LIFE, CHRISTIAN
3090 How He Lived
Not, how did he die?
But, how did he live?
Not, what did he gain?
But, what did he give?
These are the merits
To measure the worth
Of a man as man,
Regardless of birth.
Not, what was his station?
But, had he a heart?
And how did he play
His God-given part?
Was he ever ready
With word of good cheer
To bring a smile,
To banish a tear?
Not what was his church?
Nor, what was his creed?
But had he befriended
Those really in need?
Not, what did the sketch
In the newspaper say?
But, how many were sorry
When he passed away?
—Selected
3091 Cat and Dog Test
Hudson Taylor said: “If your father and mother, your sister and brother, if the very cat and dog in the house, are not happier for your being Christian, it is a question whether you really are.”
3092 Bishop Gets Special Treatment
Bishop Evin Berggray, primate of the Norwegian Lutheran Church, who was under Nazi guard, is reported to have gotten peculiar treatment from his captors. It is said that his 11-man guard was changed constantly to prevent their coming under his strong spiritual influence.
—Pathfinder
3093 Afraid of the Missionary
The story is told of Gordon Maxwell, missionary to India, that when he asked a Hindu scholar to teach him the language, the Hindu replied:
“No Sahib, I will not teach you my language. You would make me a Christian.”
Gordon Maxwell replied, “You misunderstand me. I am simply asking you to teach me your language.”
Again the Hindu responded, “No, Sahib, I will not teach you. No man can live with you and not become a Christian.”
—Selected
3094 Salt Creates Thirst
At a meeting some young people were discussing the text, “Ye are the salt of the earth.” One suggestion after another was made as to the meaning of “salt” in this verse.
“Salt imparts a desirable flavor,” said one.
“Salt preserves from decay,” another suggested.
Then a Chinese Christian girl spoke out of an experience none of the others had. “Salt creates thirst,” she said, and there was a sudden hush in the room. Everyone was thinking: Have I ever made anyone thirsty for the Lord Jesus Christ?
3095 Home To Fit Picture
We read of a wealthy man who purchased at high cost a famous painting of Jesus. He sought, with difficulty, an appropriate place for it on the walls of his home. At last he called in an architect who, after carefully examining the house and the picture, said: “Man, you cannot fit this picture into your home! You must make a home to fit it!” Just as surely we must so order our home life that it would be appropriate to invite Jesus to abide therein.
—Evangelical Messenger
3096 My Influence
My Life shall touch a dozen lives
Before this day is done,
Leave countless marks of good or ill,
E’er sets the evening sun.
This, the wish I always wish,
The prayer I always pray;
Lord, may my life help other lives,
It touches by the way.
—Selected
3097 What Is Christianity?
In the home it is kindness.
In business it is honesty.
In society it is courtesy.
In work it is fairness.
Toward the unfortunate it is pity.
Toward the weak it is help.
Toward the wicked it is resistance.
Toward the strong it is trust.
Toward the fortunate it is congratulations.
Toward the penitent it is forgiveness.
Toward God it is reverence and love.
—Christian Digest
3098 Recipe For A Real Religion
Get religion like a Methodist
Experience it like a Baptist
Stick to it like a Lutheran
Conciliate it like a Congregationalist
Be proud of it like an Episcopalian
Simplify it like a Quaker
Glorify it like a Jew
Pray for it like a Presbyterian
Work at it like the Salvation Army
Propagate it like a Roman Catholic
Enjoy it like a Negro.
—Lewis Fawcett
3099 All Others Are “Things”
Someone asked John Wanamaker: “How do you get time to run a Sunday school with your four thousand scholars, in addition to the business of your stores, your work as Postmaster-General, and other obligations?” Instantly Mr. Wanamaker replied: “Why, the Sunday school is my business! All other things are just things. Forty-five years ago I decided that God’s promise was sure: “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.””
