THE POWER OF A SMILE by American Messenger

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Mar 29, 1899

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 25, No. 13.

THE POWER OF A SMILE.

By American Messenger

A YOUNG man was once confined in a darkened chamber by a long and painful illness. The inmates of the house were distant relatives, and seemed to think that they were doing their whole duty toward the friendless youth by allowing him to remain there. They seldom went into his room, and his attendant was a sad-faced old woman, who never smiled.

The young man became despondent, and resolved to commit suicide. While he was writing a note telling his reasons for ending his life, a knock was heard upon the door, and a sweet-faced lady entered. She was a neighbor, and, hearing of his illness, had sought him out.

She smiled so sweetly that even before she spoke the young man gave up the idea of the crime which he had contemplated. She spoke a few encouraging words to him, and when she placed her soft hand upon his hot forehead in a motherly way, he broke down and sobbed like a child. She smiled again, and knelt in silent prayer by his bedside, with the sweet love token by which God spoke to him still glowing upon her bright, womanly face.

In that holy silence all his bitterness of soul left him, and there came an intense desire to seek and find Christ. The repentant one felt the presence of God's Spirit, and ere the smile faded from the face of the Christian woman, the loving Saviour had entered the open door of the seeking soul. In a week's time the young man left the dim chamber of pain and went out into the great world to do the Master's work.—American Messenger.