Quiet Talks on Power | Page 8

hindering.
I am going to ask every one who will, to offer this simple prayer--and I
am sure every thoughtful, earnest man and woman here will. Just bow
your head and quietly under your breath say to Him: "Lord Jesus, show
me what there is in my life that is displeasing to Thee; what there is
Thou wouldst change." You may be sure He will. He is faithful. He will
put His finger on that tender spot very surely. Then add a second clause
to that prayer--"By Thy grace helping me, I will put it out whatever it
may cost, or wherever it may cut." Shall we bow our heads and offer
that prayer, and hew close to that line, steadily, faithfully? It will open
up a life of marvelous blessing undreamed of for you and everyone you

touch.
FOOTNOTES:
[1] John 3:1. 7:50. 12:42 with 9:22. 19:38, 39.
[2] Rom. 5:5.

THE OLIVET MESSAGE.
Searchlight Sights.
Coming into Cleveland harbor one evening, just after nightfall, a
number of passengers were gathered on the upper deck eagerly
watching the colored breakwater lights and the city lights beyond.
Suddenly a general curiosity was aroused by a small boat of some sort,
on the left, scudding swiftly along in the darkness like a blacker streak
on the black waters. A few of us who chanced to be near the captain on
the smaller deck above, heard him quietly say, "Turn on the
searchlight." Almost instantly an intense white light shone full on the
stranger-boat, bringing it to view so distinctly that we could almost
count the nail-heads, and the strands in her cordage.
If some of us here to-night have made the prayer suggested in our last
talk together--Lord Jesus, show me what there is in my life that is
displeasing to Thee, that Thou wouldst change--we will appreciate
something of the power of that Lake Erie searchlight. There is a
searchlight whiter, intenser, more keenly piercing than any other. Into
every heart that desires, and will hold steadily open to it, the Lord Jesus
will turn that searching light. Then you will begin to see things as they
actually are. And that sight may well lead to discouragement. Many a
hidden thing, which you are glad enough to have hidden, will be plainly
seen. How is it possible, you will be ready to ask, for me to lead the life
the Master's ambition has planned for me, with such mixed motives,
selfish ambitions, sinfulness and weakness as I am beginning to get a
glimpse of--how is it possible?

There is one answer to that intense heart-question, and only one. We
must have power, some supernatural power, something outside of us,
and above us, and far greater than we, to come in and win the victory
within us and for us.
If that young man whose inner life is passion-swept, one tidal wave of
fierce temptation, hot on the heels of the last, until all the moorings are
snapped, and he driven rudderless out to sea--if he is to ride masterfully
upon that sea he must have power.
If that young woman is to be as attractive, and womanly winsome in
the society circle where she moves, as she is meant to be, and yet able
to shape her lips into a gently uttered, but rock-ribbed no when certain
well-understood questionable matters come up, she must have power. If
society young people are to remain in the world, and yet not be swayed
by its spirit: on one side not prudish, nor fanatical, nor extreme, but
cheery, and radiant, and full-lived, and yet free of those compromising
entanglements that are common to society everywhere, they must have
a rare pervasive power.
For that business man down in the sharp competition of the world
where duty calls him, to resist the sly temptations to overreach, to keep
keenly alert not to be overreached; and through all to preserve an
uncensorious spirit, unhurt by the selfishness of the crowd--tell me,
some of you men--will that not take power? Aye, more power than
some of us know about, yet.
For that same man to go through his store and remove from shelf or
counter some article which yields a good profit, but which he knows
his Master would not have there--Ah! that'll take power.
It takes power to keep the body under control: the mouth clean and
sweet, both physically and morally: the eye turned away from the thing
that should not be thought about: the ear closed to what should not
enter that in-gate of the heart: to allow no picture to hang upon the
walls of your imagination that may not hang upon the walls of your
home: to keep every organ of the body pure for nature's holy function
only--that takes mighty power.

For