Food for the Lambs; or, Helps for Young Christians

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Christians, by Charles Ebert Orr

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Title: Food for the Lambs; or, Helps for Young Christians

Author: Charles Ebert Orr

Release Date: August 26, 2004 [EBook #13294]

Language: English

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FOOD FOR THE LAMBS;

OR,

HELPS FOR YOUNG CHRISTIANS.

BY CHAS. E. ORR,

Author of Christian Conduct, The Gospel Day, etc.

Feed my lambs.—Bible.

Reprinted 1980

PREFACE.

There is much more I should like to write, but I do not think a large book is accepted by the general reader as readily as a smaller one. So lest this grows to too great a size, I have concluded to close it with what I now have written. The selections I have made from other writers are Spiritual Declension, Seek First the Kingdom of God, Stirring the Eagle's Nest, The Little Foxes, On Dress, Victory, and the poems The Solitary Way, Sometime, and the closing.

I pray that the sayings of this little volume will animate many a soul to a higher, nobler, holier life. Although it is written to young Christians, it may do some good to older saints. I hope it will. I commit it to the public with no other motive than to do good.

CHAS. E. ORR.

Federalsburg, Md., Sept. 15, 1904.

CONTENTS

Introduction

Morality

Feeding The Lambs

Who Are Christ's Lambs

Food For The Lambs

On Fruit Bearing

A Gazing-Stock

The Will

God Our Guide

The Word Our Guide

The Spirit's Impressions

God's Providences

Fragrance

Seek First The Kingdom

Prayer

Meditation

Reverie (Poem)

A Theater

Rest Of The Soul

Happiness Of Life (Poem)

The Hidden Life

Consciousness Of God's Presence

Reflection

Becoming

Love Of Home

Victory

The First Love

The Little Foxes

Spiritual Declension

Diligence

Lowliness

On Dress

The Elixir Of Life

Rules For Every-Day Life

A Holy Life

A Solitary Way (Poem)

Stirring The Eagle's Nest

Some Things You Should Not Do

Purity

Means For Growth

Lay Hold On Eternal Life

Crucifixion Of Self

Love Not The World

Have A Care (Poem)

Affinities

The Guardian Angel

Fledging The Wings

Some Time (Poem)

The Precious Ointment

The Tree Of Life

Eternity

Nearer To Thee (Poem)

Conclusion

Closing Exhortation

INTRODUCTION.

Out upon the sea of human life sails many a bark. But, alas! how few are sailing tranquil waters. Ascend with me to some solitary height and let us take a view of the innumerable human crafts as they sail out upon life's broad ocean. Many are being tossed to and fro upon the angry billows. Hope is almost gone. As they look forward into the distance all is dark and uncertain. In the early days of their voyage all was peaceful. They looked out over the broad expanse and saw only calm, contented waters, and hope beamed bright. They fancied themselves anchoring, in a ripe old age, in a beautiful haven of rest somewhere behind the setting sun. But they sailed only in the strength of human art. Storms unexpected arose, and winds adverse beat upon them.

The high, wild, angry billows threaten their destruction, and they despair of ever entering their fancied golden port. Above the blackness of the raging storm there is extended a delivering hand, but they see it not. Their eyes are not upward; they are upon the turbulent waves. Oh, how sad! How pellucid would have been the waters and how serene in glory their voyage, if they had embarked in the strength of Him who at their request would have said to the angry waves, Peace, be still, and all would have been at rest.

Yonder in the distance we see gay, glittering crafts sailing about in a state of unrest. Some are sailing out upon the sea of worldly pleasure in search of happiness. See them rush wildly about. Yonder they seem to see bright, golden waters and hope that true pleasures are to be found there. But, alas! just beneath the surface all is dark and murky and bitter. Some are sailing out upon the highways of worldly fame and honor, others upon the wild stream of worldly riches, all searching for rest and finding none. See the surging, tossing mass of human barks and hear their wail of disappointment as the sweet, golden waters turn to bitter wormwood and gall. The rainbow-colored bubbles, from their hoped-for fountain of joy, burst upon the air, leaving them empty-handed and restless-hearted. Above the wild din of their clamor speaks a soft, tender voice, saying, Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. But their ears are not turned to catch sounds from above; they hear only the siren song of an enchanting goddess—the world.

