May 14Speaking the truth in love … grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ — Eph. 4:15.
What is it to grow in grace? It is to grow in favor with the Lord through an intimate personal acquaintance and fellowship of spirit with Him. To grow thus in grace and not grow in knowledge is impossible; for the very object of such communion is to build us up in a more perfect knowledge and acquaintance with the Lord—to bring us into closer fellowship with the Divine Plan, and to give us the privilege of being "workers together with him" in executing that Plan. If, therefore, we love and obey the Lord and desire to grow in His favor, His written Word is our daily meditation and study; and thus we grow in knowledge—Z '03, 200 (R 3215). The Christian's mission is to proclaim God's Word; and it should be fulfilled especially from the motive and in the expression of disinterested love. He who so presents the Truth is given such experiences by Christ, our Head, as will enable him to develop in every good work, and grow to completeness in his place and as an heir of the Kingdom—P '36, 64. Parallel passages: Zech. 8:16; 2 Cor. 4:2; Eph. 4:25; Psa. 32:2; John 1:47; Rom. 12:9; 1 Pet. 1:22; 2:2; 1 John 3:18; Eph. 2:21; 2 Pet. 3:18; Eph. 1:21, 22; 5:23; Col. 1:18, 19; 2:19. Hymns: 78, 4, 47, 74, 114, 128, 150. Poems of Dawn, 243: Woman's Mission. Tower Reading: Z '16, 323 (R 5977). Questions: What have been this week's experiences in line with this text? How were they met? In what did they result? |
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WOMAN'S MISSION
THE rights of women—what are they?
The right to labor, love and pray;
The right to weep with those that weep,
The right to wake when others sleep.
The right to dry the falling tear,
The right to quell the rising fear;
The right to smooth the brow of care,
And whisper comfort in despair.
The right to watch the parting breath,
To soothe and cheer the bed of death;
The right, when earthly hopes all fail,
To point to that within the veil.
The right the wanderer to reclaim,
And win the lost from paths of shame;
The right to comfort and to bless
The widow and the fatherless.
The right the little ones to guide,
In simple faith, to Him who died;
With earnest love and gentle praise,
To bless and cheer their youthful days.
The right the intellect to train,
And guide the mind to noble aim;
Teach it to rise above earth's toys,
And fix the heart on Heavenly joys.
The right to live for Him you love,
The right to die that love to prove;
The right to brighten earthly homes
With pleasant smiles and gentle tones.
Are these thy rights?—then use them well;
The holy influence none can tell;
If these be thine—Why ask for more?
Thou hast enough to answer for!
Are these thy rights? Then murmur not
That woman's mission is thy lot;
Improve the talents God hath given;
Earth's duties done—thy rest in Heaven!
THE rights of women—what are they?
The right to labor, love and pray;
The right to weep with those that weep,
The right to wake when others sleep.
The right to dry the falling tear,
The right to quell the rising fear;
The right to smooth the brow of care,
And whisper comfort in despair.
The right to watch the parting breath,
To soothe and cheer the bed of death;
The right, when earthly hopes all fail,
To point to that within the veil.
The right the wanderer to reclaim,
And win the lost from paths of shame;
The right to comfort and to bless
The widow and the fatherless.
The right the little ones to guide,
In simple faith, to Him who died;
With earnest love and gentle praise,
To bless and cheer their youthful days.
The right the intellect to train,
And guide the mind to noble aim;
Teach it to rise above earth's toys,
And fix the heart on Heavenly joys.
The right to live for Him you love,
The right to die that love to prove;
The right to brighten earthly homes
With pleasant smiles and gentle tones.
Are these thy rights?—then use them well;
The holy influence none can tell;
If these be thine—Why ask for more?
Thou hast enough to answer for!
Are these thy rights? Then murmur not
That woman's mission is thy lot;
Improve the talents God hath given;
Earth's duties done—thy rest in Heaven!