THE COMPLAINING PREACHER.
SOME years ago a pastor of a small church in one of the villages of Indiana became exceedingly discouraged, and brooded over his trials to such an extent that he became an inveterate grumbler. He found fault with his brethren because he imagined they did not treat him well. A brother minister was invited to assist him a few days in a special service. At the close of the Sabbath service our unhappy brother invited the minister to his house to dinner. While they were waiting alone in the parlor, he be13in charge of her baby sister. The girl wearied of the task, and to make the infant cry fed pins and needles to it. "The family was ignorant, knowing nothing even of religion. This girl was visited, along with the other convicts, by members of our society. I called upon her one day with my little daughter, and left them alone in the cell together for an hour or more, tho I was warned against such trust in a young murderess. When I returned the girls were fast friends, engaged in cutting out dolls. The little convict's nature was changed. She became converted, and, being pardoned soon afterward, brought about the regeneration of the whole family. Later she married. She is now a fine woman." It was the practical manifestation of trust and confidence that won the heart of this young convict. It is a more powerful influence in such work than many of us have thought it to be. Try it in your work for others; and remember that it is worthy of more than one trial. God used it in the gift of His Son; and tho He was slain by those whom He would have saved, God did not cast off the race. He still has confidence in the race—in you. Exercise the same toward those whom you would influence to be His.