A Story Worth Telling

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

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

A Story Worth Telling.

A CERTAIN minister, who belonged to the fault-finding, scolding tribe, having exhausted the patience of several churches, was called to a fresh field. For a while "all went merry as a marriage bell." But the ruling passion soon began to betray itself, and Sunday after Sunday he plied the whip with merciless fury, until only a few of the more faithful put in an appearance to receive their portion of something that was not meat in due season. At the conclusion of one of his excoriating harangues a worthy deacon invited him to his house to take dinner. After finishing a bountiful repast, which is always the time a thoughtful man chooses to perform a delicate service, he very quietly asked his pastor if he had ever read and carefully studied John's account of the interview between our Lord and Peter and other disciples, after his resurrection.

"O, yes," said he, "I have often read it with profit."

"Well," said the deacon, "suppose I turn to it and read it over carefully?"

"O, no," said the pastor, "I can repeat it all from memory."

"But," persisted the deacon, "I prefer reading it now."

So the book was opened at the place, and the deacon began: "Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Beat my lambs! He saith unto him the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Maul my sheep. He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he saith unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Larrup my sheep!" The good deacon closed the book with great gravity, and "no matter how the story ended."—Christian Index.