p. 707 | Follow Me

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Nov 27, 1884

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 10, No. 45.

Follow Me.

Some time ago, a gentleman tells us, he was traveling in Syria, and stopped to watch three shepherds who were watering their flocks at a well. All the sheep mixed together, and to a stranger's eye they appeared as one. Presently one shepherd arose from the well-side and called out, "Men-ah!"—the Arabic word for "follow me!"

To the American's surprise, about thirty sheep, separating themselves from the others, followed the man up the hill. The second shepherd cried out "Men-ah! Men-ah!" and away went the second flock. The American was very much astonished at this, and seeing the third shepherd gathering up his crook and a few scattering dates that had fallen from the palm under which he had rested, he stepped up to him and said: "Would your sheep follow me if I called them?" The man shook his head.

"Give me your cloak and crook, and let me try!"

The shepherd did so, even taking off his dirty turban and twisting it around the American's head, with a grin of amusement; and then he stood and watched the American call, "Men-ah! Men-ah!" until he was quite hoarse.

The sheep stood lazily blinking at him, basking in the sunshine, but not one moved a step.

"Do they never follow any one but you?" asked the American of the shepherd.

"Only when the sheep is sick, and then the silly creature follows any one," replied the shepherd.

So the American and you and I learn this lesson: that if any of Christ's sheep cannot hear his voice, or distinguish it from the world, the flesh, and the devil, it is because that sheep is sick. Yes, soul-sick, sinful, backsliding, and oh, so foolish! Is that what troubles you? Are you tired of prayer and Bible-reading, and working for Jesus? Oh, poor, sick soul! come back to your Shepherd to-day; let your prayer be this: "Cause me to hear thy voice;" and when you hear it again, keep close to his side.—Sel.