SILENT WORKERS. BY REV. JAS. WM. SMITH, Rector of Bourney Parish, Diocese of Killaloe. MRS. SEARIGHT, LATE OF DONNYBROOK, Co. Dublin. If any one in these more modern times deserved the name of "Dorcas," that one was the worthy subject of this little sketch. From the years of earliest childhood to the period of her death, I knew and loved and valued Mrs. Searight. She was a woman who had a proper end in view all through life, and that end was the good of souls and the glory of God. We are all (dear reader of SPARE MINUTES,) living for some end or object, either right or wrong; and the end for which we live is decided by the course we pursue. Many never ask, What should I have in view in my daily conduct? What does my God allow? What does my conscience whisper to me is right? What commands does God's holy and unerring word lay upon me? As a responsible being, who must answer for all to God in judgment? Too many live on in a careless, thoughtless, indifferent state. One would think that the only end of life with them was to eat, drink, work, take a little pleasure, and die. They seem seldom to raise their thoughts higher. They lose sight of the capabilities of their nature. They never reflect on the greatness and glory of God. They drive from them all thoughts of death, judgment, and eternity. They satisfy themselves with the false and unscriptural idea, "I daresay I shall fare as well as thousands of my fellows." Or perhaps they indulge the vague hope, that because God is merciful, therefore all will be well with them at the last. "Without faith," "without repentance, "without prayer," "without the Holy Spirit of God." Without obedience—whereas, nothing can be more fallacious. No course of conduct can display greater folly, greater presumption, greater sin. Reader, what have you been living for up to now that your eye scans this page? Do you really know? Will you stop and answer the question to your own heart and conscience in the sight of a holy God, without further delay? This is what God himself requires you to do, what you ought to do to-day. You have not a minute to spare. Mrs. Searight carried out a daily system, reading and praying, and teaching poor people the Word of God, giving her time, her money, her store to the poor. Not merely doing all she could personally, but interesting many more to co-operate with her in the relief of deserving cases. The poor garret or the cellar, the sick-room, the dying bed, the starving family, the poor fallen one, now praying, or the poor prodigal now returning. The poor seamstress out of work, or the painful case of the one who has seen better days, and prefers starving in the wretched room in the back and dirty lane or court, rather than meet the sneer, or cold-hearted rebuke of the worldly-minded, the rich or proud. Mrs. Searight made herself familiar with all these. She did not wait till they came to her door, or until others brought them under notice, or the minister recommended their cases either from the pulpit, or in his house to house visiting. No! But she found them out for herself. The Master's glory she kept full in view, the good of souls was her aim, and consequently she considered no trouble too great. May I ask the readers of SPARE MINUTES at the close of the year 1886, how many of you volunteer to follow this Christian lady in these respects? We never hear or read of a good character, that it ought not to be our aim and endeavour to follow them, even as they followed Christ. Is this your determination, with the help of God's Holy Spirit, as you read this page? If So, then yours will be in the fullest and best senses of the words a happy and a blessed Christmas, and a bright because a better New Year. But, be a silent worker. Don't sound your own trumpet as the hypocrites do. And alas! alas! we have only to open our eyes and look around us at the present to see the world abounds with them. Their cry is, "I did this," "I did that; so and so is indebted to me. Was not so and so great for me to do? Come, see my zeal for the Lord! God, I thank thee I am not as other men are. Ah! dear reader, there is "no Christianity in all this." It is pride, it is self, it is sin, it is worthless. We want "aliquid Christos," "Something of Christ." More of His love and spirit in our hearts. More of His example carried out in our daily life. "Let the light of your life shine.' It will be seen, and known, and admired by all; others will be drawn by that light, to rejoice in that light, even if you never had opportunity of saying one word. Remember, when we do speak, it is to be about "Christ always; "never of self. And always bear in mind "example is better than precept." Reader, what have you been living for? Christ or self? sin or holiness? idleness and sloth, or, service for the Master? The time for working is now very short? What are you going to do in it? Redeem it or waste it? which? Have you been living as an immortal, intelligent being, or like the beasts that perish? Have you ever steadily fixed your eye upon eternity, and asked with due seriousness, what shall I be? and where shall I be when time shall be no more? Think of it reader! I ask you most earnestly and urgently to "think of it? 66 Daughter of Zion, from the dust He calls thee from the dead. Awake, awake, put on thy strength, The day of freedom dawns at length, The subject of this sketch is but a few years gone from our midst, but her friendship is treasured up in many a heart. And, oh! what a portion shall be hers on that bright morning without clouds of the first resurrection, when the many to whom she acted the spiritual teacher, the heavenly