Something About “Enlisting”
I often tell that the tentacles of Spurgeon are so far-and-wide reaching, that one could cover an endless history and education simply by following the breadcrumbs dropped along the way. The following will detail a fascinatingly arbitrary example.
Amos Ives (A.I.) Root, 1839-1923, was an Ohio businessman who became well-known during his day for developing beekeeping innovations, among other interesting work. One of his long-lasting labors came in the form of his magazine, Gleanings in Bee Culture. It is said that Root became a committed Christian in the latter half of his life, often using his magazine to muse on truth and contemporary society. In the January, 1918, No. issue (Vol. XLVI), we meet with the small editorial—entitled ‘Something About “Enlisting”’:
Every little while since that Home paper, the question keeps coming up again, “For whom are you working?” Some good friend has just sent me a little tract that just “hits the spot.” Here it is:
SPURGEON’S LAST SERMON
The closing characteristic words of Mr. Spurgeon’s last sermon on June 7, 1891, were as follows:
“What I have to say lastly is this: How greatly I desire that you who are not yet enlisted in my Lord’s band would come to him because you see what a kind and gracious Lord he is. Young men, if you could see our Captain you would go down on your knees and beg him to let you enter the ranks of those who follow him. It is heaven to serve Jesus. I am a recruiting sergeant, and I would fain find a few recruits at this moment. Every man must serve somebody; we have no choice as to that fact. Those who have no master are slaves to themselves. Depend upon it, you will either serve Satan or Christ, either self or Saviour. You will find sin, self, Satan, and the world to be hard masters; but if you wear the livery of Christ you will find him so meek and lowly of heart that you will find rest unto your souls. He is the most magnanimous of captains. There never was his like among the choicest of princes. He is always to be found in the thickest part of the battle. When the wind blows cold he always takes the bleak side of the hill. The heaviest end of the cross lies ever on his shoulders. These forty years and more have I served him, blessed be his name! and I have had nothing but love from him. I should be glad to continue yet another forty years in the same dear service here below, if so it pleased him. His service is life, peace, joy. Oh that you would enter on it at once! God help you to enlist under the banner of Jesus, even this day. Amen.”
I wish especially to emphasize the words, “You will find sin, self, Satan, and the world to be hard masters; but if you wear the livery of Christ . . . you will find rest for your souls.” Spurgeon says he gives the above after an experience of over forty years or more. Well, dear friends, it is just about forty years since I enlisted under the banner of the meek and lowly Nazarene; and I can give a loud amen to what Spurgeon says in the above. It has been just my experience. Let me repeat again what he says in closing: “God help you,” my friend, “to enlist under the banner of Jesus, even this day.”
A man who, by all accounts, was forefront in the field of beekeeping techniques, served not in the ranks of the world, as much as it might appear from his progress and success in a ‘secular’ field, but was rather enlisted under the banner of his Lord and Savior.
When we view it in earnest, we see it takes no famous man of the pulpit, no theologian extraordinaire, to fight bravely and effectively in the Kingdom army; no, no, God does not restrict his service in this way. But rather, it is open enlistment for the man: the woman; the father: the child; the elder: the layman; all and any who—by grace—have been adopted into the bride of Christ are fit for service.
It is not just the infantryman, nor the marksman, alone who aids in taking over strongholds that Providence shall and must conquer; but the supply-runner, the medic, and the vast number in support are joint heirs in the victory that is already and is to come.
Labor where you may, find business or occupation how the Lord has provided, yet be persuaded of this: you are working in the Master’s vineyard if He has claimed and redeemed you. Carry on in His name, working for God, and not men, above all.
Deo soli gloria.