p. 187 | Tears vs. the Pocket by C. L. White

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Mar 20, 1884

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 10, No. 12.

Tears vs. the Pocket.

By C. L. White

THE last step in sanctification, we are inclined to think, is the conversion of the pocket. You may convert men from profanity, from intemperance, from the theater, from fashion and frivolity in their varied forms, to attending meetings, distributing tracts, exhorting, singing, and praying, but the hand is still unclasped from its gains.

It is not sometimes very difficult to move audiences to tears while an earnest man pleads the cause of the poor and needy. But, not infrequently, the speaker is surprised to see the large amount of tears people will shed over the poor, and the small amount of money they will contribute to relieve them.

One of the most effective speakers in behalf of this Association, furnishes this striking illustration of the point:—

"On a Sabbath afternoon in the autumn of 1867, I presented our cause to a crowded house in the town of ——. In the course of my address I noticed, in front of me, a fine-looking, well-dressed man, bearing all the marks of wealth and high social position. His eyes, riveted on the speaker, were brimming with tears, rendering necessary the frequent use of his handkerchief. Indeed, he seemed so moved and interested that I almost forgot the great auditory around me, and talked and pleaded with him alone. When I reached the home of the good deacon with whom I stopped, I described my auditor, and found that he was what I expected, a leading citizen, wealthy, and of high social standing.

"The deacon, too, noticed his emotion, and said, 'I know how much he gave; how much do you think?'"

"I replied, 'I should not suppose that a man in his circumstances could afford to be moved as he was for less than ten dollars.'"

"'Ten dollars!' was the reply; 'he gave three cents.'"

"Tears, I have since learned, ofttimes flow from very shallow springs. But I still wonder how a man could weep so much for 'three cents.'" —C. L. W.