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
Later on he told how he used to feel like saying, "Why won't you
believe in me, and stand by me, and give me a fighting chance?" Often
he felt like a man who had been injured, and who needed support until
he could reach a place of safety; and yet few did more than look with
disgust on him, and think it unlikely that he could make the journey
without falling. But, despite his weakness and his sin, George
believed there were possibilities of noble living even for him.
The following Sabbath he was back in his place in church, a humble,
penitent man. The sermon that day was different from the ones the
people were used to hearing; not that it was better, for all Mr. Lamb's
sermons were of a high order, but it had an element that was unusual,
an element of great tenderness. The text was: "Go, tell His disciples
and Peter." Peter's past, traitorous conduct was graphically pointed
out, but so also was his weeping. "We cannot think too harshly of our
sins," said the preacher, "but we may think too exclusively of them.
Peter thought of his sins, but he also thought of His Saviour, and when
he saw his Risen Lord, the erring but penitent disciple said: 'Thou
knowest that I love Thee,' and the Master forgave all and sent him out
to service."
The God whom the Minister was accustomed to preach about was a
splendid, strong, but rather pitiless Being; now they heard of a
loving, pitiful Father who was ever seeking those who had turned from
Him, and who was more than ready to receive them as they turned again
home. All He wanted was to hear from their own lips, "Father, I have
sinned." That confession opened Heaven's wardrobe for the man made
disreputable by wandering.
At the close of the evening service George accepted Mrs. Lamb's
invitation to "slip in and have a cup of cocoa." "Just the three of
us," she added. "You know the way; walk right in." Hurriedly she
passed on to give kindly greetings to a few strangers she had noticed.
For nearly two hours George and the Minister sat in the glow of the
firelight. It was a great relief to the disheartened man to be with
those who knew all, and who yet loved him, and who, by their faith in
him, gave him a little more faith in himself and in God.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account