Thoughtful Moments

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 7, Issue 7, 17 September 1943, Page 2

Thoughtful Moments

(Supplied by the Whakatn

BE LOYAL COUNSEL TO YOUNG CHRISTIANS By George Henderson. Some years ago a wealthy miner in California Avho Avas engaged to a charming girl sent, her some little ingots of gold. Suddenly, however, by a reversal of fortune »he lost everything he possessed., and wrote to her saying that as he was now a poor man he felt that he ought to release her from her engagement. When the affianced bride received the information she immediately took to the goldsmith one of the ingots which her lover had sent her and had it made into a ring* In the inner margin of the ring she had inscribed the words 'Ruth 1: 16-17" and then sent it to her friend. On receipt of the gift he opened his Bible at the place, indicated and with a glad heart read, these memorable words :

ne Ministers' Association).

"I/ntreat me not to. leave thee, or to return from following after thee; for whither thou goest I will go; and where thou lodgest I, will lodge; thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: where thou diest I' will die, and, there will I be buried: the Lo.rd do so' to me, and more also, if aught but death part thee and me." There is nothing in the literature of the world, sacred or profane, to parallel these noble words as an expression of unswerving loyalty. The fidelity of which they are the imperishable expression is "the bond of mankind, the cement of friendship, the glory of love. There is nothing more splendid in human nature. The person who 'is utterly reliable—whatever the storm, whatever the demand, whatever the danger—is priceless. There stands the test for the pledge of married life, of intimate friendship, and of religious loyalty. No vow more, inclusive, more irrevocable, can be forged than this of Ruth's." Since loneliness is one of the things of which the children of God in this world are most painfully conscious, and since true friendships are the human answer to it, we cannot prize these gifts from heaven too highly,, or guard them too faithfully. These things, if constantly practised, will 'keep such friendships in constant repair. To begin with there should be (1) MUTUAL TRUST. Alexander the Great was sick, and received a note telling him that his physician intended to give him poison under the guise of medicine. He read the note and put it under his pillow. When the doctor came in the king took the proferred cup; and, looking his friend calmly in the face, drank the draught. He then drew out the note and gave it to

OUR SUNDAY MESSAGE

his trusted companion. Necessarily, friendships of that type are. of slow growth. They develop, not likc_the mushroom in a night, but like the oak through the long years. Another thing that will preserve these priceless treasures is (II) ABSOLUTE FIDELITY. The Scottish bard bewailed the fact that he could not pour out his' inmost soul unreservedly to any human being, without the fear and the danger of one day repenting of his trust. There is nothing so base as a betrayal of confidence for as the wise man reminds us (Proverbs. 2519), "Confidence 1 in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out. of joint." In modern parlance, he lets you down. You and your young friends will, therefore, do- well, in all your fellowships, to be guided by the principles laid down by the men of God who drew up the "Original Institution of the Wesleyan Conference." The document is in the handwriting of John Wesley and reads as follows: — "It is agreed, by us whose names arc underwritten: 1. That we will not listen or willingly inquire after any ill concerning each other. 2. That if we do hear any ill of each other we. will not be forward to believe it. 3. That as soon as possible we will communicate Avhat, we hear by speaking or writing to the person concerned. 4. That till we have done this we. will not write or speak a syllable of it to any other person whatever. 5. That neither will we mention it after we have done this to l any other person. 6. That we will not make any exception to any of these rules unless we think ourselves absolutely obliged in conscience so to do. Our loyalty to God is often questionable. If we determined to put God first in our lives, our Christian life would be more satisfying and satisfactory. The loyalty of God, and the faithfulness of God, never fails. "Down throughout the mighty ages Thou hast led ! Thou has conquered for Thy children, Raised their dead.; Brought them by a way they knew not ; Through Thy might Turned their shadows and their darkness linto light. And to-day, with all its turmoil And its pain, Thou, "the God who doest wonders" Dost remain ! Still Thy great power is unchanging Day by day, Still Thy wisdom, ever perfect, Plans our way."'