Author --Frances Ridley Havergal, 1836-1879

Composer --Ethelbert W. Bullinger, 1837-1913 Tune Name --"Bullinger"

“Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is.” Jeremiah 17:7

“I am trusting Thee, Lord Jesus–Trusting only Thee.”

This is another of the child-like, but beautiful expressions from the soul of the esteemed English poetess, Frances Ridley Havergal, often referred to as “the Sweetest Voice of Hymnody.” Though highly educated and cultured, Miss Havergal always maintained a simple, child-like faith and confidence in her Lord. She is generally called “the consecration poet,” since her hymns so reflect this quality. Her entire life was characterized by spiritual saintliness. It is said that she never wrote a line of verse without first fervently praying over it, and then she gave God all the credit for its composition:

“I believe my King suggests a thought, and whispers me a musical line or two, and then I look up and thank Him delightedly and go on with it. That is how my hymns come.”

Frances R. Havergal was born on December 14, 1836, in Astley, Worcestershire, England, into a cultured, religious family. Her father, William Havergal, was an influential Anglican clergyman, who for many years was also involved in improving and composing English hymnody. At the age of three, Frances could read, and at the age of seven, she was already writing verses. She received her education at English and German boarding schools and enjoyed exceptional advantages of culture and travel. She became a natural linguist, mastering French, German, Italian, Latin, Greek, and Hebrew. Miss Havergal was also a devoted Bible student, memorizing much of the New Testament as well as the Psalms, Isaiah, and the Minor Prophets. She was a brilliant pianist and interpreter of the music of the masters, especially Handel, Mendelssohn, and Beethoven, and was also a lovely singer. Her numerous little books of poems and hymn texts are now treasured all over England and America. Perhaps the keynote of them is her own expression: “Thy will be done is not a sigh, but only a song.”

Frances Havergal, though seventeen years younger, was a contemporary of America’s best-known, gospel song writer of this era, Fanny Crosby (1820-1915). Although these two gifted women never met, each was an ardent admirer of the other. The following is a letter sent by Miss Havergal 128 to Fanny Crosby:

“Dear blind sister over the sea– An English heart goes forth to thee. We are linked by a cable of faith and song, Flashing bright sympathy swift along. One in the East and one in the West, Singing for Him whom our souls love best. Singing for Jesus! Telling His love All the way to our home above, Where the severing sea, with its restless tide Never shall hinder and never divide. Sister, what shall our meeting soon be When our hearts shall sing and our eyes shall see?”

Frail in health all of her life, Miss Havergal one day caught a severe cold which caused inflammation of the lungs. When told that her life was in danger, she exclaimed, “If I am really going, it is too good to be true! " At another time she responded, “Splendid! To be so near the gates of heaven. " At the very end, it is reported that she sang clearly, but faintly, another of her hymns, “Jesus, I Will Trust Thee, Trust Thee With My Soul. " Then, according to reports by her sister,

“She looked up steadfastly, as if she saw the Lord; and surely nothing less heavenly could have reflected such a glorious radiance upon her face. For ten minutes we watched that almost visible meeting with her King, and her countenance was so glad, as if she were already talking to Him! Then she tried to sing; but after one sweet, high note her voice failed, and as her brother commended her soul into the Redeemer’s hand, she passed away.”

Frances Havergal died at the early age of forty-two on June 3, 1879, in Swansea, Wales. On her tombstone at Astley, Worcestershire, is carved her favorite text, I John 1:7–“The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.”

The composer of the music, Ethelbert W. Bullinger, was born at Canterbury, England, December 15, 1837, a direct descendent of Johann H. Bullinger, the great Swiss Reformer. He was an Anglican clergyman, known as an able Greek and Hebrew scholar, receiving an honorary D.D. degree from the Archbishop of Canterbury, in 1881, in recognition of his accomplishments. Throughout his life, he maintained a keen interest in church music and composed several other hymn tunes. This is the only one, however, still in common usage. It was composed in 1874 and first appeared in Wesley’s Hymns and New Supplement (1877). He was also the author of many books including: The Companion Bible, Commentary on Revelation, 7he Giver and His Gifts now titled Word Studies on the Holy Spirit, Great Cloud of Witnesses in Hebrews Eleven, Number in Scripture, and The Witness of the Stars.

“I Am Trusting Thee, Lord Jesus” was said to be Miss Havergal’s 129 favorite of all her hymns. It was written at Ormont, Dessous, Switzerland, in 1874. A copy of the text was found in her personal Bible after her death.

Frances R. Havergal is also the author of the hymns “I Gave My Life for Thee” (101 Hymn Stories, No. 34) and “Take My Life and Let It Be” (ibid., No. 87).

“Dare to look up to God and say, Deal with me in the future as Thou wilt; I am of the same mind as Thou art; I am Thine; I refuse nothing that pleases Thee; lead me where Thou wilt; clothe me in any dress Thou choosest. " Discourses by Epictetus

 

"Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom" (Psalm 90:12).

Another year is dawning: Dear Father, let it be, In working or in waiting, Another year with Thee;

Another year of progress, Another year of praise,  Another year of proving  Thy presence all the days. 

Another year of mercies, Of faithfulness and grace; Another year of gladness  In the shining of Thy face; 

Another year of leaning Upon Thy loving breast; Another year of trusting, Of quiet, happy rest.

 Another year of service, Of witness for Thy love; Another year of training For holier work above. 

Another year is dawning: Dear Father, let it be, On earth or else in heaven, Another year for Thee. 

Amen. 

 

The beauty of a consecrated Christian life has probably never been more perfectly revealed than in the life of Frances Ridley Havergal. To read the story of her life is not only an inspiration, but it discloses at once the secret of her beautiful hymns. She lived her hymns before she wrote them.

This sweetest of all English singers was born at Astley, Worcestershire, December 14, 1836. She was such a bright, happy and vivacious child that her father, who was a minister of the Church of England and himself a hymn-writer of no mean ability, called her “Little Quicksilver.” Her father was also a gifted musician, and this quality too was inherited by the daughter, who became a brilliant pianist and passionately fond of singing. However, because she looked upon her talents as gifts from God to be used only in His service, she would sing nothing but sacred songs.

Her sunshiny nature became even more radiant following a deep religious experience at the age of fourteen. Of this she afterwards wrote:

“I committed my soul to the Saviour, and earth and heaven seemed brighter from that moment.”

At the age of eighteen she was confirmed. It is evident that she looked upon her confirmation as one of the most blessed experiences of her life, for when she returned home she wrote in her manuscript book of poems:

“THINE FOR EVER”

She also wrote a hymn on Confirmation, “In full and glad surrender.” This hymn her sister declared was “the epitome of her life and the focus of its sunshine.”

Four years later, while pursuing studies in Düsseldorf, Germany, Miss Havergal chanced to see Sternberg’s celebrated painting, Ecce Homo, with the inscription beneath it:

This was the same painting that once made such a profound impression on the youthful mind of Count Zinzendorf. Miss Havergal was likewise deeply moved, and immediately she seized a piece of scrap paper and a pencil and wrote the famous hymn:

She thought the verses so poor after she had read them over that she tossed them into a stove. The piece of paper, however, fell out untouched by the flames. When she showed the words to her father a few months later, he was so touched by them he immediately composed a tune by which they could be sung.

This seems to have been one of the great turning points in the life of the young hymnist. Her hymns from this period reveal her as a fully surrendered soul, her one ambition 329being to devote all her talents to Christ. She did not consider herself to be a poet of a high order, but so filled was she with the love of Christ that her heart overflowed with rapturous praise. Indeed, her hymns may be said to be the record of her own spiritual experiences. Always she was proclaiming the evangel of full and free salvation through Jesus’ merits to all who believe.

She is often referred to as “the consecration poet.” This is an allusion to her famous consecration hymn, written in 1874:

Take my life, and let it beConsecrated, Lord, to Thee.Take my moments and my days;Let them flow in ceaseless praise.

The circumstances that led to the writing of this hymn are interesting. Miss Havergal was spending a few days in a home where there were ten persons, some of them unconverted, and the others rather half-hearted Christians who seemed to derive no joy from their religion. A great desire came upon her that she might be instrumental in bringing them all to true faith in Christ. Her prayer was wonderfully answered, and on the last night of her stay her heart was so filled with joy and gratitude she could not sleep. Instead, she spent the night writing the consecration hymn.

Her prayer, “Take my silver and my gold; not a mite would I withhold,” was not an idle petition with her. In August, 1878, she wrote to a friend: “The Lord has shown me another little step, and of course I have taken it, with extreme delight. ‘Take my silver and my gold,’ now means shipping off all my ornaments to the Church Missionary House (including a jewel cabinet that is really fit for a countess), where all will be accepted and disposed of for me. 330I retain a brooch or two for daily wear, which are memorials of my dear parents, also a locket containing a portrait of my dear niece in heaven, my Evelyn, and her two rings; but these I redeem, so that the whole value goes to the Church Missionary Society. Nearly fifty articles are being packed up. I don’t think I ever packed a box with such pleasure.”

