A TRIFLING PREACHER

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 25, 1878

A TRIFLING PREACHER.

A CLERGYMAN once preached a very awakening sermon. A young man in the congregation was much impressed, and finding that the clergyman was to walk some distance home, joined him, in the hope of having some conversation as to how to be saved. The clergyman was walking with several others, and instead of conversation turning on religious matters, it was light, and even indecorous. Some years afterward, the clergyman was called to see a dying man in an inn. As he entered the room, the dying man started. “Sir,” he said, “I have heard you preach.” “Thank God for that!” “But, sir,” continued the man, “I have heard you talk, and your talking has ruined my soul. Sir, do you remember the day I heard you preach? That sermon brought conviction to my heart. But I sought conversation with you, and I walked home with you, hoping to hear something about my soul’s peace; but you trifled—trifled—trifled! Yes, you did; and I went home believing that you knew all the solemn things you said in the morning were lies. For years I was an infidel; but now—now I am dying—I am one no longer. But I am not saved! I will meet and accuse you before the bar of God!” And so the man died.—Selected.