Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1913-07-19

To do this sue
cessfully we must study the condi.
ton of those whom We would help.
and imagine how we should think and
feel II We were in their condition. II
line of work. II will help us. II not
we can sometimes acquire the requis
tie knowledge by reading. When
Bishop Whittle was called to n mis-
sion near the railroad yards he asked
an engineer how to reach the railroad
operatives The answer was Read
Iardner's Railroad Economy until
you are able TO ask question OF an
engineer and not make him think you
are a fool He won the hearts OF
the first group of railroad men he ad
dressed by asking them whether they
preferred inside or outside connec
tons. When he had done discussing
connections, steam heaters. and ex
hausts. he invited them to his chapel
and every man came the next Sun
day.
II is not wise usually TO talk to PEG
Y
the presence OF others II embarrasses
and II may anger them. However. one
can often tell an appropriate story anc
thus indirectly accomplish the same
end without giving offense. DR.. Tai
mage in the account OF his conversion
gives good illustration OF tactfu
preaching In the presence OF others
An old evangelist by the name of Os
borne stayed one night at his fathers
house As the family sat by the fire
he said TO the father:
Are all your children Christians
Yes. all but Dewitt"
''Ile did not turn to look at me, but
gazed into the fire and quietly told q
story of lamb that was lost on the
mountains on n stormy night. Every
thing In the fold was warm and com
Portable. but the poor lamb persisted
In the cold He did not make any ap
plication. II he had ! should have
been mad But knew that was the
lamb. and could not get any peace
until found Christ"
The writer was once working at a
country fair In front OF the platform
provided for the singers and speakers
placed for the audience. We had an
organ. chorus. and three large mega
phones The latter would carry the
sound OF the singing half mile and
people on the race course were soon
drawn away by the new attraction, Al
first the people stood aloof from the
seats and refused to occupy them
They had never seen a religious serv
ice at fair and they were suspicious
Noticing this. the leader ordered the
singers down from the platform. di
recting them to scatter about In the
Seats As soon as the crowd saw that
there were no explosives under the
chairs. they crowded in and filed
them. Then the leader recalled the
singers to the platform. having used
them as decoys TO allure the people
into the chairs. There was no dccep
ton about this. The people were tim.
id and suspicious. and II was neces
sary to show them that there was
nothing To be afraid OF. and to fill
enough of the seats so that they would
not make themselves conspicuous by
sitting down.
Paul says Il am become all things
to all men. that may by all means
save some" Though he was entitled
to support. yet he worked with his
own hands making tent cloth by
night In order that he might not be a
burden To the churches. and that he
might set an example OF generosity to
other believers In this way also he
doubtless gained the sympathy and re
spect OF other laboring men on one
occasion when he had been arrested
at Jerusalem and was being carried
on to prison. he asked the privilege OF
addressing the crowd To the surprise
of the people who supposed him to be
mischief making foreigner. he be
gan by saying that he was jew. and
addressed them in their own language
BY this tactful Introduction he gained
their attention and held II while he
told them the wonderful story OF his
conversion
II we are conscious of lack OF tact
let us ask for Il. for the promise Is
My God shall supply all your need :"
The basis OF true tact is a love which
shrinks from putting another In an
embarrassing situation. and this
should always be remembered In deal
ing with inquirers. True love is also
blind 70 many little faults. but so Gag
or for cne's salvation that II misses
no good opportunity OF pressing home
his urgent need o: q Savior and the
Sayior's supreme love for him.