—King’s Business
3100 Ingersoll’s Aunt Sarah
Many a man or woman has borne eloquent witness to his Christian faith by an unobtrusive, inconspicuous, consecrated life. A relative of Robert Ingersoll, known in that family as Aunt Sarah, living on the Pacific Coast, was a devout Bible student and a beautiful Christian.
One day she received by mail a package which, on opening, proved to be a copy of one of R. G. Ingersoll’s books, an attack on the Bible. On the flyleaf was written these words over Ingersoll’s signature: “If all Christians had lived like Aunt Sarah, perhaps this book would never have been written.” The indisputable fact of a consistent Christian life was more disquieting to the great infidel’s unbelief than anything else.
3101 Converted By Livingstone’s Life
Henry M. Stanley found Livingstone in Africa and lived with him for some time. Here is his testimony: “I went to Africa as prejudiced as the biggest atheist in London. But there came for me a long time for reflection. I saw this solitary old man there and asked myself, “How on earth does he stop here—is he cracked, or what? What is it that inspires him?”
“For months after we met I found myself wondering at the old man carrying out all that was said in the Bible—“Leave all things and follow Me.” But little by little his sympathy for others became contagious; my sympathy was aroused; seeing his piety, his gentleness, his zeal, his earnestness, and how he went about his business, I was converted by him, although he had not tried to do it.”
—The Australian Baptist
3102 “Which Kind Are You?”
A lot of Christians are like wheelbarrows—not good unless pushed.
Some are like canoes—they need to be paddled.
Some are like kites—if you don’t keep a string on them, they fly away.
Some are like kittens—they are more contented when petted.
Some are like a football—you can’t tell what way they will bounce next.
Some are like balloons—full of wind and ready to blow up.
Some are like trailers—they have to be pulled.
Some are like lights—they keep going on and off.
And there are those who always seek to let the Holy Spirit lead them.
—Christian Inde
3103 The Ten Most-Wanted Men
1. The man who puts God’s business above any other business.
2. The man who brings his children to church rather than sends them.
3. The man who is willing to be the right example to every boy he meets.
4. The man who thinks more of his Sunday School class than he does his Sunday Sleep.
5. The man who measures his giving by what he has left rather than by the amount he gives.
6. The man who goes to church for Christ’s sake rather than for himself or someone else.
7. The man who has passion to help rather than to be helped.
8. The man who can see his own faults before he sees the faults of others.
9. The man who stands firm in his convictions, based on the Word of God, i.e. a “backbone” Christian.
10. The man who is more concerned about winning souls for Christ than he is about winning honor.
—Western Messenger
3104 “Preaching” On The Way
St. Francis of Assisi one day said to several of his followers, “Let us go to the village over the way and preach.” As they went, they met a humble pedestrian who was greatly burdened. Francis was in no hurry and listened carefully to his tale of woe.
When the village was reached, Francis talked with the shopkeepers, spent time with the farmers at their fruit and vegetable stalls, and played with the children in the streets. On the way back they met a farmer with a load of hay, and Francis spent time with him. The morning gone, the group reached the monastery from where they had set out in the early morning.
One of the followers, who was greatly disappointed, said to Francis, “Brother Francis, you said you were going to preach. The morning is spent and no sermon has been given.”
And the saintly Francis replied, “But we have been preaching all the way.”
—Prairie Overcomer
3105 Just Suppose
Just suppose the Lord would begin tomorrow to make people sick as they claim to be on Sunday.
Just suppose the Lord should take away the children whom the parents use as an excuse for staying away from church.
Just suppose the Lord should make the people as poor as they claim to be when asked to help finance His program.
Just suppose the Lord should have everyone stoned to death for covetousness as was Achan.
Just suppose the Lord should let some parents look into the future and see what their example and lax control did for their children.
Just suppose—and then, by the help of the Lord, go forth and live and serve as if eternity was soon coming.
It is! “I come quickly” (Rev. 22:12), says the Lord.
—Selected
3106 Formation Flying
Living the Christian life in relationship to others is very much like formation flying. You have your eye on the Leader (Jesus Christ), but you must always fly (your life) with your relationship to others in “plane” view. Like flying, both your well-being and theirs depend upon this kind of mutual concern for one another. The formation is large, and purely individualistic stunting can make quick shambles of it. Take your eyes off the Leader and those around you, and you are already on your way to trouble.
