The Man with the Book; or, The Bible Among the People.Weylland, John Matthias
History
The Man with the Book; or, The Bible Among the People.
Weylland, John Matthias
City missions; London City Mission
"The coffee-stalls and booths which are to be found all over London at
the corners of the streets, and in public thoroughfares, near railway
stations, etc., are excellent opportunities for usefulness. These are
kept by people who have no other means of obtaining a livelihood, and
who sell a cup of smoking hot coffee for one halfpenny, and a slice of
cake or bread and butter for the same price. Many of these people are
Christian men and women, and render the Missionary great assistance in
expounding the message of mercy and salvation to their customers. Not
only cabmen and the outcast get a cup of coffee at these places, but men
in the building trade, railway carters, and others, towards six
o'clock, gather round them in large numbers, to obtain that which does
them good and saves them from going to the early public-house. So that
these coffee-stall proprietors are a really useful part of the
community. These coffee stalls have increased rapidly, so that now about
four hundred and sixty can be counted in the streets of London at night.
The Church of England Temperance Society have also stationed a number in
leading thoroughfares by day. We give a picture of one of these because
it contains the latest improvements and best use of them.
[Illustration: Boy at coffee stall]
"On one occasion a pugilist gave me his address, and told me that, when
a little boy, his mother used to teach him his prayers, some of which he
repeated. He added that he had got the best wife in the world, but he
treated her like a brute. I talked to the poor fellow till he wept like
a child, and he took hold of my arm and said, 'You shall go home with me
to-night.' I begged to be excused, as it was now three o'clock in the
morning. However, there was no alternative, so off I went with him,
arm-in-arm. He called his poor wife up, although I wished him not to do
so; but so far from being angry when she saw that my object was to try
and reform her husband, she thanked me with tears in her eyes. He
promised by God's help to seek to lead a new life, and give his heart to
God. As I had a Testament in my pocket I gave it them, and we knelt down
and prayed for God's blessing on our meeting. I went home musing on the
event which had occurred, and could not help feeling that the Lord had
directed my steps back with the man. I have called since, and find that
by trade he is a sawyer. He is now working at his trade, is a
teetotaler, and in a hopeful state of mind."
As some instances of usefulness have come under my notice through the
reading of the Word of God, I purpose to refer to two or three:--
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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