,
must not wonder if he finds him an overmatch.
15. An evil at its birth is easily crushed, but it grows &
strengthens by endurance.--Cicero
16. You can't make peace with the Devil. You just
have to fight him & curse him & get rid of him.
17. You can't do business with the Devil! The only
kind of business you can do with him is against him! Fight him,
curse him & his work & ask God to rebuke him & deliver you.
Get rid of him!
18. The Antichrist, the Devil's son, is going to be the
ultimate man with the ultimate government doing the ultimate
that man can possibly do, which is finally going to wreck the
World!--Or almost wreck it if the Lord didn't come back & save
it.
19. Why does He allow the Devil? Well, even Satan is
accomplishing God's purpose. There had to be a Devil in order
to show you the difference between good & evil.
20. "All things were made by Him & there was not
anything made that was made without the Lord." (Jn.1:3) You
mean God made the Devil? Do you mean to tell me God created
Satan? Why did He ever create such a horrible creature? He
created him to do what he did & to be, in a sense, a dandy bad
example, & to test the World with evil. Otherwise they'd have
never known what evil was like.
21. If He hadn't let them have a taste of evil they'd
have never appreciated the good. So He had to create the Devil
& let the Devil get lifted up in pride until he wasn't satisfied
with being God's right hand & light man, but he wanted to be
God Himself. So he lost his position, God cast him down, &
he's still been trying to be God ever since. And finally he is
going to try to be God here on the Earth. If he can't be god of
the Universe, at least he is going to be the god of this World, &
the Lord is going to let him, just to show both him & the
Antichrist & the World & everybody, that man without God, or
even the Devil without God, can't do a thing & will make a
mess of things!
22. The Devil is a terrible liar & he even tries to
convince people that the GOOD they're doing is evil!
23. That's the way the Devil is, he loves to destroy, he
loves to kill, he loves to devour, he loves to cause people to
suffer & hurt! He loves to shed blood & he's shed it by the
hundreds of millions around the World for six millenniums!--
And he was the first to make sure it was shed when Cain killed
his own brother Abel!
 24. This Earth is enemy territory, I mean real enemy
territory that we're living in here! It may not look like it or
sound like it & we may not be able to see it right now, but it is,
& it's not that easy to get in & out of safely, to penetrate or
escape. The Devil has it pretty much under his control, more so
all the time, & the Lord allows it that way because Jesus said
"this is his hour & the power of darkness." (Lk.22:53) And the
Devil said, "This World is given unto me, & I can give it to
whom I will." (Lk.4:6)
25. The Earth right now has already been invaded &
it's already been taken over by Satan & his demons & devils,
but he's still trying to get man to voluntarily serve him. He can
destroy, which is one of his greatest powers, just to disrupt &
destroy, but like God, he actually wants to be loved & he wants
to be chosen by the people of this Earth to be worshipped.--
Because he's got nothing to brag about unless he persuades the
people here to believe in him, love him, follow & obey him.
Then he can brag that he's king, he is god & that he has done
the same thing God's done. He hasn't really, but that's what he is
trying to do.
26. The Lord has more or less turned over this Earth to
the Devil & his angels, & the forces of evil & the forces of God
are really scrappin' it out! Thank God we have them here to
help & protect & defend us or we'd probably all be wiped out
already!
27. Certainly the Devil can't raise the dead! He's not a
creator of anything but trouble! He's the destroyer! The only
power he has is to destroy, he cannot create. You say, "Well,
lots of people in false cults get healed, so surely he must
create!" But they get healed of what?--The Devil's own
afflictions, his own demons, his own illnesses, his own
destruction, his own sicknesses! He simply removes the thorn
from their side, so to speak, & it heals.
28. All the Devil can do is destroy, all he can do is kill.
He can't really do anything good. But the Lord uses him for
that, for judgement, for destruction! He uses him to destroy
people, cities, whole nations, whole empires when they get
away from God & disobey God, even a whole World in the
days of the Flood, because of the iniquity of the World, the
wickedness of the people. He lets the Devil just pour it on! All
He has to do is say "sic'm" to that dog, & that dog can bite! He
goes after'm & he rends & he tears!
29. "Satan goeth about like a roaring lion seeking
whom he may devour!"--Seeking whom he may destroy!
(1Pet.5:8) All the Devil wants to do is destroy you & destroy
mankind & destroy this Earth & destroy God's Creation! That's
all he wants to do! He's the Destroyer, & he's behind a lot of
this destruction, some of these awful wind storms, earthquakes,
volcanic eruptions, lava coming out of the bowels of the Earth
& spoutin' up into the air! Don't blame it all on God! God may
allow it to happen to the people for their sins, but the Devil is
His little chore boy, His executioner.
30. God's Word speaks of the Devil as the hinderer, &
he's the tester & the accuser also. Against us he uses doubt &
fear almost more than anything else! "He feared a fear & it
came upon him." (Job 3:25) But if we "fear not", then he's not
able to touch us. If we have faith & confidence & are strong in
His Word & we have faith in God's protection, we cannot be
overcome by fear!
31. Don't forget, the Devil is working for the Lord too!
He's God's little imp & chore boy to whack us around with
God's permission when we get out of line! But otherwise he
doesn't have a right to put a finger on us!
32. God is all-powerful in the spiritual domain! The
Devil cannot do a damned thing or let one of his least little imps
lift a finger against us without the permission of God!
33. Don't be always saying, "Oh, the Devil did this to
me, look what Satan's done, blah blah!" That's a worship &
glorification of Satan. I believe God is responsible for
everything, even the Devil! He created him, He let him fall, &
He lets him operate! Why? Why does God allow sin & Satan &
this Hell of a World & wicked men?--So we'll appreciate the
good & have a choice to make!
34. The Devil hates little children. He tries to kill them
right & left, he's in the murdering business because they're close
to God & straight from Heaven.
35. We need enemies & we need the Devil!--They're
good for us! If they weren't, God would have eliminated them a
long time ago! "All things work together for good to them that
love the Lord!"--Even the Devil!
36. To Hell with the lies of the Devil!--He cannot win!
He's already beaten by a Christ Who died on the Cross & rose,
risen from the tomb!
37. One of the Devil's main projects is to try to destroy
Man in any way he can, usually by getting Man to destroy
himself or each other by the most horrible demonic means
imaginable, such as war, while at the same time persuading
Man that such destruction is justifiable, humane & necessary to
protect one's country or one's wealth or to seize another's for the
betterment of one's own estate.
38. The Devil has always wanted to rule the World &
he's going to get his final chance in the Antichrist when he will
really rule the whole World with tremendous power!
39. The Devil has been the king of all the great World
empires & their capitols, possessing their kings & running their
governments, & always every single one of them persecuted
God's people!
40. He's the Accuser of the Saints, the Tester, the
Tormentor, & the minute you start talking or teaching healing,
or any other lesson, for that matter, he apparently has the right
to ask God to test you & then you have to take the test to see if
you really mean it & believe it!
