August 1

They which run in a race rim all, but one receiveth the prize. - 1 Corinthians 9:24.

EARTHLY good is always uncertain. Here we must always reckon upon disappointment: all cannot win; and where one succeeds there are numbers who grieve over mortifying disappointments, and after a long and painful pursuit in the competition of it, we too, perhaps, may find that just as we are about to grasp the prize, another bears it away. The truth is, that worldly distinction and eminence depend on a concurrence of events and circumstances such as rarely take place. “I saw,” says Solomon, “that the race is not always to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill, but” what we call” time and chance happeneth to them all.” The truth is, that a great deal of what is called earthly greatness is placed beyond the reach of many, whatever they may do. Many are poor, and they have not the opportunities and the means of becoming affluent; many cannot fill the seats of learning and science: they have not capacities to acquire the needful treasures.

Here is a reason why we should seek those which are always sure in their attainment. Over these is inscribed always, “Ask and it shall be given; seek and ye shall find; knock and it shall be opened unto you; for whosoever asketh receiveth, and he that seeketh findeth, and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.” No condition in life, however disadvantageous it seems, is a barrier to elevation here. In the work of the Lord the servant may become equally great with the master; for moral greatness does not consist in doing great things, but in doing little things with a great mind. And these are accessible to all. “The poor have the gospel preached unto them,” and may be “rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which God hath promised to them that love him.” All may obtain, however destitute, those blessings which are to be bought “without money and without price.” “The wayfaring man, though a fool, shall not err” in the heavenly road, under the Divine guide.

A man, however illiterate, can acquire the knowledge which makes wise unto salvation, under the heavenly Teacher; for the Teacher here affords not only light but eyes, not only sound but ears, not only lessons but the faculty to receive them. Hope is the mainspring of action; if probability will invigorate a man in his exertions, how much more will certainty, especially when the objects depending are of such unspeakable value.

We see, then, the advantage which the Christian has over all other candidates. The husbandman soweth in hope, but his hopes may perish by excessive moisture, or by mildew, or caterpillars; but here “he that soweth in tears, shall reap in joy.” The soldier fights in hope, but war is a precarious thing. “Let not him that putteth on the harness,” says the proverb, “boast as he that putteth it off.” Conquerors have been often conquered; but Christians will be found “more than conquerors.” They enter upon their warfare under peculiar advantages. If they have not struck a blow, they may strike with confidence; or if they have fallen through a blow received, they may look up and say, “Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy; when I fall I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light unto me.” So that we may say-

“Assured that our King

Will put our foes to flight,

We’ll on the field of battle sing,

And triumph in the fight.”