A SENSIBLE EXAMINATION by Epworth Herald

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Nov 19, 1896

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 22, No. 46.

A SENSIBLE EXAMINATION.

By Epworth Herald

THE young man was a candidate for appointment as a foreign missionary. It was winter; the examiner sent the candidate word to be at his home at three o'clock in the morning. When the young man arrived at the appointed time he was shown into the study, where he waited for five hours. At length the old clergyman appeared and asked the other how early he had come.

"Three o'clock sharp."

"All right; it's breakfast time now; come in and have some breakfast."

After breakfast they went back to the room.

"Well, sir," said the old man, "I was appointed to examine your fitness for the mission field; that is very important; can you spell, sir?"

The young man said he thought he could.

"Spell 'baker,' then."

"B-a, ba; k-e-r, baker."

"All right; that will do. Now, do you know anything about figures?"

"Yes, sir, something."

"How much is twice two?"

"Four."

"All right; that's splendid; you'll do first rate; I'll see the board."

When the board met the old man reported:—

"Well, brethren, I have examined the candidate, and I recommend him for appointment. He'll make a tip-top candidate—first-class!

"First," said the old examiner, "I examined the candidate on his own self-denial. I told him to be at my house at three in the morning. He was there. That meant getting up at two in the morning, or sooner, in the dark and cold. He got up; never asked me why.

"Second; I examined him on promptness. I told him to be at my home at three sharp. He was there, not one minute behind time.

"Third, I examined him on patience. I let him wait five hours for me when he might just as well have been in bed; and he waited, and showed no signs of impatience when I went in.

"Fourth, I examined him on his temper. He didn't get mad, met me perfectly pleasant; didn't ask me why I had kept him waiting from three o'clock on a cold winter morning till eight.

"Fifth, I examined him on humility. I asked him to spell words a five-year-old child could spell, and to do sums in arithmetic a five-year-old child could do, and he didn't show any indignation; didn't ask me why I wanted to treat him like a child or a fool.

"Brethren, the candidate is self-denying, prompt, patient, obedient, good-tempered, humble; he's just the man for a missionary, and I recommend him for your acceptance." —Epworth Herald