41. The Devil even heals people! He often gives them
sicknesses so he can heal'm through false cults & isms &
religions & witchcraft, in order to heal'm from the diseases he
gave'm! The Devil is a healer of his own diseases so that he can
get the glory & the credit & the worship! (Rev.13:3,4)
42. It's amazing, the horrible, demonic demon-
possession that can get into crowds of people. That's what they
call the mob spirit!
43. When a mob gets together for a lynching or a
stoning or a beating, they literally all get demon-possessed.
They're all the Devil's people, so he just floods in his demons &
they all get demon-possessed & do crazy things! Respectable
citizens of the community that never would've thought of doing
such things by themselves have often joined a mob, & done
horrible crimes that they were amazed afterwards that they'd
even participated in! They get possessed!--Not just one, but a
mob of them, & pounce on somebody, beat'm to death, hang'm,
shoot'm!--Without the help of the police or the government!
44. The Devil really can never do anything new, there's
nothing new under the sun. Most of the time he just copies God
& the Lord's Own tactics, believe it or not, or stays in the same
rut he's been in for centuries. And that rut is usually this: If he
can't get the wrath of the System down on you, the government
or the police, then first of all he gets one person to stir up one
religion & their friends, & if they can't get the government
stirred up, they will go to the press, to the people, & stir up the
whole country & all the people against you!--And against even
the government for not doing anything, so that the government
is forced to do something even when they don't want to!
45. The Devil is the Hinderer & always tries to delay,
to cause trouble, to annoy & to harass.
46. No wonder the Devil is behind war & loves it! He's
trying to destroy mankind & trying to destroy the Earth! That's
why the Lord says He's eventually going to have to come &
"destroy them who destroy the Earth!" (Rev.11:18) Because
that's the Devil's business, he is the Destroyer, & he's trying to
destroy you & destroy the Earth you live on. And if the Lord let
him go on very much longer he'd succeed! He's inspiring Man
to build worse & more destructive weapons all the time until
now Man could wipe himself off the face of the Earth &
probably even destroy the Ball if he keeps at it!
47. Mt. Vesuvius blew up! Who do you suppose
allowed it?--The Lord! So you might as well say it was from the
Lord even if the Devil did bring it! I'm convinced that God has
put Satan in charge of a lot of His judgements, especially those
of natural catastrophes & disasters such as earthquakes,
volcanic eruptions, big storms & things like that. All God has to
do is just withdraw His protection from some people. The Devil
is bent on destroying Man & destroying the Earth, & will
destroy Man & the Earth at every opportunity he can possibly
have, but the only opportunities he has are the opportunities
God gives him! When a wicked, sinful people have been so bad
that God can't even stand for them to live any more, He just
decides to let the Devil wipe'm out! So these horrible
catastrophes are something the Devil loves to do, but GOD'S
the Boss & the Devil can't do a thing unless God allows him to.
48. Satan wants to destroy people, so he makes them
desire destruction. Think of it! "Them that love death!" They
love to watch it, they tempt it themselves, & if a sport isn't a
real death sport they don't like it! But nearly every sport is a
death sport!--Death-defying leaps, death-defying trapeze artists,
death-defying motorcyclists, death-defying car races, death-
defying football, death-defying pugilistic boxing bouts! It's all
death-defying. They can be thankful they don't get killed! But
then they go back for more, gluttons for punishment!
49. The Devil always has a counterpart, a parallel, &
while the Devil puts certain human kings on the throne, he has
his actual, real, much more powerful demonic king who is
ruling over that king, guiding him in his thoughts, & perhaps, as
I've often said, even possessing him, as Satan himself will
possess the Antichrist.
50. God has to let Man experience evil, & somebody
had to direct the evil, so God created Satan. He's a creation of
God! I don't believe in Taoism, I don't believe in two gods, that
God is one God, the good God, & the Devil is the other god &
there is a separation of powers. But God created the Devil &
God made sin & sickness. God said, "Have I not created the
deaf, the dumb, the blind, the crippled?" (Exo.4:11)
51. Satan was God's own Archangel, Lucifer, the
Lightbearer! He was an Archangel of God, & Satan rebelled
against God! He wasn't satisfied with being God's righthand
man, he wasn't satisfied with being next to God, he wanted to
be God! So God had to demote him. And ever since then he's
still been trying to be God & run the World & rule Man. If he
can't rule Man, he's trying to ruin Man & the World! This is the
difference between God & the Devil! God is omniscient--that
means He knows all--He is omnipresent--He is every where--&
He is omnipotent--He is all-powerful, & not one of those words
is true of the Devil! He is not everywhere, he doesn't know
everything, & he is not all-powerful! Satan can only be in one
place at a time, because he is only a fallen archangel, like the
Angels. They can only be in one place at a time.
52. The Devil can't do anything new, he doesn't know
anything new, he just copies God's methods.
53. In the earlier days of the U.S. vast numbers of wild
horses grazed on the prairies in the West. Sometimes, as they
grazed, wolves would gather in the distance. Detecting the
presence of the wolves by their keen sense of smell, the wild
horses would become instantly alerted & alarmed. As long as
they continued so, they were safe. Their swiftness of movement
could put a safe distance between them & their enemies. The
wolves, however, had a clever way of attacking their victims.
Leisurely, & seemingly unconcernedly, they came closer &
closer to the horses. Two or three of the older wolves would
stroll about listlessly, & then retreat in like manner. While
doing so, they would frolic & caper about. Observing the
seeming friendliness of the wolf pack, the horses would become
disalerted. Then the fatal moment would come. With unerring
accuracy the wolves would pounce upon an unwary victim! A
peaceful scene changed instantly into a scene of carnage &
death! Let us take seriously the warning: "Be ... vigilant;
because your adversary the Devil ... walketh about, seeking
whom he may devour." (1Pe.5:8.)
EDUCATION--GOOD & BAD
INCLUDES: Mistakes.
RELATED INDEX TOPICS: Influence, Potential, Teaching,
Teens.
1. True education enrolls men at the cradle &
graduates them at the grave.
2. The learned fool writes nonsense in better language
than the unlearned, but still 'tis nonsense.
3. The main difference between a wise man & a fool is
that a fool's mistakes never teach him anything.
4. One who never asks questions either knows
everything or nothing.--Malcom S. Forbes
5. All a youngster wants out of school is himself.
6. Don't call it education unless it has taught uou life's
true values.
7. An educational system isn't worth a great deal if it
teaches young people how to make a living but doesn't teach
them how to make a life.
8. My true knowledge of self comes not from my
searching myself but from God searching me.
9. His brother has a Ph.D, his wife has an M.A., his
daughter has a B.A., he is the only one with a J.O.B.
10. Common sense is the sixth sense, given to us by
the Creator to keep the other five from making fools of
themselves--& us.
11. College is a place that's presumed to mold
character, & some of the characters turn out to be very moldy.
12. Teaching children to count is not as important as teaching
them what counts.
13. You can buy schooling, but wisdom is a gift from
God.