In addition to her other accomplishments, Miss Havergal was a brilliant linguist, having mastered a number of modern languages. She was also proficient in Greek and Hebrew. Her sister records that she always had her Hebrew Bible and Greek New Testament at hand when she read the Scriptures.

The study of the Bible was one of her chief joys. During summer she began her Bible reading at seven in the morning, and in winter at eight o’clock. When, on cold days, her sister would beg her to sit near the fire, she would answer: “But then, Marie, I can’t rule my lines neatly. Just see what a find I’ve got. If one only searches, there are such extraordinary things in the Bible!” Her Bible was freely underscored and filled with notations. She was able to repeat from memory the four Gospels, the Epistles, Revelation and all the Psalms, and in later years she added Isaiah and the Minor Prophets to the list.

Miss Havergal was only forty-two at the time of her death, on June 3, 1879. When her attending physician told her that her condition was serious, she replied, “If I am really going, it is too good to be true!” At the bottom of her bed she had her favorite text placed where she could see it: “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.” She also asked that these words be inscribed upon her coffin and on her tombstone. Once she exclaimed: “Splendid! To be so near the gates of heaven!” And again, 331“So beautiful to go! So beautiful to go!” She died while singing:

Some of the more popular hymns by Miss Havergal, aside from those already mentioned, are: “O Saviour, precious Saviour,” “I am trusting Thee, Lord Jesus,” “Thou art coming, O my Saviour,” “Lord, speak to me, that I may speak,” and “Singing for Jesus, our Saviour and King.” While she was writing the hymns that were destined to make her famous, another remarkable young woman, “Fanny” Crosby, America’s blind hymn-writer, was also achieving renown by her hymns and songs. Miss Havergal and Miss Crosby never met, but each was an ardent admirer of the other, and on one occasion the English poet sent a very touching greeting to the American hymn-writer. It read:

Dear blind sister over the sea, An English heart goes forth to thee. We are linked by a cable of faith and song, Flashing bright sympathy swift along: One in the East and one in the West Singing for Him whom our souls love best; “Singing for Jesus,” telling His love All the way to our home above, Where the severing sea, with its restless tide, Never shall hinder and never divide. Sister! What shall our meeting be, When our hearts shall sing, and our eyes shall see!

From Story of Our Hymns

Leave behind earth's empty pleasure, Fleeting hope and changeful love; Leave its soon-corroding treasure; There are better things above.

Leave, oh, leave thy fond aspirings, Bid thy restless heart be still; Cease, oh cease, thy vain desirings, Only seek thy Father’s will.

Leave behind thy faithless sorrow, And thine every anxious care; He who only knows the morrow Can for thee its burden bear.

Leave behind the doubting spirit, And thy crushing load of sin; By thy mighty Saviour’s merit, Life eternal thou shalt win.

Leave the darkness gathering o’er thee, Leave the shadow-land behind; Realms of glory lie before thee; Enter in, and welcome find.

(From ‘Ministry of Song’)

Poet divine! My heart is full of love, My thoughts well in my throat and melt in tears When seeking to express the power thy words convey. Thou hast a soul that wraps round mine sweet peace, That tells me all I need and gives it me; Thy sweet, cool hand is oft upon my brow, Thy holy purity inspireth me. When sadness o’erwhelmeth me, thou art sad, And sadness mingled giveth sympathy. When joy shines bright, thy joy shines also, And rejoices with me—Whence comes this power? Methinks thou hast been on the mountaintop And in the valleys. Aye! and through the dark Thou hast been to the green Hill far away, And there thy life melted into His, thence As a ripple from His smile thou’rt come. Hail! All Hail! the blessing of thy soulful words. And now thou’rt on the breast of Jesus Christ Perfectly good—thou knowest now the way Thou traversed here, but if thou wert still here I’d long to see thee, clasp thy hand, and pray, Speechless from love because thou knowest me. Mayhap strange unto thee things thou wrotest Might have appeared, but He who knoweth all Guided thy hand. Thou’rt happy, God be blest. Nearer to Jesus hath thy poem led A soul perplexed by thought for him too great. If thou, O Poet, can behold us here, O pray that I may like thee be good And humbly learn of Jesus, that His life Be manifest in my life and work, and glorified Even as He was in thine. Then when morning breaketh, and away Flee all the shadows, may I grasp thy hand, Look into thy face, and call thee sister.

Yes! He knows the way is dreary, Knows the weakness of our frame, Knows that hand and heart are weary; He, 'in all points,' felt the same. He is near to help and bless; Be not weary, onward press.Look to Him who once was willing All His glory to resign, That, for thee the law fulfilling, All His merit might be thine. Strive to follow day by day Where His footsteps mark the way. Look to Him, the Lord of Glory, Tasting death to win thy life; Gazing on ’that wondrous story,' Canst thou falter in the strife? Is it not new life to know That the Lord hath loved thee so? Look to Him who ever liveth, Interceding for His own: Seek, yea, claim the grace He giveth Freely from His priestly throne. Will He not thy strength renew With His Spirit’s quickening dew? Look to Him, and faith shall brighten, Hope shall soar, and love shall burn; Peace once more thy heart shall lighten; Rise! He calleth thee, return! Be not weary on thy way Jesus is thy strength and stay.

 

'My God shall supply all your need, according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.'Who shall tell our untold need, Deeply felt, though scarely known! Who the hungering soul can feed, Guard, and guide, but God alone? Blessed promise! while we see Earthly friends must powerless be, Earthly fountains quickly dry: 'God' shall all your need supply.

He hath said it! so we know Nothing less can we receive. Oh that thankful love may glow While we restfully believe,– Ask not how, but trust Him still; Ask not when, but wait His will: Simply on His word rely, God ‘shall’ all your need supply.

Through the whole of life’s long way, Outward, inward need we trace; Need arising day by day, Patience, wisdom, strength, and grace. Needing Jesus most of all, Full of need, on Him we call; Then how gracious His reply, God shall ‘all’ your need supply!

Great our need, but greater far Is our Father’s loving power; He upholds each mighty star, He unfolds each tiny flower. He who numbers every hair, Earnest of His faithful care, Gave His Son for us to die; God shall all ‘your’ need supply.

Yet we often vainly plead For a fancied good denied, What we deemed a pressing need Still remaining unsupplied. Yet from dangers all concealed, Thus our wisest Friend doth shield; No good thing will He deny, God shall all your ‘need’ supply.

Can we count redemption’s teasure, Scan the glory of God’s love? Such shall be the boundless measure Of His blessings from above. All we ask or think, and more, He will give in bounteous store, He can fill and satisfy, God shall all your need ‘supply.’

One the channel, deep and broad, From the Fountain of the Throne, Christ the Saviour, Son of God, Blessings flow through Him alone. He, the Faithful and the True, Brings us mercies ever new: Till we reach His home on high, ‘God shall all your need supply.’

(From ‘Ministry of Song’)

JESUS, Thy life is mine! Dwell evermore in me; And let me see That nothing can untwine My life from Thine.

II. Thy life in me be shown! Lord, I would henceforth seek To think and speak Thy thoughts, Thy words alone, No more my own.

III. Thy love, Thy joy, Thy peace, Continuously impart Unto my heart Fresh springs, that never cease But still increase.

IV. The blest reality Of resurrection power, Thy Church’s dower, Life more abundantly, Lord, give to me!

V. Thy fullest gift, O Lord, Now at Thy feet I claim, Through Thy dear name! And touch the rapturous chord Of praise forth poured.

VI. Jesus, my life is Thine, And evermore shall be Hidden in Thee! For nothing can untwine Thy life from mine.

I. JUST when Thou wilt, O Master, call, Or at the noon, or evening fall, Or in the dark, or in the light,— Just when Thou wilt, it must be right.

II. Just when Thou wilt, O Saviour, come, Take me to dwell in Thy bright home! Or when the snows have crowned my head, Or ere it hath one silver thread.

III. Just when Thou wilt, O Bridegroom, say, ‘Rise up, my love, and come away!’ Open to me Thy golden gate, Just when Thou wilt, or soon, or late.

IV. Just when Thou wilt—Thy time is best— Thou shalt appoint my hour of rest, Marked by the Sun of perfect love, Shining unchangeably above.

V. Just when Thou wilt!—no choice for me! Life is a gift to use for Thee; Death is a hushed and glorious tryst, With Thee, my King, my Saviour, Christ!

