THE KING’S BUSINESS
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tion hope, and I had bec'ome a soldier of the Cross.” Stationed subsequently at Dover, he found new opportunities for showing his allegiance to the King of kings, and proved that he would rather die for the new flag he carried than be faithless. During his furlough later he gladdened the old home near London, and among the friends of his youth he was able to open the door to a better life, for the old story did its ever-mighty work, lighting a flame that will never go out. Returning to his regiment, he heard news of the doctor’s illness, and that he had asked for him. Sitting by his bedside, Coombes said: “How can I ever thank you for what you did for me ?” Rousing somewhat from the sad depression which had come over him, the doctor answered: “For you, my dear fellow, I only opened the door that evening, and asked you in! Alas, my trouble is that I have done nothing!” “Only, did you say, doctor ? Listen, while I tell you what that meant. You opened the door for a sad, embittered life to find salvation. Not only that, but many others have been sought and O NE of the evidences of a real conversion and change of heart is the immediate desire and longing for the salvation of others. Our friend C-------- , the tailor, as soon as he was saved, sought out his old companions in sin and told them what the Lord had done for him. Some of them laughed heartily, and said one to the other: “What is this new role he is playing?” never dreaming that God by the Holy Spirit had wrought a work of grace in his soul; yet could not understand
led to Christ. One day the great roll- call will sound out, and many will answer ‘Here,’ because of what you did that evening for me. Will you say then ‘I only opened the door’?” Thus the doctor found encouragement, and as his strength returned God gave him grace to see the grandeur of opening a door for those who are lonely and far from God—and his heart was glad. Workers for the Master, think not to measure your work by others. Look straight to Him. Hold out those feeble hands and ask: “What wilt Thou have me to do?” Seek not the loud applause of earth, but listen for His sweet approval of the cup of water, the visit to the sick and long imprisoned ones, the gracious deed of love. Say not “only,” when it may be yours to open the door to some sad heart to a brighter way; but stand ready in the hidden paths, if need be, to have the heaven-given honor of simply opening the door. Only some act of devotion, Willingly, joyfully done; “Surely ’twas nought,” so the proud world thought, But yet souls for Christ were won. how it. was that he was sober—a very rare occurrence indeed. He declared that he was a new man, and that he had done with drink, gambling and other sins of the past, and begged that they would come with him to the Mission Hall. There was consternation among them, and one said, half sarcastically and half angrily: “Oh, wait till he gets his pay on Saturday. I have seen him try this on before, but it doesn’t wear long.” But another, a tall, fine, athletic Scotchman, named M----- , a
A Scottish Prodigal’s Return By THOMAS M. WINTLE
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