14. It is not the I.Q. but the I WILL that is important in
education.
15. Education is not a head full of facts, but knowing
how & where to find facts.
16. Many people were blue & down in the dumps
before they became educated. Now they are depressed &
despondent.
17. If a person has no education he is forced to use his
brains.
18. Formal education has produced a vast population
able to read but unable to distinguish what is worth reading.
19. It seems that all a college education does is help
folks become confused on a higher plane.
20. An expert can take something you already know &
make it sound confusing.
21. It is easier to believe a lie that one has heard a
thousand times than a fact no one ever heard before.
22. Learning from history & basking in nostalgia are
two different things.
23. Education is what you get from reading the small
print in a contract. Experience is what you get from not reading
it.
24. If people learn from their mistakes, many are
getting a fantastic education.
25. He who makes the same mistake over & over again
learns to do at least one thing well.
26. A hundred mistakes are a liberal education--if you
learn something from each one.
27. If you don't learn from your mistakes, there's no
sense in making them.
28. A person can save himself from many hard falls by
refraining from jumping to conclusions.
29. Learn from the mistakes of others--you can't live
long enough to make them all yourself.
30. The thing that surprises a college man the most
when he gets out into the World is how much uneducated
people know that he doesn't know.
31. To LOOK is one thing. To SEE what you look at is
another. To UNDERSTAND what you see is a third. To
LEARN from what you understand is still something else. But
to ACT on what you learn is what really matters.
32. Everybody is liable to make mistakes, but fools
practice them.
33. Some men go to college to learn to express their
ignorance in scientific terms.
34. Writer Lincoln Barnett once described the
excitement of a group of students emerging from a physics
lecture at the Institute for Advanced Study at Princeton. "How
did it go?" one of them was asked. "Wonderful!" he replied.
"Everything we knew last week isn't true."
35. An American woman living in India was having a
simple electrical installation done by a native electrician. He
troubled her so much for instructions that she at last said
irritably, "You know what I want; just use your common sense
& do it." The electrician salaamed politely & said, "Madam,
common sense is a rare gift of God. I have only a technical
education."
36. Samuel Butler, on an open mind: It ought not to be
so open that there is no keeping anything in or out of it. It
should be capable of shutting its doors, or it may be found a
little drafty.
37. An empty head is not really empty; it is stuffed
with rubbish. Hence the difficulty of forcing anything into an
empty head.
38. The TV is my shepherd. My spiritual growth shall
want. It maketh me to sit down & do nothing for its name's sake
because it requireth all my spare time. It keepeth me from doing
my duty as a Christian because it presenteth so many good
shows that I must see.
It restoreth my knowledge of the things of the World, &
keepeth me from the study of God's Word. It leadeth me in the
paths of failing to attend fellowships & doing nothing in the
Kingdom of God.
Yea, though I live to be a hundred, I shall keep viewing my
TV as long as it will work, for it is my closest companion.
Its sounds & pictures they comfort me.
It presenteth entertainment before me & keepeth me from
doing important things with my family. It fills my head with
ideas which differ from those in the Word of God.
Surely, few good things will come out of my life because
of so many wasted hours. And I shall dwell in my regrets &
remorse forever.
39. I believe there are no poor students, only
unmotivated students.
40. No man really becomes a fool until he stops asking
questions.--Charles P. Steinmetz
41. He who asks a question is a fool for five minutes;
he who does not ask a question remains a fool forever.
42. A woman of wealth wanted to hire a coachman.
Three persons applied for the job. When she spoke to the
applicants, she asked each the same question: "Tell me, if you
drove my coach around a steep corner with a precipice on one
side, how near could you go to the precipice?" The first
applicant said, "I think I could keep within 12 inches of the
precipice & we would be perfectly safe!" The next man said, "I
could take you a hair's breadth & we would still be safe!" The
third man said, "Madam, if I'm going to get this job & you want
me as your coachman, I'm telling you that when we go around
that corner, I'm keeping as far from that precipice as I can!" He
was employed.
43. Smart is when you believe only half of what you
hear. Wisdom is when you know which half to believe.
44. Men are wise in proportion not to their experience
but to their capacity for experience.--George Bernhard Shaw
45. Experience is about the cheapest thing a fellow can
get if he's smart enough to get it secondhand.
46. Experience may be the best teacher, but she's not
the prettiest.
47. A failure is a man who has blundered & is not able
to cash in on the experience.
48. A person becomes wise by observing what happens
when he isn't.
49. Our wisdom usually comes from our experience, &
our experience comes largely from our foolishness.
50. One thing about the school of experience is that it
will repeat the lesson if you flunk the first time.
51. Experience is what you have left after you've
pulled the boner.
52. A wise man learns by the experience of others. An
ordinary man learns by his own experience. A fool learns by
nobody's experience.w
53. Experience is the best teacher, & considering what
it costs, it should be.
54. It was bitter experience that put the "prod" into the
prodigal son.
55. Some people profit by their experiences; others
never recover from them.
56. Jumping to conclusions is not nearly so good a
mental exercise as digging for facts.
57. Facts do not cease to exist just because they are
ignored.
58. Getting the facts is only half the job; the other half
is to use them intelligently.
59. Facts mean nothing unless they are rightly
understood, rightly related, & rightly interpreted.
60. Every man has a right to his opinion, but no man
has a right to be wrong about the facts.
61. An ounce of facts is worth a ton of arguments.
62. Men have a real capacity for kidding themselves.
Doctors of philosophy often become doctors of "foolosophy" &
never know the difference.
63. The fact that you know what to say does not
guarantee your right or obligation to say it.
64. A little knowledge properly applied is more
important than a tremendous number of facts accumulated &
not utilised.
65. Knowledge can be memorised.--Wisdom must
think things through.
66. The man who knows how will always find a place
in life, but the man who knows why will likely to be his boss.
67. The Devil has more knowledge than any of us, &
yet is no better for it.
68. It's better to know nothing than to know what isn't
so.
69. A little knowledge that ACTS is worth infinitely
more than much knowledge that is idle.
70. We should learn something every day. Sometimes
it is the discovery that what we learned yesterday was wrong.
71. He who learns & learns but acts not what he
knows, is like one who plows & plows but never, never sows.
72. Wisdom is the art of knowing what to fight for--&
what to simply overlook.
73. Knowledge has to be improved, challenged, &
increased constantly or it vanishes.
74. Once you've got wisdom, the Lord might be able to
trust you with a little more knowledge, but if you give some
people too much knowledge without wisdom, they invent atom
bombs with their knowledge, & go shooting off into space & to
zthe moon while millions are starving to death!
75. It's a lot safer to trust God for your wisdom than to
listen to people, especially if they haven't got real spiritual
discernment!
76. Since the System taught these young people that
they came from animals, now they're acting like it.
77. We spend $10,000 for a school bus so children
won't have to walk. Then we spend $100,000 for a gym so they
can get some exercise.
