The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-05-09
"ONIY \ BOY"

More than a half century ago Il faithful
minister, coming early to the kirk, met
one of his deacons. whose face wore Il
very resolute. but distressing expression.
Il came early to meet you," he said.
Il have something on my conscience to
say to you. Pastor, there must be some
thing radically wrong in your preaching
and work; there has been only one per
son added to the church in whole year,
and he is only Il boy"
Il feel it all" he said, Il feel it. but
God knows that | have tried to do my
duty. and / can trust him for the re-
suits"
Yes, yes said the deacon. '-but, by
their fruits We shall know them and one
new member, and he too. only a boy.
seems to me rather Il slight evidence of
true faith and zeal. don't want to
be hard, but have this matter on my con-
science and l have done but my duty
in speaking plainly"
True said the old man; but charity
suffereth long and is kind beareth all
things. hopeth all things Aye, there you
have it; hopeth all things; | have great
hope of that one boy-Robert. Some
seed that we sow bears fruit late. but
that fruit is generally the most precious
of ALL"
The old minister went to the pulpit that
day with a grieved and heavy heart. He
closed his discourse with dim and fearful
eyes. He wished that his work was done
forever. and that he was at rest among
the graves under the blooming trees in the
old kirk yard.
He fingered in the dear old kirk after
the rest had gone He wished to be alone.
The place was sacred and inexpressibly
dear to him, 1t had been his spiritual
home from his youth before this altar he
had prayed over the dead forms of by
gone generation, and had welcomed the
children of a new generation; and here,
yes; here he had been told at last that his
work was no longer owned and blessed y
No one remained. No one? Only a
boy"
The boy was Robert Moffat. He watch
ed the trembling old man. His soul was
filled with loving sympathy He went to
him and laid his hand on his black gown.
well Robert?" said the minister.
do you think if ! should work hard
for an educa ton, | could ever become a
preacherT'
"A preacher"
Perhaps missionary"
There was long pause. Tears filled
the eyes of the minister. At length he
said: This heals the ache in my heart.
Robert | see the divine hand now. May
God bless you. my boy! Yes | think you
will become Il preacher" Some few years
ago there returned to London. from
Africa. an aged missionary. His name
was spoken with reverence. When he
went into an assembly the people rose;
when he spoke there was deep silence
Princes stood uncovered before him:
mobiles invited him to their homes.
He had added a province to the church
of Christ on earth, had brought under
the Gospel influence the most savage of
African chiefs, had given the translated
Bible to strange tribes. had enriched with
valuable knowledge the Royal Geograph-
zeal Society. and honored the humble
place of his birth the Scottish kirk. the
United Kingdom. and the universal mis-
sionary cause
1t is hard to trust when no evidence of
fruit appears. But the harvest of right
intentions are sure. The old minister
sleeps beneath the trees in the humble
place of his labors. but men remember
his work because of what he was to that
one boy and what that one boy was to
the world.
Only Il boy"
Christian Messenger.