Trail-Tales of Western CanadaRobinson, F. A. (Frank Alfred)
Religion
Trail-Tales of Western Canada
Robinson, F. A. (Frank Alfred)
Canadian fiction -- 20th century; Missions -- Canada, Western -- Fiction; Short stories, Canadian
"Good-bye, Mr. Williams; God helping me I won't fail. It'll be no easy
business, but I'm not in the fight alone; God's in it too. Good-bye."
And the years that have passed since these words were spoken have shown
clearly enough that Jack is not fighting alone. Once again prayerful
hearts are returning thanks for the touch that "has still its ancient
power."
"IF A MAN BE OVERTAKEN"
George fell--all the people knew that was what would happen. When he
told in the church that he was going, with God's help, to be a
Christian and "act the square," there was only one at the close of the
meeting to say an encouraging word to him; the rest left him alone. On
the whole, they did not believe in "results" from Special Services,
and, despite the Pastor's frequent appeals for their unprejudiced and
whole-hearted support, none were enthusiastic over the effort being put
forth, and many were antagonistic. In the opinion of the majority the
regular, "well-ordered" Sabbath services gave ample opportunity for
those who wanted to lead different lives, and so far as reaching the
outsiders was concerned, the endeavour to invite personally the
non-churchgoers was quite unnecessary--all such knew they were welcome,
because the fact had been on the announcement board outside the church
for over ten years.
The missioner was told on all sides what a notoriously untrustworthy
man George was: "You see, we know his past, and you have been here only
two weeks, or you'd know better than to put any faith in what he did
and said last night. It was just a passing emotion, and it won't mean
anything." So George fulfilled their expectations when he returned
from the city uproariously drunk one night three weeks after the
mission closed.
The morning following the outbreak the minister's wife made a special
trip down street. The door of the carpenter's shop was fortunately
open, and George was leaning against his bench looking, as he felt, far
from happy. Pleasantly the little woman greeted him, and passed on.
Then, with an exquisite piece of deception, she appeared to have a
sudden after-thought, and turning quickly, she said, "Oh, George, the
doors in the pantry cupboard are so swollen that I cannot close them.
Could you fix them for me?"
The carpenter looked wearily at her. "I ain't feeling much like fixing
anything, Mrs. Lamb, but I'd try to do most anything for you."
"Thank you, George," was the reply, "I believe you would; come as soon
as you can."
George had said what was true; he believed in Mrs. Lamb, and what was
still better, he felt that she believed in him. When, on the night of
his confession, she took his hand and said, "I'm so glad, George," he
valued her word and tone, and look and hand-clasp, as only the
friendless man can.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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