78. Education without religion, as useful as it is, seems
rather to make man a more clever devil.--C.S.Lewis
79. Having bent over backwards to separate church &
state in lower schools & maintain academic freedom in higher
education, modern man has filled the value-vacuum with
secular religion. Its creed is: Man is god; reason is truth; values
are relative; & means are ends.
80. Culture of intellect, without religion in the heart, is
only civilised barbarism & disguised animalism.
81. Where can you ever go to get a better education
that will answer all your questions, solve all your problems,
give you all the answers than right here in God's Word & in the
Family! Why should you ever even look anyplace else?
82. It takes highly-educated people who go to college
& university for years to get themselves to the point where
they're so well-educated they no longer believe in God!
Whereas any simple little fool or farmer or peasant or peon out
there working the fields & seeing the wonders of God's
Creation firsthand, the growth of plants & animals & His
marvels of creation, can't HELP but believe in God! They can
see His handiwork everywhere & even FEEL it! But the people
who live in the cities & see nothing but the creations of man,
they get away from acknowledging the existence of God.
83. I'm convinced we're going to need our educational
materials right on into the Millennium, not only for our own
children but for the children of the whole World! We are NOW
developing an educational system & educational materials for
the NEW education of the New World! Think of it! Where else
are they going to get it but from us?
84. I believe with all my heart that we are going to
have to teach the World! How are we going to rule the World
with a rod of iron if we don't teach'm? If you teach them, that
means you are EDUCATING them. We're going to have to
have teaching & training & education & schools in a Thousand
Years of Earthly rule! And there are going to be SCHOOLS,
there are going to be millions of CHILDREN that are going to
have to be taught, not to speak of the adults!
85. We're teething ourselves on our children, we're
learning on them. They're the test tubes, they're the ones that
we're working on teaching now, & if it works on them, praise
God, maybe it'll work on those little rapscallions & hellions that
we're going to have to try to reprogram & retrain when the
Millennium comes. Think of that! You have no IDEA what a
big job is ahead of you! You have no IDEA how much material
we're going to need, & I believe with all my heart we're
preparing the materials right now!
86. Modern Rabbis today have degrees in at least three
fields, graduate degrees in law, medicine & religion. So they're
very smart people. Leave it to the Devil to have the smartest
when it comes to education. That was man's first great
temptation. So they are very very smart people. The trouble is,
they're not smart enough! You with Jesus & with your
knowledge of Christ are far smarter than they are!
87. Where ignorance is blliss, 'tis folly to be wise!
Watch out about getting so intellectual & so smart & so
educated that you can't enjoy anything because you think too
much & you analyse too much. The Lord says, "Except ye
become as a little child you cannot even enter the Kingdom of
God!"
88. There are courses in modern university today that
are all lies, total phoney lies, not a word of truth to the whole
thing! Pure vain imaginations, somebody's dreams--nightmares!
Pure concoctions of men, not a word of truth in it, & yet they
have whole courses in college & university on it!
89. The public high schools of the United States are a
good example of the hellish System! They are Hell on Earth &
full of hellions in their very worst savage form at that age! They
are savages, cruel, merciless, horrible!
90. Modern education in the school is totally
diabolical, devilish, anti-Christ, demonic & is doing nothing but
destroying faith, if there was any, in young people.
91. They've taken God & the Bible & prayer &
Creation out of the public schools, Christ out or Christmas, &
Jesus out of everything except the curse words!
92. The whole idea of teaching should be to make it
easy for you to learn, easy to know & easy to be good. I want
you to know, I want you to learn, I want you to be good. Why
make it difficult? Why make it tough? Why make it hard on
you? If you can make learning easy, great! Why not?
93. Modern education reminds me of the story of the
two little old ladies after the meeting. The one said, "Oh, isn't
Doctor so-&-so deep?" And the little old simple farm lady said,
"Huh! I don't think he's so deep, he just ain't CLEAR!" Just
because you can't see the bottom doesn't necessarily mean the
pool is deep, it just may not be clear!
94. Your generation didn't know what to do, where to
go or who to follow! They taught you, "There are no absolutes,
nobody's right, there's no such thing as right & wrong!" So you
figured, "What's the use of anything then? Why strive to do
right if there IS no right? Who cares if I do wrong if there IS no
wrong? Man can do no wrong, so he can do as he pleases,
follow his compulsions, follow his impulses!" What horrible
things to teach people with demonic impulses & horrible
compulsions!--So the murder rate rises & the crime rate rises &
the violence rate rises & they encourage it on the movies & the
television & the videos & in the schools with their doctrines,
but try to control it with a few corridor guards.
You can't teach people to be wild beasts & then try to
corral'm & keep them tame! If you let'm loose & you let the
beast out of the cage of morality & law & proper teaching &
certain safeguards & limitations & restrictions, they will go
right back to savagery & cruelty & horrors!--And that's where
they're going.
95. A man must be big enough to admit his mistakes,
smart enough to profit from them, & strong enough to correct
them.
96. To get maximum attention, it's hard to beat a big
mistake.
97. A man who has made a mistake & doesn't correct it
is committing another mistake.
98. There's nothing wrong with making a mistake; just
don't respond with an encore.
99. Modern science is simply wonderful. It would take
50 people 20 years to make the same mistake a computer can
make in only two seconds.
100. There's an old saying, "Erasers are for people who
make errors." A better expression is, "Erasers are for people
who are willing to correct their mistakes."
101. To make mistakes is human. To repeat old
mistakes is stupid.
102. It's true that to err is human--but it can be
overdone.
103. We seldom admit mistakes that have not caught
up with us.
104. The man who invented the eraser had the human
race pretty well sized up.
ENDTIME
Related Index Topics: Future, Antichrist.
1. Both the Old and New Testaments are filled with
promises of the Second Coming of Christ. There are 1,845
references to it in the Old Testament, and a total of seventeen
Old Testament books give it prominence.
Of the 260 chapters in the entire New Testament, there
are 318 references to the Second Coming, or one out of 30
verses. Twenty-three of the 27 New Testament books refer to
this great event. The four remaining books include three which
are single-chapter books written to individual persons on a
particular subject, and the fourth is Galatians which does imply
Christ's coming again.
For every prophecy on the First Coming of Christ,
there are 8 on Christ's Second Coming.
2. There was an earthquake on July 11, 1927, which
shook Palestine from the Sea of Galilee to the border of Egypt
and, after the tremors, geologists discovered a fault in Olivet,
running from east to west. Prof. Bailey Willis, of Stanford
University, said that the land could expect to suffer from
seismological disturbances and that the area around Jerusalem
was a region of potential danger, a fault line, along which
slippage might occur, passing directly under the Mount of
Olives. It is evident, therefore, that what Zechariah described is
precisely what geologists would expect to occur. (See
Zech.14:4)
3. In August of 1967, the British magazine The
Christian and Christianity Today printed this article:
Five hundred railcar loads of stone from Bedford,
Indiana, considered to be among the finest building stone in the
world, are being freighted, pre-cut to exact specifications, and
one consignment has already been dispatched to Israel.
