10 THE CHURCH OFFICERS’ GAZETTE
“ The idsa of holding Bible readings is a heaven-born idea,
and opens the way to put hundreds of young msn and women
into the field to do an imporiant work, which otherwise could
not have been done”— Testimonies on Sabbath School Work,”
page 29.
2. Prayer for heavenly wisdom that we may clearly under-
stand God’s Word and for ability to impart it to others,
3. Report of work done and assignment of work for the com-
ing week. Study the membership of your band, and see if others
may be interested in joining you.
4, Assignment of next lesson. This should be carefully
studied by each member, so that the band hour may be devoted
to a diseussion of leading points.
Literature and Correspondence Band
“ If there is one work more important than another, if is that
of getting our publications before the public, thus leading them
to'search the Scriptures.”— The Colportcur Evangelist,” p. 80.
1. If you are following these schedules, you are studying
Present Truth No. 18 to-day. Call for the lists of prophecies
and their fulfillment as assigned to band members last week.
2. Urge each one to pass on to others the things learned.
Those who are carrying the papers to neighboring homes should
seek for opportunities to discuss the contents, and current ful-
fillment of prophecies,
3. After a scagon of prayer, pass out No. 19 for study. This
number is on health —a subject in which almost every one ig
interested. Why not use it as an entering wedge to new homes?
Agk every band member to take extra papers and visit new
territory, for even those who have not been interested in other
numbers may be glad to have this ons. Perhaps some can sell
copies of the book, “ Keeping Well,” by Carlyle B. Haynes, ad-
vertised on the last page of this Present Truth.
Be sure to order a new supply of Present Truth Nos.
21-80. You will need No. 21 for your program June 25.
‘Just My Place
(For Week Ending June 11)
Suggestive Program
Bilent Prayer and Songs (Nos. 254, 193, 114, and 194 in * The Gospel
+ in Song *'). ’
Leaders Remarks: “ The Special Piace.”
Prayer,
Reading: * The Hands of Jesus,’
members.) .
Stories: * The Shepherd Training,” (A iesson from the life of Moses.
I See *“ Ministry of Healing,” vp. 474, 475.)
(See May Gazette, p. 15.)
(Assign the texts to be read by
“ What You Put Into Your Work.”
Selo: © My Task.”
Poems: *“ My Own Work” and * Finding My Mission.”
Testimonies Study and Discussion.
Closing Prayer: * Lord, help me to do my best. Teach me how to do
better work.””—* Ministry of Healing,” np. 474.
The Bands Meet.
Your Poster Today
This poster may well be the question in large letters, “ Have
You Found Your Place?” or, “ How May I Know I Am in My
Place?” And underneath, in smaller letters, an invitation to
join in the discussion at Missionary Velinteer mseting,
Leader's Remarks: ‘ The Special Place ®
“ Ngt more surely is the place prepared for us in the heavenly
mansions than 1s the special place designated on earth where
we-are to work for God.’ —* Christ's Object Lessons,” p. 387.
Do you believe that, Missionary Volunteers? (Repeat quota-
tion.) All through time God has given special work to His
people, not only in matters of the church, but in the common
duties of life as well. (Read Ex. 35: 30-35.) Yes, the Lord
is so interested in every young person that IIe has a special
work for each of us to do. The Scripture said He called this
young man by name, and if He has a speeial work for us, He
is calling each of us by name. Should we not study to find that
place while we are young, so that we can put our best efforts
into it? (Here kneel in praycr for epecial guidance to-day as
you consider how you may be led into just the right service
for the Maeter.)
My Own Work
Ler me but do my work from day fo day,
In field or forest, at the desk or loom,
In roaring market place or tranquil room;
Let me but find it in my hedrt to say,
‘When vagrant wishes heckon me astray,
“ This is my work — my blessing, not my doom;
Of all who live, I am the ons by whom
The work can best be done in the right way.”
Then shall T see it uot too great, nor small
To suit my spirit and to prove my powers;
Then shall I checrful greet the laboring hours,
And cheerful turn, when the long shadows fall
At eventide, to play and love and rest,
Because I know for me my work is best.
— Henry Van Dyke.
Finding My Mission
I was longing for a mission;
Faney made it something grand —
Something that would win the praises
Of the world on svery hand;
So I squandered time in waiting
For the chance that never came,
Quite forgot to think of others
In my longings afler fame.
But one day I had a vision
Of the needy ones near by,
Of the hearts that starve with hunger
Till they faint and fall and die —
Starve for little deeds of kindness,
Or a word of hope and cheer,
And the smiles that cost so little,
But can make it heaven here.
Then it was I found my mmission —
Knew what work God meant for me,
And I cried, “ Forgive my blindness;
Now, at last, thank God, I see!”
And my heart, that had been selfish
In its longings to be great,
Baw great fields of labor waiting
For me just outside my gate.
So I sesk to scatter sunshine
In a dark and cheerless place.
Loving words have given courage;
Smiles have cheered the tearful face,
In the joy of helping others,
God’s good time I waste no more
Since my life has found its mission
Waiting at the very door.
w— Eben BE. Rexford.
Reading: “ The Hands of Jesus
. (The one giving this should have read the chavter, * As a Child,”
in “Desire of Ages,’ and should comment especially upon the last
paragraph.)
THE hands of Jesus were active hands -— the hands of a
toiler, Holman Hunt has sketehed Him in the carpenter’s shop.
The day’s work is done, and the tired man stretches out his
hands in an attitude of weariness, Manlike, He wearicd. God-
like, He worked. Labor was never se dignified and common
vocations were never so heautified as whsn Jesus earned Hig
bread by the sweat of His face. Only He who understood
humar toil could sympathetically say to ths heavy laden and
wearied soul, “ Come unto Me, . . . and IT will give you rest.”
Matt, 11: 28,
The hands of Jesus weve altruistie,— hands that assisted
others for their good. They lifted up, not pushed down;
lightened burdens, rot added to them; gave relief, not ap-
propriated; electrified, not terrified.
It is said that during a crisis in Waterloo’s conflict Wellington
requested an officer to take a sirong position of the enemy. “ Let
me feel the pressure of your victorious hand,” said the hesitating
leader, “and I will take it.”
The pressure of Christ’s hand drove the tormenting spirit
from the distressed lad (Mark 9: 25-27); it multiplied meat
and bread for the fatigued and hungry multitude (Matt, 15:
82-37); it made Peter buoyant when he was sinking in dsep
waters. Matt, 14: 30. Anywhere, everywhere; at any time,
all the time; to any one and every one, His hands were doing
good. ,
The hands of Jesus were those of a eufferer — pierced hands.
Many ysars before, Zechariah noted them: “What are these
wounds in Thins hands?’ Zech. 18: 6.
Jesus had hand wounds — not wounds in one hand, but in
both. Ary Scheffer, when painting his picture of Christ, lsft
the hands unfinished for some time, “ Hands as well ae faces,”
said he, “ are molded by character, TI must study the hands of
those who in some measure do the works of Christ.” ILatér
he saw a dying driver whose hands were torn and bleeding by
trying to control a runaway horse and thus save the lives im
hig custody. As Ary looked at them, he said, # I think I'can
now paint the hands of Jesus” Pierced hands were a part of
His atoning sacrifice.
Ths hands of Jesus were benedictory hands. What pictures!
He took little children on His knees, ¢ put His hands upon them,
and blessed them.” Mark 10:16. And when His big children