The politician is necessarily a careworn man. His mind must be anxious and ever occupied. The events of the day, in all their changing character, engross his thoughts and engage his attention; and in no small measure is his rest of heart dependent on the turn which they may take. The man of faith, on the other hand, is one to whom " the course of this world" is no longer a problem-for the word of God is a light in the dark places to a Christian. He has learned that in this world he is a " stranger and a pilgrim " (1 Peter 2:1111Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; (1 Peter 2:11)); and that his "conversation is in heaven" (Phil. 3:2020For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: (Philippians 3:20)). He has believed, moreover, that " the world passeth away" (1 John 2:1717And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. (1 John 2:17)); and this knowledge has had a moral effect on his thoughts and ways. He has seen that he " is crucified to the world " (Gal. 6:1414But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. (Galatians 6:14)), and therefore to its political interests he is practically dead.
A striking proof of the truth of each of these statements was furnished me the other day. I happened to be walking about midday in the outskirts of a large city, I came upon a respectable mechanic, who, sitting by the way-side, was enjoying the simple dinner brought to him by his thoughtful wife. We fell into conversation. Our subject was in the word of God. Presently he said to me that the working classes had just to support the great and the rich in the present day, and that all the power of the Government was put forth to keep them under; that, in short, the working classes had to toil morning, noon and night, so that the rich do-nothings might roll about in their carriages; so much so, indeed, that were it possible to convey all the working people to some island they would soon be joined by the rich from inability to thrive without them. "Ah," said he, "let me have the reins of government in my hand for a month, and I will set things in their proper order." " There is need," he continued, "for some one to arise and level the country again."
I could but answer in return, that whatever abuse man may have made of power to suit his own ends, the word of God remained the same, and that word says, " I will overturn, overturn.. until He come whose right it is, and I will give it Him" (Ezek. 21:2727I will overturn, overturn, overturn, it: and it shall be no more, until he come whose right it is; and I will give it him. (Ezekiel 21:27)); that One was about to arise, who should regard neither high nor low, rich nor poor, but who should " lay judgment to the line and righteousness to the plummet" (Isa. 28:1717Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet: and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding place. (Isaiah 28:17)).
We parted. I felt that I had been dealing with one whose heart was dissatisfied, and that because he sought satisfaction from an empty spring-under the heavens. A few days afterward, near the same place, I overtook in my walk a man of much the same outward appearance. He was going home from his work, for the week was over. I said to him, "It is sweet to look forward to a home in heaven when the work of life is done." His reply was simple-" Sir, heaven is my home. I am a poor man, and find it hard to get along sometimes; but, never mind, Christ has gone to prepare a place for them who believe in Him, and, through grace, I am one of them. I have been converted only five years, and my life before that was miserable enough; now all is bright. I don't mind what takes place in this world, for heaven is my home, and Christ is coming for me." I shook hands, saying, " Farewell; I trust we shall meet again in that place which God has made our common home."
Ah, thought I, that man, though poor, is contented, and " godliness with contentment is great gain " (1 Tim. 6:66But godliness with contentment is great gain. (1 Timothy 6:6)). Reader! Are you contented? Poverty or wealth has no place in this question. Contentment lies far beyond the pangs of poverty; nor does it lie in the power of wealth to give it. Politics have absorbed the energies, dried up the life-blood, and disappointed the very souls of thousands. The man who thinks to organize, according to any given system, the policy of this world, is seeking to arrange that which God is determined to "overturn," until Christ shall have His place on earth even as He shall have it in heaven. Faith, faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, who died in this• world but lives at God's right hand in heaven, has been the secret of peace to millions, both high and low, rich and poor; for, "being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Rom. 5:11Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: (Romans 5:1)). The first man with whom I sat and talked was a mere politician, but the last had been in the place of a sinner before God, at the cross of Christ, which condemns every man. He put his own mouth in the dust and acknowledged himself guilty before his Judge, and did not condemn others, whether great or small. He saw Christ as his Savior and substitute on the cross, the just One for the unjust, to bring him to God, and he believed and was saved. He was not thinking of putting this world right, like the politician.
Reader! let this portion be yours.