The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1913-05-09

ply them, their
purposes and so
| persuade them,
E. their prejudices
Sa and SO conciliate
them.
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 If 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 Whittle was called to a 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 question of an
engineer and not make him think you
are fool" He won the hearts Of
the first group Of railroad men he adj
dressed by asking them whether they
preferred inside or outside connec-
lions. When he had done discussing
connections, steam heaters, and ex-
hausts, he invited them to his chapel,
and every man came the next Sunday.
1t is not wise usually to talk to peo-
pie about their relation to Christ in
che presence of others. 1t embarrasses
and it may anger them. However. one
can often tell an appropriate story and
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 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?"
Eyes, all but Dewitt
'tHe did not turn to look at me, but
gazed into the fire and quietly told a
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. II he had should have
been mad. But knew that was the
lamb, and 1 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
a 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 mile, and
people on the race course were soon
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, d.
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 filled
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.
i'd and suspicious. and 1t 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: II am become all things
to all men, that l may by all means
save some" Though he was entitled
to a support, yet he worked with his
own hands making tent cloth by
night, in order that he might not be
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
off to prison, he asked the privilege Of
addressing the crowd. To the surprise
of the people who supposed him to be
a 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.
Oftentimes evil can be effectively
rebuked If it is done in tactful way.
A gentleman crossing the ocean was
much annoyed by the profanity of sew
eral men in the party. Finally he said
to them one day. Gentlemen, l be.
lieve all Of you are Englishmen, and
If so, you believe in fair play, do you
not?"
Certainly, that is a characteristic
of Britons everywhere"
"Well, gentlemen, I notice that you
have been indulging in a good deal Of
profanity, and l think it is my turn to
swear next Isn't that fair?"
"Of course it is" said the others.
Every we'll. Remember that you
are not to swear again until I have
had by turn"
But you will not take your turn?"
81 certainly will just as soon as
see a real occasion for it"
From time to time they urged me
to use his prerogative, but he as,
sured them that he would just as soon
as there was a good reason for it. All
this was done in a playful bantering
way, but the result was that he kept
their profanity bottled up all the rest
of the voyage. and doubtless com,
PEELED them also to realize the folly
and sin of swearing.
If we are conscious of 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 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 to many little faults. but so Gag
er for ones salvation that it misses
no good opportunity Of pr essing home
his urgent need of Savior. and the