Shipments are being handled by Pier 26 in New York.
The report from sources in Sellersburg, Indiana, said
cornerstones for the third Jerusalem temple are already in Israel.
Materials for this temple have been secretly in preparation for
seven years, and it is believed American Jews are mainly
responsible for financially undergirding the whole project.
Strong rumors from other usually reliable sources say
the two freestanding pillars for the new temple have already
been cast in bronze.
The report above, however, has been denied by Israeli
authorities. It caused some furor among interested people.
4. In 1789 it took George Washington eight days to
travel the 200-odd miles from his home, Mount Vernon, to the
scene of his inauguration as President in New York City. The
fact that it required eight days is not significant. The important
fact is that the time was the same as it would have taken two
thousand years before. No real progress had been made in
transportation in twenty centuries. Moses or Nebuchadnezzar
could have traveled just as rapidly. Julius Caesar could have
stepped from the first century into the nineteenth more easily
than Benjamin Franklin could have stepped into this century.
Now, for the first time in history, no man dies in the historical
era in which he was born.
5. It is a remarkable fact that Sir Isaac Newton, writing
on the prophecy of Daniel 12:4 said that if they were true, it
would be necessary that a new mode of traveling should be
invented, for knowledge would be so increased that man would
be able to travel at the rate of fifty miles an hour.
Voltaire, true to the spirit of skepticism, said: "Now
look at the mighty mind of Newton, who discovered gravitation;
when he began to study the Book called the Bible, it seems in
order to credit its fabulous nonsense, he believed that the
knowledge of mankind will be so increased that we shall be
able to travel fifty miles an hour! The poor dotard!" Today even
a skeptic would have to say, "Newton was a wise philosopher;
Voltaire a poor old dotard."
6. Several years ago, Belgium's Premier, P. H. Spock
made a statement in the newspaper:
"The truth is that the method of international
committees has failed. What we need is a person, someone of
the highest order of great energy.
"Let him come and let him come quickly. Either a
civilian or a military man, no matter what his nationality, who
will cut all the red tape, shove out of the way all the
committees, wake up all the people and galvanize all
governments into action. Let him come quickly. This man we
need and for whom we wait will take charge of the defense of
the West. Once more I say, it is not too late, but it is high time."
7. In 1869, the famous French chemist, Pierce
Bethelot, wrote these prophetic and startling words:
"In one hundred years of physical and chemical
science, man will know what the atom is. It is our belief that
when science reaches this stage, God will come down to earth
with His big ring of keys and say to humanity, 'Gentlemen, it is
closing time.'"
Pierce Bethelot reasoned that the splitting of the atom
would mark a point of no return in the history of man.
8. The world's horse population is estimated at
72,600,000, of which at least one half are in Russia.
Although other nations have discontinued it, Russia
has continued to be noted for her cavalry. Even before World
War II, Russian agents scoured the earth for battle horses and
bought them. During the Second World War, Russian Cossacks
met and defeated German mechanized forces. In the Korean
War, 5,000 mounted Communist troops were able to cross the
Yalu River without being detected by UN reconnaissance
planes.
Horses are still the fastest and surest means of
transporting men, light and heavy artillery, and field equipments
over mountainous terrain.
9. Tim LaHaye in his "The Beginning of the End"
brings out the following facts:
--The nouns in Ezekiel 38 and 39 have been held for
years to be Russia: "Rosh" or "Gog" for Russia; "Meshech" for
Moscow; and "Tubal" for Tobolsk, the largest state.
--Genesis 10 is of help in establishing the identity of
these names. Magog was the second son of Japheth who settled
north of the Black Sea. Tubal and Meshech were the 5th and 6th
sons of Japheth, whose descendants settled south of the Black
Sea. These people intermarried and became known as Magog,
the dominant tribe.
--The name Moscow comes from the tribal name
Meshech. The noun Gog is from the original tribal name
Magog, which gradually became "Rosh," then "Rus," and today
as "Russia."
--These make up the modern Russian people.
10. Lignostone is a product of many uses. It is known
that Russia has been using this versatile product for many years
in the manufacture of its weapons of war.
For those who may not be familiar with this fairly
recent discovery, lignostone was invented by a man in Ter Apel,
Holland. It has the quality of being stronger than steel, more
elastic, and very applicable for many manufactured products
(even including bows and arrows). It resembles many layers of
plywood compressed under extreme pressure, and it has another
vital use: being a wood product, it burns better than coal. This
was a major reason for its original development. Since Holland
had no natural gas wells at the time, lignostone was developed
for use in the coke-burning plants for the production of
manufactured gas.
Lignostone burns better than coke, and thus we see in
this product the very real potential for the fulfillment of another
marvellous Bible prophecy which could only be foretold by
Divine inspiration: that the Russian weapons could be burned
for fuel for seven years. (Ezekiel 39:9)
11. Moscow sees in Iran a key to the success of their
world revolution in Asia. The heart of their thinking was
avowed in 1918 by K. Troyanovsky: "Our object with regard to
Persia must be simply a revolutionary democratic policy...We
must foment the Persian revolution. The Persian uprisings will
be the signal for a series of revolutions that will spread through
all of Asia and part of Africa. The Persian revolution is the key
to the revolution of all the Orient...This precious key must be in
the hands of Bolshevism, cost what it may...Persia must be
ours."
12. The personal character of the Antichrist may be
described as follows:
(1) High intelligence--Rev.13:18; Dan.7:8.
(2) Great speaking ability--Dan.7:8; Rev.13:5.
(3) Crafty political talents--Dan.9:27;
Rev.17:12,13,17.
(4) Strong physical appearance--Dan.7:20.
(5) Military genius--Rev.13:4; 17:14; 19:19.
(6) Morally, the worst personage
(a) Materialistic--Dan.11:38
(b) Blasphemer--Rev.13:6
(c) Against the law--IIThess.2:8
(d) Selfish ambition--Dan.11:36,37;
2Thess.2:4.
(e) Tries to change prophecy and
history--Dan.7:25.
(f) Substitutes self for God--
Dan.11:36; 2Thess.2:4.
(g) Does not regard the desire of
women.--Dan.11:37.
13. "On Friday, January 26, 1951, the weather bureau
predicted a cold wave for the northeastern states, due to a high
pressure area centering on Canada. On January 27 an atomic
explosion took place near Las Vegas. As it passed over
Wisconsin, temperatures between 24 and 53 degrees BELOW
ZERO were reported. All over the nation, temperatures
tumbled, often to new record lows. ...
"On January 28, another explosion at Las Vegas
caused an in-rush of a high pressure area from the Arctic circle,
bringing freezing rain and sleet as far as the Gulf of Mexico. On
February 1st, the greatest of the blasts was set off, and by
nightfall, the entire nation was blanketed by the worst storm in
many years, with a death toll of 270 persons. The damage to
crops was enormous."
