A STRANGE REQUEST--TOUCHING THE SCEPTRE--SUNDAY DRINKING--CLOSED ON
SUNDAY--PLEASANT OPPOSITION--GUILTY TONGUES--A SHARP REBUKE--UGLIER
THAN A GORILLA--A KNOTTY QUESTION--POTMAN'S LETTER--THE PUGILIST'S
RING--THE BEAUTY OF AGE--RESTING IN PEACE.
THE BOOK IN THE BARS:
ITS RECEPTION.
"These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they
received the truth with all readiness of mind." ACTS xvii. 11.
Thirteen years of Christian work in public, coffee, and night-houses,
during which time 465 Sunday evenings were spent in the bars, taps, and
parlours of these places, gave the Missionary thousands of opportunities
to reason with men and women about righteousness, temperance, and a
judgment to come. Incidents of interest were of constant occurrence, and
we select a few with the object of showing that the sword of the Spirit,
which is the Word of God, is mighty to subdue opposition and prejudice,
and to accomplish the great purposes of grace.
THE CROWN AND SCEPTRE.--Upon entering this house one evening, the
Missionary found a new landlord behind the bar. As he knew several of
the customers, he entered into serious conversation with them, but was
stopped by the landlord making the declaration that "it was an
abominable thing for a man to talk religion in a public-house;" and then
he ordered the intruder to leave. As the man was angry, the visitor went
toward the door, merely remarking, "We shall know each other some day,
and shall no doubt improve upon acquaintance, as I wish to do you a
good turn,--the best thing one man can do for another;" and then he left
the house. He had not, however, proceeded far down the street, when two
men ran after him, and said that the landlord wished to speak to him.
The visitor felt that mischief was intended, but as an opportunity might
be presented to secure the good-will of the man, he boldly re-entered
the bar. To his surprise, the landlord, with a smile, offered him a
number of handbills, and said, "You want to do me a good turn, do you?
Well, this is how you can manage it. I am told that you go into all the
houses about here, and I want you to put one of these papers into each
of your tracts, which will advertise me among the right sort of people."
The Missionary read the bills aloud, and could but join in the laughter
produced, for they ran thus: "'Crown and Sceptre.' The new landlord begs
to inform the public that he has taken this old-established house, and
that he sells the best porter at fourpence a quart, and good old Tom at
threepence-halfpenny a quartern," etc., etc. The customers considered
the request to circulate such bills in religious tracts a good joke, but
paused in their merriment to hear the reply of the visitor, who stood
with the bills in his hand. That answer was given in the unexpected form
of a question addressed to a group of costermongers who were standing at
the other side of the bar.
"Do you men over there know what a sceptre is?"
"Never heard nothin' of that 'ere sort of article," was the reply, after
some deliberation.
As the question evidently perplexed many of the customers, the visitor
smiled, and addressing the landlord, said, "If I can't circulate your
bills for you, I will make good use of them by acquainting your
customers with the full meaning of your sign. Well, you all know that a
crown is a kind of golden cap set with jewels and set upon the head of
kings. Now a sceptre is a golden stick, about so long (showing the
length with his hands), and is a badge of kingly authority with which to
govern and to show mercy. I have seen the Queen's sceptre in the Tower,
and its top is richly ornamented and studded with precious stones. In
this Book (producing the pocket Bible) there are beautiful things about
the sceptre, and if you like I will read you two short passages. 'All
the king's servants do know, that whosoever shall come unto the King
into the inner court, who is not called, there is one law of his to put
him to death, except such to whom the King shall hold out the golden
sceptre, that he may live.' 'And the King held out to Esther the golden
sceptre which was in his hand. So Esther drew near, and touched the top
of the sceptre.'" Then closing the Bible, he continued, "And now,
landlord, I have to tell you that the crown and sceptre brought me here.
