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
For some days after there was earnest visiting in the Court, as the
Missionary felt the responsibility of speaking to the people for the
last time; and as a proof of the power of domiciliary visitation in
overcoming opposition to the truth, not one person, from the beginning
to the end of the Place, uttered an offensive word; while many gave him
a hearty welcome and a tearful good-bye. Take for instance, the
"prize-fighter," who had not quite recovered from a successful
pugilistic encounter with a Birmingham man, for ten pounds a side, as
his face was bruised and discoloured, and his right arm disabled. He
received the visitor with what to him was a painful smile, and then in a
confidential manner said, "It tain't sir, as I 'em a-gettin soft, that
I've resoluted; but I haven't got over that backhander you gave me out
of that Book, as was, 'Will a man fight his Maker?' and the way you
closed in was stunnin; and says I to myself, I 'em knocked over the
ropes, and I'll let the whiskers grow, and take to costering; that's
summut, ain't it?" "The wearing of whiskers," was the reply, "will put
you out of the prize-ring; and you will find that there is more
happiness in getting an honest living with the blessing of Almighty God
upon you, than there can be in wearing the 'Champion Belt of England'
with His curse." "Haven't I wished for him to be out of the magic
circle," exclaimed his wretched, vulgar-looking wife, "as you see the
feeling is awful when your 'usband is going to be pitched into and
knocked to a mummy; and you must be a fighter's lawful wife to know the
feelin when it's a-goin on. If you drinks 'ard, why you can't leach 'im
and poultice 'im, as is a tender job: and if he's beat, you gets
nuffink; and when he beats, you treats ring pals and wagabons; and the
money it tain't no good, and it tain't Christian-like as you says; and
if you'll stick to him, though you are a-goin, I'll wade through seas of
blood for you, as the sayin is." Their friend smiled graciously at this
assurance, and then taking a seat, opened the Book, and read to them
about Him who was wounded for our transgressions and bruised for our
iniquities.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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