Noting that these great in-rushes of cold air were
produced by nuclear blasts which were underground, imagine
the far greater in-rush of Arctic air fronts that would be
produced by the simultaneous explosion of many surface and/or
high altitude blasts such as would occur in the case of an all-out
thermonuclear attack! (Here could be a secondary reason, or
cause, for "great hailstone.") (Rev.16:21)
14. In 1955, Professor Arnold Toynbee, widely called
"the greatest living historian" made a statement that was
announced to the world by the news channels. He said: "The
time for world government has come."
15. Register III is the name given to Dr. H.J.A.
Goodman's world-brain proposal. According to Dr. Goodman, a
world brain--a giant computerized information-retrieval
network giving access to all the world's knowledge--is perhaps
only ten years away.
16. In the frescoes of Signorelli we have "The
Teaching of Antichrist"--no repulsive figure, but a grand
personage in flowing robes, and with a noble countenance,
which at a distance might easily be taken for the Saviour. To
him the crowd are eagerly gathering and listening, and it is only
when you draw close that you can discover in his harder and
cynical expression, and from the evil spirit whispering in his
ear, that it is not Christ.
17. Studies have shown that the halfway point of all
human knowledge is located less than ten years ago; that is,
man's knowledge has doubled within the past decade. Every 60
seconds, 2000 typewritten pages are added to man's knowledge
and the material produced every 24 hours takes one person 5
years to read.
18. According to Persian mythology, the ages of the
world are divided into periods of 1,000 years. When the cycle
of "chiliasms" (1,000-year period) is complete, the reign of
Ormuzd will begin, and men will be all good and all happy, but
this event will be preceded by the loosing of Dahak, who will
break his chain and fall upon the world, and bring on man the
most dreadful calamities. Two prophets will appear to cheer the
oppressed, and announce the advent of Marmuzd.
ENDTIME FACTS & FIGURES
WARS
19. Jesus said that in the Last Days "ye shall hear of
wars & rumours of wars ... for nation shall rise against nation,
& kingdom against kingdom." (Mat.24:6,7)
20. In the 55 centuries of recorded history, there have
only been 292 years of peace, that is years in which there was
no war raging somewhere on Earth. No period has witnessed
the escalation of wars as has the 20th Century. In 1969 the Red
Cross estimated that 90 million people have been killed in wars
since the 20th Century began. Up until 1914, war had never
been universal, but in both World War 1 & 2, total war was
waged. In WW2 only 12 nations were not actually involved.
21. Preparing for wars: In 1967, the U.S. spent 70
billion Dollars for defence. The 1986 defence budget was about
300 billion Dollars. The U.S. spends about 520 Dollars per man,
woman & child on defence each year.
22. The U.S. government spent one trillion Dollars on
defence buildup over five years. If someone was going to spend
a million Dollars a day from the day Jesus was born until 1982,
he would only spend half of what the U.S. spent in those five
years.
23. Over 400,000 scientists are now employed on
improving existing weapons or developing new ones.
24. The U.S. is the World's biggest arms exporter.
25. UNICEF (United Nations International Children's
Emergency Fund) reports that governments now spend more in
four days preparing for war than in a year helping their
neighbours. The annual budget of UNICEF is 75 million
Dollars, compared with 125 million Dollars that is spent to
build one modern submarine.
26. Nuclear weapons: Presently there are enough
nuclear bombs in existence to equal 1.3 million Hiroshima
explosions. The UN reports that the World's nuclear arsenals
contain enough explosives to blast every man, woman & child
off the Earth with the equivalent of 15 tons of TNT each. One
nuclear submarine carries more explosive force than all the
bombs & ammunition exploded by all the nations in World War
2.
27. Since World War 2, hundreds of international
conferences have been held in an attempt to control the nuclear
arms race, but not one single weapon has been destroyed by
international agreement.
FAMINE "And there shall be famines ..." (Mat.24:7).
28. In spite of record high food production, more
people go hungry than ever before. The UN Food &
Agricultural Organisation reported that 460 million people are
at the brink of starvation daily. Some 200 million children
yearly slip into some form of mental retardation & blindness
due to lack of food.
29. The WHO (World Health Organisation) estimates
that about 4 million people a year die of starvation, or about 30
people every minute.
30. 12,000 square miles in Africa becomes desert each
year due to over-deforestation & lack of fertilisers.
31. In 1980 the U.S. Presidential Commission on
World Hunger said, "Food shortages may be more serious than
shortages of energy within the next 20 years. Millions of human
beings live on the edge of starvation. The most potentially
explosive force in the World today is a frustrated desire of poor
people to attain a decent standard of living. The anger, despair
& often hatred that result represent a real & persistent threat to
international order."
32. The EEC stores an estimated 800,000 metric
surplus tons of butter, as well as 1,000,000 tons of surplus
skimmed milk powder and 400,000 tons of beef, rather than sell
or give it away.
33. The EEC spends about 14 billion dollars a year to
help farmers produce unused farm surplus goods.
34. In the early 1980's the U.S. government spent 6.1
billion dollars over 3 years to buy & store surplus U.S. dairy
products.
35. At the beginning of 1985, the U.S. Agricultural
Dept. was storing 24 million metric tons of edible farm
commodities. Farmers store about 7 million more tons of
surplus grains.
36. The U.S. government stores in limestone mines in
Missouri, about 61 million pounds of unused surplus dairy
products. This would fill a train stretching from N.Y. city to
Toledo.
37. U.S. taxpayers pay 275,000 dollars an hour to buy
more surplus, and it costs 5,000,000 dollars a month to store it.
38. In 18 black African countries 20 million people
face starvation. 60% of all Africans eat less than what the UN
considers a daily survival diet.
EARTHQUAKES "And great earthquakes shall be in diverse
places ..." (Luke 21:11).
39. In our times the earth has trembled & been
convulsed as never before in history. The number of destructive
earthquakes occurring in the first half of this century was more
than twice the number of the whole 19th century, & the number
continues to increase.
40. In 1976 an estimated 695,000 people died because
of earthquakes. 25 of the 49 largest earthquakes in recorded
history occurred from 1960 to 1980, in only two decades.
PESTILENCES & DISEASES "There shall be pestilences ..."
(Mat.24:7).
41. According to the American Assn. for the
Advancement of Science, 35% of the World's food is being lost
to insects, weeds & animals prior to harvest, & an additional
10% is being destroyed by pests after reaping in storage. A U.S.
Dept. of Agriculture official said that there are 364 types of
"super bugs" worldwide, which have developed resistance to
the many poisons used to destroy or keep them in check.
42. There are five billion rats on the Earth--more rats
than people. They cause two million Dollars of damage yearly.
43. There are still 11 million lepers on Earth, most of
them in Asia, Africa & South America.
INCREASED KNOWLEDGE & COMMUNICATION "But
thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, & seal the book, even to the
Time of the End: Many shall run to & fro & knowledge shall be
increased" (Daniel 12:4).