"For thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the Gentiles like a flowing stream."  Isaiah 66:12

Like a river glorious, is God's perfect peace, Over all victorious, in its bright increase; Perfect, yet it floweth, fuller every day, Perfect, yet it groweth, deeper all the way.

Stayed upon Jehovah, hearts are fully blessed Finding, as He promised, perfect peace and rest.

Hidden in the hollow of His blessed hand, Never foe can follow, never traitor stand; Not a surge of worry, not a shade of care, Not a blast of hurry touch the spirit there.

Stayed upon Jehovah, hearts are fully blessed Finding, as He promised, perfect peace and rest.

Every joy or trial falleth from above, Traced upon our dial by the Sun of Love; We may trust Him fully all for us to do. They who trust Him wholly find Him wholly true.

Stayed upon Jehovah, hearts are fully blessed Finding, as He promised, perfect peace and rest.

---

 

 

"Lord, speak to me, that I may speak In living echoes of Thy tone; As Thou hast sought, so let me seek, Thy erring children lost and lone.O lead me, Lord, that I may lead The wandering and the wavering feet; O feed me, Lord, that I may feed Thy hungering ones with manna sweet. O strengthen me, that while I stand Firm on the Rock, and strong in Thee, I may stretch out a loving hand To wrestlers with the troubled sea. O teach me, Lord, that I may teach The precious things Thou dost impart; And wing my words, that they may reach The hidden depths of many a heart. O give Thine own sweet rest to me, That I may speak with soothing power A word in season, as from Thee, To weary ones in needful hour. O fill me with Thy fullness, Lord Until my very heart o’erflow In kindling thought and glowing word, Thy love to tell, Thy praise to show. O use me, Lord, use even me Just as Thou wilt, and when, and where; Until Thy blessed face I see, Thy rest, Thy joy, Thy glory share.” Frances Ridley Havergal 1872

 

I John 4:16.

 

Rise and watching daily, Ask Christ your lamp to trim With the fresh oil He giveth, That it might not burn dim. Yes, rise and shine for Jesus! Be brave, and bright and true To the true and loving Savior, Who gave Himself for you. Oh, shine for Jesus, dear one, And henceforth be your way Bright with the light that shineth Unto the perfect day!

Take my life and let it be Consecrated, Lord, to Thee; Take my moments and my days, Let them flow in endless praise; Take my hands and let them move At the impulse of Thy love; Take my feet and let them be Swift and beautiful for Thee.Take my voice and let me sing, Always, only, for my King. Take my lips and let them be Filled with messages from Thee. Take my silver and my gold; Not a mite would I withhold. Take my intellect and use Every power as Thou shalt choose. Take my will and make it Thine; It shall be no longer mine. Take my heart, it is Thine own; It shall be Thy royal throne. Take my love, my Lord, I pour At Thy feet its treasure-store. Take myself, and I will be Ever, only, all for Thee.

This song by Christ Our Life in Canada. Click here.

‘The secret of the Lord is with them that fear Him.’ Psalm 25:14. 

I. JUST to let thy Father do What He will; Just to know that He is true, And be still. Just to follow hour by hour As He leadeth; Just to draw the moment’s power As it needeth. Just to trust Him, this is all! Then the day will surely be Peaceful, whatsoe’er befall, Bright and blessed, calm and free.

II. Just to let Him speak to thee Through His Word, Watching, that His voice may be Clearly heard. Just to tell Him everything As it rises, And at once to Him to bring All surprises. Just to listen, and to stay Where you cannot miss His voice. This is all! and thus to–day, Communing, you shall rejoice.

III. Just to ask Him what to do All the day, And to make you quick and true To obey. Just to know the needed grace He bestoweth, Every bar of time and place Overfloweth. Just to take thy orders straight From the Master’s own command. Blessed day! when thus we wait Always at our Sovereign’s hand.

IV. Just to recollect His love, Always true; Always shining from above, Always new. Just to recognize its light, All-enfolding; Just to claim its present might, All-upholding. Just to know it as thine own, That no power can take away. Is not this enough alone For the gladness of the day?

V. Just to trust, and yet to ask Guidance still; Take the training or the task, As He will. Just to take the loss or gain, As He sends it; Just to take the joy or pain, As He lends it. He who formed thee for His praise Will not miss the gracious aim; So to–day and all thy days Shall be moulded for the same. VI.

Just to leave in His dear hand Little things, All we cannot understand, All that stings. Just to let Him take the care Sorely pressing, Finding all we let Him bear Changed to blessing. This is all! and yet the way Marked by Him who loves thee best; Secret of a happy day, Secret of His promised rest.

‘He faileth not.’ Zep 3:5.

I.

HE who hath led, will lead

All through the wilderness;

He who hath fed, will feed;

He who hath blessed, will bless

He who hath heard thy cry,

Will never close His ear;

He who hath marked thy faintest sigh,

Will not forget thy tear.

He loveth always, faileth never;

So rest on Him, to–day, for ever!

II.

He who hath made thee whole

Will heal thee day by day;

He who hath spoken to thy soul

Hath many things to say.

He who hath gently taught

Yet more will make thee know;

He who so wondrously hath wrought

Yet greater things will show.

He loveth always, faileth never;

So rest on Him, to–day, for ever!

III.

He who hath made thee nigh

Will draw thee nearer still;

He who hath given the first supply

Will satisfy and fill.

He who hath given thee grace

Yet more and more will send;

He who hath set thee in the race

Will speed thee to the end.

He loveth always, faileth never;

So rest on Him, to–day, for ever!

IV.

He who hath won thy heart

Will keep it true and free;

He who hath shown thee what thou art

Will show Himself to thee.

He who hath bid thee live,

And made thy life His own,

Life more abundantly will give,

And keep it His alone;

He loveth always, faileth never;

So rest on Him, to–day, for ever!

V.

Then trust Him for to–day

As thine unfailing Friend,

And let Him lead thee all the way,

Who loveth to the end.

And let the morrow rest

In His beloved hand;

His good is better than our best,

As we shall understand,—

If, trusting Him who faileth never,

We rest on Him, to-day, for ever!

“Lord, to whom shall we go?”—John 6:68.

1. Truehearted, wholehearted, faithful and loyal, King of our lives, by Thy grace we will be; Under the standard exalted and royal, Strong in Thy strength we will battle for Thee.
   • Refrain: Peal out the watchword! Silence it never! Song of our spirits, rejoicing and free; Peal out the watchword! Loyal forever! King of our lives, by Thy grace we will be.
2. Truehearted, wholehearted, fullest allegiance Yielding henceforth to our glorious King! Valiant endeavor and loving obedience Freely and joyously now would we bring.
3. Truehearted, wholehearted, Savior all-glorious, Take Thy great power and reign Thou alone, Over our wills and affections victorious— Freely surrendered and wholly Thine own.

 

1. Who is on the Lord’s side? Who will serve the King? Who will be His helpers, other lives to bring? Who will leave the world’s side? Who will face the foe? Who is on the Lord’s side? Who for Him will go? By Thy call of mercy, by Thy grace divine, We are on the Lord’s side—Savior, we are Thine!
2. Not for weight of glory, nor for crown and palm, Enter we the army, raise the warrior psalm; But for love that claimeth lives for whom He died: He whom Jesus saveth marches on His side. By Thy love constraining, by Thy grace divine, We are on the Lord’s side—Savior, we are Thine!
3. Jesus, Thou hast bought us, not with gold or gem, But with Thine own lifeblood, for Thy diadem; With Thy blessing filling each who comes to Thee, Thou hast made us willing, Thou hast made us free. By Thy grand redemption, by Thy grace divine, We are on the Lord’s side—Savior, we are Thine!
4. Fierce may be the conflict, strong may be the foe, But the King’s own army none can overthrow; ’Round His standard ranging, vict’ry is secure, For His truth unchanging makes the triumph sure. Joyfully enlisting, by Thy grace divine, We are on the Lord’s side—Savior, we are Thine!
5. Chosen to be soldiers, in an alien land, Chosen, called, and faithful, for our Captain’s band; In the service royal, let us not grow cold, Let us be right loyal, noble, true and bold. Master, wilt Thou keep us, by Thy grace divine, Always on the Lord’s side—Savior, always Thine!

 

Jesus, Master, whose I am, Purchased Thine alone to be, By Thy blood, O spotless Lamb, Shed so willingly for me; Let my heart be all Thine own, Let me live to Thee alone.Other lords have long held sway; Now, Thy name alone to bear, Thy dear voice alone obey, Is my daily, hourly prayer. Whom have I in heaven but Thee? Nothing else my joy can be. Jesus, Master! I am Thine; Keep me faithful, keep me near; Let Thy presence in me shine All my homeward way to cheer. Jesus! at Thy feet I fall, Oh, be Thou my All-in-all.

 

Many an active and willing helper in the work of God is too often an unconscious hinderer of the Gospel.

