The Washington herald., 1916-08-09
THE THREE TRAVELLERS.
BY ORIsoN SWEET NARpEN

ny ohiSOS SWEET MARDEN,
often hear people say that they would be
glad to help others if they only knew how to
go about it or if they only knew somebody who
needed their help
If any one is so sheltered from the knowledge
of the suffering OF life that he knows of cases
Of distress that he can alleviate he needs help
himself more than any one else. 1t is pitful
to hear person say that he would be glad to
help If he only knew somebody who needed 1t.
II we only have the spirit of helpfulness we Will
hnd way, and we will find plenty OF people to
help.
There is always cripple at the Gate Bcauti-
full" There is always not far away from you
some poor unfortunate, frendlcss and alone wait
ing for some to put him into the healing
pool.
There are plenty of people who need just
what we can give them whether it be money,
or sympathy, personal help On every hand
We have unfortunate brothers and sisters who
have been crippled and sadly handicapped in their
life work, who need perhaps but a little lift to
put them on their feet and send them on their
way rejoicing
In one OF his beautiful stories Tolstoy shows
how every one, matter what his station, or
how poor his circumstances, may do this by fol-
lowing Christs example in treating every human
being brother or a sister
A very dcvout Russian peasant had prayed
for years that the living Master might some
time come to his humble cabin home. One night
he had a dream, in which the Master told him
He would come to his cabin next day.
Filled with JOY, the peasant awokc, and, so
real seemed his dream, he Immediately went to
work to prepare for the expected visitor.
terrible storm OF slcct and snow ragged
throughout the day While performing his simple
household duties, heaping fresh logs in his crude
fireplace, preparing his pot OF cabbage soup the
Russian peasants daily dish he would look out
with anxious, cxpcctant eyes Presently he saw
half-trozen pcddler with pack his back
struggling toward the light, but almost over
come by the fierce blasts OF snow and sleet
that beat upon him. The peasant rushed out
and brought the waytarer INTO his cabin He
dried his clothing, warmed him, and led him
some OF the cabbage soup which he had pre-
pared for the Master, and started him again on
his journey rejoicing
In little while he saw another traveller, a
poor old woman trying to fight her way against
the storm. Her also the compassionate peasant
took into his cabin, warmed and fed her, wrapped
his own coat about her and sent her on her
way.
The day wore slowly away and darkness ap-
preached, but still no sign of the Master. Hoping
against hope, the disappointed man looking out
INTO the storm again an unfortunate traveller
1t was a little child Vainly trying TO make its
way against the binding slcct and snow He
ran out, carried the half-frozcn child into his
cabin, warmed and led it, and soon the little
wandcrer fell asleep before the fire
Sorcly grievcd because the Master had not
appeared, the peasant sat gazing into the FIRE
while the child slept Suddenly the room was
radiant with light that did not come from the
FIRE, and there stood the Master white robcd
and looking upon him with smile "Ah
Master, | have waited and watched all this long
day, but Thou didst not come" The Master
replied: "Thrcc times have | visited thy cabin
today The poor pcddlcr whom thou rescued
warmed and led, that was I-thc poor woman
to whom thou gavest thy coat, that was land
this little child whom thou hast rescued from
the tempest, that is |. Inasmuch as YOU have
done it unto the least OF these, YOU have done it
unto me"
The Christ vision faded. The peasant awoke.
He was alone with the child. who was smiling
IN ITS sleep, But he knew that his vision had
come true, that the Master had visited his cabin
CoTHHgt