Bible Truths Illustrated by J. C. Ferdinand Pittman

BIBLE TRUTHS ILLUSTRATED
is a strong church?" "Because," was the reply, "they are
earnest, devoted, at peace, loving each other, and striving to do
the Master's work. Such a congregation is strong, whether
composed of five or five hundred members."
158. I once saw a picture of a man who grasped the hilt of
his sword. The blade was broken. The other hand held fast
the great iron ring of the church door, while his eyes were
turned with a look of terror towards the direction whence he
came. He was being hunted to the death, and he was seeking
sanctuary. He was there at the place of refuge ; but the door
was shut. And when I looked at that beautiful picture I thought
of those harassed souls who have gone to the house of God,
tired and broken, weary and pursued, only to find there was no
protection, no comfort, no gateway leading to the peace of God.
—H. A. Proctor.
159. At the White City, London, soon after the war with
Germany broke out, and when a strenuous recruiting campaign
was in progress, they placed a great hand at the entrance,
stretched out as if to welcome volunteers. So, at the door of
the church can be seen the outstretched hand of our Lord Jesus,
ready to give the grip of welcome to all who volunteer for His
service.
160. I remember, one October morning, walking across an old,
smoke-begrimed bridge that spans the Ohio at Cincinnati. My
eye was caught by a dingy sign in large, plain letters nailed up
in a prominent place. It simply said: "Processions, in crossing
this bridge, must break step." That was all. But it was imperative.
It was a law. The procession must break step. The same
men might cross the bridge, in as large numbers, at the same
time, but they must not keep step. The authorities knew perfectly
well that for a body of men to march in step, every left
foot set down at once, the impact of every right foot striking at
the same moment, would so— I do not say add to the force
exerted—would so multiply the force exerted upon the bridge
as to endanger its safety. The power of concerted action is
immense beyond any power of conception. Every bit of power
at command can so be brought to bear at one point with a force
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