A vexation arises, and our expressions of impatience hinder others from taking it patiently.  Disappointment, ailment, or even weather depresses us, and our look or tone of depression hinders others from maintaining a cheerful and thankful spirit.

We utter a fearful or discouraging remark, and another’s hope and zeal are wet-blanketed.  “What man is there that is fearful and fainthearted?  Let him go and return unto his house, lest his brethren’s heart faint as well as his heart” (Deut. 20:8).

We say an unkind thing, and another is hindered in learning the holy lesson of love that thinks no evil.  We say a provoking thing, and our sister or brother is hindered in that day’s effort to be meek.  “Make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way” (Heb. 12:13).

We yield an inch in some doubtful matter, and another is made bold to take a mile.  We do a questionable thing, and another seeing our example, feels justified in doing an unlawful thing.  “Abstain from all appearance of evil” (1 Thess. 5:22).

We miss an opportunity of speaking a word for Jesus, and our pleasant, commonplace talk checks a half-formed wish for something better and hinders the lights of the glorious Gospel from shining into a heart.  We do not heed the thoughtful look on some face just after family prayer or public worship, and our needless chatter about earthly things causes the spiritual concern to fly.

How sad, too, that we may hinder without word or act.  Wrong feeling is more infectious than wrongdoing, especially the various phases of ill temper, such as gloominess, touchiness, discontent, irritability.  Do we not know how catching these are?

 

If the Lord asked us, “Wherefore discourage ye the heart of the children of Israel?” – should we be utterly without excuse?  What if He asked each hindered one, “Who did hinder you?” – are our consciences sure that our names would escape mention?

Might we never be the helpers of the great hinderer, Satan!  Let us ask that the Lord Jesus would so perfectly tune our spirits to the keynote of His exceeding great love, that all our unconscious influence may breathe only of that love, and help all with whom we come in contact to obey the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

(From the book 'Deeper Experiences of Famous Christians' by Lawson, J. Gilchrist) Few lives have left behind them a sweeter fragrance or holier influence than that of beautiful, talented, consecrated, Frances Ridley Havergal, who wrote " Take my life and let it be," and others of our most popular hymns. In tens of thousands of homes all over the world Miss Havergal's name is a household word. Countless multitudes have received blessing through her hymns and devotional works. Her little booklets, "My King," "Royal Commandments and Royal Bounty," "Daily Thoughts on Coming to Christ," "Kept for the Master's Use," and so on, have been the means of deepening the spiritual life of many of God's children. To Miss Havergal Christ was indeed "a living bright Reality ; " " more dear, more intimately nigh, than e'en the sweetest earthly tie." One of her latest whis- pers was, " I did so want to glorify Him in every step of my way." Many Christians sincerely desire to know the secret of such a life as hers, and to attain its lofty heights of joy and peace. Frances Ridley Havergal was the youngest child of Christian parents. She was bom in 1836, at Astley, in Worcestershire, England, where her father was rector at the time. She was a very beautiful child, fond of romping and climbing trees. She was so full of life and vivacity that her father called her his "Littie Quicksilver." She was very precocious, and could read simple books easily at three years of age. At four years of age she could write welly and could read the Bible correctly. Her father was a composer and musician of no little merit, and at nine years of age Frances wrote long letters to her friends in perfect rhyme. As a little girl Frances sang hymns sweetly, and she often sat upon her father's knee while he read the Scriptures ; but she did not remember having any serious impressions about religion tmtil she was six years old. At that age she was deeply convicted of sin by hearing a sermon which dwelt much on the terrors of hell and of the judgment day. She told no one, but the sermon was on her mind day and night, and she sought relief in prayer. She remained in great distress about her soul for two years without telling anyone about it. She then ventured to tell a certain curate of the Church of England, in which church she was raised and of which she continued a member ; but he attributed her feelings to a recent change of residence that her parents had made in moving from one rectory to another. He thought that she was simply homesick for the old home and friends, and advised her to be a good child and to pray. After this she did not open her heart to anyone for about five years, although she was under deep concern about her soul most of the time. Her mother died when she was twelve years of age, and this was a great blow to her. When between thirteen and fourteen years of age she went to the school of a Mrs. Teed, who was a godly woman, so filled with the Spirit that a great revival broke out in her school in which most of her pupils were converted to Christ. Many of the girls were so happy that '' their countenances shone with a heavenly radiance.'' This deepened Frances' conviction of sin, and she prayed more earnestly than ever for pardon. After much anxious seeking, she ventured to tell a Miss Cooke — ^who after- wards became her step-mother — how willing she was to give tq> everything if she could only find Christ as her Saviour. Miss Cooke said, " Why cannot you trust yourself to your Saviour at once ? " Miss Havergal says, '^ Then came a flash of hope across me, which made me feel literally breathless. I remember how my heart beat. ' I coidd surely,' was my response; and I left her suddenly and ran away upstairs to think it out. I flung myself on my knees in my room, and strove to realize the sudden hope. I was very happy at last I could commit my soul to Jesus. I could trust Him with my all for eternity.'' She then received a definite assurance of salvation. ''Then and there," says she, " I committed my soul to my Saviour, I do not mean to say without any trembling or fear, but I did — and earth and heaven seemed bright from that moment — / did trust the Lord Jesus/' From the time of her conversion Frances lived a very earnest Christian life. She was in schools and colleges in England and Germany, and afterwards visited different parts of England, Switzerland, Wales, Ireland, and Scotland, but everywhere she went she took a bold stand for Christ. She received a splendid education both in England and in Germany, and grew into a very beautiful and accomplished young lady. She won many of the highest honors, and became proficient in several languages, including Latin, Greek, French, German, and Hebrew. She was a talented musician, a gifted singer, and wrote many poems of considerable merit. She was the only truly converted person among the hundred and ten young ladies in her school in Germany, but she took a firm stand for Christ, and suffered much persecution on that account but won the hearts of some of her schoolmates. Returning to England in 1854, she was confirmed in Worcester Cathedral. When the bishop laid hands on her and prayed, '* Defendt O Lord, this Thy child with Thy heavenly grace, that she may continue Thine forever, and daily increase in Thy Holy Spirit more and more, until she come into Thy everlasting kingdom," her heart entered into the prayer. " If ever my heart followed a prayer it did then," says she, ** if ever it thrilled with earnest longing not unmixed with joy, it did at the words * Thine for ever.' " She always observed the anniversary of her confirmation by spending the day in prayer and holy retirement. Although Miss Havergal lived a very earnest Christian life, and sought to glorify God and serve Him by teaching in Sunday School, singing in churches and elsewhere, visiting the needy, and so on, she felt that she was only a little child in the spiritual life, and she longed for a deeper Christian experience. Her writings began to attract much attention, and her sweet Christian spirit was noticed on every hand. She was a great student of the Word of God, and at the age of twenty-two knew the whole of the Gospels, Epistles, Revelation, Psalms, and Isaiah by heart, and the Minor Prophets she learned in later years. She asked the Lord to direct her writing, and to give her every word, and even the rhymes of her poetry. Still she longed for a deeper, richer, fuller Christian experience. Many were her longings to be filled with the Spirit, and to have a closer walk with God. In "Gleams and Glimpses," written in 1858, she says, " — ^gleams and glimpses, but oh to be filled with joy and the Holy Ghost! Oh, why cannot I . trust Him fully." Later she wrote, "I still wait for the hour when I believe He will reveal Himself to me more directly; but it is the quiet waiting of present trust, not the restless waiting of anxiety and danger." It was in 1852, at the age of 22, that she wrote the well known hymn " I gave My life for thee," which reveals the deep longings of her heart to be more fully consecrated to Christ .