After the Lord Jesus died to save us, He rose from the grave and
ascended into heaven. He is there crowned King of kings, and He has the
sceptre of righteousness and mercy in His hand. He holds out that golden
stick to each of you sinful men. By faith in Him you can touch it and be
saved;" and then placing several tracts upon the bar, he stepped towards
the door. He however turned back as an Irish labourer, who was standing
with several of his countrymen, exclaimed,--
"Och, sure and it's the rail truth; and it's meself that will do it, as
I niver did that, and I'm intirely wretched."
This was uttered with deep feeling, and a gesture of prayerful uplooking
which showed that the comprehension of the beautiful, that charm of the
Irish character, had caused the poor labourer to understand the lovely
truth of an enthroned and pardoning Redeemer. He was invited to leave
with the visitor, and they stood for some time in the street conversing
about the love of God in Christ Jesus. The man stated that he was from
Tipperary, and a good Catholic, but that he had often got drunk and had
injured several persons. When ill, by an accident he had met with in his
work, he was an inmate of Guy's Hospital for some weeks. When there, a
gentleman used to read out of the Bible to a man in the next bed, and
the man was very happy, though he did not belong to the true faith, as
he was always speaking of Jesus, and never prayed to the saints. Since
then he had felt unhappy about his sins, though he often went to mass
and confession. The way of salvation was simply explained to him, and
his address was taken, with the promise of a call. A few days after, his
room in a rookery called Grey's Buildings, was entered. His wife, who
expected the visitor, exclaimed, "In troth and it's your honour; and
wasn't it Mick that towld me of your honour, and it's himself that has
been praying Jesus to howld out the golden stick to him." While they
were speaking Mick came in, and greeted his friend with real Irish
feeling; and then they sat before the fire and conversed about the
lovingkindness of Him who is mighty to save. As the blessed result, the
poor Irishman was led to understand the way of salvation, and by faith
to touch the sceptre of Infinite Mercy. Some months passed before he had
courage to enter a Protestant church, and then he was in company with
his friend, whom he met by appointment. He for some minutes lingered
outside, and then entered with a rush. After that his attendance was
regular; but he found it necessary to leave his lodgings, as his
conversion became known to the neighbours, and he received several
unpleasant visits from the priest. He had two boys whom he sent to a
Protestant school, though opposed by his wife. His acquaintance was kept
up for several years, and he used to speak with joy about the golden
stick, and the knowledge it gave him of the Saviour.
THE ELEPHANT AND CASTLE.--Upon entering the bar-parlour of this house
the landlord commenced the following conversation with the Missionary,
concerning the evidence he had given before a Committee of the House of
Commons: "I have, sir, been reading your evidence in the Blue Book, and
while I agree with much that you said, I think that you were mistaken in
two particulars. First, when you said that there are more persons in the
public-houses of Marylebone upon the evening of the Lord's-day, than
there are in all the churches and chapels of that parish. Secondly, your
advice for further restrictions upon our Sunday-sale, coupled with your
opinion, that a great number of our houses could be entirely closed upon
the Lord's-day with benefit to the public and without loss to the
publican."
"I am not surprised at your view of my evidence, but the sharp criticism
of the trade has convinced me that I spoke the truth temperately. As
regards the appalling statement as to the number of persons who frequent
your houses upon the Lord's-day evening, you must have observed that I
was sharply examined upon the point, and confirmed it with much detail;
when I had finished, the chief Inspector of Police and other important
persons were examined upon the matter, and confirmed my statement; after
which the Committee reported it to Parliament as unquestionably true. It
is then a terrible fact, certainly true, of all the poor neighbourhoods
of London. As regards the closing on Sundays, and its effect upon the
trade, I merely gave an opinion; but that opinion was arrived at after
conversation with several hundred members of your trade. As you know,
forty-seven publicans in this parish signed a petition, praying
Parliament to close you upon the whole of Sunday. Few men have a larger
acquaintance with the trade than myself, and I am convinced that a
strong feeling against Sabbath labour, and other evils of this business,
is growing up among you. For instance, several of your neighbours now
close their houses upon the whole of the Lord's-day, others close their
tap-rooms, and many refrain from lighting the glaring lamps outside.
