The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1868-04-15
The Golden Text.

cares, and had not expected to preach on
the next day, as he was suffering from a
severe cold; but his anticipated help had
not come, and his sermon was unwritten,
and himself in anything but devotional
mind-for ministers, after all, if they
are ambassadors of Christ, are very hu
man. Their physical natures are often
weak, and their spiritual condition is not
always perfect, even with the Divine help
they constantly implore.
On this night Mr.. Redmond leaned his
aching head on his study table, and al
most wished he Were not minister, that
he might at least provide his family with
the comforts they so much needed; that
SO much would not be expected of him,
and so little given in return. He was
not even sure that he had the sympathy
and prayers of his people; they were SO
distant toward him, he felt strongly
tempted to have no service on the next
day in the church, and so excuse himself
altogether.
But was that doing his Masters work !?
No, he could not prepare written SER
mon at that late hour in his present de-
preston of spirits, but he would talk to
the people affectionately from the pulpit,
as father to his children. He opened
Bible to select a text, and chose the
first his eye rested on: ''Bear ye one
another's burdens" And never had he
spoken so impressively as he did on that
day; never had the relation of pastor and
people seemed nearer to him, or his sacred
office of more enduring beauty. He
spoke of the sanity fellowship of Chris
tians upon earth, and his heart was in
what he said. His people had. only re-
spected him before-that day they loved
him. There were some narrow-minded
men in the congregation; one of these
sat the next day in his comfortable home
and talked with his wife over yesterday s
sermon.
"It seemed to me Mr.. Redmond felt
badly" he said. "Kitty, I've been
thinking over that text, and about con-
cluded to bear his burden little. I've
got sight more of that smooth hickory
wood than | can use in two years, and
I'll give him a couple of cords. think
that will help little"
Kitty said, : Yes, do, and mentally
resolved that when pork time came a
snug ham and some sausage meat should
find its way to the parsonage.
Somehow the wood was accompanied
by barrel of -four, the gift of another
member, and shortly after a real dona-
ton visit, made the minister's home a
happy one for that winter, so that he was
able out of his small salary to spare the
means for few needed books.
But that was not all the good that text
did.
John Collins was night watchman at
the great warehouse of Barker & Co.
he was poor, and his wife was sick, and
do what he would he could not make ends
meet. There was triae of money COM
ing to him from past employer, but ii
would not be due until three months
If he could borrow that, it would rsake
him straight again. But where could he
borrow it? His companions were as
poor as he. The minister might lend it,
for he had been a good friend to John,
but he somehow thought Mr.. Redmond
needed all the money he got. Mr. Bar
ker, his employer, was rich and would
never need it, but he was close. John
knew that. However, for the sake Of
his little Nelly at home sick, and his wife
pale sufferer. he made bold to ask
standing by the rich mans comfortable
desk and twirling his rimless hat, and
telling his story plainly and pathetically
Mr.. Barker heard him through, ant
looked at him from head to foot, and 81
cannot help you was on his lips, wher
like an inspiration came Sunday's text tc
his mind, Bear ye one another's bur
dens." AS he counted the money ou
and gave it to the man, "You have beer
honest and faithful in the past, John,
was all he said, "be so in the future.
Mrs. Weston had never thoug hit to in
ouire into the circumstances of the wo
man who did her washing, standing al
day at that weary work. Butthat Mon
dav. when she went into the kitchen, an'
saw the bent form swaying to and fr'
over the steaming suds, she thought o
her as a woman and sister, and by
few questions learned her whole history
q very common one-a widow with fou
little children. Mrs. Weston gave he
some warm clothes for the children, an
promised to call and see her, and en-
couraged her by kindly words.
: ooh, ma am,' she said, cts not tn
regular washing | mind, but the ladie
never think; they put things in when
am Just finishing, for me to wash an
starch, and if they see I'm likely to