Miss Havergal often met with dark places in seeking for a deeper experience. In 1865, she wrote, " I had hoped that a kind of table-land had been reached in my journey, where I might walk a while in the light, without the weary succession of rock and hollow, crag and morass, stumbling and striving; but I seem borne back into all the old difficulties of the way, with many sin-made aggravations. I think that the great root of all my trouble and alienation is that I do not now make an unconditional surrender of myself to God ; and until this is done I shall know no peace, I am sure of it.” Later she says, " Oh, that He would indeed purify me and make me white at any cost.” She prayed regularly three times a day, and every morning she prayed especially for the Holy Spirit. After a season of sickness, she wrote, " Oh, that He may make me a vessel sanctified and meet for the Master’s use! I look at trial and training of every kind in this light, not its effect upon oneself for oneself, but in its gradual Htting of me to do the Master’s work. So, in every painful spiritual darkness or confliot, it has already comforted me to think that Grod might be leading me through strange dark ways, so that I might afterward be His messenger to some of His children in distress.” She often wondered why others obtained so easily the blessing she had agonized and prayed for so long. Perhaps the Lord was letting her learn what trial was, so that her sweet songs might better comfort others in distress. She says, " I suppose that God’s crosses are often made of most unexpected and strange material. Perhaps trial must be felt keenly, or it would not be powerful enough as a medicine in the hands of our beloved Healer ; and I think it has been a medicine to me latterly." Again, she says, " I have learned a real sympathy with others walking in darkness, and sometimes it has seemed to help me to help them." Concerning her trials she also wrote, “Did you ever hear of anyone being very much used for Christ who did not have some special waiting time, some complete upset of all his or her plans first; from St. Paul being sent off into the desert of Arabia for three years, when he must have been boiling over with the glad tidings, down to the present day?” Miss Havergal traveled much throughout the British Isles, and made numerous trips to Switzerland; but wherever she was her soul still longed for a deeper experience. She spent much time in studying and marking her Bible, by the " rail-roading " method, and this increased her longings to lay hold of the " exceeding great and precious promises ** by which we are made ’’ partakers of the divine nature" (2 Peter 1:4). At this time she wrote, “I have been appropriating all of the promises with a calm sort of twilight happiness, waiting for a clearer light to show me their full beauty and value.” At last the long looked for experience came, and it lifted her whole life into sunshine and gladness. The following account of how she was brought into a Beulah Land experience is from the pen of her sister Maria, who also enjoyed the same experience. ‘‘We now reach a period in the life of dear Frances that was characterized by surpassing blessing to her soul. The year 1873 was drawing to a close, and she was again visiting Winterdyne. “One day she received in a letter from N a tiny book with the title ‘AH for Jesus.’ She read it carefully. Its contents arrested her attention. It set forth a fulness of Christian experience and blessing exceeding that to which she had as yet attained. She was gratefully conscious of having for many years loved the Lord and de- lighted in His service; but there was in her experience a falling short of the standard, not so much of a holy walk and conversation, as of uniform brightness and continuous enjoyment in the Divine life. ’ All for Jesus ’ she found went straight to this point of the need and longing of her soul. Writing in reply to the author of the little book, she said, ^ I do so long for deeper and fuller teaching in my own heart/ * “All for Jesus ‘* has touched me very much. . . . I know I love Jesus, and tiiere are times when I feel such intensity of love for Him that I have not words to describe it. I rejoice too in Him as my " Master” and ** Sovereign,” but I want to come nearer still, to have the full realization of John xiv. 21, and to know " the power of his ressurrection," even if it be with the fellowship of His sufferings. And all this, not exacdy for my own joy alone, but for others. … So I want Jesus to speak to me, to say " many things " to me, that I may speak for Him to otiiers with real power. It is not knowing doctrine, but being with Him, which will give this." " God did not leave her long in this state of mind. He Himself had shown her that there were * regions beyond ’ of blessed experience and service ; had kindled in her soul the intense desire to go forward and possess them; and now, in His own grace and love, He took her by the hand, and led her into the goodly land. A few words from her correspondent on the power of Jesas to keep those who abide in Him from falling, and on the continually present power of His blood (’ the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth from all sin/) were used by the Master in effecting this. Very joyously she replied : ’ / see it all, and I have the blessing.’ “The ^sunless ravines’ were npw forever passed, and henceforth her peace and joy flowed onward, deepening and widening under the teaching of God and the Holy Ghost. The blessing she had received had (to use her own words) ’lifted her whole life into sunshine, of which all she had previously experienced was but as pale and passing April gleams compared with the fulness of stunmer glory.’ " The practical effect of this was most evident in her daily true-hearted, whole-hearted, service for her King, and also in the increased joyousness of the unswerving obedience of her home life, the surest test of all. “To the reality of this I do most willingly and fully testify. Some time afterwards, in answer to my question, when we were talking quietly together, Frances said, * Yes, it was on Advent Sunday, December 2, 1873, I first saw clearly the blessedness of true consecration. I saw it as a flash of electric light, and what you see, you can never unsee. There must be full surrender before there can be full blessedness. God admits you by the one into the ether. He Himself showed me all this most clearly. You know how singularly I have been withheld from attending all conventions and conferences; man’s teachings has, consequently, had but little to do with it. First, I was shown that " the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin,” and then it was made plain to me that He Who had thus cleansed me had power to keep me clean; so I just utterly yielded myself to Him, and utterly trusted Him to keep me.’ " In a letter to her sister Maria, written some months after the experience just described, Frances says with regard to it : " First, however, I would distinctly state, that it is only as and while a soul is under the full power of the blood of Christ that it can be cleansed from all sin; that one moment’s withdrawal from that power, and it is again actively because really sinning; and that it is otdy as, and while, kept by the power of God Himself that we are not sinning against Him ; one instant of standing alone is certain fall! But, (premising that,) have we not been limiting the cleansing power of the precious blood when applied by the Holy Spirit, and also the keeping power of God ? Have we not been limiting i John i : 7, by practically making it refer only to * remission of sins that are past/ instead of taking the grand simplicity of ‘cleanseth us from all sin ? ’ * All ’ is all; and as we may trust Him to cleanse us from the stain of past sins, so we may trust Him to cleanse us from all present defilement; yes, all! If not, we take away from this most precious promise, and, by refusing to take it in its fulness lose the fulness of its application and power. Then we limit God’s power to keep;’ we look at our frailty more than His omnipotence. Where is the line to be drawn, beyond which He is not able?’ The very keeping implies total helplessness without it, and the very cleansing most distinctly defilement without it. It was that one word ‘cleanseth’ which opened the door of a very glory of hope and joy to me. I had never seen the force of the tense before, a continual present, always a present tense, not a present which the next moment becomes a past. It goes on cleansing, and I have no words to tell how my heart rejoices in it. Not a coming to be cleansed in the fountain only, but a remaining in the fountain, so that it may and can go on cleansing. “Why should we pare down the promises of God to the level of what we have hitherto experienced of what God is ’ able to do,’ or even of what we have thought He might be able to do for us ? Why not receive God’s promises, nothing doubting, just as they stand? ‘Take the shield of faith, whereby ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked ; ’ ‘He is able to make all grace abound toward you, that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things;’ and so on, through whole constellations of promises, which surely mean really and fully what they say. “One arrives at the same thing starting almost from anywhere. Take Philippians iv : 19, ’ your need ; * well, what is my great need and craving of soul? Surdy it is now, (having been justified by faith, and having assurance of salvation,) to be made holy by the continual sanctiymg power of God’s Spirit ; to be kept from grieving the Lord Jesus ; to be kept from thinking or doing whatever is not accordant with His holy will. Oh what a need is this ! And it is said ’ He shall supply all your need ;’ now, shall we turn round and say ’ all ’ does not mean quite all ? Both as to the commands and promises, it seems to me that everything short of believing them as they stand is but another form of * yea, hath Gk)d said ? ' ‘‘Thus accepting, in simple and unquestioning faith, God’s commands and promises, one seems to be at once brought into intensified views of everything. Never, oh never before, did sin seem so hateful, so really * intolerable,’ nor watchfulness so necessary, and a keenness and untnterruptedness of watchfulness too, beyond what one ever thought of, only somehow different, not a distressed sort but a happy sort. It is the watchfulness of a sentinel when his captain is standing by him on the ramparts, when his eye is more than ever on the alert for any sign of the approaching enemy, because he knows they can only approach to be defeated. Then, too, the ‘all for Jesus’  comes in; one sees there is no half way, it must be absolutely all yielded up, because the least unyielded or doubtful point is sin, let alone the great fact of owing all to Him. And one cannot, dare not, temporize with sin. I know, and have found, that even a momentary hesitation about yielding, or obeying, or trusting and believing, vitiates all, the communion is broken, the joy is vanished ; only, thank God, this need never continue even five minutes, faith may plunge instantly into ’ the fountain, open for sin and undeanness/ and again find its power to cleanse and restore. Then one wants to have more and more light; one does not shrink from painful discoveries of evil, because one so wants to have the unknown depths of it cleansed as well as what comes to the surface. ’ Qease me throughly from my sin ; and one prays to be shown this. But so far as one does see, one must ‘put away sin’ and obey entirely; and here again His power is our resource, enabling us to do what without it we could not do. ** One of the intensest moments of my life was when I saw the force of that word ’ cleanseth’ The utterly unexpected and altogether unimagined sense of its fulfillment to me, on simply believing it in its fulness, was just indescribable. I expected nothing like it short of heaven.” Re- ferring to the same experience, in a letter to a friend, she said, ’’ The year 1873 has been a time of unprecedented blessing to me.” Miss Havergal’s whole life was now lifted to a higher plane, and the few remaining years were the richest of her life, richest in Christian experience and richest in ser- vice for her King. Wherever she went her life was full of service, andher words were winged with a new spiritual power. It was at this time too that she wrote her great consecration hymn, “Take my life and let it be,” She says, " Perhaps you will be interested to know the origin of the consecration hymn, Take my life.’ I went for a little visit of five days. There were ten persons in the house, some unconverted and long prayed for, some converted but not rejoicing Christians. He gave me the prayer, ’ Lord, give me aU in this house ! ’ And He just did ! Before I left the house everyone had got a blessing. The last night of my visit I was too happy to sleep, and passed most of the night in praise and renewal of my consecration, and these little couplets formed themselves and chimed in my heart one after another, till they finished with, ’ Ever, Only, ALL for Theel’” She now refused to sing anything except sacred songs and hymns. Her voice, like her pen, was “always, only, for her King;” and many hearts were touched by her consecrated singing and writing. She considered every moment of her time as belonging to the Lord, and sought to use it to His glory. She was very fond of romping over the mountains in Switzerland, and her Al- pine guide said that in climbing them she ’’ went up like a chamois," but these rambles were for the benefit of her health, and she embodied in her writings the thoughts concerning God suggested to her by His handiwork in nature. She also sought to win souls for Christ during her numerous visits to Switzerland. Not only did she>consider every moment of her time as wholly the Lord’s, but she regarded every penny of her money as belonging to Him. " I forget sometimes," says she, ‘‘but as a rule I never spend a sixpence without the distinct feeling that it is His, and must be spent for Him only, even if indirectly." She did not feel free to spend her money for " costly array." She gave her jewelry for the missionary cause, and dressed plainly but neatly. Her idea of the proper way for a Christian to dress was so as not to attract attention either by slovenliness or extravagance. " The question of cost I see very strongly," says she, ** and do not consider myself at liberty to spend on dress that which might be spared for God’s work ; but it costs no more to have a thing well and prettily made, and I should only feel justified in getting a costly dress if it would last proportionately longer." Miss Havergal’s time was now occupied with her writing, in giving Bible readings and addresses, in visiting the poor, and in doing needlework for the Zenana missions and for the poor. In 1877 she took up temperance work as well. She spent much time in visiting from house to house, to read the Bible and point souls to Christ. She often gave Bible readings or addressed meetings in drawing rooms and Other places, and frequently led consecration meetings. The first consecration meeting she was ever in was conducted by herself, and it was a time of rich blessing. Deeply spiritual and full of trust were her Bible readings and addresses. She often sang in churches, hospitals, and other places. Every morning she spent much time in studying and marking her Bible, sitting at her table to do so. Sometimes, on bitterly cold mornings, her sister would beg her to study with her feet to the fire. “But then,” Frances would reply, " I can’t rule my lines neatly; just see what a find I’ve got! If one only searches there are such extraordinary things in the Bible ! " Many were the letters of comfort and consolation that she sent to all parts of the earth. Her books also carried a blessing with them wherever they went. Children flocked to her in crowds, and grown people corresponded with her from all quarters. From morning to night she was occupied in the Master’s service. Miss Havergal often referred to the experience of 1873, which made the closing years of her life such a blessing to others. In 1875 she said to her sister, " It’s no mistake, Marie, about the blessing God sent me December 2, 1873 ; it is far more distinct than my conversion, I can’t date that. I am always happy, and it is such peace," The same year she wrote, " He has granted me to rejoice fully in His will, I am not conscious of even a wish crossing it ; I do really and altogether desire that His will may be done, whatever it is." Even when suffering from poor health, or after some great temporal loss, she could still " rejoice in the Lord, and joy in the God of her salvation" (Habakkuk 3: 18). When her American publishers failed, and she did not receive the money due for her books, she wrote, “I have not a fear, or a doubt, or a care, or a shadow upon the sunshine of my heart.” Later, when many valuable stereotype plates of her music and songs were destroyed by fire, she was still happy, believing that God had a purpose in allowing adversities. She was a daily illustration of “Without Carefulness.” She suffered much from poor health; and as the years went on her health was more and more broken. She literally wore herself out ministering to others. When her friends sympathized with her sufferings in her last illness, she whispered, " Never mind I It’s home the faster ! God’s will is delicious; He makes no mistakes." Shortly before she expired she requested that her favorite text, " The blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth from all sin," should be placed on her tomb. On her dying bed she frequently exclaimed, " So beautiful to go ! " Near the end she said, ** Oh, I want you all to speak bright, Bright words for Jesus ! Oh, do, do ! It is all perfect peace, I am only waiting for Jesus to take me in." Perhaps Miss Havergal’s experience is best described in her own words, quoted by her sister : There were strange soul depths, restless, vast, and broad, Unfathomed as the sea; An infinite craving for some infinite stilling; But now Thy perfect love is perfect filling. Lord Jesus Christ, my Lord, my God, Thou, Thou art enough for me."

