Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1905-06-17


Rev Thomas Marshall. the great mis-
Tionary field secretary of the Presby-
terrain church. He was one of the
gentlest, sweetest. purest and loveliest
men ever knew. The first time he
was to preach in my pulpit on mis-
sions. sent word In letter to him.
which read about like this: Bring
along Mrs. Marshall and take dinner
with us" When he came over
asked. Where is your wife," He
laughed his gentle laugh. saying. II
have no wife" what. are you one
of the most unfortunate of all crea-
lures. an old bachelor:" NO" he an
swcred with gentle smile. Il am not
bachelor" Then in the quiet of my
study. he told me the pathetic and
beautiful story of his life. He is dead
now. He is with his redeemed wife.
And so feel no diflidence in telling
this beautiful story.
Many, many years ago. Thomas
Marshall was a young missionary
minister In a little western town. 1t
was his first charge. He then built a
parsonage and took to II Il beautiful
young girl as his bride. Time passed
on and the young preacher dreamed
his dream of joy. He thought the hap
pincss of his home was about to be
doubled. quadrupled and infinitely
multiplied. But what was hoped to be
was not to be. The death angel and
the birth angel locked wings. The
young mother and her baby were
shadow of the little church she loved.
There sat the old man looking In the
fire after he had softly told the sad
story For Il little while he said moth
ing. | dared not arouse him. But at
last lie hcaved Il big sigh and then said.
but God was good. lie has my wife
and my baby waiting for me. But he
gave to me five babies besides" Did
you marry again!" | asked. NO. l
could love but one bride" he answered.
"But short time after Il widow down
the rold was dying. AS went to her
bedside | found that she had no one
with whom to leave the care of her five
babies. She had no money. So after the
funeral was over | bundled them all
up-ycs, all the five children. and took
them to my home. and l have raised
them ALL And they are all mine. Yes.
they are all mine.' Yes" said. land
the raising OF that widows babies has
made you the noble man of God that
you are"
An Imported Burden.
q man. o woman. have you not some
love burden to lift! If you are not
welded and have no children Of your
own. can you not be Thomas Mar
shall! Can you not adopt some other
peoples children: Can you not be an
Alexander ii. stephens: Though he
had no children of his own and because
on account of physical disability he
would not marry. yet In order to lift
the love burden he adopted and reared
In his own home eighteen young men
and fitted them for college and for the
world struggle. He always called them
his boys Can you not do as these no
BILE men have done? You must have
some one near you to love If you ever
develop your life as you ought. Never
neglect the love burden. Never crush
the natural home interests of your
heart. IL you have no one to love by
your own firesidc. then, for Gods sake
and for your own sake. import some
one into your affections right away.
The physical frame is developed by
burden bearing. The mind is developed
by burden bearing. The hearts affec-
tons are developed by burden bearing.
How cmphatically true it is that the
spiritual life and the Christ power are
developed by burden bearing. Indeed.
so universal Is this law when applied to
our relationship with Jesus Christ that
l defy you to find one man who Is truly
spiritual man or Il spiritual woman
who is not every morning, noon ana
night chcerfully. willingly and gladly
carrying the spiritual burdens for Je-
sus Christ. What says the Bible! IF
any man will come after me. let him
deny himself and take up his cross and
follow me. For whatsoever shall save
his life shall lose it, and whatsoever
shall lose his life for my sake shall find
it." Have you been developing your
spiritual life by placing your shoulder
under heavy cross to carry it for
Christ: Have you been trying to win
eternal life by consecrating your phys
ical and mental and love powers to the
service Of the Master?
Lnxhar,~ Vo.so-
The spiritual burdens we must all
lift il we are to fulfill the command
ments of the text And yet. to hear
some people talk one would suppose
that Christ's sacrifices and the conse-
Grated lives of our Christian parents
and Christian wives and Christian
daughters are all that we need to win
our salvation. Others may work for
Christ. but it Is not necessary for us ia
lift any spiritual burdens. Is that true?
Listen to the lesson taught In this sto-
ry. Some years ago. u father was very
sick. lie said to his little daughter who
was waiting upon him: Helen. II is
time for me to take my medicine. Will
you get it and pour out for me just
f,,l ~, 1td