Quiet Talks on ServiceGordon, S. D. (Samuel Dickey)
Religion
Quiet Talks on Service
Gordon, S. D. (Samuel Dickey)
Christian life
He said, "Why, Mr. Taylor, that won't make the connection." And Mr.
Taylor smiled and in his very quiet way said, "Good-bye, Doctor, my Father
runneth the trains." That seemed to sound well for a sermon. But to Dr.
Brookes' misgivings there came again the quiet "Good-bye, Doctor, my
Father runneth the trains." After starting Mr. Taylor explained the
situation to the conductor, the importance of his engagement, and of
making the desired connection, hoping the trainman might be of some
service. The man hoped he would get the train, but said it was very
doubtful as they rarely did. Mr. Taylor thanked him, and sat quietly
praying.
Was the connection made? As Mr. Taylor's train pulled in the other was
standing at the station. The conductor said, "Well, there it is, but I
didn't expect it." There was quite enough time to get across the platform
without hurrying and into the other train when it moved off. Was God in
that? I have no difficulty at all in understanding that He was. What
concerned His friend, in a strange land, on an errand for Himself surely
concerned Him. What concerns any trusting child of His concerns Him, for
He has us on His heart.
I recall a personal experience in Boston one summer day. It was a very hot
day. I was to meet my mother and sister in the North Union station, where
we were to take a train out. I had their tickets. I reached the station
from my errands, hot and tired and with my head aching, ideal conditions
for worry. As I stepped into the station I realized at once that our
appointment to meet was not very definite. For the large station was
crowded. There was not much time before our train would go. And I
commenced to be agitated, which is a gentler way of saying worried. What
_would_ I do? It would be extremely inconvenient, especially for my
mother, to miss the train. And the time was short, and--and--.
You see I was not a _graduate_ in this don't-worry school. I'm not yet;
still studying; expect to enter for post work when I do graduate. The
school is still open; open to all; instruction given _individually_ only;
the Teacher has had long _experience_ Himself on the earth, in the thick
of things.
Well, I said as I stood a moment in the thick crowd, "Master, you know
where they are. Please take me to them. Maybe I should have been more
careful about the appointment, but I was tired at the start. Please--thank
you." And in less time than it takes to tell you I met them right in the
thick of the great crowd. And I felt sure that Peter got his putting of it
straight when he said of the Master, "_He has you on His heart_."
Paul's Prison Psalm.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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