I hear the complaint of thy lips against the minister’s pledge, and thy call for prayer to drive out the usurper. But consider: thy very words betray a refuge of lies. Thou hast trusted in the word of man, that these strangers would bring good, and now thy hope is shattered, so thou dost turn to push them away, as if thy bread depended on their absence. Is not thy soul then darkened? The whole of thy salvation, and the ordering of thy daily lot, lies not in politicians or mercenaries, but in Jesus Christ and in Jesus Christ alone. Thou art busy with the doings of corrupt government and the levy paid by foreigners, yet thou dost forget that the Lord reigneth. What if He hath permitted this trial to strip thee of every false prop, that thou mightest say, “My God, in thy precious blood there is more than sufficient reason for my faith in thee”?
Thou callest these men usurpers and wouldst see them sent back to their own land. Yet Christ commands thee to love thine enemy and do good to those that hate thee. These same souls are purchased by His blood, and perhaps the Lord hath brought them to these shores that they might hear the gospel. Wilt thou pray for their banishment, when their chief need is to be reconciled to God? That would be to build another refuge of lies, as if the absence of a neighbor could quiet an envious heart. The martyr’s blood cries from this ### ground that we must not seek our ease at the cost of charity. I charge thee, examine thine own heart: canst thou prove this excellency of thine, that thou alone deservest the work? Hath not the Lord of the harvest the right to send labourers into thy field, even if thou art idle for a season?
Be not a disconsolate worker, but a childlike believer. Cease thy bitter cry, and instead, go forth weeping, bearing precious seed, and thou shalt come again with rejoicing, bringing thy sheaves. God hath many people in this city yet unsaved, and among them, those whom thou despisest. Lay aside this weapon of wrath, and put on the armour of light. The great miracle worker is equal to thy emergency, and He never fails to supply His church with all manner of cunning men for the work. Trust Him, and thou shalt yet have a song in the house of the Lord.