I Don't Do Dat Way

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Nov 5, 1885

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 11, No. 42.

"I Don't Do Dat Way."

It was a meeting for prayer and Christian conference. The key-note of the services had been struck by the first one who spoke. He dwelt upon the trials and difficulties of his lot, the temptations that beset him on every hand, the mountains over which he was toiling, the dark valleys into which he descended. Very little, if anything, was said about the consolations by the way, the gracious help given from above.

The next one who spoke took up the same strain, and so the doleful song went on till any person listening, unacquainted with religion, would have concluded it was a very dreary affair, and wondered that people came together to talk about a subject that gave them so little joy and comfort.

At last it was poor, old, black Liddy's turn to speak. She rose and said, "Brudders and sisters, I could talk of trials and troubles too. But I don't do dat way. I take 'em all to de Lord and lays 'em at his feet. If I begin to dink of trials and troubles, they rise like a great mountain over me. But I don't do dat way. I just take 'em to de Lord."

One who was present and related the circumstance said, "It was the best reproof I ever heard given. They had all been complaining of their heavy loads, while she in her simple faith had done as her Master commanded,—cast her burdens on the Lord, and he had sustained her."

"She cast her burdens at his feet, And bore a song away."

—Illustrated Christian Weekly.