The Arkansaw traveler., 1885-09-19
A CROSS OF FIRE.
Why a We'll known Minister Con-
 scented to Preach the Gospel.

sented to Preach the Gospel.
 "l do not care to say whether or not men are directly called to preach" said the Rev. Mir. Hiekers, "but l do know that some sort of influence is brought to bear"
 How was it with yourselfG" asked a yScnas lady.
 Well, if tell you. you'll think that l was superstitious."
 "Oh, dear mo-"
 Understand, nov that 1t seems in- credible. have no, often told my cx- pcrience in this line, and when do tell it, practical people are inclined to question my-well, they seem to think that was too easily influenced"
 "Oh, do tell us" exclaimed a half dozen voices.
 The old gen,lem sn, after moment, $ reelection, said: "Wel, will tell you L9 me see, 1t was about forty.two years ago. was young man Of noisy habits. My father was 6 devout Christian and often impoE.uned me to mend my ways, but Satan mad 90 strong hold upon ms thst laughed at sacred matters. Oae time in the fall of the year, a camp-meetiug was organized few miles distant from my father's house. AS it was a good place to swap knives was regular in at. tendance. Oae evening an old and pal- sled man preached sermon on the sim fulsess of youth. My father must have made a special request of him for he seemed to preach directly to me. be- gan to grow nervous, like prisoner ar raigned before court, and after a while, feeling that was convicted, I threw up my hands and sank down upon bench. In moment was surrounded by per- sons who sndeavored to whisper word. 0! comfort in my ear, and among the singers who raised song of hallelujah 1 recognized my fathers voice. It has been said, and with much truth, that a very wicked person experiences change more suddenly and with less agony than the half good person, for the wicked d penitent, having no reservation, with holding nothing, throws himself upon the mercy of Savior and humbly begs for mercy. know did. No man could have begged more piteously, but is is un- necessary to dwell on this part of my OK. perience. was converted that night. People who crowded around to congrat- ulate mo said that had made a bright profession. 1 shall never forget my father as he seized me.
 "Lou;s,' said he, to sec you become a preacher would be balm to my old age. Then indeed would think that my life had been success
 @I am not good enough, father,' re- piled, and besides, l have not been called upon.'
 "'Cod must be the judge of that, my son, and hope and pray that He may call you
 elf He does, 1 shall obey Him, but must be certain
 "I did not like the idea of becoming a preacher, for believed that there were many others who could do the work bet ter than l. These are great many good men to whom the idea of preaching is distastefnl.
 "The next night sat close up to the stand, eager to catch every word the preacher uttered. don't remember his text bat know that he preached about . great cross of fire. He seemed to be preaching directly to me and it seemed that he was commanding me to go and preach the gospa.
 "That night walked home alone. De. siring to mediate ~sshout interruption, [ did not take the road, but vent across the 6elds. kept thinking of the cross of fire. l wish knew how to act,' museA. If the Lord wants me to preach, why does He not give me some signl viii get down and pray got down on my knees and prayed fervendy. When arose looked toward the east. was thrilled. There was great cross of Ire. It almost reached the sky. would be certain. would not permit wroag hs-up fancy to influence me. walked toward the cross- Brighter and brighter it grew grew 90 bright that it drove the dark ness away. There could no longer be .