p. 739 | A Minister's Tact

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Dec 10, 1885

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 11, No. 47.

A Minister's Tact.

HERE and there an eccentric minister is found, who, in spite of his queer dress and strange manners, is known as a devoted disciple and an attractive preacher. Rowland Hill was an eccentric; yet he was the great man of the London pulpit. Peter Cartwright, one of the pioneers of Western Methodism, could enforce silence—and often did—in the roughest crowd, and then charm them with his bucolic eloquence. Jacob Gruber, an old-fashioned Methodist minister of the South, was always spoken of with great respect, though he was a little "queer," on account of his devotion to his work and his tact in dealing with all sorts of persons.

In those days, it was the custom for Methodist ministers to carry in their saddle-bags religious books, which they sold to the people living on the "circuit." One day, while Mr. Gruber was stopping with a pious family, a bright, giddy girl of sixteen took one of the minister's books, and, in a spirit of mischief, said to the old man,—

"Mr. Gruber, give me this book."

"I will sell you the book—my books are for sale," answered the minister.

"Yes, I know you have books for sale," the girl continued, in her bantering way; "but as this one did not cost much, I think you might give it to me."

"I will give you the book," said the old man, seriously, after a moment's thought, "if you will promise to do what I tell you."

"No, Mr. Gruber, I can't promise that; you might ask me to do something which I ought not to do."

"No, no, my daughter, I couldn't do that; it will be something your parents will approve."

"Then I promise," answered the giddy girl, anxious to know.

"You promise me, my daughter," said the old man solemnly, "that till I come here again, four weeks hence, you will every night pray your heavenly Father to forgive your sins and to take care of you while you sleep. Then in the morning you will thank him for his care, and pray for guidance during the day. Do you promise to do this every morning and night for the next four weeks?"

"I do," said the sobered girl, receiving the book.

Punctual to his appointment, Mr. Gruber was at that house on the last day of the fourth week. "Did you keep your word?" he asked, brusquely.

"I did, sir," she promptly answered.

"You never skipped one morning or evening?"

"No, sir, not one."

"Then the book is yours, and you can now stop praying; you have kept your promise," said the old man, turning away.

"But I don't wish to stop praying," said she.

"You don't?" and the venerable minister stopped. He had gained what he sought.

"That's right, my daughter! don't stop praying, and God will bless you."

It was not long before the minister had the pleasure of receiving her into the church.—Sel.