Some Time Were Understand by Max Cornelius

Not now, but in the coming years,
It may be in the better land,
We'll read the meaning of our tears,
And there, some time, we'll understand.

We'll catch the broken threads again,
And finish what we here began;
Heaven will the mysteries explain,
And then, ah, then, we'll understand.

We'll know why clouds instead of sun
Were over many a cherished plan;
Why song has ceased when scarce begun;
'Tis there, some time, we'll understand.

Why what we long for most of all
Eludes so oft our eager hand;
Why hopes are crushed and castles fall,
Up there, some time, we'll understand.

God knows the way, He holds the key,
He guides us with unerring hand;
Some time with tearless eyes we'll see;
Yes, there, up there, we'll understand.
— Maxwell N. Cornelius

Lord's Supper by John Calvin

Our Lord instituted the Supper, first, in order to sign and seal in our consciences the promises contained in his gospel concerning our being made partakers of his body and blood, and to give us certainty and assurance that therein lies our trio spiritual nourishment, and that having such an earnest, we may entertain a right reliance on salvation. Secondly, in order to exercise us in recognizing his great goodness toward us, and thus lead us to laud and magnify him more fully. Thirdly, in order to exhort us to all holiness and innocence, inasmuch as we are members of Jesus Christ; and specially to exhort us to union and brotherly charity, as we are expressly commanded. When we shall have well considered these three reasons, to which the Lord had respect in ordaining his Supper, we shall be able to understand, both what benefit accrues to us from it, and what is our duty in order to use it. properly. By John Calvin

The city was full of idols! By J. C. Ryle

"While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, his spirit was troubled within him when he saw that the city was full of idols!" Acts 17:16

Man will have a religion of some kind, for human nature, corrupt as it is, must have a god. But it will be a religion without light, or peace, or hope. The feelings with which we regard sin, heathenism, and false religion are a subject of vast importance. It is a sorrowful fact, that most professing Christians regard the semi-heathen districts of our country with apathy, coolness, and indifference. But Paul was deeply troubled when he saw that the city was full of idols!

Paul was stirred with holy compassion. It troubled his heart to see so many myriads perishing for lack of knowledge--without God, without Christ, having no hope, traveling in the broad road which leads to destruction!

Paul was stirred with holy indignation against sin and the devil. He saw the god of this world blinding the eyes of multitudes of his fellow-men, and leading them captive at his will. He saw the natural corruption of man infecting the population of a vast city like one common disease, and an utter absence of any spiritual medicine, antidote, or remedy!

Paul was stirred with holy zeal for His Master's glory. He saw his Divine Master unknown and unrecognized by His own creatures--and idols receiving the homage due to the King of kings! Millions of immortal beings at this moment are sunk in ignorance, superstition, and idolatry! They live and die without God, without Christ, and without hope! Ought not these things to stir our hearts? Ought not our hearts to be affected by the sight of false religion and heathenism? We ought to feel compassion when we think of the wretched state of unconverted souls, and the misery of all who live and die without Christ! By J. C. Ryle

If God had left me alone by Charles Spurgeon

Sometimes, when I see some of the worst characters in the street, I feel as if my heart must burst forth in tears of gratitude that God has never let me act as they have done! I have thought, "If God had left me alone, and had not touched me by His grace, what a great sinner I would have been! I would have run to the utmost lengths of sin, dived into the very depths of evil. Nor would I have stopped at any vice or folly, if God had not restrained me!"

I feel that I would have been a very king of sinners, if God had left me alone. I cannot understand the reason why I am saved, except upon the ground that God would have it so. I cannot, if I look ever so earnestly, discover any kind of reason in myself why I should be a partaker of Divine grace. By Charles Spurgeon

Christian Love by John A. James & Jonathan Edwards

"Necessary fruits of our doctrines" by John Angell James
Let us remember that HUMILITY and LOVE are the necessary fruits of our doctrines, and the highest beauty of our character! True Christian love must be . . . blended with all our habits, diffused through all our conduct, forming our character, breathing in our desires, speaking in our words, beaming in our eyes. This is true religion--practical religion. By John Angell James

"If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains--but have not love, I am nothing!" 1 Corinthians 13:2


"Charity and its Fruit" by Jonathan Edwards,

Holy and humble Christian love, is a principle of wonderful power to give ineffable quietness and tranquility to the soul. It banishes all disturbance, and sweetly composes and brings rest to the spirit, and makes all divinely calm and sweet and happy. In that soul where divine love reigns and is in lively exercise, nothing can cause a storm, or even gather threatening clouds. By Jonathan Edwards

"Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love." 1 John 4:8

Ministers should Be by Jonathan Edwards

It is not only our great duty, but will be our greatest honor, to imitate Christ, and do the work that he has done, and so act as co-workers with him.

The ministers of Christ should be persons of the same spirit that their Lord was of—the same spirit of humility and lowliness of heart; for the servant is not greater than his Lord.

They should be of the same spirit of heavenly mindedness, and contempt of the glory, wealth, and pleasures of this world.

They should be of the same spirit of devotion and fervent love to God. They should follow the example of his prayerfulness; of whom we read from time to time of his retiring from the world, away from the noise and applause of the multitudes, into mountains and solitary places, for secret prayer, and holy converse with his Father.

Ministers should be persons of the same quiet, lamb like spirit that Christ was of, the same spirit of submission to God’s will, and patience under afflictions, and meekness towards men; of the same calmness and composure of spirit under reproaches and sufferings from the malignity of evil men; of the same spirit of forgiveness of injuries; of the same spirit of charity, of fervent love and extensive benevolence; the same disposition to pity the miserable, to weep with those that weep, to help men under their calamities of both soul and body, to hear and grant the requests of the needy, and relieve afflicted; the same spirit of condescension to the poor and lowly, tenderness and gentleness toward the weak, and great and effectual love to enemies.

They should also be of the same spirit of zeal, diligence, and self-denial for the glory of God, and advancement for his kingdom, and for the good of mankind; for which things sake Christ went though the greatest labors, and endured the most extreme sufferings. And in order to our imitating Christ in the work of the ministry, in any tolerable degree, we should not have our hearts weighed down, and time filled up with worldly affections, cares, and pursuits. The duties of a minister that have been recommended, are absolutely inconsistent with a mind much taken up with worldly profit, glory, amusements, and entertainments. By Jonathan Edwards