WHEN TWO CHURCH MEMBERS seem not to be able to get along together, what an unfortunate testimony of the Gospel this is! In one of the area congregations this proved to be true and a third member decided to bring these two men into united service for the Lord. First the peacemaker visited Mr. Brown. Casually he asked, “What do you think of Mr. Thompson?” Mr. Brown’s eyes flashed w ith anger and retorted, “Think! W hy he’s contemp tible in my sight!” The peacemaker kindly ventured, “Yes, but you must admit he is very thoughtful of his fam ily.” Brown said, “Yes, he is that.” The next day the peacemaker went to the Thompson home and in talk ing w ith his friend and in easy de sign remarked, “Mr. Thompson, do you realize what Mr. Brown said about you?” Thompson!s fur began to ruffle immediately as he surmised unkindly, “No, but 1 can imagine the untrue, and dirty things he must have expressed.” The peacemaker shook his head and told Mr. Thompson that Brown simply remarked that “you were cer tainly thoughtful of your fam ily.” Then asked, “Now what do you think of him?” Mr. Thompson was not convinced. He commented that Brown was sim ply a scamp and a rascal! “That may be, but you w ill have to admit he is an honest man.” Thompson agreed that he was honest. “But what has that to do w ith it?” Back to Brown went the peacemak er. “Do you know what Mr. Thomp son said of you? He said you are an
honest man.” Well, 1 would never have believed that the next Sunday Brown and Thompson sat together in church. It is easy to spread tales of hate, anger, and contempt, thus keeping the fires of disunion smoldering, but God has promised a special blessing to those who are willing to intervene that hearts might be freed of the tension of those who would destroy them and that all might be brought to serve to the glory of God. “Blessed are the peacemakers; for they shall be called the children of God.” * "Your faith is no stronger than the strength it will bear." "The Way Ahead" I cannot always see the way that leads To heights above; I sometimes quite forget He leads me on With hands of love; But yet I realize the path must lead me to Immanuel's land, And when I reach life's summit I shall know And understand. I cannot always trace the onward course My bark must take; But looking backward, I behold afar Its shining wake, Illumined with God's Light of Love; and so I onward go In perfect trust that He who holds the helm, The course must surely know. * *
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