What does the LORD require of you?
(Alexander Smellie, "On the Secret Place" 1907)
"What does the LORD require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy and
to walk humbly with your GOD."
Micah 6:8
Simplicity and comprehensiveness
mark the requirements of my GOD.
HE can abbreviate HIS demands into
the fewest words; but they are words
which embrace . . .
the inward and outward,
the present and future,
the earthly and the heavenly.
I may fall into serious error
regarding HIS will for me:
(Alexander Smellie, "On the Secret Place" 1907)
"What does the LORD require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy and
to walk humbly with your GOD."
Micah 6:8
Simplicity and comprehensiveness
mark the requirements of my GOD.
HE can abbreviate HIS demands into
the fewest words; but they are words
which embrace . . .
the inward and outward,
the present and future,
the earthly and the heavenly.
I may fall into serious error
regarding HIS will for me:
It is not a religion of ritual
observances which HE requires.
How easily I attach an undue
importance to ceremonies and
forms, rites and penances and fasts!
Nor does HE solicit primarily
a religion of external moralities.
GOD looks on my heart.
Nor is it a religion of emotions
of which HE is in quest. I must
not put excitement and tears,
in the place of saving grace
and childlike obedience.
But see, my soul, GOD asks us to
act justly. I cannot be HIS, unless
I do justly. Everything that takes an
improper advantage of another, and
all that departs from the straightest
line of absolute rectitude--
I must hate and abjure.
It is a demand which pierces deeper
than it seems. For the integrity
of conduct HE desires--
is the outcome only of a conscience
HE has quickened, and a will HE has
bent into submission to HIS law.
The ethics of the Gospel are preceded
and rendered possible, by the redemption
and regeneration of the Gospel.
And GOD asks tenderness.
HE counsels me to love mercy.
The world is full of sorrow, and
I am to move through it as a good
physician, befriending and uplifting
those in need.
It is what HE does HIMSELF. Every
glorious quality has its fountain in HIM--
but pre-eminently the quality of mercy.
HE is the great Forgiver and the great Helper--
no earthly father loves like HIM, and no
mother is half so mild. So my feeble
torch is but kindled at HIS altar.
My charities and philanthropies must
be learned in HIS school, who pardons
my ten thousand transgressions!
And GOD asks humility. HE commands
me to lay my hand in HIS, and
0o walk humbly in HIS company.
Nothing is so essential as poverty
of spirit. It is the source and spring
from which alone runs the fertilizing
river of a holy life. The humble heart
is where the flowers of Heaven find
their congenial soil, and grow into
beauty and fragrance.
I only begin to be a disciple, when
my proud heart is brought low--
and my SAVIOR is lifted high.
Now, my Father, if these are
to be the features of my soul--
then it is manifest that none but YOU
can create them, and can nurture them,
and can lead them to their perfection.
Do the work LORD, and have the glory!
observances which HE requires.
How easily I attach an undue
importance to ceremonies and
forms, rites and penances and fasts!
Nor does HE solicit primarily
a religion of external moralities.
GOD looks on my heart.
Nor is it a religion of emotions
of which HE is in quest. I must
not put excitement and tears,
in the place of saving grace
and childlike obedience.
But see, my soul, GOD asks us to
act justly. I cannot be HIS, unless
I do justly. Everything that takes an
improper advantage of another, and
all that departs from the straightest
line of absolute rectitude--
I must hate and abjure.
It is a demand which pierces deeper
than it seems. For the integrity
of conduct HE desires--
is the outcome only of a conscience
HE has quickened, and a will HE has
bent into submission to HIS law.
The ethics of the Gospel are preceded
and rendered possible, by the redemption
and regeneration of the Gospel.
And GOD asks tenderness.
HE counsels me to love mercy.
The world is full of sorrow, and
I am to move through it as a good
physician, befriending and uplifting
those in need.
It is what HE does HIMSELF. Every
glorious quality has its fountain in HIM--
but pre-eminently the quality of mercy.
HE is the great Forgiver and the great Helper--
no earthly father loves like HIM, and no
mother is half so mild. So my feeble
torch is but kindled at HIS altar.
My charities and philanthropies must
be learned in HIS school, who pardons
my ten thousand transgressions!
And GOD asks humility. HE commands
me to lay my hand in HIS, and
0o walk humbly in HIS company.
Nothing is so essential as poverty
of spirit. It is the source and spring
from which alone runs the fertilizing
river of a holy life. The humble heart
is where the flowers of Heaven find
their congenial soil, and grow into
beauty and fragrance.
I only begin to be a disciple, when
my proud heart is brought low--
and my SAVIOR is lifted high.
Now, my Father, if these are
to be the features of my soul--
then it is manifest that none but YOU
can create them, and can nurture them,
and can lead them to their perfection.
Do the work LORD, and have the glory!
~ ~ ~ ~
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