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 morning service our unhappy brother invited the minister to his house to dinner. While they were waiting alone in the parlor, he began his doleful story by saying: "My brother, you have no idea of my troubles, and one of the greatest is, my brethren in the church treat me very badly." The other propounded the following questions:— "Did they ever spit in your face?"
"No; they haven't come to that."
"Did they ever smite you?"
"No."
"Did they ever crown you with thorns?" This last question he could not answer, but bowed his head thoughtfully. His brother replied: "Your Master and mine was thus treated, and all his disciples fled and left him in the hands of the wicked. Yet he opened not his mouth." The effect of this conversation was wonderful. Both ministers bowed in prayer and earnestly sought to possess the mind which was in Christ Jesus. During the ten days' meeting the discontented pastor became wonderfully changed. He labored and prayed with his friends, and many souls were brought to Christ. Some weeks after, a deacon of the church wrote and said: "Your late visit and conversation with our pastor have had a wonderful influence for good. We never hear him complain now, and he labors more prayerfully and zealously." The Bible says: "Rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee. Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser." The above incident is another which shows the power of the Gospel as seen in Christ's sufferings, to subdue pride, and cast out discontent. Read Matthew 27, or John 19, to any fretful, gloomy or discontented Christian. This will be as efficacious as the balm of Gilead.—Christian Press.