Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-07-10

filthy mass of human corruption he
says to HIMSELF IF l can only plant
the gospel seed in that mans heart, 1t
may save him. Yes, by the help Of
God, it will save him." And as the
mechanics wife cares for her flowers,
so that missionary cares for that soul
diseased by sin. He prays with the
sinner; he reads the Bible to him. Aft
er awhile the man confesses Christ
and signs the temperance pledge. Then
the city missionary helps this man,
who was once enslaved by sin, TO find
work. Then he sees him bring his
wages home. He sees him buy shoes
for his children's feet and food for the
table. Then he sees those children
sent to the day schools and gathered
into the Sunday schools. Then after
awhile the city missionary sees the ia
thcr, with his wife and children. all
standing before the mercy seat and
joining the church, and as the mission
ary's eyes fill with tears he says, HE
is snvcdw BY the power of the Holy
Spirit not only one soul. but whole
family of immortal souls, are saved.
All, there is no JOY on earth like the
rapturous JOY of soul saving! 1t Is one
of the most precious shcavcs ever gar
ncred by the Christian worker. My
brother, IL you have not this passion
for saving souls you have not yet been
blessed with the hottest joy of which
the human heart can conceive.
Another precious sheaf that Is gar
nerod by the Christian reaper is the
gratitude of those whose immortal souls
he has been able by the power of the
Holy Spirit, to win to Christ. No true
| Christian has right to swerve one
inch from the path Of rectitude In or
der to win the appreciation of his fell
low men. He should be willing to do
his full duty under all conditions. No
matter what obstacles may confront
him, he should be willing to draw
the plumb line of principle and go
straight ahead whether he is praised or
blamed, loved or hated, honored or
despised.
But when a Christian worker can
SOW the good seed and not only gather
for Christ a harvest of immortal souls,
but gather also the gratitude and love
Of those whom he has been able, by
the power of the Holy Ghost, to lead
to salvation the reward of that love
is very sweet. 1t is as sweet as the
attention which Mr.. u. l.. Moody used
to shower upon little old woman,
popularity called Mother Cook, whose
] ,,f rt.-i,, tr
Mr. Moody a spirit filed life-a little
old woman whom perhaps you have
never heard of, yet a woman whom the
whole Christian world ought to love
on account of the work she has done
1t Is as sweet as the affection which q
Sunday school scholar gives to his
teacher because that teacher has LED
him to Christ. 1t is as sweet as the
look of gratitude which the dying mar
turns upon one who has pointed him tc
the cross and TO divine pardon. 1t is
as sweet as the affection which chile
showers upon mothers life, an af
lection which is developed not alone
from the temporal care which she de
votes TO the child, but also from tht
spiritual care. whereby she has beer
able to put her child's hand into the
hand Of loving Christ.
The Heart Like n Gem.
Like the sensitive opal when it come
into contact with the living hand, tn
heart of the believer is made TO GLOW
when it feels the warm love and graf
itude OF those whom il has led into tn
spiritual newness of life. The stor.
is told that a celebrated New York jew
eler purchased in Europe magnitcen
collection of gems. When he returne,
home, he arranged these stones in
cabinet and invited some of his closes
friends to inspect them. When hi
friends entered the room, he pointed I
the cabinet and said: There, gentle
men, Is the richest collection of gem.
l believe, in all this land. There
nothing like it in value anywhere.
The friends were in raptures over tn
sight. In the cabinet were pearls an
amcthysts and diamonds and rar
stones of all sorts. 1t seemed as thong
the richest treasures of the noted pc;
cock throne of India, which was wort
over $780, 900, had been selected fC
this collection. But in the midst of a
these beautiful Jewels was one whic
looked like an unsightly pebble. "Wh
do you place such n dull, hdcous lool
. ing, pcbblelike stone as that anon
/, those costly gems" asked one of II
; visitors. The host answered not wor,
. | He unlocked the cabinet, took out tt
I pebblelike stone and held it in the pal
of his closed hand. Just as the CUES
were about to leave, the host said: "L
) me show you the richest and rare
, stone Of all my treasures" He open6
? his hand, and there upon the palm WI
3 stone which glowed like live coz
, 1t was such brilliant stone that evel
= guest uttered an exclamation of su
t prise. where did you get Z" they erie
4 I'VE have never seen the like Of ii
g fore" THAT stone is the rarest
? have" answered the jeweler. 18th
q is the unsghtly pebble you saw fe
I moments ago in the cabinet. That
Y sensitive opal, which has be-
n warmed into what looks like II
b coal by the heat of my blood"
J. The true Christian sower ought
n be ready to sow the good seed under
h conditions, no matter whether he
q praised or blamed, honorcd or despise
n but when he does begin to gather
o harvests he will not only reap t
e sheaf Of Joy which comes from I
| hn hnQ