The Little Gleaner Part 33

The youth did not know which most to admire--the beautiful apparatus, the wonderful experiments, or the eloquent lecture. All was so new to him--so interesting. But the lecturer himself was, above all the rest, the object of his admiration. Our youth, having been a reader, knew that Sir Humphrey Davey was not born of rich parents, though his kindred and his breeding were virtuous and respectable. In the remote town of Penzance, in Cornwall, from the most western extremity in England, the great man had come. He had taught himself nearly all he knew; and now the youth saw him standing before the mighty and the n.o.ble of the land, the light of genius in his flas.h.i.+ng eyes, the words of wisdom on his eloquent lips. "Oh, if I could but follow the steps of such a master!"

was the involuntary wish of the youthful hearer.

This thought soon produced action. Promptness was a leading part of the young man's character, so he resolved to write to the great chemist, and state that he wished to follow some other trade than that to which he had been apprenticed; that he loved science, and would think himself happy to be employed in any way in the laboratory of so great a man. It was a bold step, but the request, though urgent, was full of the n.o.ble humility of real worth. His letter was not neglected. Inquiries were made. The good master had no wish to prevent the youth entering on a career for which his talents and studious habits fitted him. The electrical apparatus was another aid to him, so the wish of his heart was granted. He entered the laboratory of the great man, and had ample opportunity to study and to improve. There is no need to say he did not waste his time or neglect his opportunities.

Sir Humphrey Davey died, leaving a name dear to the philanthropist, as well as the man of science; but his place was not long vacant. Who filled it? He whose youth we have feebly sketched; he whose lectures at the Royal Inst.i.tution were listened to by the Prince Consort and the Prince of Wales--the celebrated and much-beloved Professor Faraday.

"Seest thou the man that is diligent in business? he shall stand before kings."

Professor Faraday was not only one of the greatest scientific authorities that ever lived, but he was a companion of humble-minded Christians. His weekdays he devoted to science, but on the Sunday he might be heard telling the story of redeeming love to delighted listeners.

CHRIST'S time was largely taken up in making people happy. We do well to remember that, and to do our best in ministering to the happiness of all around us.

OUR BIBLE CLa.s.s.

G.o.d'S INDEPENDENCE OF ALL, AND HIS DECLARED NEED OF SOME OF HIS CREATURES.

(PSALM l. 12, AND MATTHEW xxi. 1-3.)

That G.o.d is independent the Bible everywhere declares. All beings beside Himself are His creatures, and He is Lord of all. He needs nothing, for He possesses all things.

No _supplies_, for, though He ordained sacrifices and planned His temple, heaven is His throne, and earth His footstool, and His own hand gives life, power, and sustenance to all (Acts xvii. 25).

No _tribute_. The free-will offerings of David and his people, for the building of the temple, were a sweet sacrifice to G.o.d; but David truly described matters when he said, "Of _Thine own_, O Lord, have we given unto Thee" (1 Chron. xxix. 14).

He needs _no information_ or _guidance_ (see Isa. xl. 13-15). "Who hath directed the Spirit of the Lord? or being His counsellor, hath taught Him?" The question is not asked of angels, but of men; and "all nations before Him are as a drop of a bucket"--the little drips that fall from it as it is drawn up from the well--while "He taketh up the islands as a very little thing"--a light thing, lifted easily with the fingers.

No creatures can give their Creator a single new thought, or any help of any kind (Rom. xi. 34-36). "For who hath _known_ the mind of the Lord?"

Who then could have been His counsellor? Or who hath first given to Him?

This can never be, "for _of_ Him, and _through_ Him, and _to_ Him are all things, to whom be glory for ever. Amen."

Therefore He needs give no _explanations_ to any of His creatures. "Who can say unto Him, What doest Thou?" (Dan. iv. 35.) Thus G.o.d is above all, and independent of all.

Yet Jesus "needed" the a.s.s and colt (Matt. xxi.). We read of "coming to the help of the Lord against the mighty" (Judges v. 23); and Paul spoke about "working together with G.o.d" in teaching His people.

The Bible is full of these contrasts. G.o.d is so high, and yet so condescending; full of majesty, yet "plenteous in mercy to all who call upon Him."