 

Author: Lawson, J. Gilchrist (James Gilchrist), 1874-1946 Subject: Christian biography Publisher: New Kensington, PA : Whitaker House Year: 1911 Possible copyright status: NOT_IN_COPYRIGHT Language: English Digitizing sponsor: Google Book from the collections of: Harvard University

The Gospels are full of Christ’s tenderness. Again and again it gleams out, whether He Himself wept, or whether He said, "Weep not" (Luke 19:41; 23:28) – whether in the tender look, the tender word, or the tender touch of gentlest mercy. There is not room here even for the bare mention of the instances of it; but will you not give a little time to searching quietly for them, so that, reading them under the teaching of the Holy Spirit, you may get a concentrated view of the wonderful tenderness of Jesus, and yield your heart to be moved by it, and your spirit to be so penetrated by it, that you may share it and reflect it?

Remember that in such a search we learn not only what He did and said, not only what He was, but what He is; and in all His recorded tenderness we are looking into the present heart of Jesus, and seeing what we shall find for ourselves as we have need, for He is this same Jesus today.

Who that has had any dealings with Christ at all, but must bear witness that He has indeed dealt gently with us. What if He had “dealt with us after our sins”? (Psa. 103:10). But He never did and never will. He has dealt gently and will deal gently with us for His own sake, and according to His own heart. May we not recognize a command in this, as well as a responsibility to follow the example of the gentleness of Christ? Perhaps next time we are tempted to be a little harsh or hasty with an erring or offending one, the whisper will come, “Deal gently, for My sake!” (2 Sam. 18:5)

 

 

“The king said, Wherefore wentest thou not with me?” (2 Samuel 19:25).

“With me!” (John 17:24). To be with our King will be our highest bliss for eternity, and surely it is the position of highest honor and gladness now. But if we would always be with Him, we must sometimes be ready to go with Him (1 Thess. 4:17).

“The Son of God goes forth to war” nowadays. Do we go with Him? His cross is “without the gate.” Do we go “forth unto Him without the camp, bearing His reproach”? (Hebrews 13:12,13). Do we really go with Him every day and all day long, following “the Lamb whithersoever He goeth”? (Revelation 14:4). What about this week–this day? Have we loyally gone with our King wherever His banner, His footsteps go before? (1 Peter 2:21).

If the voice of our King is heard in our hearts, “Wherefore wentest thou not with me?”–you who have eaten “continually at the King’s table” (2 Samuel 9:13)–you who have had a place among “the King’s sons” (2 Samuel 9:11)–you unto whom the King has shown “the kindness of God” (2 Samuel 9:3)–we have no “because” to offer. He would have healed the spiritual lameness that hindered (2 Samuel 19:26) and we might have run after Him. We are without excuse.

It is only now that we can go with Jesus into conflict, suffering, loneliness, weariness. It is only now that we can come to the help of the Lord against the mighty (Judges 5:23) in this great battlefield. Shall we shrink from opportunities which are not given to the angels? Surely, even with Him in glory, the disciples must “remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how He said” (Acts 20:35) to them, “Ye are they which have continued with Me in My temptations” (Luke 22:28). They must have a thrill of rapturous thanksgiving that such a privilege was theirs.

There will be no more suffering with Him in heaven, only reigning with Him (2 Timothy 2:12); no more fighting under His banner, only sitting with Him on His throne (Revelation 3:21). But today we may prove our loving and grateful allegiance to our King in the presence of His enemies, by rising up and going forth with Him–forth from a life of easy idleness or selfish business –forth into whatever form of blessed fellowship in His work, His wars, or it may be, of His sufferings, the King Himself may choose for us. We have heard His call, “Come untoMe.” Today He says, “Come with Me” (Song of Solomon 4:8).

True-hearted, whole-hearted! Faithful and loyal, King of our lives, by Thy grace we will be! Under Thy standard exalted and royal, Strong in Thy strength we will battle for Thee.

From My King And His Service, by Frances Ridley Havergal

 

 

Frances Ridley Havergal (1836-1879) exhorts in this article to careful watchfulness over what we feed our minds on in our reading. Let us apply her exhortations also to what we nowadays might feed on through television, CD’s, videos and the Internet.

