The Madisonian. (Richmond, Ky.) 1913-1914, 1913-05-06

.zAs them.
To do this sue
cessfulIy we must study the condi-
ton Of those whom we would help
and imagine how we should think and
feel IL we were in their condition. II
We have had any experience in their
line of work, It will help us. If not.
we can sometimes acquire the requis-
lite knowledge by reading. When
Bishop White was called to mis-
sion near the railroad yards he asked
an engineer how to reach the railroad
operatives. The answer was, Read
'Lardner's Railroad Economy until
you are able to ask a question OF an
engineer and not make him think you
are 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
1t is not wise usually to talk to PEG
the presence OF others. 1t embarrassed
and it may anger them. However, one
can often tell an appropriate story ano
thus indirectly accomplish the same
end without giving offense. Dr.. Tai
mage in the account of his conversion
gives a good illustration of tactful
preaching in the presence Of otheEs
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
He did not turn to look at me, but
gaZed into the fire and quietly told =
story of a lamb that was lost on the
mountains on a 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. If he had | should have
been mad. But knew that l 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
large number of seats had been
placed for the audience. We had an
organ, chorus, and three large mega
phones. The latter would carry the
sound Of the singing half a mile. and
people on the race course were soon
drawn away by the new attraction. AT
6v.e.f H.. IL
seats and refused TO occupy them.
They had never seen religious serv-
ice at fair and they were suspicious
Noticing this. the leader ordered the
singers down from the platform, Gi-
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 decep-
ton about this. The people were tim
id and suspicious, and 1t was neces-
sary to show them that there was
nothing to be afraid of, and to fiji
enough of the seats so that they would
not make themselves conspicuous b,
sitting down.
Paul says: Il am become all things
to all men, that l may by all means
save some" Though he was entitled
to support. yet he worked with his
own hands making tent cloth bv
night, in order that he might not be q
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
of 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 it while he
told them the wonderful story OF his
conversion.
If we are conscious on lack of tact
let us ask for it, for the promise is.
My God shall supply all your need.
The basis of true tact is 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 to many little faults, but SO Gag
er for cne's salvation that it misses
no good opportunity of pressing home
his urgent need of a Savior. and the
sayior's supreme love for him.