The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1897-06-08
"Only a Boy"

More than a half century ago faith
ful minister, c3ming early to the Kirk
met one of his deacons, whose face
wore a very ~resolute but distressed ex
preston.
81 came early to meet you" he said.
81 have something on my conscience
to say to you. Pastor, there must be
something radically wrong in your
preaching and work; there has been
onlv one person added to the church
in q whole year, and he is only a boy"
81 feel it all, " he said. Ifeel it, but
Cod knows that l have tried to do my
duty. and 1 can trust Him for the re-
suits"
Yes, yes" said the deacon, ''but by
their fruits ye shall know Them and
n new member, and he too only a
boy, seems to me rather a slight evi,
dence of true faith and zeal. I don't
want to be hard, but I have this mat
ter on my conscience, and I have done
but my duty in speaking plainly"
True" said the old man; but char
iy~ sufereth long and is kind; beareth
Sill things, hopeth all things Aye,
there you have it; 'hopeth all things
IhaVe great hopes of that one boy
Robert. Some seed that we SOW bear
fruit later, 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 kirkyard.
He fingered in the gear old kirk after
the rest were gone. He wished to be
alone. The place was sacred and in.
eIpressibly dear to him. IE had been
his spiritual home from his youth. Be.
fore this altar he had prayed over the
dead forms Of a bygone 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.
No one remained. No ones ''Only
a boy"
The boy was Robert Moffat. He
watched the trembling old man. His
soul was filled with loving sympathy.
He went to him and laid his hand on
his black gown.
well, Roberto" said the minister.
DO you think if 1 were willing to
work hard for an education, I could
become a preacher7"
ga preacherY"
Perhaps a missionary"
There was a long pause. Tears filled
the eyes of the old minister. At length
ne said: This heals the ache in my
heart, Robert. I see the divine hand
now. May God bless you, my boy.
YES, l think you will become a preach
er." B.
0ome few years ago there returned
70 Lcndon, from Africa, an aged
missionary. His name was spoken
Nth reverence. When he went into
an assembly the people rose; when ht
Spoken public there was a deep silence
Sslnces stood uncovered before him
NOODLES invited him to their homes.
lie had added a province to tht
ohurch of Christ on earth, had broughr
UnQer the Gospel influence the mos
savage OF African chiefs, had given thu
translated Bible to strange tribes, haC
GIrlched with valuable knowledge tn
Hoyal Geographical Society, and haC
IGNORED the humble place of his birth
tne Scottish kirk, the United Kingdom
ana the universal missionary cause.
IL Is hard to trust when no evidenc
VI Irult appears. But the harvests o
tlgnt intentions are sure. The oil,
mlhlster sleeps beneath the trees i
'ne humble place of his labors, bu