Two Preachers

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Oct 12, 1905

Two preachers went to the post-office to get their mail; one of them had been writing a sermon, and continued to think on the subject as he walked down the street. He decided to change the language on the last page, and elaborate more fully an argument in the middle of the sermon. He got his letters from the office, went home, made the changes he intended, and was utterly unconscious he had done anything wrong. But he had angered a sensitive man, offended two middle-aged ladies, and forever insulted a young mother who was out with her three-months-old baby. He had passed them all without seeing them, for he was lost in himself, and was utterly oblivious to all others.

The other preacher was writing a sermon also; but when he left his study, he left his thoughts with his pen and manuscript. He passed down the street a few minutes after the other. He met the sensitive man, and said: “Why, how do you do, brother? I’m real glad to see you. How is your wife? Fine day!” and then passed on. Next he met one of the ladies and stopped to shake hands with her, and as the other one came up, he said, “Well, I am in luck to-day in meeting so many friends, and here comes Mrs. So-and-so with her baby.” As the young mother came up with her heart’s treasure, he said to the baby, “O, you little darling!” and to the mother, “You have a beautiful baby.” He went to the post-office, got his mail, and went home, without any idea that he had done anything unusual. But he had made four people feel glad. He had drawn to himself the good feeling and kind thoughts of four hearts, and they all went to hear him preach the next Sunday morning, for people love to be noticed; every human heart loves to be appreciated, for God has made that a part of our common nature.

Both these men were perfectly natural; both were good preachers and Christian gentlemen; each one had acted according to his nature; but one was fortunately constituted in being naturally sociable, and the other had a very unfortunate defect and a very small congregation, for “a man that hath friends must show himself friendly.” Prov. 18:24. This is just as true now as in Solomon’s day. —Selected.