Sound it loud o"er every hilltop, Gloomy shade and sunny plain; Ocean depths repeat the message, Full salvation"s glad refrain.
Sound it in the hedge and highway, Earth"s dark spots where exiles roam; Let it tell all things are ready, Father waits to welcome home.
Blow the trumpet, trusty watchman, Blow it loud o"er land and sea; G.o.d commissions, sound the message!
Every captive may be free.
DR. H. L. GILMOUR.
Missionary Work
[Ill.u.s.tration.]
Ruth Gleaning In The Field Of Boaz. "For the love of Christ constraineth us." 2 Cor. 5:14.
1. What has been given to every man?
"For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and _to every man his work_." Mark 13:34.
2. Besides work, what else has been given to every man?
"And unto one he gave five _talents_, to another two, and to another one; _to every man according to his several ability_." Matt. 25:15.
3. What are those called to whom this work is committed?
"For the kingdom of heaven is as a man traveling into a far country, who called his own _servants_, and delivered unto them his goods." Verse 14.
4. What use did these servants make of their talents?
"Then he that had received the five talents _went and traded with the same_, and made them other five talents.... But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord"s money." Verses 16-18.
5. What excuse did the one who hid his talent make?
"_I was afraid_, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine." Verse 25.
6. What did his master say to him?
"His lord answered and said unto him, _Thou wicked and slothful servant_."
Verse 26.
7. What did he say the servant should have done?
"Thou oughtest therefore to have _put my money to the exchangers_, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury." Verse 27.
8. What is characteristic of slothful persons?
"The slothful man saith, There is a lion without, I shall be slain in the streets." Prov. 22:13.
NOTE.-That is, they see great obstacles before them, and are always ready with excuses.
9. What was the fate of the slothful servant?
"And _cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness_: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth." Matt. 25:30.
10. What was said to the servant who improved his talents?
"His lord said unto him, _Well done, thou good and faithful servant_: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: _enter thou into the joy of thy lord_." Verse 21.
11. Why did Christ endure the cruel death on the cross?
"Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; _who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame_, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of G.o.d." Heb. 12:2.
12. What will bring to the Lord this satisfaction and joy?
"He shall _see of the travail of His soul_, and shall be satisfied." Isa.
53:11.
13. How will Christ demonstrate His joy over the saved?
"He will joy over thee _with singing_." Zeph. 3:17.
14. What did Paul set forth as his crown of rejoicing?
"For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? _Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming?_ For ye are our glory and joy." 1 Thess. 2:19, 20.
15. Since this joy comes to Christ only through His self-denial and suffering for others, in what way must all others partake of that joy?
"It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with Him, we shall also live with Him: _if we suffer, we shall also reign with Him_: if we deny Him, He also will deny us." 2 Tim. 2:11, 12.
16. What motive should prompt to soul-saving labor?
"For _the love of Christ constraineth us_." 2 Cor. 5:14.
17. Whom does every faithful Christian worker represent?
"Now then we are _amba.s.sadors for Christ, as though G.o.d did beseech you by us_: we pray you in Christ"s stead, be ye reconciled to G.o.d." Verse 20.
18. What does G.o.d do with the unfruitful members?
"_Every branch in Me that beareth not fruit He taketh away_: and every branch that beareth fruit, He purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit." John 15:2.
19. Can one occupy a mere neutral position toward Christ?