The miracles of Jesus - Classical Christian Literature by Athleo.net

THE DEMONIAC 337
tuary. Take somebody by the hand. There are scores
of people there
needing that very thing, longing for
it ; scores of people to whom it might mean almost
salvation. There are strangers coming here every
Sunday beseeching with their lonely looks for a
welcome, wistfully longing to find in God's house
something that will make them feel at home. I know
there is a difference in people, some come and go
away without the least wish to be approached, ready
even to resent a friendly word, but not many. Keep
your eyes open and your hearts open, and you will
always know when a true pressure of the hand would
be as sweet as a Gospel.
how heavy they are
And some are sorrowful O !
when they come in, too grieved in spirit to take in
Though those words are
the words of the preacher.
brimful of comforting promises. For these there is
something magnetic, nay, there is the healing of a
sacrament in a kindly touch. Look out for some of
these sad ones, and take them by the hand. And
there are dozens of people here, and in every congregation,
young and old, but especially young, who are
hovering on the brink of religious decision. Their
backs are half turned on the service of the world,
their faces are inclined towards Christ
It needs only
one gentle push of love to send them forward
towards the blessed life. A grasp of the hand and an
earnest, friendly word would do it. Nay, it would do
it with many of those who have hardly begun to think
religiously at all. It would set them thinking. It
would make them feel and say, " Well, really, that good
man, that sweet-faced woman, is anxious about me,
cares for me." That is the beginning of better things
Y