St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1896-09-25
How Tom Won a Soul.

How Tom Won Soul.
Tom said ut won't do to keep all
this blessed news to myself" so he
thought how he could bless others with
it. His bed stood close by the window
sill, which was low, and somehow differ
ent texts, which he would fold and pray
over. and then drop into the noisy street
below, directed: "To the passer-by-
please read"
He had hoped that by this means some
might hear of Jesus and his salvation.
This service Of love faithfully rendered
went on for several weeks, when one
evening he heard a strange footstep, and
Immediately afterwards a tall, we'll
dressed gentlemen entered the room and
took his seat by the lads bedside.
$50 you are the lad who drops texts
from the window, are your" he asked,
kindly.
Yes" said Tom, frightening up.
"Have yer heard as some one has got
hold of one?"
PLENTY, lad, plenty Would you be-
lieve it if told you that picked up one
last evening, and God blessed it to my
soal"
81 can believe in Gods Word doing any
thing, sir" said the lad humbly.
And | am come" said the gentleman,
Ito thank you personally"
"Not me, sir! | only does the writin';
he does the blessing"
"Are you happy in this work for
Christi"
Couldn't be happier, sir. l don't
think nothin OF the pain in my back, for
shan't be glad when see him, to tell
him that as soon as | knowd about him
| did all could to serve him suppose
you get lots o. chances, don't yer, SIR"
"Ah, lad, but | have neglected them
but, God helping me, l mean to begin
afresh At home in the country have a
sick lad dying. had to come to town
on pressing business. When kissed him
good bye he said: Father, wish l had
done some good for Jesus, l cannot bear
to meet him empty-handed, and the
words stuck to me all day long, and the
next day, too. until the evening, when
was passing down the street and your
little paper fell on my hat. | opened it
and read: i must work the works of
him that sent me while it is day; the
night cometh when no man can work
John tx ~. 1t seemed like command
from heaven. | have protested to be
Christian tor twenty-five years, my lad,
and when made inquiries and found out
who had dropped those tracts into the
and humbled me that determined to 90
home and work for thesam Master that
you are serving so faithfully"
Tears of JOY were rolling down the
lad face. "It's too much, sir" he said,
'altogether too much"
Tell me how you managed to get the
paper to start it, my lad"
That warn't hard, sir. | Jest had
talk with granny, and offered to give up
my ha 'porth O milk she gives me most
days, ii she would buy me paper instead.
You know, sir, | can't last long. The
parish doctor says few months of cold
weather may finish me off, and drop of
milk amt much to give up for my
blessed Jesus. Are people happy as have
lots to give him, sir ?"
The visitor sighed deep sigh. "Ah,
lad, you are great deal happier in this
wretched room, making sacrifices for
Jesus, than thousands who profess to
belong to them and who have time,
talents and money, and do little or
nothing for him."
They don't know him. sir. Known
is lovin', and lovin' is dom. 1t amt
love without"
You are right Tom. But how about
yourself? | must begin by making your
life brighter. How would you like to
end your days in one of those homes for
cripple lads, where you would be nursed
and cared for, and where you would see
the trees and flowers, and hear the birds
sing could get you into one of them
not very far from my home if you liked |
it, Tom"
The weary lad looked wistfuly into
the mans kindly face, and after a few
moments silence answered:
"Ihank'ee, I've heard tell of EN- afore,
but amt anxious to die easy when he
died hard. l might get taken up with
them things bit too much, and I'd
rather be lookin' at him, and carryin' on
this ere work till he comes to fetch me.
Plenty ofjoy for boy like me to have
mansion with him up there through
eternity. - Sunlight.