April 30

An exalted calling

“Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain” (John 15:16).
“He is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles” (Acts 9:15).

It is something to be a missionary! The morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy when they saw the field which the first missionary was to fill. The great and terrible God, before Whom angels veil their faces, had an only Son, and He was sent to earth as a Missionary Physician.
It is something to be a follower, however feeble, in the wake of the Great Teacher and only Model Missionary that ever appeared among men. And now that He is head over all things, King of kings and Lord of lords, what commission is equal to the one the missionary holds from Him?


May I venture to invite young men of education, when laying down the plan of their lives, to take a glance at that of a missionary? For my part, I never cease to rejoice that God has appointed me to such an office.
—David Livingstone.

Hold high the torch; you did not light its glow—
’Twas given you by other hands, you know.
’Tis yours to keep it ever burning bright,
Yours to pass on when you no more need light.

For there are other feet that we must guide,
And other forms go marching by our side;
Their eyes are watching every smile and tear,
And efforts which may often cost us dear
Are sometimes just the very helps they need,
Actions to which their souls would give most heed;
So that in turn they’ll hold the torch and say,
“I watched a friend who carried it this way. . . .”

Hold high the torch! You did not light its glow—
’Twas given you by other hands, you know.
I think it started down its pathway bright
The day the Maker said, “Let there be light.”

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