It was striking to observe the alteration in faithful old Collins, on the change of masters where he worked. His former master was remarkably mean in the management of his estate, and the old servant had grown gloomy and down-hearted under the influence of his master’s ways, for he felt the discredit of them as if they were his own. Old Collins worked for him in the thankless spirit of drudgery, ashamed of himself and his master as well. But in course of time the estate was bought by another, a master who proved a complete contrast to the former proprietor. Every one discovered the difference in old Collins. His face brightened, and his movements became so light that people said, “Old Collins had grown young again.” Never did he tire of telling the praises of his new master; every day he had some new thing to mention concerning him, and it was his pleasurable office to get all the trusty hands of the village employment on his master’s premises. Old Collins, in short, became quite proud of himself, for as one field after another was purchased, and one grand design after another was set on foot, the old man grew rich and great in talking of the wealth, and generosity, and new possessions of his good master.
As I watched this poor man’s happiness, I thought of the change of masters every converted man has known; and in the hope that old Collins’s conduct might have some effect upon Christ’s servants, I have penned down this little story.
Dear Christian reader, you and I could not have served under a worse master, nor in a more degrading service, than we did in our unconverted days; but who shall compare with our new Master, who has bought the estate, and us with it, to be His happy servants for evermore. The meanest of drudges before, how are we exalted in serving the Lord Jesus Christ, whose glory and goodness fills the highest heaven, and whose dominion will soon extend over all things in heaven and on earth. How cheerful should be all our days under our new Master, our beloved Lord! In everything now we may serve Him. Even the poor oppressed slave when converted, changes masters. Though still planting rice and laboring in the burning sun under a task-master’s lash, he can serve heartily as to the Lord, and not unto men. Knowing that though a slave receives no wages, he shall receive the reward of the inheritance, for he serves the Lord Christ. (Col. 3:23, 2423And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; 24Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. (Colossians 3:23‑24)).
A Christian sailor, who was often imposed upon by an unprincipled officer, said to me when he saw this truth, “If I had only known this before, I should not have changed quarters. nor should I have minded my captain never thanking us for doing things outside our duty; but I never thought of carrying his baggage over the hills for the Lord, and getting thanks from Christ, or I should have done it cheerfully.”
May we see the truth more clearly ourselves that by faith we may know our change of masters, serving the Lord Christ, and bearing and enduring all things for Him. Thus the meanest drudgery in life will become divine, and with good will we shall do the most thankless service as to the Lord and not to men, and like old Collins our happiness and contentment will tell of our change of masters.