The census paper lies before us, and as we glance at its headings, we cannot help feeling that it makes a certain stand-point not only in the national, but also in our personal history. It bids us cast our eyes back upon the past. It cries to us, in no hesitating tones, as to the present, “Man, know thyself.” It compels us to look forward into the all-undefined future, and wonder what shall be.
As the questions bid you write concerning yourself and others, surely they bid you ponder over personal and relative duties. Have they been fulfilled in the past? Are they being fulfilled at the present? How will they be fulfilled in the future?
You write in your own name,—your Christian name. Is it a cheat, or a true outspeaking of your character?
You write your age. How long have I lived?—ten, twenty, thirty, forty, fifty, sixty, seventy years. The past, the past! the things of which God requires, how spent? How long have I to live? When the next census comes, will my name be enrolled in it? There must come a time when it will cease to be entered in human records. How soon? Some died the very day of the last census; some the day, the week, the year after. It may be thus with me this time. Am I ready to die? How long have I to live?
You write the name of your wife. She sees you write it. Are not both reminded of solemn vows plighted in the presence of, and in dependence upon the strength and blessing of God? Have those vows been fulfilled or broken? Are they being now fulfilled? Are ye helpers or hinderers of one another’s salvation?
You write the names of your children, ‘the heritage and gift which has come to you from the Lord.’ A fearfully responsible stewardship! By lip, and life, how have you trained them? How are you training them? How will you train them? Is it in the nurture and admonition of the Lord? Is it for time or eternity,—for mammon or for God,—for hell or for heaven? No man liveth to himself. You must influence their present and eternal state. How?
And, young people, I have a word for you. Your father and mother call you, and you stand by their side as they enter your names and ages in the census paper, and so record you as their sons and daughters. Is it not well for you at such a time to pause, and think, and ask, Have I loved and obeyed the parents God in mercy has given me, as I ought to have done? Have I honored my father and my mother according to the first commandment with promise? Have I copied His example, of whom, though He was Lord of All, it is written concerning His conduct as the Son of Man towards His parents, “He was subject unto them”?
The next heaviest curse to the curse of those despising the Saviour, is the curse awaiting those who set light by father or mother. See to it, my young friends, that that curse light not on you.
You write in the names of your dependents. Think, do you obey the Scripture injunction, “Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal, knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven”? Think, will any of them be able to present against you the condemning accusation, “No man cared for my soul”?
Your names are being written in, ye servants. Should not the question arise in your minds, Am I a servant such as God would approve, ‘obeying in all things my masters according to the flesh; not with eye service, as men pleasers, but in singleness of heart, fearing God: whatsoever I do, doing it heartily as to the Lord, and not unto men; knowing that of the Lord I shall receive the reward of the inheritance; for I serve the Lord Christ’?