Six Plain Rules

In 1862 one of Cowan's young sons was leaving home to begin his life work, Cowan wrote the young man the following short letter. It was headed: "March, 1862-For David." Then it read as thus: Six Plain Rules for Constant Observance."

1. Ever fear the Lord: and yet love Him as your Father in heaven;
2. Read a portion of His Word daily, and commit yourself in prayer to His guidance;
3. Be truthful in everything: and hate nothing so much as falsehood;
4. Obey your Master cheerfully and without grumbling;
5. Give you whole heart to what you are doing, whether in work or play;
6. Be kind and generous to your companions and avoid all selfishness.

Then he adds: "And the blessing of God almighty, your loving Father in heaven, will surely be with you. And at the foot, just the initials "J. C."

-James Black

"Thy Will Be Done"

Why is it that God's will suggests a house of mourning rather than a temple of song? Why is it associated with deep privations, suffering, sorrow, loss rather than blessings and rich rewards? "Thy will be done" was never meant to be wrung from the beaten soul but it is the song of a restored soul.

There are those who look upon the will of God as something to be avoided as long as possible. It is like a man having an unpleasant duty to discharge-he delays it performance so long as it can be done with safety.

God's will is the soul's highest attainment. It means fullness. It means purpose of life. It means sanctuary and rest.

"I delight to do they will." "No good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly."

Within the circle of God's will may be found salvation, safety, satisfaction, security, and the home of eternal bliss. Outside the circle of God's will is defeat, disappointment, degeneracy, death, damnation. Within the circle of God's will you cannot fail. Outside that circle you cannot succeed.

The Master knew how willful we were, and in the prayer which He taught us to pray He placed well at the front of all the petitions the one, "Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven." There it is performed spontaneously, joyously, and promptly. Anything less is tinged with distrust and disobedience.

"Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven."

"Whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother."

Thus it is to be noted that doing the will of God is life's supreme objective. To refuse to do the will of God is supreme folly. Living day by day in the center of the will of God brings one into the very closest fellowship with the Infinite.

Oliver G. Wilson

September 5, 1959

Abundant Life

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have [it] more abundantly. John 10:10