44. The halfway point of Man's knowledge is less than
10 years ago. Until a few years ago, it was estimated that the
sum total of Man's knowledge was doubling every ten Years.
The experts now estimate that it takes 5 years for Man's store of
knowledge to double.
45. Alton Toffler in his book Future Shock says that
the World today is as different from the World of 50 years ago
as 1923 was different from Julius Caesar's day.
46. Over 15,000 scientific journals are being published
today.
47. Every 60 seconds, 2,000 typewritten pages are
added to Man's knowledge, & the material produced every 24
hours would take one person five years to read. About 500,000
new books are published every year.
48. Scientist Robert O'Brien said: "A man takes 1-1/2
minutes to multiply two five-digit numbers, & a computer does
it 30 million times as fast."
49. When Apollo 13 was lost in space, computers
worked out in an hour & a half a way to bring it back. It's
reported that it would have taken a scientist working with pencil
& paper over a million years to figure out how to perform the
same feat.
50. The NASA Space Center in California has a
computer that is able to make 12,800,000,000 complex
calculations per second. There are now about 1,300 operational
satellites whirling around the Earth.
51. Television: By the time a child has graduated from
high school, he has seen 17,000 hours of television, giving him
an impression of the world & universe that no child of previous
generations ever had. The average American watches 17 hours
of television a week. Calculated over his life period, this would
be about 18 years. Television is considered the most powerful
social force in America today.
52. 90 years ago Mankind was travelling in a state
little different from Adam. Today, Man can not only drive at
enormous speeds, but also fly & even go to the Moon.
53. Horseback was probably the fastest speed of all
men until about the mid-19th Century. Today cars can travel at
600 m.p.h., planes at 2,000 m.p.h., & spaceships at 24,000
m.p.h. A space craft can cover the World in 80 minutes, & in
less than one second a radio message can reach the ends of the
Earth.
54. In the U.S. alone over 300 million passengers were
carried by domestic airlines in 1979, an increase of 75% in a
decade. The World's busiest airport is the Chicago International
Airport with a total of 700,000 take-offs & landings a year, or
one plane movement every 45 seconds around the clock.
55. International tourism involves 200 million people
travelling outside their own countries every year throughout the
world.
56. Cars: In the U.S., 75 billion Dollars is spent by
Americans on the purchase of new cars annually, with an
additional 50 billion going into maintenance & repairs.
57. Space Travel: Only 60 years elapsed from the time
of the first Kitty Hawk flight, which was an early airplane, to
the development of the Apollo spacecraft.
FALSE RELIGIONS & CHRISTS (Mat.24:23-26)
58. A Syracuse University professor who researched
the contemporary religious situation in America announced that
there are over 2,000 practising gurus calling themselves Christ.
59. The Occult--1Timothty 4:1: The film "The
Exorcist" gained 70 million Dollars in a year, & the book by
that title had 10 million copies in print.
60. There are between 5 to 10,000 astrologers in the
U.S. today. There are about 10,000 practising witches in the
U.S. & over 2 million Ouija Boards are now sold annually.
A FALLING AWAY OF THE CHURCHES (2Tim.4:3;
Mat.24:12)
61. It has been estimated that probably 95% of all
church members have never led anyone to Christ.
62. In America, more money is spent on tobacco in one
year than both the U.S. & Canada have spent on missions since
the White Man discovered America.
63. A survey taken of 520 clergy & laymen of the
NCC (National Council of Churches), showed that only a little
over half believed Jesus to be divine, & only 62% believe in an
afterlife.
64. McCall Magazine took a survey of 3000 Protestant
clergymen. The article stated that "A considerable number
rejected altogether the idea of a personal God. A majority of the
youngest group cannot be said to believe in a Virgin birth or to
regard Jesus as divine."
65. In the U.S. in high schools the word "Christmas"
has been eliminated. One high school principal says, "We do
not use Christmas, instead we use the word holiday. When we
plan holiday activities we must ask ourselves, does the activity
create a religious observance? If the answer is yes, then the
activity will not take place."
66. It is illegal in U.S. public schools to read the Bible,
but many states require that a Bible is provided for every
convict in jail. So if the children can't read the Bible in school,
they'll be able to read it when they get to prison.
WORLD EVANGELISATION (Mat.24:14)
67. Christianity is the leading religion in the World
with some one billion followers.
68. In 1960 there were an estimated 42,000 Protestant
foreign missionaries throughout the World.
69. Christianity in Africa is growing so fast that by the
year 2,000 , the Continent may have the greatest concentration
of Christians in the World. About 16,000 Africans a day
become Christians. Almost every president in Africa is a
product of missionary education.
70. The Bible is the most translated book in the world.
There were 109 new translations of the Bible in 1972. The
complete Bible has been translated into more than 240
languages, & the New Testament into more than 320 languages.
The Bible is still the World's most distributed book. In 1978
alone, the United Bible Societies distributed 9.3 million
complete Bibles in 150 languages.
MODERN LIFESTYLE & MORALS
71. The late Supreme Court Justice, Frederick Moore,
said, "Nothing is more certain in modern society than the
principle that there are no absolutes."
72. Valery Giscard d'Estaing, former president of
France commented, "The World is unhappy. It is unhappy
because it doesn't know where it is going, & because it senses
that if it knew, it would discover it is heading for disaster."
73. The Houston police chief said: "Fear of crime is
slowly paralysing American society. We have allowed
ourselves to degenerate to the point where we are living like
animals. We live behind burglar bars & throw a collection of
door locks at night & set an alarm & lay down with a loaded
shotgun beside the bed & then try to get some rest."
74. In all the American wars, 530,000 U.S. combatants
have been killed. But since 1900, deaths from guns in the U.S.
alone have totalled more than 800,000.
75. The Surgeon General for the U.S. said, "Violence
in all forms, from murder to child & wife beating, is now the
nation's number one public health problem."
76. The population of the jails in the U.S. has doubled
in the last ten years & there are now nearly 400,000 people in
jails in the U.S., one out of 600 Americans.
77. Drugs: Marijuana may now be the third most
valuable cash crop in the U.S., worth something in excess of
$10 billion a year. About 30 to 80% of the military personnel of
the U.S. Armed Forces are or have been involved in drug use of
some form.
78. Alcohol: Almost half the 5.5 million arrests
annually in the U.S. are related to alcohol abuse. For every
hardcore heroin addict in the U.S. today, there are at least 15
hard core alcoholics. Alcoholism is blamed for 80,000 deaths a
year.
79. Abortions: There are more than one million legal
abortions performed in the U.S. annually. In 1978, nearly 30%
of all pregnancies in the U.S. were terminated by legal
abortions. Worldwide, for every 5 births in the World there are
now 2 abortions.

80. Television Violence: By the time the average child

is 15 years old he will have witnessed the violent destruction of
more than 13,000 human beings on television, many of them
late at night. Crime & violence occur 10 times more often on
television than in real life.

81. Health: The UN has estimated that up to 30% of

the World's population is suffering from some form of mental
trouble. The popular tranquiliser Valium is prescribed 5 million
times per month in the U.S.
