Acts 9:36-43
Little did she think, as she performed her good works and distributed her bounty freely, that her name would appear in Holy Writ, and give a title to thousands of meetings, commonly called
Dorcas Sewing Meetings,
when Christian women come together to work for others. Evidently she blazed the trail, and gave an example followed by many others. Is this not an encouragement for us all to follow her example, in caring for others?
And further suppose the activities of sister Dorcas had never appeared in the Bible, and she had lived and died and her name forgotten on earth, the memory of her devotedness and practical sympathy with the needs of others would be just as highly appreciated by the Lord. Indeed we feel sure Dorcas did what she did as to the Lord without any thought of making a name for herself.
If she had striven to make a name for herself, inspiration would not have put her deeds on record as we find in Acts 9.
The details are interesting and encouraging. “This woman was full of good works and alms-deeds.” So great were her activities that Tabitha got a nickname—Dorcas. This means a doe or a roe. These graceful animals are very fleet of foot so one can imagine Tabitha constantly and swiftly moving about on her errands of mercy.
She sickened and died. The disciples were so bereaved that they sent two men to Lydda where the Apostle Peter was, asking him to come without delay.
Now we have known narrow-minded brethren criticize and oppose sisters in following the good example of Dorcas. May this be a rebuke to all such. The brothers in Joppa were evidently in sympathy with the philanthropy of Dorcas. Not two sisters, but two brothers, went as a deputation to Peter.
And what will Peter do? Will he stand on his dignity as an Apostle of the Lord? Will he say that the Apostle, who was the mouthpiece of the Holy Ghost on the great day of Pentecost, is too big a man to run after a deceased sister and a lot of weeping widows?
No, Peter stands as a rebuke to critical and unsympathetic brothers. It is a charming scene. There is Peter, the leading apostle of the twelve, who was on the Mount of Transfiguration, the spokesman on the great day of Pentecost, in the death chamber, the widows crowding round him weeping, and showing him the coats and garments that Dorcas had made.
It is a beautiful scene, and it shines forth as one of the happiest in Peter’s eventful career.
Now see him put out of the death chamber all the widows, kneel down and pray and turn to the dead body, and say, “Tabitha arise.” Her eyes open on the world once more and she arises. Peter calls in the widows and presents Tabitha alive to their great joy and delight.
We think it is strikingly remarkable that God thought it well to call back Tabitha to earth, in response to the widows’ tears and the Apostle’s prayer, to continue her good work a little longer.
May this not be a great encouragement to Christian women everywhere? It was not mere philanthropy on the part of Dorcas, but a heart full of divine love for the Lord that caused her to become active and practical in meeting needs around her.
If this little article is the means of stirring some sisters to start such work and so become real lineal descendants of her in her work, or of some others joining up in such work already in existence, it will be amply rewarded.
Not only are there the needs of the widows and necessitous around us, but needs in the mission field, that may well command our sympathy and practical help. In watering others we shall ourselves be watered.