January 1929
25
T h e
K i n g ' s
B u s i n e s s
The Millionaire of Smiles RECENT copy of The Missionary Review of the World brought us the story of Frank R. Loope, another bedridden saint, who is known as “the millionaire of smiles.” He cannot lift or even turn his head, for he is suffering from “More’s disease,” for which no cure is known. The limbs literally turn to stone. The disease crept up his body until his head and neck became rigid. Frank Loope was once a practicing physician, but he found himself shut up in a narrow cell for life. Finding a retired spot on the Pacific coast, he gave up to mental and physical suffering and became bereft of all faith in God or man. Nine years passed and only his hands were free. One day a friend suggested that he try to write short stories. He made a brave attempt, and tears of joy filled his eyes when he received his first check. “Perhaps I can do something in the world after all,” he said, and the. turn ing point in his life came. Slowly but surely the light of Jesus Christ broke through the darkness of this imprisoned soul, and he found the peace of God. The vision of the stewardship of life dawned upon him, and he began to plan how he could be a blessing to others, especially shut-ins. Tidings of what he is doing have spread even to for eign lands. A daily newspaper offered Dr. Loope an appointment as editor of a Sunshine Corner, to print news of and for the invalids of the Northwest. Day after day he brightens that corner with the very radiance of Christ. Two telephones are installed by his bed, and he is in continual touch with a great company of folks, near and far. Into his ear they tell their problems and troubles. Several volunteer stenographers help him with corres pondence which pours in from a wide area. Often when a case is stated, he answers, “Have you talked the matter over with God?” In many cases the admission is made that they “never thought of such a thing.” Then in the eyes of this “millionaire of smiles” the wonderful light shines, and he goes on to say: “I know just how it is with you. I lost years out of my own life because of my bit terness and unbelief, but after I got right with God, everything changed for me. You try it', friend, I ’ll gladly show you the way. It is so simple, and you’ll find that He’ll help you solve all your problems, soothe your heartaches, make you forget yourself and open up to you a glorious way of service to others.” Thus he has led hundreds of men and women and little children out of the darkness of despair into the marvelous light of a personal friendship with the King.
A Pestilen t Tongue “The tongue defileth the whole body ” says James (Jas. 3:6). What do these inspired words teach if not that a man who spreads falsehoods is a man who will com mit other evils? Has it not too often been proved true? Watch the fellow who is perpetually attacking others— forever talking, talking, talking against his brethren! Some morning the newspaper will tell you that this very man has been caught hugging and kissing some other fellow’s wife, or putting over a crooked deal on his neighbor. A man speaks about as he thinks. He usually does as he thinks, sooner or later. A pestilent tongue is an evi dence of pestilence within. The disease is very apt to come to the surface. The tongue is an ever-present, inflammatory element of evil. James says it is “set on fire o f hell,” and certainly it is an evidence that the fire is smoldering within. Truly he who restrains his love of talk, lays up a fund of spiritual strength. A godly Scottish minister was approached by one of his parishioners who wanted to tell him of the wrong doing of one of the members. After hearing it, the pastor asked: “Does anyone else know this but you ?” “N o !” was the answer. “Have you told it to anyone else?” “No, sir!” “Then,” said the good pastor, “go home and hide it away at the feet of Jesus, and never speak of it again unless the Lord leads you to go to the man himself. If the Lord wants to bring a scandal upon His church, let Him do i t ; but don’t you be the instrument to start it unless the Holy Spirit compels you to do it!” This was good advice, not only for the sake of the church, but for the sake of the person who told the story. Spreading rumors is a spiritual leak in the life. When we find ourselves emitting poison, we should awake to the fact that there must be poison forming within. It is, there fore, always an evidence that there has been a loss of spiritual power. What is the quickest way to stop the leak and counteract the poison? “Go home and hide this thing away at the feet of Jesus.” Not only will you gain a victory for yourself, but you will help to put out a con flagration that might bring disaster over wide areas and hinder the work of Christ for years to come. “Mama dear, I was a peacemaker today,” said a little girl we heard of, as she snuggled up to her mother in the evening. “How was that?” asked the mother. “I heard something and I didn’t tell it,” was the reply. “Blessed are the peacemakers.” Most of the things we hear, we are not in a position to verify. Then why should we repeat them—unless it might be to the person involved? It certainly can be said that a man who does not engage in criticism of others, is usually a man who has his whole being well under control. As James says: “I f a man offend not in words . . . . the same is able to bridle the whole body.” Therefore, mark the talker. He himself is walking over a ditch on a rotten plank. Undue freedom of speech is allied to weakness of character. Central Miracle of History Said Philip Schaff: “He was neither school-taught nor self-taught nor inspired for a season, like the prophets; He came directly from God, and taught the world as one who owed nothing to its hooks, its schools, its history, its society, its favor; He was the Light of the world and the Truth itself. Explain it as you may, the outstanding fact is there. Jesus of Nazareth is the central miracle of history.”
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