Name of the Good Samaritan.
By S. W.
THERE are many to whom the pleasure of doing a generous deed is a sufficient reward. It is well that it should be so. There will be no lack of little deeds of kindness, as long as it is true that it is more blessed to give than to receive. And where this is true, the little deeds of kindness may at length come to resemble the little grains of sand in their number as well as in their unobtrusiveness. All that we can do to foster the spirit which tends to this end is work well done. Oberlin, the well-known philanthropist of Steinthal, while yet a candidate for the ministry, was traveling on one occasion from Strasbourg. It was in the winter time. The ground was deeply covered with snow, and the roads were almost impassable. He had reached the middle of his journey and was among the mountains, but by that time was so exhausted that he could stand up no longer. He was rapidly freezing to death. Sleep overcame him; all power to resist it left him. He commended himself to God, and yielded to what he felt to be the sleep of death. He knew not how long he slept, but suddenly became conscious of some one rousing him and waking him up. Before him stood a wagon driver, in his blue blouse, and the wagon not far away. He gave him a little wine and food, and the spirit of life returned. He then helped him on the wagon and brought him to the next village. The rescued man was profuse in his thanks, and offered money, which his benefactor refused. "It is only a duty to help one another," said the wagoner, "and it is the next thing to an insult to offer a reward for such a service." "Then," replied Oberlin, "at least tell me your name, that I may have you in thankful remembrance before God." "I see," said the wagoner, "that you are a minister of the gospel; please tell me the name of the good Samaritan." "That," said Oberlin, "I cannot do, for it was not put on record." "Then," replied the wagoner, "until you can tell me his name, permit me to withhold mine." Soon he had driven out of sight and Oberlin never saw him again. Is it not a principal charm of the story of the good Samaritan that there is no name given, no clue to any person, nothing by which to locate the generous hand that did the deed, except the generous spirit which prompted it? If you feel prompted to an unnoticed act of kindness, do not hold back because it will be unnoticed! Ask yourself—What was the name of the good Samaritan?—S. W. Presbyterian.