In the text _the gleaner is invited to come_. "At meal-time _come_ thou hither." We trust none of you will be kept away from the place of holy feasting by any shame on account of your dress, or your personal character, or your poverty; nay, nor even on account of your physical infirmities. "At meal-time come thou hither." I knew a deaf woman who could never hear a sound, and yet she was always in the House of God, and when asked why, her reply was that a friend found her the text, and then God was pleased to give her many a sweet thought upon it while she sat with his people; besides, she felt that as a believer she ought to honor God by her _presence_ in his courts, and by confessing her union with his people; and, better still, she always liked to be in the best of company, and as the presence of God was there, and the holy angels, and the saints of the Most High, whether she could hear or no, she would go. If _such_ persons find pleasure in coming, we who _can_ hear should never stay away. Though we feel our unworthiness, we ought to be desirous to be laid in the House of God, as the sick were at the pool of Bethesda, hoping that the waters may be stirred, and that we may step in and be healed. Trembling soul, never let the temptations of the devil keep thee from the assembly of worshippers; "at meal-time come thou hither." Moreover, _she was bidden not only to come but to eat_. Whatever there is sweet and comfortable in the Word of God, ye that are of a broken and contrite spirit are invited to partake of it. "Jesus Christ came into the world to save _sinners_"--sinners such as you are. "In due time Christ died for the _ungodly_"--such ungodly ones as you feel yourselves to be. You desire to be Christ's. You _may_ be Christ's. You are saying in your heart, "O that I could eat the children's bread!" You _may_ eat it. You say, "I have no right." But the Lord gives you the invitation. Come without any other right than the right of his invitation. "Let not conscience make you linger, Nor of fitness fondly dream." But since he bids you "come," take him at his word; and if there be a promise, believe it; if there be an encouraging word, accept it, and let the sweetness of it be yours.