November 16

There goes a Christian

“These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation” (Acts 16:17).
“Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm” (Dan. 6:3).

Such was the influence of Ron Davies, the missionary who was later killed in Kashmir, that his mere passing through a coffee-room caused a university undergraduate of pronounced Unitarian views to exclaim: “There goes a Christian.” The most prejudiced had to admit the loveliness of his life.
Morley Punshon has aptly said: “Don’t let the question ever be asked about you, ‘Is such an one a Christian?’ The very necessity to ask suggests a negative answer. Some painters in the rude times of art are said to have put under their works, ‘This is a horse.’ Of course! it was necessary for no one could possibly recognize it without being told. But it is a poor sign when either a work of art or a work of grace needs to be labeled. Who thought of asking where Moses had been when he came down from the mount? They looked at him, and they saw the glory.

Let your consistency be thus steadfast and pure. If you know that the ‘writing is signed’ which will throw you upon the world’s pity or cruel scorn because you will keep your conscience inviolate, take heart from the example of Daniel. Don’t shut your lattice-window. Men may ridicule you, but they will respect you notwithstanding. And if they do not, you can afford to do without their good opinion, while God looks down upon you with complacency, and the light of His countenance shines, broad and bright upon your soul.”

From scheme and creed the light goes out,
The saintly fact survives;
The blessed Master none can doubt
Revealed in holy lives.
—J. G. Whittier.

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