This shows a desire to use the great moral power you possess for the
good of the people. And then as regards the loss resulting from Sunday
closing, I am convinced that the saying of the Book is true: 'That in
keeping His commandments there is great reward.' I am, however, content
to reason the point with you from a trade point of view. It is a fact
that all who close bear the loss lightly, if loss there be. One house at
Shoreditch has been established more than a hundred years, though, for
all that time, the following 'rules' have been printed over the bar:--
"'1. No person served a second time.
"'2. No person served if in the least intoxicated.
"'3. No swearing or improper language allowed.
"'4. Smoking not permitted.
"'5. When you enter a place of business, transact your business,
and go about your business.
"'CLOSED ON SUNDAY.'"
"The landlord told me that after the experience of a century they had no
wish to alter the rules. Twenty-six other Sunday-closing publicans, with
whom I conversed, told me that the loss is really small. They lend
bottles of various sizes to their customers upon the payment of a small
deposit, which increases the Saturday's returns; and as they save
one-seventh of wear and tear and gas, the cost of obtaining a Sabbath of
rest is to many small indeed. But be this as it may, the old question
remains, put by Him who alone knew the value of the world He made and of
the soul He created,--for all souls are His: 'What will it profit a man,
if he gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?' You, and many of my
friends in the trade, give a practical answer to this question by
suppressing drunkenness, though much to your money loss (for I never saw
a person the worse for liquor in your house); extend that answer by
observing the Sabbath-day to keep it holy."
A few weeks after this conversation the Missionary entered the house
again, in company with a clergyman from the Isle of Wight. The landlord
asked them into the bar-parlour, and called his wife. He then produced a
board, and said, "Since our last conversation, sir, I have considered
the cost, and have had this board printed, and intend to put it outside
next Monday morning. It will no doubt increase my trade difficulties,
but with God's help I shall hope still to get on." The writing upon the
board was: "NOTICE. On and after Sunday next, this house will be closed
during the whole of the Lord's-day." They were commended for the good
resolution, and the clergyman, at parting, observed, "You said wisely,
that you hoped with God's help to succeed: that help can only be
obtained in answer to prayer. Would it not therefore be well for us to
seek the required blessing?" Upon this the landlady rose and locked the
door, and while the barmaid was supplying the customers, her employers
were kneeling with the Missionary, while the clergyman engaged in
prayer.
The board was placed outside the house, and caused quite a sensation in
the neighbourhood, and much jesting in the bar. The resolution was,
however, kept; and after a year's Sunday closing, the landlord expressed
his determination to continue in the right way, as he had found it
possible to conduct the business upon Christian principles.
THE MOGUL.--A dirty little beer-shop, entirely supported by low and
depraved persons. The taproom was built in the yard beside a skittle
ground, and was approached through a long passage. Upon entering it one
evening the Missionary found a crowd of at least forty juvenile thieves,
vagrants, and bullies. As the noise was great, the only hope of doing
good was an effort to enter into conversation with one or two
individuals. This, however, was prevented, as many of them knew the
visitor, and hit upon a device to get rid of him. A song was started by
one of the men, and the chorus was taken up by the full company, who
repeated with deafening effect the words, "He's a jolly good fellow." As
the song proceeded the repetition became so boisterous that the visitor
divined their intention to sing him out. He at once saw the difficulty
of his position, as, if they had succeeded, the same practice would have
been adopted in other taprooms to the hindrance of his usefulness. He,
therefore, instead of leaving, took a seat in their midst in a most
unconcerned manner. The chorus was kept up until many of the vocalists
had bawled themselves hoarse; and as the yelling became feeble the
visitor sprang to his feet, and said vehemently, "And they were good
fellows, but the magistrates commanded to beat them. And when they had
laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the
jailer to keep them safely; who, having received such a charge, thrust
them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks."
