CHAPTER XXVI
Be a Worker for Jesus
The poet Virgil was said to have cast an enchantment on one of the public gates of Naples. All who passed the sculptured, smiling face on one side prospered, but those who passed under the frowning figure on the opposite side were doomed from the outset to disaster. Many now believe in such superstitious ideas, and “Chance” is charged with the ups and downs of thousands. Common sense and experience assure us that the one main condition of success is work. The practical person takes no stock in what Shakespeare calls “giddy fortune’s fickle wheel,” but instead relies on “Heaven helps those that help themselves.”
A dying farmer called to his bedside his three lazy sons and said to them: “My sons, a great treasure lies hid in the estate which I am about to leave you.” “Where is it hid?” exclaimed the sons in a breath. “I am about to tell you,” said the old man, “you will have to dig for it—” His breath failed him before imparting the weighty secret, and he died. Forthwith the sons set to work upon the long-neglected fields. They discovered no treasure, but they learned to work, and when these fields were sown, and the harvest came, the yield in consequence of the thorough tilling was prodigious. Then was it they discovered the treasure concealed in the estate, of which their wise old father had advised them.
The same rule holds good in the work of Jesus. Work is ordained by God, and should be ordained by us for God. The establishment of the religion of Christ in all lands, the numberless churches, the schools of learning and the asylums for the needy owe all to the energy and toil of the adherents of Christ. In the Bible Christianity is represented as a temple, but Christians are the builders. Life is spoken of as a warfare, but Christians are the soldiers. Work is shown to be the divine test of greatness, but Christians are the workers. To simply love God is not sufficient, for love must prove itself by labor. To have faith is not enough, for “Faith without works is dead.” (James 2:20). It is like a fish without water and a watch without springs. Philip might have said to Nathaniel: “I would not be surprised if we met Jesus to-day,” but the record tells us he “findeth Nathaniel and saith unto him, ‘We have found Him of whom Moses in the law and the prophets did write.’” (John 1:45). Harlan Page, pressed with business cares and battling with ill-health, might have said, “Well, now, I believe God will send laborers into His vineyard,” but he went to work and led a hundred young men into the ministry by consecrating his personal influence to Christ.
LAYING BRICKS.
A little over half a century ago a boy heard his pastor say to the trustees that he would like a new brick walk laid around the old church. They replied it was impossible as there were no funds in the treasury. That boy wanted to do something for his Master, so he said to himself: “I will do what I can to lay the walk about the church.” He went to a brickyard section of Philadelphia, and asked one of his father’s friends to give him a thousand brick, of another friend he asked a like amount; and another, until he thought he had secured a sufficient number to complete the walk. He then asked some of the men and boys whom he knew very well to help place them in position. They did so, beginning on Thursday and completing the work at half past ten o’clock Saturday night.
This lad had a great desire to know what the pastor would say, so he made his way very early Sunday morning to a place where he could see his pastor and not be seen by him. Soon after Dr. Chambers came down the street and started to go to his study, when he realized that his feet were standing on a new pavement. He took off his glasses and rubbed them. Putting them on he began to walk up and down, first on Sansom and then on Broad Street. He made the journey two or three times. The young man was soon walking along after him apparently unconcerned. The pastor had made his last trip over the walk, and turning around saw the lad. The tears began to flow as he said, “My son, who did this?” The young man looked up and said, “Dr. Chambers, I helped to do it.” Then Dr. Chambers put his hands on the young man’s shoulders and said, “God bless you, my son, you have made your old pastor’s heart glad. You have greatly aided me in my church work.” That boy was John Wanamaker.
THE COMMAND.
There is one reason which should prompt every boy to work. Jesus says, “Son, go work to-day in My vineyard.” (Matt. 21:28). He has elected boys as well as men, and commissioned them to do His will. Note the loving title which He uses. “Son.” Not slave, or servant, but son, thus presenting the fact of near relationship. Son, do what? “Work.” That’s the philosopher’s stone which turns everything to gold, and the key that unlocks the treasures of nature. By it the muscles are hardened, the intellect strengthened, and slumbering genius awakened. “Son, go work!” When? “To-day,” thus showing it is a present need, for the night cometh when no boy can work.