The Hotel Bible

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · May 9, 1911

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 38, No. 18.

A SMALL party of friends gathered about a cozy tea-table were discussing the propriety of the Bible Society's placing copies of the Holy Scriptures in railroad-cars, steamers, hotels, and other places of public resort.

One or two of this party raised the objection to the practise that in such public places the Bible often received rude and careless treatment at the hands of irreverent and irreligious persons.

After all the rest had expressed an opinion, a woman, the sweet graces of whose Christian character gave her a wide-reaching influence in the village, related this touching incident of personal experience:

It seems that two or three years after her conversion and union with the church, troubles came upon her and her family. Instead of bearing her trials with patience and submission, she lost faith in the goodness of God, in His ever-watchful care, doubted the genuineness of her conversion, ceased to pray, to read her Bible, or even to think of seeking divine guidance.

While in this pitiable state, circumstances made it imperative for her to visit the city of New York on a very painful matter of business. She was of a retiring disposition, unused to traveling, and had never been in a large city.

When on her journey, in the cars, a slight act of courtesy led her to make the acquaintance of a gentleman and his wife, who took her under their protection, and after their arrival in the city, went out of their way to leave her at the entrance of a respectable hotel.

She ascended the stairs oppressed with an almost overwhelming sense of loneliness mingled with the consciousness of an utter inability to perform the errand she had in hand. On being ushered into the capacious and elegantly-furnished parlors, she walked mechanically to a center-table, and opening the single Book which lay on the marble top, her eye fell upon these words: “I will never leave thee nor forsake thee.”

An emotion of tenderness born of her old-time love of God and trust in His promises suddenly stole into her heart. Still bending over the precious Book, the gathering tears beginning to dim her eyes, she read on: “Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, and to-day, and forever.” The comfort which these passages of Scripture brought to her it was impossible to describe. The black clouds of unbelief and doubt sullenly, but quickly, rolled away. The glorious sunlight of divine love and protection shone in upon her soul, and the bow of promise seemed to span the arch through which she looked toward the beneficent days that were near at hand. She was no longer alone; and this assurance came to her heart like a balm and a blessing. Her perturbed and distracted mind was at rest now; the bygone joy, peace, and trust sat again upon the throne of her heart, and held more potent, loving sway than ever. “Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, and to-day, and forever!” she kept saying to herself, over and over.

Quieted and perfectly self-poised now, she gave her orders with the assurance of an experienced traveler. She ate a hearty supper, went to her room, and in time to her bed, with as great a sense of security as if she had been in her own house. She slept peacefully, and awoke at her usual time in the morning, thoroly refreshed.

Unexpected facilities for transacting her trying business opened up on all sides. She was uniformly treated with respect. Her questions were promptly answered. She was marvelously aided in her quest, and her mission proved successful.

Had it not been for that copy of the Bible found so opportunely in her pathway, she was sure she would have taken the next return train home without being able to make an effort even toward the accomplishment of her mission. The Bible in the hotel was in the right place.—American Messenger.