Down toward the setting sun we see many shattered vessels going down in a wild vortex. The waters are closing over them. They found that human strength was inadequate to life's voyage. They, having weathered many a storm, hoped to gain the peaceful harbor. But, alas! they are overcome at last, and, lamenting the day they ever set sail, they go down without hope. From the ethereal heights of inspiration I hear a chiding voice saying, O had ye hearkened unto me, then had your peace been as a river, and your righteousness as the waves of the sea.

You, my dear young Christian reader, have just embarked upon life's untried ocean. You have laid hold upon One who is mighty to save and strong to deliver. Underneath you are the everlasting arms. Push out, then, boldly into the broad expanse, fearing nothing. You can escape the perils of the deep, only by making God your refuge. Anchor your faith in him and see to it that your faith never breaks anchor. The billows may threaten, the storms may rage; but by faith you can beat them back, and sail out on unruffled seas. God pity the one who attempts life's voyage without the aid, cheer, and comfort that Heaven gives.

Make the Word of God your compass, and obedience the rudder that steers your little bark in all the ways God's commandments point you; and make faith the mighty cable, and you will be towed safely past the dangerous rocks and reefs and threatening billows into the peaceful haven of eternal rest.

Across the deep and wide unknown

The bark of life sails on:

Who thinks to trust to human art

Shall perish mid the storm.

The other shore far distant lies,

Wild billows intervene,

And dangers little known arise

To try the strength of men.

Man lays his purpose and his plan,

He fixes sail to-day;

But winds adverse sweep o'er the main

And turn him from his way.

Man's wisdom can not know the end,

Nor future courses see:

Whoever sails in human strength

Sails mid uncertainty.

Man has a strong inveterate foe,

So subtle in his art;

He tries the strength of human craft

And finds the weakest part.

By human strength man can not sail

O'er ocean's troubled breast:

God's hand alone can e'er prevail

And bring him into rest.

MORTALITY.

In plant, animal, and spiritual life mortality is greatest in infancy. The plant in the first few days of its existence is very tender and delicate. It will succumb to the winds if they be slightly too cool, or to the sun's rays if they be too warm. The smallest insect feeding upon one of its tiny roots will cause it to die. After it has formed more roots and they have gone deeper into the earth and the plant becomes stronger and coarser it is far less liable to destruction. The chilly winds may blow or the sun's rays may pour upon it; it now has the power of resistance, and so lives on.

The same is true of animal life. Mortality is far greatest among children in the first few hours of life, and lessens as they grow older. Only a slight current of cold air upon the newly born infant is likely to cause its death. The new life is not yet able to resist opposing elements, so it must be carefully guarded. As it grows stronger and becomes capable of adapting itself to the elements of the outside world it can with comparative safety be brought into contact with them.

What is true in the plant and the animal world is also true in the spiritual world. You who have but recently been born of the Spirit are not as able to resist the cold winds of persecution or the heat of fiery trials as those who have been deepening and widening in the grace of God. Guard carefully the new-born life of Christ in your soul. Seek an establishing grace in sanctification, and you will be strong in the Lord and fully able to cope with the dark powers of sin, Satan, and the world, and triumph over all in Jesus' name. In the days of your infancy we offer you our help in this little volume, and assure you a frequent remembrance in fervent prayer.

FEEDING THE LAMBS.

Some years ago when attending to the work to which the Lord had called me in one of the sunny Southern States it was my happy privilege to enjoy for a few days the kind hospitality of a generous Christian farmer. One balmy afternoon while walking over the pleasant fields of his large farm, with my heart in sweet communion with God, I came upon the most beautiful flock of sheep it had ever been my