The words changed the current of feeling. Nearly all in the room had
been in prison, and those who had not had a deep sympathy with such.
"Who was they?" "Where was it?" and "What a shame!" were the general
exclamations.
After a pause, which produced absolute silence, the speaker continued:
"And at midnight they sang praises unto God." And then opening his
Bible, he in a solemn, earnest tone, read the narrative of the
imprisonment of Paul and Silas. When he came to the words, "He set meat
before them and rejoiced, believing in God, with all his house," the
reader closed the Book, and in a few telling sentences explained the
nature of saving faith in Christ, and the result of that faith,--being
made "new creatures." After this visit the work was easy in that
taproom, and in the family of the landlord.
THE KING'S HEAD.--One afternoon, while the visitor was speaking with
several respectable men in this bar, the barman addressed him with the
exclamation, "Blessed are your lips." He was so surprised at the words
that he approached the young man, and inquired what he meant. "Well,
sir," he replied, "I hear cursing and swearing all day long, up till
twelve o'clock at night, and you are the only man who speaks really good
words. Why, we have some tradesmen come in here for lunch who are known
religious men, and they talk politics and all sorts of things, but they
haven't a word to say about religion. It's as if they were ashamed to
acknowledge God when they get in here: now, you condemn sinning and
swearing, and I, therefore, made the remark 'Blessed are your lips.'"
"I am glad you are at leisure," was the reply, "as you have started a
subject upon which I want the help of the trade, both master and man.
This habit of profane swearing among the people is a crying evil, and
you are the victims of its pollution more than any other class of
tradesmen, which need not and ought not to be the case. In this part of
London the habit is too general; but the abomination is still worse at
the East end. I have with me a copy of the _Church and State Review_, in
which a gentleman gives an account of his visits the other night with a
detective. He writes: 'We stopped before one house in which all the
crusts that are begged in the streets are turned into gin. Everybody
blasphemed at intervals, except the women, who never stopped at all.
There were old men and old women--everything that is made after the
image of God, down to the little child--and the foulness of all was
equal. It was fearful to hear the words that rolled from the lips of
the crone, who was full of years and spirits; but it was agony to hear
the curses stream from the baby-mouths, when midnight had passed and it
was far away in the morning.' Now, we have a Missionary who visits the
houses there, and he was deeply grieved at the pollutions that met his
ears; so he had a card about a foot square printed, and illuminated with
a double blue border containing four mottoes between: 'Be sober;' 'Swear
not at all;' 'Be sure your sin will find you out;' 'Thou God seest me.'
The requisition in the centre is printed in scarlet characters, forming
a pretty contrast to the border, and is as follows: 'It is respectfully
requested that persons attending this house will refrain from using
improper language.' He took them round to the landlords, and to their
credit, nearly four hundred placed them in their bars and taps; and many
joined heartily in the effort to suppress the evil. Though scarcely a
year has passed, the result is most satisfactory; and I should like to
introduce the cards into this part of London: the trade and myself can
work together in this matter and I trust that your master will allow one
to be placed in this bar."
"I am sure that he will," was the reply; "and I will ask him, and all
the barmen I know, to assist in the good effort."
A card was placed in that bar, and many of the neighbouring bars, taps,
and parlours, were ornamented with them; and as "the rules of the
house," an effective check was given to guilty tongues. Another good of
great importance sprang from the conversation with the barman. The
peculiar temptations of the class were considered, and a special effort
was made for their spiritual good. A pocket Testament was given to
three hundred of them, with suitable remarks as to the value of the good
Book, and the duty of daily reading it. The attention of many publicans
was for the time directed to the Book, and many purchased larger copies.
A distribution was then commenced among those publicans and coffee-house
keepers who let lodgings, and hundreds of Bibles were placed in their
sleeping rooms; the movement extended to the hotels (the Books having
their signs in gilt letters upon the covers), and terminated by an
arrangement with the managers of the Great Western Hotel, by which
nearly a hundred copies of the Scriptures were placed in their bedrooms.
