Men of the Bible | Page 7

was intended to
show the supernatural origin of Christianity until written evidence was
available, and then it was withdrawn. The Holy Spirit still remained in
the Church, and was revealed in a diversity of operations. His presence
was proved by the changed characters of converts more effectually than
by abnormal gifts--and similarly the religious ecstasy of Eldad and
Medad and their comrades was soon exchanged for their abiding spirit
of wisdom and justice.
Christians who at one time spoke for Christ are not always to blame if
they speak publicly no more. They may have withdrawn from Sunday
School teaching, for example, but only to serve God in another form.
Their matured experience may be quite as valuable as their once fervent
zeal. The river which near its source noisily rushes over the pebbles, is
not lessened in value when, full and deep, it silently glides onward to
the sea.
Happily, there are diversities of operations, though they are all under
the inspiration of the Holy Spirit; and if we are faithful to our special
calling, we may hope to receive our Lord's "Well done," just as did
these seventy-two men, who sustained and aided Moses, though they
left no record of their steady, useful work. Indeed, there are those who
in actual service can do very little, whose gracious and benign
influence is the best proof of true inspiration. Such was he of whom
Cowper sings:
"When one that holds communion with the skies Has filled his urn
where those pure waters rise, And once more mingles with us meaner
things, 'Tis even as if an angel shook his wings; Immortal fragrance
fills the circuit wide, That tells us whence his treasures are supplied."
God calls us to Himself before He calls us to His service. The same
Divine Spirit who qualifies for religious work, creates men anew. Of

every one so created, it may be said he was "born of the Spirit."
In this, also, neither place nor circumstance is essential. Eldad and
Medad were both away from the Tabernacle, somewhere in the
unconsecrated camp; yet they received the same blessing which their
brethren were enjoying at the door of the Tabernacle. And we rejoice
that some who are now outside a place of worship--outside this or that
denomination--outside Christendom, do receive the Spirit who
transforms them into the likeness of Christ.
In confirmation of this, we recall the fact that our Lord spoke more
often in houses, and fields, and boats, and streets, than in the Temple.
And the apostles who were called to follow Him were engaged at the
time of their calling in their ordinary occupations, at the toll-office or in
the fishing-boat. Saul was converted on the road to Damascus, the
jailor of Philippi in prison, Lydia by the river side. All this reminds us
that though our power may be limited by time and place, God's power
is not; though our work is contracted, His is broad. The Holy Spirit is
no more confined to a place than the wind is, which bloweth as it listeth
over land and sea, over desert and garden.
It is a comfort to remember this when we grieve over some prodigal,
who has gone beyond the reach of religious observances; who never
attends worship, or reads the Bible. We may hope about him, believe in
him, and pray for him still, because the Spirit of God can reach him as
He reached Eldad and Medad, "who went not up to the Tabernacle."
The old promise is not exhausted yet: "I will pour out of My Spirit upon
all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your
young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams."
It is this divine afflatus, this outpouring of the Spirit, which is the great
need of the age we live in. The Church seems to be lying listless as a
sailing ship, due to leave harbour, but still waiting for a breeze. Her
masts are firm, the canvas ready to be stretched, and her equipment
complete. The helmsman stands impatient at the wheel, and all the
sailors are alert, but not a ripple runs along the vessel's side. She waits,
and must wait, for a heavenly breeze to fill her sails, and till it comes
she cannot stir. Like that ship the Church is wanting impulse, and we

ought to be waiting for it, and praying for it. The power we need can
only come from heaven, the breath of God must be our real moving
force, and we should be wiser, stronger, and more hopeful if we entered
into the meaning of the old, oft-repeated verse:
"At anchor laid, remote from home, Toiling, I cry, 'sweet Spirit, come,'
Celestial breeze no longer stay, But swell my sails,