The Man with the Book; or, The Bible Among the People. — John Shaqi
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
"About that time," observed the visitor, "a few believers met in the
house of a Tunbridge Wells tradesman, to pray for a blessing upon the
poor of London. They then agreed to raise support for a Missionary to
one of the most necessitous districts, and wrote a letter to the
Committee of the London City Mission to that effect. While the gentlemen
were considering the matter they had their attention drawn to this
neighbourhood through the opening of an Infidel Hall just by. At that
time, after much prayer, I made application to be received as one of
their agents. They approved of me and sent me here. But how strange it
was, that in this place prayer should at that time have been offered for
the same object." "Oh, no! that was not strange," she replied; "for the
same Spirit dwells in all the disciples, and according to the Divine
Mind and Will, teaches them what to pray for, and now we must plead for
souls and these dry bones shall live." "After spending Friday at the
other end of the place," observed the Missionary, "I was led to despair
of doing any good here, as the people are so ignorant, hardened, and
offensive. I have thought that an experienced visitor ought to come
here in my stead." With a look of sorrow and reproof the old Christian
exclaimed: "The Lord has sent you here with the Gospel plough, and don't
look back. Go on, dear friend, and He will bless His faithful servant."
In answer to the inquiry, "How long she had known the Lord, and why she
was living in that place?" she replied, "I am the widow of a soldier:
thirty-six years ago I was abroad with the regiment, and was converted
at a soldiers' prayer-meeting. I then joined the Wesleyans, and have met
in class ever since. I had a daughter, who was married to a bricklayer
who took to drinking and used her badly. He brought her down here, and
then I took a room in the same house to look after her. She died two
years ago. I have three shillings weekly from the parish, and I make up
by doing a little washing for young people at a draper's. I stop here
now, as no one would rob or injure me; and many a poor creature will let
me nurse them a little when they are ill, and then I speak to them about
Jesus, and pray for their poor souls. Now you have come they must all
hear the truth. Don't, sir, leave the poor perishing souls." At parting
each offered prayer. The aged widow with tremulous voice and holy
earnestness pleaded with God for the young messenger, and for the
sinners around her, mentioning several by name. Her language was that of
one who for years had had free access to the Holy Place, and to whom
power had been given to wrestle with God and to prevail.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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