Kindling a Fire

Here was an early Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society.

Among rough people there is much of genuine kindness.

Let not people of a gentler mold, greater education, and larger possessions, come behind them in deeds of kindness.

Their kindness was thoroughly practical. We have too much of “Be you warmed,” and too little kindling of fires.

There may be spiritual as well as physical cold, and for this last the kindling of a fire is needed.

This is our present subject.

I. THAT WE ARE VERY APT TO BE COLD.

1. The world is a cold country for gracious men.

2. By reason of our inbred sin, we are cold subjects, and far too apt to be lukewarm, or frozen.

3. Cold seasons also come, when all around lies bound in frost. Ministers, churches, saints, are too often cold as ice.

4. Cold corners are here and there, where the sun seldom shines. Some good men live in such cold harbors.

5. Chilling influences are now abroad. Modern thought, worldliness, depression in trade, depreciation of prayer, etc.

   • If we yield to the power of cold, we become first uncomfortable, next inactive, and then ready to die.

II. THAT THERE ARE MEANS OF WARMTH.

1. The Word of God is as a fire. Heard or read, it tends to warm the heart.

2. Private, social, and family prayer. This is as coals of juniper.

3. Meditation and communion with Jesus. “While I was musing the fire burned”: Psalm 39:3. “Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way?” Luke 24:32.

4. Fellowship with other Christians. Malachi 3:16.

5. Doing good to others. Job prayed for his friends, and then his captivity was turned. Job. 42:10.

6. Returning to first love and doing first works, would bring back old warmth. Revelation 2:4, 5.

Let us get to these fires ourselves, lest we be frost-bitten and benumbed.

III. THAT WE SHOULD KINDLE FIRES FOR OTHERS.

We need the fire of revival, seeing so many are washed upon our shores in dying circumstances.

Concerning a true revival, let it be remembered that it both resembles the fire in the text, and differs from it.

1. It must be lighted under difficulties,—“because of the present rain.” The sticks are wet, the hearth is flooded, the atmosphere is damp. It is not easy to make a fire in such circumstances; and yet it must be done.

2. The fire we need cannot, however, be kindled by barbarians: the flame must come from above.

3. Once get the flame, the fire begins with littles. Small sticks are good for kindling.

4. It is well to nourish the flame by going down on your knees, and breathing upon it by warm and hearty supplications.

5. It must be fed with fuel. Think of the great Paul picking up a bundle of sticks. Let each one bring his share.

6. This fire must be kindled for “every one.” We must not be content until all the shivering ones are comforted.

7. The fire will be of great service, and yet it may warm into life more than one viper. Thank God, the fire which revived the creature into venomous life will also destroy it.

   • What can we each do towards this fire? Can we not each one either kindle or feed the fire? Bring a stick.
   • Let no one damp the flame.

Let us pray.

Kindling

How to maintain spiritual warmth. Philip Henry’s advice to his daughter was: “If you would keep warm in this cold season (January, 1692), take these four directions: 1. Get into the sun. Under his blessed beams there are warmth and comfort. 2. Go near the fire. ‘Is not my word like a fire?’ How many cheering passages are there! 3. Keep in motion and action—stirring up the grace and gift of God that is in you. 4. Seek Christian communion. ‘How can one be warm alone?’ “—Feathers for Arrows.

“Ane stick’ll never burn! Put more wood on the fire, laddie; ane stick ‘ll never burn!” my old Scotch grandfather used to say to his boys. Sometimes, when the fire in the heart burns low, and love to the Savior grows faint; it would grow warm and bright again, if it could only touch another stick.… What we need, next to earnest prayer to God and communion with Christ, is communion with each other. “Where two or three are gathered together,” the heart burns; love kindles to a fervent heat. Friends, let us frequent the society of those who are fellow-pilgrims with us to Canaan’s happy land. “Ane stick’ll never burn,” as a great generous pile will be sure to.—Anon.

I will tell you a story, which I have from very good hands, of two very eminent men, both for learning and piety, in the beginning of the last century, one of them a great prelate (indeed, a primate), and the other a Churchman of great note. These two eminent men often met together to consult upon the interests of learning and the affairs of the church; and when they had dispatched that business, they seldom parted from one another without such an encounter as this: “Come, good doctor,” says the bishop, “let us talk now a little of Jesus Christ”; or, on the other side, said the doctor, “Come, my Lord, let me hear your Grace talk of the goodness of God with your usual eloquence; let us warm one another’s hearts with Heaven, that we may better bear this cold world.” Here is now an example of holy conference without a preface and yet without exception; a precedent easy to imitate wherever there is a like spirit of piety. A few such men would put profaneness out of countenance, and turn the tide of conversation.—Goodman.

See how great a flame aspires,

Kindled by a spark of grace!

Jesus’ love the nations fires,

Sets the kingdoms in a blaze:

To bring fire on earth he came,

Kindled in some hearts it is:

Oh that all might catch the flame,

All partake the glorious bliss!

C. Wesley.