October 12

The Master’s touch

“For he must reign” (1 Cor. 15:25).
“The Lord shall reign for ever and ever” (Exod. 15:18).

A village organist in Germany was once practicing a piece by that master-musician—Mendelssohn. He was not a great expert, and stumbled somewhat through it. While he was playing, a stranger quietly entered the church and sat in one of the back pews.
As the organist was finishing, the stranger approached and asked to be allowed to play his instrument. The organist gruffly refused, saying, “Certainly not, I never allow anyone to touch the organ but myself.”

A second time the stranger begged to be allowed to play, but permission was not given. And yet a third request was made, and this time most grudgingly it was granted. The stranger sat down, pulled out the stops, and on the same instrument began to play, but with what a difference! The organ, now under the control of the stranger, gave forth the most beautiful music. The organist, in wonderment at the new results, asked the stranger who he was. Very modestly he replied, “My name is Mendelssohn.”
“What!” replied the organist, “did I refuse you permission to play on my organ?”
Shall we make the Lord Jesus King of our lives now? Can we say, “The Lord reigneth”?
—George S. Ingram.

Strike, Thou the Master, we Thy keys,
The anthem of the destinies!
The minor of Thy loftier strain,
Our hearts shall breathe the old refrain,
Thy will be done!
—J. G. Whittier.

The reign of Christ on earth is nothing more nor less than the subjection of the whole soul to Himself. Alas, the world is opposed to this reign. Many pray, “Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.” But they are unwilling to be crucified to the world.
It is my only desire to abandon myself into the hands of God, without scruples, without fears. Since I am there, O Lord, how can I be otherwise than happy? When divine love has enfranchised the soul, what power can make it falter?
How small the world appears to a heart that God fills with Himself! I love Thee, my Lord, not only with a sovereign love, but it seems to me I love Thee alone, and all creatures only for Thy sake. Thou art so much the soul of my life, that I have no other life than Thine.
—Madam Guyon.

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