Another man, one of the most contented and happy that I ever saw, was a
born cripple. He had one arm and a part of another; was so crooked in
his lower limbs that it was with great difficulty that he could propel
himself with the use of canes. This brother from poverty's dale would
hobble out on Fourth street in San Francisco, with his little carpet-bag
stool, and basket of trinkets for sale, and sit there reading his
Testament, and shine for God. One day this brother handed a man a five
dollar gold piece, desiring him to go and get it changed. The dishonest
man never returned, but the dear brother never murmured, only said that
he could not afford to lose it. Just about that time a stranger came by
and purchased some little article and handed him a five-dollar gold
piece and would not accept any change. "In some way or other, God will
provide."
Every night found this happy, sanctified cripple at the gospel mission
with shining face and victorious testimony. He usually closed his
testimony with these words: "This has been a little the best day I ever
had in all my life." Brother Cooley is now rejoicing where the streets
are made of gold.
Why will souls not learn to seek their pleasure from the right source?
With the failure of multiplied millions who have gone on before and
those who are now trying to fill their cup with earth's deceiving joys,
shall I be such an egotistical fool as to think I can succeed in
something when all before me tried and failed? The way of true success
is laid down in the Word; "This book of the law shall not depart out of
thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou
mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then
thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good
success" (Josh. 1:8).
CHAPTER X
THE PALM TREE FINDS THE WATER
This marvelous production of nature is not hindered by the scorching sun
of the desert, nor is it dependent upon the copious showers of rain. If
the rain comes, all well and good; but if it fails, the palm flourishes
right on anyway. But it will get to water. If it does not come down from
above, then it sends down its roots till they drink at the subterranean
stream below. Water it must have and water it will find.
Now, if God has a people that flourish this way, it signifies that they
will get where there is the water of life. If the "showers of blessing"
are falling in the revival meeting, or campmeeting, or at the regular
preaching service, they are sure to be present if possible and "take of
the water of life freely." Perchance they are out on some spiritual
desert far from any means of grace where the gospel sound is never
heard; there they are not dependent upon the revival rains, but they
send down the roots of faith till they strike the under-currents, and
then with joy they "draw water out of the wells of salvation."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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