appearing and His kingdom: preach the word; be instant in season, out of season, reprove, rebuke, exhort

with all long-suffering and teaching." And Phil. ii. 16, "Holding forth the word of life ; that I may rejoice in the

day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain."

These are the appeals of Scripture as to Ministerial and Missionary work and zeal; and how powerful is the

message, carried under such motives! Look at the appeal to the heathen idolators (Acts xvii. 30, 31), or to the

scoffers and mockers (Jude 14, 15). How powerful and weighty are these motives for, and subjects of

preaching. And the consolation for the workers, how sweet, based on the same blessed truth: " I have

fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me a

crown of righteousness, which the Lord the righteous judge shall give me at that day; and not to me only

but unto all them also, that love His appearing." (2 Tim. iv. 7, 8). No, dear brethren, there can be no

paralysing of missionary effort when its very key note is "I must work while it is day for the night cometh

when no man can work."

On the contrary, the doctrine of the Lord's speedy comin g puts all work in its right place. It tells us that the

great object of the preaching of the gospel is not the conversion of the world, which would put off that

coming to an indefinite day, or for a thousand years at least. The professing church has told the world that

its mission is to convert it, but she deceives the world, and the world can turn round and taunt her with her

failure, while it can point to the awful fact that it is fast converting the professing church to its own

It all depends, however, on what the gospel was sent and meant to do. If the gospel was meant to convert

the world, it will be a failure if this is not done. But if the gospel was meant "to take out ... a people for His

name," then it is not a failure, for this is being done. If it was sent that God might in mercy "save some," then

it is not a failure. If it was given that a company which no man can number might be saved out of every

people and kindred and nation, then it is no failure, for that is being done. If it was sent that it might be

"preached for a witness unto all nations," then it is not a failure for this is being done." And these are the

objects of the gospel, and therefore of Missionary labour "according to the Scriptures."

All the Prophets and Apostles agree in testifying that the world will never know blessing without the

Blesser; will never know peace till "the Prince of Peace" shall come, and will never know Righteousness until

"He comes whose right it is;" until "a King shall reign in Righteousness."

The Prophets and Apostles of old were animated by no such false hopes. One said "Lord, who hath

believed our report." (John xii. 38. Rom. x. 16). Another said "The love of Christ constraineth us" (not the

hope of success). They strove as "Stewards" to be faithful (I Cor. iv. 1-3), and looked for the commendation

"Well done good and faithful servant" -- not good and successful. Yes, it is "the love of Christ," the love

of a crucified, risen, ascended, and returning Saviour which alone will enable any one to obey the last great

command "GO! preach the gospel to every creature." There our commission begins and ends. We have

nothing to do with results. As stewards we must be found faithful and no apparent failure can dishearten us

if we only bear in mind that "known unto God are all His works from the beginning of the world;" and that

His word cannot return to Him void. It must prosper in the thing whereunto He hath sent it; and that His

purpose and counsel must stand for ever.

Thus, this mighty motive breathes its peace into the hearts of Christian workers, takes away all anxiety, and

removes all fear. Need I contrast with this, the powerlessness and inadequacy of any other or lower motives,

which lead to the frantic efforts of but too many in the present day who believe the world is to be converted

before Christ comes, and that man can do it if he likes! No wonder that such are tempted to lose faith in the

power of the simple Word of God, and take up every new scheme, adopt every fresh novelty, and try every

fresh panacea; aiming at Reformation rather than at Regeneration, hardly touching the fringe of the masses;

and then leaving those whose characters they have improved and reformed, just as far from the kingdom of