WHERE ARE THE NINE? by Jean E. Lancashire

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, Cal. · Dec 8, 1887

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 13, No. 47.

"WHERE ARE THE NINE?"

By Jean E. Lancashire

"Going to prayer-meeting to-night?" asked Mrs. Blair.

"Oh, dear!" sighed I, "I am so tired, and we have hardly time to get there. It is quite a walk for tired feet down to that church, Mrs. Blair."

"The longer we sit here the less time there is. And there is the car, you know."

"Five cents to go, five cents to come. Can't afford it. Still, I have not been to prayer-meeting in three months; I suppose it is my duty as a member of the church to go once in a while, so I'll go to-night. I would be glad to go often, but it is always like this—too tired—too little time—too poor."

To make up for lost time we hurried into our wraps and walked briskly down the street. We were a little late, for the small company of worshipers were singing when we entered.

The pastor rose at the close of the song of praise. He looked slowly about the room.

"Were there not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? This church records a membership of four hundred; making the figure as large as we can, one hundred are present. Some have come because they love the house of God—they love to meet in prayer. Others of you (alas! it is too true) have come because it is your duty. You are members of the church; if for nothing but appearance's sake, you must come once in a while."

Oh, accusing conscience, keep still! Your careless words are returning to attack you.

"One hundred present," continued the pastor; "where are the three hundred? We must be fair. Some could stand before the throne of God and feel their excuse was a worthy one. They are lying on beds of sickness and suffering. They may be watching beside the dying. Mayhap it is a deed of mercy, for which they had no other time, has kept them away. Some mother must stay by her restless babe. We will be lenient. One hundred could not by any possible means have come. Where are the two hundred? Where? Would they willingly stand before a God of power and justice, and say: 'I was too tired to go to thy courts as thou hast commanded.' 'I owe a duty to my family, and had a game of romp with the children.' 'A great singer was to be here, and music is an educator to soul and mind'? Where are the two hundred? Workers in Christ's vineyard, be faithful. Where?"

The pastor came down the aisle after service, and as he heartily took my hand, I could not refrain from saying, prompted by my newly-awakened conscience:—

"Every word went to my heart. One of the tired ones among the two hundred has come back."

It is a rest, ye tired ones. I found it so. Try it and see.—Jean E. Lancashire, in Christian at Work.