一月三十日

你聽見桑樹梢上有腳步的聲音，就要急速前去……（撒下5:24）

基督教會的會友都應當懇切禱告，時時讓聖靈在他們心中感動他們，好叫基督的國快來臨，並且願他的“旨意行在地上，如同行在天上”；但神有時好像特別看中了錫安，那時在他們好像是“桑樹梢上有腳步的聲音”？那末我們應當加倍地禱告，加倍地熱心，在寶座前摔跤要比平時加倍的努力。行動要敏捷，要振奮。潮水已經漲起來，現在讓我們英勇地把它（教會）拉上岸來。讓五旬節的聖靈再大降臨，讓五旬節的工作重新恢復。基督徒呀！在你裡面你也能常“聽見桑樹梢上有腳步的聲音”。你有一種特殊的禱告的能力，神的靈賜你歡喜和快樂，常讀聖書，常支取神的應許，你在神恩面的光中行走，你能自由在靈中與神相通，並且你與基督的交通必更密切。當你聽到“桑樹梢上有腳步的聲音”時，就是你最快樂的時候，是你急速前去的時候；現在應當除去你一切的惡習，那時，聖靈必幫助你的軟弱。張起你的帆來，但要記住你所唱得：

“我只能揚帆；你！你！必吹起順利的風！”

你只要揚起帆來就夠了。當風來時，你不要因為沒有預備好的緣故，便坐失良機。尋求神的幫助，在你的信心更加堅強的時候，要更加熱心負責；當你更能自由的到寶座前時，要使你更能恒切地禱告；當你更加與基督親近時，要使你的說話能更聖潔。

January 30

"When thou hearest the sound of a going in the tops of the mulberry trees, then thou shalt bestir thyself." --2 Samuel 5:24

The members of Christ's Church should be very prayerful, always seeking the unction of the Holy One to rest upon their hearts, that the kingdom of Christ may come, and that His "will be done on earth, even as it is in heaven;" but there are times when God seems especially to favour Zion, such seasons ought to be to them like "the sound of a going in the tops of the mulberry trees." We ought then to be doubly prayerful, doubly earnest, wrestling more at the throne than we have been wont to do. Action should then be prompt and vigorous. The tide is flowing--now let us pull manfully for the shore. O for Pentecostal outpourings and Pentecostal labours. Christian, in yourself there are times "when thou hearest the sound of a going in the tops of the mulberry trees." You have a peculiar power in prayer; the Spirit of God gives you joy and gladness; the Scripture is open to you; the promises are applied; you walk in the light of God's countenance; you have peculiar freedom and liberty in devotion, and more closeness of communion with Christ than was your wont. Now, at such joyous periods when you hear the "sound of a going in the tops of the mulberry trees," is the time to bestir yourself; now is the time to get rid of any evil habit, while God the Spirit helpeth your infirmities. Spread your sail; but remember what you sometimes sing--

"I can only spread the sail;

Thou! Thou! must breathe the auspicious gale."

Only be sure you have the sail up. Do not miss the gale for want of preparation for it. Seek help of God, that you may be more earnest in duty when made more strong in faith; that you may be more constant in prayer when you have more liberty at the throne; that you may be more holy in your conversation whilst you live more closely with Christ.