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
Time glided on pleasantly, as time always does when occupied with the
activities of the Christian life, and brought the Missionary to the
third anniversary of the day upon which he first entered Paradise Court.
As that had become a commemorative day of deep interest to many of the
inhabitants, their visitor had arranged with them to raise an Ebenezer
of praise. As he entered the Place with his old friend the
Superintendent, there were pleasant greetings on every hand. The
children ran in a flock to meet him; and as if to show the good they had
received, the eldest girl of the "translator," who three years before
had boasted that "his children knew nothing of superstition," held for
his inspection a reward-card which she had received at a Sunday-school.
Salvation had come to that man's room, and he rejoiced in it, and his
wife and family were made glad. The Court itself gave indications that
good influences had been at work there, as its general appearance was
cleaner, and window-sills were ornamented with flower-pots and boxes.
The gift of a few flowers had given pleasure to those of the poor who
had come from the country, and had served as texts for lessons upon the
value of pure air and cleanliness; while to many it was a discovery,
that though the atmosphere was foul and black, they might have a thing
of beauty and fragrance at their windows for part of the year. The
appearance of the people was much the same, as all looked poor, and some
had tattered clothes; but the police knew that rows had almost ceased,
and that there was less depravity and law-breaking than formerly; and
better still, the visitor knew that the restoring influence of grace had
upraised some of the families, as he could make his way to rooms in
which the Bible was valued, and in which its teaching had led to saving
faith and holy living. On Sunday morning, as usual, women went to
market, and returned with aprons full of provisions; but these were not
so numerous as formerly, and those who did so showed their sense of
wrong-doing by making excuse for their conduct. A disposition for
hearing the truth had been created, as the Widow's room had long become
too small, and the meeting had to be removed to double rooms in a street
just by. These proofs of blessing had led to arrangements for a
praise-meeting in the Widow's room at twelve o'clock, and it was filled
with men and women who had managed to spend part of the dinner hour in
holy exercise. The hymn, "Praise ye the Lord, 'tis good to raise," was
sung; the hundred and forty-fifth Psalm was read, with a short comment
upon the words, "All Thy works shall praise Thee, O Lord, and Thy saints
shall bless Thee;" and then the language of praise ascended from that
poor Court as incense to the throne of heavenly grace. In the evening a
tea was given in the meeting-room to the forty persons who usually
attended. Two hours were spent in social intercourse, and two in
hymn-singing, prayer, and the hearing of suitable addresses. The
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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