—Lane Adams
3107 A Good Question
The pastor of a fashionable congregation startled his members one Sunday morning by flinging this question at them: “What have you done today that nobody but a Christian would do?”
Ask this question of yourself. What would be your answer?
3108 Chapman’s Rule Of Life
Dr. Wilbur Chapman had this which he called ““My rule for Christian living.” The rule that governs my life is this: anything that dims my vision of Christ, or takes away my taste for Bible study, or cramps my prayer life, or makes Christian work difficult is wrong for me, and I must, as a Christian, turn away from it.” This simple rule may help you find a safe road for your feet along life’s road.
—The Sawdust Trail
3109 Laws To Be In Unwritten Lives
Lycurgus, although a great lawmaker, would allow none of his laws to be written. He would have the principles of government interwoven in the lives and manners of the people as most conducive to their happiness.
The multiplication of Bibles that stand upon bookshelves or lie upon tables is an easy matter, but to multiply copies of walking scriptures, in the form of holy men who can say, “Thy Word have I hid in my heart,” is much more difficult.
—New Handbook of Illustration
3110 The Knight’s Pledge
In his “Idylls of the King,” Tennyson gives the knight’s pledge: “Live pure, speak truth, right the wrong, follow the king; else wherefore born?”
Is not this a good motto for the Christian? He must live a pure life, which means a holy one; he certainly must speak the truth and do what he can to right conditions that are wrong. Above all, he must follow the King, the Lord Jesus Christ, the Author and Finisher of our faith.
3111 President Garfield’s Principles
When President James A. Garfield was a youth, an elderly friend gave him a set of personal principles that he cherished to the end of life. The guide read:
Never be idle.
Make few promises.
Always speak the truth.
Live within your income.
Never speak evil of anyone.
Keep good company or none.
Live up to your engagements.
Never play games of chance.
Drink no intoxicating drinks.
Good character is above everything else.
Keep your own secrets if you have any.
Never borrow if you can possibly help it.
Do not marry until you are able to support a wife.
When you speak to a person look into his eyes.
Save when you are young to spend when you are old.
Never run into debt unless you see a way out again.
Good company and good conversation are the sinews of virtue.
Your character cannot be essentially injured except by your own acts.
If anybody speaks evil of you let your life be so that no one believes him.
When you retire at night think over what you have done during the day.
If your hands cannot be employed usefully, attend to the culture of your mind.
Read the above carefully and thoughtfully at least once a week.
3112 The Christian’s Garden
First, plant five rows of peas: Preparedness, Promptness, Perseverance, Politeness, and Prayer. Next to them plant three rows of squash: Squash Gossip, Squash Criticism, and Squash Indifference. Then five rows of lettuce: Let us be Faithful, Let us be Unselfish, Let us be Loyal, Let us be Truthful, Let us Love One Another. And no garden is complete without turnips: Turn up for Church, Turn up with a Smile, Turn up with Determination.
—Moody Monthly
3113 Epigram On Life (Christian)
• A Christian is the gentlest of men; but then he is a man.
—Spurgeon
• Christianity helps us to face the music, even when we don’t like the tune.
—Philips Brooks
• It is no use walking anywhere to preach unless we preach as we walk.
—Francis of Assisi
• Our great problem is the problem of trafficking in unlived truth. We try to communicate what we’ve never experienced in our own life.
—Moody
• “When does the service begin?” whispered a visitor to someone sitting beside him in a Quaker’s meeting. “Sir, service begins just after the meeting ends,” was the reply.
• Live for thy neighbour if thou wouldst live for God.
—Seneca
• Many a wise adviser tells us that we should do at least two things we dislike to do every day. This will make life meaningful and productive, they say. I would timidly suggest that each day we should also do at least two things we really want to do. This makes it worth living.
—Davenport, Iowa, Times