SERIOUS THOUGHTS.

Waikato Argus, Volume VII, Issue 527, 16 December 1899, Page 1 (Supplement)

SERIOUS THOUGHTS.

FREEDOM THROUGH SERVICE. It has been truly said that no one is fit to govern who has not first learned to obey. The discipline of obedience fits a character to have command over others and he who has. not learnt to submit his will to those above him, is not capable of controlling others. It we enquire into tho childhood of our Queen, wo find that she was strictly brought up mid had in all thing to 'submit herself to her teacher's and those n authority over her. If we" wish to master any subject, whether it be mueic or drawing, astroraony or chemistry, we must set ourselves humbly to learn about it from the beginning. Now in our spiritual life we cannot bo free unless we have first learns the blessed ness of Christ's service. We mutt serve either God or Satan and it is quite impossible to serve both. Why is Christ's service such ' perfect freedom ?' Because it is a service of love. It is also a voluntary service as He will compel none to own Him as Master. In compulsory service there can be no joy or freedom ; but if we take service under Christ our lives are full of life. Now many of our Christians do not realize tho ' glorious liberty of the children of God.' Before His coming Isaiah prophesied that tho Messiah would ' proclaim liberty to the captives ' to those whom Satan had 'tied and bound with chain of their sine.' Terribly true it is that those under Satan's sway are held fast and know not the meaning of liberty. Who does not know the power of evil? We indulge in some sin thinking at first there is no harm in it and we shall break away from it when we please. But wo shall soon find sin has become our master and wo cannot escape. Sia is slavery, whilst tho service of God is liberty. Christ has come to set us free. Although for days, even many days wo shall have ho fight hard to conquer our besetting sins yet we have God with us to support us ; ' The Lord is on my side, whom shall I fear ?' ' I can do all things through Christ who strengtheneth me.' We must hold nothing back, no pet indulgence or secret weakness, but proclaim Him Lord of all.' We must obey Him, not from fear of punishment but for very love's sake ' because He first loved us. ' Stand fast therefore in tho liberty wherewith Christ hath made you ftec. " All's love, yet all's law." " (F). "Jesus came And laid His own haud on the quiTeriug heart And made it very still that He might write Invisible words of power—" Free to serve." For whom the Sou makes free is free indeed ! Then let it be The motto of our lives until we stand In the great freedom of Eternity For ever aud for ever—" Free to serve." F. R. Havergale (F). " Let nothing disturb thec Nothing affright thee, All things are passing God never changeth, Patient endurance Attaineth to all things, Who God pos'sesseth In nothing is wanting Alone God suffice th. Santa Theresa.