January 21

Third Week in Advent.—Saturday

Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the Word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified. 2 THESSALONIANS iii. 1.

PRAY for us (God's ministers); indeed you may do more (even) than pray for us. You may take us at our word, if you will, and oblige us when we are in your society to speak to you of the things which concern your salvation. You may frown down all levity in us, and demand from us the holiness which you rightly believe is becoming to our office. You may help us and strengthen us by requiring us to help and strengthen you. Oh, would to God that we were vessels meet for the Master's use! But do not misunderstand us: this is all we claim to be, His vessels, His instruments in our vocation and ministry, just as you may be in yours. We cannot act independently of Him, we cannot forgive in our own name; we cannot forgive whom He does not forgive; we cannot bless whom He hath not blessed. If the Son of absolution be not with any sinner, our absolution will not avail him. Without Him, apart from Him, we are nothing; apart from Him we have no strength, no power, no life, no peace, no happiness, no pardon, and no hope, the world is a desolation to us and eternity a blank.

Without Thy presence, heaven's no heaven to me;

Without Thy presence, earth gives no refection;

Without Thy presence, sea affords no treasure;

Without Thy presence, air's a rank infection;

Without Thy presence, heaven itself no pleasure.

If not possessed, if not enjoyed in Thee,

What's earth, or sea, or air, or heaven to me?

In having all things and not Thee, what have I?

Not having Thee, what have my labours got?

Let me enjoy but Thee, what further crave I?

And having Thee alone, what have I not?

I wish nor sea, nor land: nor would I be

Possessed of heaven, heaven unpossessed of Thee.