SELDOM have the teachings of the false and the true been more strikingly yet simply illustrated to the heathen mind than in the following statement by a Chinaman of his conversion and his acceptance of Christianity.
No. 8. Hut and Threshing Floor of Brazilian Farmer. Threshing Beans.
“I was in a deep pit,” he said “sinking in the mire, and helpless to deliver myself. Looking up, I saw a shadow at the top, and soon a venerable face looked over the brink and said: ‘My son, I am Confucius, the father of your country. If you had obeyed my teachings you would never have been here.’ And then he passed on, with a significant movement of his finger and a cheerless farewell, adding, ‘If ever you get out of this, remember to obey my teachings.’ But, alas, that did not save me!
“Then Buddha came along, and, looking over the edge of the pit, he cried, ‘My son, just count it all as nothing. Enter into rest. Fold your arms and retire within yourself, and you will find Nirvana, the public peace to which we all are tending.’ I cried: ‘Father Buddha, if you will only help me to get out, I will be glad to do so. I could follow your instructions easily if I were where you are, but how can I rest in this awful place?’ Buddha passed on and left me to my despair.
“Then another face appeared. It was the face of a man beaming with kindness and bearing marks of sorrow. He did not linger a moment, but leaped down to my side, threw His arms around me, lifted me out of the mire, brought me to the solid ground above, then did not even bid me farewell, but took off my filthy garments, put new robes upon me, and bid me follow Him, saying, ‘I will never leave thee nor forsake thee.’ That is why I became a Christian. It was because Jesus Christ did not come to me with theories and speculations, but with practical help in my time of need.”—Christian Leader.
