Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1904-12-17

heart are still anchored to that work
shop, even as ship out in harbor tugs
at its chains, though it is unable to
break away from its moorings. But
though Christian man may work
night and day for his professional
or mercantile purpose in life do you
for an instant suppose he is able to see
the infinite spiritual results that may
come from that lifes work? DO you
suppose that physician has any con-
ception of the amount of misery and
family trouble he saved when he per-
suaded that young wife and mother 10
20 to warmer climate and saved her
physical life, predisposed to consump-
tion-saved it for her husband and her
children? DO you suppose that lawyer,
when he drew up the will and last
testament, had any conception OF the
amount of family trouble he ayerted
by making that last testament so
strong and true that 1t could not De
broken in the courts? Do you suppose
that q minister has any true cOncep-
tion of the vast amount of good a
simple sermon may do when he arises
to preach? OF course some people
after a single sermon may praise 1t 10
his ears. as some parshioners are al
most sure to do, but the greater work
of n sermon. as with an authors pen, Is
never seen or heard by the preacher OF
writer. Like Peter with his shadow,
most Of the spiritual results OF ser
mon appear when a minister has gone
back to his home, his bed or bis study.
The direct results Of a Christian s
professional work can never be fully
estimated by the agent of gospeI
miracle. Let me illustrate my thought
from nv own experience. | remember
some years ago when preaching IN
Pittsburg there came. up one Sunday
a terrific storm. The wind blew and
shrieked through those city streets.
The snowfakes were plling themselves
ND so that traffic was impeded. l came
ont from my study that afternoon and
said to q member of my family: 1T
does seem absurd to preach tonight.
No one will be there. If do preach, |
have half a mind to save that sermon
have been so busily writing for the
mast six days. 1t does seem n shame
for me to practically throw 1t away. "
mo" answered my wife; you hau
better preach 1t. You have always
made it a rule to give your people the
hest YOU had. If any one comes out
tonight he deserves your best. be
sides that. God has always most bless
ed your work on stormy nights.
said. "Yes. that is true. / will give
them the best l have. l VIII preacn
the sermon" That night the audience
was very small. But while the few
people were gathering I saw one wo
man enter the church and come dowr
the aisle to the left of the pulpit. she
seemed to be intensely interested II
| the sermon. When it was finished anC
j the benediction pronounced she cam'
to the pulpit and said, Il will send yol
I'm Rtfer soon" Then she passed quiet
ly out.
went home feeling that the nigh
was wasted. But some time atterwar'
7 heard of the result OF that sermon
That woman that night was deciding
whether or no she should desert he
home. Her temper even then was b!
her side. urging her to a life OF slil
That one sermon on that stormy mgn'
under the power of the Holy Spirit
turned the tide. She wrote TO thah
me for what | had said. That lette
was one of the most impressive lesson
7 ever had, for 1t taught me that II
Christian mans work is unimportan
even under the most unsatisfactor
and discouraging conditions. Our III
suspected and unreported influence
, are so great for good that only Goa
recording angel has a ledger big enoug
70 keen the records. Never, o minis
fer lawyer physician, neglect you
, work because of its seeming insgnlI
, cance. AS with Peters shadow
, may. all unknown to you, reach som
whose sin sick soul may De heaieu
. the Holy Spirits power workin
r through it.
Unconscious influence.
The public man has his shadow. III
= private man has his unconscious II
auence also. The Christian lawye
I doctor, merchant, minister, have the
direct influence when they are dom
their public work. They also nav
their unconscious influence when the
T are walking through the streets, an
sitting in the elevated trains, and ea
{ ing in their home dining room or
public restaurants, when they think
Il strangers eye is watching them ar
no strangers ear is overhearlng WIZ
tbev say. They have their uncOnsciol