Bible Readings for the Home Circle Part 184

Sound it loud o'er every hilltop, Gloomy shade and sunny plain; Ocean depths repeat the message, Full salvation's glad refrain.

Sound it in the hedge and highway, Earth's dark spots where exiles roam; Let it tell all things are ready, Father waits to welcome home.

Blow the trumpet, trusty watchman, Blow it loud o'er land and sea; G.o.d commissions, sound the message!

Every captive may be free.

DR. H. L. GILMOUR.

Missionary Work

[Ill.u.s.tration.]

Ruth Gleaning In The Field Of Boaz. "For the love of Christ constraineth us." 2 Cor. 5:14.

1. What has been given to every man?

"For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and _to every man his work_." Mark 13:34.

2. Besides work, what else has been given to every man?

"And unto one he gave five _talents_, to another two, and to another one; _to every man according to his several ability_." Matt. 25:15.

3. What are those called to whom this work is committed?

"For the kingdom of heaven is as a man traveling into a far country, who called his own _servants_, and delivered unto them his goods." Verse 14.

4. What use did these servants make of their talents?

"Then he that had received the five talents _went and traded with the same_, and made them other five talents.... But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money." Verses 16-18.

5. What excuse did the one who hid his talent make?

"_I was afraid_, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine." Verse 25.

6. What did his master say to him?

"His lord answered and said unto him, _Thou wicked and slothful servant_."

Verse 26.

7. What did he say the servant should have done?

"Thou oughtest therefore to have _put my money to the exchangers_, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury." Verse 27.

8. What is characteristic of slothful persons?

"The slothful man saith, There is a lion without, I shall be slain in the streets." Prov. 22:13.

NOTE.-That is, they see great obstacles before them, and are always ready with excuses.

9. What was the fate of the slothful servant?

"And _cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness_: there shall be weeping and gnas.h.i.+ng of teeth." Matt. 25:30.

10. What was said to the servant who improved his talents?

"His lord said unto him, _Well done, thou good and faithful servant_: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: _enter thou into the joy of thy lord_." Verse 21.

11. Why did Christ endure the cruel death on the cross?

"Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; _who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame_, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of G.o.d." Heb. 12:2.

12. What will bring to the Lord this satisfaction and joy?

"He shall _see of the travail of His soul_, and shall be satisfied." Isa.

53:11.

13. How will Christ demonstrate His joy over the saved?

"He will joy over thee _with singing_." Zeph. 3:17.

14. What did Paul set forth as his crown of rejoicing?

"For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? _Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming?_ For ye are our glory and joy." 1 Thess. 2:19, 20.

15. Since this joy comes to Christ only through His self-denial and suffering for others, in what way must all others partake of that joy?

"It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with Him, we shall also live with Him: _if we suffer, we shall also reign with Him_: if we deny Him, He also will deny us." 2 Tim. 2:11, 12.

16. What motive should prompt to soul-saving labor?

"For _the love of Christ constraineth us_." 2 Cor. 5:14.

17. Whom does every faithful Christian worker represent?

"Now then we are _amba.s.sadors for Christ, as though G.o.d did beseech you by us_: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to G.o.d." Verse 20.

18. What does G.o.d do with the unfruitful members?

"_Every branch in Me that beareth not fruit He taketh away_: and every branch that beareth fruit, He purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit." John 15:2.

19. Can one occupy a mere neutral position toward Christ?