WHO IS ON THE LORD'S SIDE?
By Edison J. Driver
OFTEN we hear people say, "O, if I were only rich, how easy it would be for me to do good!" Another moans, "If I were only well and strong, how much I could do." But they forget, as we all do sometimes, that not man, but God, giveth the increase. He seeth not as man seeth, for He has chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things that are mighty. And if the simple and weak and poor will humble themselves, God will work through them to do the deeds of Omnipotence. One day an old gentleman, well-to-do and retired from active life, was walking with a poorer man, who was engaged in relieving suffering. During their conversation the lack of sympathy among people was spoken of. "Yes," said the poorer man, "but there are those who, being taught in the school of suffering and poverty, have learned the divine lesson of brotherly love." As it chanced, seemingly, they came at this time to a park and sat down. An old crippled man sat on an opposite bench trying to warm himself in the morning sunshine. He was apparently hungry, too, for he several times stopped passers-by to ask for coppers, but with no success. Strong and happy people went by, but without pity for the old man. So at last in despair he ceased to stop them and apparently decided to go hungry. But a little crippled girl, coming slowly along on her crutches, had noticed his distress; and she did not pass him by as others had done. Instead, she accosted him kindly, and in her own gentle way learned his story of want, and finally induced him to go with her to a cheap eating house. There she paid for a simple meal for him, and, with close-set lips, went out hungry herself. But our friend, the old gentleman, had been a looker-on, amazed and delighted with what he had seen. He took the little girl to his own home. Needless to say, she was never again hungry. Yet more than all this, the old gentleman's heart was opened, and the remainder of his life was spent helping the poor. Thus, in hidden and mysterious ways, the great and good Father works for men. O, cast thy bread upon the water, He says, even the little that thou hast, and I will care for it, and it shall return to thee after many days. EDISON J. DRIVER.
Fresno, Cal.