Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1908-07-08

invited many to leave their close apart
ments and come out for a breath of
fresh air. The streets and broad plazaS
were gay with the multitudes, whose
varied costumes, speech and complexion
showed that they came from every
land.
Presently a youth in Syrian costume
turned the corner of an alley and began
to drift aimlessly with the crowds.
Though strong of limb and supple In
body, yet the detected look on his hand
some face showed that health of body
does not always give quiet of mind. The
citation of youth was lacking; he seem
ed to feel himself on the losing side in
the battle of life.
Among the Babel of sounds, just then
his ear caught words in his own tongue.
A middle-aged man and woman passed
him. the man telling her something
most earnestly; a moment more and he
began TO sing gently. To the surprise
of the now eagerly listening youth, the
song proved to be a Christian hymn
which he remembered having heard. In
stantly the scenes of his past life flash
ed over his mind and he seemed to gain
fresh strength and hope from the re
call. Following these new friends till
convinced that they were Christians, he
ventured to address them in their own
tongue.
pardon me, friends, but would you
be kind enough to help a fellow coun-
tryman? 1 have but lately come to
Rome, and though have sought earn
estly for work, there seems to be no
place for me. My money is nearly all
gone. and if 1 do not soon find some
honest way to live, my case will be des-
perate."
"Ah, who are you and where do you
come from?"
''That is a long story, but I am from
the Taurus Mountains in Cappadocia,
the same region from which you evil
IDENTIFY come, and am an honest man
in search Of work"
poor boy" said the woman. "You
are very young to be so far from home
and so adrift in the world. Where is
your mother?"
Dead, madam, and my father also.
They were murdered by a band of
mountain robbers" and the boy had
struggle to repress a sob.
"Ah, well, we must not keep you
standing here. We are on our way TO
Christian service; would you mind go
ing with u.s."
Il should be most happy to go with
you"
Are you q Christian?"
"No. / know very little about the
sect, but threw away good oppor-
tunity to learn it, which 1 now regret,
for what 1 then saw makes me believe
it more than mere superstition, and in
my present friendless state, think it
might tend to give me strength and
courage"
Such frank questioning and reply
drew them together and by the time the
place of meeting was reached, they
seemed like old friends. Sitting down
among the waiting people, the quiet
calm OF the place seemed to bring peace
to his spirit. And when the aged
preacher stood up, the tones Of his voice
thrilled the youth like noble music.
Though his stature was small and his
silvery locks and brOnZed face revealed
much hardship, yet the clear light In
his eye and the warm glow of his mes
sage, made the hearers forget all
thought Of weakness OF his body. The
Syrian youth seemed to drink in the
words OF the Gospel with eager ears
so deeply was he impressed that he
asked for more instruction at the end
of the service. His new friends intro
duced him to several, and presently to
the great preacher himself; they told
of his desire for the truth, and also of
his life-story as far as they knew it.
The aged man listened kindly, asked
a few questions, and then laying a gen.
tie hand on the youth, said, II think it
is the wish Of my Master that you come
and abide with me for the present. My
friend Luke the beloved physician, has
been taking care of me, but of late he is
SO occupied with the Gospel message
that should not take his time for my
bodily wants. If you will make your
home with me, you can assist my wan
ing strength much, and 1 will gladly
tell you Of our blessed Lord and the
salvation through Him." So it came
about that young Onesimus-for that
was his name-was taken into the home
of the great apostle to the Gentiles, and
was specially charged with caring for
his bodily needs. Willingly did he give
his strong arm and 1.-the body as a
support, and swiftly and faithfully did
he perform even the most mental SER
vice; for he loved and revered his mas
ter. And that master in turn took the