Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1912-08-17
SATURDAY NIGHT
NASERMONS
.W-S<@ By
AEvSAMUEL
WpUIvISDD
THE FORTUNATE BEGGAR.


presence Of the wonder worker was
enough 20 move the city and bring
eager crowds. Multitudes of pilgrims
were going up 10 the Passover. The
crowds. the excitement of the scene
the noise and ado OF the masses push.
Ing and thronging through the narrow
gate. made Just the setting for mira
Gle. Near the gateway sits blind Bar
umaeus begging. Bcggars make good
gossips They haven't much else TO
do, and the gateway was the place for
news. Possibly that morning some
one comes from Jerusalem dust stain
ed and rests In the shadow OF the gate
"IIo. Bartimaeus, still here" Where
esef Blind men can see rs much nj
home as anywhere" There was a
man In the capital Yesterday that You
would DC glad 10 see" Don't mock
the blind. heartless" I'm not. II
was Jesus. the wonder worker" an.
deed? What did he do:" You'll hard.
Is believe me He opened the eyes Of
a man born hllnd,' Two sightless
eyes are raised heavenward Two
cropping hands extended appealingly.
"God. the mercifu. send me to him
"Retier than that. beggar. He comeih
this way" Say. friend, seeking God
don't make n pilgrimage 70 find him
He's coming this way.
"Jesus Of Nazareth Passeth BY"
Now afternoon. Crowd Dust. Babel
Of voices Bartimaeus is calling in
vain:
What means this eager. anxious throns
That moves with busy haste along7
There's scarce time TO heed blind
beggar's questions. Finally some one
tells him the cause OF the throng-
Jesus OF Nazareth passeth by" Clio
rious news Impossible possibillty-he
might heal him! Suddenly above the
tumult sharp and clear rings his cry.
"Thou son Of David. have mercy on
me" Hold thy peace. beggar. Thy
case Is hopeless anyhow Thou'rt old
and blind" III he can save others he
can save me-" He was helpless, sure
enough. The ieper could run. The
woman could press through the crowd
and touch his garment Zacchaeus
could climb a tree. Bnrtimaens was
SO placed that he couldn't use hands
or feet. could do nothing bur cry.
Tennyson asks. What am II And
his answer IS:
An infant crying IN the night.
An infant crying for tho light.
And with no language but cry.
So Tennyson and you aud must he
closely related TO Bartimaeus. Blind
ness soon makes one helpless and ready
TO cry for help and sympathy
Tho Model Seeker.
Battimaeus was a model seeker He
didn't doubt. nor question, nor speen
late lie didn't say, Il doubt the pos.
siblllty OF such healing. After all.
| the reports I've heard | cannot vouch
for They're only hearsay. One must
allow for exaggeration. Then Will
that blind man at the pool OF Sloan
he used clay The soil there must have
peculiar medicinal qualities And III
/ could just understand the philosophy
| OF his henllng, II IS SO contrary TO an!
3
vanced" The Word tells us. And
Jesus stood still" Wondrous power Of
/ prayer, In ancient days Joshua com
manded the sun 10 stand still lint
! here blind bcggar stops the steps u
I him who made the sun to exist And
al such n moment. Jesus was on hs
way 10 death II ever there was Il mo
ment when Christ might have been
absorbed IA bis own sorrow Il was
/ now Grief and shame and agony We're
| settling on him He was already In
/ the shadow OF the cross. But all that
Is forgotten in blind mans cry
Jesus commands him 10 be called. The
blind beggar Is everything now. His
name IS on evcrybody's lips. Fame Is
never far on. Those who reproved him
We're now eager 10 have the honor Of
being associated with him. A score ~
hands are reached out TO him. He-
the foremost man In Jericho
The Model Convert.
He throws inside his cloak IN VII
/ likelihood II is torn aud worn ana
filthy but II IL al he had. II stood for
his possessions. his bank accounts. hs
corner lots. his herds Of cattle auc
flocks Of sheep his store Of goods Il
also stood between him and storm iie
couldn't be a comfortable and decent
begear without IL. quite likely be was
known about Jericho by the cut aud
color OF that garment. Friend. what
would you have to sacrifice TO 20 a.
Jesus Bad comprehensive habits
pride. some Of your tradef Says Jesus
What do you wishf" THAT nigh,
receive my sight. go thy way. Thy
faith hath made thee whole" Thy
faith. that splendid word applied 10
blind cutlery "A frantic cropping out into
the dark FOR help. Say. faith may not
be SO difficult a matter as We may haze
thought lie followed him" Mode
convert He didn't say; This IS all so
new 10 nc will have To hold back