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THE WORTH OF A DOLLAR

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The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 30, 1867

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 29, No. 21.

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THE WORTH OF A DOLLAR.

By ALMON BISBEE

[BRO. SMITH: The following incident I copy from an old tract. If you think it worth publishing, please do so. Yours, &c., ALMON BISBEE.]
About the year 1797, deacon M. was traveling from a town on the eastern border of Vermont to another on the western side of the same State. Passing over the mountainous part of the country between the Connecticut and Onion rivers, he perceived the heavens to be gathering blackness. The sound of distant thunder was heard, and a heavy shower of rain was to be seen approaching.
The traveler was then in a forest. No place of shelter appeared, and he hastened on until he arrived at a small cottage on the extreme border of the woods. The rain just then began to pour down in torrents. He sprang from his horse, pulled off his saddle, and without ceremony darted into the house.
Surprised to see no family but a single female with an infant, he began to apologize for his sudden appearance—hoped she would not be alarmed, but permit him to tarry till the rain abated.
The woman bade him welcome. He seated himself, and, as usual with him, began to question her in regard to her spiritual welfare. She confessed to be very ignorant of the Bible and of the way of salvation, but manifested an earnest desire to become acquainted with them.
He earnestly besought her to read her Bible daily, and to give heed to it as to a light shining in a dark place. She with tears in her eyes confessed she had no Bible. They had never been able to buy one.
“Could you read one if you had it?” “Yes, sir, and would be glad to do so.”
“Poor woman,” said he, “I heartily pity you—farewell.”
He took his saddle, went to his horse, and was preparing to pursue his journey. But he reflected: “This woman is in perishing need of a Bible. Oh! that I had one to give her. But I have not. As for money to buy one, I have none to spare. I have no more than will be absolutely necessary for my journey home. I must go. But if I leave this woman without the means to procure the word of God, she may, perhaps, perish for lack of knowledge. What shall I do?” A voice whispered, “He that hath pity on the poor, lendeth to the Lord. Cast thy bread upon the waters, for thou shalt find it after many days.” His heart responded, “I will trust the Lord.” He took a dollar from his purse, went back and desired the woman to take it, and as soon as possible to get a Bible. She promised to do so, saying she knew where she could obtain one. He again took his leave, and set off. As there were then few taverns on the road, he asked for lodging at the private house against which he found himself when night overtook him. He had but a small amount of change with him, but as a journey of two or more days was before him, he purposed to make his supper on a cold morsel which he happened to have with him. But when the family came around the table to take their evening meal, the master of the house very urgently invited the stranger to join with them—not only so, but craved God’s blessing on their meal.
He now began to feel himself among friends, and at liberty to talk freely on divine things. The family appeared gratified on listening to his discourse till a late hour. It was a season of refreshing to their thirsty souls.
In the morning, the deacon was urged to stay to breakfast, but declined, urging the distance he had to go, and requested to set off early. His benefactor would take no compensation, and he departed giving him many thanks.
He traveled on till late in the morning, when, finding no public house, he stopped again at a private one for refreshment. While waiting, he lost no time to recommend Christ, and him crucified to the family. When ready to depart, he offered to pay the mistress of the house, who had waited upon him very kindly, for his repast, and the oats for his horse; but she would receive nothing.
Thus he went on, calling for entertainment as often as he needed it, and recommending religion wherever he called, and always offering to pay his expenses, but no one would receive his money. What, thought he, does this mean? I was never treated in this manner before. The dollar given to the destitute woman recurred to his mind, and conscience replied, “I have been well paid.” It is indeed safe to lend to the Lord.
About one year and a half after this, a stranger called at the house of deacon M. for some refreshment. In the course of the conversation, he said that he lived on the other side of the mountains near Connecticut river. The deacon inquired for some gentlemen there with whom he was acquainted, and was pleased to find that the stranger knew them well. He then asked if the people in that vicinity paid much attention to religion. He replied, “Not much; but in a town twenty or thirty miles back from the river, where I am acquainted, there has been a powerful revival.” The commencement of it was very extraordinary. The first person that was awakened and brought to repentance was a poor woman who lived in a very retired place. At the time of her baptism, she related that some time before, a stranger was driven into her house by a storm, and talked to her so seriously that she began while listening to his discourse, to feel concerned about her soul. The man, she said, was much affected when he found that she had no Bible, and after he had left the house to go on his journey, he returned and gave her a dollar to buy one, and charged her to get it soon, and read diligently. She did so, and it had been the means of bringing her from darkness into light—from a state of stupidity and sin, to delight in the truth and ways of God. The name of this pious man, or the place of his residence, she knew not, but she believed that the Lord had sent him. Her neighbors were led to meditate on the goodness, wisdom, and power of God, displayed in this singular event of his providence. They were led to think of the importance of attending to their Bibles, and were finally awakened to a deep concern for the salvation of their souls. As many as thirty or forty are already converted and rejoicing in God their Saviour.”
The deacon, who had listened to this artless relation with a heart swelling more and more with wonder, gratitude, and joy, could refrain no longer, but with hands and eyes upraised to heaven he exclaimed, “My God, thou hast paid me again.”