[Illustration: BE SURE YOUR SIN WILL FIND YOU OUT.
SWEAR NOT AT ALL.
It is respectfully requested that Persons attending this House will
refrain from using improper language.
BE SOBER.
THOU GOD SEEST ME.]
The barmaids were really thankful for the Bible and Card movement, as
their suffering from blasphemous and bad language was great. The
following incident will illustrate this: The visitor was one afternoon
standing in a gin palace, quietly conversing with the two barmaids, when
three well-dressed young men of "turfy" style entered, and called for
"brandies and soda." They conversed merrily about an incident which had
occurred to one of them, using corrupt words with every sentence. A deep
blush rose to the face of the younger barmaid, who had not been long in
the business. The visitor turned towards the man, and said sharply,
"Dear me, what can be the matter with you?"
"I am all right," he replied, inquiringly.
"You are not all right," was the reply: "but I can tell what's the
matter with you. When a man is ill the doctor examines his tongue, and
if it is furred he knows that it indicates foulness within, and that the
patient requires treatment; and it's just so when men with their
tongues defile themselves and others. It shows a diseased moral state
when the poison of asps is under a man's tongue."
The severe rebuke so astonished the man that he could not give a ready
reply; but one of his companions said, "We meant no harm, sir."
As the barmaids had fled to the other end of the counter, the visitor
altered his tone to one of kindly instruction, and said, "You don't know
your disease, and I shall, therefore, do you a kindness by pointing it
out to you." He then opened his Bible and read, "The tongue is a fire, a
world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth
the whole body, and setteth on fire the whole course of nature; and it
is set on fire of hell." He then referred to the passage, "Children that
are corrupters," and told them that this evil, with all others,
proceeded out of the corrupt human heart; and of that blood which
cleanseth from all sin, and makes a man every whit whole. The men, who
showed a very proper spirit, promised to suppress the hateful habit, and
shook hands with their reprover.
Upon his next visit the barmaids thanked him; and the youngest said, "I
have been religiously brought up; and my grandfather, who was an
Independent Minister, pressed me to give my heart to God when I was a
little girl. You have brought all to my remembrance, and I shall leave
this trade for domestic service, as I have resolved to live in newness
of life."
* * * * *
THE MERLIN'S CAVE.--There was a special inducement to visit this house
out of its regular order, as placards announced that "The gorilla, or
man-monkey, had not made its escape, but could be seen by customers
using the bar." Upon entering, one Sunday evening, the Missionary was
surprised to find the place crowded with the lowest order of drunkards,
chiefly from Seven Dials. Their object was to see the stuffed skin of
the monster, and they, for so respectable a house, formed a ragged,
dirty, and debased company. The landlord, who was unfavourable to
Christian visitation, stopped a conversation of deep interest by
inviting the visitor to look at the gorilla. "We don't usually show it
on Sundays," he observed, "but as you have come in we will oblige you
and gratify the people." And he then drew the curtain aside. All pressed
forward to look at the monster; and the Missionary, leaning upon the
bar, gazed at it for some moments.
"How he is staring at it!" observed one of the men.
"Yes, I am," was the reply, "as I was making up a conundrum for the
landlord; and I hope he will answer it to our general satisfaction.
'When is a man uglier than that gorilla?'"
After a little thought, he replied, "A man never can be uglier than
that, so I will give it up."
"Yes, he can," replied the visitor, with energy: "When he is drunk. Yes:
a drunkard is the picture of a beast, and the monster of a man. Dressed
in rags, with livid face and blood-shot eyes, and filthy breath, he
sinks below a brute like that, which answered the end of its being. A
drunkard debases his intellect and becomes a mere animal--a wife-beater
and child-starver--a pest to his neighbours, and a disgrace to his
family and country. A drunkard has the curse of the Almighty over him
which no brute has; for being filthy and abominable--a child of the
devil--He, the great God, has said that such shall not inherit His
kingdom." The landlord stood aghast at the warmth of this declamatory
speech; and the drunkards seemed rooted to the spot. Tracts were then
handed round, a passage of Scripture being repeated with each.