 

“Eat ye that which is good” (Isa. 55:2). “So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before Thee” (Psa. 73:22). Had I not been so, this commandment would not have been needed. Good, wholesome, delicious food is set plentifully before us, and yet we have to be told to eat that which is good, and to let rubbish and poison alone! Is it not humiliating?

We know too much about feeding on that which is not good, and what profit had we in those things whereof we are now ashamed? The Lord has had to testify of us, “He feedeth on ashes” (Isa. 44:20), “feedeth on wind” (Hos. 12:1), “feedeth on foolishness” (Prov. 15:14). Most gracious was His decree to those who thus feed: “They shall eat, but not be satisfied” (Mic. 6:14). He would not let us be satisfied. And now, if we have tasted that the Lord is gracious (1 Pet. 2:3), we cannot be satisfied with the old ashes and wind.

But what about our daily practical obedience to this command? How much are we going to eat today of that which is good, in proportion to that which satisfies not? Will it be a question of minutes for the Word by which we live (Matt. 4:4), and hours for books which are at best negative as to spiritual nourishment? What is our present obedience to the parallel command,“Desire the sincere milk of the Word, that ye may grow thereby”? (1 Pet. 2:2).

What about our appetite for the “strong meat” (Heb. 5:12, 14), “the deep things of God”? (1 Cor. 2:10). We may be called to use other books which contain “necessary food”(Job 23:12) mentally, so that by study of His works and His natural, mental and moral providences, we may be more meet for the Master’s use (2 Tim. 2:21). But do we practically and consciously esteem more highly the words of His mouth? Can we say, they are “in my mouth as honey for sweetness”? (Ezek. 3:3).

But perhaps we are even purposing to eat that which is not good. We may argue that there is no harm in certain readings, and that if we don’t read what others do, we shall get narrow and lose conversational influence. People will think nothing of our opinion if we can’t say we have read such and such books.

But all the time, do we not know, down in our heart of hearts, that this is all unsound reasoning? (Job 13:7). We know, though we do not like to acknowledge it, that the books in question blunt our spiritual appetite and hinder our close communion with Jesus. We know that the influence we profess to want is not purely desired “for Jesus sake only” (John 12:9). In short, we like the reading (Isa. 2:6), and we do not want to resist pleasing ourselves (Rom. 15:1-3). And so we deliberately disobey the command to eat that which is good, excusing ourselves by pretending that we “saw that the tree was good for food," when the truth was that we simply saw that it was “pleasant” (Gen. 3:6).

We are solemnly responsible for the mental influences under which we place ourselves. “Take heed what ye hear” (Mark 4:24) must include “take heed what ye read.” “Lead us not into temptation” is “vain repetition” (Matt. 6:7,13) when we walk straight away into it, hoodwinking our own eyes because we are drawn away and enticed by our own desires (Jas. 1:14).

Do we feel that we are not strong enough to resist? “The way of the Lord is strength to the upright” (Prov. 10:29); and His “way to escape” (1 Cor. 10:13) is, “eat ye that which is good” (Isa. 55:2). Perhaps, if Eve had fully availed herself of God’s permission, “Thou mayst freely eat” (Gen. 2:16), she would not have been so ready to disregard His prohibition. If we “eat in plenty” (Joel 2:26) of “angels’ food” (Psa. 78:25), of course we shall not care about the “onions and the garlic” (Num. 11:5). Just fancy wanting them! When we are“satisfied” (Jer. 31:14), of course, there is no craving.

The devil is very fond of persuading us that we have “no leisure so much as to eat” (Mark 6:31) when it is a question of Bible study. He never says that if we have a novel “of the earth, earthy” (1 Cor. 15:47), or a clever magazine of modern thought on hand! He knows better. He wants us not to let our souls delight themselves in fatness. Jesus, our wisdom, says,“Come, eat of My bread” (Prov. 9:5), “Eat, O friends” (Song 5:1). One is utterly ashamed that it should ever be an effort to obey this loving invitation. How weak we are! But His hand touches us, and He says, “Arise, and eat” (1 Kgs. 19:5). May He open our eyes to see and rejoice in the provision so close beside us, the feast that He has made for us (Isa. 25:6).

Not only His Word, but the happy doing of His will be our meat (John 4:34), and we shall “afterward eat of the holy things; because it is His food” (Lev. 22:7). He will give us to eat of the tree of life and of the hidden manna (Rev. 2:7, 17). And He will give us Himself, the living bread which came down from heaven, saying, “He that eateth Me, even he shall live by Me” (John 6:51, 57). Is not this enough?

 

From My King and His Service by Frances Ridley Havergal (1836-1879)

 

 

 

“Seemeth it but a small thing unto you, that the God of Israel hath separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to Himself?” (Numbers 16:9).

 

The thought of separation, so inseparable from true and growing Christian life, (John 17:16), is sometimes viewed as unnecessarily stern, because it is only viewed in one aspect. Young Christians are tempted to think “separation from…." a hard thing, because they do not see how it is far more than outweighed by “separation unto…” (Romans 1:1). Let us think a little of this bright and beautiful side of it.

There is no true separation from the things which Jesus calls us to leave (Matthew 4:19,20), without a corresponding separation unto things which are incomparably better (Mark 10:29,30). One hardly likes to speak of it as compensation, because the “unto” is so infinitely more than the “from.” It is like talking of a royal friendship compensating for dropping a beggar’s acquaintance, or the whole Bank of England for a few pennies, or palace life for giving up workshop life! (Philippians 3:8; 1 Corinthians 3:21-23).

First and chiefly, we are separated unto the Lord Himself (Numbers 6:2). He wants us not only for servants, but for friends (John 15:15). And He makes the friendship a splendid and satisfying reality. He wants to bring us “near to Himself,” that we may be “a people near unto Him” (Psalm 148:14). He will not have a half possession in us, and so He says He has “severed you from other people,” (why?) “that ye should be Mine!” “chosen unto Himself,” “His peculiar treasure” (Psalm 135:4), “separated from among all the people of the earth to be Thine inheritance” (1 Kings 8:53).

Is it “a small thing” thus to be the Lord’s Nazarite, “holy unto the Lord all the days of his separation”? (Numbers 6:8). Is any earthly crown to be compared to “the consecration (margin, separation) of his God upon his head”? (Numbers 6:7).

We are separated also to far happier human friendships than the world knows. There is no isolation intended. “The Lord is able to give thee much more than this” (2 Chronicles 25:9). Those who separated themselves from the people of the land unto the law of God, “they clave to their brethren” (Nehemiah 10:28,29). That is just it. We may lose “people,” but we find brethren (Mark 10:30) with all the love and pleasure and freedom of fellowship–yes, and even mirth–which that relationship brings. Is not this “much more” than the society of “people”?

But we do not get this, perhaps do not even guess its existence, as long as we try for both (Matthew 6:24; James 4:4). Both means neither, in this case. We are conscious of the hollowness of the one, and we are not separated unto, and therefore cannot possibly know the enjoyment of the other.

Then we are separated unto work, “the work whereunto I have called them” (Acts 13:2), very different kinds, but to every man his own work (Mark 13:34), and thereby an end of all the gnawing purposelessness, and down-weighing uselessness and miserable time-killing and sense of helpless waste of life.

Languor or boredom is no part of a separated life. There is no room for that wretchedness any more. “Whose I am, and whom I serve” (Acts 27:23), fills it up. Some are separated more especially “to bear the ark of the covenant of the Lord” (Isaiah 52:11). Some are only to stand before Him, it may be “by night” (Psalm 134:1), so that “songs in the night” (Job 35:10), may ascend to His glory. Some in a thousand ways are “to minister unto Him,” to His poor, to “His prisoners,” spiritually or temporally; always “unto Him” (Matthew 25:30), in His representatives. But all “to bless in His name” (1 Chronicles 23:13), for praise is the invariable service of separation.

“Ye see your calling” (1 Corinthians 1:26). Is it not a high one? “Seemeth it but a small thing to you?” Seemeth it too stern a thing? Is it not rather a “better thing” than fallen man could have dreamed of aspiring to? (1 Corinthians 2:9,10), a brighter life than has entered into the natural heart of man even to imagine? Is it for you? Listen! “Be ye separate,” and what then? “Iwill receive you” (2 Corinthians 6:17).

This is His commandment to you and this is His promise. Will you obey? Then you shall know a little, but every day more and more of that unspeakable blessing of being “received” by the Father, unto the day when Jesus shall come again and receive you unto Himself (John 14:3) for the grand separation of eternity with Him!

"As by the light of opening day The stars are all concealed, So earthly pleasures fade way When Jesus is revealed." John Newton

From My King And His Service" by Frances Ridley Havergal.