guide, the silent comforter in the days of the earthly pilgrimage, shall then rise up and call her blessed? And as the heavens open and the golden and opening gates unfold the King in His beauty, and earth recedes, and glory comes down, well may she say as she rises to meet her returning Lord, "Here I am, and the children which Thou hast given me." Her grave is found in the old churchyard of Donnybrook, Co. Dublin. She was interred with her husband and children gone before. "The memory of the just is blessed." THE DYING YEAR. “WE are again surrounded by the memorials of our mortality. The trees, stripped of summer's leafy crown,' and of their autumn vesture of crimson and gold, stand desolate and bare. The dry and withered leaves, rustling before the wintry wind, 'bid man think on his end,' reminding him that we all do fade as a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.' The last days of the closing year are passing by, solemnly yet swiftly." New We are thankful for help from Contributors and Subscribers to our Magazine during the year 1886, and we trust that during 1887 our friends will continue their kind co-operation and support. Stories will appear by good writers, "Sacred Mountains and their teachings," "Reminiscences of Travels in the Sunny South, by Zeta," and Practical Chapters by many interested in home-reading for SPARE MINUTES by young and old. Address letters and books for review to Hatchards, 187, Piccadilly, W. THE ACTS OF THE ACTS MANUAL. Grades I., II., and III. Paper 1/-, Extra Boards and Map, 3/52 Elementary Lessons, demy 4to, in metal frame, Grade I. Cloth 1/6. Grade II., demy folio, in metal frame ... ... 48. 89. 52 Lessons, as above, in book form, for Reading Classes, stiff 4d.; cloth 6d. OLD TESTAMENT BIBLE HISTORY. From Adam to Nehemiah. In Three Gradations. By the late CHARLES BAKER. 132 Lessons each. Gradation 1.-Reading, 4d.; Manual, 1s. Gradation II.-Reading, 6d.; Manual, 1s. 6d. Old Testament Tabular View. Bold type, 7s. 6d. ; smaller, 3s. By the same Author, CIRCLE OF KNOWLEDGE. In Three Gradations, 200 Lessons each. On Man, his Frame and Wants. Animals, their Natures, &c. Plants, their Variety and Uses. The Earth and its Minerals, &c. Gradation 1.-Reading, 6d.; Manual, 1s. 6d. BAKER'S CONSECUTIVE LESSONS. Profusely Illustrated, in cloth, 1s. each Volume. Fcap. 8vo. Woodcuts. Books of this class copiously and truthfully illustrated have long been desired in schools and families. Each volume is confined to one subject, or to a kindred one arising from it, and each volume, subject and lesson, is strictly consecutive, at the same time that each volume is independent of the others. The Lessons are those of "The Scientific Class Book," which were drawn from the writings of Authors of eminence. The information is consequently unquestionable, while the variety in style and composition will assist in forming fluent readers. Depository-67, PATERNOSTER ROW, E.C. To the CLERGY, MINISTERS, SUPERINTENDEnts of sundAY SCHOOLS, AND OTHERS. MIMPRISS'S GOSPEL TREASURY HARMONY, New Edition, Large Type, Demy 4to., printed on good paper, 1,100 pages, cloth boards. Now offered at 12s. nett. On receiving the price of six copies, seven will be forwarded. The Text is the authorized version, printed in parallel columns, ACCORDING TO GRESSWELL'S ARRANGEMENT. The Expository and Illustrated portions of the Work consist of-Analytical Introduction, Scripture Illustrations, Expository Notes, Practical Reflections, Geographical Notices, and seven Graduated Charts, localizing in chronological order every event in OUR LORD'S LIFE AND MINISTRY, and of very copious Indexes. "We do not hesitate to state that we think clergymen and teachers will find this a most valuable addition to their library."—Church of England S. S. Quarterly. THE CHILDREN. CHILDREN and young people too generally grow up indifferent to God, their own Father and Mother, and true Bible religion. Is it not often because they are not taught and trained aright by Fathers from their infancy (say between three and ten years of age)? What wonder, if when they reach twelve or fifteen, they take a wrong course, often to their ruin, and break their parents' hearts. Life begins in the home, and character often begins to be formed before twelve, but it can only be according to what parents have taught them from weaning (Isaiah xxviii. 9 & 10). Ask Fathers what they have been teaching their dear ones from infancy, or the last three years; what they mean to teach them the next three years. What will they answer? Ah, what? "Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap." We may as well hope for-A good harvest without ploughing the ground-A good loaf without grinding the corn into meal, or-A good strong house without the foundation plan of the architect to build by-as loving, obedient and godly children without the early home teaching and training of parents by proper Bible Catechisms. Indeed, the great want of the day-in the teaching and training of dear Children— is such Help to Teachers, Parents, and Ministers. Post free "The Systematic Bible Teacher and Bible Voices for the Young," 2s. 6d, contain a Complete System of Standard Catechism and Scripture Lessons, by the good Dr. Watts, The Westminster Assembly, and others; and the late Robert Mimpriss. All these are suited to all ages, from infancy; safe for all denominations; easy to teach, they never change, and cannot fail. This is the one great want and an efficient remedy. All can do it, and Children are happy in the learning. For Particulars, Catalogues, etc., apply at THE SYSTEMATIC BIBLE TEACHING MISSION, 67, PATERNOSTER ROW, E.C. |