Bible Readings for the Home Circle Part 171

9. What does Solomon say concerning diligence in business?

"Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might." Eccl. 9:10. "Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds." Prov. 27:23. "He that gathereth in summer is a wise son: but he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame." Prov. 10:5.

NOTE.-"The way to wealth, if you desire it, is as plain as the way to market. It depends chiefly on two words-_industry_ and _frugality_; that is, waste neither _time_ nor _money_, but make the best of both. Without industry and frugality nothing will do, and with them everything."-_Benjamin Franklin._

10. What does Solomon say of the industrious woman?

"_She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness._ Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her." Prov. 31:27, 28.

11. What has Paul said of the professed Christian who does not provide for his own family?

"But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, _he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel_." 1 Tim.

5:8.

12. What picture has Solomon given of the slothful man?

"I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding; and, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down."

Prov. 24:30, 31.

NOTES.-"An indolent man draweth his breath, but does not live."-_Cicero._

"The parent who does not teach his child a trade, teaches him to be a thief."-_Brahmanic Proverb._

"When tillage begins, other arts follow. The farmers therefore are the founders of human civilization."-_Daniel Webster._

"If a man be indolent, the best discipline to which he can be subjected is to suffer the evils of penury."-_Wayland._

"Nothing can be done with a man who will not work. We have in our scheme of government no room for the man who does not wish to pay his way through life by what he does.... Capacity for work is absolutely necessary, and no man can be said to live in the true sense of the word if he does not work."-_Theodore Roosevelt._

"Luck is waiting for something to turn up. Labor, with keen eyes and strong will, will turn up something. Luck whines. Labor whistles. Luck relies on chances. Labor, on character. Luck slips down to indigence. Labor strides upward to independence. Luck lies in bed, and wishes the postman would bring him news of a legacy.

Labor turns out at six o' clock, and with busy pen or ringing hammer lays the foundation of a competence."-_Cobden._

13. In spiritual matters, what is also necessary?

"And beside this, _giving all diligence_, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge.... Give _diligence_ to make your calling and election sure." 2 Peter 1:5-10.

NOTE.-In temporal matters the difference between a prosperous man and a sluggard lies princ.i.p.ally in the improvement of opportunities. One grasps these, while the other is too indolent to do so. In the gaining of eternal life this same principle applies. G.o.d has placed salvation within the reach of all. None need be lost. Christ died for all, but all will not be saved, for some do not care enough for eternal life diligently to lay hold of it.

Neat be your farm; 'tis long confessed The neatest farmer is the best; Each bog and marsh industrious drain, Nor let vile balks deform the plain, Nor bushes on your headland grow, Nor briers a sloven culture show.

Neat be your barns, your houses sweet; Your paths be clean, your dooryards neat; No moss the sheltering roof enshroud, No wooden panes the windows cloud; No sink drains should above ground flow, Nor weeds with rankling poison grow; But flowers expand, and fruit-trees bloom, And fragrant shrubs exhale perfume.

Neatly enclose your garden round; Smooth, enrich, and clear the ground; For if to taste and profit you incline, Beauty and use you always should combine.

Perfection Of Character

[Ill.u.s.tration.]

Paul s.h.i.+pwrecked. "In all these things we are more than conqueror through Him that loved us." Rom. 8:37.

1. Why are we exhorted to patience?

"But let patience have her perfect work, _that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting_ [_lacking_] _nothing_." James 1:4.

2. How perfect does Christ tell us to be?

"Be ye therefore perfect, _even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect_." Matt. 5:48.

3. In whom are we complete?

"And ye are complete _in Him_." Col. 2:10.

4. After accepting Christ, what are we to do?

"Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, _let us go on unto perfection_." Heb. 6:1.

5. In what is the Christian to grow?

"But grow in _grace_, and in _the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ_." 2 Peter 3:18.

6. How may one grow in grace?

"Giving all diligence, _add to your faith virtue_; ... _knowledge_; ...

_temperance_; ... _patience_; ... _G.o.dliness_; ... _brotherly kindness_; ... _charity_." 2 Peter 1:5-8.

7. Why does Christ desire this growth in His followers?

"That He might present it to Himself _a glorious church_, not having _spot_, or _wrinkle_, or _any such thing_; but that it should be _holy_ and _without blemish_." Eph. 5:27.

8. What will cause the Christian to grow?

"As new-born babes, desire _the sincere milk of the word_, that ye may grow thereby." 1 Peter 2:2.

9. In order to grow by the word of G.o.d, what must one do?

"Thy words were found, and I did eat them." Jer. 15:16. "Thy word have I _hid in mine heart_." Ps. 119:11. See Col. 3:16.