 

'The secret of the Lord is with them that fear Him.' -Ps. XXV. 14.

I.

JUST to let thy Father do What He will; Just to know that He is true, And be still. Just to follow hour by hour As He leadeth; Just to draw the moment’s power As it needeth. Just to trust Him, this is all! Then the day will surely be Peaceful, whatsoe’er befall, Bright and blessed, calm and free.-

II. Just to let Him speak to thee Through His Word, Watching, that His voice may be Clearly heard. Just to tell Him everything As it rises, And at once to Him to bring All surprises. Just to listen, and to stay Where you cannot miss His voice. This is all! and thus to-day. Communing, you shall rejoice.

III.

Just to ask Him what to do All the day. And to make you quick and true To obey. Just to know the needed grace He bestoweth. Every bar of time and place Overfloweth. Just to take thy orders straight From the Master’s own command. Blessed day ! when thus we wait Always at our Sovereign’s hand.

IV. Just to recollect His love, Always true; Always shining from above, Always new. Just to recognize its light, All-enfolding ; Just to claim its present might, All-upholding. Just to know it as thine own, That no power can take away. Is not this enough alone For the gladness of the day ?

V. Just to trust, and yet to ask Guidance still; Take the training or the task. As He will. Just to take the loss or gain, As He sends it; Just to take the joy or pain, As He lends it. He who formed thee for His praise Will not miss the gracious aim; So to-day and all thy days Shall be moulded for the same.

VI. Just to leave in His dear hand Little things, All we cannot understand. All that stings. Just to let Him take the care Sorely pressing, Finding all we let Him bear Changed to blessing. This is all! and yet the way Marked by Him who loves thee best; Secret of a happy day, Secret of His promised rest.

(From her devotional book entitled Royal Bounty.)

“Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless, afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.”—Heb. 12:11 There are some promises which we are apt to reserve for great occasions, and thus lose the continual comfort of them. Perhaps we read this one with a sigh, and say: “How beautiful this is for those whom the Lord is really chastening! I almost think I should not mind that, if such a promise might then be mine. But the things that try me are only little things that turn up every day to trouble and depress me.” Well, now, does the Lord specify what degree of trouble, or what kind of trouble, is great enough to make up a claim to the promise? And if He does not, why should you? He only defines it as “not joyous, but grievous.” Perhaps there have been a dozen different things today which were “not joyous, but grievous” to you. And though you feel ashamed of feeling them so much, and hardly like to own to their having been so trying, and would not think of signifying them as “chastening,” yet, if they come under the Lord’s definition, He not only knows all about them, but they were, every one of them, chastenings from His hand; neither to be despised and called “just nothing” when all the while they did “grieve” you; nor to be wearied of; because they are working out blessing to you and glory to Him. Every one of them has been an unrecognized token of His love and interest in you; for “whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth.” (Heb. 12:6)

Next, do not let us reserve this promise for chastenings in the aggregate. Notice the singular pronoun, “Nevertheless, afterward IT yieldeth,” not “they yield.” Does not this indicate that every separate chastening has its own special “afterward”? We think of trials as intended to do us good in the long-run, and in a general sort of way; but the Lord says of each one, “It yieldeth.” Apply this to “the present.” The particular annoyance which befell you this morning; the vexatious words which met your ear and “grieved” your spirit; the disappointment which was His appointment for today; the slight but hindering ailment; the presence of someone who is “a grief of mind” to you; whatever this day seemeth not joyous, but grievous, is linked in “the good pleasure of His goodness,” with a corresponding afterward of “peaceable fruit”; the very seed from which, if you only do not choke it, this shall spring and ripen.

If we set ourselves to watch the Lord’s dealings with us, we shall often be able to detect a most beautiful correspondence and proportion between each individual “chastening” and its own resulting “afterward”. The habit of thus watching and expecting will be very comforting, and a great help to quiet trust when some new chastening is sent: for then we shall simply consider it as the herald and earnest of a new “afterward”.

Lastly, do not let us reserve this promise for some far future time. The Lord did not say “a long while afterward”, and do not let us gratuitously insert it. It rather implies that, as soon as the chastening is over, the peaceable fruit shall appear unto the glory and praise of God. So let us look out for the “afterward” as soon as the pressure is past. This immediate expectation will bring its own blessing if we can say, “My expectation is from Him” (Ps. 62:5), and not from any fruit-bearing qualities of our own; for only “from Me is thy fruit found”. (Hos. 14:8) Fruit from Him will also be fruit unto Him.

What shall Thine afterward be, O Lord? I wonder, and wait to see (While to Thy chastening hand I bow) What peaceable fruit may be ripening now, Ripening fast for Thee!

 

“The king’s business required haste” (1 Sam. 21:8).  Yet there is no other business about which average Christians take it so easy.  They “must” go their usual round, they “must” write their letters, they “must” pay off their visits and other social claims, they “must” do all that is expected of them.  And then, after this and that and the other thing is cleared off, they will do what they can of the King’s business.

They do not say “must” about that, unless it is some part of His business which is undertaken at second-hand and with more sense of responsibility to one’s clergyman than to one’s King.  Is this being “faithful and loyal and single hearted”?  If it has been so, oh, let it be so no more!  How can “Jesus Only” be our motto, when we have not even said, “Jesus first”?

The King’s business requires haste.  It is always pressing and may never be put off.  Much of it has to do with souls which may be in eternity tomorrow, and with opportunities which are gone for ever if not used then and there.  There is no “convenient season” for it but today.  Often it is not really done at all because it is not done in the spirit of holy haste.

We meet an unconverted friend again and again and beat about the bush, and think to gain quiet influence and make way gradually, and we call it judicious not to be in a hurry when the real reason is that we are wanting in holy eagerness and courage to do the King’s true business with that soul.  In nine such cases out of ten nothing ever comes out of it.  But “As thy servant was busy here and there, he was gone” (1 Kgs. 20:40). Have we not found it so?

Delay Next To Disobedience

Delay in the Lord’s errands is next to disobedience, and generally springs out of it or issues in it.  “God commanded me to make haste.”  Let us see to it that we can say, “I made haste, and delayed not to keep Thy commandments.”

We never know what regret and punishment delay in the King’s business may bring upon ourselves.  Amasa “tarried longer than the set time which he [the king]had appointed him” (2 Sam. 20:5), and the result was death to himself.  Contrast the result in Abigail’s case, where, except she had hasted, her household would have perished (1 Sam. 25:34).

Pray For Holy Zeal

We find four rules for doing the King’s business in His Word.  We are to do it, first – “Heartily” (Col. 3:23); second – “Diligently” (Ezra 7:23); third – “Faithfully” (2 Chron. 34:12); fourth – “Speedily” (Ezra 7:21).

Let us ask Him to give us the grace of energy to apply them this day to whatever He indicates as our part of His business, remembering that He said, “I must be about My Father’s business” (Luke 2:49).

Especially in that part of it which is between Himself and ourselves alone, let us never delay.  Oh, the incalculable blessings that we have already lost by putting off our own dealings with our King!  Abigail first “made haste” (1 Sam 25:18) to meet David for mere safety.  Soon afterwards she again “hasted and arose and went after the messengers of David, and became his wife” (1 Sam 25:42).

Thus hasting, we shall rise from privilege to privilege, and “go from strength to strength” (Psa. 84:7).

He who hath won thy heart Will keep it true and free; He who hath shown thee what thou art Will show Himself to thee. He who hath bid thee live, And made thy life His own, Life more abundantly will give, And keep it His alone; He loveth always, faileth never; So rest on Him, today, for ever!

–From My King And His Service

Idle words, which might have fallen comparatively harmlessly from one who had never named the Name of Christ, may be a stumbling-block to inquirers, a sanction to thoughtless juniors, and a grief to thoughtful seniors, when they come from lips which are professing to feed many. 

Even intelligent talk on general subjects by such a one may be a chilling disappointment to some craving heart, which had indulged the hope of getting help, comfort, or instruction in the things of God by listening to the conversation. It may be a lost opportunity of giving and gaining no one knows how much!

How well I recollect this disappointment to myself, again and again, when a mere child! In those early seeking days I never could understand why, sometimes, a good man whom I heard preach or speak as if he loved Christ very much, talked about all sorts of other things when he came back from church or missionary meeting. 

I did so wish he would have talked about the Saviour, whom I wanted, but had not found. It would have been so much more interesting even to the apparently thoughtless and merry little girl. How could he help it, I wondered, if he cared for that Pearl of Great Price as I was sure I should care for it if I could only find it! 

And oh, why didn’t they ever talk to me about it, instead of about my lessons or their little girls at home? They did not know how their conversation was observed and compared with their sermon or speech, and how a hungry little soul went empty away from the supper table.