Verses on Various Occasions · Chapter
XLI: A Word in Season explained
The speaker reflects on the challenge of witnessing for the Lord against sin, citing St.
What happens
The speaker reflects on the challenge of witnessing for the Lord against sin, citing St. Paul's solitary stand on Mars' Hill. The Lord advises patience and watchfulness, urging the speaker to wait for the appointed seasons to speak and to use them as they arise.
Themes in this chapter
Faith and Doubt
The speaker wrestles with how to faithfully witness amid opposition, trusting in divine timing.
Suffering and Humility
The call to hush and wait reflects humility and patient endurance in the face of spiritual struggle.
Characters to notice
Key passages
“O Lord! when sin's close-marshall'd line Assails Thy witness on his way, How should he raise Thy glorious sign, And how Thy will display?”
O Lord, when sin's tightly organized forces attack Your witness on his journey, how should he lift up Your glorious banner and show Your will?
The speaker questions how to faithfully witness when besieged by sin.
“Thy holy Paul, with soul of flame, Rose on Mars' hill, a soldier lone; Shall I thus speak th' Atoning Name, Though with a heart of stone?”
Your holy Paul, with a fiery spirit, stood alone on Mars' Hill like a solitary soldier; should I speak the Atoning Name in the same way, even though my heart is hard?
The speaker compares himself to St. Paul, questioning his own worthiness to proclaim the Atonement.
“Not so, He said: hush thee, and seek, With thoughts in prayer and watchful eyes, My seasons sent for thee to speak, And use them as they rise.”
Not so, He said: be quiet and seek, with prayerful thoughts and watchful eyes, the seasons I send for you to speak, and use them as they come.
The Lord advises patience and attentiveness, emphasizing divine timing for speaking.