XXIX.

MY VINEYARD.

Let us see if the vineyard flourish.--_Cant._ vii. 12.

The vivid lightnings of the East that reveal in all the brightness of day what lay hidden in darkness, have their parallel in the flood of light flashed at times upon the soul. Without warning, without apparent cause, it comes--a momentary brightness, but lasting in its effects. Imagination, mind, heart, all have been steeped in it; henceforth the truth it has lit up becomes a force to influence our life here and our eternity hereafter.

Has our responsibility to others been ever thrust upon us in one of these bursts of light? Have we realised, as it were for the first time, the influence which in God’s inscrutable designs we have over the destiny of others; the dread power which wittingly or unwittingly, for good or for evil, we are ever exercising over those around us; the account which will be demanded of such a trust?

O God, You have given “to every one of us commandment concerning our neighbour”.[86] What kind of influence has mine been thus far? At the sixth, the ninth, the eleventh hour it was said to me: “Go you into My vineyard”.[87] What has been the result of that call and of that mission? There has been a corner of that vineyard marked out for me to tend. Am I labouring in it with earnestness, with self-sacrifice, with the purity of intention that overcomes difficulties, and survives disappointment, and is undisturbed by failure, because it looks to You alone, works not for self but for Your glory? Or am I slumbering at my post? With what feelings do I hear You say to me: “Let us see if the vineyard flourish, if the flowers be ready to bring forth fruits”![88] Is it of me You say: “I passed by the field of the slothful man, and by the vineyard of the foolish man. And behold it was all filled with nettles, and thorns had covered the face thereof, and the stone-wall was broken down”?[89] Must I own in my shame, “My vineyard I have not kept”?[90]

O Lord of the vineyard, Whose love and trust are shown in this, that You have called me to labour for what is dearer to You than Your very life--how have I justified Your trust? Do not punish my slothfulness by making over to another’s more earnest toil what has been given into my care. But rather stand by and help me to work according to Your will, that nothing may perish or suffer loss through fault of mine. Help me to watch vigilantly the little plot committed to me; to cast out carefully all noxious weeds; to dig, to prune, to bind up and strengthen what is weak; “in solicitude not slothful, in spirit fervent serving the Lord”.[91] Then shall my vineyard flourish and bring forth fruit to Your glory in due season.

[86] Ecclus. xvii.

[87] Matt. xx.

[88] Cant. vii.

[89] Prov. xxiv.

[90] Cant. i.

[91] Rom. xii.