OBEYING CHRIST LITERALLY.
"WHOSOEVER shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also. And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away." Mr. Mills next related a number of instances where Christians had been greatly blessed in following Christ literally. The first instance was that of a missionary in Africa, who preached the Gospel for seven years without making a single convert. The missionary then concluded that something was wrong with his interpretation of the Gospel. So he called his congregation together and read Luke with them, he encouraging them to put their own interpretation on the words as they went along. All was harmonious until they reached the text quoted above: "Give to every one that asketh of thee." The African hearers and fellow readers, who were noted for their thievery, instantly made a literal application of that text. They claimed that the missionary had a great many things in his house which they would like, but which, if they took them, would be demanded back from them by him. The missionary protested at their application, but took a week to think it over. In that time he came to the conclusion that they were right, and told them so. Thus encouraged, the Africans stripped his house of everything it contained, even to the soap dishes. As he and his wife sat on the floor of their dismantled home, she, very naturally, entered a strong protest against his new interpretation of the Gospel. But before evening he was vindicated. The consciences of the Africans gave them no peace, and, moved by the inward monitor, they returned to the missionary not only everything they had taken, but much besides. A great revival followed, and that African village is now the model community of the dark continent, according to the testimony of Stanley, quoted by Mr. Mills. The work of Rev. Mr. Torrey, superintendent of the Moody Sunday school in Chicago, is largely among the dives, and he had been constantly played upon by bummers and frauds until he adopted this policy of a literal application of the sermon on the mount. Since then he has had more money in his pocket than ever before. The consciences of the bummers and frauds, appreciating his defenseless condition, prevent them from making unjust demands upon him. If a man should come up to him on the street and demand money of him, said Mr. Mills in speaking of himself, he would answer the applicant after this fashion: "My friend, I have no money in my pocket except what belongs to the Lord Jesus Christ, whose servant I am. If you really need that money, the Lord Jesus intends that I shall pay it to you. But if you do not need that money, and are demanding it for some unworthy purpose, you are taking God's money. For this you will have to answer to God at the awful day of judgment." Mr. Mills added that he had known hardened toughs fall back conscience-stricken against a lamp-post when their demand for money was met in this way.—N. Y. Independent.