May 29

I will give you pastors according to mine heart.

JER. iii. 15.

The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest. — MATT. ix. 37, 38.

SUCH is the duty enjoined by Christ upon his disciples. It indicates both the object and the plan of his work. He was a missionary sent to save sinners. Every pulsation of his heart throbs in sympathy with sinners; every utterance of his lips, every act of his life, his dying agonies, and all his appointments, contemplate the salvation of sinners.

In the accomplishment of his purposes Jesus employs human agency. His Church is a grand missionary organization, — the light of the world and the salt of the earth, the repository and the source of saving influences. The living ministry is the grand leading instrumentality which he employs in the execution of his work. Its business is to reap and garner the harvest. In view of the magnitude of the work, the vastness of the harvest, and the inadequacy of the laborers, Jesus still as emphatically commands his followers, as he did his disciples while upon earth, to pray for an increase of laborers; and they, prompted by the yearnings of their own hearts, cheerfully obey his command. And while they thus pray, they freely give of their means, their time, and influence to secure an answer to their prayers. Effectual prayer and the use of the means necessary to obtain the blessing sought, like living faith and works, are always conjoined.

Phil J. Brown

Saints of God! the dawn is brightening,

Token of our coming Lord;

O'er the earth the field is whitening;

Louder rings the Master's word, —

"Pray for reapers

In the harvest of the Lord."

MRS. MAXWELL