"HE THAT WINNETH SOULS IS WISE." (Prov.11:30).." They that TURN MANY TO RIGTHEOUSNESS SHALL SHINE AS THE STARS FOREVER AND EVER." (Dan 12:3)
I am impressed that God's standards and men's standards are often quite different. God's definitions and men's definitions are not always taken from the same dictionary.
If I ask God, " Who are the wise?" He answers, " He that winneth souls is wise." If I ask the world, I may get quite a different answer. I ask a man entering City Hall, "Who are th wise?" He tells me the one who has the endorsement of political chieftains, the support of the newspapers, the confidence, respect and votes of the citizens. I stop a man entering a bank and ask, "Who are the wise?" He tells me the one who can accumulate money. I stop one on the boardwalk of Vanity Fair and ask, "Who are the wise?" This time I am told he who get the most pleasure out of life.
But I come back to the answer of God. Not he that winneth office, nor money, nor education, nor pleasure, not honor, but - 'He that winneth souls is wise." What a strange definition - the wise man is the soul -winner! I suppose the reason is that his work lasts not only for time, but eternity. And God also says, "They that turn many to righteousness shall shine as the stars, forever and ever."
As we look up to the starry sky does it seem all chaos- no order? Just stars sprinkled here and there? It only seems to. As birds move in flocks, cattle in droves, bees in swarms, fish in schools. men in families, so stars move in constellations. Up in the winter's sky in the north heavens, there's Orion, with its belt and sword. In the southern sky there's the Southern Cross. Overhead is the Pleiades, with Job mentions, And the Great Bear, or 'Dipper', and many other constellations. They cluster in groups.
There are some of those heavenly groups I would rather be in than others. Younder is a constellation of stately Christians. They lived on earth by severe rule. They seldom laughed. But, they loved God, I'm sure. Yet I'd feel uncomfortable with them. There's another constellation very exclusive and very dignified. I wonder if they'd let me visit their mansions See that constellation of martyrs, apostles, patriarchs. They are shining bright. Glorious saints, "Of whom the world was not worthy. ""I'm quite sure I do not deserve to be among them.
Younder's a group bright with the play of light. On earth they were full of sympathy and songs, tears and rapture. When they prayed, their works took fire; when they sang, the tune could not hold them. I hope you and I will have the good fortune to be in the company of this happy constellation.
"They that turn many"- what number does God call many? Andrew brought Simon Peter. Was that many? Ezra Kimball, a S.S. Teacher, brought Dwight L. Moody. Was that many? An unknown city missionary brought Jerry McAuley. Was that many?
Simon Peter brought three thousand in a day. Jerry McAuley was the instrument God used in redeeming thousands in the China Town Mission. Our fathers and mothers tell us of a generation or so ago of D.L. Moody who led thousands to Christ. I wonder what number God calls many?
Can we not have the Joy of introducing even one to Jesus Christ? Perhaps God will even call the ONE many.