I was a bad chap, and I went on doing bad things because I
knew no better; and so, brothers, when you see a mate going wrong just
coax him. And God bless you, gentlemen and ladies, and all on us."
Every variety of story was told, and, in the exaltation of the hour, the
men sang rapturously. Some of the speakers moved the doctor with
terrible pathos. (I, who chronicle these things, have heard tales which
come to me in wild dreams, and make me tremble with pity and terror.)
There was no showing off, and even those who used the stereotyped
phrase, "When I was in the world," did it with a simple modesty which
our learned friend found charming. Apparently not one of those poor
fellows felt a single prompting of conceit, and if their very innermost
feeling had been translated it would come out like this: "Brothers,
through mercy we've all slipped away from an ugly fate; we're on safe
ground; let's hang together and help each other nearer to God, lest we
should get adrift and make shipwreck."
Lewis was particularly pleased with their kindly mode of talking about
backsliders.
"Come, old lads," said one fair-haired Scandinavian, "let's all say a
word for poor old Joe Banks. He's a backslider just now, through that
dreadful drink. Let's all pray as he may see his sin against his
Saviour, and come right back to Him. He's too good to lose, and we won't
let go on him."
Then the excitement gathered, and the meeting really developed into what
might be fairly termed a Service of Praise.
Pages:
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81