The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1909-12-28

VII 'NtiSC SuCI tioSS anu HiICS DTcdti
attention. The fact is a literary item
Of magnitude. This Biography. for
such it is. was not written by a trained
literary worker, but by a business
man. 1t shows the practical mind
and diiigenu Carefulness of a man Of
affairs.
Levi was the authors name, as he
sat in the tax-gatnerer'S office On 4
CaDernau,n highway, taking toll for
Herod from the fishermen and from
the rich that Travelled be-
tween Egypt and the East. He knew
all the wiles Of the t~ax-dcdgers. and
ne could squeeze the very last penny
or customs dues out of the reluctant
wallets Of merchantmen. OF course
he was hated and despised-tne Jews
loathed the men who hired themselves
to Rome as publicans-but the bust
ness paid. and conscious Of his snug
fortune, Levi could afford to shrug
his shoulders over the u~nconcealcd
disdain Of the people.
n Can and n Career.
One day Levi got Il vision OF LIES
higher, nobler possibilities, even IS
many business men are catching the
same vision today. In this new light
he saw that money does not make
amends for dWarfcd life. His deliv-
erance and transformation and new
name came through the teaching of
an unconventional Rabbi named Jesus.
And when the latter one day babe
him join the little group Of les rners
Immediately associated with himself,
Levi s~traightWay left all and followed
him. In answering that call he en-
tered upon a new and higher plan of
life; men are elevated only as they
heed and answer the summons to
Seek the concerns of the spirit.
Apparently this prosperous publican
noJa,. rcprnffGf1 h yin fnpCn J-np IjC
printable business. Money ceased TO
have its old value III his eyes. His
first act of discipleship was to give a
lavish feast to his new Master and
associates. Then he became an timer
ant sharer of the fortunes Of Jesus.
He was not q fGont-rank apostle. We
do not find mention of any signal
words or deeds done by him. Steadily,
though, his spirit was being refined
and elevated, and he was being made
ready for the writing Of the Life Of
his Lord. He wrote as "a Hebrew OF
the Hebrews" thinning clearly the
Messiah Of the Old Testament. Never
theless he could not help producing q
universal gospel because he believed
Jesus to be the Saviour Of the world.
It would be a~bundantly worth while
to trace the development of the char
acter OF this business-rnan-autnor; and
of the similar effect upon every other
man. Of allegiance to a great ideal.
But We must hasten to the portion of
the story set apart for the present
week.
The Enthusiastically.
4 picturesque bit OF Oriental life is
the sauce, or outrunner, who precedcs
the vehicle OF a person of Importance.
I lave seen him in Egypt. India aud
China. That function was fulfilled by
John the Raptizer. He was the fore
runner, the preparer, the maker
ready. All his great life was to be
fulfilled in introducing One greater
than himself. Some persons have
thought his place in the New Tesla
ment history a pathetic one; it really
Is glorious.
Most Of US are merely makers
ready. 4 sort of John the Raptist
career is the best that can be expected
by the average person. The mother
~tnnless she be bitten by that madness
which makes her subordinate home
family to q career for herself
in church or society or literature or
poiitfcs) must give up her life to
MAKING smooth the way fo' husband
and children. $Aough them She serves
the world. The teacher is ONLY q John
the baptist &c his pupils. The sales
and b~onkkeene~ merely fnr+S~~
output OF another. Church OIL
DO makirg-readv work, that the
Message may have free course. The
great Board CT the religious denomi-
rariOnS are buf rrarartrc for -"
-pread of the Evangel. The givers
who support Christian work stan'
in the same relation. Happy are We
If. like John. We can say concerning
he Main Issue. "I!c must increase,
] must decrease
What matter, I OF they.
Mine or anotker's day,
SO the right wor be said.
And life the SWeeter madc?
The secret Of peace, rs well as Of
.FieNement, is TO find ones own work
-nl 10 fling ones life into II: knoWin"
that the success OF fna work &c
: Success OF all who contribute TO ii.
Her;jGS OF a Better Day.