The Yale expositor., 1895-07-19
A Cheerful Service.

When Robert Smith was about thirty
years Of age he experienced religion and
became as enthusiastic in serving the
Lord as he had formerly been in the
pursuit Of pleasure. At first he was
anxious to enter the ministry, feeling
quite sure that in this capacity alone he
could serve the Master he had so lately
learned to love; but there were very
serious objections to his taking this step.
He had been educated for a druggist,
and had made medicine and chemistry
specialties for years; in addition to this
he had just invested all his savings and
little money his father had left him
in stock of drugs with which he had
opened a store in a thriving town. He
had recently married the lady Of his
choice and settled down in the new
home she had selected and furnished.
After much prayerful and earnest de-
liberation he made up his mind to re-
main in business and serve the Lord in
IL.
This he did for more than fifty years.
For every person who entered his store
he had a word of advice. eXhortation.
warning or comfort. So near to Christ
did he live that il seemed as If 1t were
the Masters voice speaking; never did
he allow an opportunity to pass, never
did he lose his temper no matter how
rudely his words were received. Every
act of his daily life was performed as If
the Master were standing by his side.
So perfect was his trust that when
the only son who had given the rest of
the family any uneasiness was con-
verted. his father received the good
news 50 quietly that friend asked him
II he were not surprised. as every one
else was.
NO, no; not in the least. believed
the Lord would answer my prayers in
his own good time; how could l have
been surpTised?"
1t was not until Mr. Smith was an old
.nan that the pillows Of affliction began
O roll over him. Two sons. the darlings
Vi n. ,oart, the Joseph and Benjamin Of
his old age, were suddenly taken from
him almost without warning. Still his
faith did not waiver. With tears
stream ming down his wrinkled cheeks but
tender smile quivering round his lips
he stood up in prayer meeting and
described the last hours of the young
Christians who had been so suddenly
torn from his loving arms. These two
young men had fulfilled every desire OF
his heart by walking in his footsteps.
They had gathered the outcast children
of the east end of town into mission
school which they taught from Sabbath
to Sabbath; they were active in the
church Sunday-school and in the prayer
meetings, where their father would
listen to their voices raised in prayer
and song with tears Of joy in his eyes.
Model sons and Christians, but at the
Lords call, without one murmur, the
loving father let them go.
The lesson of Mr.. Smith'slfe should be
remembered by all business men. 1t is
possible to serve the Lord in your bust
ness day by day; not only by being up
right and strictly honorable in all your
trans, lions, but by Selling every occa-
sion offered to speak a word for the
Master. Not in canting II am-better-
than-you-are" manner. No, no. speak
as he did, with a bright smile, cheer
full simplicity that could not give Of
Tense. Many could trace their first
awakening to the need of a Savior to
him. Children to whom he gave pretty
pictures and almanacs always heard a
few words about Jesus, emphasized
with a gentle smile, a kindly glance
over the gold spectacles.
He was the happiest Christian we
knew: his religion was a continual feast
to him. a feast he delighted to share
with all the world.