←2019
←2019
Life, p. 53. The account of Rutherford’s personal diligence is a stimulating record. He was accustomed to rise every morning at three o’clock. The early parts of the day he spent in prayer, meditation, and study; and the remainder of it was devoted to his more public duties; to the visitation of the sick, the afflicted, and the dying, and to the examination and encouragement in godliness of the different families of his congregation.’ Murray’s Life, p. 43. Dr. Payson’s (of America) Memoir (Seeleys) gives a similar and most interesting sketch of one who was ready to labour even to faintness in his Master’s service. We read indeed of an eminent Minister, who “for the work of Christ was near to death.” (Phil. 2.30.); yet (as a general rule) we must regard it as a temptation of Satan, when a legal dread of unfaithfulness, and the undisciplined fervour of zeal, incites the servants of Christ to a prodigal expenditure of health, strength, and spirits; thus wasting the candle immoderately while it burns, and extinguishing its light before the time. Their ends indeed are so sincere, their work so delightful, and their hearts so overflowing, that the discovery is often made too late of the advantage which the kingdom of darkness derives from this premature removal of the candlestick from its place. At the same time, a chastised transfusion of this burning zeal into our temperament would prove of essential service; though we would dissuade from that overstretched exertion, which in most cases is a speedy suicide, yet authentic records of extraordinary devotedness to the work are eminently calculated to resist the encroachments of self-indulgence, and to elevate our own Ministerial standard.