The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-10-22

mother did not have much to say. 1our sister did it all. Her money helped pay your way Her grit pushed you through. What have you ever done for her? "Oh, you answer. T paid her back her money, with interest" The few dollars you gave her did not cost you anything. 1 tell you, 1t cost your sister her very blood. Don't leave her up there In the country as though you were ashamed of her Don't tell me that she is not fitted to move in your wifes social circle. I tell you, she is a queen; l tell you, the best room in your house is not too good for her. O butler, what have you done for the Joseph who gave you your educational start in life?
 Then what have you done for that man who helped you in a time of great perse- cution? l do not know what that time was. but you do The whole world became black before you. Everybody was turning toward you a look of suspicion. Even your best friends seemed to be wavering. Then that man camel onward and with pen or voice or check book tided you over the difficult place. You told him then you would never forget him. You told him if he was ever in trouble half of what you have would be his. Is 1t? Have you ever divided with him? He has had his troubles since your day of troubles Have you gone to him with help? You say, "He has not come and asked me for
 
 that darkest day of your life he sprang to your side? No. He came because you needed him. o, man. how have you 1 treated your Joseph, enjailed today in the Egyptian dungeon?
 | The butler of my text was an ingrate. 1 He was more to be condemned than that. He turned his back upon his friend-for what? For false friends. No sooner did he get back to the palace than one af- ter another of the courtiers in all prob- ability came up to him and congratulated him. An they said i've are so glad to see you back, We missed you so much. Nothing went right at the royal banquets while you were away" Especi- l ally were the underbutlers and the wait CTS profuse in their prase and laudations to his face Then a smile of satisfaction steals over the chief buffers countenance as he says: ''Ah, l am glad I have such good friends herei l am glad I do not have to associate any longer with those criminals down in the jail. These are my friends, my true friendsl'
 Not Real Friends.
 But were all the courtiers who came forward and congratulated the chief but Ter on his restoration to office his friends :? Five hundred men of Pharaoh's court al ready had been plotting for his office and wished he might never come back. In all probability the second cupbearer, who congratulated him, was biting his lips with anger until the blood came. Curse hm!' l hear him say. Curse him! Why did he not die and make way for my promotion? Curse him. curse himn All through the palace could be heard the words, Curse him, curse himl' from those who wanted his place. Now, my friends can you and 1 afford to turn our backs upon old friends and true friends for those who are merely honorng us in our success for what they get out os us?
 But l cannot close without just one more thought suggested by my text. The greatest opportunities of gospel service may come to man through his past eX- perience if he renounces his sins and remembers his faults. l have absolutely no more respect for this selfish character of the butler than 1 have for a Judas or an Iago or for a Lady Macbeth or d Jezebel. He was miserable, eontemp- tible, despicabe hirelng, with a heart of stone. He would forget any one who had served him. But no sooner did Pharaoh dream his dream and no one could inter- pret 1t than at once the butler thought of Joseph. You I.s.l see him, with flushed cheek and glassy eye, pushing his way into the throne room. You can see him with reverence and sorrow written upon HIS ldCe AL ne says, master, nave done wrong. l have forgotten my friend Joseph, who is now in prison. Send for him, and he will interpret thy dream " Pharaoh sent for Joseph Joseph came. The chief butler at the last moment was able and willing to open the way for the future prime minister to save nation from disease and hunger and death My friends, at this the sixth hour, the ninth hour, the tenth hour, the eleventh hour of your refusal to do your duty to the King of kings and Lord of lords will you not speak the right word? Will you come I to Christ and bring your sinful friends to Christ as the ungrateful butler brought Joseph and Pharaoh face to face?
 You are the father of a home. You have no nursery, for your boys are al ready grown. But they have all grown away from God. Your hair is white Your time Is short. No one can bring those boys to God but you. You know It. They idolize you. They believe you are the one person to lead them. and you alone. o father confess to God your sins Confess to your boys your sins Ii is the eleventh hour l. is late, but not too late. Bring your boys to Christ as the butler brought Joseph and Pharaoh face to face. You can do it. Believe me you can do it.
 As l speak to father, as l speak to mother, as l speak to wayward friends | within the gates who thinks he has nc friend. Stranger think not thus any more This is not strange place. This is Gods house. Perhaps years ago there was some young man or some young woman who might have brought you tc Christ if he or she had tried But the opportunity was neglected You say VOL are parted forever Nay, not forever. You are not parted even now. Let me Ieac you to the King. Let me utter the words that another neglected to speak Lord Jesus Christ wilt thou let my lips sneak the words that those silent lips should have uttered? Stranger thou are now nc longer in thy prison of sin. Thou art in the presence of my King. This is Kline Jesus He bids thee look and live. | l speak unto thee these same words which Peter spake untol the cripple at the beautiful gate: Silver and gold have l none, but such as l have give I unto thee. In the name of Jesus rise up and walk" Wilt thou rise and walk? Then thou are with my Master. Then l am the butler who, by the power of the holy spirit, hath brought Joseph and Pharaoh into royal anu heavenly companionship
 Copyright, 1905, by Louis Klopsch.)
 
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