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THE KING’ S BUSINESS ILLUSTRATIVE
Do not choose too big a theme for your sermon. Avoid the mistake o f the young preacher who said, “ I am to speak to you this morning on ‘The Beginning, Progress, and End of All Things’.” And also that made by another preacher whose theme was “The Origin, Character, and Destiny o f the Devil.” The Power of Example When Munkacsy’s “ Christ Before Pilate” was on exhibition a few years ago in Ham ilton, Ontario, a sailor from a lake boat accosted the doorkeeper with the blunt question, “Is Christ here? How much to see Christ?” When he was told the admis sion fee, he growled out, “Well, I suppose I will have to pay it,” and putting down a piece o f silver, he swaggered into the room. He sat down in front o f the great picture and studied it for a moment or two, and presently off came his hat. He gazed upon it' a little longer, and then, leaning down, he picked up the descriptive catalog which he had dropped when he took his seat. He read it over, and studied the painting anew, dropping his face into his hands at intervals. Thus he remained for a full hour. When he came out there were tears in his eyes and. suppressed sobs in his voice as he said: “ Madam, I came here to see Christ because my mother asked me to. I am a rough man sailing on the lakes, and before I went on this cruise, my mother wanted me to see this picture, and I came in to please her. I never believed in any such thing, but the man who could paint a picture like this must have believed in it. There is something in it that makes me believe in it, too. Madam, God help ing me, I am a changed man from today.” I f an idealization o f Christ by an artist can so effectively appeal to the conscience o f a wayward man, what will not a vision o f the Master inspired o f the Holy Ghost accomplish for those who sincerely seek an introduction to Him?
The One Talent Man He couldn’t sing and he couldn’t play, He couldn’t speak and he couldn’t pray. He’d try to read but break right down, Then sadly grieve or smile or frown, While some with talents ten begun He started out with only bne. “With this,” he said,' “I’ll do my best, And trust the Lord to do the rest.” His trembling hand and tearful eye . Gave forth a world o f sympathy, When all alone with one distressed He whispered words that calmed that breast. And little children learned to know When grieved and troubled where to go. He loved the birds, the flowers, the trees, And loving him, his" friends loved these. His homely features lost each trace O f homeliness, and in his face There beamed a kind and tender light That made surrounding features bright. When illness came, he smiled at fears And bade his friends to dry their tears, He said “Goodby,” and all confess “ He made o f life a grand success,” The one talent man. --------- 0 --------- Mrs. T. H. Colman, Chicago, 111.: “ I know you haven’t time to read a letter, but I cannot send my renewal subscription without a word o f gratitude, or thanks. Next to God’s Word, I depend on your magazine. It gives me strength and cour age to feel that I can depend on every word, and I try to give it out to others. I am getting too old to go out and take subscrip tion^, but I wish every day that everybody knew what a treasure and help to Chris tian living your magazine is, and the read ing o f it makes one want to be of some use in the Master’s service. Rhys Lewis, England: “ I am exceedingly delighted with your magazine. I had the loan o f one or two o f them and am indeed very pleased with them. Never saw any thing so good, pure and healthy. It is a pity that some wealthy gentleman would not devote his riches to giving them to some persons who are unable to get them for themselves. I am sure that your grand and noble work produces much good /and that the blessings o f our dear, blessed Mas ter must o f necessity richly rest upon it. Kindly send it to me for the current year.”
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