SERIOUS THOUGHTS.

Waikato Argus, Volume VI, Issue 406, 4 March 1899, Page 1 (Supplement)

SERIOUS THOUGHTS.

GOD'S WITNESSES. A witxess is one who bears testimony and gives evidence. Ie it not almost incredible that God should have chosen us men to be His witnesses, that He should use to show forth and give evidence to the world what He is and what He does ? Yet it is so. Through the prophot Isaiah, three times over (Ch: 43. v 10 and 12—and 44 8) God says " Yo are my witnesses." Again the last thing Jesus said to his disciples before He ascended into Heaven was " Ye shall be mv witnesses (Acts 1.8) which charge St. Peter fully recognised when speaking of our redemption : We are witnesses" (Acts 5.32). The Greek philosopher Epictetus spoke these remarkable words " la God, then, careless of His instruments, His servants, His witnesses, whom alone Ho useth to show forth to the untaught what He is, and that He governs all things well and is not careless of human things ?" which is much the same idea as St. Paul expresses (Epb. 3. 10) when he says that God has chosen to make known His mystery through the church. What a responsibility for us who call ourselves Christians, that through us God has chosen to be interprated. Woe unto us if we give the world a wrong impression of the All- Father ! Of course, to interpret it is not necessary to teach or to preach. It is the silent iniluenoe of our lives and characters that tells more than any spoken words. Christ camo to " manifest" the Father and "as He is even so are wo in this world." *' Oh ! for a closer walk with God" a moro constant looking up to Him—a will resigned—a self-saarifioed—a heart purified (maybe by suffering) like a bright mirror to reflect His image which is the only true way of witnessing to Him. " We all, with unveiled face, reflecting as a mirror the glory of the Lord, are transformed into the same image " (2 Cor. 3.18. E,v). If we but keep our mirror clean and bright and set it at " the right angle " we must unconsciously reflect the image of our God and people will take knowledge of us that we " have been with Jesus." (F). TRUST. Make a little fence of trust Around to-day Fill the space with loving work And therein stay. Look not through the sheltering bars Upon to-morrow God will help thee bear what comes Of joy or sorrow. ANGELS UNAWARE. In the old days God sent his angels oft To men in threshing-floors, to women pressed With daily tasks; they came to tent and croft, And whispered words of blessing and of rest. Not mine to guess what shape those angels wore, Nor toll what voice they spoke, nor with what grace; They brought the dear love down that evermore Makes lowliest souls its best abiding place. But in thtse days I know my angels well ; They brush my garments ou the common way ; They take my hand and very softly tell Some bit of comfort in the waning day. Rut though their angel names I do not ken Though in their facos human want I read ; They are God given to this world of meu God sent to bless it in its hours of need. Child, mother, dearest wife, brave hearts that takes The rough and bitter cross, aud helps us bear Its heavy weight when strength is like to break: God bless you each, our angels unaware. Mrs Saugster (F).