ENTHUSIASM/INSPIRATION
Related Index Topics: Take Action, Holy Spirit,
Cheerfulness, Initiative, Positiveness.
1. "Every great movement in the annals of history,"
said Emerson, "is the triumph of enthusiasm."
It is derived, that magic name, from two Greek words:
"en" meaning "in" & "theos" meaning "God." Enthusiasm is
literally "God in us." The enthusiastic man is one who speaks as
if he were possessed by God.
2. Then there is the true story of Madame Modjeska,
the Polish Tragedienne, who was a guest at an evening party.
The admiring company pressed her for a recitation from some
play. She at first declined on the ground that memory might not
serve her without the accustomed stage settings, lights, etc.
However, the guests insisted so insistently that she finally
acquiesced, announcing she would recite in her native tongue.
Her hearers sat listening to her, spellbound. Some who were
there were even moved to tears. When she finished she was
asked the name of the touching story she had related.
She smiled & said, "I counted in Polish to one
hundred."
3. The famed naturalist, Luther Burbank, kept a guest
book in which he invited all callers to write their names, their
addresses, & their chief interests in life. When Edison
autographed Burbank's book, he wrote in the column headed
"interested in"--with no hesitation whatever--the word
"everything" & followed it with an exclamation point.
4. Beware of singing as if you were dead or half
asleep! Lift up your voices with strength. Be no more afraid of
your voice now, or more ashamed of its being heard, than when
you sang the songs of Satan.--John Wesley
5. I would sooner risk the dangers of a tornado of
religious excitement than see the air grow stagnant with a
deadly formality.
6. We won't go far without enthusiasm, but neither will
we go far if that's all we have.
7. Don't worry about the job you don't like. Someone
else will soon have it.
8. The fellow who is fired with enthusiasm for his
work is seldom fired by his boss.
9. Enthusiasm is contagious--& so is the lack of it.
10. We rarely support the things we support with the
enthusiasm with which we oppose the things we oppose.
11. Enthusiasm is a good engine, but it needs
intelligence for a driver.
12. There's always a good crop of feed for thought.
What we need is enough enthusiasm to harvest it.
13. He who has no fire in himself cannot warm others.
14. Enthusiasm is the propelling force necessary for
climbing the ladder of success.
15. Years wrinkle the skin, but lack of enthusiasm
wrinkles the soul.
16. An enthusiast is one who believes about four times
as much as he can prove, & can prove about eight times as
much as anyone will ever believe.
17. The road to failure is greased with the slime of
indifference.
18. A fanatic is a person who loves Jesus more than
you do.
19. It's easier to cool down a fanatic than warm up a
corpse.
20. Zeal is like fire; it needs both feeding & watching.
21. It is not doing the things we like that makes life
happy; it is learning to like the thing we have to do.
22. Oh, you gotta have a glory in the thing you do;
Oh, you gotta have that somethin' that thrills you
through & through.
Cookin' taters, washin' clothes, or blowing baby's nose;
You need that certain somethin' that will see you
through!
23. Nothing is so contagious as enthusiasm; it moves
stones, it charms brutes. Enthusiasm is the genius of sincerity,
& truth accomplishes no victories without it.
24. Perspiration in preparation is the way to obtain
inspiration in your presentation.
 25. There is God within us, & we blow when He stirs
us.
26. Lord, we cannot nourish others unless we ourselves
are refreshed & nourished & can minister unto our babes of the
strength which Thou dost supply. So help us to remember that
we need rest & we need nourishment & we need refreshing &
we need inspiration. We cannot feed them from empty shells,
from an empty cupboard, from an empty over-burdened heart,
from a strained body that has not even enough for itself, much
less for others.
27. Help us, Lord, not to be so pressured that we put
off our time with Thee. Help us, even as we go out this morning
to bask in Thy sunshine for a little while & to breathe deeply
the refreshment of Thy wonderful clean air, to put Thee first
each day, spiritually to bask in Thy sunshine, rest in Thy arms,
drink deeply of Thy Word & inhale of Thy Spirit!
28. Every day should be a new day, a new experience,
a new listening to the voice of the Lord! Why just live on
yesterday's food. Why not have some fresh inspiration every
day?
29. That tremendous surge of the Spirit that only the
Spirit of God can give you is better than any drugs or any other
highs or thrills that this World has to offer!
30. If it's not worth putting everything you've got into
it, it's not worth doing it!
31. We are but organs mute till a Master touches the
keys,
Verily vessels of earth into which God poureth the
wine;
Harps are we, silent harps that have hung on the
willow trees,
Dumb till our heart-strings swell & break with a pulse
Divine.
32. The great composer does not set to work because
he is inspired, but becomes inspired because he is working.
Beethoven, Wagner, Bach, & Mozart settled down day after day
to the job in hand with as much regularity as an accountant
settles down each day in his figures. They didn't waste time
waiting for inspiration.
33. Be not afraid of enthusiasm; you need it; you can
do nothing effectively without it.
34. Every man is enthusiastic at times. One man has
enthusiasm for 30 minutes--another man has it for 30 days, but
it is the man who has it for 30 years who makes a success of
life.
35. Enthusiasm & persistence can make an average
person superior; indifference & lethargy can make a superior
person average.
36. You must have enthusiasm for life, or life is not
going to have a lot of enthusiasm for you.
37. Enthusiasm has a great cloak which can conceal
lame talents, dwarfed ambitions, & mangy personalities. It has a
sparkle like sunlight on rippling waters & can cause dedicated
failures to be delightful.
38. Enthusiasm is the all-essential human jet
propellant. It is the driving force which elevates men to miracle
workers. It begets boldness, courage; kindles confidence;
overcomes doubts. It creates endless energy, the source of all
accomplishment.
39. All through the ages the most worthy characters
have been those who were dynamically enthusiastic over some
definite aim & end. The young man who is afraid to manifest
enthusiasm lest his dignity suffer is not likely to have much
dignity to lose by & by. Enthusiasm is the propelling force that
is necessary for climbing the ladder of success.
40. An agency executive has compiled a list of fail-
safe phrases, or comments, which automatically throw the
brakes on enthusiasm. You're feeling pretty fired up about some
idea, he says, & then one of these phrases drops into the
conversation like a policeman into a party. The list includes:
"Might be better if", "I like it--it's just that", "See your point,
but", "Let's look at it this way", "Our usual procedure is", "How
would we justify it?" "How would it look?" And also, of course,
"Yes, but", "No, but", "Maybe, but", & "Let me sleep on it".
41. Apathy can only be overcome by enthusiasm, &
enthusiasm can only be aroused by two things: first, an ideal
which takes the imagination by storm, & second, a definite
intelligible plan for carrying that ideal into practice.--Arnold
Toynbee
42. Both enthusiasm & pessimism are contagious.
Which one do you spread?
43. I don't know about having too much zeal; but I
think it is better the pot should boil over than not boil at all.