We profess to do that which is right in the sight of God, we profess to be led and guided by the spirit of Truth, if this is truly the case, what we do, what we say, the conclusions we reach, should be the Divine will. I know we are human, for I need but look at myself to discern that, and this is one case where our association in membership is of use, we can be a restraining influence over one another, where one may feel to move forward they wait for the rest, knowing if we are right and the others are subject to the Divine Spirit we must come to where we can see eye to eye.
Our Saviour said to his disciples, your time is already, but mine is not always, it is affecting how He bore with his disciples as he walked with them, well knowing when the day of Pentecost came and they were "converted" they would then see clearly, but even then they had their difficulties, but as they waited were brought together.
His blessing rests upon his own work, and the human kind redeemed, is the medium of his spirit, through these witnesses to others, to the world. Is it not well to query at each and every step which we take professedly in his will, is it right, was it right?
May we not conclude, it is not only right to discern his will in what we do, but further, it is our privilege to be in a receptive condition that we may miss nothing that he would require of us, or show us. There will be a place for each to fill which we can fill if we are inward enough, and it may, as the little rudder hidden though it is, turn about the great ship.
There continues to be a reminder of the two mites which the widow cast into the treasury, [Mark 12:42, Luke 21:2] and of the woman who anointed His blessed feet with sweet smelling oil and wiped them with the hair of her head [John 11:2, 12:3.] Though we may feel very small, and it is well we do, for,--"He that is down, need fear no fall, he that is low no pride, he that is humble ever shall have God to be his guide."(1) Yet he knows what we are fitted for and will lead safely all who put their trust in Him and lean not to their own understanding.
The silent worship is the richest possession we have, in this we may grow, in this we discern His will, as we wait in true inwardness, we see the pointing of his finger and the "Still small voice," [1 Kings 19:12] pointing and saying to his waiting child, "This is the way, walk thou in it,"[Isiaiah 30:21] when ye turn to the right hand or to the left."
William Penn wrote in later life, that he could see where he had hit and where he had missed the mark, so it is profitable to look back and seek to see and to be subject as the prophet where he wrote,--"I will stand upon my watch and sit me upon the tower, and wait to see what the Lord will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved," [Habakkuk 2:1] for "The reproofs of instruction are the way of life." [Proverbs 6:23.]
"The Lord is a strong tower, into which the righteous runneth and findeth safety" [Proverbs 18:10.] As we reach here we can safely inquire, Was it right, is it right? and the language of Jacob of old, "I have waited for my salvation O Lord" [Genesis 49:18] will be the experience.
There is hope for this attitude, there are hopes for those preserved in this spirit.
The two ways so often meet, they meet daily, they meet on so many occasions, they meet in our considerations, they meet in our meetings. They meet where a concern not quite come to the birth must wait till it is well ripened and yet it may meet us where the time has come but we put off.
May we not truly say, "Who is sufficient for these things" and yet again remember too,--"They that trust in the Lord shall be as Mount Zion which cannot be moved, but abideth forever." [Psalm 125:1.]
Is it not an important question for all Friends everywhere for whatever they are at, as to where they are, Is it right ? As we recall our yearly meetings, and look at each part and parcel, may we not profitably query--was it right in the true sense?
Each day we can begin afresh in seeking His blessed will, that our days may be appointed to his purpose, for we are fast passing away, and He has called us to glory and to virtue, and in this we may be reminded of the Apostle's statement where he writes in I Corinthians 1:26 and on. "For you see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world, to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world, to confound the things which are mighty; and base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are; That no flesh should glory in his presence."
There is a loud call that we as a people return to the very safe test of our discipleship, those things
which rightfully belonged to us as we are his people, viz. discernment and inspiration.
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