The Lutheran Pioneer St. Louis — 1913, Page 68

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68

The Lutheran Pioneer.

A Persian Fable,

A Persian fable says: One day
A wanderer found a lump of clay
So redolent of sweet perfume

Its odors scented all the room.

“What art thou?” was his quick demand.
“Art thou some gem from Samarecand,
Or spikenard in this rude disguise,

Or other costly merchandise?”

“Nay, I am but a lump of clay.”

“Then whence this wondrous perfume?
“Friend, if the secret I disclose,

I have been dwelling with the rose.” —

Say!”

Sweet parable! And will not those

Who love to dwell with Sharon’s rose,

Distill sweet odors all around,

Though low and mean themselves are found? —

Dear Lord, abide with us that we
May draw our perfume fresh from Thee.
Anon.

The City of Refuge.

We are told that the cities of refuge in Canaan
were so placed and arranged that anybody could
easily reach one of them in half a day. So also
- the Word that brings salvation is brought near to

us; the Lord Jesus is an ever-present Savior, and .

the way to Him is short; all we need do is to cast
away all trust in our own merits and to cling to
Christ, who is our one and all.

Of the roads Jeading to the various cities of
refuge it is said that they were all carefully fenced
off, that every stream and chasm was bridged over;
every hindrance was removed, and he that had need
of fleeing to one of them could do so unhindered.
Once every year the elders of each city of refuge
went along the roads to inspect their condition.
hey ordered the removal of everything that might
hinder the flight of a man, lest by delay he might
fall into the hands of his pursuers and be killed.
Thus also the precious promises of the Gospel most
graciously remove all stones of offense out of our
way. ‘There is no hindrance they do not remove,
no difficulty they do not push aside.

At every byway and turn of the road a sign-
post was erected bearing the inscription, “To. the
City of Refuge!” ‘This is a type of the way to

Jesus Christ. The road to Jesus is no winding
way, changing its direction again and again, but
it is the straight road, “Believe in Jesus Christ,
and thou shalt be saved.” It is, however, in one

- foot is swift.

respect a very wonderful road, for no one that is
self-righteous can travel on it; and yet this road
is so pleasant that every sinner who knows that he
is a sinner can certainly find on it the way to ‘
heaven.

As soon as the slayer had reached the gate of
the city of refuge, he was safe from his pursuers; ©
it was not necessary that he go far into the town,
the very gateway afforded him perfect safety. I’rom
this we learn, dear reader, that if we but touch
the hem of Jesus’ garment, we shall be well; though
our faith in Jesus be ever so weak, it will save us.

But one more word: Do not linger on the way
to Jesus, hasten to Him at once, without delay;
for the avenger of blood is hard upon you, and his
Yes, hasten to Jesus at once and
be saved !

Will You Be a Missionary ?

Sophia had been praying for a number of years
to become a foreign missionary. One day an aged
friend said to her, poopie, stop! Where were you
born?”

“In Germany.”

“Where are you now?”

“In America.”

“Well, are you not a foreign missionary al-
ready ?”

Then the old friend continued, “\Who lives in |
your rear?”

“Ttalians.”

“Do they attend church?”

“No.”

“Who lives next door to you?”

- “Some Chinese.”
“Who lives on the floor above you® ae
“Some Jews.”

“Have you, ever spoken to these people about
their souls?”

“No.” '

“You have never spoken to these people of the
Savior! Do you think that God will send you

- thousands of miles to the heathen when you never

care enough about those at your own door to speak
to them of God’s love in Christ?”

How many of us need to learn the same lesson
which was taught Sophia! ‘There is plenty of
work for us to do at our doors. Jet us begin to
do it! As the salt of the earth, sweeten the bit that
is next to you; as the light of the world, drive out
the darkness nearest you.