​August 20

Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you — Acts 17:23.
 
The Apostle's method is worthy of imitation. All wise people distrust novelty, and incline to say that whatever is valuable has long been. We, like the Apostle, should endeavor to show that the true Gospel is not a new theology, but the old theology; not a new gospel, but the old Gospel; the one foretold to Abraham; the one declared by the Lord Jesus Himself and by all His Apostles. In proportion as we would show that errors prevail today, which had their origin in the "dark ages," we must show that we are not forging a new theory equally erroneous, but that we have discarded the errors of the Dark Ages, and have gone back to the first principles and precepts and instructions of the Gospel, as announced by the Lord and His authorized representatives, the Apostles—Z '03, 29 (R 3138).
 
Few things effect larger results for God's servants than tact. One may be ever so talented, but, if tactless, he sways but little influence for good; while tactful persons with small talents generally effect greater results than tactless men of large talents. Paul affords us an example of the blending of large tact and great talent; therefore he accomplished the greatest results. Tactfully and talentedly he dealt with the Athenians. Had he been tactless though talented, he would have effected nothing with them except to prompt them to put him to death, thereby enforcing their law that required his death under the existing circumstances. Like him, we do well to use our talents, better to use our tact, but best of all to use a combination of both, thereby gaining best results—P '36, 95.
 
Parallel passages: Prov. 15:1; 25:15; 1 Cor. 9:19-22; 2 Cor. 12:6; Judges 8:1-3; 1 Sam. 10:27; 11:7, 12-15; 25:18-37; 2 Sam. 3:28-37; 20:16-22; 1 Kings 3:24-28; Acts 16:3; Phil. 1:10-22; Acts 23:6-10; 21:20-25.

Hymns: 280, 136, 95, 198, 315, 145, 44.
Poems of Dawn, 147: Only.
Tower Reading: Z '03, 27 (R 3138).

Questions: Have I been tactful in presenting the Truth this week? Why? What were the circumstances? What helped or hindered? What were the results?

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ONLY

ONLY a word for the Master,
Lovingly, quietly said,
Only a word!
Yet the Master heard,
And some fainting hearts were fed.

Only a look of remonstrance,
Sorrowful, gentle and deep,
Only a look!
Yet the strong man shook,
And he went alone to weep.

Only some act of devotion,
Willingly, joyfully done,
"Surely 'twas nought!"
(So the proud world thought),
But yet souls for Christ were won.

"Only"—but Jesus is looking
Constantly, tenderly down
To earth, and sees
Those who strive to please,
And their love He loves to crown.

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