Rev. Dr. Samuel M. Zwemer, of Arabia, says that forty years
ago Dr. Talbot Chambers preached a missionary sermon in one of
the New York churches, on a rainy Sabbath, when there was only
one man in the audience. He made an appeal for the payment of
the deficit of the Dutch Reformed Board. That deficit amounted
to $55,000, and $11,000 were needed immediately to meet the
crisis. Before Dr. Chambers went to bed that night there was
a ring at the door, and Mr. Warren Ackerman announced himself
as the man who had heard the sermon that morning. He drew out
his check-book and wrote his check for $11,000. Early in the
morning there was a ring at the door, and there stood Mr.
Ackerman asking for a return of the check which he had given the
previous night. “Now,” Dr. Chambers thought, “he is coming back
because he feels he has given too much, and is giving one-half
of the total amount needed.” But when the check was filled in
the amount was $55,000, the largest single gift ever received
by the Reformed Board. In such fashion does a sense of personal
responsibility enable men to do exceeding abundantly above all
that they are able to ask or think for the kingdom of God.
(2355)
=Personal Touch in Music=--See MUSIC OF DESPAIR AND OF HOPE.