There is no contradiction in the contrast; but G.o.d's needs are never necessities. Our needs arise out of our _nature_. We need food, clothing, and comforts, friends.h.i.+p and sympathy; but all G.o.d's needs come from His _will_ and His _love_.

How beautifully this appears in the life of Jesus! He came to earth as a little Infant, needing a mother's care. He grew up in humble circ.u.mstances, and when He went forth, at thirty years of age, to preach the Gospel, "the Son of Man had not where to lay His head." He also needed the many ministries of love His devoted followers rendered to Him. And when He died, others must provide the grave-clothes and the tomb, for He had none of His own.

"Though He was rich, yet for our sakes He became poor, that we through His poverty might be rich."

"For our sakes!" This is the keynote to all the needs of the Almighty.

The Father of the Lord Jesus Christ chose His people in His Son before the foundation of the world, and the father of a family needs his children because they are his own, and he loves them.

The shepherd needs his sheep to be safe, and will not willingly lose them. Jesus is the Good Shepherd, who bought His sheep with His own life and blood, and must needs gather and keep them every one.

The physician needs patients whose healing shall proclaim his knowledge and skill, and the Great Physician of sin-sick hearts will glorify Himself by bringing perfect health and cure to all who are led to Him by the Holy Spirit.

Do we feel our need of Him? Have we discovered that we are fallen, lost, guilty, and diseased? Then _He needs us_, and has shown us our need, that He may relieve, supply, and bless us with His great salvation.

In the same way He needs His people's services for _their own_ sakes.

By fighting the Lord's battles of old, His servants were interested in His cause. By working with Him now, in preaching, teaching, warning, and comforting others, Christ's followers still are honoured and blessed.

When Saul of Tarsus, breathing out slaughter and bitterness against the sheep of Christ, was hastening like a wolf to Damascus, Jesus stopped Him, made him a new creature, and caused him to utter that cry of anguish, "Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do?" Like the jailer's question, "What must I do to be saved?" it came from a convinced and burdened heart.

Saul suddenly discovered that his life had been one terrible mistake--that Jesus of Nazareth was the Lord of heaven--and tremblingly he wondered, "Could there be pardon for such a rebel as he now felt himself to be?"

Could not the same almighty voice have spoken peace to that troubled conscience? Certainly; but Jesus required Ananias to be His messenger to the humbled Pharisee; and, after three days of suspense and blindness, while his tears had been his only food, Ananias arrived with the message of peace.

How tenderly it was given! He put his hands on him, and said, "Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, who appeared to thee by the way as thou camest, hath sent me unto thee," and comfort, sight, and joy followed, while the believing penitent was baptized in the name of his Lord.

How gracious and wise was all this! How closely it drew Ananias and Saul together as brethren--children of the same heavenly family. Paul always lovingly remembered his first Christian friend (Acts xxii. 12, 13), and we are sure that Ananias never forgot that memorable day.

And in the same way Christ still needs the loving services of His people to one another; and those who are taught and helped, love their Christian helpers, while the helpers feel a double love towards those to whom they have been made useful.

Thus the great and glorious independent and almighty King condescends to make use of feeble worms. And which should we most admire, His majesty, or His tenderness? We cannot tell. He is all-wise and all-powerful, and--

"With heaven and earth at His command, He waits to answer prayer."

Therefore, "blessed are they who hunger and thirst after righteousness,"

for the time is coming when "they shall hunger no more, neither thirst, for the Lamb in the midst of the throne" shall fill them with all good, and there will be no more "need" on either side. Jesus shall see His people fully saved, and "shall be satisfied"; and they, "beholding His face in righteousness, shall be gratefully satisfied, when they awake, with His likeness" (Psa. xvii. 15).

May this joy unspeakable be ours.

Our next subject will be, _The Good Shepherd Gathering His Sheep_ (John x. 16).

Yours affectionately, H. S. L.

BIBLE SUBJECTS FOR EACH SUNDAY IN MAY.

May 6. Commit to memory Rom. viii. 31.

May 13. Commit to memory Rom. viii. 32.

May 20. Commit to memory Rom. viii. 33.

May 27. Commit to memory Rom. viii. 34.