Quite a group of conscience-stricken men and women had stopped outside,
and were waiting for the visitor. One of them, a woman, seemed to
express the general state of feeling, when she said, "Can't do without
it now, master. Can do without food; but though the drink is killing me,
I should die without it." And then she cried, as drunkards are so ready
to do. The state of disease which alcohol had produced in her was
explained, and she was told that a little medical attention, total
abstinence from intoxicating drinks, and regular diet, would save her
from the drunkard's grave, and would put her in the right position to
seek pardon and deliverance from the eternal curse. She readily gave her
address, and the visitor promised to call next day to receive her
pledge, and to give her further advice.
That visit was not lost, as the woman, who kept a beer-shop in the
"Dials," was recovered from her debased condition, and with her husband
became morally reformed.
* * * * *
THE WHITE HORSE.--The potman at this house was a young man of unusual
sobriety and intelligence. In style and work he was to perfection the
"man of the tap," as his short apron was always clean, his room
comfortable, and his pots shining. The men were often unruly and
quarrelsome, but he always kept order, and got over the pressure for
trust with such tact that his master never lost a customer. A grave
shaking of the head, and a pointing at a picture on the wall, which
represented a dog named "Trust" lying dead between two barrels, usually
settled the matter. If not he read the inscription, "Poor Trust is dead:
bad pay killed him;" and in a melancholy way expressed his regret that
"he could not help that dog a-dying, or he would." Like many of his
class, he felt proud of his position, as in the tap he took rank equal
to his master in the parlour. Frequenters of the room acknowledged this,
and, as the representative of the firm, appealed to him on knotty
questions. Such a question arose one evening when a man, who had the
habit of fixing attention upon some matter contained in a Book he
carried, told them about the Saviour of the world ascending to heaven in
a white cloud, and added, the angels said, "This same Jesus, which is
taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have
seen Him go into heaven;" and then he made the solemn announcement,
"Behold, He cometh with clouds, and every eye shall see Him." The men
who knew little of Christianity were utterly ignorant of this great
truth, and its enunciation produced thoughtfulness, and a conversation
the very reverse of that which usually took place in the room. One man
appealed to "Potts," as he was called, as to whether that was in all the
Bibles; as if it was, it might come true. Potts very wisely looked at
the visitor, and said, "He's very likely to know, and if he'll tell me
where it is, I will look in a Bible this very night and see if it's
there." He was commended for his answer, and told of the men of Berea,
"who were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received
the Word with all readiness of mind, and searched the Scriptures daily,
whether those things were so." The men were then, in a short but
earnest address, directed to the coming Judge as the present Saviour.
A few months after this visit, the Missionary one afternoon entered the
tap-room, as he desired to hold private converse with Potts. That worthy
was by himself, and was, with great effort, writing a letter.
"It's strange that you should have come in, sir," he observed, "as I am
a writing a letter to my sister, for whom I cares a great deal, as there
is only us two; and we has bin orphans since we was very little, and she
is a parlour-maid at Maidstone; and I don't mind you reading the letter,
sir, as it's all true that's in it."
His friend with some difficulty got through the epistle, as its writing
and orthography were very bad. It commenced in the famous "hoping to
find you quite well as it leaves me at present" style; and then, as we
put it in readable language, he said, "I have, my dear sister, made up
my mind to be a Christian. A gentleman who comes in here has made the
duty of being religious very plain, and I have got a view of Jesus like
this:--if you were woke up in the dark night by a fire-escape man in
your room, you would not at first understand what it meant; but as soon
as you got a good look at him, you would see by his clothes and helmet
what he was, and you would let him save you. Now that is just how I see
Jesus Christ; everything about Him shows that He is the Saviour, and I
am letting Him save me. As I cannot now be comfortable here, I have
obtained work at a fishmonger's, and I want you to come to London. I
will try and get you a good place, and then you will not be subjected to
the temptations of the trade." He was strengthened and encouraged in the
good resolution which he carried out, and some time after he gave his
friend valuable assistance in the formation of a local society for the
abolition of Sunday labour.
* * * * *
THE COACH AND HORSES.--Two visits of considerable interest took place in
this house, though at long intervals.
As the Missionary entered the bar one evening, the landlord said, in a
half whisper, "The fight for the championship comes off in the morning,
and a lot of the P. R.'s are in the club room."
"Can you pass me up?"
"It's no use your going there," was the reply; "but I will, if you
like:" and then the visitor passed upstairs and entered the room. About
thirty men were present, the majority being unmistakable members of the
prize-ring. As every eye was fixed upon the new arrival, he felt
embarrassed as to his mode of procedure; indeed, there was no help but
to produce his tracts and to commence distribution. He had given about a
dozen, when the men rolled them up as balls and commenced pelting each
other across the room, uttering vile words. The distributor at once saw
that his work was likely to be brought into contempt, and that evil
instead of good might result from the visit. He therefore, as many were
pressing him for tracts, put them into his pocket. During the few
minutes he had been there, he had noticed an elderly man of damaged face
and whiskerless who was seated at a table with two gentlemen. He was
drinking from a large silver prize-cup, which indicated that he was an
ex-champion. His hand was resting upon the table, and a diamond of great
beauty glittered upon his finger--as the lapidists say, it "gave fire."
The distributor looked at it, and approaching its owner, remarked, in so
loud a tone that all in the room heard him, "What a lovely ring! I have
not seen so fine a brilliant as this for some time: it must certainly be
worth a hundred pounds."
"That's it," replied the ex-champion. "They say that it's worth a
hundred guineas. A gent that's dead and gone bet two thousand upon me
when I beat the Slasher; and in the morning he came to 'cossit' me, as
he said, and brought me this."
"It's the jewel that's worth the money," said the visitor. "Why, the
gold of the ring would not fetch three pounds." All assented to this.
And he continued. "Well, it's just so with these tracts you have been
throwing about: as bits of paper they cost little or nothing, and are
not worth your acceptance; but they are all studded with a jewel--the
pearl of great price:" and then raising his voice to a clear ringing
pitch, he exclaimed, "The name of the Lord Jesus, by whom alone each man
in this room can be saved, is upon them,--He is the gem. None other name
is given by which you can obtain mercy." And then placing some tracts
upon the table, he left the room with a firm tread. The men were so
interested and surprised that scarcely a word was spoken. A few days
after, the potman told the distributor that the pugilists did not
destroy a tract or leave one behind.
More than two years after this event the Missionary was standing one
morning at the bar, in conversation with the landlady, when he noticed,
the parlour door being open, a very aged man seated with a glass of
sherry before him. His beard, which was very long, and his few remaining
hairs were as white as the driven snow: and as he leaned upon his
gold-headed cane he looked beautiful,--he had indeed that rich beauty of
age which in its day is more lovely than the bloom of youth. The visitor
approached politely, and asked his acceptance of a little book. He
received it with a smile, and entered freely into conversation, which
ended in the following way: "And now, sir, may I put the question to you
which one of the Pharaohs put to an aged man who was led up to the
throne by his son?"
"Certainly."
"'How old art thou?'"
"Just turned eighty-four."
"An honourable age. But your answer is not so full as that which good
old Jacob gave. He told the King that 'the days of the years of his
pilgrimage were an hundred and thirty years;' and added, 'Few and evil
have the days of the years of my life been, and have not attained unto
the days of the years of the life of my fathers in the days of their
pilgrimage.' He spoke of life as short, for upon looking back time
appeared to have passed quickly; he spoke of his days as 'evil,' for he
had had his share of care and sorrows: but, best of all, he confessed to
the heathen King that he was but a stranger and pilgrim upon the earth,
and so acknowledged his belief in, and his hope of, enduring rest in the
better country. I trust that you have like precious faith, and the
assurance that you are near the prepared mansions,--the city of
habitation whose Builder and Maker is God?"
"No: I am not;" and as he said it his voice trembled and the tears
started into his eyes. "I am not a Christian, and am most miserable. I
was a merchant, and until fifty years of age was absorbed in the one
object of making money. I then retired upon an ample fortune, and for
the next twenty years I loved and enjoyed the world, and collected
art-work and things of beauty, with which my houses are filled. During
that time I never thought seriously of eternal things, and scarcely ever
read my Bible. Of late years I have ceased to take pleasure in these
things, and I am truly wretched. My son, who is a diplomatist, when in
England, brought several divines to see me, but I cannot get peace. This
morning I came out for a walk, and feeling fatigued I looked in here,
and as no one was in the room I called for light refreshment--and am
taking rest. It seems strange that such a man as you should accost me
here,--and it may be of God. Let us exchange cards, and come and dine
with me."
Cards were exchanged, and next day the "parlour friends" dined together.
Some time was spent in looking over the beautiful and curious
possessions of the old gentleman, and then they settled down to deep
spiritual conference. Many a page of the pocket Bible was turned over,
and the verities of the Word were made manifest. The library door was
then fastened, and deep earnest prayer was offered to the God of all
grace.
Many visits followed, and the friendship was cemented. One day, as the
visitor entered the dining-room, the old gentleman grasped his hand, and
said, "The cloud is removed: I feel as a little child, and am resting
with comfort upon God's love in Jesus;" and then he uttered the language
of rejoicing. For five or six months he was happy, and his family were
made glad. One morning his friend received a deep black-bordered letter
from his eldest daughter, who was staying with him at his country house,
and it read thus: "As my late father's dearest friend, I write to tell
you of his sudden removal. He had been poorly for several days, and was
taken really ill yesterday morning. We had three physicians, but they
could only give him a little ease, as he was evidently dying. He was
conscious to the last, and very happy. He fell asleep at two o'clock
this morning, with the name of Jesus upon his lips. Our gratitude to you
for your deep interest in him, and kind attention, is deep, and will
remain for life."
* * * * *
The Lord sent forth the seventy "two and two before His face into every
city and place." In effective lay-work the principle holds good through
all the difficulties of domiciliary effort. The Missionaries of London
and other large towns have each a responsible helper,--their local
superintendent. It thus occurred that the man with the Book never stood
alone in his work, and if he had it would have been feebly done. His
beloved superintendent bore his full share of responsibility. At first
he visited with him that he might make himself fully acquainted with the
nature of the work and then he gave prayerful influence, with Christian
council and sustaining sympathy. Under God, much of the success which
attended, and still attends the visitation of public and coffee-houses,
is due to the direction of that "honourable counsellor," Mr. W. R.
Ellis.
And here it is well to add that the chief secretaries of the Mission,
the Rev. John Garwood and the late Rev. John Robinson, have left an
impress of good upon this and each branch of the work. Their clearness
of judgment and full comprehension of the will of the committee, always
gave value to their advice; while their devotion to the cause of Christ
in London stimulated the zeal, and gave solidity to the labours of
young missionaries. This testimony can now be given, as one of them has
received the upward call from the Master; and the other, after forty
years of faithful service, has retired from official responsibility,
though still active as a director of the Society's affairs. Blessed,
indeed, are they who are called in early life to labour in the Gospel,
and are honoured with long life in the highest and best employ, with
sure anticipation of the blessed rest!
The Book in the Den:
ITS MAJESTY.
"And often did she bless the night,--
That night without a star,
When Mercy kept the lonely watch,
And left the door ajar."
_Mrs. Sewell._