0081. The Practice of Soul-Winning

The Practice of Soul-Winning

"Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds" (Phm_1:10).

In a prayer-meeting a man was talking something like this: "I aim to be a better man;" "I aim to do more for Christ, than ever before;" "I aim to do personal work and win some souls for God;" "I aim, I aim." Suddenly a huntsman in the crowd cried out, "My brother, why don’t you fire?"

To aim is not enough. "If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them".

Illustration: After the two armies of the North and the South had ceased firing and had fallen back behind their ramparts, a young Southern soldier said to Colonel Kershaw–"Colonel, hear the boys crying for water on the battle-field. Let me leap the wall and give them to drink." The officer said "No, you cannot go. A hundred bullets would be through your body as soon as you showed yourself beyond the wall." "But, Colonel, can’t you hear them cry? Please let me go." Permission was given and the lad leaped the wall. The boys in blue saw and fired, then stopped, for see, the Southern lad was leaning down and holding a canteen to the lips of both the blue and grey. Then the Northern army rose en masse and gave three cheers for the man who risked his life to give water to the dying lips of friend and foe alike.

We, too, must surely take the Water of Life and leap the walls of separation and give to drink, to the men who die.

Illustration: When the first railroad was being built through the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia, the river had swollen its banks, and crowds stood by watching the maddened waters rushing down the way. Suddenly from a half submerged tree far out across the turbulent tide, came the cry for help. A youth was seen clinging to the tree. "Who will go, and rescue the man?" was the murmur that ran through the crowd. Then a young civil engineer gave answer, "I will go." He took a boat far up stream, and started on his perilous trip–through swiftly swinging debris and dashing waves he guided his canoe. At last he came to the tree, he caught it with his arms, and as the boat swung round, he held it with his feet. Then the crowd watched him as he helped the youth into the boat. When next he grasped the oars, a mighty cry of cheer went up from the shore. Then all were stilled with fear. Could the brave man safely make back his way? Yes, he did. God that day worked with him as he rowed. To this day, they tell of the hero who risked his life to save the one who else had drowned. And shall not we get busy for our God? Shall not we reach out our hand and at every sacrifice seek to save those who are lost?

Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR