Exodus 12:31

"Handfuls of Purpose"

For All Gleaners

"And he called for Moses and Aaron by night." Exodus 12:31 .

What men are always doing. It is not enough to have a religion or a conviction for the daytime. Our religious convictions must be large enough to include the whole circle of existence. Were life a summer day and one steady pulse of health, a certain kind of religion might be made to do; were life one gloomy night and one continued consciousness of pain, another kind of religion might be wanted. Were life eternal youth or endless old age, such a condition would require special treatment. Life is a mixed quantity; darkness light, youth age, enthusiasm coldness, wealth poverty; all these and infinitely more elements enter into its composition; and only a religion at least as large as itself can come to such life with any hope of doing it permanent good. Pharaoh sent for Moses and Aaron by night; ministers are most wanted when the darkness is deepest. Darkness is always a mystery to the superstitious mind. Moses and Aaron are always prepared to go, whether by night or by day; their message is always in season. No invitation addressed to ministers or churches should be declined, if there is in it the faintest sign of sincerity. A conversion wrought at night may be as good as a conversion wrought at noonday. Nicodemus went to Jesus by night, and the blessed Christ showed the inquiring rabbi all the stars of God. Do not put off sending until night; begin early in the day. A whole life consecrated to heavenly pursuits will drive away the night, and it may be said of such a life as is said of the heavenly world, "There is no night there." God uses darkness as an instrument of fear. The ministry of Christ in the world would be incomplete if it did not appeal to the fear as well as to the hope of man. That is, indeed, the poorest of the appeals; but it is essential in order to make up the completeness of the holy ministry, which seeks to excite the attention and save the lives of men.