What They Said

“The next condition of consecration, resulting from this, is the holding of our lives directly and always at the disposal of Christ. Not only must we be willing to do His will, whatever it is--but we must actually do it. This is the practical part. The moment Christ wants us for any service--we must drop everything and respond to His call. “

“Consecration must first be a spirit in us, a spirit of love, a life in our heart, which shall flow out to everyone, in a desire to bless and help and make better.”

“Another condition of consecration, is humility. It does not usually mean great things, conspicuous services--but little lowly things, for which we shall get neither praise nor thanks. Most of us must be content to live commonplace lives. Ninety-nine percent of the work which blesses the world, and which most advances the kingdom of Christ--must always be inconspicuous, along the lines of common duties, in home relationships, in personal associations, in neighborhood helpfulness. “

“But the heart of consecration, is not devotion to this or that kind of service for Christ; it is devotion to the divine will. It is readiness to do, not what we want to do in Christ's service--but what He gives us to do. When we reach this state of spirit, we shall not need to wait long to find our work.”

“The first condition of consecration, must always be entire readiness to accept God's will for our lives. It is not enough to be willing to do Christian work. There are many people who are quite ready to do certain things in the service of Christ--but who are not ready to do everything He might want them to do.”

“Nothing else in all life is such a maker of joy and cheer as the privilege of doing good.”

"Yet only as we learn to die to self, do we become like Christ. Unrenewed nature seeks all of self and none of Christ. Becoming a Christian is the taking of Christ into the life in the place of self. Then all is changed. Life has a new centre, a new aim. Christ comes first."

"Think what patience Jesus had with his disciples, and then read, "As I have loved you." Think how he bore with their faults and failings, with their dulness and slowness, with their unbelief and unfaithfulness, with their denials and betrayals. "As I have loved you, that ye also love one another." How it shames our touchiness, our quick firing up when a brother seems to fail a little in courtesy, or speaks a little quickly ! Was that the way Jesus loved his friends?"

"Plato expressed a desire that the moral law might become a living personage, that men seeing it thus incarnate, might be charmed by its beauty. Plato's wish was fulfilled in Jesus Christ."

“God does not like to bestow his blessings where they will be hoarded, but he loves to put them into the hands of those who will do the most with them to bless their fellows. The central object of true living is to be helpful to others. The true life is one devoted to Christ, to be used then for him in blessing others."

“We need to watch our inner spiritual state. The world may see no abatement in our zeal, in our religious activity, in our earnest advocacy of the truth, and yet there may be less prayerfulness, less love for Christ, less tenderness of conscience, less hunger for righteousness, less desire for holiness. Is Christ more to you now than ever he was before?"

"Jesus always sees His disciples, when they are toiling in the waves, and at the right moment comes to deliver them. Thus it becomes possible to live a true and victorious life — in any circumstances."

"The habit of treasuring up a text of Scripture in the morning, to be meditated upon while engaged in the business of the world through the day — is both profitable and delightful. It is as a refreshing spring to a weary traveler."

"One of the best ways we can bless the world is to make our own home sweet and happy."

"There is something that gives better returns than silver or gold in the world's markets. It is better to be wise than to be rich. A proper use of wisdom yields larger and better gains than the best use of money."

"It is well to form the habit of saying kindly things. Sincere words of commendation help all true men and women to live more worthily and to achieve better things."

"The best way to live for to-morrow is to do well the work of to-day; yet the future should always exert an inspiring influence upon us. In the time of discouragement it is the hope of overcoming that brings cheer."

“We ought not to live in the past. No matter how full of blessing and good it is, we may not stay in it. Life is before us, never behind us. “

“Joyful songs ring out into the gloom. The dark night of storm flings no shadows inside. The angry tempest breaks not the gladness of that sweet home. Picture this of the peace religion brings. The world is full of storms, but there is joy in the Christian’s heart through all. Songs ring out in the blackest night of trial.  Job had this peace, and it was not broken by all his adversities. Paul had it, and he went singing through all his tribulations, persecutions, and trials.”

“It is well for a parent to read to his child from the inspired page about the beauty of holiness; but it is better still when the child can see that beauty shining out transfigured in every feature of his parent's character.’