A story is told of a certain pastor who mourned over a
backslider in his congregation, once a regular attendant at
the prayer service, but who had drifted away, and who for many
months had not been seen in the “upper room.” Finally, unable
to stand it longer, at the close of one of the meetings, in
which the voice formerly accustomed to lead in prayer was
sorely missed, the minister went straight to the man’s home and
found him sitting before the open fire. The absentee, somewhat
startled by the intrusion, hastily placed another chair for his
visitor and then waited for the expected words of rebuke. Had
the rebuke been spoken, no one knows what the reply might have
been or what mistaken yet lasting anger might have been kindled.
But not a word did the minister say. Taking his seat before
the fire, he silently took the tongs and lifting a glowing
coal from the midst of its fellows, laid it by itself upon the
hearthstone. Remaining painfully silent, he watched the blaze
die out and the last warm flush of life fade away. Then it was
the truant who opened his lips to say: “You need not say a
single word, sir; I’ll be there next Wednesday night.” (Text.)
(3429)
=Warmth of Christian Love=--See DOUBTS, DISSOLVING.