p. 745 | WHAT THEY LOST

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Oct 1, 1894

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 20, No. 47.

WHAT THEY LOST.

NEAR London there lived an old couple. In early life they had been poor; but the husband became a Christian, and God blessed their industry, and they were living in comfortable retirement, when one day a stranger called on them and asked their subscription to a charity.

The old lady had less religion than her husband, and still hankered after the many hard-earned shillings which Thomas had given from regard to the law of God. So when the visitor asked for their contribution she interposed and said: "Why, sir, we have lost a deal by religion since we first begun; my husband knows that very well. Have we not, Thomas?"

After a solemn pause, Thomas answered: "Yes, Mary, we have. Before I got religion, Mary, I had an old slouched hat, a tattered coat, and mended shoes and stockings; but I have lost them long ago. And you know that, poor as I was, I had a habit of getting drunk and quarreling with you, and that you know I have lost. And then I had a hardened conscience and a wicked heart and ten thousand guilty fears; but all are lost—completely lost—and, like a millstone, cast into the sea. And, Mary, you have been a loser, too. Before we got religion you had a washing day, and you had a gown and a bonnet much the worse for wear, but you have lost them long ago; and you had many an aching heart concerning me at times, but those you have happily lost. And I could even wish that you had even lost as much as I have lost, for what we lose for religion will be an everlasting gain."—S. S. Advocate.